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3 Weight Loss Tips for Men

Weight Loss & Fitness FAQ's from Regular Guys

-- By Dean Anderson, Fitness and Behavior Expert

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If you’re a man who’s trying to lose weight and get fit, you’ve probably noticed that most of the books, magazines, and programs on these subjects aren’t really aimed at you. Most are for women. And the others seem to have bodybuilders and competitive athletes in mind—not regular guys who simply want to get in shape.

But your needs are different than those of women, and the fitness strategies you should follow aren’t the same as those of a bodybuilder. This article is for YOU. It will tackle three of the most common questions regular guys have about weight loss:

How fast is too fast to lose weight?
How should I eat or exercise when I’m trying to build some muscle and also lose some fat?
Should I eat more than 1,200 calories to avoid “starvation mode” problems?

I’m losing weight faster than my wife. Is this normal, and how fast is too fast?
It’s true that many men can and usually do lose weight faster than women, but this isn’t entirely good news. For one thing, if you share your life with a woman who is also trying to lose weight, you might need a few lessons in domestic diplomacy when she gets frustrated at your seemingly easy and fast results. For another, one of the main reasons that you do lose weight more easily turns out to be a double-edged sword.

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Workout Ideas for Couples (article)
High Intensity Strength Training (article)
High Performance Nutrition - Part 1 (article)
Gender: Does it Really Make a Difference? (article)
The Guys' Lounge (forum)

Dean Anderson
Dean Anderson has master's degrees in human services (behavioral psychology/stress management) and liberal studies and extensive social work experience as a caseworker and community organizer. Dean's interest in healthy living began in 1999 when, at the age of 50, he confronted his own morbid obesity and related mental and physical health issues. He joined SparkPeople, lost 150 pounds and regained his health. During this process, Dean earned a personal training certification from ACE, received training as a lifestyle and weight management consultant, and began working for SparkPeople. He is currently pursuing a certification from the American Senior Fitness Association.