Stay Active, Eat Well & Energize Your Life
On snow days Fit Fathers take their kids and friends sledding to burn calories, have fun and create family memories. Then we MAKE them nutritious lunches featuring salads, lentils and brown rice, steamed broccoli, roasted potatoes and sliced mangos to snack on. It’s a lifestyle.
Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
My youngest daughter Kaiyana (Aya) and I love summer road trips no matter the distance. Whether we are visiting family in South Jersey or headed to Virginia Beach for the waves, the one-on-one time together is always exciting. So, to all our Fit Fathers please make sure to hit the road to escort your kids to their favorite destinations before time is up and “back to school” anxieties kick in. It’s always ideal for the creation of intimate memories. For us the target was Kings Dominion in Doswell, VA this past weekend for the roller coaster experience including the speedy Intimidator 305.
Aya and I were coming from Silver Spring, MD which is about 2 hours down 95 South. However, Kings Dominion is just 15 minutes from Richmond, VA for the lucky ones. Our ride of choice to warp us there — a Hichroma Red 2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD V6 loaned to Fit Fathers for such purposes — was perfect in alleviating time concerns due to quick acceleration and racer like agility. Aya kept telling me to stop acting like I was operating a roller coaster since the power from the Twin Turbo 365-horsepower V6 was so addictive. I told her not to worry because we were blessed with Brembo brakes for immediate stopping power. “Brembo” she asked?
Lead by example so your child becomes the example! Fit Father Kimatni D Rawlins ran 3 miles with his teen earlier in the day then took his youngest on a 2-mile trail run when she returned from sports camp. Running has created a tighter bond and level of competition for them as a unit. Feels good! #FitFathers #RunFree
A Fit Father means being both the teacher and the student. One day my daughter stated, “you don’t know what it’s like as a kid!” We were in disagreement about a topic and that statement made a major imprint in my mind. I was born in 1983, my daughter was born in 2006 and my son was born in 2017. We will all experience different social trends, advancements in technology, job markets, education, etc. Now, my mindset is learning what it is like to be a kid in 2018 and help her be successful and create characteristics that will be impactful in today’s society. My son will go through a different world when he is 5, 10 and 15 than we all did. Specific moral codes will remain law but the way they move will change and vary differently in comparison to the generation before them.
As Fit Fathers we know that we are teachers, providers and protectors, but continuously learning about the world our kids are living in will be an ongoing journey. My children will look to me for guidance and I will look to them for understanding of the daily triumphs and tribulations they face. Together we will keep each other growing.
Word by Styves Exantus
When I ponder on what it means to be a Fit Father I think of the word “serve.” Serve, like “love” has so many connotations such as being present when your children take their first step. Other shining examples include offering words of wisdom, taking care of them when they are ill, holding them tightly during hard times and celebrating during good times. Fathers offer so much value within the family structure, yet the greatest asset for each is to be a shining example.
When we serve we are setting the bar high in a positive manner and that is what leaders do. Being a great leader for your family will do so much for your children. You may not know it but they watch everything that we do and strive to be just like us. Leading by example will allow them to carry your life lessons into their own character traits. Yes, every dad should be a leader and a server.
EJ Kaku, 5 Star Nutrition Moody AFB
Words by Adrian McQueen & Kimatni Rawlins / Photos by Adrenaline Lifestyles & Fisher Concepts
What another spectacular year honoring Father’s Day with 500 plus family members in Silver Spring, MD. Fit Fathers Day (FFD) is our celebration honoring dads, uplifting fatherhood, strengthening paternal bonds and recognizing the influence of fathers in our society. The Fit Fathers Foundation believes ultimate health, fitness and nutrition can help individuals live longer while challenging everyone to eat clean, stay active and continuously energize their lives! We bring dads and father figures together annually to demonstrate the importance of being health conscious and leading by example through positive, nutritional choices. For the 5th Annual “Fit Fathers Day” Celebration life enhancement manifested once again in the form of festive and energetic activities.
Exercise, laughter, dance, music and fun is the “Fit Fathers” way of manifesting joyous occasions in the Maryland, DC and Virginia area. Brought to you by Mazda, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Chrysler, Mom’s Organic Market, Volkswagen, Toyota, The Washington Auto Show, Gym Source, Road Runner Sports, Striders, ZICO, Soul Cycle, Nissan, Yokohama Tires, Thule, Meatless Monday, Wegmans, Kia, Gold’s Gym, Hip Hop Fathers, Modell’s and Vibram, the Father’s Day celebration provides dads with the tools needed to engage their families toward increased fitness, ultimate wellness and positive, nutritional habits while honoring the true meaning of fatherhood.
