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Men's Health|May/June 2024THE MH TEAM REVEAL THEIR … FAVORITE CARBA GOOD BAKED POTATO IS EASY TO PREPARE AND INSTANTLY MAKES AN ENJOYABLE COMFORT-FOOD MEAL.–TED STAFFORD FASHION DIRECTORPOTATO CHIPS. I CAN NEVER HAVE JUST ONE (BAG).–BRETT WILLIAMS SENIOR EDITORI ENJOY BEANS. LOVE BEANS. PINTO, LENTILS, WHATEVER. THEY’RE HEARTY AND DELICIOUS AND MAKE ME FEEL GREAT.–JASON SPEAKMAN ASSOCIATE DIGITAL VISUAL EDITORTHE FREE BREAD YOU GET BEFORE A MEAL AT A RESTAURANT. IT’S THE PRICE THAT MAKES IT NICE.–NOJAN AMINOSHAREI ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTORAPPLE JACKS CEREAL. IT’S NOSTALGIC. GOTTA TREAT YOURSELF SOMETIMES.–GIANCARLOS KUNHARDT ASSOCIATE VISUAL EDITOROATMEAL. IT’S THE BEST WAY TO START THE DAY.–MILAN POLK ASSISTANT EDITORSWEET POTATOES. LOVE THEM WITH LOTS OF WARM SPICES UNDER BRAISED MEATS AND STEWS.–MATT RYAN SENIOR ART DIRECTOR…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024Are SEED OILS really that BAD FOR YOU?—@SEAN020588JEEZ, SEAN. WOULDN’T you rather talk about something less polarizing, like politics or AI? You’re probably asking because some folks on Instagram and TikTok swear that cooking oils made from seeds (canola, corn, soybean, etc.) can cause disease-stoking inflammation, bloat your waistline, pockmark your face with acne, and basically murder you in your sleep. Some in this anti-seed-oil camp also allege vast government and corporate conspiracies—capitalism, man—but we’ll leave that in its rabbit hole.Now, I hate a food fight—nobody comes out clean, and the waste!—but since you’re asking: There is no solid scientific evidence that connects seed oils, per se, to any specific health issue. I’m italicizing those words because (1) Latin and (2) seed oils are often found in ultra-processed foods (snack cakes, fried foods, all-purpose edible garbage), and…2 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024MVP MEMBER OF THE MONTHLESTER HANKESSTATSAGE: 68OCCUPATION: Retired CPALOCATION: Marietta, GAMEN’S HEALTH MVP members have access to the best health, fitness, and entertainment coverage on the entire Internet. And each month, we survey our MVPs to choose one guy who is changing his life. Sign up at join.menshealth.com and you could see yourself here one day.ONE FOOD I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUTEggplant parmigiana.HOW I STAY MOTIVATEDKeeping my age at bay.MY DREAM CELEB WORKOUT PARTNERArnold Schwarzenegger.MY ROLE MODELMy dearly departed father-in-law, an honest, successful businessman who was dedicated to his wife and family.MY PUMP-UP JAMAny rock number from Bob Seger or Bruce Springsteen.WHAT MAKES ME FEEL STRONGHolding my two grandsons—one in each arm.…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024THE MOVEMENT + MUSCLE WORKOUTWARMUPSPIDERMAN LUNGE WITH ROTATING REACHStart in pushup position, abs and glutes tight, then step your right foot to just outside your right hand (a). Squeeze your left glute. Now lift your right hand off the ground; reach it in front of you. Trace a large circle backward with your hand, following it with your eyes as you do (b). Reverse the moves to pushup position and repeat on the other side. Do reps for 40 seconds, then rest for 20; do 3 sets.TANK BY GYMSHARK; SHORTS BY ATHLETEGY; SNEAKERS BY REEBOK.DIRECTIONS: This workout has two parts. When possible, do the field portion to train speed first, then hit the gym for strength; do this 3 times a week. You can also hit the field one day and train for strength…3 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024THE NEW SCIENCE OF HIP MOBILITYYOU WANT BIGGER arms and a chiseled chest. Oh, and don’t forget stronger legs—super important. Oh, and a resilient core, too! So the last thing you want to do is train your hips—we get it. But here’s the thing: Your lack of hip TLC just may be holding you backYes, really. Sure, there was a time when hip mobility mattered only if you were doing Jean-Claude Van Damme splits on Volvo trucks. But these days, more and more trainers are recognizing that tight hips can stealthily wreck nearly every part of your life. New hip stretches and exercises often flood FitTok, and a Google search for “hip mobility” turns up about 1 million results.“It’s good that it’s trending,” says veteran trainer Lee Boyce. “Hip functionality dictates the efficiency of many…3 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024THE PANCREASTHE PANCREAS PRIMERWHAT IT DOESIT’S ALMOST like two organs wrapped in one. First, it makes hormones that regulate blood sugar, preventing diabetes and its complications, like fatigue and ED. Second, it helps digest food. When that goes wrong, you may lose weight and have bathroom issues.WHAT IT LIKESANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIETS: For people with risk factors for pancreatic issues (family history, alcohol overuse), an eating plan featuring whole foods (like a Mediterranean-style diet) is beneficial.EXERCISE: Physical activity keeps body fat in check, which helps out your pancreas by working against diabetes. It aids your immune system and may help it avert cancers like pancreatic cancer.WHAT IT DOESN’T LIKESMOKING: Cigarettes are harmful because they can cause inflammation and cellular DNA damage that affect the pancreas. Cigars and weed probably are, too, but there’s…3 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024FACEBEST CLEANSERIlia Beauty The CleanseOur tester said this foam went on light but removed dirt and oil with minimal effort. $32BEST ANTIOXIDANT SERUMPaula’s Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical SerumThis