Reddit mentions of The Biblical Masculinity Blueprint: A Christian Man’s Guide to Attraction, Relationships, and Marriage in a Messed-up World

Welcome. The good news is that if your sex life was good before marriage, then it can go back to being that way. Reading and following the Sidebar will get you there, but don't think that it's going to be easy. Why? Because the changes you need to make all have to do with you. It will take time, there are no shortcuts.

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Since you're already lifting (awesome btw), then start with your diet.

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• Determine your TDEE first. Then download the MyFitnessPal app and set it for 500 calories a day below your TDEE. Log EVERYTHING you put in your mouth. This should get you losing around 1 lb a week.
  
• For me, Macros are not so important. I'm doing 40/30/30 Protein/Carbs/Fat in general, but I don't hit those numbers religiously.
  
• The biggest thing: write everything down - track your weight progress, your weights on the bar, your fat gain. Look for trends that indicate you're moving in the direction you want to go.
  
• Remember: having low body fat and muscles feels better than any food tastes.
  
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  As far as actual food, I've found success in these things:
  
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• Eat natural food, not processed stuff. Not a problem for me since my wife cooks. I still eat a little processed stuff, but not much.
  
  
• Snacks, while calorie-dense, will not produce muscle gains. So 1,000 calories of potato chips will not produce the same results as 1,000 calories of potatoes, for example.
  
  
• Sweets and soda should be avoided as much as possible. Sugar will rob you of your gains, and wreck your metabolism. Not to say you can never have a cookie or a piece of birthday cake, but the calories in sweets are no substitute for real food.
  
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  Best protein sources:
  
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• Pork Chops (Boneless) - 26g. > 3 oz.
  
  
• Chicken Breast (Boneless And Skinless) - 24g. > 3 oz. serving
  
  
• Turkey Breast - 24g. > 3 oz. serving
  
  
• Whey Protein - 24g. > average scoop
  
  
• Steak (top or bottom round) - 23g. > 3 oz.
  
  
• Sockeye Salmon - 23g. > 3 oz. serving
  
  
• Greek Yogurt - 23g. > 8 oz.
  
  
• Ground Beef (95% Lean) - 18g. > 3 oz.
  
  
• Cottage Cheese - 14g. > 1/2 cup
  
  
• Pink Salmon (pouch) - 13g. > 2.5 oz.
  
  
• Milk - 8g. > 1 cup
  
  
• Peanut Butter - 8g. > 2 tbsp serving
  
  
• Eggs - 6g. > Large Egg
  
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  Best fat sources:
  
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• Olive and olive oil
  
  
• Coconut and coconut oil
  
  
• Dairy like butter, cream, sour cream, cheese, etc.
  
  
• Avocados
  
  
• Nuts
  
  
• Seeds
  
  
• Eggs (lightly cooked with yolks intact or raw)
  
  
• Organic, grass-fed meats
  
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  Carbs: everything else that is natural in the carb category. Carbs should be adjusted based on how you feel: some people require more carbs to perform well, some require less. Avoid low-carb diets.
  
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  EAT PLENTY OF VEGETABLES, especially broccoli.
  
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  For a comprehensive road map and more in-depth understanding of the what's and why's, pick up u/Deep_Strength's Biblical Masculinity Blueprint: A Christian Man’s Guide to Attraction, Relationships, and Marriage in a Messed-up World as well.
  
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  And get in on our weekly OYS thread and post your progress and setbacks, it's the best tool to help keep you accountable.

>The bad news is that my lack of sleep caught up to me where Monday night I was laying in total darkness at 3:30 AM still restless after trying to do everything I could think of to sleep. I finally at some point masturbated and then easily fell asleep.

I had the same issue but am having it less and less these days. For reasons I will explain shortly.

> My head was killing me

That's what happens when you have either a bad sleep or too much sleep. Too much sleep makes my head and neck ache, and a bad sleep makes me feel like someone did a botched surgery on my brain.

> but I have my doubts over attending Church for a number of reasons

I saw that other thread and yeah man Church these days ain't all its cracked up to be. But I still make the effort to go, because Church is not just about me. Personal study should make you: 1, stand on your own feet faith wise and 2, enable you to mentor others. But it can only take you so far.

When it comes to Church I treat it as the opportunity to work out what I've learned personally. If you're a massive introvert, good its time to get your head out of the sand and start conversations with people. I started that 2 years ago and lo and behold I came across some similar guys, because God uses and blesses people who make themselves available to His calling. And part of that calling is making the effort to meet together with other believers.


>Bible study: 3/10: Yeah reading much of anything hasn't gone well this week despite my efforts. Likely because I'm tired.
>
>Mission: Right now it's get enough restful sleep to figure out what I should actually be doing.

Alright mate, here's what you're going to do:

• Commit your life to the Lord (if not already done so)
  
• Get baptized (if you already have, do it again to symbolize your new beginning)
  
• Read the bible every day no matter what (PHYSICAL COPY - preferably an NIV study bible)
  
  • Here's the plan
    
  • Oh and by 'no matter what' I mean -> do it no matter what.
    
• Read this.
  
• Get connected to or listen to a Christian mentor/leader who is an introvert. I recommend Paul Scanlon
  
• Away you go on your new mission for the Lord our God, where you will find true meaning, the greatest purpose, full acceptance, hard trials, harsh tribulations, painful sanctification and unending love.
  
• My only other advice about everything above is here.