We received the following media release today - seems like a worthwhile initiative. If anybody has any stories or experiences with Camp Shane - please send them in. -DIYFather.com

MAYER, AZ - Camp Shane, the longest running youth fitness and weight loss camp for kids, recently announced it has opened a new facility in Arizona to better serve the western US market from Texas to California. The recent expansion is a result of feedback from parents out west who wanted their children to experience the healthy benefits of Camp Shane, but wanted an option closer to home.

Yes, yes yes ... the rumours are true ... we wrote a book last year and it got published last week. This week it is available at most high street stores in New Zealand and it will hit the shelves in the UK next month. Major online book retailers have also started selling it ... so "the word" is out! Have a look at our dedicated page for "Call Me Dad!" to find out more and check out the official media release.

Meanwhile we had a bit of a reflection on the writing process ... like the high lights and low lights (and everything in-between) of writing a book in this podcast. Despite the struggles and difficulties of pulling it all off in time and to everyone's liking, a sense of achievement remains and everyone at DIYFather.com is really excited about getting the book out. So a big THANK YOU to all the contributors and everyone who helped with the book! A special thanks of course goes to our children, partners and families for being there for us (and sticking with us) throughout the whole process

Thanks everyone reading this for spreading "the word" ... and if you live in Wellington, come along to our LAUNCH PARTY for drinks and nibbles on February 18th, 6pm at Dymocks on Lampton Quay.

Scott, Eric and Stefan

If you have children, and it doesn’t matter how old they are, then chances are you may have thought this at some point. You’re possibly even thinking it right now, and you probably believe yourself too. Sure, kids can make it a bit more difficult to exercise – less time and less money because of children are very good excuses that we often hear. But they are excuses, not reasons. And once you recognise this, you can plan your attack on exercise.
Children can be a great motivator for doing exercise - you are their role model and they will to look up to you and learn from you. Watching you exercise now not only keeps you fit and healthy (and more likely to live longer) but sets them up for a lifetime of good exercise habits, meaning they are less likely to be overweight and unfit as adults. What you are about to read will help you not only get fit, but have a great relationship with your children.

A friend of mine runs this developing web-site, dedicated to Fitness and Nutrition "Anatomy Fitness, this first article is not only for your pregnant partners, but for you to support them by participating in their exercise.

- Eric

Exercise, Fitness, and Pregnancy

Exercising in pregnancy is great for you and your baby, as long as you are sensible and follow some guidelines. Not only does exercising release endorphins which will make you feel great, it is also great to prepare your body for labour and birth. Many studies have shown that mothers who are fit generally have a far easier labour and delivery than mothers who are unfit. It doesn’t have to be a lot of exercise, but every little bit helps. Below are some tips for exercising while pregnant. Please note though, that for both yours and your baby’s safety, you should always consult your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC),or the medical professional overseeing your pregnancy if you are not in New Zealand, about what exercise is appropriate for you to do while pregnant.

Research has shown that dads are much more likely to engage in active physical play with their preschoolers than mums. Physical activity not only helps children develop and self- confidence and a healthy body image, but also directly links with brain development.

According to Prof. Robert Winstone, of Imperial College London, male caregivers have an important role in active physical play with their children. They tend to extend children in the physical arena. Learning to take risks, within safe limits, transfers to other learning situations.

“The first 5 years is the time when the brain is developing rapidly and learning pathways are being formed,” says Sophie Foster, co-author of a new book ‘Move Baby Move’.

A little while ago I posted an Article on the so called influence over protective Fathers are meant to have on Anorexia read article now here is another study that claims that Fathers may cause Obesity!

They found no connection between the warmth and irritability of either parent and a child's body-mass index. But fathers who scored high for control, falling into the "authoritative" or "authoritarian" parenting category, had leaner kids. "Authoritative" fathers were the least likely to have overweight or obese (O & O) children. Children of "authoritarian" fathers were 11 percent more likely to be O & O. That risk went up to 35 percent for "disengaged" fathers and a whopping 59 percent for "permissive" dads. read the whole article.