Body Basics for Men
Unless you just awoke from a coma you will not be surprised by this revelation. We as men live in an intensely competitive environment. The days of staging cattle roundups and driving wagon trains across the west have given way to corporate takeovers, dot com start-ups, management led buyouts and a manufacturing race to make the next generation products smaller, lighter, communicatable, cheaper and distributed worldwide.
How would any of this translate into a health topic you might ask? Well, look around in the lobby the next time you show up for an interview. Polished, articulate, image conscious, youthful and driven, is whom you are competing with. So, listen acutely to grasp a few pointers of how to take your game to the next level.
Skin Care. To look your sharpest, park the basic body wash and off the shelf shaving cream. Today there are a host of skin care products designed specifically for men. Facial cleansers designed for specific skin types, oily, dry, normal, or sensitive. Moisturizers, shaving formulas, exfoliating facial scrubs, skin toners and anti-aging eye creams are all available. Products will range in scent, texture, packaging and price from moderate to absurd.
The biggest hurdle to clear is the first, any self-respecting, doubt-toting man should be saying, “Why would I use that mess?” I would respond by saying, you may not want to use all that mess, but why not try something different as a chance to improve your appearance and make you feel better about yourself. Remember that feeling you get when looking in the mirror after a haircut. “Handsome, Guy You!” A little special treatment goes a long way in confidence. Do not start by purchasing a skin care product kit a Broadway star would envy. Start with a basic cleanser and after-shave balm. See for yourself if there are results. Be not afraid to try something new young man. You might be surprised the next time you look in the mirror after you have landed that dream job.
Hair Care. A well-trimmed mop is a must. This is the easiest of all areas to experiment. To often men get stuck wearing the same cut they graduated from high school with. Live a little, with products available today a basic haircut can be groomed three or four different ways. A little gel prior to blow-drying can create a wavy look. Certain types of light oil applied after your hair dries naturally, can create a European look. Heavier gels can assist in combing your hair back flat for a formal appearance. Hair lengths do not have to be the same. Some change in popularity by geographical location. Try to distinguish yourself from the crowd. Longer hair once considered taboo and reminiscent of the 60’s hippie generation is slowly becoming acceptable in corporate America. If your hair is thinning find a cut that works for you. Consult your stylist, he or she has experience with many problem cuts and has a repertoire of solutions available. If you are balding work around the problem. There is nothing distinguished with the flip. Here is some insight, a spray painted scalp looks like, well, …a spray painted scalp, not hair, accept your fate.
Diet and Exercise. When these words are spoken most people hear only exercise. These two work hand in hand gentlemen. No exercise, then you better cut back on the calories. The problem with men and weight gain is it has become socially acceptable for a man to gain weight as he matures. A woman puts on a few extra pounds and she has let herself go, a man gets fat and it is considered to be filling out.
Diet is a difficult topic because people respond to food intake differently. What my body may burn off in calories may be different from that of my friends. I say the key to diet is moderation. I heard a radio personality say that you could never eat enough salad to quell your craving for pizza. The problem of eating is we get trained as children to eat everything on our plates. This might have been good philosophy during the depression of the 1930’s not knowing when the next meal would be available. Today there are not any food shortages and yet we live in a society that continues to eat in excess.
If you would feel better about yourself carrying ten less pounds, skip a meal. Try a morning with coffee only. Blow past the donuts on the break room counter when you enter work. For lunch leave a little work for the dishwasher. For dessert after dinner.
Try an apple rather than your favorite ice cream covered in chocolate syrup and cashews. Moderation my friend. Eat what you want, when you want it, but only when you are hungry. Listen to your body, when it tells you feed me, eat at that point. Do not eat because you did not get the promotion, your nervous about your presentation Tuesday, or because you cannot decide Maui or Kawai for the honeymoon.
Unfortunately, exercise for most means joining a gym. Crap I say, do not get sucked into this marketing frenzy. There are no monthly dues that come with a pair of jogging shoes. Millions are spent on building public parks and no one uses them. Ride a bike, play tennis, roller blade, carry your bag at the golf course, walk every other day with your wife. Pick up a fitness magazine at your local bookstore. Many fitness activities these days are designed around exercising in your home.
The problem with diet and exercise is to many people feel helpless because of lack of information. I say we lean on to many crutches, are you using any of these excuses: I do not have the time to workout daily or with the marriage expenses, I cannot afford the gym membership right now. Remember that topic of competition? You have to compete for your mate, your career, your future. You present yourself to the world everyday. Let the world know you have pride; you care about your appearance, your body, and your health.
Not completely happy with your physical appearance, take a few steps to change it.
Myles Castello
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