Diaries of a new dad - Ep. 3

5am feeds, fitness and fatigue

Let me just start by saying it is THE single best thing we’ve ever done. That little being, that presence, that little person that is 50/50 you and the love of your life… incredible. Absolutely first class.

BUT

With the broken sleep and the getting up for work at 5am to make sure she’s fed, changed and back off for a nap pre-work is a bit of a killer. I fully understand now why new parents hit the roof when people in their 20’s with no responsibilities say they are tired. Just you wait sunshine!

However

Like anything in life the body adapts. You get used to waking up a couple of times a night and working off the broken sleep, and let’s be honest, we knew full well going into this it wasn’t all going to be sunshine and icecreams.

And before I start harping on about how ‘if I can do it, you can do it’ and all that other rubbish, let’s not forget I work in a gym and have a lot more windows of opportunity to smash out 15-20 mins of exercise whenever I fancy it.

But and it's quite a big one...

When it comes to spare time at the moment, be it an hour, half an hour or even just five minutes, I always want to head home and see the little one and Sophie, thats just natrual as a new parent, you're essentially inseperable from your little one. However, I have started to notice some lethargy creeping in, I'm not feeling as fit or as strong as I have previously and that's okay and furthermore, it's always going to be that way. Sleep patterns are non-existant, quality of food drops a bit (thank god for COOK meals, my absolute saviour) and you generally feel lower on energy.

I do have to mention though, if you’re waiting for the right opportunity to start, or some sign from the universe, it isn’t coming, you’ve just got to get stuck in.

Now I’m not talking about hours and hours of relentless exercise, 30, 20 even 15 mins of hard work and pure focus is better than not doing anything at all. Just do what you can where you can.

Another idea is to follow a plan and before you get the wrong end of the stick, this isn't a shameless "come and use my online coaching platform" plug, although I will stick a link in at the end incase you're intrigued... This is me telling you to have an idea in your head of what you want to achieve before you turn up. Chest, legs, cardio, whatever it is, it doesn't matter as long as it;

A. Fits within the time parameters you have available to you

And

B. You work as hard as you possibly can on that day

Outside of those two factors, don't be too hard on yourself. Only got time or energy for a couple of sets? Good, you made it to the gym anyway.

And believe me, I know the feeling of ‘I’m shattered I can’t be bothered to do any exercise’ believe me I know… but as the fitness levels rise, you’re getting stronger and mood improves, you’re going to be more motivated at home, at work and generally, the best version of yourself.