Bodybuilding.com - Fit Dating 101!

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Did you know?
Nutrition is the applied science of eating to foster greater health, fitness, and muscular gains.

Love might not cost a thing, but high calorie dating sure can add some unwanted pounds. Here are some questions and answers to making those first crucial impressions work for you without compromising your fitness goals.

By: Louis Dorman

Brenda Kelly "World Famous Fitness Model" and Louis Dorman Bodybuilding.com's "Pud to Stud" feature stars team up to give advice on keeping your dates fit dating. You'll get fit dating advice for your relationships when we answer your most intimate dating on a diet questions.

First Date: Caramel Macchiato w. Nonfat milk

[ 234 calories ]
Second Date: Mints, Reese's Pieces, Popcorn, Large Pepsi at the movies followed by 2 scoops of Chocolate Mint Ice-cream at a local cafe

[ 1,200 calories ]
Third Date: Maryland Crab Cakes, Salad with Bleu Cheese dressing, Grilled Lobster Tail w/Calvados sauce, Vanilla Creme Brulee and a Bottle of White Wine

[ 3,000 calories ]

There are two types of people you date. One is the type of person you casually meet out for drinks or invite them out when you are at a club or a party. The other is the type of person you want to take more time to spend alone with to see if you can move forward towards a relationship.

Here are some questions and answers to making those first crucial impressions work for you without compromising your fitness goals.

[ Q ] What if you're on a "romantic date" and he orders water instead of wine because he is worried about the empty calories. How does that make you feel?

Brenda

alcohol

I like to be "on the same page" with my date, so if he is not drinking, I may opt not to as well, or just hold it to 1-2 drinks myself.

Click To Enlarge.
Try To Keep An Even Score On Drinks.

It would be helpful if this could come up before we are actually ordering, so I could be more informed. He could bring up specific nutritional needs of the moment when planning the date and we would talk about it.

I would admire someone who would keep to his program especially when it would be easier not to. That shows a lot of dedication to me.

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Today I am going to list some reasons why you should not consume alcohol, or why you should moderate your intake. This will be especially true for bodybuilders. Learn more about the effects of alcohol right here.
[ Click here to learn more. ]

[ Q ] Do you prefer to cook for your man or go out to dinner when you are on a strict diet?

Brenda

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I find it easy to get the proper food I need, that is healthy and clean when out if I am clear to the waitperson when ordering.

I order food as plain as possible to be prepared without sauces, skin, oils or any fat. I ask for broiled, grilled, steamed and fresh, and natural options instead.

Another fun date is cooking at your place! It is usually an adventure cooking in any guys' kitchen and it can really be fun to do together.

I do love to cook though, so, if you are lucky and the date goes well, I may have you over to my place for a healthy meal on the next date!

[ Q ] Have you ever made bad choices at dinner just to make your date more comfortable?

Brenda

He ordered pie, ice cream and a shake! I was just ordering protein and no sugar. He really wanted to split the milk shake with me so I said I would have a little.

Since I never wanted any of it, when it showed up in a huge metal container with two glasses, I made sure he got most of it and just sipped mine a couple of times while not finishing it.

One or two sips, or a bite or two of anything does not affect my physique if I stay on top of my program most of the time.

I also believe in taste testing anything no matter how fattening! It is in finishing the whole thing that will get you into physique trouble.

Have You Ever Made Bad Meal Choices To Make A Date Feel Comfortable?

Yes. All That Sugar! It Was Awful!
No Way! My Diet Takes A Back Seat To No One.

[ Q ] Is it OK to invite our girlfriends to meet up with us when we go out?

Louis

If I really like this girl and I believe that it can become a monogamous relationship, then I would want to know as much about her as she wants to share. So if she wants to invite her friends out then I would love to meet them.

As long as I don't have to bring my guy friends along, cause I hate hooking my friends up with friends of girls that I'm dating. (I don't like being involved when it gets ugly, cause it will).

Click To Enlarge.
Let The Others Fend For Themselves.

If this is just a "hot hook up" then I don't want her to invite her friends out with us, because then it will just slow down the evening and I won't be able to take advantage of a night alone with her.

[ Q ] Do guys want their dates to be physically possessive (touchy feely) when out?

Louis

That is a great way to gauge how the night is going to end though. Because obviously if she is touching me anywhere (even if she is grazing my chest while she grabs her purse) that means she is interested.

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I might have to limit the wine so she won't take advantage of me though. Even though sex does burn over 300 calories an hour, if I'm dieting, that might even persuade me to toast the next glass.

[ Q ] Do you expect your date to be on their nutrition program when out on a date?

Louis

It also shows a lot of her dedication, desire, and will power and makes her even more attractive in my eyes. If she has a problem with going out to eat, then I'm always prepared to serve a very wholesome and nutritional dinner at my house, followed by a very flavorsome breakfast.

I have always been a big fan of not going out to dinner on the first couple of dates. That just seems so predictable. I would rather have her eat on her own. After that we can go out and enjoy each other while doing something unpredictable and calorie-free.

Click To Enlarge.
Dates Should Be Unpredictable,
& Preferably Calorie-Free!

What happens when you start dating and what happens to your diet depends on what level of a fitness lifestyle you are in. At the start of dating someone new, all your focus is on making a good first impression. Your daily routine with your meals, workouts or sleep can be sacrificed if not careful.

Dating can lead to a battle full of foods not in your program including fancy meals and missed workouts due to spending time together spooning on the couch instead of at the gym. In addition to this is life stories over cocktails with empty calories. These can definitely wreak havoc on any waistline.

Dating Diet Tips

Don't hide the fact that you care about the choices you make when you are dining out or the workout schedule you have.
Be honest - Don't compromise your lifestyle to fit into someone else's. You never know if this person is going to last long enough to make those empty calories worth it.
Support each other on a fitness plan. If you are dieting together, remember it's not a contest. Don't challenge each other. One person is always going to be more successful.
Limit alcohol intake - Don't make it about liquid courage. Let it be more of a social thing, but make smart choices such as light beer or diet coke as a mixer.

Blood/Breath Alcohol Concentration Calulator
On-Line BrAC Calculator: About | Disclaimer

I have had

Over a period of hour(s)².

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(Explanation of gender differences in Blood Alcohol Concentration)

I weigh Pounds Kilograms

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Dining out - Realize most places are serving twice the size you should eat. Share a meal. Share dessert - or better yet be each other's dessert.
Don't go out hungry - You need lots of energy and when you are feeling weak, tired and unfocused you're not going to leave a very good impression on your date. Or you will end up overeating later on in the night.

louis@bodybuilding.com