Since I'm sure that many people, especially women, will wonder why am I writing a weight loss blog directed mainly towards men, I thought that I'd briefly explain my reasons in my first post. First, we live in a country that is clearly a male dominated one. Whether that's right or wrong is not my issue here; I'm dealing with the reality of our current situation. Men make more in salary than women; there are more male CEOs of companies than women, and the main movers and shakers of this country are usually male. And, as a result of this, men's likes and dislikes are what is accepted as the norm, especially when it comes to body image.
In our society, women are much more pressured to look a certain way than men are. So, it's normal to see a pretty hot lady walking down the street with a guy who could obviously stand to lose some inches off his waist. Men are usually given a free pass when it comes to being overweight or downright obese. However, women are spending billions of dollars on books, diet pills, and online diet programs to be thin. while their husbands can sit around with a beer belly making the excuse of "it's just more of me to love".
Well, ladies, I'm actually on your side and feel that it's time that guys own up to the fact that they too need to be concerned with their waist line and unhealthy eating habits. According to this NIH affiliate site, there are more men that are overweight or obese in this country than women! And to top it off, there are more healthy women in this country than men. How embarrassing?
Traditional weight loss blogs, as well as programs, are already geared towards overweight women. You name the diet and there are support forums and blogs associated with it, and you'll find that 99% of them are geared towards women. Well, this ain't one of those blogs. While I know that the information I'll share on my blog will help everyone, I'm talking to the fellas in a way that guys can understand: in your face, pull no punches, no BS, not PC, and no excuses allowed!
What I'm seeking to have with my blog is what I experienced in the local Black barbershop in my neighborhood. Those of you who have been to a Black barbershop know exactly what I'm talking about. If you've never been to one, go and rent Barbershop 1 & 2 which will give you an idea, although an Hollywood-esque one, of the straight talk among men that happens there. While women would come through every now and then to get their necklines shaped up, it was usually only men in the shop. And, man, did they shoot straight from the hip in their conversations. It wasn't a place for the easily offended or guys with thin skin, and neither is my blog.
Oh yeah, welcome to Mr. Low Body Fat's Blog . . .
17 comments:
Hi Mate!
Found your blog from a link on your Active Low Carber forum!
I am very impressed with your success!
I will be a regular visitor here!
Thanks for starting a blog. We (fat guys) need more positive role models!!
Dave
Dave, thanks for your comment bro. And I'm glad that you like my blog so far.
Hey just saw you on CNN and love your blog so far, thanks although i not what most would call overweight i know i have some pounds to lose and hope that your advice will help me reach my goal!
doubleg, thanks for your comments! Keep checking back and leaving questions if you have any. Take care and thanks again.
I saw you on CNN this morning and was determined to come back and read more about your journey. You are a great inspiration!
Thanks for your comment RAE and please keep reading my older posts ..
I am a 35 year old, 5'10" guy who weighs 248. There is no good reason for that. I have started my path back to 170lbs. I have read some of your posts and I am going to ride with ya. Thanks for the hard work, I got more reading and WORK to do, but it is good to have an example to follow. Thanks.
Damon
Damon, thanks for your post bro. I'm glad that you've made up your mind and are ready to start your journey. Just remember that slow and steady wins the race!
I was told you are looking at the Team Beach Body Co. Please join use I am on the same path as you but you are farther along. I will still keep checking out your blog either way it is full of great information and other workout ideals.(I mainly use P90X you would love it) I will be ordering the sand bag also.thanks You can check me out at www.teambeachbody.com/coachderek10)
I'm a short, fat guy. Two strikes right there. One of those "You shoulda seen me when I played high school football" and middle aged. Well, I'm tired of carrying around this weight (know how pregnant women feel) and prayerfully I will get back to my "playing" weight.
Derek, thanks for your comments. Yes, I've checked out the site and am still deciding what I want to do; nevertheless, thanks for stopping by my blog.
nystandupnitman,
Thanks for leaving a comment, and please keep us posted of your journey back to your "playing weight". Take care ...
changeformat to previous.color ofbackgound is too intense.
