IT’S 4:10 AM ON DECEMBER 26TH 2017. I can’t really sleep because my newborn son Orlando got me up. I usually take the morning shift, so my wife can get some rest. Orlando came 7 weeks earlier than expected. So, I try to get up at 5 am and take Orlando downstairs so my wife can get at least 5 hours of solid rest.
Being a first-time father, a lot of emotions are running through me. I’m a partner in two restaurants in NYC which are taking up a lot of my time. Managing people is like herding cats. I have to start traveling back and forth from my base in Los Angeles to New York in late January. I’m not looking forward to it.
The stress of two restaurants and a newborn baby is not fun.
I spend most of my days on the phone putting out fires and listening to people complaining about their lives. They say proper, preparation, prevents poor, performance. I know I have my work cut out for me. With all these things going on in my life, it got me thinking.
A good friend reached out to me this week and said he was struggling with his weight and depression. Working out has always been a huge part of my life. Last year I pushed myself to the limit and competed in a men’s physique contest. Well, not just one but two back to back, to take third in the world in the Natural Mr. Olympia. Having never competed before I wanted to see how far I could push myself mentally and physically.
The contest was no joke and I knew I was going to have some issues. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 10 years ago. If you don’t know what UC is it’s an incurable bowel disease and it pretty much sucks balls. I spend most of my life in the toilet.
The doctors put me on a bunch of meds that nearly killed me, so I went natural and put myself into remission.
Training 7 days a week on a low carb diet I got myself down to 6 % body fat naturally. I didn’t have an easy run, my colitis flared up three weeks before my first contest and I literally crapped my pants numerous times trying to get through my workouts.
I took the bronze in over 40 which was an amazing experience. Doing the contest changed my life forever. I didn’t miss one workout.
So, it got me thinking, will I get a Dad Body like everyone else? Over 70% of men between the ages of 18 and 60 have a Dad Body.
Why?
Is the Dad Body an excuse? Can I stay in shape and help my friend who needs me to get him in shape? Or will I fall into the same trap as everyone else?
In June 2017, my appendix burst and I went into septic shock which was no fun. Getting back to baseline shape was quite the challenge. I feel it is my duty to inspire and motivate another dad’s out there to get in shape.
Over the next 90 days, I’m going to train from home with limited equipment. I won’t have the luxury of the gym and my long three-hour workout sessions.
I will also try to manage two difficult and problematic restaurants in New York, help a good friend turn his life around and get back in shape, and still be a hands-on Dad for my son.
Can I stick to a 90-day program or will I become part of the Dad Body epidemic?
Follow my journey via my blogs.
