"Who is The Fit Dad and why does he think he can tell me what to do?"

Well, first off, the Fit Dad is Ed Scow...which is me and I am he.

In addition to being the Fit Dad, I'm also a personal trainer, boot camp instructor, author, (former) massage therapist and a busy business owner.

The most important thing to know about me is that I'm a dad and husband. I love being a dad and the responsibilities it involves.

I love watching my daughter grow up and all the changes that happen in her life. And I cringe when I think about the thought of her starting to date (which will NEVER happen), as well as paying for college and surviving the teenage years.

I tell her often that all boys are evil and only have one thing on their minds, no matter the age, and the only one you can trust is your daddy...she doesn't quite understand what I mean, but she will.

I also love watching my awesome baby boy, Nolan, grow and change. It's amazing the differences between the two - both are beautiful and wonderful in their own ways. I've been a trainer/fat loss expert for over a decade and have owned my private training studio for nearly as long.

"Okay, so what is The Fit Dad all about?"

 My “fitness origin story” (because all superheroes need an origin story) starts where many a young man’s quest to become bigger, stronger and more attractive starts – the high school weight room.

I was a short, skinny runt of a teenager and I did not like it.

I saw bigger guys in movies and magazines working out, and I even watched with fascination those workout shows on ESPN.  They were weird, and the more you look back on them the weirder they become, but I was fascinated by this idea of pushing and pulling and getting bigger and stronger.

I then sauntered my way into the high school weight room and went to work and went to work poorly.

Not only was I short and skinny, but I was weak and didn’t know what the hell to do.

That led me to want to become smarter with my training so I started paying attention to the way the older guys and few gals trained and copied them.

This was eye-opening in a couple ways.  First, a lot of people are horrible at movement.  They don’t know what the hell they’re doing, or their ego is so entrenched in their workout that they end up using horrible form and wrenching weights around (especially the dudes).  I also noticed many ladies didn’t want to use heavier weights, which started my fascination with that thought process – remember I’m only 14 or 15 at this time.

So I studied, worked and studied some more.

Did I become a big Man-Hulk of a teenager like those old Atlas comics where the skinny dude who got sand kicked in his face suddenly becomes a giant among his teenage brethren?

Uh no.

I weighed in at a massive 155 pounds on graduation day.  But I was stronger and actually KNEW how to train.

Let’s back up a bit here because I skipped something and that’s athletics.

I played football and ran track and excelled at NEITHER!  I hate running to this day.  It’s torture and running/sprinting for fun is the oddest thing to me.

But I did love the training and practice for both sports.  Pushing your body to extremes during practice and then working your tail off in the offseason was fun, which I know makes me as weird as the people who enjoy running…deal with it.

Let’s fast-forward a few years…

I married my high school sweetheart at the ripe old age of 21 (yes 21) and was miserable.

Not with Andrea, I loved her more than anything and still do, rather I was miserable in my work life.  I wanted more.  I wanted to DO more and make a difference.

So, I decided to quit the desk job I hated and make a go of this personal training thing.

I opened my private training studio in the summer of 2002 and haven’t looked back.

It’s a private training studio, which is awesome. I get to work with a wide range of awesome people in the privacy of my studio – no mirrors, no weirdoes watching you workout – just the client and me working hard and it’s a blast.

Don’t get me wrong – there are a lot of people who are a giant pain in the butt, but it’s still a ton of fun because I get to help transform people’s lives and help them LIVE a healthy lifestyle…not just lose weight. 

My goal is to teach these awesome people to LIVE!

I have also been a massage therapist for 10 years and specialize in Sports Massage and Deep Tissue.  This has been a wonderful adventure as well as I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work on professional, semi-professional and collegiate athletes from a wide variety of sports.

The coolest part of my training studio is getting to meet people and help transform their lives.

Not to brag, okay maybe it is bragging…it’s totally bragging…over the 10 or so years I’ve had my training studio I’ve averaged roughly 30 sessions per week.  Some years more, some years less.  That’s roughly 1,500 training sessions per year and 15,000 training sessions over the course of those 10 years.

Why do I share those numbers with you (besides bragging)?

To let you know that anything I say on this site is backed up by that experience.  It’s backed up with real-world training and used on REAL people…not just flopped out of my head for you to try.

