I’ve been a trainer for 12 years. I’ve been working out consistently for about 15. I have preached exercise and working out that entire time. I can’t remember going more than two weeks without working out. It’s as much a part of me as anything else I can think of. Most people know me as a guy who is in good shape because I work out.

So why am I giving it up?

Because I want to be the best dad and father I can be.

Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up…

Pre Baby Prep

Baby number three is cooking. Due in just two short months. Nesting is in full swing, nursery is being planned, names are being considered and mom, dad and big brothers are anxiously awaiting the latest addition to our family.

If nothing else, the first two kids have taught me how important taking care of myself is. Like most parents, I have found raising children can prove to be quite tiring at times, exhausting at others. Having been generally under slept and over worked the last 7 years, I am not as fresh and fully charged as I once was. Although I feel good overall at the moment I know having a third baby will be a lot of work and will take energy and sleep away from me quicker and more ruthlessly than the IRS takes my money. Fatigue makes it difficult to be the husband and father I strive to be. Since avoiding fatigue is not an option, my best bet is to be as prepared as possible. To be as rested and recovered as possible going into the birth of my son. To be a fully charged battery. How do I plan on accomplishing this? Two steps…

Step 1:
Sleep and rest as much as possible.

Step 2:
Eliminate and manage unnecessary stress.

Both of these are tough, as life makes these challenging in more ways than one. In taking a look at my life and where I can maximize my input and limit my energy output, the most glaring example of meaningless energy output and stress on my body is working out. Don’t get me wrong. I love working out. It feels great. I have built a strong and able body because of it. But it is also a very energy demanding activity with no real purpose in my life at the moment. I don’t need to get stronger, bigger or faster and I don’t need to lose weight, “tone up” or drop any bodyfat. With my physical health in good order and my family as the priority in my life right now, working out needs to go.

I am still planning on being active but in the form of “working in”. I will take walks and hike with the family, wrestle with my boys, climb a few trees here and there and play around whenever the opportunity arises. I will also do light energy capturing activities such as stretching, meditation and other restorative movements from time to time. For the next two months and probably beyond, working out is being replaced by working in (here’s a previous post on working in).

Time to charge my battery.

Thanks for reading, have a great recharged day!