Happy Father’s Day, Fit Dads!

What does it mean to be FIT?  What does it mean to be a DAD?

For some, being a DAD means to go to work, go home, sit on the couch and let yourself go. Not for “FIT DADS!”

In honor of Father’s Day,  I have written a special Fit Dad’s day blog post to recognize some amazing Real Dads who are inspiring Fit Dad Role Models!  I wanted to feature a wide range of Fit Dads who represent all levels of fitness, all backgrounds, careers.

Being “FIT” means living the lifestyle of health and fitness.

I have to admit, ever since the day I had my daughters, the word, “fit” drastically changed.  The real proof if someone lives a healthy lifestyle is after they have kids and still manage to balance fitness, career and family.

The real proof if someone lives a healthy lifestyle is after they have kids and still manage to balance fitness, career and family!

As we all know, pre-kids, it was easy to go work, hit the gym 2-3 hours per day, eat right, go out, have fun, maybe even train 2x per day / double days, sports on weekends, go to the spa…Post Kids: There is never enough time to get everything done, life on fast forward, every day is on high speed, there isn’t 1 spare second to waste. Everything is a condensed version if it even makes the “to do list” at all.

After having kids and taking care of the family, being fit is much more challenging, requires much more dedication, motivation & time management skills. As a parent, you are literally pulled in every direction.

To honor Fit Dads, I thought it would be fun to write a Fit Dad blog post to showcase and recognize some of the Fit Dads out there who work so hard and live the health and fitness lifestyle.  Every Fit Dad in this post, has a passion for healthy living, has found a way to manage it all and excel in career and family life…. and motivate others in the process.

The majority of the Fit Dads interviewed were athletic growing up and also played sports with their kids. This reinforces my belief in the importance of role models.  By being role models Fit Dads and Fit Moms, we are creating a generation of Fit Kids.

By being role models for our kids, we are creating the Fit Kids Generation.

Help your kids develop healthy habits:

• discover a fun sport or exercise you love
• eat healthy foods frequently during the day,
• eat the colors of the crayon box
• most of all: strive for balance which means a little of everything

“PIck a sport or exercise that is fun.

If it’s fun, you are more likely to do it…and do it often.”

FIT DAD INTERVIEWS:

 

DENNIS: (aka MR. KIANA to some…)

OCCUPATION: FIRE CAPTAIN / TRAINING OFFICER / ICS COORDINATOR / PARAMEDIC

 

1.How often do you workout and what is your exercise of choice?

Three times a week intense and 1-2 recovery workouts- interval training, running, weight lifting.  I use the Interval Timer that Kiana gave me and I can really maximize my workout time.

2. Many Dads find themselves on the couch with the remote and junk food. How do you motivate yourself to workout?

My wife is an anomaly. She is a machine that has achieved a level of fitness that we normal humans may never attain.  I use her as motivation, really! She can’t sit still for more than 2-3 minutes without doing something active.

Plus I have very active kids and an equally busy schedule that doesn’t allow for a lot of down time.  I know that it would be nice to sit around every now and then (Watching Football**Go Broncos**) but the family would be running right by me and I would miss out on a lot of important time with them.

3. Do you exercise with your family: wife / kids? If so, what do you do?

When I have time. It is much more productive and fun to have fun fit days with the family. We do group exercises or run on the beach.  Kiana sets up little par courses that the kids love it’s more of a game than a workout to them.  Our daughters are really active.

4. Were you athletic growing up?

Yes, I have always been really active and played competitive sports all the way from youth through college.  I was the kid who had to work twice as hard to excel in sports when I was real young.  The extra preparation and hard work training really played of with the never give up attitude.  I may have never been the biggest or the fastest, so I made up for it in effort and determination.  I wouldn’t let a coach tell me it wasn’t possible to achieve your goals.

5. What tips do you have for Dads who need to lose some weight?

Eat healthfully and smaller more frequent portions. Don’t miss meals! If you’re like me I get grumpy and eat more because I waited to long.  Kiana is always setting up small meals and snacks to keep me going.

6. Do you exercise to feel good, to look good, why?

Both…when you look better, I think you feel better.  Also for my occupation (fire captain & training officer) you need to workout intensely at a high level.  This is so you will be physically able to save a life…which could be your own.

7. What is your best feature and area that you want to improve upon most?

My wife and kids are my best feature. They keep me going and make life worth living. I don’t have a physical feature I want to improve on….just my relationships with my family and making sure I take steps to keep physically and mentally healthy.

