Dad life is so much more then just diapers and bottles. (Although Blair does have lots of experience with blowout diapers now. And when Braxton does take a bottle, he loves drinking their “bottles” together.) Just like how my whole world has changed, I sometimes forget that so has Blair’s. Becoming a dad and being responsible for taking care of and paying for another life can’t be easy. I’ve been posting a lot about what it was like for me after the baby, but I thought I’d also share how Blair’s life changed after becoming a dad as well, and more specifically how workouts have changed! So he helped me out with this post today. Here’s what dad life looks like for all you new dad’s or dad-to-be’s.
(Braxton loves napping on his daddy’s chest.)
When I was pregnant, Blair decided it was a good excuse for him to indulge and eat poorly as well. He ate things he wouldn’t normally eat. (At least not all the time.) Taco Bell, pizza and brownies became a weekly habit for BOTH of us. I’ve read that men sometimes gain “sympathy weight” while their wives are pregnant and can gain anywhere from 8-15 pounds. He was still working out every day which helped keep the weight down for him. After Braxton was born though, that changed somewhat. We dropped our gym memberships to save money and because neither of us had time to go. (I know he loves his son, but I can tell he misses his “second home”…) Between working all day and rushing home to spend time with his son and wife, he didn’t have time to go work out. He also had a hard time breaking the bad eating habit. (Maybe more so than I did…) After the first month or two he started complaining about seeing a noticeable difference in his body and he wasn’t feeling great about it. He would say he didn’t want, “The Dad Bod.” When I mentioned I was working out at home with the baby, and he saw how it was helping me get my body back, he was willing to try the “home workouts” so he could spend time with his family and get fit in the process. Fitness has always been important to him, and he wants his son to see that.
(Blair’s pre-baby days spent at the gym.)
Instead of running on the treadmill, he now runs around our neighborhood. It’s scorching hot out, but I guess that’s like getting a workout and sauna time all at once. Sometimes, when it isn’t too hot out, he’ll take Braxton on a run with him. (Which also gives this mama a little break! But I admit that I usually use this time to catch up on some sleep…) He’s told me that running with a stroller is completely different and harder. I’ll have to start doing this soon as well. (Especially since the weather is getting cooler out.)
(Blair’s post-baby days spent with his son)
Instead of using a weight room, he uses equipment at home along with using Braxton as his weights. He has an over-the-door pull up bar, some dumbbells, and the “perfect pusher” that he uses in the garage as his own private “weight room.” Braxton loves when he does push-ups over him and gives him a kiss in between each set. He also laughs constantly when he does lunges and squats while holding him.
(Braxton loves when daddy does squats with him.)
So even though I was the one who had to get pregnant and gain/lose weight, Blair also has been going through his own new fitness journey. Being a parent is hard work, but you don’t want to give up your own health just because you’re a dad. It’s more important than ever to eat healthy and work out so that you can be around for your kid and keep up with them as they get bigger. I’m so proud of Blair for working hard to support our family, spending time playing with our little guy, and taking care of his own health. His favorite pastime used to be going to the gym, but now nothing makes him happier then Saturday morning’s sitting at home watching Mickey Mouse Playhouse with his little boy. He still plays soccer every Sunday and I can’t wait for the weather for cool down some more so that Braxton and I can go watch his daddy play.
(Blair loves his nightly duties of bath time. Braxton loves it too.)
**For the record, I still think he looks amazing and has a great body!