A lot of times, health isn’t the only reason we eat healthy and work out regularly. We also want to look good to attract a partner. Unfortunately, once we catch somebody’s eye, it’s easy to fall back into our old habits. In a relationship, dining out is a common occurrence and there can sometimes be a sense of complacency that kills your gym motivation.
Of course, being in a relationship doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to gain weight or become unfit– and your partner will still love you even with a few extra pounds. But if you’ve gained some noticeable weight and want to do something about it, follow these nutrition and fitness tips to slim down and put on some muscle fast.
1. Eat at home more often. While dining out is a fun experience, eating at home can be just as fun – and much less expensive. At home, it’s easy to recreate a romantic restaurant atmosphere with the appropriate dinnerwear and food, and you have the advantage of complete control over the ingredients in each dish. For those special occasions you want to go out to eat, just keep the tips in “Eat Healthy at a Restaurant: 8 Men’s Nutrition Tips” in mind to make healthy decisions.
2. Ask your partner for help. Your partner is there to support you, so ask them for help if you’re serious about slimming down or gaining some major muscle. If they have unhealthy snacks, make sure those foods are kept out of sight so you aren’t tempted. Your significant other can also double as your workout partner – just be sure to broach the topic carefully. And if they aren’t the gym type, there’s always everyone’s favorite workout: sex.
3. Make time for fitness. When you’re single, it’s usually easy to schedule some “me” time. When you’re in a relationship, though, your schedule becomes a lot tighter. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on fitness altogether. There are plenty of ways to fit in men’s fitness — you just have to be more creative. Check out “Burn Calories at Work: 10 Men’s Nutrition and Fitness Tips” for some ideas on weight loss in the office.
4. Weigh yourself regularly. Weight gain has the tendency to creep up on you. You don’t gain weight overnight – it’s a gradual process that takes weeks, months and even years. Your best defense against weight gain is awareness. Weighing yourself once a week in the morning on an empty stomach is a good habit to keep so that if and when those extra pounds show up, you can stop them in their tracks. If you want an even better measure of your body fat, consider using fat calipers. “Body Fat Calipers: Why You Need Them” explains the many benefits of this weight-management tool.
5. Don’t stress too much. When you’re stressed, it’s easy to reach for your favorite comfort food. Replace that bad habit with something a little healthier. If you’re feeling down, talk to your partner about it or hit the gym. Having emotional support is a great stress-reliever and so is exercise. Exercise, in particular, releases “feel-good” chemicals known as endorphins to help make you happier. You can also try men’s nutritional supplements like an omega-3 supplement for men to boost your mood. Read “Stress and Men’s Acne Breakouts” to learn about another big consequence of too much stress.
6. Take men’s nutritional supplements. A healthy diet and fitness program are the foundation for a healthy lifestyle, but if you want to see results even faster, consider using men’s nutrition supplements. Men’s nutritional supplements like pre-workout supplements and post-workout supplements can help you push yourself harder in the gym, resulting in dramatic workout performance gains. The same holds true for whey protein supplements and creatine supplements for men – these are the missing ingredients to getting the lean, muscular body you’ve always wanted.
