It happens to the best of us. Even if we enter adulthood slim and trim, before we know it, life happens. One day we look in the mirror and protruding back at us is the dad gut. Yep, it happened to me. Take a look:
How did this happen? That’s what I asked myself and I know you’re probably wondering the same thing. I hear it a lot from guys, quickly followed by, “Coach Dan, HOW do I get rid of it?”
Well, the good news is that you can get rid of the belly fat. I did and so can you.
If you are ready to make a change, then try these five ways to bust the dad gut.
1) Eat your age.
Here’s a secret: you’re not 20 years old anymore. Okay, maybe that wasn’t really a secret, but many of us continue to eat like we are still 20 years old even when that is a decade or more behind us. Your metabolism has changed. You cannot eat like you did then and expect to stay trim. Yeah, I know you may try to rationalize that you can sweat off that burger, fries and super-sized soda. But how has that been working for you so far? You have to rethink portion sizes and quality of food you are consuming. Oh, and the kids’ leftovers? Take a page from their book and stop eating when you’re satisfied. If they have leftovers on their plates, don’t feel you have to clean them. No Clean Plate Club memberships here! Yes, that may mean some food gets wasted, but it’s a waste to consume it if your body can’t burn it anyway.
Need help getting your nutrition in place? Right now I’m offering a free nutrition consult for you and your spouse. If you really want to make a change, the most effective way to do so is to get your family on board. Together we’ll take a look at your eating habits and I’ll walk you through a game plan to get you on track to realizing your healthy living goals. Just click below and I’ll be in touch.
2) Don’t skip breakfast.
I know you’ve heard it before, but really, EAT BREAKFAST! Jump start your metabolism by eating something good in the morning. No, coffee and creamer does not constitute breakfast. Eat a lean protein and complex carb. I like eggs and Ezekiel 4:9 bread in the morning. It’s a shot of protein and complex carbs to satisfy me and give me energy to start the day. A sprouted bread like Ezekiel 4:9 has a low glycemic index, meaning it has less sugar than whole wheat or white bread, and is more nutritious overall.
3) Keep the fire stoked.
Once you start your day with a solid breakfast, continue to stoke the fire (a.k.a., your metabolism) all day long. Aim to eat five smaller meals throughout the day, by having a mid-morning and afternoon snack. Need some snack ideas? Try these healthy (& easy) snack tips.
4) Skip the long workouts.
Yep, you read that right. No, I haven’t lost my coaching mind. Research shows that going hard for a short amount of time kills more fat faster than doing longer workouts. So try a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout. Because, let’s face it, as a dad, who has time for long workouts? You need a short, focused workout that will get you results. And I’ve got a great one for you: 22 Hardcore and More. Message me for details.
5) Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
Your body needs water and when you are properly hydrated, it effectively acts like a fat flush. Set an alarm and drink a glass of water every 2 hours. It’s the first and last thing you should put into your body each and every day.
Implement these five tips and you’re well on your way to busting that dad gut. And, I’m here to help, so sign-up for that free nutrition consult today. It’s time to make a change and it’s possible to do so even with your busy, on-the-go lifestyle. Don’t wait to take charge of your health.