Get Fit by Eating Well
Staying fit and losing some pounds can be a daunting task for men. Finding the right diet can be a tentative balance. However, men may be surprised to hear that they can still maintain a good weight without giving up their favorite foods. Here are a set of no-nonsense tips that will have guys looking good and feeling great (without the hunger pains):
1. Try eating several small meals throughout the day. This controls appetite and keeps your metabolism going.
2. Don’t starve and then binge. Skipping meals could end up promoting more fat storage and lowering your metabolism due to fluctuating insulin and blood sugar levels.
3. Set regular mealtimes and stick with them. Once your body comes to expect a meal at the same time everyday, it’s easier to avoid sudden cravings and snack attacks.
4. When hunger strikes, make sure you’ve got some healthy snack options available to you (this is a great way to get in your 5-9 servings a day of fruits and vegetables).
5. Protein is more filling than carbohydrates and usually has fewer calories, so be sure to include fish, lean beef and pork, white-meat poultry, eggs, nuts and beans in your diet.
6. Reduce serving sizes and eat a wider variety of food. Don’t deny yourself your favorite foods…just consume them in moderation.
7. Avoid drinks that contain calories and stick to water instead. Many men don’t realize that beverages are often loaded with empty calories and don’t accommodate for them with their meals.
8. One simple way to avoid packing on calories is to use more spices in your food and less condiments like mayonnaise, butter and sour cream.
9. Eat slowly so your body gets a chance to register the food and you won’t end up eating more than you should. Eat until you feel satisfied; not stuffed.
How Men Can Motivate Themselves to Lose Weight, Look Better and Feel Great
Any trainer, nutritionist or medical professional can tell you that losing weight is 90 percent psychological. How you approach your nutrition and exercise mentally can make or break any kind of weight program you’d like to follow. Here are some motivational tips to get you on the right path and keep you there:
• Figure out your weight loss goals: are you just looking to lose a few pounds? Cutting back on certain foods in your diet and starting an exercise program could be the answer. Are you trying to build muscle? Consuming more protein while upping your exercise might be your goal. Are you extremely overweight? Consult a doctor to see what the best plan of action will be for you.
• Set realistic goals. Sure, it’s easy to say you’re going to drop 25 pounds in three months, but faced with a daunting goal, most men are more inclined to throw in the towel. Instead, break it up into smaller, more manageable goals and reward yourself when you reach them.
• Understand that weight loss takes time to happen and everyone’s progress is different. You may not see results immediately, but that’s no reason to stop.
• Exercise with a friend. If you have a hard time sticking with a regular schedule, working out with someone else can help you stay with it. Plus, you’ll also have a partner to encourage you, spot for you and share your pain.
• Don’t be afraid to get help. Yes, men are notorious for being DIY champions, but if you find it difficult to keep to your weight management and fitness goals, your next step might be to consult a trainer at a gym or ask your doctor for ways to drop the weight.
• Keep a food journal to track your eating habits. It’s surprising how much goes under the radar when you’re not watching what you eating. Simply writing down the foods you consume along with portion sizes can give you a good idea as to how you can eat healthier.
• Discover if you’re eating for the wrong reason. Men often use food to cope with stress, depression, anger or just plain boredom. Do you really need that bag of chips from the vending machine at 2:00 pm? Or do you just need an excuse to leave your office desk? Before snacking, ask yourself if you honestly feel hungry. There’s better ways to work out mental issues or blow off steam (like through exercise).
• Once men hit their target weight, there’s a tendency to back slide. Why? Because maintaining good health is just as difficult as achieving it. That’s why it’s important to stick to your guidelines even when you achieve your initial fitness goal.
• Learn from setbacks. Face it: Man is imperfect. A small slip-up now and then is not going to kill you. It’s no reason to give up and just binge, or stop exercising all together. Instead of focusing on these setbacks, keep your eye on the short-term goal. If you find that you are dealing with the same problems again and again, evaluate your weight management process and see if you can discover where you are getting sidetracked. You might have to try a different approach all together to get over the hurdles.
Menâs Weight Loss Quiz
1. Beverages can cause you to gain weight.
⢠True
⢠False
TRUE: Many men donât realize that beverages are often loaded with empty calories. Even fortified waters can contain as many calories as a can of soda. In fact, a recent study found that most men donât accommodate for these extra calories with their meals. A better bet is to stick to drinking plenty of water, as it keeps your system well-hydrated, helps food break down easier and doesnât pack on the pounds.
