How New Dads Can Get In Shape To Keep Up With Their Kids

One of the most common questions new dads ask themselves when a baby arrives on the scene is 'how will I keep up with the child'?

Having kids is undoubtedly life changing and it is imperative for any parent to ensure that their kids enjoy a sustainable environment in which to develop.

Much of early fatherhood is spent caring for the new life, often to the detriment of you own health and wellbeing - both physical and mental.

With that in mind, we take a closer look at how new dads can get in shape to keep up with their kids.

Take time off

This might seem like an odd place to start, but when you become a dad it is imperative that you take as much time off work as you can at the start.

There has historically been a narrative that dads don't do anything in the beginning, with much of the focus placed on how a baby impacts the mother.

However, dads are as much a part of the equation as mums, so maximise whatever time you have available to make sure those early weeks run smoothly.

From bonding with your child to sharing the workload with mum, this crucial time is a period you can ill-afford to underestimate.

Build some exercise into your schedule

Numerous studies have shown that exercising regularly provides positive benefits for your physical health and mental wellbeing.

Having children often impacts on your ability to fit exercise into your schedule, but it is imperative to find a way to do so every day.

Even if it is just half an hour walking the dog around the local park - that exercise will ensure that your core fitness level doesn't suffer too much.

As your child grows a little older, you should be in a position to build more structured exercise into your everyday routine.

Step up your training

Once you have got the early months out of the way, you will hopefully be able to think about stepping up your fitness activities.

From joining a gym to taking up cycling, there are a plethora of ways you can ensure you get your body shape to keep up with your kids.

It can be extremely useful to support your ramped up workout regime with some supplementary products.

Many people struggle to get the correct balance of nutrients from their daily food intake, but taking supplements can help you redress the balance.

Ditch the excuses

Having stressed the importance of living an active lifestyle, there may be occasions where it is not practical to fit your usual exercise into each day.

For instance, there will be times when mum is exhausted and needs you to step in to allow her to grab some much-needed rest.

You can use this as an opportunity to squeeze in some exercise by taking your kids out - maybe walking them around the park or going for a bike ride if they're a little older.

Ultimately you must be prepared to be versatile and creative when kids come along to ensure your own fitness levels do not suffer.

Do something you are passionate about

Parenting is extremely demanding and can often lead to both mum and dad neglecting the things they are passionate about.

However, it is important to ensure that you cling on to at least one thing outside of parenting that you love doing.

Staying in shape is as much about mental wellbeing as it is physical, which means that enjoying some 'me-time' is hugely important.

While it is unrealistic to expect everything remains the same when you have kids, there is no reason why each parent can't enjoy one other activity.

Eat healthily

Dad bod. If you want to keep up with your kids you cannot afford to develop that cumbersome paunch around your middle.

Eating a healthy diet is generally one of the first things that suffers when kids come along, with many parents often resorting to convenience foods.

However, if you want to avoid the dreaded dad bod, you need to ensure that you consume a healthy and nutritious diet.

Getting the right balance of food will help you power through each day and help you avoid the sluggishness you feel after eating junk food.

Start meal prepping

Meal prepping is not only a great way to facilitate eating healthily, but it can also save you plenty of time during the week.

Spending some time each weekend preparing your meals before freezing them to use during the week is a superb timesaver.

It will also help you avoid the temptation of eating unhealthy food, as you can plan your entire weekly menu in advance.

From there, it is just a case of getting meals out of the freezer each day and popping them into the microwave. You'll save time, effort and washing up by meal prepping.

Get enough sleep

There will undoubtedly be some dads out there who cannot remember the last time they had a good night's sleep because of their kids.

During the early months, do not be afraid to establish a rota which splits which parent gets up during the night if junior wakes up.

It is imperative to train your youngsters to sleep through the night as soon as possible, to ensure the impact on your own sleep pattern is minimised as much as possible.

Sleep plays an integral role in health and wellbeing - if you are not getting enough, you will be able unable to function properly.

The final word

As we have highlighted, it is not overly difficult for dads to get in shape to keep up with their kids if they put their minds to it.

If you can find time to exercise, eat healthily and get enough rest, you will be well on your way to enjoying some happy times with them!