Hey Dad, Look After Yourself. You Owe It To Your Kids!

08/14/2018 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

We all remember our former selves. That disorganized, feckless and self indulgent boy in a man costume. We remember how selfish he could be sometimes. The needless risks he courted. The way he could be so inconsiderate and ignorant. But his heart was in the right place. He never set out to hurt anyone and he only ever had good intentions. Yet, he never realized just how incomplete he was until he held his child in his arms for the first time. Fatherhood has a way of reawakening something in us. A primal hunter gatherer instinct and an unyielding need to protect the tiny fragile life in your arms. Parenthood actually changes your brain’s composition. And although this change will inevitably lead you to make life choices that favor your kids’ well being over your own, it’s still important to look after yourself.

health, dad, fitness, aging, kids

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Warm up and cool down at the gym… It’s really important!

Despite the myriad time and logistical constraints of fatherhood you may well want to spend more time at the gym. You want to look good for your baby mama but you also want your child to grow up with a strong and capable father. And, if you’re honest with yourself, you want to be able to win any “my Dad could beat up your Dad” debates.

By all means pump that iron but exercise smart. Far too many people, especially men, don’t properly warm up and cool down before engaging in exercises like deadlifts and squats is just asking for a back injury. This in turn can lead to a spinal cord disability that could leave you with temporary or even permanent mobility issues. Warm up, cool down and remember the importance of proper technique over heavy weight.

It’s not okay to still be a veggiephobe well into your thirties

When you were younger and you did your food shopping you likely tried to incorporate all of your major food groups; alcohol, sugar, fat and meat. But if you’re to remain a good Dad for decades to come, you need to start taking better care of your diet. This means loading each and every plate of food you eat with plenty of veggies. These contain the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients for good health and a robust immune system, now and for decades to come.

Steer clear of beer for most of the year

Being a dad is hard. Emotionally, logistically and physically it takes its toll. As such we need to take opportunities to relax and unwind wherever we can find them. But of the only way you can do this is with a beer in your hand, you could find yourself facing health problems later in life. Try and find ways to relax that don’t involve drinking. Not only can a lifetime of drinking lead to fatal cirrhosis of the liver, it can slow your metabolism leaving you with a beer gut that’s virtually impossible to shift.

When all’s said and done, your health is the best gift you can give your kids. It will allow you to look after them and give them the love and support they need when they’re way older than you are now. Look after yourself, Dad. You owe it to your kids!

Life, Parenting

Dads, Here’s How To Grow Successful Adults

08/13/2018 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

dads, successful, kids, adults, teaching

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As dads, one of the things we’re most worried about is our kids getting into trouble. It’s falling into the wrong crowd, not doing so great at school and not being happy. That’s right up their with the big dad-worries. But another major worry – and one we tend to admit less – is our kids not doing awesome things when they become adults.

Every dad wants his son or daughter to become a successful adult. It’s what drives us when we nurture them. The problem is: there is no blueprint, guidebook or recipe for raising successful children. It sucks but it’s the truth. The sucky-truth.

That said, there are certain things we can do as parents to help our kids grow into successful humans, and these are some of them:

Make Them Do Chores

The reason behind this is simple: if your kid isn’t doing their chores, it means someone else is doing it for them, and that doesn’t benefit anyone in the equation. That doesn’t just mean your child is absolved on doing their chores, it also means they miss out on the valuable lesson of why the work has to be done, how to best do the work and how contribution helps everyone.

Social Skills Are Everything

It is beyond us to think the education system is still geared toward a bygone time where people left school, got jobs in factories and were made to work like robots. That’s not how life works anymore. As the experts at ej4.com will attest, success in the workplace depends on outstanding teamwork. Life is about collaboration, it’s about helping others, it’s about communicating your way to success, understanding other people’s feelings and resolving issues as a team. All of this comes from good social skills.

Math Is A Must-Have

There is an argument to say algebra is nonsense and there is a little voice in the back of our mind that mocks the teachers that used to say, “you can’t use a calculator because in real-life you won’t always have one on you” (thank you Apple), but there is no denying that math is still an essential skill to develop. As a researcher by the name of Greg Duncan states, “The paramount importance of early math skills — of beginning school with a knowledge of numbers, number order, and other rudimentary math concepts — is one of the puzzles coming out of the study”. Another thing worse mentioning is that early math development is highly linked to reading abilities too.

Praise Effort, Don’t Fear Failure

There is an undeniable danger in being scared of failure, something that professional people call a fixed-mindset. Luckily, the growth-mindset challenges this by thriving on the challenge and seeing failure as part of the journey to success, as opposed to evidence of un-intelligence. This is what you need to be reinforcing in your children and the best way to do that is by praising their effort, something that will encourage them to keep growing and learning.

Going Healthy, Life, Parenting

Health Hacks For Dads Who Just Can’t Be A$$ed

08/09/2018 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

health, fatherhood, dads, parenting, kids, hacks

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Women get the most attention for wanting to look good, but guys are as bad. Dads may seem as if they don’t care, but a receding hairline and a fat gut can make them self-conscious. Whether they’re the type or not, pretty much every man on the planet wants to age gracefully, and the best way is to be healthy.

There is a caveat, though – you can’t be bothered. After all, you’re a dad who works 40 hours a week and takes care of the kids. You’re not a twenty-something spring chicken.

The good news is you don’t have to be if you know the trade secrets. Here are the health hacks for fathers who lack motivation.

Be A Cook, Not A Chef

Meals are a sticking point as guys feel as if they have to cook up a storm in the kitchen. Plus, you want as much flavor in the dish as possible when you’re on a diet. There’s nothing worse than a bland chicken breast with a side of steamed veg and lettuce. Thankfully, there is no need to act like Gordon Ramsay in the kitchen. Instead, focus on these delicious recipes which are super healthy. Not only are they tasty and good for you, but they’re quick. When you can’t be bothered to cook, speed is of the essence.

Skip The Gym

Going to the gym may seem like a necessity, but it can often get in the way. There are too many idiots that make you feel self-conscious to exercise properly. Rather than a competitive environment, create one which is fun and friendly. The great thing is it can be anywhere, from the living room to your bedroom. All you need to do is focus on activities which burn calories without the need for specialist equipment. There are twelve for your information here, but press-ups and squats work well, as does skipping. Because you can do them at home, there is no need to get overly motivated.

Boost Your Hormones

The reason you can’t be bothered is mental. Typically, there are too many negative thoughts in your brain to be proactive. Plus, there may not be enough testosterone to give you an adrenaline boost. Thankfully, you can change this with a small Tongkat Ali Dosage. Because it’s a plant, it’s entirely organic and contains no chemicals while encouraging the brain to produce extra hormones. Alternatively, you can make a concerted effort to be happier and less fatigued.

Involve The Kids

Children are active and will take you along for the ride. So, don’t sit on the sidelines – get involved. All you have to do is join them in the pool when they go swimming, or hire a bike and cycle alongside them. Getting them to kick a soccer ball around the garden is a basic way to burn calories too. In fact, anything which includes running and jumping ticks the boxes, and as you know, kids do these in their sleep.

Do you think you can be a$$ed now?