skin brightener has two active ingredients, yet it never feels intense or irritates. $62BEST ACNE TREATMENTNeutrogena 0.1% Adapalene GelThe prescription-strength retinoid improves acne so effectively that one tester noticed breakout-prone skin clearing up within a week. $30BEST ANTIAGING SERUMSkinCeuticals Cell Cycle CatalystThis multi-acid complex boosts the speed at which your skin cells turn over, aiding in exfoliation and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. $115BEST EYE PATCHESPeter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Hydra-GelThese patches depuff bags and brighten dark circles, and their glycolic acid and retinol smooth fine lines and other signs of aging. $65BEST ACNE MASKMurad Rapid Relief…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024BODYBEST DEODORANTOld Spice GentleMan’s Total Body SprayThis aluminum-free mist is good for your pits but also formulated for anywhere else below the neck. (Yes, even there.) $13BEST ANTIPERSPIRANTDove Men+Care Midnight Classico StickThis sweat stopper kept us bone dry for hours, and the moisturizing vitamin E prevented any irritation. $8BEST TATTOO PRODUCTHustle Butter Revitalizing StickThe travel-friendly stick has shea butter, coconut oil, and sunflower extract to make tats pop like brand-new. $23BEST BODY WASHMethod Men Glacier + GraniteThis rich-lathering wash uses plant-based moisturizers to keep your skin soft and smooth after cleansing. $8PASS THE BARThe return of bar soap is officially here. The best depends on what you need.BEST FOR BUDGETSDove Men+Care Plant Powered Exfoliating Charcoal + Clove OilSmall in price, mighty on skin—a plant-based cleanser with essential oils (olive, jojoba,…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024MIKEY DAY’SGLOW-UPMIKEY DAY’S FIRST experience with inappropriate laughter was in third grade. It was during a school play called Stone Soup, he says. While the details of the play are fuzzy (come on, he was nine), he remembers he had to drop a stone into a metal bowl. So he dropped it—hard. The rock clanged; the class laughed, even though they weren’t supposed to. Now 44 and a core cast member of Saturday Night Live, Day says he never forgot that feeling.Day actually joined SNL as a writer back in 2013. He toiled on the show from behind a desk, watching sketches he wrote land and flop. And then in 2016, David S. Pumpkins was born. As Day tells it, he came up with the idea of Tom Hanks as Pumpkins,…2 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024FRAUD-PROOFYOUR FINANCESEVEN IN 2024—when we think we’ve heard all the ways scammers can trick Grandma out of her life savings—financial fraud is still on the rise. And it’s not just happening to Grandma.The latest report from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center featured some shocking numbers. The center received more than 880,000 complaints in 2023, totaling over $12.5 billion in losses. Of those who reported their age, 24 percent of the complaints were filed by people over the age of 60 and about 21 percent came from millennials. (Credit $3.94 billion in cryptocurrency-based investment scams, which target pretty much everybody.)If all that raises your anxiety levels, you can make yourself a more elusive target with three simple steps.STEP 1: WISE UPDATA SHOWS THAT modern fraudsters love to phish, a scam that…3 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024GLOBE-HOPBulova OceanographerThe face allows you to check the date and two time zones, all while submerged up to 200 meters below sea level. (And on land, too.) $1,295Seiko 5 Sports SKXThis steel watch’s charcoal-gray dial is framed by a bicolor bezel and features a 24-hour GMT, plus a “cyclops” magnified date lens. Luminous markers and hands make reading easy. $475Norqain NeverestThis Swiss watch features an ironclad, water-resistant, stainless-steel construction. And its “jumping” hour hand enables you to quick-switch time zones with a crown twist. $3,950Citizen Series 8GMT functionality paired with a tough-as-nails stainless-steel case makes this watch ideal for the constantly moving business traveler. $1,695…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024IT’SOKNOTTO BEOKACCORDING TO OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS—and probably half of the conversations you’ve had in the past year—things are rough. Nearly one in three U.S. adults say they had depression and anxiety symptoms in 2023, according to Census Bureau data. And there’s no sign of improvement.It isn’t just us Americans, either, the World Health Organization confirms. Which is actually good news, because there’s a building global effort to help us all feel more okay. The UK is pioneering on-demand, seven-day-a-week therapy clinics where it’s as easy to get help as it is a shave. Croatia is piloting digital facial scans that read your anxiety level and recommend a health checkup if it’s high.Cutting-edge, yes, but what about low-tech, low-effort ways to help you feel better right now? Experts agree that there are ways…2 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024HOW I KEEP IT TOGETHER with IMRAN AHMEDONLINE OUTRAGE CULTURE isn’t slowing down, so neither is Imran Ahmed, 45, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, which exposes hate-mongers and pressures platforms to reform. Among its projects: uncovering the Disinformation Dozen—the 12 people behind 65 percent of online vaccine misinformation. In aiming to counter hate, Ahmed gets a lot of it. Here’s how he manages:5:00 A.M.TRIAGESince we also operate in the UK and Europe, I’ve got to be 100 percent when I wake