For the guys: how did you get healthy?

[Anonymous]

I agree that keeping a record of exercise helps a lot. Fine to do it on an online calendar but can be much more real if have a paper exercise log. Keep track of exercise, significant walking, resting pulse, weight, how feel generally - if hungover, if ate too much the night before, if sore from prior day's exercise, etc.

Similarly, can be helpful to have a written plan -- swim on Tues/Thurs, run on Monday and Saturday, etc. Best to have it posted on a bulletin board at home so it's staring him in the face.

Helpful to have an exercise buddy to force your hubby to get out of the house. I ran a marathon years ago and having a buddy to train with was very helpful.

Having a race in the future that is signed up for and paid for is helpful for motivation, ideally to do with others in your family or friend circle.

It's hard to cut back on a routine of drinking alcohol in the evening and on weekends, but it definitely makes a difference. Not only the calories but some people eat more (pass the chips! pass me another slice of pizza!) when drinking. Start somewhere, such as no more than one drink on schoolnights/worknights and no midday drinking on weekends.

Finally, make it easier for him -- no, he doesn't need to help Johnny study for his history test (you'll do that) -- and he doesn't need to spend 1/2 an hour doing dinner clean up tonight either. Instead, you want him to feel NO GUILT about going out and exercising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that keeping a record of exercise helps a lot. Fine to do it on an online calendar but can be much more real if have a paper exercise log. Keep track of exercise, significant walking, resting pulse, weight, how feel generally - if hungover, if ate too much the night before, if sore from prior day's exercise, etc.

Similarly, can be helpful to have a written plan -- swim on Tues/Thurs, run on Monday and Saturday, etc. Best to have it posted on a bulletin board at home so it's staring him in the face.

Helpful to have an exercise buddy to force your hubby to get out of the house. I ran a marathon years ago and having a buddy to train with was very helpful.

Having a race in the future that is signed up for and paid for is helpful for motivation, ideally to do with others in your family or friend circle.

It's hard to cut back on a routine of drinking alcohol in the evening and on weekends, but it definitely makes a difference. Not only the calories but some people eat more (pass the chips! pass me another slice of pizza!) when drinking. Start somewhere, such as no more than one drink on schoolnights/worknights and no midday drinking on weekends.

Finally, make it easier for him -- no, he doesn't need to help Johnny study for his history test (you'll do that) -- and he doesn't need to spend 1/2 an hour doing dinner clean up tonight either. Instead, you want him to feel NO GUILT about going out and exercising.

Ugh, no. He needs to learn to fit it into his schedule, which includes helping take care of joint household duties.

[Anonymous]

Seriously, it's not hard for men to lose weight. Their bodies aren't primed to hold onto fat like women. Please stop with the handholding and babying. Is DH the only child or the youngest?

[Anonymous]

https://youtu.be/mQmvcZ9dTSo

i found this inspiring

[Anonymous]

OP again. Thanks to all for the advice. Sadly as I’ve already realized, this won’t happen unless he actually wants to do it. He has no issue losing weight and it should be pretty easy, but again the motivation isn’t there. And his wife and kids aren’t enough motivation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks to all for the advice. Sadly as I’ve already realized, this won’t happen unless he actually wants to do it. He has no issue losing weight and it should be pretty easy, but again the motivation isn’t there. And his wife and kids aren’t enough motivation.

sorry, OP. is he depressed? what are the chances he will have a health scare? that should get him off his lazy butt.

[Anonymous]

No he’s not depressed and he has two parents who have both had heart attacks. Dad’s first was when he was 47 and DH is 44. I hate to say it but I think at this point the only thing that’ll get him to change is a health scare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously, it's not hard for men to lose weight. Their bodies aren't primed to hold onto fat like women. Please stop with the handholding and babying. Is DH the only child or the youngest?

It's not hard for women either. If they worked out like a man, they would lose like a man. Zumba ain't getting it done

[Anonymous]

DW and I did whole30. Then I registered for a half marathon. I finished but walked a lot of it.

[Anonymous]

OP, I was a sugar addict and ate tons of food - both healthy food and garbage - fried, processed, tons of sugar.

I had tried dieting off and on over the years, and it never took - I would lose 20 pounds then gain it back.

Then one day, something snapped. I got sick of being out of breath from walking up one flight of stairs, and having my joints hurt all the time.

Believe it or not, I joined Weight Watchers. Following their rules, I basically switched out all my high-sugar, high-fat foods for lean proteins and lots of fruits and vegetables. I've been on Weight Watchers for 18 months. I lost 60 pounds in nine months, and have kept it off since.

For me, the clear rules from weight watchers (and their app that had lots of info and ideas) really helped. Maybe your husband needs that kind of structure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seriously, it's not hard for men to lose weight. Their bodies aren't primed to hold onto fat like women. Please stop with the handholding and babying. Is DH the only child or the youngest?

It's not hard for women either. If they worked out like a man, they would lose like a man. Zumba ain't getting it done

there is scientific evidence that it is harder for women to lose fat than men.

[Anonymous]

Back in 2010, I lost almost 40 lbs. since then I have been able to keep it on check. But I regularly excercise and eat healthy. I am sure I can get a lot fitter but I can’t control my portions.