Being a father is a lifelong job
Celebrating fatherhood is not something to be relegated to a once-per-year event. It is a privilege to be embraced daily and as such, it is incumbent on all fathers to recognise how critical it is for them to remain holistically healthy for their children.
In Trinidad and Tobago, it appears that health isn’t in the value system of our fathers, as statistics illustrate the increasing incidence of health issues plaguing men within our society both physically and mentall and this MUST change. The need for more emphasis on identifying the root causes for these burgeoning health concerns, and providing solutions to combat, them is paramount. Part of our responsibilities as fathers is to teach our children how to lead healthy lives and as such, we need to inculcate these habits at an early age through leading by example. As the old adage says, “If you think your health is expensive, try sickness.”
The foods we consume such as refined carbohydrates, sugars and nitrates do not only impact on our physiology, manifesting in diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancers and even strokes, but also on our psychology in the form of stress. This can cause us to react to our children in a manner that can have devastating, lifelong effects on their psyche. There is no doubt in my mind that a father who is conscious about his health holistically, would be conscious about how his health can impact on his children, thus, choosing the right type of food is crucial. The time to incorporate more natural-based foods into our diet is now.
Regular exercise should be a part of your regimen to promote health for yourself and your children. There is no excuse to be parading a huge stomach in front of our children allowing them to believe that is an example of good health and, in my humble opinion, this is not considered good parenting either. Let’s be clear, it is not absolutely necessary to commit yourself to a gym especially in these financially trying times. The best exercise for weight loss for men can incorporate a number of exercises, depending on your individual predilection. The solution lies in choosing the one that is sufficiently challenging to burn some calories, but fun enough to be sustainable. Bodyweight exercises including squats, lunges and push-ups are perfect for weight loss. Being healthy should be fun for everyone, taking walks with your children two to three times per week, playing football, cricket or any other sport can provide healthy and fun avenues to stay fit and spend quality time with them. Staying positive and supportive can help them develop confidence and a lifetime of healthy habits. Being involved in strong support systems such as positive men’s groups, can also assist in managing stress and ultimately managing your health.
We make our job a priority when our job is only our well-being...our health should be our priority.
Alloy Johnson
Locally known as Doctor Groove, Alloy brings a savvy understanding of fitness, nutrition and psychology to his training and empowering regimes.
A student at the University of Western Ontario, he believes in a holistic approach to achieving well-rounded individuals. In addition to operating his own gym and providing various exercise regimens throughout the communities in Tobago, Johnson was formerly an integral part of the training Boot Camps for the Tobago Fashion Weekend and the Miss City of Port of Spain pageant. He equips the performer/model/ public persona with a boosted confidence to captivate the audience/viewer/ the attendee, thereby enhancing the capacity of one’s communication skills. He has been commissioned to invigorate many a youth empowerment project and has co-opted to dynamize motivational speaking engagements and inspirational workshops throughout Tobago.