Rohit, thanks for your comment and don't worry I'm going to give my blog a face-lift in the coming weeks. Thanks again for your post.
Mr. LBF,
I wish I didn’t know what you were talking about but unfortunately I do. I have been from 264 to 214 in my weight war. I’m hovering at 242 right now and alternate between telling myself that “I’m not that fat” and total disgust. I’m 6’ and think I should weigh 200 but not having weighed that since high school, I really don’t know what I should aim for.
I’ve been popping into your blog little bits at a time because the accuracy makes me uncomfortable and then I’ll find somewhere else to go. Sad. I’ve just now read your first timer’s blogs and they are on the money. I could have written them.
Little story – Just went to my daughter’s birthday party this last weekend. Pool Party. As soon as my wife told me, my anxiety started. I screwed up my courage and swam with my kids and my friends. Endured the fat boy, lipsuction, etc comments from my “friends” and then went home to eat Dortios and cookies as a salve for my psychological scars. Then guilt to go with the shame. What a nasty cycle.
To get to the point, I know that I’m ready but I have no confidence that I can keep my eating under control. I workout 4 days a week with about 45 minutes of cardio and 15 minutes of weight lifting. Unfortunately, I fluctuate my eating between healthy and binges.
I’m great at justifying binges, lying to myself, and “this is the last time”-ing myself. Any insight on how to break this.
Johnny Mag, thanks for sharing your story bro! I applaud you for being open and honest with yourself, which is the first and most important step IMO. As far as the binges are concerned, I was able to get mine under control using a couple of techniques. First, most guys binge because when they think about getting in shape, they take an extremist position, "I'm never going to eat (fill in the junk food item here) again because I'm going to lose the weight this time".
Yeah, right? I'm sure that you'll never have another cookie for the rest of your life, right? When we sit back and look at these types of reactionary and extremists positions, you have to chuckle a bit.
Johnny, I have a newsflash for you bro, I absolutely LOVE Doritos! And guess what? I don't have them in my house because I'll eat the entire bag! When friends come over for a party and bring Doritos, I know that if I don't hand them the leftovers while they leave, then the bag won't last a day in my house! ;)
Do I beat myself up about this? Not really because if I don't buy them and have them in my house, I won't eat them.
Johnny, on your weight loss journey, you are still going to eat Doritos and cookies, but the goal isn't to eliminate them all right away, but cut back on how often you eat them. It's much more mental than most folks would like to talk about.
Another thing that I changed was how I viewed the negative comments about my weight. Believe me, I remember every smartass fat guy joke that was hurled my way. Yeah, I let many of these words hurt me, and I consoled myself with Krispy Kreme donuts; however, once I changed my mentality, I used these comments as motivation to lose the weight and to keep it off. Not to only show those who made comments in the past, but to eventually become their motivation!
It was a lofty goal Johnny, but I can honestly say that I'm in better shape than 99.8% of the folks who use to make fun of me when I was fat, and you can imagine how it feels when these same people come to me for weight loss tips!
Sorry for such a long reply, and I hope this helps ....
Hang in there,
Muata
Hey MLBF. I found your site. I see what you mean when it comes to not being enough things avilable for guys. When i was younger i was blamed by my brothers about my father leaving us. IT was my fault they said. While i understand it was and will never be my fault it caused me to turn to food. I turned big over a year and kept eat.
I have been trying to lose weght ever since i started college i keep telling myself this time it is going to be different. This year it is gonna happen. I started reading about how the weigth does not just fall off and i am a weight scale person. I mesure the amount of weight i lose by what the scale says.
The reason i want to lose weight.
My story is really cheesy. I had a dream that i became another person. a skinny person who is trying to fit in his new life. Apparently in my desguse there were too many hole and i was fightting to keep my new life mostly for my body becuase it made me feel good.
I know it is kinda jumbled but it si the way i remeber it.
Well thanks for listening
K ison
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