| Any trainer, nutritionist or medical professional can tell | | | | trainer at a gym or ask your doctor for ways to drop |
| you that losing weight is 90 percent psychological. How | | | | the weight. |
| you approach your nutrition and exercise mentally can | | | | • Keep a food journal to track your eating |
| make or break any kind of weight program you'd like | | | | habits. It's surprising how much goes under the radar |
| to follow. Here are some motivational tips to get you | | | | when you're not watching what you eating. Simply |
| on the right path and keep you there: | | | | writing down the foods you consume along with |
| • Figure out your weight loss goals: are you | | | | portion sizes can give you a good idea as to how you |
| just looking to lose a few pounds? Cutting back on | | | | can eat healthier. |
| certain foods in your diet and starting an exercise | | | | • Discover if you're eating for the wrong |
| program could be the answer. Are you trying to build | | | | reason. Men often use food to cope with stress, |
| muscle? Consuming more protein while upping your | | | | depression, anger or just plain boredom. Do you really |
| exercise might be your goal. Are you extremely | | | | need that bag of chips from the vending machine at |
| overweight? Consult a doctor to see what the best | | | | 2:00 pm? Or do you just need an excuse to leave |
| plan of action will be for you. | | | | your office desk? Before snacking, ask yourself if you |
| • Set realistic goals. Sure, it's easy to say | | | | honestly feel hungry. There's better ways to work out |
| you're going to drop 25 pounds in three months, but | | | | mental issues or blow off steam (like through |
| faced with a daunting goal, most men are more | | | | exercise). |
| inclined to throw in the towel. Instead, break it up into | | | | • Once men hit their target weight, there's a |
| smaller, more manageable goals and reward yourself | | | | tendency to back slide. Why? Because maintaining |
| when you reach them. | | | | good health is just as difficult as achieving it. That's |
| • Understand that weight loss takes time to | | | | why it's important to stick to your guidelines even |
| happen and everyone's progress is different. You may | | | | when you achieve your initial fitness goal. |
| not see results immediately, but that's no reason to | | | | • Learn from setbacks. Face it: Man is |
| stop. | | | | imperfect. A small slip-up now and then is not going to |
| • Exercise with a friend. If you have a hard | | | | kill you. It's no reason to give up and just binge, or stop |
| time sticking with a regular schedule, working out with | | | | exercising all together. Instead of focusing on these |
| someone else can help you stay with it. Plus, you'll also | | | | setbacks, keep your eye on the short-term goal. If you |
| have a partner to encourage you, spot for you and | | | | find that you are dealing with the same problems again |
| share your pain. | | | | and again, evaluate your weight management process |
| • Don't be afraid to get help. Yes, men are | | | | and see if you can discover where you are getting |
| notorious for being DIY champions, but if you find it | | | | sidetracked. You might have to try a different |
| difficult to keep to your weight management and | | | | approach all together to get over the hurdles. |
| fitness goals, your next step might be to consult a | | | | |