JOHN SOO HOO:

Los Angeles Dodgers / Team Photographer / Kiana’s Favorite Cuz (Cousin)

 

Since 1985, SooHoo has been the face behind the camera lens for the Dodgers, shooting everything from Steve Finley’s division-clinching home run in 2004 to everyday group photos of fans. Still, SooHoo’s contributions to sports photography do not end with the Dodgers. He’s covered the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, USC, UCLA, Rams, Raiders and Angels over the last three decades. He shoots as a contract photographer for the Auto Club Speedway and has covered a variety of prestigious sporting events such as World Series, the Super Bowl and BCS games.

“Because of my profession as a sports photographer, I rarely sit on the couch & bon bon up since I am usually at the Dodger games I would be watching on television.”

 

1. How often do you workout and what is your exercise of choice?I do not go to the gym to work out. Instead I play full court basketball two to three times a week. I make a point of stretching for 20-30 minutes before head to the court.

2. Many Dads find themselves on the couch with the remote and junk food. How do you motivate yourself to workout?
Because of my profession as a sports photographer, I rarely sit on the couch and bon bon up since I am usually at the games I would be watching on television.

I have taken to roasting raw almonds and mixing organic craisins and bagging them for my day of nibbles. When media food is heavy in meats, pastas and desserts, I need my nibbles.

I have two planned days of the week of playing basketball…Monday in San Pedro and Thursday in Chinatown. My third day of basketball would be Sunday when I can get it in after working at the stadium.

In season when I am on the road with the Dodgers, everything changes as I rarely hoop and usually eat mostly at the hotel where room service will prepare food to guests preference.

3. Do you exercise with your family: wife / kids? If so, what do you do?I do not exercise with the family as my kids view anything I want them to do (with or without me) as punishment.

4. Were you athletic growing up?
I grew up playing everything but loved playing basketball most.

5. What tips do you have for Dads who need to lose some weight?
Although Dads may need to lose weight, they might not want to. It has to come from within or when some mid life event occurs like a heart attack or stroke. However, all the working out in the world will mean nothing without changing eating habits.

6. Do you exercise to feel good, to look good, why?
I play ball because I love the physical and mental involved in it. I love working with teammates with the goal of making them look good. But mostly I love it because unlike conventional “working out,” time flies while getting good cardio without watching the clock on the treadmill,bike or stair climber of which I am a mental midget at.

7. What is your best feature and area that you want to improve upon most
My best feature is……I don’t have a best feature. I am just happy to be going along the path I have been on since the beginning of the year. I would love to improve my ability to get my kids to eat what I cook and eat.

Related Read: Dodgers to honor team photographer Jon SooHoo

 

**

CLARK BARTRAM:

 

OCCUPATION: FITNESS PROFESSIONAL AND FORMER (KIANA’S FLEX APPEAL CAST MEMBER!)

1. How often do you workout and what is your exercise of choice?

I typically exercise M-F and take weekends off. My choice would be weights, hopefully it obvious by my pictures. I do however coach football so needless to say I run, throw, chase kids around, do stupid things like wrestle with high school kids and I also enjoy rolling around occasionally on the Jui Jitsu mats.

2. Many Dads find themselves on the couch with the remote and junk food. How do you motivate yourself to workout?

Man, if I’m not fit I don’t eat  Fortunately I’ve made my entire living from being fit and physically active so my motivation comes pretty easily. I can, however, empathize with guys who feel that way.

What it really takes is for the individual to dig deep and ask themselves “why” they want to get in shape. Then ask again, again and again…it has to be more than “I want to look better” WHY do you want to look better? “To feel more confident” WHY do you want to feel more confident? “so I can stand naked in front of my wife” OK, now were are getting somewhere. WHY is it important to look good naked? “Cause I don’t feel like my wife is turned on by me” BAM…Now we hit the real deal…follow where I’m going here. So many people stop at the basic, stupid reasons and have no real basis to be motivated and committed to exercise.

Do yourself a favor and dig deep, ask the hard questions and more importantly answer them honestly and see what happens.

3. Do you exercise with your family: wife / kids? If so, what do you do?

I do, I coach my son in football. He is the Varsity Quarterback at Escondido, High School. I can promise I’ve thrown over a 100,000 passes with him. I am the strength and conditioning coach, so we lift together or I yell at him to lift harder.  My daughter and I love walking our big Lab/Mastiff Mix, Missy. She is also a Bad A** photographer so I assist her on photo shoots which requires we trek out to amazing locations she finds. She just shot her 5th fitness cover and has multiple paid jobs. I’m so proud of what she is doing and love supporting her efforts. She just recently photographed her Mom for a cover and I assisted…pretty cool stuff. As far as exercising with my wife, we’ll leave that one alone!

4. Were you athletic growing up?

Yes, football, I joined the Marines at age 17 and played on the Marine Corps Rugby Team and got to travel around playing teams from around the world. This is when I really started to lift a few weights.

5. What tips do you have for Dads who need to lose some weight?

Well, that’s easy….I know every Dad wants to throw 100,000 passes, hike with their daughter and be able to get some good cardio with his wife (wink, wink). Seriously…if you want to you need to get beyond yourself…stop being selfish and just doit. Being fit isn’t being a cover model and having a six pack. It’s being a living example of proper choices and consistency, hard work and dedication to a healthy lifestyle. I bet most dads reading this have achieved a high level of success in business…apply some of that determination to your body, inside and out. I could go on and on here.

6. Do you exercise to feel good, to look good, why?

Both, I love to look good, if you look good (most of the time) you will feel good. First things first, you must love yourself as you are or looking

good won’t change a poor self image. I absolutely LOVE when these high school kids say, “How old are you?” After seeing me sprint, throw, fight, and run around like a complete maniac, they look at my sone and say, “your Freakin Dad is a Beast”

7. What is your best feature and area that you want to improve upon most?

My best feature is symmetry…I’m well rounded. The areas I would improve upon are…I could probably take better care of my toenails. A good pedicure would be in order  Honestly, I’m happy with me, I love myself in a very “non arrogant or cocky way” I’m confident who who I am and who God created me to be. I’m trying to accept the fact that I’m aging and I will not always perform at a high level…this is honestly the hardest part for me especially since I’ve made my entire living off the way I look.

 

ELDON PICO:

Fit Dad of 6 Kids / Chef on “Kiana’s Fit Cooking” / Executive Chef Renaissance Club Sport / Winner of the Iron Chef Competition

 

I work out about four times a week boxing, playing squash, or a little cardio on its own. Although I do love an occasional Gelato watching a movie

at home.

sometimes you need to suck it up and work your way through it

The main thing that gets me motivated to work out is having a my wife or a friend there so we can hold each other accountable and push each other to achieve our goals. Without that companionship it would be a little difficult for me.

 

I played soccer, basketball and tennis throughout school and out of school studied Martial Arts.

I still continue these things but switch it up with squash and boxing.

The main tips I have for Dads to lose weight is to eat smaller cleaner meals spread out throughout the day, never right before bed, and keep active a couple of time a week. You don’t have to give up the things you love, just partake in moderation.

I exercise to look and feel good. It always boosts the self esteem and makes you feel like your accomplishing goals as well as staying healthy.

My upper body is my best feature But I definitely need to work on my legs.  Legs are my least favorite workout. But  sometimes you need to suck it up and work your way through it.

My wife and I go on walks with the kids and go to the park for some tennis or some hoops.  My oldest daughter loves to practice soccer in the park as well.

 

LARRY CHONG:

President of Westcoast Video Productions / Audio Visual Packaging / Works with the Top in TV Entertainment: Grammy’s, Video Music Awards, Emmys /NBC, ABC…

“Larry & I worked together for 10+ years when I worked as TV Host for ESPN, on Kiana’s Flex Appeal, the X Games and many other projects.  He is so much fun to be around, we’re always laughing. We’ve kept in touch all of these years and I am so happy about that. Both of us being Asian, we jokingly refer to each other as Bro and Sis. He told me he lost 50 lbs.! I am so very proud of him that he has embraced the health and fitness lifestyle after all of these years of watching the cast exercise on the shows! Great job, Larry!” Kiana.

6. Do you exercise to feel good, to look good, why?

 

KEN WILES:

BATTALION CHIEF / DIRECTOR OF TRAINING:

1. How often do you workout and what is your exercise of choice?

** I workout 4-7 times per week as my work and family schedule.  Always start with Cardio on the treadmill for 30-45 min. then move to weight training targeting one particular major muscle group per day. Always some type of core training each day.

I do some type of core training each day.

2. Many Dads find themselves on the couch with the remote and junk food. How do you motivate yourself to workout?

** My workout before beginning my workday keeps my brain focused throughout the day. I find myself lethargic and sluggish without a morning workout.  Weekends are a little difficult to schedule but the motivation is mental decompression!!

the motivation is mental decompression!!

3. Do you exercise with your family: wife / kids? If so, what do you do?

** Occasionally hike in the neighborhood hills with my wife. We’ll also go to the gym together on the weekends.

4. Were you athletic growing up?

** Basketball, Tennis, Raquetball, Golf, Volleyball, etc.

5. What tips do you have for Dads who need to lose some weight?

** Just Do It!!   Pick a goal or motivating factor and just do it.  Its hard to get started on a regular exercise program however, once you become dedicated to that program, its equally difficult to stop.

…once you become dedicated to that (fitness) program, its equally difficult to stop.

6. Do you exercise to feel good, to look good, why?

** Mostly to feel good, mentally more than physically.

 

LOUIE GAYTON:

The biggest motivator of all is to impress my wife.

I was always involved with some kind of sport growing up.

