On the surface, staying active can seem like a pipedream for a busy stay-at-home dad. There isn’t much time to hit the gym or take that solitary afternoon jog. But reality is, the kids keeping a SAHD on his toes is at least keeping him off the couch.
The everyday duties of a stay-at-home dad may not equal a quick 30-minute romp on a treadmill in terms of intensity or relaxation, but it could be a little eye opening just how much exercise baby wrangling provides. And staying active can help keep you happy and healthy.
So feel even better about all the chasing after little ones, pushing strollers, cleaning floors and running errands you do day in and day out.
Get a PedometerWant proof that the stay-home-dad gig keeps you pretty active? Strap on a pedometer for a few days and see how many steps you are taking while keeping the house in order.
There is a general thought out there that 10,000 steps will help maintain a good level of health. That number may seem astronomical at first, but in this role you might be surprised how quickly you can rack those steps up.
As a pedometer fan, I have had days where simply corralling two young boys has put me over that number. Adding a good daily walk can push it well ahead of that standard. That’s some pretty good activity without even thinking about it too hard.
A good pedometer can be relatively inexpensive while keeping track of steps and distance walked. Don’t be surprised if using a pedometer keeps you motivated to continue that activity. It might even push you to do a little more to surpass the previous day’s output.
Then chart how much activity every task throughout a typical day creates. Most SAHDs probably never considered vacuuming exercise, but in the long run it may just be good for your health.
Give the Stroller a WorkoutSimple walking may not seem like a great workout, but the activity brings with it many benefits. Make a habit of going for a daily stroll, especially with younger kids. Even a quick 15- or 20-minute jaunt around the neighborhood can be beneficial.
Make it an activity and part of the routine. Hit different trails or parks to change the adventure. Don’t be surprised if eventually the kids yearn for that walk.
Push the pace if you desire or even work up to longer distances and outings. But don’t push it too hard or far, especially if just starting out. Know your limits.
In the end, the addition to the schedule not only will help give dad a little workout, but it also gives everyone a little time out of the house for some fresh air.
Take an Extra StepWhen out and about it is easy to add to the activity without much extra effort or planning.
Park a little farther away from the door. Walk the escalator stairs at the mall instead of waiting for them to get you to the next floor. When making a quick errand for a single item, carry the baby instead of putting her in a cart.
Don’t just sit on the bench at the park watching the kids play, throw the football with them or have a race. All the little extra steps will quickly add up.
And until you can find time to work the treadmill into the daily routine, take heart that doing just what the average-stay-at-home dad does every day is a quite a bit better than nothing.