Why: Okay, gals, this post is our little secret. We don't want our fellas to think they've got one up on us, but when it comes to some attitudes and practices men typically take towards fitness, they've nailed a few things on the head.
Here's a few lessons we can borrow from the boys:
1. Men focus on strength.
If you've spent any amount of time reading my posts, then you already know what a huge advocate I am for strength training. Weight bearing exercise is the most effective way to maximize lean muscle tissue thus increasing your overall metabolic rate. Ladies, the fellas figured this one out long ago. While we're logging countless hours on the stair master, a guy will typically focus his efforts in the weight room.
Don't avoid weight training for a fear of "getting bulky" either. Women don't carry anywhere near the testosterone levels men do, and most women would require grandiose amounts of weight lifting paired with steroid use in order to stimulate "bulky" muscle development. Focus on weights to establish a solid foundation of strength and lean muscle, then you can use nutrition and cardiovascular training to manipulate your body fat percentage.
2. Men don't have emotional attachments to food.
I don't know too many guys who drown their sorrows in a tub of Haagen-Dazs after a harsh break up or particularly bad day. But if you're like me, nothing eases the stress of work or family like comfort food and ooey gooey sweets.
Next time you're feeling the urge to eat out of emotion; sadness, stress, or even boredom, channel your inner dude. Reroute those feelings into something else besides Ben or Jerry. Go full-on testosterone and zone out to the Monday Night Football game, meet your buddies for some half court 4 on 4, or pop Rocky IV into the DVD player. (A walk around the mall or a mani/pedi with a gal pal will also do the trick.)
3. Men don't sweat the small stuff.
In the time that I've been married, I have yet to have my husband refuse to go somewhere because his pants wouldn't button or because he was having a "fat day." Unfortunately, I could mark weeks out of a calendar that I've wasted bemoaning a too-tight waist band.
Probably the most valuable lesson that we could borrow from our men is to quit complaining, get off our butts, and do something. If my husband's pants get too tight, he either goes on a diet or buys new pants. Not to say that a guy doesn't have his own insecurities or body issues from time to time, but they don't dwell on it. If something is bothering you, Lady, change it!
4. Men don't make things more complicated than they have to be.
This point is directly married to the last one. I've had more than one female client who has stood in her own way of success. We waste a whole lot of time focusing on the "can'ts" rather than just going out there and getting the job done. More than one time I've heard gals say "I want to eat clean, but my job takes up too much of my time" or "the kids won't eat what I eat."
Men are seldom afraid of success and do what they have to in order to prevail. Ladies, re frame your focus so you view your goals from a male perspective. Rather than see the obstacles, focus on what you CAN do to get you to the finish line.
