So you’re a new dad. Congratulations on the little bundle of joy.
By this point in the process, you’ve surely figured out that sympathy weight gain is a very real thing. Every time your wife said “Screw it I’m eating chocolate,” and you followed along, the effects were cumulative.
While you didn’t do the lion’s share of the work in the labor process, you still packed on a few. That’s alright. With a few adjustments, you can revert back to a healthier lifestyle.
I’ve got a step-by-step guide for dads looking to lose that weight:
- Buy a membership to the gym. Next, curse yourself for not realizing you’ll never have time to use it.
- Get your refund. Buy a running stroller instead.
- Walk around the house looking for something between 6 and 25 pounds that you can lift over your head for arm exercise.
- Realize your baby fits the bill. He or she may even laugh or smile when you do this.
If you’re looking to bypass the steps on this list, it may be useful to go into problem solving mode a little early. Just do your best to clear out whatever windows of time become available. You’ll also need to make the best use of your resources (your baby).
Your baby is actually the perfect addition to your workouts. Use the stroller if you need to bring them along as you run through the neighborhood. Enjoy getting the time to clear your head if you don’t.
Babies can actually be incorporated into several exercises if you get creative enough. Here are a few suggestions:
- Put them on the ground and do pushups with them between your arms. Each time you go down, kiss them, tickle them with your face, or otherwise attempt to make them laugh or smile.
- Try presses. Babies love flying through the air. It’s actually a pretty easy way to keep them entertained.
- Lay them sideways in your arms and curl them.
- Hold them in your hands as you do situps. It’s actually a pretty good way to work out your core muscles.
You don’t actually need the gym to get rid of the spare tire. Whether the kid’s been around for a few hours, a few weeks, or a few months, it’s about time they started pulling their weight.
Every time I do presses with Jamie, when I set him down, he sighs and breathes heavy like he did all the work. Yet he laughs and smiles while he’s up in the air. Go figure.
Disclaimer – Unless you like being showered with spit up, it’s best to stagger your workouts as far away from feedings as possible. Lifting your baby above your head repeatedly can be a high-risk, high-reward activity. I’m also not a personal trainer. You’ll have to figure out the schedule and exercises that work best for you and your goals.
Best of luck, and happy weight loss!
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