Men's Fitness South Africa November - December 2017

Consistently Changing There is an old saying from Heraclitus that reads “The only thing that is constant is change”, and that rings more true today for me than it ever has. Heading into the holiday season is generally a time for relaxation and spending quality time with family and friends. It’s also a time to reflect on the changes that have happened during 2017. Are you happy with your growth? Are you happy with where you are physically, mentally and spiritually? If you aren’t, then it’s time to force that change and you are the only person that can do that. A lot of us (myself included) claim to live life to the fullest but very few of us actually do consistently. There are days where you’ve slept terribly -…

GET THIS! GoPro Hero6 Capture every moment with the new GoPro HERO6! Its adventure-ready exterior is resistant to the elements and waterproof to 80cm without a housing. Those with a penchant for diving can go deeper still with the separately available Super Suit housing. Other accessories such as handlebar mounts, selfie sticks, and suction cups, for creative placement of the HERO6 Black are available separately. R8 289, takealot.com SPRAY THIS! Boss Bottled by Hugo Boss Released in 1998, this epic scent has become somewhat of a staple for many men across the world. Get heads turning everywhere you go by making sure you’ve added this classic perfume to your daily grooming regime. R1 755, woolworths.co.za WEAR THESE! Adidas Gazelle Giving us flashbacks to the days of old-school cool hip-hop and…

Cutting-edge news from the frontiers of science 1 Number of avocados to eat daily to improve your cholesterol. 500 Varieties of this berry — yes, it’s technically a berry — that are grown worldwide. 0 Amount of cholesterol and sodium in one serving of avocado. 100% How much of an avocado’s peel, flesh, pip, and leaves impart health benefits, according to recent studies. 50% The rise in avocado prices since 2016, due to weather, deforestation, even extortion by drug cartels. 77% How much of an avocado’s calories come from heart-healthy fats.…

Walking & running Pressure waves caused by each stride can increase the supply of blood to the brain. Lifting heavy Pumping extra iron can help grow new neurons and synapses, to create more (and better-working!) grey matter. It may also improve long-term memory. Running & lifting The combo can make your brain perform like a younger person’s. 2.8 years How much longer you’ll live if you run at least two hours every week. We’ve got your number 45 What percent your risk of developing cancer will drop by if you cycle to work. 82 Percent of marathoners sustaining a kidney injury after a race, which was resolved within two days. Causes range from dehydration to rise in core body temperature. 10 Minutes of walking up and down stairs can be…

EXTRA WEIGHT GAIN Sucralose, a popular artificial sweetener used in soda, was found to promote fat production and inflammation after being consumed for less than two weeks. SMALLER BRAIN VOLUME Diet soda drinkers have a smaller hippocampus — the area in the brain that processes learning and memory — a study on 4000 subjects found. HIGHER RISK OF STROKE AND DEMENTIA The same study also found that people who drank at least one diet soft drink a day had three times the risk of experiencing strokes and dementia. Life in the “fast” lane To fast… Male subjects who worked out on an empty stomach had more energy and burned more fat — each related to a specific gene — than subjects who exercised on a full stomach. ...or not to…

BOOKEND FLIGHTS WITH EXERCISE This is especially important when you change time zones, as exercise helps combat jet lag and travel stress and reset hormone imbalances that occur during long flights. Time your preflight workout so it finishes up close to when you plan to leave for the airport. Once you arrive, make working out a priority as soon as you’ve unpacked and settled in. A good sweat session will replenish your energy levels and reset your circadian rhythm. B.Y.O.P. Aeroplane food — if it’s served at all — rarely earns rave reviews, so plan to eat a filling yet nutritious meal before take-off and be sure to pack a shaker cup and protein powder, like Performix’s on-the-go Iridium Native Iso Wheyi+ packets, which you can get in six-count boxes.…