Some programs have worked well, some have completely bombed.  Some have been too easy and some have been too hard.  I’m not working with collegiate or high school athletes who have an endless amount of energy and can put all their focus on their training.

I work with adults who have lives – families, businesses, careers…lots of things that keep their focus off training.

That is a very important thing to note – if you live a life, then you have to pay closer attention to your overall program.  Can you put enough FOCUS on your program while also maintaining your regular life?

If no, then something needs to change…that’s what I try to help you understand.  I want you to succeed and I want you to still LIVE your life and not ask you to bend your life around some paradigm I think is “best.”

Family

Why have I dubbed myself, or rather my clients have dubbed me, “The Fit Dad?”

Because I am a very proud papa.

My faith is #1, but a close second is my wife and kids.

I’m going to be brutally honest with you here…

It is incredibly difficult to achieve, and maintain, a healthy lifestyle as a busy parent.  There are so many things pulling you in so many different directions that it’s tough to put your focus on living that life.

If you’re running around all day it can be difficult to stick to a healthy eating plan and stay consistent with your workout program.

That’s the truth and it’s okay to admit that truth.

I have gotten “fat” 2 ½ times in my adult life.  The ½ time didn’t totally count because I wised up and caught myself before I became fully fat.

Being fat sucks.

Right?

You know what sucks worse?  Being fit, then getting fat.  Why?  Because you know what being fit looks like and feels like and it sucks looking yourself in the mirror and seeing “Fat You.”

Fat You isn’t happy.

Fat You isn’t full of energy.

Fat You isn’t living.

I want you to be happy, full of energy and LIVE.

More importantly, I want you to be an example for your kids, just as I’m trying to be a role model for my kids.  I want them to grow up healthy and strong, not addicted to processed shit food (apologize for the language) and all hopped up on sugary drinks.

It’s not cool.

You, as a parent, are who your kids look up to.

You, as a parent, have a responsibility to your kids.

You, as a parent, must LIVE a healthy lifestyle or you will create a world of hurt for your kids as they grow up.

Tough talk, but true talk.

I am The Fit Dad and I want to help you LIVE that life.  Will you let me?

My passion and joy

My passion and joy is in helping busy parents like you not only lose weight (that’s easy), but to also LIVE the life.

Live a healthy lifestyle.

Increase your energy so you wake up ready to kick ass.

Make you move better so you can play in the backyard or at the park with your kids without heaving  and gasping for air.

Give you the strength necessary to carry your kids.

I want to make you THAT mom or dad.

THE mom or dad that the other parents marvel at.

THE mom or dad the other parents are actually jealous of because you have an endless amount of energy, are happy and look damn sexy.

THE mom or dad who is also sexy to your better half.  That’s an important statement…you should want to look awesome for your husband, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend (although hopefully not all at once). I want Andrea to be proud of my body and feel like she has a sexy husband.  That’s an important feeling…I feel I owe it to her.

To put it bluntly, YOU are my passion and joy.

What I Believe

Let’s talk basic Beliefs and Philosophies here.  I like to keep things simple and easy to understand.  If they’re not simple, you won’t do them.  If it’s not easy to understand you won’t get it and will email me relentlessly asking me to clarify my jumbles.

Fitness/Exercise:

I believe your free time is valuable and should be treated as such.

You are busy.  You have limited free time and you probably don’t’ want to spend what free time you have working out.

Because of this I create simple workout programs that revolve around 10-minute workouts.

It all starts with 10 minutes.

If you can’t find 10 minutes, then you need to reevaluate your life because something’s wrong.

Maybe you need to get up 15 minutes earlier, or find some time at lunch…whatever the case may be, you can find 10 minutes each and every day to move intensely.

I also HATE traditional cardio.

The thought of “jogging” makes me want to barf.

The main reason for this is because jogging does not do as much good as you think it does, plus it’s an inefficient way to lose weight and “get fit.”  Plus you won’t like the way your body looks after months and months of jogging.

You must move your body and you must move it intensely.

You must use your own body as a gym.  You must not rely on commercial gyms, or fancy equipment.

Dumbbells, kettlebells (although not totally necessary), resistance tubing and your own bodyweight – and maybe a stability ball and some medicine balls – are all you need to get in the best shape of your life.

