A recent Minnesota study, published online in the journal Pediatrics, suggests that kids may make parents "less fit". For example, the study says that moms and dads exercised less than people without kids. And, young moms also consumed more sugary drinks, total calories and saturated fats. I got the impression that the study was suggesting that people with kids make more "prepared" meals, which have higher levels of fat or calories. As the Details Dad, I appreciate hearing about reports like this one, but I might have to disagree with some of the findings.

I will admit that people without kids can probably go to the gym and spend two hours a day focused on themselves. However, I would not trade having kids for anything. I would also argue that I AM getting exercise, but maybe in a not-so-conventional way. For example, I probably run up and down the stairs of our house at least six times in one morning, and maybe triple that during an entire day. I am constantly burning calories helping get breakfast ready, helping get the kids ready for school, and keeping the house in a general sense of order. I burn calories doing yard work and house work like vacuuming on Saturdays, and I know for a fact that I work up a good sweat doing some of these tasks.

On top of that, my wife and I do a pretty good job of making homemade meals that have a good level of health value. We rarely do fast food, but if we do, we don't feel bad about it. It's not the end of the world. Again, I think moderation is the key. So, when it comes to this health report that parents are a little less healthy than their peers without kids, the report is probably right. However, I'm doing my best, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I probably could increase my time on the treadmill, though... What do you think about my perspective? Any suggestions on finding the time to stay fit?