The Importance Of Being Healthy and Active For Dads Over 40
As a dad, everything you do is for your kids. Every day you work to make sure that you are giving your children the best life possible. Whether that means pulling extra hours at work or getting up early to take them to practice.
You’re there for them. You provide. You take care of them.
But what about you, Dad? Are you taking care of yourself?
Have you noticed?
As the years tick by, the value of your health gets more important, but it is so often neglected as we prioritize others. Our spouse, our kids, our jobs, etc., etc., etc.
Have you noticed that as the years go by, recovering from activities have become a bit more difficult? Maybe at 40, a day at the ice rink with your kids now means 2 days of recovery, but then you were in your 30’s you could go forever.
Even simpler tasks like bending down to pick up your kid’s toys is easy now, but what about after 40? 45? 50? And those harder physical tasks at work?
Ask yourself:
Will you be able to work and provide for them as they age and you age?
The science of aging
One of the main reasons that these activities become more difficult as we age is due to a syndrome called Sarcopenia.
Sarcopenia is age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function and can lead to more devastating illnesses as we age. At 40 years old, that is when adults start to see muscle loss due to lack of activity.
If you’re a dad over 40, one of the best ways you can make sure that you provide for your kids is by taking care of your body through exercise.
In fact, one study shows that exercise helps you even on a cellular level! It says the more you exercise, the faster the body is at regenerating new cells and repairing unhealthy cells.
According to Health Canada, getting regular exercise can also prevent these chronic diseases:
- cancer
- obesity
- hypertension
- heart disease
- type 2 diabetes
While this applies to everyone, it is especially important for you to prevent, if you want to be around for your children later in life.
When is the best time to start exercising?
Even if you weren’t a regular gym buff in your 20s or 30s, now is a great time for you to get in shape. One study published in the journal JAMA Network Open says that exercising later in life is just as effective at preventing these diseases as if you started exercising regularly in your adolescence.
Your schedule may tell you one thing, but your body knows:
The best time for you to shift into a healthier lifestyle is right NOW.
We’re not saying you have to abandon bedtime stories for time in the gym, but becoming more active can provide you with more energy and even more time with your kids. If you’re worried about not spending enough time with your kids by prioritizing exercise, remind yourself of how NOT exercising can take more time, even years, away from your life.
3 tips to get you started
You’ve got a lot going on. You have a lot of responsibilities and limited time. So, how do you fit it all in?
Consistency is key
It’s cliche—we know. But it has truth to it!
You won’t stick to your routine if you make it unrealistic. Carve out 10, 20, or 30 minutes into your schedule first. Stay consistent with that. The more you start showing up for yourself, the more that you’ll realize how important it is to make time for yourself to get active. Staying frequently fit and injury-free will outdo any size gains you’re seeking. The “Dad Bod” is a positive trend for a reason!
Slow Your Roll
You may be inspired by something you read online, then go out and do a 3-hour marathon workout right away. But the chances are you won’t go back to the gym after that. Chances are you will probably injure yourself.
Just like we suggest starting with small time commitments, start with small movements. You may have the temptation to push yourself to impress the young buck two benches over to prove you can keep up, but if you push yourself to the point of injury, you may be doing more harm than good. Kids want to be inspired
Don’t do it for yourself
Spending time away from your family might seem a bit selfish. But you have to change that mindset. Reframe your thinking so that you consider exercising just another form of care for both you AND your family. Think of exercise as a gift you are giving your family. Becoming more active clears your head, relieves stress, and allows you to be more present while you’re spending time with your family.
As parents, we love watching our children grow. We are proud that they hit their milestones and we want to be around for a long time to watch them achieve even more. Exercising through a strength training program allows us to build muscle and strength that will lead to a longer life, and ultimately more time to make memories with our loved ones.
So, Dad… We thank you for all that you do for your family.
Now, it’s time to start giving back to yourself.
Reach out to us We’re here to help you build a fit lifestyle that will give you extra years with your family.
