Let’s just get straight to it:

Using Diets Designed for Sedentary Women

The most popular diet/weight loss programs were designed with what marketing experts call and avatar in mind.  That avatar is the person the product is designed for.  All of the trendy, well advertised weight loss plans are designed at one avatar: sedentary women. 

If you are not a middle-class female with 2-3 kids and at least 30 years old, Noom and Weight Watchers is not for you.  Dieting by eating or drinking a product advertised during The View will not work (long term) for you.  Those programs are designed for one specific goal…smaller numbers on the scale. 

If you lose 10 lbs on WW, you really lost 5 lbs of fat, 3 lbs of muscle, and 2 lbs of water.  Great, now you’re smaller, weaker, your hormone profile is out of whack (more than before), and your energy levels are the pits. 

If your goal is less fat with more muscle, getting stronger, and being more “athletic,” GOOD!  But…none of that will be achieved with Dr. Oz’s latest diet.

Taking A “Bulking Meal Plan” Waaaaay Too Far

It’s far too easy to go too far on surplus calories when trying to grow.  There is a science to how much food you really need to fuel intense workouts, recover from them, etc. 

Growth means nothing if it’s augmented with 3 inches of fat. A really good gauge is if you’re growing a gut…it’s a sign you’re exceeding your needs.  You can also be damaging yourself metabolically leading (worst case scenario) to type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiac issues, low libido, etc. 

Cutting When You Haven’t Built a Foundation

Ask the resolutioner that just joined your gym about their goals, you’ll likely find that they’re under the impression that if they lose 10 lbs they’ll uncover a Marvel Superhero physique.  What they really find is similar to what Geraldo found in Al Capone’s vault…nothing.

I understand…  You “workout” regularly, but you’re the prime example of skinny-fat.  You think that delts and a six-pack will amp up your algorithm on Match.com.  Soooo…you go on a cutting diet that some Physique guy in the gym sold you.  Now you’re scrawny and weak…and still no engagement with your dating profile.

What’s going on?  Keep in mind, the physique competitor that sold you HIS diet weighs 175 lbs on stage, dieted down.  You weighed 150 lbs when you started cutting, now you’re down to 130 lbs and not happy with the reflection in the mirror…your muscle foundation matters.  Now, just be sure to not fall into the trap of the prior mistake…

Copying Your Favorite Pro’s Meal Plan

Many guys fall into this trap because of a combination of the second and third trap.  In my prime, magazines (remember those) loved to publish what was supposed to be my diet when I competed.  Websites and YouTube videos continue to publish the “full day of eating” for movie stars, athletes, and bodybuilders.  I can literally see guys sitting in front of their computers, watching the videos, and frantically writing down every meal. 

What’s the problem?  Most men don’t have the genetics of those athletes, they don’t workout like them, and they’re likely not using the “supplements” they are.  All of that goes hand-in-hand...missing one aspect and the calculus changes.

You simply cannot follow those diets.  Their bulking diets will make you fat.  Their cutting diets will burn your muscle away.  Both will ruin your health.  You have to remember that “their” plans are for them, not you. 

Bottom Line

Diet plans should be highly personalized.  EVERYONE is different.  Additionally, you won’t hit the bullseye right off the bat.  You’ll likely need to fine-tune your program over the span of a few months to get things just right.