# Men Who Want To Lose Weight? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 28, 2024, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493 "2024-03-28T03:08:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/61 "2024-03-29T14:50:02Z")
> [@ColdBrew50](#): > > I don’t blame the fast food or the frozen food aisle people one bit…choose to be a fat load, a drain on society’s medical resources, and destroy oneself in the process. No, it’s not “tough love,” it’s an extremely simple decision one can make for oneself. > > No, it’s not easy, but it’s not the challenge of the century either. Wow. Thanks for that. Seriously, I need to quit worrying about it and just eat healthy and get exercise. Of course, I’m typing this from a recliner as I finish a bowl of Strawberry Mini-Wheats… but damn it, now I’m going to get on a long bike ride in ten minutes, even though it’s below 0º(euro). ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/62 "2024-03-29T15:05:01Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Maybe in music videos more than movies? Yeah - I guess I have noticed more backup dancers who are not the historically more common thin body types. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/63 "2024-03-29T15:17:19Z")
> [@ColdBrew50](#): > > No, it’s not easy, but it’s not the challenge of the century either. I think this is key for men. Older males who were fit as adolescents suddenly look in the mirror and can’t recognize themselves. It’s easy to adopt bad habits as we age, since our priorities are work and family, not taking care of ourselves. While that’s no excuse, when we get home from a long day of work the last thing we want to do is exercise. We want to eat something and relax on the couch and watch the game. At some point a friend or relative is diagnosed with diabetes, cancer, or has a heart attack, and we realize we’re headed in the same direction. Deciding to make a change is easy. Actually making those changes on a consistent basis is not easy, and many people become frustrated and give up trying. If you can keep with it long enough you will eventually reap the benefits by feeling better, looking better, and increasing your healthy lifespan. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/64 "2024-03-29T15:37:09Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > So the pressure on the average guy to look really big and muscular has grown dramatically over the decades. The weird thing is that not many women care for this look. It’s more popular with gay men. Most straight men would be shocked to know how many women would like to get with Jack Black (noted non-skinny celebrity). Of course part of that is he’s a popular and presumably wealthy celebrity, but he also radiates this aura of being kind, funny, and relaxed, which is a thing women tend to go for more than being big and shredded. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/65 "2024-03-29T15:46:16Z")
> [@Imuseless](#): > > I used to weigh highest 230 lbs but I exercised like walked in woods and lifted weights to get down to 176 lbs. Lowest I weighed as an adult was 155 lbs. and now even lighter I suppose … (being SUSPENDED 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/66 "2024-03-29T15:50:55Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > It’s hard to break habits developed over a lifetime. Most people enjoy eating and dislike exercise, and weight management hasn’t been a priority in their lives. As we get older, and see how excess weight can lead to diabetes and metabolic syndrome, we think about getting down to a healthy weight, which is often more difficult the older we get. > > For some, overeating has become an addiction, one of many eating disorders, and some people opt for addiction treatments to curb compulsive eating, however, if someone continues to live a sedentary lifestyle, and eats high calorie snacks in addition to three large large meals a day, they will almost invariably gain weight over time. That you responded thusly suggests to me I didn’t make my point clearly enough. Or perhaps now you’ll teach me how to play the flute. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/67 "2024-03-29T17:10:55Z")
I don’t think it is easy to lose weight, and while people fall into unhealthful bad habits, there are sometimes very human reasons this happens. It is not that hard, perhaps, to fit a few minutes of exercise into most days of the week. But it certainly might be difficult to get to the gym every day with a busy job and family stresses and human priorities. Exercise and healthy habits are certainly important. More people should adopt them. Implying this is extremely easy and frictionless is not really true. There is a balance between getting someone to do something better and that someone seeing your actions as blaming, preachy or impractical. It’s a difficult line (as any doctor knows), and one needs to realize it is there. Very few people lose weight on “easy diets” for the very reasons you mentioned. Unrealistic goals, slow speed and changes required, gradual integration of helpful changes, using available supports and technology. But also life can be exhausting, some foods are particularly tasty and addictive, portion sizes have grown, nutritional info is not always obvious, and people tend not to love changes. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/68 "2024-03-29T17:15:21Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > I’ve always found the “just eat properly and exercise” advice similar to that Monty Python bit where a chat show host teaches us how to play the flute: While I’m a fan of Monty Python, I don’t know anything about playing the flute, however,I do know that by adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle, by increasing your daily exercise, and by creating a negative energy balance, it’s possible to lose weight, and just as importantly, keep it off. The goal being to attain a healthy weight by replacing bad habits with good habits, and being able to maintain a healthy weight for the rest of your life, without starving or taking drugs. I never said it was going to be easy, and since everyone is different there is no one specific way to do it. You need to experiment with different approaches to see what works for you and what you’re willing to tolerate living with long term. I’m proof it can be done, and I don’t think I’m special, except for being very determined to make it happen, and never cheating. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/69 "2024-03-29T17:22:57Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I’m proof it can be done, and I don’t think I’m special, except for being very determined to make it happen, and never cheating. But of course, fat and obese people in general aren’t dumb collectively and the fact that obesity is at record levels is a good indication, that congrats, you are special. I am very happy it worked for you. But it is hard and it is very hard to maintain. It takes a long time and so many factors can set you off your path. But hey, I’m about to embark on another try to get my weight under control and I might ask for a drug that reduces my appetite, because it really does help to have something like that to get started. I see my Doctor in about 10 days or so. Something has to give. My knees, my back and my blood sugar need a kickstarter to my next battle with my weight. Your posts probably seem very positive to you, but after a while they seem to be a lot like shaming those of us that try and fail. (Not that I think that is your intent). Please keep that in mind. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/70 "2024-03-29T18:54:04Z")
I apologize if my posts come off as shaming or condescending since that’s not my intent. In fact I have tried to be encouraging to anyone who is faced with this issue and is trying to address it. Obese people aren’t dumb, but I think they get tired of fighting a lifelong battle they don’t think they can win, and are sometimes looking for someone or something else to blame. I admit I was lucky. I had the motivation, the time (I’m retired), and I acquired the knowledge to try different approaches to weight loss. A combination of these approaches worked unbelievably well for me. That may sound like gloating, but it’s just one person telling their story. If my story is discouraging to others, I’m sorry. I hope other people do whatever they can, including trying new drugs, to get them on a path to lower weight and better health. I realize the country is filled with obese children, adolescents, and adults, and many will remain so their entire life. They can blame food companies, they can blame the media, they can blame society, but ultimately it’s their problem to solve, however they choose to address it, including doing nothing about it, which I am perfectly okay with. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/71 "2024-03-29T18:59:07Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Given the number of overgrown man-babies who will only eat chicken “nuggies” and pizza The non-ironic use of the term “Chicken nuggies” is about as sure a sign of a mental disorder as one can imagine. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/72 "2024-03-29T19:11:43Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > But of course, fat and obese people in general aren’t dumb collectively and the fact that obesity is at record levels is a good indication, that congrats, you are special. Yep. Exactly no one needs to be informed that to lose weight one must eat less and ideally combine that with a healthy exercise regimen. What I think may not be well-understood is the physical and psychological obstacles to doing so, or the depression and self-loathing that can result with yet another failure. We are not designed for modern society’s availability of food. We were built to withstand extended scarcities. To gorge is not a bug but a feature, at least for many where that trait persists. “Just eat less.” Okay, sure. Thanks for the tip. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/73 "2024-03-29T19:22:45Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I admit I was lucky. I had the motivation, the time (I’m retired), and I acquired the knowledge to try different approaches to weight loss. A combination of these approaches worked unbelievably well for me. That may sound like gloating, but it’s just one person telling their story. If my story is discouraging to others, I’m sorry. I hope other people do whatever they can, including trying new drugs, to get them on a path to lower weight and better health. Me, I may very well have the genes too-on my mother’s side both her mom and grandmom lived to be 99, while she herself holds several national track and field records for her age. So I don’t deny that I can likely get away with shite that others may not (he says after giving in to that discounted big bag of pistachios yesterday and wolfing them down like mad over the past 24 hours). But I did balloon to 243 and I know I can again if I don’t watch and most crucially own up to my habits (good or bad). After my little binge this weekend it’ll just be modest sandwiches for lunch and soups for dinner for a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/74 "2024-03-29T20:13:58Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > I don’t think it is easy to lose weight, and while people fall into unhealthful bad habits, there are sometimes very human reasons this happens. It is not that hard, perhaps, to fit a few minutes of exercise into most days of the week. But it certainly might be difficult to get to the gym every day with a busy job and family stresses and human priorities. that! for years I parked some 1.5 - 2km from my office and walked the last part (high stress bumper-to-bumper traffic jam hellhole) … just to arrive at +/- the same time and having squeezed ~150 min of spirited walk into my week … and I arrived at home way more “mentally unwound” free, too! ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/75 "2024-03-29T20:27:53Z")
In fact I very much enjoyed reading about your progress and adventures with monitoring glucose. I think you are being supportive and wish you well, but part of that support is realizing people have different motivations and circumstances, and that hard things are often hard, and so calling them easy has an unintended air of superiority. ---
**Author:** ![ColdBrew50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@ColdBrew50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColdBrew50)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/76 "2024-03-29T20:34:48Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Wow. Thanks for that. Seriously, I need to quit worrying about it and just eat healthy and get exercise. That’d be a good idea, probably. I mean, whatever floats your boat. I should probably take that advice myself, as I’m sitting here sipping Ardbeg 10 and eating two giant slices of pepperoni pizza. Not kidding, either: that’s exactly what I’m doing, and would be happy to provide pictographic evidence, if there’s an audience for that, and it’s obviously a bad choice. But, I can lose weight when I’m dead. **ETA** : Not to mention it’s Friday, and, as a Catholic, I’m really supposed to be fasting. My plan was to fast from 00:01 Friday morning until Easter, actually, but didn’t work out that way, it seems. One thing I learned when recovering from alcohol abuse syndrome was that relapses are not just normal, and extremely common, but can in themselves be opportunities to learn. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/77 "2024-03-29T20:37:32Z")
… and you will… ---
**Author:** ![ColdBrew50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@ColdBrew50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColdBrew50)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/78 "2024-03-29T20:41:48Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > … and you will Not if I’m just resting! 😇 ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/79 "2024-03-29T21:11:36Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > but part of that support is realizing people have different motivations and circumstances, and that hard things are often hard, and so calling them easy has an unintended air of superiority. I never meant to imply it was all that easy. It required devising a plan and lots of discipline. This is the only diet I’ve ever done, and I was able to do in a few months what my ex-wife had been unable to do her entire life, which is maintain a healthy weight for at least a period of time. So no, it’s not “easy” for anyone, not even me. Fortunately, once I started losing weight I was able to keep going and not feel hungry thanks to fasting. I had to exercise hard every day, which was a challenge, especially when the weather didn’t cooperate, but I found workarounds for that too. I appreciate that it’s hard for everyone to lose weight, and keep it off, for a variety of reasons. If I made it sound like it was dead easy, I misspoke. I’ll get down from my soapbox now. ---
**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493/80 "2024-03-29T22:04:46Z")
You weigh 100kg, your optimal weight is 70kg. You reduce your calorie intake, this naturally induces heightened hunger. This is unacceptable, therefore 100kg is what you are supposed to be, and so can go back to eating what you did before, and not bother with diets. This is “set point theory” You run a calorie deficit, you lose weight, a surplus, you gain. Anything else is just fuzziness around the edges. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-want-to-lose-weight/999493.md?page=5)