Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i Men's Health South Africa

Chunky. Big-boned. Dad bod. Skinny fat. Pear- shaped. Vertically challenged. There are plenty of names for getting fat. Put on some weight at varsity or technikon? First-year spread. Spent a gap year in London? The Heathrow injection. Apart from genetic freaks, everyone is affected by weight gain at some stage of their life – for some, it’s short-lived; for others, it’s permanent. The names are creative; the reasons for the weight gain... not so much. It always comes down to dedicating too little time to health, and too much to excuses. Yeah, it’s hard-truth time: it’s not because you don’t have enough time or money, or because you don’t re-tweet, re-gram and share enough of those motivational posts – it’s simply because you don’t want to put effort into making the…

Much of what I’ve learned about competition started with wrestling. A pure and ancient sport, wrestling is about not just strength but also strategy. I was never the most technically adept wrestler, but my coaches instilled in me the belief that if you push yourself and practise smarter than the other guy, you can beat him. The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle. I learned to associate discomfort with getting better. That transcended wrestling, and applied to a lot of other things in life. I used the same approach in Chinese kickboxing. When I began training, I got my head pounded for a bit but eventually earned acceptance. What I lacked in technical skill I made up for by asking smart questions, and I started…

THE MOVIE: WATCH GOTTI – 15 DEC GANGSTER’S PARADISE He was known as the “Teflon Don” because the cops could never get a charge to stick. Now you can watch how John Gotti rose to the top of the richest and most powerful crime syndicate in the US – and how it all came tumbling down. THE BOOK: READ THE MIDNIGHT LINE BY LEE CHILD – OUT NOW! Page Turner What starts as a simple quest to reunite a woman with her class ring, leads Jack Reacher down a criminal trail right into the heart of the deserted wildlands of Wyoming. Read this poolside or on the beach. THE SITUATION: DOWNSIZING – 22 DEC Small Problems In the film Downsizing you’ll see what life, post-shrink-ray, is actually like. It’s a…

FOR DEEP SLEEP Starwood Hotels Custom beds The Westin and Sheraton carry their own Sleep Well lines, with pillow-top mattresses designed to eliminate pressure points and improve blood circulation. Kick jet lag’s ass. FOR MORE MILEAGE Radisson Blu Cardio concierge #Blu-Routes are walking, running and cycling routes that start and end at the Radisson Blu hotels, designed to show you the best local routes and scenery and get your steps in. FOR GOOD COOKS Hilton Homemade foods Sushi, Indian, Cape Malay, Asian. The Hilton serves up local and international dishes that differ from hotel to hotel. Some even offer cooking classes with their chefs.…

KIERAN LEGG FEATURES EDITOR “Jim Beam White Label is one of the few bourbons you can get here. I’m fine with that because the caramel taste and oaky notes add up to form a great spirit that’s as smooth on the rocks as it is in a mixer.” ARTHUR JONES EDITOR “Glenfiddich’s 12-year-old single malt is a premium whisky that won’t break the bank. It’s matured in oak sherry casks meaning every sip is sweet with a subtle hit of oak flavours.” ROBERT CILLIERS CREATIVE DIRECTOR “Glenlivet’s 15-year-old single malt is one of the smoothest and easy to drink whiskies out there. Take in the deep gold colour and enjoy the aftertaste which is laced with traces of sweet almond and spice.”…

Bring the Fight to Your Workout Start every shoulder workout by slowly windmilling your arms as if you’re swimming. Then grab a pair of light dumbbells and shadowbox. Colter does this to spot anything happening in his shoulders. Do a Thumbs-Up The straight-arm front raise is a classic dumbbell move, but don’t do it the classic way. Keep your palms facing each other on all reps, your thumbs pointing up. “Doing it incorrectly can lead to long-term shoulder injury,” says Colter. Weigh Options Put away the heavy weights and ditch your ego whenever you’re training shoulders. “The shoulder isn’t designed to support a lot of weight in a lot of different ways,” Colter says. Find Your Pulse Don’t always do military presses. Try holding two smaller dumbbells at your shoulders…