up—there are always messages needing attention first thing. I identify items that need action and address urgent messages. After that, it’s coffee, showering, dressing, and saying good morning to my wife.5:45 A.M.DECISIONS, DECISIONSEverything for me is oriented around being able to make great decisions and communicate them effectively. I like to take on…2 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024WHAT MADE MEMORE OKAYLearning a Team SportChris Baker52, ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL TEACHERI had done individual sports for most of my life, but in 2021 I decided to try ice hockey. I bought some used equipment and showed up at an adult pickup game and basically said, “Can I play?” It has brought me more than I expected. I’ve learned to love the good and bad of being on a team. Sometimes you feel you’ve let your teammates down, but you have camaraderie when you make an assist. It’s given me a new reason to keep up with myself.Caring for PlantsNelson ZêPequéno34, ARTIST AND FOUNDER OF @BLACKMENWITHGARDENSI bought some succulents as a way to learn how to draw them. It was a low point in my life, and one day I looked at them on the…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024“EVERYTHING YOU WANT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR.”IT’S A BLUE-SKY MARCH DAY on the New York Street back lot at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. The acrid smoke of burning rubber wafts in the air around The Fall Guy director David Leitch and star Ryan Gosling. The reported $125 million movie dropped May 3 and is loosely inspired by the ’80s TV action series about stunt performers. The smoke comes from stunt driver Logan Holladay, who is behind the wheel of a 750-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. He’s spinning doughnuts around Gosling and Leitch for their Men’s Health cover shoot. The actor and director seem genuinely close, having spent six months filming the movie in Australia. “Anytime they let you burn rubber and don’t kick you out is a good day,” quips Gosling.The 43-year-old Canadian still has…18 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024GUY’S RECIPE FOR REINVENTIONGUY FIERI IS PREPARING A SENSIBLE SALAD.It’s nearing lunchtime at Fieri’s 42-acre compound in California’s wine country, a stretch of rolling Steinbeckian earth that is the 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue of Flavortown, U. S.A. Fieri is dressed in a black tee and dripping silver bling as he commands the outdoor kitchen in his backyard. Wood in a Santa Maria grill is kicking up flames. A bulbous brick oven is at full tilt. And Fieri, knife in hand, is hot on this salad. He slivers fennel into white toothpicks. He chops herbs, slices a Fresno chile thin, and cubes Medjool dates.“All the colors! All the flavors! All the textures!” he says in the same near-yell you’ve heard if you’ve watched TV in the past two decades. Next, he rough-cuts grapefruit and orange…11 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024PORKFULL(ISH) ENGLISH BREAKFASTIn a large pan, fry 2 slices bacon till mostly crisp and 2 sausage links till cooked through. Remove, then add 1 cup sliced button mushrooms and 1 small halved tomato, cut sides down. Cook until the mushrooms brown, 5 minutes. Transfer to the plate with the meat; keep warm. Add 2 eggs to the pan, plus oil if needed. Cut 1 slice bread on the diagonal and toast both sides in the pan. Transfer everything to the plate. In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat ½ cup canned beans in tomato sauce. Season everything with salt and pepper.CHORIZO POTATO OMELETIn a large oiled pan over medium, add ½ cup roughly chopped onions and 2 oz sliced Spanish chorizo. Saute until the onion is translucent. Stir in 1 cup…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024EGGSBREAKFAST BURGERCombine 4 oz ground beef with 1 Tbsp onion flakes, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Form into a patty and cook in a pan over medium, flipping halfway (8 minutes total for medium). Add an egg to the pan and cook sunny side up. Toast a split multigrain English muffin with . slice cheese on each half. Stack the egg on the burger, add to the muffin, and top with ketchup, sriracha, or chile crisp.SUNDAY QUICHEPreheat your oven to 375°F. Roll out a store-bought pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish. Add 1 cup diced ham, ½ cup chopped onions, ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar, and ½ cup shredded mozzarella. In a bowl, whisk 4 egg whites, 3 whole eggs, ½ cup half-and-half, ½ tsp each…2 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024CHICKENEGG & SAUSAGE SOLDIERSIn a small pot, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. Gently add 2 eggs, cover, and cook, 6 minutes. Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water until cooled. Heat 4 chicken breakfast-sausage links. Peel and halve the eggs;
