Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2018 i Men's Health

Q "EVERY SUMMER I GET SWIMMER'S EAR. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT THIS? "-Mike, Macungie, PA There's only one way: Keep water out of your ears. Swimmer's ear, an often painful infection of the ear canal, occurs when moisture gets trapped in there, allowing bacteria to multiply. Step 1: Stop sticking Q-tips in your ears—you're cleaning out protective wax and maybe damaging the ear canal, increasing your risk. Step 2: Wear earplugs when you're swimming. Step 3: Thoroughly dry your ears afterward with a clean, dry towel. If moisture does get in there (even showering or living in a warm, moist environment can do that), put a few drops of rubbing alcohol or white vinegar in the ear canal to dry it. Or use a hairdryer on a low…

ON YOUR WRIST A GOOD FIT With a frame that’s 11.2 millimeters thick, the new Fitbit Versa is even slimmer than the Apple Watch Series 3. The subtly curved design makes this smartwatch feel unintimidating, and the battery lasts four-plus days on a single charge. The streamlined interface keeps tabs on the things most guys want to know (heart rate and step tracking) and can coach you through everything from a workout to a breathing session. From $200, fitbit.com 30 MINUTES That’s the total daily time spent playing Grand Theft Auto V that does not result in changes in aggression or anxiety, according to a Molecular Psychiatry study. Researchers had 77 people play either GTA V (a violent video game) or The Sims 3 (a lifestyle video game) for a…

84 Percentage of Americans who agree that nutrition information labels should be required by law on all packaged food sold in grocery stores. The kicker? Only 13 percent say they always read them. REUTERS/IPSOS HEART HEALTH THE FISH FIX A Mediterranean-style diet that includes four or more servings of fish a week may be just the ticket for your ticker, a study in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases suggests. The heart disease risk of people on such a diet was 38 percent lower than that of people who ate less fish. Fatty fish (like salmon, trout, mackerel, and herring) were more closely linked to reduced heart risk than lean fish were. That’s likely due to their higher omega 3 content, the researchers say. Liver, meet joe Brew up…

Ask Naomi Piercey anything, and we mean anything, about love and sex. I’ve been dating her for a year. We never fight. I’ve heard that’s a red flag. Really? —CHUCK, Dallas, TX After only a year? Nah. Put any two people in a room long enough and they’ll find a way to piss each other off. That’s not a dating thing, that’s a human thing. But maybe you haven’t had many opportunities for serious disagreement. Stick with her long enough and you will. And that’s okay. Because those moments where you can be so mad and still so in love are what strong relationships are made of. WHEN A WOMAN IS STAYING OVER FOR THE FIRST TIME, HOW MUCH SNOOPING IS SHE DOING? —DALE, Omaha, NE If by “snooping” you…

When it’s warm outside, you rarely think about slipping on a jacket to feel cool. That is, unless you own an unlined blazer. If you don’t own one, you should—you’ll discover just how wearable it is in summer. These jackets are unstructured, which means they lack an interior lining. They’re versatile and sophisticated, with the easy comfort of a hoodie and the elegance of a tailored jacket, and they’re equally appropriate for work and weekends. While other men are feeling clammy and stiff, you’ll look sharp, relaxed, and cool—in every sense. “It’s the layer that instantly makes you look more put-together than every other guy in the room,” says Megan Collins of the men’s fashion and lifestyle site Style Girlfriend. Lightweight fabrics like ultrafine wool, linen, and cotton mean your…

SINK THE STANK Your best weapon against bad breath is brushing and cleaning between teeth. But what if you’re far from home? “Aggressively swishing your mouth with water and spitting it out is the next best choice,” says Matthew Messina, D.D.S., of Ohio State University, a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. That washes away at least some food particles and bacteria. Mints or chewing gum (sugarless, naturally) also work. As a last resort, try eating crudités. “Chewing crunchy, odor less foods (such as carrots, celery, and apples) may increase saliva production and move the plaque around,” says Dr. Messina FLOSS LIKE A BOSS Yes, flossing daily is optimal. But if you floss just two or three days a week, every week, you’ll soon develop the dexterity for it…

