Act Like a Guy and Lose Weight

Nothing is more irksome than a man who can go on a one-day diet and lose five pounds overnight. But what if women could apply the rules boys use to get in shape? Granted, the gals may never have the biological or psychological weight loss advantages men are so gosh-darn-lucky to have. But chicas everywhere can learn from their habits.

Here are three tactics the guys typically apply to lose extra poundage. Don’t fret—none of them involve grunting of any sort.

* He doesn't crave Twinkies. We all have cravings, but in a situation where a woman might turn to a pan or brownies, doctors say men will instead chew on some meat or a snack high in protein. Next time you have the blues, munch on some low-fat string cheese or fat-free cottage cheese mixed with fruit.

* He doesn't get into an internal fight when he messes up. Women are tough on themselves when they eat something that is not-so-good for their waistline. Men? They shrug it off and get back on track. The best way is to apply the 80% rule and aim high, but not too high. “Most guys avoid anything that even smacks of perfectionism,” says Pamela Peeke, MD, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

* He chooses weights that push his limits. By now, most women have caught on to the notion that strength training is a necessary part of weight loss and maintenance. But are you taking the easy route? A rule of thumb: If you're doing two sets of 12 or 15 reps, your weights are probably too light, says Lou Schuler, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and author of The New Rules of Lifting. Try a higher weight that allows you to squeeze out eight to 10 reps instead. [Prevention]