They say weight loss is easy, in theory. You just burn more calories than you put in, right? Unfortunately, life makes it far more complicated than that. Today we will start by examining the science behind weight loss and then go right into the art of making it happen with 15 weight loss tips for men.
Let’s start by discussing the mechanics and the process needed in order to flip the switch and turn your body into a fat-burning machine.
Weight loss occurs when you consume fewer calories than your body burns. This creates a caloric deficit, forcing your body to use stored fat as energy. The caloric deficit to lose one pound of fat = 3,500 calories. When people compare lifestyle changes to a marathon, not a sprint, they were right.
Simply put, your metabolism is the process by which your body converts food into energy.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the energy expended at rest, you living, and breathing.
Increasing your metabolism through exercise and maintaining muscle mass can help burn more calories, even when you’re not active.
Read that last sentence again. In the fitness community, the specific calories burned are debated, but the message is clear: Muscle burns more calories than fat.
While consuming fewer calories is important, where the calories come from is also vital for weight loss. The term macro simply refers to foods your body needs in large amounts. There are three macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Each has a specific role in weight loss. Carbohydrates and proteins provide 4 calories per gram, while fats provide 9. We’ll talk later about how to get healthy fats from the right foods.
Physical activity is essential for weight loss. It helps burn calories, build muscle, increase metabolism, improve insulin sensitivity, and enhance overall fitness. A combination of cardiovascular exercise and strength training is typically recommended. We’ll talk later about the best form of exercise to burn fat: high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
It’s hard to keep up with all the various diet fads that pop up and disappear for a decade only to return with a new face and new name. My general rule for any potential lifestyle change is to find a balance; ensure it’s realistic and sustainable.
The dietary approaches for weight loss focus on some form of calorie restriction, portion control, balanced macronutrient ratios (such as low-carb or low-fat diets), mindful eating, or, specific nutrient-dense foods. Other approaches to dieting focus on time-restricted eating and fasting. Recent studies have shown that intermittent fasting diets like 18:6 can help reduce body weight by around 5% over the course of six months to one year.
The psychological and behavioral aspects of weight loss play a significant role. Factors like stress, emotional eating, sleep quality, and mindset can impact weight loss success.
A high-protein diet can assist in the control of appetite, enhance metabolic rate, and preserve muscle mass. Protein-rich foods such as eggs, lean meats, and legumes are essential tools in your belly fat-busting toolkit. A great way to sneak in protein is by having a shake before or after a workout. There are also protein shakes specifically formulated to help you lose weight.
Exercise is indispensable when it comes to losing belly fat. Consistent, moderate-intensity workouts, such as brisk walking or cycling, can reduce belly fat. Additionally, strength training exercises like weight lifting can increase muscle mass, further boosting your metabolism.
Mindful eating involves paying full attention to the food you eat, savoring each bite, acknowledging what you like and don't like, and not eating when distracted. This practice aids in weight loss by changing eating behaviors and reducing stress-related eating.
We talked about macronutrients above, you should balance your meals making sure to incorporate all three macro’s into each meal.
If you are willing to put in the physical work necessary to lose weight and make the dietary choices why not supercharge those efforts with a supplement? There are specific, clinically validated, ingredients like Chromax (Chromium Picolinate) & Advantra Z that help you reduce body fat, stimulate your metabolism, and preserve lean muscle. Pairing your diet and exercise with a product that contains Chromax & Advantra Z could, like Boost & Burn, really help compound your weight loss efforts to deliver results faster.
One of the more challenging aspects of losing weight is avoiding snacks. I often combat the afternoon hunger with a scoop of Mdrive Lean, which helps reduce hunger and body fat, while boosting your metabolism with clinically studied Morosil.
Eating a healthy diet with plenty of dietary fiber can help you feel full, which can lead to eating fewer calories. Incorporate foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes into your diet.
Getting adequate sleep is essential for overall health, and can also help regulate your weight. Lack of sleep can disrupt the balance of key hormones that control appetite, thereby increasing the risk of belly fat. Here is our complete guide to getting more sleep.
Water plays a critical role in every aspect of our health, and weight management is no exception. Staying hydrated helps you feel full and may increase your metabolic rate. You should be drinking half your body weight in ounces per day.
Refined carbs lack essential nutrients and can lead to overeating, and typically they are sodium bombs as well. Processed foods are high in trans fats, which have been shown to kill testosterone levels in men. Switching to whole grains can help control belly fat and prevent weight gain.
Keeping track of your calories can help you understand what you're eating and where you can make improvements. Using a food diary or smartphone app can make this process easier. I've attempted calorie counting in the past and it was an eye-opening experience. Try it for a week, the process itself will give you insight into where your diet is lacking or damaging your goals.
Don’t avoid fats. Foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish are rich in healthy fats and can assist in weight loss by making you feel satisfied.
Sugary beverages like soda have been linked to an increased risk of belly fat and weight gain. Opt for water, green tea, or black coffee instead.
Cardiovascular exercise, or cardio, is a crucial part of any healthy weight-loss regimen. It's one of the most effective ways to improve your health while burning calories. Find a way to make cardio fun, so you can find consistency and long-term results.
Stress-belly is a real thing. Chronic stress can lead to weight gain. Incorporating stress-reducing activities—such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing—into your routine can help combat this.
Eating at regular times throughout the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. Intermittent fasting has become a popular tool to control calories by maintaining a consistent window of eating. A recent study found that people can lose about 5% of their body weight by staying consistent with intermittent fasting over the course of a year.
HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise alternated with recovery periods. Studies suggest it's effective at burning belly fat, and burns 25-30% more calories than other exercises. HIIT workouts are quicker than a normal workout and burn fat longer, too, making the perfect for the modern man living a driven lifestyle.
Last but not least, remember that significant and sustainable weight loss takes time. It's easy to be impatient and critical of the man in the mirror, but keep stacking successful days in a row and you'll see the difference, and feel it too.
There is no simple and safe way to lose weight immediately. Weight loss takes time, and should be attacked from a long-term, strategic level, and implemented daily on a tactical level. Body fat is lost over time by burning more calories than you consume.
The Mediterranean diet follows the eating habits of people from countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece. The diet primarily focuses on nutritious foods and encourages balance in healthy fats, carbs, and lean proteins. The emphasis of this diet on seafood vs red meat can help support weight loss for men as seafood is often less processed.
The older I get the less inclined I am to lean into what's trending on the internet. But needless to say, there may be an opportunity cost to not embracing the future, or even remaining on the sidelines so long that you have to catch up.
The mission of The Driven is to help equip you with the tools to live smarter, better lives. Today, I want to challenge you to lean into learning the basics of artificial intelligence-powered chatbots, specifically, Chat GPT. Launched in November of 2022, Chat GPT was the leader of AI chatbot tools and is truly a groundbreaking tool that is changing the way we communicate and create.
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Julio Velasquez
July 28, 2023
Could you possibly give examples of supplements with the recommended ingredients mentioned?
Chromax & Advantra Z