2. Fasting is a good way to drop a few pounds.
⢠True
⢠False
FALSE: By skipping meals and then playing catch-up, you could end up promoting more fat storage and lowering your metabolism due to fluctuating insulin and blood sugar levels. You also lose more than fat when you donât eatâ¦you lose muscle and tissue mass. A better bet is to follow a moderate diet and continue to exercise regularly.
3. Eating more produce reduces the pounds.
⢠True
⢠False
TRUE: This seems like it should go without saying, but most men donât get their allotted five servings a day. In addition to containing vitamins, fiber, antioxidants and protein, fruits and vegetables are a low-calorie option that can help you lose weight and improve health tremendously. A few ideas for consuming more are eating a vegetarian meal at least once a week, keeping fresh produce on hand for snacks (even canned vegetables and fruits are valuable as long as they donât contain heavy syrup or preservatives), and adding more to salads, sandwiches and as side dishes..
4. Drinking a lot of water causes you to lose weight.
⢠True
⢠False
FALSE: Water is key to fending of dehydration and it helps the body processes. It even helps provide a âfullâ feeling. But drinking water does not burn off calories, and drinking an excessive amount of water can also add to temporary water weight and make you feel bloated.
5. You need to exercise as well as diet to lose weight.
⢠True
⢠False
TRUE: Many men think if they eat right they can skip exercising altogether. Or vice versa. Wrong. If you are actively looking to lose weight, you are going to have to regularly exercise as well as follow a nutritious diet. Exercising 3-4 times a week not only improves cardiovascular and overall health, it also helps you burn calories as you build muscle.
6. You can keep your weight down by skipping meals.
⢠True
⢠False
FALSE: Although experts are divided on how many meals you should eat (3 moderate meals, or several small ones throughout the day), mealtimes need to be kept at the same time every day so your body knows when to feel hungry. Skipping meals can cause you to overeat at the next meal as your body tries to make up for the meal that was missed.
7. Diets that focus on adding or removing only one type of food are the most effective.
⢠True
⢠False
FALSE: Many fad diets rely on eating a large quantity of or removing one substance or food from your diet (for example: low-carb diet, the cabbage diet, etc.). But the fact is that eating too much of one thing can cause you to miss out on valuable nutrients in other foods (how many fruits contain protein?). And your body needs many components to function well (carbs provide energy, etc.). Instead of drastically cutting or adding an ingredient, try reducing âbadâ foods and eating moderate servings of more varied foods.
8. You can still snack and eat your favorite foods as you diet.
⢠True
⢠False
TRUE: The reason many men fail at weight management is because they try to deprive themselves of their favorite foodsâ¦which may not be the healthiest. Unfortunately, when deprived like this, many guys tend to overeat or binge at the slightest waver of willpower. Thereâs no need to give up desserts or less-than-healthy options…just eat them in small servings and restrict them to only once or twice a week. Even restaurant meals and fast food options can be conquered if you keep the portions small (take half home as leftovers) and youâre aware of what exactly you are consuming, nutrition-wise.
9. How you eat is just as important as what you eat.
⢠True
⢠False
TRUE: Ever wolf down a huge plate of food and then realize that you werenât even that hungry to begin with? This happens more frequently than most men think. Men who overeat tend to eat very quickly. This does not allow your stomach time to process food and does not allow your brain time to realize youâve had enough. A better option is to take your time as you eat: youâll be able to recognize when you fill full (and then stop) and it will also help with digestion. Not to mention that youâll be able to savor the flavors much better this way!
10. Nutritional supplements donât help you lose weight.
⢠True
⢠False
FALSE: While you cannot rely on a nutritional supplement for all of your dietary needs, they can help you attain significant weigh loss results when coupled with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Just make sure they contain high concentrations of natural ingredients from a trusted source.
11. You always gain weight when you quit smoking.
⢠True
⢠False
FALSE: Although some men gain weight when they quit, the benefits of quitting smoking far outweigh the risk of putting on a few pounds. And you can avoid that altogether by avoiding snacking on fattening foods. Instead, keep healthier options available (such as veggies, fruit or even sugar-less gum) for when a craving occurs. Exercise can also work out anxiety.
ANSWER KEY:
9 â 11 correct: Fitness guru
6 â 8 correct: A healthy mind set
3 â 5 correct: Need some coaching
0 â 2 correct: Get off the couch!