We all know that men’s fitness is important. After all, staying healthy and in shape helps us have more energy, enjoy better T-levels and a brighter outlook—not to mention keeping you looking slim, youthful and confident.
However, why would there be any difference between your fitness needs and those of a woman? After all, both genders share the same essential makeup when it comes to muscles, skin and bones, so why would your health and wellness be any different than that of your female peers?
The truth is, men tend to have worse behaviors than women, which is why we are also statistically more prone to accidents and disease. Plus, there certain conditions such as Parkinson’s, pancreatitis and kidney stones which men may have a greater genetic risk for, making leading a healthy lifestyle arguably more critical for men than for women. (1)
A Healthy Lifestyle for Men Just isn’t Macho
We live in a society in which machismo is often measured less in terms of athleticism and muscle strength than it is in behaviors displaying little concern for one’s health and wellbeing.
For instance, a big belly may be considered “manly,” as is a diet high in fatty meats, alcohol and fried foods. After all, real men don’t eat quiche—or salads, or fruits, or any of those other “chick-foods,” right?
Unfortunately, these social norms may have much to do with the shorter life expectancy of men, which here in the US is around 5-years less than women. (2)
Men are also around twice as likely as women to suffer a heart attack, although habits and behaviors may only play a partial role. True, as previously stated men have a higher tendency than do women to indulge in unhealthy food choices and sedentary behavior. However, hormone production may also play a role in heart health between genders since women’s hormones may offer better heart protection than men. Even so, this higher risk continues throughout life even after menopause, which is when women’s hormone production declines. This indicates the difference is likely a combination of risk factors and genetics. (3)
Leading a Healthy Lifestyle for Men
A truly healthy weight for men and what we may perceive as being healthy is often skewed due to our social norms and perceptions. This means that the idea of the large, burly lumberjack type with a pot belly spilling over a straining belt isn’t the vision of robust health we would like to think it is.
Instead, we need to understand that men’s fitness entails not only staying in shape in the gym, but adhering to a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and avoiding the accumulation of belly fat. For one, belly fat is associated with an increased risk of heart disease as well as its association with inflammation in the body.
However, ignoring the idea that you need to sit down to a fatty meat-and-potatoes meal every night just to be manly is in your best interest. By swapping out fatty meats for lean grass-fed beef, fresh fish, poultry or even vegetarian protein sources, you can lower your risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic, deadly diseases.
Adding in fresh, multi-colored fruits and vegetables will also help you look and feel your best while improving your life expectancy, since the fiber, phytonutrients and antioxidants of fresh produce have benefits which cannot be found in most processed foods or conventional meats. (4)
And of course, men’s fitness also requires that you exercise regularly along with getting plenty of the kind of deep, quality sleep your body needs for healthy hormone production and recovery. (5)
Men’s Fitness Makes a Difference
While it is true that leading a healthy lifestyle is beneficial for everyone, men’s fitness may take a bit more coaxing to achieve.
However, once you are aware of the risks of what are perceived in our society as masculine norms, it becomes easier to ignore them in favor of healthier food choices, better sleep habits and regular exercise. This also includes drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding alcohol, tobacco and drugs (including pharmaceutical when possible).
But, ignoring what really is a healthy weight for men in favor of what we as a society have come to view as healthy is a sure recipe for chronic illness and disease.
Besides, being ill and reliant on doctors and caretakers is hardly macho, so why put yourself in that position?
References:
- https://www.rush.edu/health-wellness/discover-health/how-gender-affects-health
- https://ourworldindata.org/why-do-women-live-longer-than-men
- https://ourworldindata.org/why-do-women-live-longer-than-men
- https://foodrevolution.org/blog/eating-the-rainbow-health-benefits/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3065172/
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