MENCOURAGEMENT SPIRIT A THIN LINE

WRITER: JAMES COMBS

Admit it, my fellow brothers. We like our wives and girlfriends to look their best: Toned bodies, sexy legs, flat stomachs and beautiful hair.

Yet, we don’t hold ourselves to the same standards. While our wives are on the treadmill or at the salon, we’re at home on the recliner eating carb-filled food and sucking down a cold beer. This is a daily routine. And, many of us have the double chins, man boobs and bulging stomach to prove it.

How can you expect your lady to achieve the perfect look while you continue getting fatter? Has it crossed your mind she may want you to look good, too? And, if you’re stubborn about changing, she’s justifiably going to become upset. Remember, happy wife, happy life.

I’m the world’s worst. In the past, a trip to McDonald’s meant a Big Mac, large fries and a large Hi-C orange. Organic, raw and low-calorie foods. were foreign to me. I liked my food with grease, fat and tons of carbs.

I got away with eating like that in my 20s. However, now that I’m rapidly approaching my mid-30s, I realized it was time to make a change. After all, I’ve personally spoken with several people near my age who have suffered heart attacks. I didn’t want to become a statistic.

A co-worker and friend introduced me to the high-protein, low-carbohydrate Atkin’s Diet. He even bought me a copy of

Michael Eade’s fabulous book, Protein Power. Why not give this high-protein diet a try? I had nothing to lose—except fat, of course. I stuck to the diet religiously and walked approximately four miles a day. After the first week, I lost an amazing 11.6 pounds! In the first month-and-a-half I lost 30 pounds.

My life has changed for the better. I don’t rush to the nearest fast food restaurant at lunchtime. Instead, I eat several hot dogs (without the bun, of course) and walk for nearly an hour. My energy level has increased, as well. I no longer feel like slouching over my desk and taking a nap once 2 p.m. rolls around. And, instead of reaching for the remote control and becoming glued to my recliner when I arrive home from work, I now spend at least an hour and a half walking. People comment all the time how much better I look, which serves as a self-esteem booster and motivator to continue my weight-loss journey.

I’m not advocating a high-protein diet. It’s your job to discover which diet works best for you, and I’d recommend consulting your physician before beginning. Remember, though, that our female counterparts are way ahead of us in the “look good, feel good” department. Men, it’s our turn to become hungry about losing weight and making ourselves more attractive to the woman we love.