HalfPint

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I'm just like the rest of you guys. I've been in great shape for the past few years, but because of my schedule, I'm only able to make it to the gym at max 4 days a week. Sine this is my situation, you have to balance your diet. I've stopped drinking beer during the week for a while now and I have cut my meal size down a bit. All in all, I'm not 10% body fat, but I am in good shape.

shroomzofdoom

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Simple really: if you eat too many calories and don't get yer ass up off the couch, you will get a beer belly. Most fat people don't know how to exercise--I know, I come from a very long line of very fat people. I weighed almost 300 lbs at 6' in H.S. and then starting weight training and exercise. Got my weight down to 225, and that's when the chicks started noticing me.

For starters, men should be working out at LEAST 3 days a week to maintain fitness, 4-5 if your goal is to drop weight.

A workout should typically consist of at least 30 minutes of cardio and at least 30 minutes of resistance training. Free weights are most effective at building muscle mass, but can be a bit intimidating for those with jelly boobs.

Start slow, even a walk if you not very active. A 30 min walk after dinner will DO WONDERS for your metabolism. Got a dog? Take him for a walk.

Don't starve yourself, starvation diets don't work--starve for a week, gain it back in a day.

Also, all week long when I know I am going to be binge drinking, I try to 'save' my calories. Skip on dessert, pass on the second sandwich, or the supersize.

While we're at it, avoid empty calories like french fries and soda.

If one is cautious, they can build up a calorie savings, which can then be splurged on beer on Sundays.

Count your calories--in and out. My sis was on Weight Watchers for a while and lost 100 pounds, for kicks I started a diary log for just one week. When I looked back on that, I was astonished. One beer session (football day) I consumed close to 10,000 calories. While I had no intent of cutting out the beer, it's a good thing to know...and knowing is half the battle.

david_42

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Amazing what one can eat. I went to a NSF summer program while in high school. They effectively had unlimited food, gained 30 pounds in 6 weeks.

For me, portion control is the watch word.

__________________
Remember one unassailable statistic, as explained by the late, great George Carlin: "Just think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize half of them are even stupider!"

mojotele

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I think this is really the key to losing weight for most people (not the OP, as it sounds like he already has a pretty good grasp on his calorie intake and exercise).

Most people really have no idea how many calories they are consuming on a daily basis. Or they think they do, but then are shocked that their guess was way off. Instead of keeping track of their diet and exercise, they just "eat healthy" by getting salads everywhere they go. Well, some of those salads are almost as bad as the chicken sandwich and fries.

I'm a little chubby, but nothing too bad. Once I started keeping track of my calorie intake and burnoff, my weight started dropping slowly but surely. It wasn't easy all the time, but it sure wasn't impossible. If anyone out there has an iPhone or iPod Touch, get a free app off the app store called "Lose It!" It's a pretty easy way of keeping track of your calories.

Triathlete

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I am the same age, but my regimen is a bit different than yours. I race Ironman triathlons and 95% of my training is cardio. Even when I do strength training my heart rate is elevated. Basically I will run bike or swim immediately after I will do mainly body weight excercises, decline sit-ups, pull-up, L-ups, push-ups....etc, with no break go from one to the next quickly. I usually stay under 9% body fat (race time (peak) around 6%). If it start getting to a point that the abs are fading I workout harder, not drink less. I do have a very good diet though with lots of vegetables.

I could never lift 400lbs, that is impressive. I am not the guy you will be scared of in a bar for sure 6' 160.

maida7

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I ride a mtn bike as my main source of exercise. It's super high intensity cardio workout mixed with an adrenaline rush. I can go for a 4-6 hour ride. It's great for you and it's sooo much fun. For you gym guys: when is the last time you spent 4-6 hours working out and afterwords said "That was freaking awesome, lets do it again next weekend" ? I do a big ride pretty much every weekend and then a shorter 1-2 hour ride one day after work.

Beer and mountain biking go hand and hand. I don't know any riders who aren't beer drinkers. Nothing is better then an after ride beer. Except maybe a mid ride beer that you have stashed deep in the woods.

AnOldUR

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maida7

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thems fightin words! I'd probably give up beer before the bike. It's a good thing I'm not forced to decide between the 2. Life is great!

AnOldUR

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j/k

See you biker guys on the trail all the time and have nothing but respect.

I run the trails with the same kind of passion. The camaraderie and love of beer exists among my group also. A day of pushing the long up hills and flying down the rocky technical downs can make you mighty thirsty. Not to mention, burn a lot of calories.

maida7

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I have nothing but respect for the trail runners. You are fast freaking people. I've been passed many times by runners going uphill. Looks painful and therfore impressive.