FIT FATHERS AND THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Recently in an Instagram post on my personal page (@Savage_Fitician) I spoke on the mental struggles and aspects of being a personal trainer. That everyone has their why (a previous blog topic) and it all comes down to an emotional attachment to a specific goal. That in order to fully reach your physical goal you must also tap into the mental/emotional attachment to that goal. 

While in this blog I will be referring to Fathers of the like; the logic applies to parents and even adults with responsibilities as a whole. 

1. As Fathers, especially fathers that have discovered or are in the process of discovering their purpose; we get attached to many goals.

1. Work goals
2. Family goals
3. Wife’s to-do list goals
4. Hobbies and wants goals
5. Personal fitness goals
6. Etc 
1. We tend to get easily distracted or sucked into the tunnel of one and miss in other areas. 
2. Our fitness or health both physically and mentally gets put on the back burner.

1. Physical and mental fitness, no matter how many things are on the agenda; should be at the foundation of those goals.
1. We hear often these days that the “dad bod” is a desired topic.
1. What most fail to realize is that the dad bod is usually a residual effect of a once fit father that let himself go because he placed everyone else’s needs before his own.
1. This may not be the circumstance and life’s balance of exercise, beer, and food becomes an argumental point but you see what I mean.
2. Characteristically this sounds like a good quality.
3. For the sake of longevity, however, this is not sustainable both in health, and relationships. 
2. But let’s be honest, we’ve all heard our dads, uncles, brothers, flash backstories of the once better days they put behind them. 
2. We collectively share the intuition that the gym is a place to break free, heal, escape, and even re-discover.
1. Arguably none of those “why’s” would be necessary if we focused on and placed our personal health and fitness at the top of our agenda.
2. I’m not going to say that it needs to be the daily’s number one priority.
1. I am saying that without it the rest of that list won’t get adequately done, some goals will not be achieved, and even the ones that are may not be as fulfilling in the end as the exhaustion, overstimulation, and emptiness sets in. 

1. As Fathers, our priority is to lead, teach, and inspire both within and beyond our core family. 
1. BUT WITH AN EMPTY CUP?
1. Let’s be honest with ourselves on the realistic outcome of this.
2. Without taking care of ourselves both mentally and physically it becomes very difficult and uninspiring to lead that way.

1. Exercise in any form
1. Strength training
2. Cardio
3. Yoga 
4. Aerobics 
5. Etc
1. Has and continues to prove the overall benefits in both general health and mental stability. 
6. While men prefer strength training
1. Because who doesn’t love feeling strong, and looking aesthetically pleasing
2. Any form of exercise
1. Improves mood
2. Boosts energy levels
3. Maintains homeostatic hormone functions
4. Battles risk of disease and injury in older ages
5. Just to name a few
7. It is of the utmost importance for us as Fathers (parents) to remain fit in all capacities and capabilities.