Boost Your Metabolism
A University of Wisconsin study found that when men performed three "big" exercises, their metab-olisms were elevated for 39 hours afterward. In fact, scientists in the Netherlands calculated that men who lifted weights twice a week for 18 weeks burned an average of 9 percent more calories a day beyond what they expended during exercise--enough to lose 25 pounds in a year.
Fight Off Heart Disease
Researchers at the University of Michigan reported that men who completed three total-body weight workouts a week for 2 months lowered their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) by an average of 8 points. That reduces your risk of stroke by 40 percent and of a heart attack by 15 percent.
Lift For Happiness
In a study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, scientists discovered that men who performed three weight workouts a week for 6 months not only built muscle and lost fat, but also improved their scores on measures of tension, anger, and overall mood.
Drink To Your Biceps
Now you can build muscle at the office. French researchers found that men who drank small amounts of a shake containing 30 g protein every 20 minutes for 7 hours boosted muscle growth more than those who downed the entire drink in one sitting. Want to try it? Mix 30 g whey- protein powder with 16 ounces of water and sip on it during your workday. Besides giving your muscles a steady flow of raw materials for growth, whey protein has been shown to improve immune function. We like Optimum Nutrition 100 percent whey protein, available at www.optimumnutrition.com.
You brush your teeth twice a day, shave every morning, and get your hair cut every 6 weeks. But the places you neglect to groom leave a lasting impression on women in your life. A bad one. So tend your lawn, men.
The Instant Turnoff: Dry elbows and feet
Repel Factor: "I don't want a guy's rough, sandpapery skin touching all the places I spend hours on making soft and lovely," says Kate, 27.
The Fix: Slap a moisturizer on the rough spots after you shower. But opt for a hand cream rather than a body lotion. "It has a richer formula that penetrates deeper into the skin," says Brian Boyé, Men's Health fashion director. Try Kiehl's Ultimate Strength hand salve ($13).
The Instant Turnoff: Chapped lips
Repel Factor: "There's nothing worse than a guy going in for a kiss with dry skin hanging off his lips," says Kerri, 24.
The Fix: Make a habit of applying lip balm twice a day, even when your lips aren't chapped. The best times: "In the morning after you eat and at night before bed," says Pirooz Sarshar, cofounder of the Grooming Lounge. We like Brave Soldier Lip Defender SPF 15 ($8, groominglounge.com).
The Instant Turnoff: Neck hair
Repel Factor: "If it looks like a reverse beard, I head in the other direction," says Kristen, 23.
The Fix: Hair on the neck grows just as fast as facial scruff, so don't rely only on your barber to trim it. When your hair is dry, lift it off your neck and shave any hair that's creeping below the hairline, says Vaughn Accord, a men's grooming specialist at Bumble and Bumble in New York City. Work it into your morning routine twice a week; a regular razor works best.
The Instant Turnoff: Ear hair
Repel Factor: "Once I catch sight of it, I can't look away," says Jaclyn, 23. "And I don't mean in a good way."
The Fix: A certain amount of hair is nature's way of keeping bad things out of your ear canal, but most women have limits to what's acceptable. "It's tough to see in a bathroom mirror, but you should take inventory every time you shave to keep it under control," says Accord. Invest in a Panasonic Nose and Ear Hair Groomer ($20, panasonic.com); it'll clean you up in seconds.
Save Your Skin
Korean researchers found that fish oil may help prevent wrinkles. When the scientists treated skin with eicosapentaenoic acid (an omega-3 fat in fish oil), then exposed the epidermis to light, the number of collagen-destroying proteins dropped by 75 percent. For more on the health benefits of fish oil, see "The Government's Big Fish Story," in this issue.
Gotta Wear Shades
Along with protecting your eyes from damaging ultraviolet rays, sunglasses can help you avoid jet lag, according to Scottish researchers. In a study of 1,000 international travelers, those who wore sunglasses for the first few hours of the morning after arrival recovered from jet lag up to 3 days sooner than fliers who skipped the specs. Choose shades that wrap around your eyes and offer 100 percent UV protection, say doctors at Henry Ford Hospital, in Detroit.
Beat Baldness
Flax may halt a receding hairline. In a recent study, Taiwanese scientists gave a daily 50 milligram (mg) dose of lignans--disease-fighting compounds found in flaxseed--to 10 men who were losing their hair. After 6 months, nine of the 10 men showed slower hair loss. Lignans are found in the flaxseed's shell, so buy ground whole seeds in your supermarket's health-food section. Taking 11/2 tablespoons provides the lignans you need.
Grab Her Attention
Your scent will stick in her memory as much as anything you say or wear, according to a Cornell University study. So choose a cologne she'll remember. Not sure what the ladies like? These three scents have stood the test of time: Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani, Eternity by Calvin Klein, and Dolce & Gabbana by Dolce & Gabbana. Have a female friend help you pick the one that fits you.
Extend Your "Smileage"
The sharper you look, the more trustworthy you look, according to a recent Rice University study. Furthermore, the researchers discovered that smiling people are thought to be more trustworthy than those with straight faces. Self-improvement doesn't get much simpler.
Shine On For Years
A brighter smile could mean stronger teeth. American Dental Association researchers found that teeth-whitening products containing "amorphous calcium phosphate" can cut down on enamel damage and tooth sensitivity by 40 percent, compared with other whiteners. Ask your dentist about Nite White and Day White whitening systems ($40).
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