5.) tips for losing weight?  I am definitely not an expert, but what works for me is setting a goal following a nutrition plan. The goal has to have a time limit so as to not burn out. Working out without eating right didn’t work for me too well.  Finding others to do it with you is also a bonus and will help keep you motivated when you feel like quitting. Structured programs like p90X or insanity are great programs to follow. I’m starting insanity on monday.

6.) Do I exercise to look/feel good?  It starts as a vanity thing I guess, but there is no denying the feeling of setting a goal and achieving it.  Once you obtain your desired level of fitness, it’s addicting.

Why exercise? It starts as a vanity thing… Then it’s addicting.

 

KEVIN MOSS:

Husbands or wives that let themselves get fat is being disrepectful to their partner and also unhealthy.

Get your butt off the couch and find yourself again.

 

 

 

John Landon:

1) I workout every other day , my exercise of choice is push ups.

2) I want to be healthy and look good for my wife.

3) I play basketball with my son once or twice a week.

4) I was always athletic.

5) Watch what you eat, skip the sugar and eat real food not food filled with chemicals.

6) I exercise regularly because I feel better overall and have more energy when Im sticking to a healthy lifestyle.

7) my best feature according to my wife is my biceps and shoulders.

6. What is your best feature and area that I would want to improve on most in health and fitness?

 

Fit Dad Posts on our FaceBook Wall:

Robert: Throughout most of my life what motivated me was a desire to reach my God given potential. To this day, I believe that this should be the goal of everyone and I try to instill this into my two boys, who are now my primary sources of motivation. I think that athletics and specifically fitness training are terrific ways to demonstrate the value of hard work. That is, the results are very noticeable and measurable. Along those lines, I’m in the gym 5-6 days a week, for a total of 8-12 hrs. I train with weights about 45 minutes a day and do cardio, mostly running and boxing, for another hour or so. In my 20′s I had more time and 4 hr days weren’t unusual. The truth is, with more emphasize on proper diet I can get as much out of 10 hrs a week as I did with 20 hrs. I don’t know that I can say I have one best feature. The toughest for me to maintain are my abs, while my arms and calves come easily. I suppose if I have a weakness its for sweets. With that said, that’s probably why I struggle to maintain my abs! ;-)

Tom: I train 5 days a week.

My motivation is I am a master in the martial arts & weight training for 20 years . So I am always to be a better MMA PTA roomer weight training always makes feel healthy & strong.

Best body part, I have very broad which gives me a broad chest and back, which I really like. Worst body part is my skinny little butt!

As a Physical Therapist & MMA instructor I believe in teaching by example for my clients & students.

Thomas: 1. Workout daily… in the gym lifting weights with a combination of cardio and many outdoor activities along with working outside as a profession. 2. My ex wife looks hot…so I try to keep up… its a competitive thing.  3. My workout partner is my 19 year old son and 17 year old daughter. 4. I was very in sports growing up in southern California playing football, baseball and basketball competitively. 5.I exercise to feel alive..vanity yes..health yes..but most of all to feel alive.

 

 

 

 

 

Jared:  ‎1) I try to work out at least twice a week, but could do more if I didn’t have to pick up the boys from school or practice.    2) I promised myself at a young age that I never wanted to get a gut like some men. Overall, I’ve done a good job because it’s always on my mind if I miss more than two consecutive days.  3) My kids and wife are active.  4) Yes, basketball, baseball, and track …  5) Start off with small goals, such as 5-10 pounds for the first month. If you can eliminate unhealthy foods, eat in small portions, drink plenty of water daily, and spend at least 30 minutes daily exercising (cardio, weightlifting), you’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish. It will be tough the first week or two, but you’ll adjust after that and won’t miss the bad foods.  6) I exercise for both because a) I want to live long and feel strong and b) I don’t want to embarrass my family (see #2)  7) My smile, because when I’m not working out on a regular basis I’m grumpy.

Gary: Occupation: Policeman: Grab the SwimP3, jump in the pool and do two miles!

 

 

Brian: Once or twice a day for about an hour each…  Weight training and elliptical or spin bike.

 

 

David Haigh: I have joined a masters swim club and swim 3-5 days a week. Thanks for asking and being concerned for us fit dads. Not much support for stay at home dads in many areas. I don’t feel good unless a do a morning swim. I was very fit in highschool but let myself go in college.

I hope to have a swimmers body again and complete a mini and then full triathalon. If I make the time to stay fit it will be to my family’s advantange as well as my own. Biking is a great activity as well. You need a fitness partner to keep you going and motivate each other when needed!

JoJo: ‎1. 6 days a week. Strength and cardio.  ‎2. Look in the mirror 3. Play. 6. Both.  7. I’m balanced but most people notice my arms.

 

 

Happy Fit Dad’s day everyone!