Men's Health|May/June 2024CARBS: A TIMELINE!600,000 B.C.Paleolithic early humans’ consumption of starchy foods rapidly expands their brains.10,000 B.C.Humans begin to grow wheat in and around the Fertile Crescent.5,000 B.C.Humans in Asia start cultivating rice, a crop that goes on to become the staple carbohydrate for half the world’s population.168 B.C.Taoist priests in China practice the avoidance of grain to help them achieve immortality.1838Jean-Baptiste Dumas coins the term glucose for the sugar obtained from honey, grapes, and starch.1921Wonder Bread—white, sugary, and enriched—hits the market.1928Otto Frederick Rohwedder invents a bread-slicing machine, the best invention since …?1972Dr. Robert Atkins publishes Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution.1982Diet co*ke debuts with zero calories and sugar (and carbs).1992The first USDA Food Pyramid recommends six to 11 servings of grains a day. (Some critics say this approach leads to weight gain.)1994Interest in the low-carb…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024From the Editors of Men's HealthNo More Excuses.Get Stronger, Smarter, Better withPREMIUM ALL ACCESSSay goodbye to excuses with the MVP Premium membership from Men’s Health, designed to help readers like you dominate your fitness routine by offering best-in-class workouts anytime, anywhere. Premium membership offers personalized expertise to help you meet and exceed your goals.ENJOY ALL THE BENEFITS OF PRINT AND DIGITAL MEMBERSHIPS, PLUS:Access to Men's Health streaming workouts on the All/Out Studio app (value $89.99)Hundreds of on-demand workouts led by world-class trainers, with new fitness programs added each monthA special discount off your next purchase at the Men's Health ShopUnlock Premium today for less than $2/week Sign up at menshealth.com/premium or scan to join.…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 202410 YEARS OF ULTIMATENOAH GALLOWAY was named the first Ultimate Men’s Health Guy in 2014. The former soldier went on to be a Dancing with the Stars phenom and is now a father of four and an F45 trainer.In 2016, JEDIDIAH BALLARD, D.O., took the title. He’s still ripped and working as an ER physician, and he’s a current member of our Advisory Board.LEO MOORE, M.D., won the most recent contest and used his platform to further push for the destigmatization of HIV. He also launched Fit150, an online fitness community.If you (or someone you know) has the drive to join the ranks of Ultimate Guy winners, look for upcoming ways to enter the contest.SHOP MH-APPROVED STUFF!Our favorite protein powder, dumbbells, and recovery gear could be yours, too. Head to shop.menshealth.com.…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024THE NEW PLYO POWER-UPSCROLL FITNESS INSTAGRAM and TikTok and you’ll see @jtm_fit doing flying pushups off (or onto!) a stack of dumbbells, @JustFlySports bounding across 20 meters of turf on just …one … leg, and @BrotherFaris doing insane hurdle hops.It’s a frenetic feed of jumps and leaps and explosive moves that might make you wonder if your own workout needs revving up. And the truth is, this time the fitfluencers are actually onto something.All those viral posts have reintroduced a classic kind of movement called plyometrics, a specialized training modality that pushes your body to essentially jump, land, and then immediately jump again. These high-speed training moves are usually reserved for pro athletes, because the exercises can be very technical (and when performed incorrectly can increase your risk of injury) and sports scientists…3 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024THE OLYMPIC FENCERMILES CHAMLEY-WATSON grunts through his eighth pullup rep, then lowers his six-foot-four frame back to the floor. Hands on his knees, he catches his breath, then flips the bird and grins. “F*** you guys.” Moments later, he’s doing a Copenhagen plank, a devastating side exercise that requires you to place one leg on a bench while the other hovers in midair. After 20 seconds, he collapses to the floor. “I need a Guinness,” he says half seriously.It’s quintessential Chamley-Watson, cracking jokes and making quips to hide his quiet intensity. Truth is, the 34-year-old is going hard during this three-round-circuit strength workout in the Men’s Health gym in Manhattan partly because he knows exactly what’s at stake: In three months, he’ll be part of America’s best hope for a team fencing…4 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024HOW TO STAY HIP!HIP CIRCLETake your hips through their greatest range of motion. Start on all fours, knees beneath hips. Keeping your knee bent, lift your right leg outward to the right, then rotate it in a wide arc so that your right foot points toward the ceiling. Reverse the movement back to the start. Repeat 6 to 8 times per side.SEATED HIP LIFTBuild hip flexor strength. Sit on the floor, chest up, legs straight, a kettlebell or another object just outside your right ankle. Keeping your legs straight, lift your right leg over the object and touch your heel to the floor; return to the start. Do 8 to 10 reps per side.CRESCENT LUNGETo loosen tight hip flexors, set up in a half-kneeling stance, right knee on the floor. Squeeze your right…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024WHEN CANCER COMES FOR YOUR NUTSAT FIRST I felt a twinge of pain, but that’s a tricky thing because generally if you press on your nuts, they hurt. So I thought, Yeah, it’s probably nothing. But I still wanted to get a physical and an STD check. I go to the doctor, and he says, “This is probably nothing, but go pee in a cup and get an ultrasound and we’ll know for sure.”It’s the Thursday before Labor Day weekend in August of 2017. I was traveling for work, and I came back and I was like, “Oh, f*ck, I should probably get that ultrasound done.” I go and get an STD panel and the ultrasound and all the tests. The doctor called me immediately and said, “You got to come back.” I come back…7 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024SPF: HEAD TO TOEBEST SPRAYPipette Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30It’s made to be safe for babies, so this ultra-gentle formula is suitable for the most sensitive skin. Plus, the mineral offers supreme protection from damaging