01 BUILD A RHYTHM This machine will throw you at first, as the pedals and handles work in unison. But that’s what makes this a full-body challenge. The goal: burn as many kilojoules as you can in one minute – so striking a balance between your limbs is key. 02 FAST OUT THE BLOCKS Make the most of your energy early on. You burn more kilojoules maintaining high intensity, not through bursts of effort. Take advantage of your initial glycogen stores and pedal furiously. It’s only 60 seconds. That’s no time at all, right? 03 DON’T LET UP We lied. By 40 seconds you’ll be desperate to bail. As the lactic seeps into your quads, renew your speed using the handles to maintain momentum. Push to the end, then check…

ZERO TO HERO Amazing hoppy aroma, extremely light bodied. 30 CALORIES 0% ABV DEVIL’S PEAK BREWERY CO. SUNGAZER LIGHT BEER Easy-drinking, subtle malt and hops flavour. 80 CALORIES 2.6% ABV DARLING BREW LAGER Rich malt flavour, refreshing and clean. 149 CALORIES 5.1% ABV CAPE BREWING CO. ELECTRIC LIGHT WEISS Bready notes accompanied by citrus aroma and fruity taste. 92 CALORIES 4.5% ABV MAD GIANT BEER FORRESTERS A true classic: great sweet taste, without fullness. 117 CALORIES 3.6% ABV MITCHELL’S BREWERY GUINNESS Dark chocolate coffee malts, smooth and creamy. 125 CALORIES 4.2% ABV GUINNESS THE PUNK ROCKER Caramel malt sweetness, with slight bitterness. 137 CALORIES 4% ABV POISON CITY BREWERY UNFILTERED LAGER Delicious and easy drinking, cloudy and bread-like. 120 CALORIES 5% ABV BREWERS & UNION DRAGON FIERY LIGHT Crisp and…

1 DEFY TIME “The secret to timeless style is knowing who you are. But be alert, be natural and be curious about your surroundings.” 2 LEAVE GROOM TO GROW “Identify your skin type and your biggest skin problems. Next time you’re in the store you’ll know exactly what you need to buy.” 3 SCENTS SHOULD BE SUBTLE “Pay attention to how a fragrance reacts to your skin. You want something that reflects your personality – but don’t spray too much, you don’t want to smother someone else with your scent. Less is always more.” 4 BE EFFICIENT “As an actor who has done 104 movies, I quickly learnt how to use my time wisely. My grooming routine takes around 30 minutes every morning because I want to try get as…

Alex Briell recently returned to SA after completing his MBA in Spain. Now he’s in the job market, and desperately needs a new look. But where to go for a man with nothing but hoodies and jeans in his cupboard? What’s the next step for a 31-year-old who’s happy to cut his own hair? He needed an upgrade. Here’s how we took him from lounge-wear to living it up, in just a few simple steps: Top Candidate Briell’s traditional interview apparel: jeans, shirt, and maybe a jersey. We needed to hook up him up with smart threads that make a professional first impression, but still work in a casual office setting. A blue suit with a patterned collared shirt strikes that balance. Minus accessories, these items shine in their own…

YOUR STRONG SUIT Whether you suit up for work every day, or only on special occasions, wear a flattering and fitted ensemble, says Katlego. “A double-breasted, notch-lapel or a tuxedo in black or blue looks refined, and won’t ever go out of style.” Double-breasted suit R6 499 Fabiani, shirt R1 349 Ben Sherman, tie R115 Top Man, pocket square R370 T.M. Lewin at Edgars, Watch - His own. A STEP ABOVE “I always have a pair of clean- looking white sneakers. They should have minimal marking, so the shoe always looks like it’s just come out of the box.” Leather Sneakers R2 699 Ben Sherman FLY LOW “Old-fashioned wingtips are a must-have smart shoe. You can wear ‘em with a suit for a big meeting, or with jeans when you’re…

FITBIT IONIC It packs a full streaming music service and personal trainer into its sleek design. Plus, it has the most accurate step tracking and monitor yet. (R5 489, takealot.com) HOW TO INNOVATE Think about what you really want. That’s what innovation should come from. Not what you think is possible or probable, and not what is doable. Rather, it’s what you really, really want.” – Geoffrey Ling, developer of mind-controlled prosthetic arms 10  Minutes of exercise that might boost “pattern separation”, or your brain’s first step towards learning something new, accord ing to the journal Hippocampus. JABRA ELITE SPORT Wireless buds that monitor your heart rate – and inspire you in the gym, thanks to an in-ear coach. (R3 599, takealot.com) UNDER ARMOUR SLEEPWEAR The innovative print technology on…

OVERTURN YOUR OBSTACLES The philosophical school of Stoicism is the perfect operating system for thriving in high-stress environments. Stoic writings are not arcane arguments for bespectacled professors – they’re cognitive exercises proven to centre, humble, and keep you free and appreciative. Stoic principles are often practised in rehab with addicts, to help prevent them from drinking as a coping mechanism. We can all experience that same freedom. The Stoics had an exercise called Turning the Obstacle Upside Down. Suppose someone you’re helping responds in a surly way. Instead of making your life more difficult, the exercise says, they’re directing you towards new virtues, such as patience and understanding. Read On the Shortness of Life, by Seneca – you will refer to it for the rest of your life. FACE YOUR…

ORAL B 7000 Your plastic and bristle molar buffer will look like a beaten-down skedonk next to this six-cylinder, motorised behemoth. Pressure sensors spare your teeth a beatdown, and handy timers and signals will also guide you through the perfect brush. It’s expensive, but you’ll save a fortune in dental bills. (R4 300, takealot.com) NUTRIBULLET RX The 1700W motor makes short work of your smoothie fodder. But it’s the RX’s ability to handle piping hot ingredients with the same guile as it does ice-cold that sets it apart. (R3 999, yuppiechef.com) BOSCH STYLINE COFFEE MACHINE WITH TIMER Waking up to a freshly-brewed cup of coffee is as close as your morning will come to true nirvana. The built-in timer on this machine will make sure that happens every single day.…

THE MEAL BUILDERS These will help you hit the magic 30-grams-per-meal mark, and keep a lid on garbage ingredients. Plus, they taste great. 1. Pick n Pay Free Range Chicken Breasts These giant, skin-less, lean chicken breasts pack a protein punch at a poultry price. 2. Klein Karoo Ostrich Mince The leanest land-dwelling meat of all in its most malleable form – for your next burger or bolognaise. 3. Red Basket Food Co. Pizza Base Premix This gluten-free, dairy-free base mix is packed with heart-healthy muscle-building ingredients. 4. Spar Free Range Extra Large Eggs Scramble up three with ⅓ cup cheddar and you have the easiest way to consume 30 grams fast. 5. Sea Harvest Chunky Hake Fillets Fry up with olive oil, and you’ve got a cheap protein source…

SPEND LESS TIME AT THE CLINIC Startup Arivale collects samples of your blood and saliva and analyses your gut bacteria and activity levels. Then a personal coach helps you set goals. Already patients are reversing prediabetes and catching inflammation early. SAMSUNG GEAR VR Samsung’s newest headset turns your phone into a fully-fledged VR device. The new S8’s high-fidelity screen ups the immersion. (R1 895, mantality.co.za) DJI SPARK It can reach speeds of 50km/h, all while shooting crystal-clear 1080p video. The best part? DJI’s intuitive new PalmControl feature. (R7 999, wefix.co.za) REVERSE BALDING Platelet-rich plasma treatment may help. Your blood is centrifuged to isolate growth factors, which are injected into hair-depleted areas. In a pilot study from Spain, this helped guys increase their hair count by 25%.…

THE SITUATION: HUNDREDS OF MEN’S HEALTH READERS APPLIED TO BE PART OF THE TRANSFORM CLUB IN 2017. WE PICKED 5 GUYS TO GET FREE PERSONAL TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL NUTRITION ADVICE FOR FOUR MONTHS. THE CATCH? THEY HAD TO COMMIT TO TRANSFORMING THEIR LIFESTYLES FROM FAT TO FIT, IN FOUR MONTHS FLAT. THESE GUYS ALL HAVE CAREERS, FAMILIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – AND NOT MANY SPARE HOURS IN A DAY. BUT THEY MADE IT WORK, AND YOU CAN TOO. Consistency is the Key MARTIN MULLER , 36, PHYSIOLOGY LECTURER, BLOEM Trainer: Johan Swiegers, Virgin Active THE MOTIVATION In his prime, Martin was a track and field athlete. But four months ago, he weighed a heavy 103.5kg and couldn’t walk up stairs without running out of breath. The irony?…

Matt Bromley has been surfing since his dad first pushed him into the waves when he was six. Now he’s travelling the world as a professional waverider. But Matt is no ordinary boarder – he’s a stormchaser, tracking the climes and booking a ticket to catch and document the world’s biggest swells. “A good trip starts with doing the groundwork,” he says. “Have a basic idea of all the good stuff in the area you’re going to, and the attractions you need to see. I’m looking for small, tucked-away villages, and at the tribal culture – I want to tap into that.” The best trip? Step outside of your comfort zone. “Explore far off the beaten track, go surfing, bungee jumping, you name it.” But don’t just take: “Learn to…

Stress Buster A few dabs of Soil Peppermint Essential Oil around your hairline fights headaches. But I apply it around my neck and shoulders to ease tension from too much sitting or caffeine. R59, faithful-to-nature.co.za faithful-to-nature.co.za Breakfast Hack Set the Severin Egg Boiler – and forget it! Magically, in eight to 15 minutes (depending on your desired egg hardness), it shuts off automatically, and the shells practically slip off the eggs. R1 200, yuppiechef.com Productivity Soundtrack I’ve been listening to Putumayo Presents: Brasileiro fairly regularly. Bossa nova is a great way to start your day after meditating. It’s upbeat, yet low-key. It makes a busy morning feel like taking an exotic vacation.…

JESSIE GRAFF THE CV Black belt in tae kwon do, gymnast, and pet pig owner THE SKILL Tying a double figure-eight knot THE PLUG On the latest season of American Ninja Warrior. 1 Grip It Start with one end of the rope touching the floor and the other end secured to something. Hold the rope at chest height with one hand, and then make a loose loop. 2 Do the Twist Turn the loop counter clockwise twice. Now pull the rope’s loose end all the way through the loop created, under then over. This is your single figure-eight. 3 Double Back Take the end of the rope through whatever you’re securing. Then take the end back along the path of the rope (through the…

1. Circle of strife When your brain senses a potential threat – whether that’s a shadowy figure or a looming deadline – it floods your blood with adrenaline and cortisol, readying the body for fight or flight. Your first course of action is to put this hormonal surge to its intended use: a 20min run will calm excess adrenaline and ease tension in your muscles. 2. Gut reactions As your workload increases and to-do list lengthens, nerves can kill your appetite, as stress triggers hunger-suppressing hormone CRH. Over time, however, most people find elevated cortisol does the opposite. “People eat to reduce anxiety,” says psychologist Frank Bond. When it’s crunch time at the office, offset cravings with almonds – their high dose of magnesium cracks stress. 3. Mind matters Brain-fog…

1. Storm’s River Explore the winding roads and rocky outcrops, and then hit the white water on a tube or a raft – or take on the scenic Otter Trail. 2. Oudtshoorn Rev the needle on the flat, straight roads on the plains. Then take on an MTB route or spelunk at the Cango Caves. 3. Waterberg Meander A 350km self-drive route with plenty of views and natural highlights in the biosphere. 4. The Panorama This drive in Mpumalanga includes the Blyde River Canyon and the highest tar road in the country. Take a fishing rod. 5. Inhambane Granted, the EN1 Mozambique is no longer a lesser-known route, but if you haven’t done the 12-hour-plus trek to this spot, you need to. Don’t rush it – and then reward yourself…

1 Skullcrusher Nothing stimulates super-heroic triceps growth like the supervillainous spectre of a heavy bar just inches from your dome. Lie faceup on a bench holding an EZ-curl bar over your chest with straight arms. Bend at your elbows to lower the weight near your forehead; then straighten your arms. “If you’re doing it properly, it really burns into your triceps, and brings them to their fullest extension in the direction in which you want the growth,” says Colter. 2 Cable Chest Fly Aiming for pecs of steel? Pass on the bench press. Instead, stand in the centre of a wide cable machine, grasping two cable grips, elbows slightly bent. Without bending your elbows further, bring the grips together, squeezing your chest muscles. “It gets your chest and arms fully…

1 ELEPHANT’S LEG IN THE ROOM “The dubious meat and limp veg at the average late-night schwarma place lead you to compensate for the lack of flavour with sugary sauces,” says Ed Brunet of classy Soho joint Le Bab. Fire up your flatbread with quality, healthy ingredients instead. LAMB Organic, high-welfare lamb, as opposed to the questionable cuts in a standard takeaway spot, contains up to 50% more omega 3, which aids production of sleep hormone melatonin, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. No need to count sheep. CHICKEN This lean source of protein also doles out niacin. Critical for liver health, this vitamin is useful when ditching the post-pub pit stop, but not the booze itself. By preparing it with fenugreek, you score extra iron, which helps…

Pair scents. Refresh your look. Invest in essentials. The suitcase’s lot is a heavy one. Built to withstand the least glamorous parts of travelling, it’s expected to do several things well without the stylish reputation enjoyed by, say, the weekend bag. It must be light, spacious and hardy. If it can be stylish too, all the better. Often, one of these features comes at the expense of another. Samsonite’s Lite-Cube DLX gets around this with polypropylene, a malleable and waterproof plastic. Melted and woven into durable, lightweight sheets, it’s then layered and heat-bonded together, so it can pack some serious armour. The resulting material is called Curv, and it rolls right over the competition. A case of the same size made from standard materials weighs in at around a kilo…

Blue Men’s Group As you might expect, fragrances from the blue family tend to be invigorating, fresh, and best suited to the man leading an active lifestyle – men like you, naturally. “They’re designed for the kind of character who thrives on adrenaline,” says award-winning perfume critic and author Dariush Alavi. “He’s all about dynamism, speed and pitting his body against the elements.” He may also, we’d like to add, be partial to a gin and tonic after a day spent taming the surf. These scents come into their own during the spring and summer months due to their light and fresh quality. The discernible citrus notes in the first few minutes after spraying lend them an energising character, with a marine note in the middle. Case in point: the…

THULE SUBTERRA LUGGAGE Whether you’re travelling to multiple destinations, or just – like all of us – struggling to keep up with ever-shifting baggage regulations, the versatile Subterra is the ultimate travel companion. A large piece of checked-in baggage transforms into two convenient carry-ons with a quick pull of the zip. (R4 900, thule.com) 3% Increase in white matter in the brains of older people who exercised to music for an hour a week, according to a recent Japanese study. SURFACE PRO 4 Microsoft’s new Surface Pro is faster, boasts battery life that rivals the Macbook Air, and still features a fully-functional, detachable touchscreen, giving you more on-screen control than ever. (R22 229, takealot..co.za )…

THIS WASN’T WHAT I EXPECTED TO FIND AT PALEO f(x), the world’s largest gathering of paleo enthusiasts (people who harvest habits from the past to avoid the diseases of modern civilisation). The youth and vitality of the attendees was the first surprise. There would be more revelations from trainers, chefs, and doctors. What they all had in common: a hunger for the latest info on fitness, nutrition, weight loss, and health. Here are five wild takeaways: LESSON 1 YOU ARE WHAT YOU DON’T EAT Arthur De Vany, a retired UC Irvine economics professor, is just shy of his 80th birthday when he takes the stage at Paleo f(x). But he looks much younger. De Vany developed his own version of the paleo diet in the ’70s – the Stone Age…

I WORK OUT A LOT. BUT I SWEAT MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE. WHY? Andrew, Bloemfontein Don’t sweat it, Slick. Maybe you’re just too fit. In fact, the fitter you are, the faster your body goes to work regulating your internal temperature, so you break a sweat sooner. Plus, you may have extra sweat glands, says exercise physiologist Heather Milton of NYU Langone Sports Performance Centre. So congrats: you’ve trained your body to respond quickly. Sweating is part of your body’s thermoregulation process; as sweat evaporates, it cools you. (A fan can help, if you’re grossing yourself out.) Just drink lots of water, or if you’re going longer than an hour, 90ml to 240ml of an electrolyte-replacement drink. Now, if you’re constantly sweaty even when you’re not exercising – notably on…

It’s the drink of choice of the sophisticated man, but if you’re like many guys out there you’ve probably taken a sip, grimaced and vowed never to touch anything closer to an “on the rocks” than an Old Fashioned. But passing on whisky doesn’t just mean you’ll be left flying solo during your contemplative moments reclining in a leather chair, you’re also missing out on the health benefits of this liquid gold, which is low on carbs and sugar, and has been shown to help prevent the onset of dementia and improve heart health. We’ve tapped the experts and the casks and emptied the tumblers to bring you this guide from two masters of the whisky world: 1. WHAT TO DRINK Andy Watts – now with Distell – is Africa’s…

Masks Save Lives Cabin decompression can knock you out. “Once that oxygen mask drops, you have about 30 seconds to put it on, depending on factors like altitude,” says Elaine. “It doesn’t happen often, but that’s why you shouldn’t ignore the safety instructions.” We Take Tips “We’re supposed to refuse once, and then we can accept,” says Randy. On business- and first-class flights where everyone’s drinking, a tip can buy your attendant’s favour for better service, says Elaine. Be discreet. We Fear Feet “Passengers and staff trip all the time. I’ve seen black eyes, lost teeth, and even broken arms,” says Randy. Blocking the aisle with your legs or feet is annoying and dangerous. Sit tight. Phones, Schmones “I’ll deny it, but everyone is on the phone right up to…

Train like a strong man. Lead the assault. Build a beach-ready body. “If you can’t get yourself to the gym, then bring the gym to you.” Imagine for a few seconds that you’re a 38-year-old actor who just landed a Hollywood dream job – playing a Marvel superhero. But there’s a catch: you’ll need to pack on 13kg of muscle, despite your sciatica, so you can realistically kick ass like a bulletproof superhero. That’s exactly what happened to Mike Colter in 2015. He was holidaying in Paris when he got the news, and he knew the transformation into Luke Cage for a Netflix series wouldn’t be easy. But in four months, Colter went from 93 to 106 kilograms, despite bouts of overtraining and a torn rotator cuff during filming. And…

Strongman Dean Shelley’s dad, Arthur, was a powerful role model. In his heyday he was a top bodybuilder and a powerlifter who had even represented Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) in competitions. It made sense, then, that when Dean wanted to start training for the World’s Strongest Man contest, he approached his dad for some advice. “He didn’t hesitate to write up a programme,” says his son. “It was based around the major lifts: squats, deadlifts, bench, and military press; and he was adamant that if I wanted to be strong, just these four exercises would do the trick. “I was young, and I thought, what does this ballie know?” he says. “I laughed it off.” His father passed away just four weeks later. Dean still had that piece of paper, but…

Nail the ale. Give it stick. Troye May loves beer. He has his own radio show... about beer. He’s producing a documentary... about beer. He’s also an award-winning homebrewer. Oh, and he’s a certified beer judge. It’s basically his job to drink beer. The bastard. But with great power comes great responsibility (to stave off the summer spread). His move: scour the country for the best low-kilojoule beers. Without getting too scientific, calories in beer come from two sources, namely alcohol and carbs. In the brewing process, fermentation produces ethanol (alcohol) and Co2 (carbonation bubbles). Whenever there is unfermented sugar left behind, this is called residual sugar, which is the main contributor to carbohydrates. There’s a wildly complicated calculation for how to work out the calorie content of a beer,…

