Boys, The Belly Has To Go This Spring!

Boys, the belly has to go -- that's what she said, not me.

I don't know what it's like in the rest of the country, but here in New York City, women (especially of the executive class) are demanding that guys get in shape -- I mean real true flat belly, rippling arms, kick ass form -- as they should.

After all, guys, the women are out there each and every day busting their asses, literally, swimming, biking, running, yoga-ing, pilates-ing, barre-ing, boxing, Crossfit-ing, and lifting their way to a bikini body for summer. And what are we doing, generally? Sitting on our fat asses.

Well, in the interest, and fairness of sex equality, us guys are finally being held, more and more, to the same Body Beautiful standards as women are. And guess what fellas? It's about time.

I have been on my own belly buster quest since March 16th. I've given up meat, dairy, and most important of all, alcohol, for 60 days. I have committed to working out five times a week. Granted, that is a bit excessive for most of us, but for me, it works. I have more energy, I sleep better, and so far, I've lost 15 pounds. Oh, and I am getting a lot more female friend requests on Facebook, lately. Just sayin'.

The best reason to get rid of your tire, dude, is your health. "A big waistline puts you at increased risk for many health problems -- diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke," according to Robert Eckel, MD, president of the American Heart Association in a Web MD article.

As we get older, our metabolism slows down, and quite honestly, it becomes harder and harder to motivate to get out and work out, especially when you are, like me, in your 50s. The big exception to this rule is when you are single, and dating, and want to be with a woman who is in amazing shape, has an incredible intellect, and is full-on fun and full of wonderful energy and light. To be with someone like that, the treadmill is your true path to happiness.

For us Baby Boomers, we have entered a period of time in our lives that I like to call The Third Third, which I wrote about in an article for Livinghealthy.com :

"The Third Third, just to be clear, is the last third of our lives, and arguably the most important third of all. It's when we truly get the chance to live the lives we've always wanted to live. The First Third is all about Growing Up (from birth to college), the Second Third is all about Growing Out (career, marriage, family), so the Third Third is all about Growing In (wisdom, spirituality, being, Inner Self Happiness)."

Growing In, guys, means "pulling in" that gut of yours. Enough with the John Goodman look. You can do better than that. So this weekend, set down that can of beer, and get your ass off that couch and go for a run, lard ass. She'll love you for it. And you will be forever changed, for the better. And if you're in the dating game, when you look over at your significant other at the local pool, lake or beach, she will be sporting a bikini, not a one piece. Just sayin.'

Earlier on Huff/Post50: