New Dad, High Pressure Job, Attorney Spouse Topic

BethesdaSales 06/22/11
Hi team, just joined and I need some help! I'm a new father in a high tech high pressure sales job with a really busy spouse. I can barely find time with my son and I want every minute with him and I put on 20 lbs during my wife's pregnancy, go figure ,but im having trouble getting started in the right way with exercise and diet . Any advice to help me get started would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

Cjmclark 06/23/11
Two words: jogging stroller. I used to live in DC and if I recall correctly there is no shortage of places to go running. Even if you just start out walking for 30 minutes a day, it's still better than nothing at all. Exercising with your son is a good way to get him started on the road to his own healthy life, as well.


The hardest (yet most important) thing you can do is develop a routine, which applies to eating as well as exercising. I've had a dozen well-intentioned diets/exercising plans go down the drain because I let my routine break down. Find what works best for you (because let's face it, if you don't enjoy it and it's a hassle, you won't do it) and stick with it. There's a commitment here.


Lots of times those of us who live under a permanent time crunch find it much easier to grab a doughnut, hit up a vending machine, or grab some fast food than to eat healthily. In this case, some pre-planning can help. Pack a lunch the night before; throw a healthy snack in your briefcase. Set yourself up for success.


I'm also assuming if you're in sales that you find yourself facing things like meals with clients and luncheons. The important thing here is to remember that even though you're at a restaurant, it's still possible to make smart eating decisions. Lots of restaurants now offer nutrition information either on their menu or online (so again some pre-planning is possible). And if they don't, well, the easiest thing to do is avoid fried or oily foods and excessive alcohol consumption. Lots of restaurants heavily salt and butter their meals (especially steaks), and you can ask them not to.


After all this, don't forget to treat yourself every once in a while. If you don't indulge occasionally, it's a lot easier to break down and overindulge. Pin your wife down for a date night and go out for a nice meal. I know it's easier said than done at this point, but it will be worth it in the long run.


Well, I hope this helps a little. I know there are a lot of helpful people here and if you use the community for support, it will be easier for you to lose the weight and keep it off. Good luck!

New Dad, High Pressure Job, Attorney Spouse