UV rays. $16BEST LOTIONVersed Total Package Replenishing Body Lotion Mineral SPF 30This moisturizing, skin-nourishing rub-on is the smoothest sunscreen we’ve found—ever. $20BEST FACE SPFEltaMD Skincare UV AOX Elements Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Tinted SunscreenOur tester said the high SPF felt “strong” yet still comfortable to wear all day. The tint ensures no white residue. $45BEST SERUMKiehl’s Better Screen UV SerumIts high-level SPF 50+ protection also contains a collagen peptide, which helps reduce signs of sun damage over time. $42…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024FRAGRANCEGiorgio Armani Acqua di Giò ParfumThis fresh, aquatic cologne feels like a beach trip in a bottle. $108Arquiste Parfumeur L’Etrog AcquaCitrus and wood combine for a luxury scent you can wear anywhere. $205Brunello Cucinelli Pour HommeCypress and herbs make you feel like you’re in Italy—for far less than the plane ticket to get there. $210Gucci Guilty Elixir de Parfum Pour HommeLeather and vanilla give this cologne a sweetness that’s anchored in spices. Wear it day or night. $183Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de ToiletteWarm and spicy, this cologne is bold and unexpected. $119Ralph Lauren Ralph’s Club Elixir SprayIt’s black tie in a bottle: lavandin, sage, patchouli, leather. Fancy. $140BEST SCENTS FOR UNDER $100Good Chemistry Unknown LegendEucalyptus, violet, and charcoal give the fragrance an herbal, desert vibe. $29Huron Sea Salt +…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024HAIRBEST MULTI-USE PRODUCTAmerican Crew 3-in-1 Chamomile + Pine Shampoo, Conditioner and Body WashThis time-saving trio has a fresh yet soothing scent that isn’t overpowering—or too blah. $15BEST SCALP SCRUBJack Black Exfoliating Scalp Scrub + ShampooSub this in for your regular shampoo once or twice a week to let its exfoliator clean and sweep away buildup. $35BEST HAIR SERUMVirtue Damage Reverse SerumApply a few pumps of the keratin-packed serum daily to repair, strengthen, and smooth damaged and frizzed hair. $60BEST STYLING CREAMOars + Alps Conditioning + Defining CreamOur tester raved that this cream made their hair soft and provided a natural hold. $16…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024ENDURETudor Pelagos FXDA titanium hood that’s waterproof up to 200 meters houses a self-winding mechanism and a massive 70-hour power reserve. (Forty is typical.) $4,150Longines Spirit FlybackA chronometer and a stopwatch that resets and restarts with one button are both armored within a titanium case with a rock-solid ceramic bezel. $4,850Victorinox Dive ProThe tough titanium case and sapphire-crystal display have the coveted ISO 1413 shock-resistant certification. Even the strap, rubber or paracord, is strong. $1,500Rolex Yacht-Master 42This sleek Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42mm watch is light on the wrist yet mighty, courtesy of its high-strength titanium. $14,050…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024WHAT MAKES A FATHER TOUGHGRIT IS …ALL THE FEELINGSRESILIENCE IS AT the forefront of my daily thoughts. I remember with stunning clarity the conversations my father had with me when I was younger than my sons are now. He talked about the thick skin I’d have to develop when people judged me for the color of it. That was a lot for a little kid with big feelings to digest.As a mixed-race Black father, I know now, and maybe sensed then, that my father had big feelings, too—“sensed” because they were hidden behind that gritty facade, a stoic exterior nacre-hardened by surviving a world that tried to kill him. The way he showed his big feelings was to pass as many pearls of wisdom as possible to his son. And he did what he…7 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024OFF-LOADTHE PROMPT JOURNALS flooding the TikTok shop are the rare social-media trend that mental-wellness pros actually get behind. If the word journaling gives you hives, these fill-in-the-blank routes ease the pain by prompting you. No staring down a blank page and trying to figure out what to put there that’s not totally cringe.Writing down what’s on your mind isn’t just a thing counselors and Tim Ferriss tell you to do. Research has found it can help reduce mental distress and increase resilience in those with anxiety. People often resist “journaling” of any sort because they think it has to be deep, or you have to write a gratitude list, or even something that makes sense. Nope. “It’s really just a way to process our thoughts,” says Kenly Brozman, a health…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024CONSIDER MEDSANTIDEPRESSANTS HAVE been around for about seven decades. Right now we need them more than ever. About 21 million Americans every year have at least one major depressive episode. Pharma companies are always trying to come up with newer meds that work better. In some cases, they’re succeeding. Lexapro, an antidepressant developed in the early 2000s, has fewer side effects than clomipramine, developed in the ’60s. Auvelity, which gained FDA approval two years ago, takes less time to act than some other antidepressants. There’s even a drug in development right now that you may need to take for only two weeks—and then you’re done. And amid these advancements, studies are offering glimmers of hope that GLP-1 receptor agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) might help treat depression.But what gets lost in the…2 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024THESOUNDTRACK TO A CALMER YOULAST YEAR, I lost a friend of mine who was close to me. I was going to speak at his memorial, and I needed to get into the space of what I would say. I needed something to calm me, something to give me inspiration. I went to Kamasi Washington. I went to John Coltrane. I even went to some A Tribe Called Quest. This music helped me get into the mindset where I could say something sincere and thoughtful and find peace in what I was saying.That’s a kind of meditation to me. Meditation is a form of centering myself, quieting my mind, listening to the truest parts of me, and removing anything I don’t need at that moment to be centered. If thoughts come up, I just move…5 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024RAPID FIRERYAN GOSLINGDAVID LEITCHFAVORITE ACTION MOVIE?“I love Duel. It’s insane that it was Spielberg’s first film.”“Jackie Chan’s Police Story.”GO-TO KARAOKE SONG?“I don’t have one!”“‘Wanted Dead or Alive,’ by Bon Jovi.”LAST BOOK, TV SERIES, OR PODCAST YOU RECOMMENDED TO A FRIEND?“The last season of Love Is Blind. I heard the new season is even better—but I’ve been busy.”“Shōgun. Hiroyuki Sanada is amazing.”DREAM PARTNER TO TRAIN WITH IN THE GYM?“Bruce Lee. One of my favorite movies is No Retreat, No Surrender. Bruce appears to this kid in his mirror and trains him and teaches him how to deal with bullies.”“You can’t take Bruce Lee—he was my choice! Next would be Mike Tyson.”FRENEMY EXERCISE?“Stretching. I never take time to stretch. That’s probably the thing I need to do most.”“Burpees crush everything. Burpees are hard,…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024HOW A GUY EATSWHAT YOU’LL NEED2 FENNEL BULBS, SLICED VERY THIN ¼ CUP CHAMPAGNE VINEGAR 1 TSP DIJON MUSTARD 6 TBSP EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL ½ CUP CHOPPED DATES 1 TBSP CHOPPED FRESH BASIL 1 TBSP CHOPPED FRESH CILANTRO 1 TBSP CHOPPED FRESH MINT 1 MEDIUM RED CHILE (SUCH AS A FRESNO OR CAYENNE), THINLY SLICED SEGMENTS FROM 2 ORANGES SEGMENTS FROM 1 GRAPEFRUIT 2 TBSP CHOPPED PISTACHIOSHOW TO MAKE IT1. In a bowl of ice water, soak the sliced fennel till crisp, about 5 minutes. Strain, dry well, and set aside.2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the vinegar, mustard, and some salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil to make dressing. Add the dates, basil, cilantro, mint, chile, citrus segments, and fennel. Toss well, then divide the salad among 4 serving…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024CONFESSIONS OF ACEREAL KILLERANY SEINFELD OBSESSIVE knows Jerry’s “usual” at Monk’s: a bowl of Cheerios. Jerry Seinfeld has sprinkled his enduring appreciation for cereal—and other processed breakfast foods—throughout his work. He even made a whole movie about Pop-Tarts, the Netflix comedy Unfrosted, out now. Don’t get us wrong, we stand by the high-protein breakfasts in the pages that precede these. But when you want to recapture the childhood joy of sneaking into the kitchen after bedtime to tear into some Froot Loops, Seinfeld is here to tell you how to do it right.MEN’S HEALTH: You’re famously a lover of breakfast foods. How did it start?JERRY SEINFELD: You just cannot believe what I ate as a child. I would have cereal in the morning, Pop-Tarts in the afternoon. Then I’d eat a little bit…4 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024GET YOUR INFLUENCE ON!Be willing to hear feedback. And use a trusted critic to filter that feedback, because we’re not always going to have the right POV.—ROBIN ARZÓN, PELOTON’S VP OF FITNESS PROGRAMMING AND HEAD INSTRUCTORWhatever field you’re in, study those people. If I want to be this person, what does that mean? There’s a process, there’s a sacrifice that’s going to have to happen. Life is a cheat sheet.—CUTTINO MOBLEY, EX–NBA PLAYERBuild a profitable business, because if you’re not profitable, you can’t stay in business.—JULIAN BARNES, BUSINESS ADVISORBe unapologetically yourself. There’s a billion people in this world, so my advice is: Do not become a slave to the character that you create.—ACKEEM EMMONS, TONAL COACHJOIN IN!Registration for the MH/WH Strength in Diversity Initiative, which aims to elevate trainers from marginalized communities through…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024YOUR ULTIMATEPLYO STARTER KIT1. MINI-POGOWHY IT MATTERS: Consider this the ultimate beginner plyo exercise. The mini-pogo teaches you to exert maximum force, almost entirely from your ankles and calves.HOW TO DO IT: Stand with your abs and glutes tight. Jump straight off the floor, aiming to bend your hips and knees as little as possible. (Don’t expect a massively high jump.) Flex your feet hard in midair, then land on the balls of your feet. Repeat this continuously for 30 seconds. Do 3 rounds.2. PLYO BROAD JUMPWHY IT MATTERS: This move pushes you to explode forward, building ankle and hip power (and challenging more lower-body mobility than you may think, too).HOW TO DO IT: Start standing, then push your butt back, bend your knees, and leap forward as far as you can. Land…2 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024GOT L-THEANINEON THE BRAIN?THE CLAIMSSupplement companies say that their L-theanine pills and powders can help you focus, ease your stress, boost your immunity, and deepen your sleep. Plus, it’s an amino acid found naturally in tea-producing plants and some mushrooms. You know, healthy things.WHAT’S ACTUALLY TRUEThe amino acid helps your cells, hormones, and metabolism function. And science has shown that L-theanine can pass the blood-brain barrier, so it’s possible that taking it could improve mental function and prevent cognitive decline.WHAT’S MAYBE SORTA TRUEThere’s some science to suggest brain benefits: People who supplement with L-theanine may sleep more soundly, stress less, think better, and potentially stave off mental decline. “But the key word is suggest,” says Perri Halperin, R.D., a clinical nutrition coordinator at Mount Sinai Health System in N. Y. C.WHAT’S NOT TRUENo…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024HOW THIS GUY ACEDTHE FINE POINTS OF DEALINGWITH PSORIASISDAQUANE CHERRY WAS still in elementary school when he started finding dry, scaly patches on his scalp. It wasn’t until middle school that the N. Y.C.-based artist discovered his issue was much more than typical dandruff. He had psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that produces red, raised, often itchy skin. It affects more than 8 million Americans. Cherry tried several medications and lifestyle changes until he landed on a strategy that worked. Here’s how the now-26-year-old finally found comfort in his own skin.GO SOLARCHERRY SEES SIGNIFICANT improvement in the health of his skin when he consistently spends time outdoors. Sunlight helps you produce vitamin D, says Corey L. Hartman, M.D., a dermatologist and MH advisor. “Low vitamin D levels are correlated with severity of psoriasis symptoms.” Dr. Hartman recommends getting 10…2 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024THE ONE-TOOLHOME GYMBEST FOR ARM GAINSSMRTFT NÜOBELLThe Nüobell goes from five to 80 pounds, offering you light loads for shoulder exercises but also plenty of challenge for leg moves like goblet squats.FROM $745; SMRTFT.COMBEST FOR MIXING IT UPSTROOPS BELLITRONThe magic is in how you can connect them to form a 90-pound mini barbell, perfect for close-grip bench presses.$270 PER DUMBBELL; STROOPS.COMBEST FOR TIGHT SPACESBOWFLEX SELECTTECH 1090They efficiently switch from ten to 90 pounds, though the larger width might make biceps curls and some overhead presses uncomfortable.$799; BOWFLEX.COMBEST FOR HEAVY LIFTERSPOWERBLOCK PRO 50PowerBlock’s unique shape makes it highly durable, and optional expansion packs mean the weights can grow with you as you get stronger.$499; POWERBLOCK.COMBEST FOR BEGINNERSYES4ALL CAST IRONThis classic dumbbell set may not let you load up a ton of weight, but…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024TEETHBEST WHITENING PRODUCTGo Smile BLU Professional SonicPop in the mouthpiece, go do something else for two to five minutes, and pop it back into its charging station. Hands-free! $119BEST WATER FLOSSERPhilips Sonicare Cordless 3000Quad-stream technology(!) ensures that this power flosser covers more area in less time, with three intensity settings. $80BEST TOOTHPASTEHello Vitamin C WhiteningInstead of the usual hydrogen peroxide, this peppermint toothpaste leverages vitamin C to whiten your teeth. $8BEST MOUTHWASHMoon Charcoal Mouth RinseThis alcohol-free rinse left our tester’s mouth feeling clean and fresh without any burning or dryness. $17…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024SHAVE / BEARDBEST RAZORDr. Squatch Safety RazorThe balance on this blade leads to an easy, close shave. One tester reported that it was “the best-designed safety razor I have tried.” $70BEST BEARD OILEvery Man Jack Small Batch Beard OilThe trifecta of jojoba, squalane, and avocado oils helps this stuff stay lightweight. The smoky, woodsy scent is nice, too. $12BEST SHAVE CREAMThe Shop Shave CreamThis surprisingly thin formula poofs to a lather and provides an especially smooth shave no matter the razor type. $10For 50 more award-winners, head to menshealth.com/mens-health-2024-grooming-awards.…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024SHRIMP. RICE. MUSCLE.You could try to argue that carbohydrates will sabotage your fitness goals, but then you’d have chef JJ Johnson to answer to. Not only does Johnson own the rice-centric FieldTrip restaurants in N. Y.C., but he’s also literally written the book on it, The Simple Art of Rice. “Some perfectly steamed rice—it’s so satisfying in a way that a shake can never be,” he says. It’s not that he’s anti-shake. It’s just that after a weight workout, Pilates session, round of boxing, or Barry’s Bootcamp class, Johnson says he needs something more. And as a guy who’s lost 30 pounds since 2020 and built muscles he’s never seen before, he feels like he deserves the joy that real food brings. His next goal: getting in more cardio with weekly swims.HERBED…2 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024RACEBreitling Avenger B01Three stopwatch functions. Rust- and water-resistant. A 70-hour power reserve. It’s one of the most resilient chronos out there. $10,500Tissot PR516This throwback style was worn by Bond himself in 1973’s Live and Let Die. The modern reinterpretation has a 68-hour power reserve backing up a trio of chronograph dials. $1,850Rado Captain CookThis chronograph has sea legs. The titanium-and-bronze case blocks corrosion from salt water, and an antireflective, scratch-resistant crystal face helps with readability. $4,750Movado Heritage Series Calendoplan SThis sporty chrono’s right subdial serves as a seconds counter, the bottom an hour counter with a date window, and the left a minute counter. $1,095…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024SAVAN-AHHHHHH1. BEACH X2Head to Tybee Island’s beaches in the A.M., before crowds descend. Lunch on oysters and Wagyu hot dogs at Sea Wolf, then walk to North Beach and grab a board from Tybee Surf Lessons for an afternoon workout.2. RIDE ROUGHRoughly 20 minutes from downtown, Tom Triplett Park has 7.5 miles of mountain-bike trails that twist through wooded terrain. (The