Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MAN v FLAB... diet advice that works!
You don’t have to survive on salad and train like an athlete to shed extra pounds. We reveal how to kick-start weight loss…
you’re already fit, but if you have a long way to go, it’s a good start. If you have an iphone, there’s a built-in step counter. And try simple moves at home like walking lunges, squats and press-ups to start developing strength.” The more muscle mass you have, the more fat you’ll burn at rest. Tess says: “Men develop lean muscle mass much faster than women due to testosterone levels. And when you start to see some muscle definition, it really helps with your motivation.
“Good muscle-building moves include back squats (squatting with a barbell on the back of your shoulders) deadlifts (pick bar up from floor to standing), and bench presses (lying on bench, bring the bar down to your chest and then push it back up again).” I got serious about losing weight when I started to struggle playing cricket. I’d feel out of breath.
“There’s also a history of heart disease in my family – and seeing myself in a mirror at 17st wasn’t pretty. My diet was rubbish. I had a stressful banking job and survived on lattes, sandwiches, crisps and chocolate. I also had big working lunches then at weekends I’d binge on takeaways. I’d tried to lose weight before, but couldn’t stick to anything until I found the Weight Watchers app. The support of a community made a difference.
“The app gives you access to a food and fitness tracker, thousands of recipes and, crucially, other users offering tips and encouragement. I decided to stop drinking for a few weeks, but it’s been eight months. I also started walking miles at weekends – so good for body and soul.
“I’ll still have a treat, but I’m not filling up on carbs – I’ll have fruit or boiled eggs for breakfast, salad and cold meats for lunch, a protein bar as a snack, and I’ll eat steak in the evening, but with veg, no chips. I’ll still have a curry, but without the naan or rice. Feeling fit and young again is motivation enough to keep going. Plus
I’ve spent too much money on thinner clothes to get big again!” support,” he says. “It’s better to attend a group once a week or check in regularly with forums, so you can build on your knowledge, instead of opting for a 12-week course that offers no support afterwards.” If you want to monitor your progress, forget the scales, as they’ll fluctuate big time. “Your weight changes throughout the day, depending on eating, drinking, water retention and going to the loo,” says Tess. “Instead, put on a piece of clothing that’s too tight for you, take a photo of yourself wearing it and do the same thing every four weeks.
“It’s a visual way to track your progress, the clothes will start to feel more comfortable, too, and it’s motivating to have a record of your body changing.”