A 10-minute bodyweight cardio circuit is far superior than “jogging” for 15-20 minutes…or even 30…at helping you lose weight.  Not only that, but you will look a hell of a lot better.

Diet

Nutrition should be simple.

Don’t eat junk.

But, with all the marketing hype and endless array of diet programs, it’s completely confusing. It even confuses me at times and I do this for a living!

Paleo, low carb, Warrior, Vegan, Vegetarian, Crazy Person, Atkins, South Beach, Mediterranean, Whoopy Woo, Sugar Busters, etc. (can you guess which ones I made up?)

That’s not even including the supplements that “strip the fat off without getting your ass off the couch!”

GAAAAAAAAAAH!

It’s maddening.

Here’s the deal with nutrition and diet.

If you have some weight to lose, then you’re eating too much and you’re probably eating a lot of the wrong stuff.

If you have no energy, then you’re eating the wrong things.

If you are okay with your weight, but have a bunch of flabby goo sitting on your stomach, then you’re not training hard enough and are eating the wrong things.

Don’t argue with me.

Here’s the good news.

Fixing your diet isn’t really that difficult, as long as you understand how hard it will be (totally stole that from my buddy Craig Ballantyne).

Confusing?

Changing your diet WILL be hard, but it’s simple…if you do it correctly.

I have a unique way of teaching diet based on the Baby Step mentality.  I ask my clients to focus on 1 or 2 areas of their diet at any one time.

This keeps it simple and manageable.  They are not overwhelmed with information and can put all their focus on these Assignments.

After a week or two, I will ask them to move on to another 1 or 2 Assignments, while still keeping their old ones.

This way over the course of 6, 8 and 10 weeks A LOT will change, but you’ll never feel like you’re on a diet.  You will have completely changed your diet, but it will have been simple – although not always easy.

I believe in real food.

I believe in moderation and not feeling guilty.

I do not believe in dogma.  If your diet is more like a cult than an eating plan I will tune you out…even if you “way” makes sense.  Dogma does not belong in eating.

Simplicity is key for us busy parents.

The Brain

If you don’t believe you can lose weight, then you won’t.

If you are proud of others success stories, but don’t think you can do it, you won’t.

If you think it’s going to be hard, it will.

I am a big believer in the Mental Woo-Woo.

What’s that mean?

Your thoughts dictate your actions.  That sounds overly obvious, but not many people take it deeper.

What you think of yourself matters.

If you think you come from a long line of fatties, then you will probably always be overweight.

If you believe you will struggle and fall off the wagon, or put too much emphasis on the times when you stumble, then you will never achieve your goals for more than a month or two.

Strong statements?

Maybe, but they’re true and you know they’re true.

What you believe about yourself is vitally important.  You must believe in yourself and believe what you’re setting out to achieve is not only possible, but simple.

I believe in you and always will.  That is something you can bank on…but it’s not enough.  You need to believe it.

When you truly believe it, LIVING that healthy lifestyle will become second nature.

When you begin to believe in your own power, the bad foods won’t have any power over your life anymore and you’ll want to move as much as you can because it will feel so damn good.

How can I help you?

Okay I’ve rambled on long enough.  Now let’s talk about how I can help you.

If you’re ready to go through the System and teach yourself how to LIVE that healthy lifestyle, then check out my Fat Loss To Go program.

It’s a 12-week weight loss program revolving around my 10-minute workout and Baby Step Nutrition strategy.

It is my “baby” and it will get you fit!

Check it out here --> www.FatLossToGo.com/StartToday

If you’d rather get a new workout program every month, along with downloadable videos and all sorts of other awesomeness, you should check out my Fit Parent Force Monthly program.

As I just mentioned, you’ll get a brand spankin’ new workout program every single month, along with full downloadable follow-along style videos, Workout Logs, and a digital magazine where we cover nutrition, exercise and mindset strategies

It’s the bomb-diggity and you should definitely check it out --> www.TheFitDadSays.com/FPF-Monthly

Would you rather start small and learn more about the basic Beliefs, Tips, Tricks and Philosophies that make up my programs?

Check out my Fit Dad Says book.  It’s a quick read, but it’s full of awesomeness.  It sets you up for the success you will most surely achieve and it’s crazy affordable and comes with free shipping.