Hype for the event was built from engaging social media campaigns and coverage from News Channel 8, WUSA 9, CBS Radio, NBC 4, Radio One and a host of other elite media outlets. Additionally, with $2,500 in prizes at stake from Sean John, Modell’s, Yokohama, Vibram, Gym Source, SoulCycle, Live Nation, Striders, JBL, Jabra, Thule, INCREDIBLES 2 and Road Runner Sports by competing in the Mr. Fit Father contest and female plank challenge and our fitness challenges, over 500 attendees came to the celebration ready for action which resulted in an eventful day.
Held at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring, MD, fun-for-all group exercises with trainers Michelangelo Bance, Tiffani Jenkins and Sofia Rodriguez (Glute Camp) motivated the crowd. The Zumba experience by Z Sweat Dance and Fitness sent the ladies in the crowd into overdrive while yoga was led by Conscious Crusade to the melody of PanLara’s steel drums. The kids highly adored the interactive playground while guests were treated to DJ Blinks who kept everything grooving as he spun hit tunes on the 1s and 2s. Additional entertainment featured a capoeira performance by RODA Movements and a jump rope demo from Greenbelt SITY Stars.
In addition, much love and respect is directed to our auto sponsors for assisting in making this event a success. A special Auto Fit car show by Automotive Rhythms featured the flavor of active lifestyle vehicles from Mazda, Chrysler, Toyota, VW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Nissan and Kia! A special thank you to Fit Fathers’ Radio One media partner known on the air as Majic, Praise and WKYS!
We honored our 500-plus attendees for supporting the cause with a magnetic workout, prizes, giveaways and life-enhancing materials. Guests left the event already asking about the 6th Annual FFD Celebration in 2019. As well, a very special thank you is in order for all patrons and volunteers who attended and participated.
The success of FFD sits with supporters of the movement including Men’s Health Network, WAPA, Capitol Professionals, Roll Call Crew, PAINTS Institute, Lleft Entertainment, Kids After Hours, Powerful Beyond Measure, PanLara, Daddy’s Cool, African American Health Program, Mocha Moms, Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Police, Downtown Silver Spring, Make Smart Cool, Great Kids Events, DMV Social, The Department of Environmental Protection, Vitality Health and Wellness Center and The Fit Solution.
FFD was hosted by national ambassador Kyle Arrington who played cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens and has earned a Championship ring with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. Off the field he’s a family guy who dedicates success to his wife and kids including the addition of a new baby girl.
Although Fit Fathers Day is a special occasion to recognize dads during their time of celebration, our mission also encourages moms, kids and families throughout the year. Stay tuned for more Fit Fathers events as we move forward engaging with various communities around the country. Enjoy the photo gallery.
– Empowering dads, father figures, families and kids –
On Father’s Day join us for a “fun-for-all” group exercise and health celebration with trainers Michelangelo Bance, Tiffani Jenkins, Conscious Crusade, Sofia Rodriguez (Glute Camp) and Z Sweat Dance and Fitness. Also enjoy Zumba, healthy snacks, fitness games, dynamic boxing by Coach T (Hard Training Club), an interactive playground and tunes from DJ Blinks. Win over $2,500 in prizes from Sean John, Modell’s, Yokohama, Vibram, Gym Source, SoulCycle, Live Nation, Striders, Thule and Road Runner Sports by competing in the
Mr. Fit Father contest and female plank challenge.
All fitness levels and ages. Special tribute to hip hop fathers!
– Capoeira performance by RODA Movements and jump rope demo from Greenbelt SITY Stars –
*Groove & Flow yoga begins at 9:45am so please arrive by 9:30am
Special Auto Fit car show featuring active lifestyle vehicles from Mazda, Chrysler, Toyota, VW, Nissan and Kia!
On Sunday June 17, 2018 Fit Fathers Day will focus on the tools needed for long-term life enhancement including daily exercise influence, the reduction or elimination of negative habits and the adoption of fresh, positive lifestyle choices. It’s important on Father’s Day and each subsequent day that dads and male role models spearhead this call to duty by taking time out to engage in physical fitness with their families and employ healthy food choices. For more detail please visit www.FitFathersDay.com.
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