Fitness and Dieting for The Middle-Aged Man

It'd appear that taking a sugary drink with a high-protein diet reduce the body's ability to burn fat,  and  make you crave savory and salty snacks later, so it negates the benefits of the diet. https://www.healthcentral.com/article/sugary-drinks-trigger-fat-storage?&ic=6107&sp_rid=NjI5ODYyODE2NzMS1&sp_mid=11544015 https://www.indy100.com/article/sugar-drinks-protein-meat-food-fat-metabolism-health-science-study-biology-7855996

I came across this today .  It would seem that if you are susceptible to carbohydrate addiction, any rise in insulin caused by the slightest consumption will set you ff on a binge.  Other addictive factors apply so it's best to totally avoid the stuff as people who have recovered from alcohol/drugs/tobacco addictions do.  Total abstinence.

At least reasons 1, 2 and 4 are good. The rest are vanity. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/why-women-should-lift-weights-6-reasons-exercise-fitness-confidence-strength-fat-loss-a7829436.html Some supposed results, where some claim that  increased  weight (from muscle) makes them look better https://www.indy100.com/article/insatgram-hashtag-weight-just-number-screw-the-scale-7848641

It would seem that artificial sweeteners may help a calorie-reduced diet and fulfill a sweet tooth craving.  There appears to be more evidence, though the reasons aren't clear as to the cause, that their use may be having a harmful effect. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/sugar-substitutes-linked-to-weight-gain-and-health-problems-study-says/article35704562/ It would seem it may be better to go without sweeteners, artificial or natural. If you want to stay with water, here re a few suggestions to flavour water without sweeteners https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/four-ways-to-give-water-a-flavour-boost-without-added-sugar/article31490182/

The zipper club is one you don't want to join. Stay off sugar. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2017/jul/13/sugar-is-poison-my-heart-attack-has-finally-opened-my-eyes-to-the-truth

The article below is an interesting read for middle-aged men about getting fit and trim.  Even 22 lbs takes 6 months, and it'd seem there's a lot more fat loss as muscle is gained. My diet isn't as extreme.  I wonder what if it was. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/gut-check-why-and-how-i-worked-off-mybelly/article34616954/

An update for mid July. For exercise, I walk a couple of German short-haired pointers twice daily.  I like the sunnier of the two road routes though that's only 1 mile round trip per walk.  If I go to get the mail, the walk is a little longer - 1.4 miles, so that's at least 2 miles a day.  The walks are up steep hills and I have to hold them back on the walk back down. I have gotten into a good strength training and toning routine as there is a place to set up my strap trainer.  The pushups have gotten easier and I can do 18-20 for the first set, a little less (well, a least 18) for the 2nd and subsequent one.  At least 2 planks daily and side ones have been added to my daily routine.  The pushups are evening out my arms and my weaker arm is more bulked up now than with weight training. My weight, according to the scale here varies between 162 and 167 lbs with 165 being the median.  I could lose a little bit more flab off my midriff but that is too much sacrifice.

I bought a strap training set after seeing someone using it at a life guard station in Malta a couple of years ago.  It seems ingenious, a lightweight and portable system that you can use anywhere.  You may not gain much muscle from it but it certainly tones your body and works you core too. Below is what I use. A genuine bargain though not available in North America unless you are in Mexico, but apparently soon to be available in California. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/training-100-strap-id_8360619.html