Check that book out here --> www.TheFitDadSays.com/The-Book 

Later tater,

Fat Loss To Go YouTube Videos

Here's just a small sampling of all the videos I've posted to YouTube. All of these workouts are taken directly from my Fat Loss To Go program (except for the how-to and "variation" videos). If you like these workouts, you will absolutely love Fat Loss To Go!

How can you not love the fact that you can get an effective fat loss workout done from the comfort of your own home using only dumbbells and your own bodyweight?

Types of Planks

Different Kinds of Push-ups

Fat Loss Cardio Workout

Push-ups From Beginner To Advanced

Quick Weight Loss Workout Program

Different Kinds of Planks

How To Do A Push Up

Best Abs Workout In 4 Minutes

Abs, Arms and Chest Workout

Toned and Sexy Butt Workout For Moms Only

Fat Loss Dumbbell Workout In 10 Minutes

10 Minute Fat Loss Workout With Dumbbells

Six Pack Abs Workout Without Crunches

10 Minute Bodyweight Workout

10 Minute Workout For Fat Loss

10 Minute Workout

Abs Workout In 4 Minutes

10 Minute Bodyweight Workout

Home Bodyweight Workout In 10 Minutes

Home Abs Workout

How To Do A Plank Exercise

Push-Up Workout

Sample workout video from the private Fat Loss To Go workout video website

Free Report 10-Minute Fat Loss Workouts

Free Report 4-Minute Abs Workouts

Fast Sexy Legs Workout for Moms Only

Fast Home Workout In 10 Minutes

Fast Abs Workout In 4 Minutes

Fat Loss To Go Weight Loss Articles:

3 Simple Weight Loss Foods

Why Do You Want To Lose Weight?

3 Best Love Handles Exercises

3 Best Six Pack Abs Exercises

Fat Loss Workout for Beginners

Arms Workout

Fast Bodyweight Workouts

Fat Loss Nutrition Tips

Top Arms Exercises

Lose Fat When It's Cold Outside

Is Cardio Necessary To Burn Stomach Fat?

How Is Fat Loss For Moms Different Than Fat Loss For Dads?

Fat Loss Diet Mistakes

Abs Workout Mistakes

4 Minute Six Pack Abs Workout

Fat Loss For Busy Dads

Belly Fat Exercises

Love Handles Exercise

Fat Loss Program Flip-Flopper

Lose Your Gut With This Six Pack Abs Workout

How Women On The Go Can Fit In Healthy Eating and Workouts to Lose Stubborn Stomach Fat and Lose Stubborn Butt Fat 

3 Secrets To Flat, Firm Abs for Ladies 

Top 5 Ab Exercises for Six Pack Abs

Tiger Woods Workout Program

Lose Fat With A Nintendo Wii or Wii Fit?

3 Fat Loss Secrets

Secret Ingredients To Fat Loss Success

Water and Fat Loss

Stress and Fat Loss

Rest and Fat Loss

Easy Fat Loss Nutrition Tip

How Busy Women Can Lose 1-2 Inches of Thigh Fat

Attention Busy Women:  How To Lose 2-3 Inches Of Butt Fat

How To Lose Fat If You Don't Have Time To Workout

Fast Fat Loss Workout Routine

Fat Loss Tips For Busy Moms

5 Fast Fat Loss Tips For Women Only

Is It Necessary To Do Cardio To Lose Stomach Fat

Hotel Room Fat Loss Workout

Fat Loss Tips For Busy Women Wanting A Sexy Butt

Is It OK To Eat At Night When Trying To Lose Fat?

Is Fast Fat Loss Really Easy?

5 Easy Fat Loss Tips You Can Start Right Now

How To Lose Fat On Weekends

How To Stick To Your Fat Loss Diet And Lose Fat On The Weekend

The Key To The Show "The Biggest Loser"

10 Minute Workouts For Fat Loss

Are You Sabotaging Your Fast Fat Loss Workouts?

How Can A Baby Learning To Walk Help You Lose Fat?

Tips On How To Lose Weight Fast

3 Fast Fat Loss Tips For Busy Dads

Business Trip Hotel Room Fat Loss Workout

Are Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements Safe?