For Men – Size Matters!

The media is saturated with weight loss aids and adverts aimed at helping women to lose weight. However, according to recent reports, a greater percentage of men are overweight or obese - 67.1% of men compared to 56.1% of women - which making them vulnerable to serious health issues. How does this excess weight affect men and what can be done about it?

For men, fertility is a major factor in encouraging them to lose weight. Being overweight or obese can reduce the sperm count by 25%, a major obstacle that greatly affects the chances of conceiving.

Being overweight can also cause men to feel sluggish, have low energy levels, a diminished libido and low self esteem. Medical conditions such as high cholesterol - often a result of a poor diet - and insulin resistance [an early indicator of type 2 diabetes] also have the ability to impact sexual performance, which in turn impacts desire, particularly in men.

Conception isn't the only area where men feel their weight is holding them back. Many overweight men with families feel that they are missing out on a chance to enjoy family life to the full. Simple things such as not being able to play football with their children or the humiliation of not being able to take part in the father’s race at school sports day can have a real impact on their self esteem and family life.

Finally, if a diminished sex life, fertility problems and an inability to enjoy family life to the full is not motivation enough, a survey has revealed that nine out of ten HR Managers would rather offer a job to a normal weight person than an obese candidate with the same qualifications. This may be something to consider if you are applying for another job or hoping for that long-awaited promotion.

So, what can you do to shift those excess pounds but still maintain your masculinity? No-one is expecting you put on your leotard and join an aerobics class but there are plenty of ways that you can shift the weight. Why not join your local gym, arrange to meet your mates at a local park for a game of football or take up walking or cycling with your family on a regular basis?

Try to build more incidental activity into your life, walking instead of driving to the local shop, getting active in the garden or taking the dog out for longer walks.

If you are serious about tackling your eating habits as well as increasing your exercise then consider joining a slimming group. Slimming groups are no longer purely designed for women and now cater for a large number of health-conscious men.For men that are concerned about their weight - and want to lose weight fast - there are plenty of opportunities to do so. From joining a gym to taking the dog for longer walks, the opportunities for weight loss are endless.