With obesity rates in the U.S. at an all-time high, the importance of investing time and energy into championing fitness, for yourself and for your loved ones, cannot be overstated. Although the demands of providing for a family, taking care of that family, and taking care of yourself can weigh more heavily on your shoulders some days than others, they are certainly a small price to pay for the joys of being a father and a husband.

Although the emphasis on a baby’s healthy development traditionally falls on the mother throughout the pregnancy, dads can (and should!) play a large role in setting a great example for the kids. It can be as simple as doing something physically active for half an hour every day and pairing that routine with some good eating habits. There are some great general rules and tips that help guide fit fathers to successfully embracing better, healthier lifestyles. You may well find some combination of these are just what you need to jump start your own self-improvement.

Listing the reasons you want to get fit can be an excellent, tangible manifestation of what your motivation for undertaking this challenge is. Write your reasons down somewhere and keep it handy. When the going gets tough and giving up or cutting corners seems appealing, refer to this document for the explicit reminder of why this is all worth the hassle. To minimize that hassle, you should also start by working out at home. Many guys overestimate their discipline and burn themselves out by overdoing it with pricy personal trainers and gym membership. In the process, they are likely to take a hefty financial loss when they figuratively run out of gas. Build up your good habits by starting small with exercise videos or a morning jog. Once those smaller changes to your old routine are second-nature, then you can organically turn up the intensity.

You should also understand that you do not have to go it alone! Working out with a partner, especially someone as close and supportive to you as a wife, can be vastly rewarding. It’s a great chance to spend some time together and working towards a common goal can be an extremely positive experience. Someone dependable who can hold you accountable makes the best kind of partner. Creating new habits can be very difficult, so building healthy ones together can make the process easier. As you become more successful, set milestones and acknowledge your progress with rewards. Small victories over time add up to a large win in the form of much better health later. Something small like a new pair of shoes or weekend getaway can be just the right thing to reinvigorate you to keep going in the right direction. And, above all else, stay committed. So long as you take capitalize on every day as an opportunity to improve on the last, you will be heading towards a healthier tomorrow.