SOME LIKE IT SCRUFF “I love stubble. But it depends on the person. A guy with a softer jawline looks great with a little stubble. It just adds something to his face. I don’t mind kissing someone with scruff. It feels manly.” STOP ASSAULTING YOUR SKIN The urge to overscrub your face can be enticing if you work out, but it could also be especially problematic if you have acne issues. Overwashing makes your skin produce more oil, explains Bobby Buka, M.D., J.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai. Dr. Buka reaches for a supergentle cleanser for that second, post-workout shower of the day. When you overwash with harsh soaps multiple times a day, you also remove defensins, the natural oils protecting skin from the bacteria that…

LURE HER IN “When you’re close to a man’s skin, that’s when you want to smell his scent. Add one for your neck and wrists and maybe just one more for below the belt. Just in case.” SMELL THE ROSES Scents don’t have genders, so rose notes are no more feminine than leather is masculine, says Frederick Bouchardy, founder of Joya, a fragrance studio based in Brooklyn. A light musk or citrus is always a refreshing, popular choice for summer, although Bouchardy recommends going for the unexpected—like a rich, heavy floral to muscle through a heat wave. “It hits on an emotional and physiological level,” he says. HOLD IT IN YOUR HAIR Before you head out the door, add a spritz of your favorite scent to your pulse points, but…

BREAKFAST McDonald’s Sausage McMuffin With Egg Under the arches reside the most options for cheap, fast a.m. eats. Skip the sugary Sausage McGriddles; go with sausage on an English muffin with egg and cheese. It’ll save you 12 grams each of carbs and sugar. Add a cappuccino (below left). Solid breakfast. 470 calories, 21g protein, 30g carbs (2g fiber), 30g fat CHEESY FIX Taco Bell Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla By way of comparison, Sonic’s Grilled Cheese has 14 grams of protein, 440 calories, and 51 grams of carbs, 7 of which are sugar. This has chicken, chipotle sauce, and a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and Monterey pepper jack. No sugar. 200 calories, 10g protein, 15g carbs (1g fiber), 10g fat BEVERAGE McDonald’s Small McCafé Cappuccino Most value menus are overflowing…

We all hate our jobs sometimes, but how can you tell the difference between a rough month and serious burnout? Psychologists have questionnaires for employees and work teams that gauge such things as emotional exhaustion, satisfaction, and cynicism. Paula Davis-Laack, a former lawyer (who incidentally became a “stress and resilience expert” after burning out), suggests asking yourself these questions. 1. Are you chronically—that is, more often than not—physically and emotionally exhausted? 2. Do you feel a persistent sense of cynicism? That everybody and everything bugs you or rubs you the wrong way? 3. Have you started to lose empathy for your coworkers or clients? 4. Do you often feel a sense of ineffectiveness, that you can’t process or handle work the way you used to? 5. Are you feeling physically ill more frequently? Do colds…

SANDRA HASSINK, M.D., HAS BEEN studying childhood obesity for more than 30 years. And the most important thing she’s learned—applicable to kids and grown men alike—is this: “All the willpower in the world,” she says, “can’t overcome an obesogenic environment.” In other words, to lose weight and keep it off, you have to adjust your world so it’s not constantly tempting you. Instead of putting yourself on a diet, put your environment on one. “You can’t make good health decisions if your environment is always working against you, because then you have to be on alert 24-7,” says Dr. Hassink, founder of the Nemours Weight Management Clinic in Wilmington, Delaware. “You get tired. Things come up. It’s hard to [be successful] without creating a healthy environment in the first place.”…

Want full immersion in Westworld’s iconic landscapes? Head to the Four Corners region, where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and red rock beauty converge. It’s a utopia for hiking, biking, climbing, and all manner of floating, from calm-water kayaking to whitewater rafting. There’s even skydiving and paragliding. Here’s a possible itinerary. GO to Moab, Utah. Head northeast along the Colorado River on Route 128. Producers put a train car on a flatbed truck to film new arrivals. You’ll pass Castle Valley and recognize the dramatic mesas and buttes seen onscreen. West of town off Route 313 is Dead Horse Point State Park, where film trickery sites the Westworld control center. STAY at the Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa if you’re a tenderfoot, but the area is full of campgrounds…