tightly wound Bone Pit loop is especially gnarly.)3. HIKE IT OFFSkidaway Island State Park has the Big Ferry Trail, a three-miler that winds beneath oaks, crosses paths with deer and egrets, and passes Civil War–era historic sites. Tack on the Sandpiper and Avian loops for more mileage.4. BAR HOPStart with Moodright’s duckpin bowling, Uber to Savoy Society for Spam sliders and then to the Rail Pub for karaoke, before…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024PLAN A HANGWITH THE 2023 surgeon general’s report tagging how loneliness is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, start-ups, of course, are aiming to fill the social void. Peoplehood, for instance, and the forthcoming Belong Center facilitate in-person sessions to help you build relationships. Probably fine, but instead of forcing it with strangers (and paying), try bringing people you know into things you already do. Invite someone to join you on your Friday lunch run. Build or cook stuff with others. Check in at a climbing gym, where you need to be belayed. If that’s not your style, reframe your thoughts about it. A 2020 Harvard study found that people who reappraised alone time as “solitude” and not “loneliness” stayed in a better mood.…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024SEEK TO UNDERSTANDELECTION ANGST IS back. This time, stave off that frustration and maybe even some infighting among friends and family with strategies from Monica Guzman, a senior fellow at Braver Angels, an organization that helps people manage partisan animosity.HOW DO YOU AVOID CLASHES?ONE WAY IS to wait a little longer before jumping in with your opinion. For instance, in 2016 my mother voted for Trump and I voted for Clinton. I called her the night of that election. I was worried at a deep level that something had broken in America.And my mother, to her credit, listened for a very long time. I’m her daughter, and I was in pain, so she listened. And then what she said wasn’t that I was wrong. She talked about growing up in Mexico knowing…2 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024FLAVOR, FUEL,FUN:THE AMAZING POWER OF FOODFIVE YEARS AGO, eating well seemed brutally complicated. Not one, not two, but three major diets were vying for your allegiance. And, dear God, were they all so difficult. Whole30 demanded that you cut out all added sugar for a full month. The Paleo diet required you to (somehow) quit cheese. Keto forced you into a mystical fat-burning state called ketosis, which also turned you into a carb-starved demon lord. Yet for all that effort, most of them didn’t really work. A 2020 review found that the health effects of many trendy diets disappeared at 12 months.Now that noise is mercifully receding. Google searches for those Big Three Diets are all trending down—and we’re seeing a slow return to the basic building blocks of healthy eating. Which is awesome because…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024PROTEIN POWDERCHOCOLATE CINNAMON PROTEIN PUDDINGIn a bowl, stir ¾ cup vanilla skyr, ½ cup high-protein chocolate milk, ¼ cup chia seeds, 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, and ¼ tsp ground cinnamon. Cover and refrigerate, at least 1 hour or overnight. Stir and top with ¼ cup high-protein granola.PROTEIN PORRIDGEIn a microwavable jar, add ⅔ cup rolled oats, ½ cup milk, and 1 scoop protein powder. Seal the lid; shake well. Remove the lid; microwave for 90 seconds. Top with 1 Tbsp PB, fresh berries, and a drizzle of honey.PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE PROTEIN SMOOTHIEIn a blender, combine 6 oz plain or vanilla yogurt, ½ cup milk, 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, 2 Tbsp peanut butter, and 1 frozen banana or 1 cup ice. Blend till smooth.BANANA PANCAKESIn a blender or food processor,…1 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024WAIT, ARE CARBS ACTUALLY AWESOME?WHEN MEN COME TO KATHERINE METZELAAR FOR HELP, THEY SEEM TO HAVE ONE THING ON THEIR MIND. Metzelaar is a Seattle-based dietitian specializing in nutritional therapy. With patient eyes and a warm, easy smile, she’s the kind of expert who helps her clients untangle their attitudes and beliefs about food. In her nine years of clinical practice, she says that 100 percent of her male clients have shared one fear: carbohydrates. “Guilt is a very common emotion associated with eating carbohydrates,” Metzelaar says. “And then if you restrict those foods, you’re going to feel out of control.”Fear—of carbs.Except that when you look back at the millennia-spanning history of carbohydrates, their stigma makes total sense. More than fat, more than artificial ingredients, more than GMOs—carbs have long been a scapegoat for…13 min
Men's Health|May/June 2024MARCUS SAMUELSSON1. The World Central Kitchen Cookbook“There are so many amazing recipes in this collection. My friend José [Andrés] is doing great work…. This book is a celebration of the community he’s built.” $35; penguinrandomhouse.com2. Afripedia.com“I love this site because it showcases such a diverse group of artists. It’s a go-to whenever [my wife] Maya and I are livening up our home.” Risen print (right), from $843. Maïson Vāu ceramics“The beauty of food can always be enhanced by its vessel,” Samuelsson says. This brand handcrafts all its limited-edition pieces. “The ceramics are unique and tactile.” Prices vary; themaisonvau.com4. All-Clad G5 Saucier“It’s one of the most versatile essentials for any cooking method—on the stovetop and in the oven. I love it for braising, frying, poaching, sauteing, and everything in between.” $250; all-clad.com5.…1 min
