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Post-parent exercise 101: Walking
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The Twin Tornados on a Walk
As Dads, we often give up a lot of our pre-parent activities when the kids come along.
Most of these are a more-than-fair trade off, but all too often, we find ourselves a couple of years down the road, with an energetic two-year-old and a bad case of couch-potato.
Let’s face it, it’s hard to make those Thursday night basketball games and the early morning racket-ball reservations, when you’re toting around a toddler, (or picking up the extra duties for a mom that’s doing the toting.)
We keep telling ourselves, “I gotta get back in shape.”
Brother, that’s the truth!
That two-year-old tornado is just going to get bigger, heavier, and faster for a lot of years, and the time to get back into shape, if we ever hope to keep up with them, is now.
Luckily, there are still plenty of activities that can break a sweat and get the heart rate up without having to hire a sitter. Basketball may be out (though wouldn’t THAT be fun to watch!) but with a little creativity we can pry out ever-widening rear-ends out of the mini-van and get back in the game.
One of the best investments you can make is in a jogging stroller.
Check eBay, Craigslist, or your local second-hand store for great deals. Jogging strollers are a lot like 4wd trucks; some folks use them and abuse them, some never take them off the blacktop. Shop around, and you can find one barely-loved for at least half the price of new.
Jogging or walking can, with a little planning, be done in most weather, with the kiddo awake or asleep, and at your own pace. Set yourself a goal (mph/distance) then set a schedule (three days a week, minimum) and then go for it. Most experts recommend that you work yourself up to a pace that has you breathing just a little too hard to carry on a conversation, without sucking wind.
As always, check with your doctor before starting any new exercise regime.
The “Walk of Life” 10 week program is just one of many online training schedules you can adopt to help you get started, and offers a daily newsletter of tips and encouragement to keep you on your feet.
Plus, there are cool toys available for you gadget-guys; everything from simple belt-on pedometers to wristwatch GPS units that track distance, speed, and heart-rate. None of these are necessary for getting is shape by walking, of course, but since when does that matter?
So, turn off the tube, put down those chips, and get back in the game. That ten-year-old with the basketball is waiting just around the corner, and you want to show them that the “old man” can still play.
They’ll thank you for it!
-Perry
Portland’s Walking Examiner, Wendy Bumgardner, offers some great ideas for getting back into shape. For even more tips, check out these great articles:
How to Exercise with Kids
How to Stay Fit When You're a Stay at Home Parent
And, for my fellow gadget guys: Gift ideas for active and fit dads.
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