My super-fit grandparents in their 80s motivate me to exercise. My grandad can do 500 push-ups while my nanny walks 2 hours daily.

I want to inspire my kids to start healthy habits — just like my grandparents inspired me

I stay fit because I want to be able to do anything for my kids. I find it really hard to imagine not being able to do something physical, especially as a father.

Plus, I want my kids to be inspired the same way my nanny and granddad inspired me. I really think your actions speak louder than words. Obviously, every parent says they want their kids to be healthy, but I think very few are willing to show them.

I never want to pressure my kids to do sports or to work out, but they see me doing just that all the time, and kids really do pick up on everything.

Recently, my youngest, Ash, was with me while I was working out. At no point did I ask him to do anything, but he just grabbed the little five-pound weights and started copying my movements. He’s only one and a half, and he’s trying to do a dumbbell clean or dumbbell swing!

I’ve picked up healthy habits from my grandparents

I don’t remember it, but I was obviously watching my granddad and my nanny do all of these things like my son watches me.

I think that’s why I have such a passion for and commitment to fitness. Whether they knew it or not, my grandparents’ actions have led to all these healthy habits I’ve picked up.

For example, I don’t walk all the way to get my groceries just yet, but I will park the furthest away from the grocery store door so we have to walk further to go in. I’m sure that’s a subconscious little habit I have from nanny.

Home cooking, too — my nanny cooks everything from scratch every day. She makes this one-pot chicken and vegetable curry, which is a go-to meal. And in all these years, I can never remember ever seeing either my nanny or my granddad eat a massive plate or a second portion. They only eat as much as they need to.

I try to eat very similar to how they eat. My wife and I try to limit processed foods as much as possible, and eat lots of protein, fiber, and vegetables.

If you want to be capable and able when you’re older, it’s about just doing the little things now. People often look at fitness as an all or nothing, but I think you can slowly build into it.

Maybe walking to the grocery store is way too hard right now, but you can start by parking at the end of the parking lot like I do, and then build up.

A lot of the healthy habits my nanny and grandad do are free, like walking, cutting out processed foods, not drinking much, and getting enough sleep. But it’s really about building lifelong habits.