THE FIRST TIME I WAS SEXUALLY ABUSED by my stepmother, I was 12. She and my father weren’t married yet, but we were all staying together in Boca Raton that night. We’d just gotten home from dinner at a tropical-themed restaurant, Bimini Bob’s, where I’d earned high score at the ring-toss game while my dad watched, drinking more light beers than usual. I knew it would be hard for him to drive home, so from the backseat of our SUV, I leaned forward to turn down the radio to help him focus on the road. As soon as we got home, my dad went upstairs, leaving me alone in the kitchen with her. We talked about my ring-toss skills; she was probably humoring me. Then in her early 40s, she…

You’ve stayed with Andy Speer, C.S.C.S., creator of the Anarchy Abs workout, through the two workouts in our April and May issues. Now that summer’s on the horizon, it’s time to finish strong. In designing this month’s four-week program, Speer drew from his experience preparing for fitness shoots. Go hard. In this workout, be sure to choose a weight that will challenge you. Each week will bring tougher workouts, but you’ll love the big payoff: A stronger, more ripped body this summer. 1 Dumbbell snatch Hold a dumbbell in your right hand at mid-shin level with your knees bent and a slight hinge in your hips. Pull the weight up as you explosively straighten your knees and hips. (If you stand on your tiptoes, that’s okay.) As the weight reaches…

MONDAY View a sunrise or sunset. But watch it from a different venue. “Novelty is important,” says David Bryce Yaden, Ph.D.(c). “The first time you fly is awe-inspiring. But after a few times, you shut the window.” TUESDAY Take a warm bath with the lights off. “Feel the water with every inch of your body,” says Blue Mind author Wallace Nichols, Ph.D. The floating sensation quiets the brain’s parietal lobe and promotes connective feelings. WEDNESDAY Visit a church, sports arena, or other impressive structure. “Great architecture simulates the vastness of the great outdoors,” says Dr. Newberg, and it also promotes optimism. Looking back at the International Space Station during spacewalks, Scott Kelly says he got this feeling of “hey, we’re capable of pretty amazing things if we put our minds…

“In space no one can hear you scream.” “An adventure 65 million years in the making.” “You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll hurl.” As a lifelong editor, author, storyteller, and brand builder, I’ve always been a sucker for a great movie tagline. So you can probably understand my reaction to the billboard I saw on a recent trip to Los Angeles. It was for the second season of HBO’s cerebral, violent sci-fi masterpiece Westworld, in which lifelike robots in an Old West theme park rise up against their human creators. The billboard showed a menacing mechanical vulture in the desert, with three words: “Chaos takes control.” That’s effective marketing copy for a dark show tackling heady themes of life, death, and creation. But it’s also curiously inspiring. As any successful entrepreneur…

NAUTICA MALIBU TRIATHLON PRESENTED BY BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH Join us for one of the nation’s most iconic triathlons held on the sands of Zuma Beach in Malibu, California! September 15 and 16, 2018. Register Now at: www.NauticaMalibuTri.com ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER? Let the Men's Health Box give you the tools to do so. We have curated a box for each season filled with full sized fitness, nutrition, style and grooming products, delivered right to your door just in time for summer! Visit themenshealthbox.com and use promo code MHBOX20NOW for 20% off the regular price. CHOOSE SABRA SNACKERS Made with tasty and wholesome ingredients, Sabra Snackers are all-in-one snacks with delicious flavors. Want protein? Try Sabra Snackers in the Classic Hummus with Pretzels variety for 10g protein per…

The upgrade CHAR-GRILLER AKORN CERAMIC KAMADO 6020 Kamado-style grills originated in China. A good kamado grill has a heavy, heat-retaining ceramic insert that makes it equally good at searing (burgers and dogs) and slow-smoking (brisket and ribs). This beast weighs 224 pounds, but it’s on wheels. Roll out! $599, lowes.com The splurge BIG GREEN EGG XLARGE With nearly four more inches of grate space than the Akorn, the BGE XL gives you enough room to roast two 20-pound turkeys. Unlike the Akorn, all parts of the cooking vessel are ceramic. Big Green Egg fanboys drool over the grill’s ability to heat to 700°F and up, flash-searing steaks in minutes. $1,199, biggreenegg.com Beer, on the rocks A glass full of ice makes a macrolager (Bud, Miller) that much more refreshing. Plus,…

Straight-up advice on women, work, and things that drive men crazy MY DAD GIVES ME CRAP ABOUT MY JOB-HOPPING. HOW DO I EXPLAIN THAT THIS IS HOW CAREERS WORK NOW? —A.J., Trenton, NJ Your old man isn’t a dinosaur. He just knows two things: Employee loyalty is honorable, and his son rejects it. Don’t try to make your case with statistics. Show him how happy you’ve been with your gigs. But here’s the thing: When you get a new job, how long do you stay happy? Because if your career is a revolving door and you’re always dissatisfied, then Pops may have a point. ONE OF MY OLDEST FRIENDS AND I DON’T SEE EYE TO EYE ON POLITICS ANYMORE. IT GETS TENSE. WHAT HAPPENED? —CARL, Columbus, OH Times change, Carl.…

Maybe you’ve overlooked Riverdale because it’s on the CW, but that’s a mistake. Reinhart stars as Betty opposite Camila Mendes as Veronica, and the two gals’ amiable rivalry for the attention of one Archibald Andrews is at the core of the show. Yes, it’s Archie, but darker and with more edge. A lot more edge. Reinhart, we found, is as thoughtful as she is gorgeous, especially on the topic of men and dating. We asked her to fill in a few blanks. Shore up the gaps in your own approach. Betty and Jughead are… “Couples goals. I’ve learned a lot through them. They prioritize their relationship even when their personal lives are insane. Jughead always listens to his girl. Betty always goes to bat for Jug. They are a team.”…

HER EYES ARE UP THERE “The first thing I notice about a man is his hair. There’s nothing worse than when guys let their hair get too grown out. They look unkempt. A man who takes care of his monthly trims is on top of things. It’s all about that attention to the details.” GO GENTLE ON YOUR STRANDS Some men use anti-dandruff shampoo even when they don’t have dandruff. They use it just in case they ever get it, says Martial Vivot, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Martial Vivot Salon Pour Hommes in Manhattan. This habit drives him nuts: “I say, ‘Do you take an aspirin when you don’t have a headache?’” These shampoos tend to be on the strong side; if you use one as a preventive, you…

JUST NAIL IT “Men forget to moisturize their hands, especially their nail cuticles,” says dermatologist Dennis Gross, M.D. “The cuticles aren’t really skin, so they have no oil glands to moisturize themselves, and dry out quickly.” By keeping them hydrated, you enhance the protection they provide your actual fingernails, which end up looking better too. Any moisturizer—applied once a day—will do, Dr. Gross says, even if you swipe it from your partner. MAKE A BOOTY CALL When moisturizing your body, don’t omit the areas you can’t see, like your back and the backs of your arms. Also just as important and even more forgotten is your rear end. “Dead skin gets caught around hair follicles in those areas,” says Dr. Buka. With relatively few blood vessels, the skin tends to…

Stop settling for steamed broccoli—there’s far more flavor to be had in “getting your vegetables”: sweet potato gratin with crispy onions, sloppy BBQ jackfruit sliders, a big honkin’ noodle bowl loaded with a bushel of farmers’ market produce. The book, out now, is by Chad and Derek Sarno. BEST TIP Buy better pasta by sight. Cream-colored, dusty-looking pasta is a sign of high-quality production. The matte texture helps sauce cling to cooked noodles. A smooth, shiny surface and yellowish hue indicates lackluster, mass-produced stuff.…

Yes. (If risk is significant) STEVEN NISSEN, M.D., Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic I always recommend statins to people who have coronary heart disease or who’ve had a heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery, or a coronary stent. And that’s regardless of their cholesterol levels. In fact, these patients specifically benefit from high doses of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin, which reduce their risk of a repeat event. The controversy revolves around people who don’t have heart problems yet but do have an increased risk of heart disease. To determine whether someone needs statins, doctors typically use an algorithm that includes such risk factors as age, race, total cholesterol, HDL, and systolic blood pressure. (You can plug in your numbers at tools.acc.org/ASCVD-Risk-Estimator.) Unfortunately, this algorithm is flawed. It leaves out family history,…

Michael Shilkus Before: 565 pounds Current: 205 pounds Age: 38 Height: 6'1" Occupation: Gym manager Location: Ottumwa, Iowa Time to weight loss: 18 months THE SETBACK There’s a saying here in Iowa: “Corn fed, Iowa bred.” I was a chubby baby, a heavy kid, an obese teen, and a morbidly obese 20-year-old. I was raised by my grandma, who grew up in the Great Depression and always served me two of everything. Eating in excess was my norm. THE WAKE-UP CALL Delivering newspapers, I’d be out of breath carrying bundles 12 to 15 steps. Riding my bike, I felt like I was dying. I’d always thought I was okay because everyone around me was large. But I started suffering horrible depression because I didn’t have a social life. I was…

“The parietal lobe [1], in the upper back part of the brain, tends to shut down while you’re meditating and experiencing awe,” says Dr. Newberg. This region is where we contextualize perceptions, like sights and sounds, to establish our sense of self in relation to the world. At the same time, the limbic system becomes more active [2], Dr. Newberg says, eliciting a very intense energy or arousal. “This helps release dopamine, a feel-good molecule, in the brain. It creates a feeling of oneness with the universe.”…

1 Downward dog to spider lunge Start in pushup position, feet shoulder-width apart. Keeping your legs straight, raise your butt; try to stay aligned from torso to arms. Hold. Return to pushup position. Without moving your left leg, bring your right foot outside your right hand. Return to the start; repeat the sequence on the other side. That’s 1 rep; do 2 sets of 10. 2 Superman to floor angel Lie facedown on the floor with your arms extended. Simultaneously tighten your glutes, raise your legs, and tighten your back muscles as you raise your arms and upper chest. This is the start. Maintaining this position, fan your arms backward. Try to touch your hands together on your back. Return to the starting position. That’s 1 rep; do 2 sets…

GROOMING I KNOW TANNING IS BAD, BUT I LIKE THE LOOK. ANY OPTIONS? —Joe, Portland, Me Sunless tanning products are improving. Done right, a good tanner gives you that manly outer glow, and you get the inner glow of knowing you ’ re not giving cancer an invitation. The secret to sunless tanners is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), an FDA-approved ingredient that, when applied to skin, reacts with proteins on the epidermis and produces a pigment that darkens it, says Omer Ibrahim, M. D., of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology. For best results, exfoliate and moisturize in the days leading up to self-tanning, says Manhattan dermatologist Meghan Feely, M. D. Smooth out any rough skin on your elbows, knees, and ankles. Just beforehand, shower away any deodorant or lotion, and dry yourself…

Knee-to-elbow Start hanging from a bar, hands just slightly beyond shoulder-width, palms facing away. Tighten your core and lift your knees as high as you can; round your back until your knees touch your elbows. Return to the start slowly. Aim for 12, which is the number Drechsel has his students do at the start of each session. Jump squat Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees, lowering your torso until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Stand back up explosively, jumping up as you do. Land softly and immediately begin the next rep; do 3 sets of 10. Uneven grip pullup Hang from a bar, your hands shoulder-width apart in an uneven grip (right palm facing you, left facing away). Pull yourself up, challenging your core and…

1 DAY BEFORE Go shopping. Your list: 1 zucchini 3 heirloom tomatoes 2 onions 3 bell peppers extra virgin olive oil; 1 bag of charcoal briquettes 6 beef tenderloin steaks (8 oz each) aluminum foil a fifth of your favorite gin 2 liters of tonic water 1 cucumber a handful of juniper berries (optional) 10 medium-thick slices of fontina or provolone cheese 10 large kaiser rolls basil for garnish 1 HOUR TO GO Ignite the briquettes in a chimney starter. While you wait for red-hot coals, slice the zucchini, tomatoes, and onions into half-inch-thick disks. Slice the peppers into thick strips. Toss them in a big bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a few big pinches of salt and pepper. 45 MINUTES OUT Pour the coals on one…

NAOMI SAYS ”Some theaters let you reserve your seats in advance. Remember guys, planning ahead is a major turn-on.” LESS THAN 1 MONTH Tag Ed Helms, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Hannibal Buress, and others play a long-running game of adult tag. It’s mindless, nonthreatening fun. Laugh together June 15. MONTHS 2 TO 12 Ocean’s 8 Now with Sandra Bullock, Mindy Kaling, and Rihanna! You’ll be far enough along that you can compare Oceans without sounding antifeminist. Hopefully. It hits theaters June 8. 1 YEAR OR MORE Adrift Shailene Woodley and Sam Clafin sail into the largest hurricane ever to hit the Pacific. Any couple who has hit rough water will understand the metaphor. It’s out June 1.…

BODY TYPE Husky A bigger guy needs a simple suit. Solid, dark, or intense hues stream line your silhouette; light colors do the opposite. Same with big prints, so keep patterns subtle or vertical. Avoid slim fits, advises Arnold, and keep the legs loose, matching the width of your hips. BODY TYPE Athletic Lucky you: Now’s when you reap the rewards of your gym time. Show off your body and make a statement by venturing beyond the basics—embrace wild colors or funky patterns. “If your body is beach-ready, don’t cover it up with swimwear,” says Arnold. “Shorter lengths are a big trend this season.” BODY TYPE Slim Add heft to your frame with a bold pattern, thick horizontal stripes, or a busy print. If you’re 5'8" or under, you can…

SOME SHOULD STAY SINGLE For guys with straight beard hair, shaving with multiple blades can make a difference. But for African American men and others with tightly curled beard hair, a multiblade razor may create razor bumps. “These double- and triple-blade razors irritate because they cut the hair shaft so close that the tip winds up beneath the skin,” says Kamal Nuru, owner of the Levels Barbershop chain in Harlem, Brooklyn, and Orange County, New York. “As it grows out, it curls so tightly that it never makes it outside the skin again…and you get the bump.” Opt for an old-school single blade, says Nuru, and shave with the grain of your beard. TAKE IT STEP BY STEP “Don’t cheat yourself by skipping steps in your shaving routine,” says Todd…

On your salad SHAKE ON… Salted pistachios You’ll take in heart-healthy fats with a satisfying crunch. NOT Croutons Many packaged croutons are made with refined flour and hydrogenated oils. On your salad (II) DRIZZLE ON… DIY dressing It’s easy. Combine equal parts extra-virgin olive oil and an acid (lemon juice, vinegar, Dijon), and season to taste with salt and pepper. You get your healthy fats without the sugar. NOT Commercial salad dressing These are typically made with cheap oils. And beware of sweet ingredients! At the coffee shop ORDER… Iced coffee For minimal calories, you drink in a big antioxidant payload. NOT Frozen coffee drink It’s brimming with calories, mostly from sugar. At breakfast DIG INTO… Plain, full-fat Greek yogurt It’s protein-packed, so you stay fuller longer. Plus, research shows…

Behold the season’s most unsung cocktail ingredient: freshly picked herbs. “Herbs create a nice balance to summer fruits and elevate the freshness of a drink, just like they do in food,” says Tim Guy, a head bartender with New York City’s Cork and Kerry group. Try these four cocktails. Then maybe go plant more herbs. Angler’s Cocktail This summer spin on the Old-Fashioned employs rosemary to complement the pomegranate in the grenadine. WHAT YOU’LL NEED 2 oz gin½ oz grenadine (see recipe)2 dashes Angostura bitters2 dashes orangebittersOrange peelSmall sprig rosemary HOW TO MAKE IT In a rocks glass, combine the gin, grenadine, and both bitters. Add a large ice cube. Rim the glass with orange peel and drop it into glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary. Smash Stuff…

Steve Blank’s oh-shit moment came during a Friday afternoon sales meeting. He had been dividing his time between two Silicon Valley tech jobs, one for a company outside Palo Alto serving the defense and intelligence communities, and the other for a microprocessor producer called Zilog. He was good at his work—necessary, even. He put in six or seven 16-hour days a week and accepted the crazy schedule. At the Friday meeting, “about three-quarters of the way through my workweek,” as Blank puts it, a colleague reminded him about upcoming classes he needed to teach. “The devil is in the details,” the colleague advised. Blank nodded and went for the obvious defense contractor joke: “I’ve got it under control, as long as the devil coming at me isn’t an SS-18.” (He…

WITH YOUR DOCTOR’S HELP, determine your risk. If your cholesterol numbers are in the danger zone, be honest about your habits. Are you doing everything in your power to protect your ticker? Keep in mind that positive lifestyle changes can also lower your risk of cancer, dementia, and other conditions. Remember that you can have high cholesterol numbers and clear arteries, or vice versa. Consider having a coronary ultrasound or coronary calcium scoring done to accurately gauge the plaque buildup in your arteries. If you leave the doctor’s office with a scrip for statins, understand and watch for side effects. There are many different statins; if you can’t tolerate one, there’s a good chance you can find another that works.…

The Ratatouille Royale BASE Onion roll PROTEIN 3 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced FIXINGS Thick schmear of kalamata olive tapenade; grilled slices of eggplant, yellow squash, and zucchini, brushed with olive oil; fresh tomato slices; fresh basil leaves 683 calories, 27g protein, 42g carbs (9g fiber), 46g fat 2 The Tuna Special BASE Whole wheat toast PROTEIN 3.35 oz good quality jarred tuna (like Tonnino) in olive oil, drained of all but 1 Tbsp oil. Mix with ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 Tbsp minced shallot, the juice of ½ lemon, 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon, 1 Tbsp chopped capers, and lots of fresh pepper. FIXINGS Lettuce and tomato, if you want 464 calories, 33g protein, 29g carbs (5g fiber), 24g fat 3 Ground Lamb Pita BASE…

Awe can render profound changes in the brain that last a lifetime, says neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, M.D. “An epiphany experience literally can alter your brain forever”. That was true for astronaut Scoot Kelly, who spent 340 Consecutive days on the International Space Station. “I was a fighter pilot trained to be a killer.” he says. But after four space flights, including a year in orbit, he says his “emotional attachment to humanity” hugely intensified, curtailing his urge to shoot enemies. “When you see the earth floating there, you realize we’re all part of this shared experience and we need to work together better to advance the human condition.” Kelly’ transformation—known to psychologists as the overview effect—is remarkable, but unfortunately unattianable to those of us stuck on terra firma.…

David Jack Cofounder, Activlab, Phoenix Tap into big emotion Dedicate your workout to an intention greater than yourself that moves you—a sick parent or a cause you believe in, for example. It becomes deeply powerful. Write it on your wrist and look at it throughout your workout. Ben Sweeney, CFL2 Brick New York, New York City Prove the haters wrong For tough workouts, I get fired up by reminding myself of all the people who doubted me or questioned my abilities or said I would never find any success. Then I tell myself I’m about to prove them all wrong. Bobby Maximus Author of The Maximus Body Ladder your reps Let’s say my goal is 55 reps of a movement. You don’t do them all at once. I do 10…

Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., Men’s Health fitness editor @ebenezersamuel23 WARMUP To maximize your arm exercises and prevent injury, don’t let your shoulders roll forward. Prone cobras will strengthen your shoulders and the stabilizing muscles in your back. 1 Prone cobra Lie facedown on the floor with your legs straight, arms at your sides, and palms down. Drive your hips into the floor. Contract your glutes, raising your legs off the floor. Simultaneously inhale and tighten the muscles in your upper back, raising your chest, head, and arms off the floor; rotate your thumbs toward the ceiling as you do this. Hold for 4 seconds, and then return to the start. That’s 1 rep. Do 2 sets of 10. STRENGTH Do 3 rounds of this muscle-building circuit. Rest 1 minute between each…