Men need to loose weight too

I am a 51 year old male and I need to loose about 50 pounds. I asked my doctor "how can I loose weight?" and he said, "eat less". I almost felt like he wasn't taking me seriously. Although I appreciate his no nonsense honesty, for me it's a little more complicated that just deciding to eat less. It's why I'm over eating in the first place. I think I know the answers, but I just don't know what to do about them. #1 is stress from my job. When I come home stressed out I eat. #2 I'm isolated, which means I get no help whats so ever from my family. I asked my wife to help me loose some weight and she said "Why do I have to suffer because of your weight problem" She is slim by the way. #3 I'm depressed, and I can't go on about it all here, but you can see why it's not just a matter of eating less. I've tried diets, pills and berries and everything else out of desparation and every year I keep gaining and gaining. Another thing that really sets me off is sometimes I get the feeling, from my doctor and my wife and the very few times that I brought up the subject with some of my male associates is that dieting is not a very man-ly thing to be doing, People don't take male dieting seriously. Like we're all supposed to be walking around with these huge pot bellies like they did in the turn of the last century to show off how rich and successful we are, and then die of heart failure at 50. Sorry not into that.

Calvin, It is not just men, it is the female also.  Most doctors, people in general, feel that we that are overweight is like because we are lazy and just greedy.  My case, I don't eat much but I have a problem with my weight, plus it is very, very hard too take off.  Some people eat everything in sight, but do not gain weight; and they are that active either.  I understand what you are saying.  Maybe someday a doctor will understand evryone do not overeat that have a weight problem.  Ruby J

I'm sad to say that your Dr's response is typical of what I've experienced. Is it a wonder that America is dying of Diabetes and Obesity with this type of help? Add the stress of all of the issues you've mentioned and its making it even more difficult for you to make a positive move and plan. So lets start with the basics?

1. Use the tools here to find out what you need to lose. Find a NEW Dr. who will work with you and has an attitude that matches yours. It won't be easy, but you have to do this not only for your weight but for you health. If your current Dr isn't listening and supportive of your weight loss then he isn't concerned enough about you as a patient. Move on.

2. Join a Weight Loss Program or find one on line you can use on a regular basis. Weight Watchers I hear has started programs for Men Only due to what you've mentioned. Your not worried if your clothes make you butt look big like most women.

3. And you have to move it to lose it. Diet's are only effective if you combine good Nutrition, Portion Control, and Exercise. Yes, that word everyone tries to avoid Exercise. Join a gym, find a work out show on TV? FitTv on Direct Network has several showings of various exercise routines; or go on YouTube and look around for some that work for you. Or you mention you like walking, start there and do at least 30 minutes a day.

But above all, be sure to find that Dr and get a through health check for any issues you may need to address first. After all we're all doing this to be Health too.

Good Luck!