What holds the world together , as I have learned from bitter experience, is sexual intercourse. – Henry Miller Some couples’ posts on social media set off your BS detector, trigger a twinge of pity, or make you wonder if you’ve been wrong all along about Charlene and Lance. Those two are on the skids – you know this. Yet there’s Charlene, having a “Fun day picking apples with This Guy!!” So what are you going to believe: Instagram, or your own instincts? Take Sean O’Brien, a divorced dad living with Kendra, his new wife. The two met online. Early on, she wanted to see Sean post on Facebook about their life together, especially given the messages he’d received from women from his past. “I just wanted him to show…

1 VIBRATION Your outer ear funnels the song’s sound waves into your middle ear and then inner ear, where they vibrate the 200 microlitres of fluid in your spiral-shaped cochlea. Tiny hair cells sense this motion and convert the vibrations into electrical signals that spur the release of glutamate, a neuro transmitter that stimulates a nerve fibre to carry the signals to your brain. 2 TRANSLATION Your auditory brain stem and auditory cortex perceive sound and distinguish pitch, notes, and melody. Meanwhile, the vocals go to the Wernicke area of your brain. At first they’re garbled, like the words of adults in Peanuts, but they soon become clear. (Science hasn’t figured out why.) 3 CONNECTION Pitch, notes, melody, and lyrics all travel to the limbic pathway or emotional response system…

ORGANISE IT Instead of bulky jackets and chunky tops, opt for thin layers that you can easily add or subtract. You can accommodate a T-shirt, shirt, jersey, and an unlined blazer, allowing for at least seven different combinations. THEME IT Pick a dominant colour theme or stick to neutrals like gray, navy, and khaki, which can be worn any number of ways. Packing more solids than prints will also help camouflage repeated uses. ROLL IT Save space by stuffing your shoes with smaller items like socks, belts and underwear. Bonus: this will keep your shoes from getting smashed en route. WEAR IT Slip-on shoes not only make security a breeze, but also expand with your feet, which swell from air pressure during a flight. And keep an extra jacket with…

TAYLOR KRUSE The Brain Swami FIX YOUR BODY USING YOUR BRAIN What if all you needed to do to increase your deadlift was smile before each set? Visit Taylor Kruse’s Massachusetts studio, and he might tell you exactly that. That’s because he’s evaluating your performance through a neurological lens. Your brain, says Kruse, needs as much training – and sometimes rehab – as your body does. Kruse boosts performance by focusing on two key components: balance and vision. So he might train your hip mobility not with stretches, but with a drill he calls the Infinity Walk (above). DR. BRET CONTRERAS The Glute Guy Do the Frog Pump Guys do hip thrusts because of Contreras, and this is his new glute move: lie on your back, feet together. Pull your…

BY LAURA TEDESCO 1 Outwit Hunger The vBloc Maestro system, an alternative to bariatric surgery, involves implanting a pacemaker-type device under your skin near your stomach. It emits electrical pulses to your vagus nerve to block hunger signals between your brain and stomach, tricking your brain into thinking your belly is full. In a new study in the journal Obesity Surgery, this device was found to significantly boost weight loss. 2 Keep BPA Away Plastic could give you a paunch. A 2017 University of Iowa study found that obese people tended to have higher levels of BPA (bisphenol A), a compound in plastic linked to hormone disruption. It can interfere with insulin production by mimicking estrogen, possibly leading to insulin resistance, a risk factor for obesity. Look for food packed…

SPARE BONES Northwestern University researchers have developed a pliable bone material that hardens after it’s implanted. This could be the next big thing in an ortho paedic surgeon’s toolbox. FRESH KIDNEYS An alternative to dialysis and transplant may come from Harvard, where scientists are bioprinting a component of a nephron, a key kidney unit. Next: creating a network of nephrons. PERFECT DNA Scientists can modify genetic code in worms and mice, correcting mutations that cause diseases such as muscular dystrophy and sickle- cell anaemia. Human trials may not be far off. CHIPS, ANYONE? It’s been tested in mice and may someday end up in you: Swiss scientists have developed an implantable chip that delivers data such as blood-sugar levels to a mobile device. Handy!…