Never been on a diet? Whether you need to lose 5 pounds or 40, there is a weight-loss plan that will work for you. The best plan won’t empty your bank account or condemn you to months of ‘shakes’ or microwave meals. The best plan will help you find a new way to eat that fits your lifestyle and budget, and that helps you to maintain your loss long term. For those who are new to dieting, here are four tips to help you get started and lose lots of weight.
Know What You Eat
Since most guys don’t know how many calories they eat nor what those calories are comprised of, it’s important to record them. Try choosing an app that will help track what you are eating and will calculate the caloric and nutritional content. You should also use the MenScience fitness calculators to calculate your BMI and determine your ideal weight range.
However you choose to record your intake, do so for at least several days before you choose a diet plan. Take note of trends. Do you eat at home or on the run? Are you a night snacker? Do you skip breakfast? The more you know about how and what you eat, the easier it will be to choose a diet that will work for you.
Read the Labels
Most men are not savvy about serving sizes. We tend to think a serving of ice cream looks like two jumbo scoops on a large cone instead of a half cup in a small dish. Familiarize yourself with food labels so that you know how many servings there are in a bag of chips or box of crackers. Once you start reading the labels, you will also notice that packaged food has an alarming amount of sodium and fat in it.
Choose a Plan That Fits Your Lifestyle
The Paleo Diet is popular with many men as it incorporates food that they already like: meat, seafood, fresh vegetables and fruit, and good fats. The Carb Lover’s Diet is great for those who can’t imagine giving up their pasta. Both of these plans incorporate dining out into the plan, so they are easy to follow. Find a diet plan that works for you. The more compatible it is, the more likely you’ll stick with it over the long term and lose lots of weight. For help on a structured plan, check out MenScience Boot Camp.
Get Some Support
Guys aren’t always great at this, but women will tell you that it is key to their success. Partner up with someone else who needs to drop a few and you’ll find it much easier. Maybe you have a friend who’s shown interest in going on a diet. Maybe you have a friend who’s already super fit and a gym freak. Seek them out for support and guidance to lose lots of weight.
