Getting old is usually less of a concern than looking and feeling old. As our dermatologists constantly tell us, the most important thing we can do to stave off the signs of aging is wear sunscreen. So before you head out on the boat or take to the sand, give your skin the protection it needs.
Baxter of California
Super Shape SPF 15 $18
Even if you aren’t hitting the beach, start the day with a hydrating lotion for your face that also protects you from harmful UVA/UVB rays.
Kiehl’s
Cross-Terrain UV Face Protector SPF 50 $25
For a more extreme day in the sun, use this sunscreen on your face for maximum protection from the elements.
Anthony
Sun Spray SPF 15 $23
Spray it on for an easier, less messy body application. This sunscreen is fragrance free and formulated with vitamins A, C and E and aloe vera.
MenScience
TiO2 Sunblock SPF 30 $31
For a little more protection from the sun’s rays, this waterproof, light and non-greasy sunscreen is a matte formula that absorbs quickly.
Jack Black
Lip Balm SPF 25 $7
Don’t forget to protect your lips. This balm relieves dry, chapped lips and provides protection from sun and wind burn.
If you’re dedicated to an active lifestyle, SKINS offers the next wave in performance enhancing clothing. Started in 1996 by an enthusiastic Australian who wanted to “ski treacherous slopes, cycle all day, or endure a fiery game of soccer – and still feel bullet-proof,” the first pair of SKINS arrived on the scene after five years of development. Through a range of technological advances, SKINS focus muscle power, regulate body temperature and moisture, temper lactic acid build up, accelerate blood flow and increase oxygen in the circulatory system – all helping to supercharge performance and recovery for users. Their wide range of compression shirts and tights cover the gamut of athletic endeavors (cycling, swimming, running, skiing, tennis, etc.) and fit is based upon your Body Mass Index. We’ll save you all the sci-tech details (they have been the focus of five different studies in peer reviewed medical journals), but for the full overview on the science behind SKINS, check out this video.
For the everyday working man, the Aussies behind Equmen have designed some of the world’s most innovative underwear. Equmen offers compression tech to improve your daily life – helping to relieve back pain, promote circulation, encourage better posture, balance body temp and walk with a more even gait.
Courtesy of PureSport
Protein is key to strong muscles and great workouts, and it is an essential element of Olympian-endorsed PureSport performance drinks. The most unique aspect of PureSport is that it has special formulas for both workouts and recovery based on in-depth research on acute and chronic effects of exercise on muscle metabolism by Dr. John Ivy, Chairman of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Texas.
The Workout mix is based on the increase in carbohydrates the body burns during intense exercise. A combination of dextrose and fructose allows faster absorption of essential sugars. Also essential to high performance is the regulation of blood plasma during workouts; as the body sweats, plasma levels decrease, depleting the body of energy. PureSport Workout contains enough protein to maintain plasma levels, resulting in better performance overall.
PureSport’s Recovery mix uses protein to increase the body’s blood insulin response and carbohydrates to aid in glucose absorption, resulting in reduced muscle damage, increased muscle tissue repair and increased ability to adapt to new training regimens. Some studies have shown that adding proteins to performance drinks can even decrease an athlete’s risk of getting upper respiratory infections and increase subsequent exercise performance.
If the science alone isn’t convincing, consider the track records of the athletes who stand by the PureSport brand: 14-time gold medalist Michael Phelps, major league soccer player Kenny Cooper, NASCAR driver David Stremme, and Justin Blalock, NFL Guard, among many others, endorse the product.
If you’ve resolved to live a healthier lifestyle but easily fall back into old habits and excuses, consider joining SparkPeople, a free Web service whose aim is to keep users on point, offering nutritional tracking, workout advice, meal plans, and an interactive online community that you can take or leave.
SparkPeople offers structure and sanity to exercise that is too often and too easily derailed – by way of SparkTeams, groups based on common goals and interests, success stories, motivation pages and, for those who want a competitive edge, a points program. We like SparkPeople because it lacks the hokeyness of other health/fitness sites, because it’s designed for men and women, and because it focuses on holistic techniques for healthy living: not only diet changes, but also fitness regimes and overall life goals.
For many of us, food is an integral part of the holidays and nostalgic family gatherings. But after all the dinner parties, cocktails and office gift baskets it’s easy find yourself five pounds heavier come January. We asked a health expert for some basic tips for how to enjoy the holidays with a healthy balance.
Holiday Party – Fuel Up
A ravenous person is rarely a rational person. Make sure to eat a protein-packed breakfast and lunch before a holiday party to avoid over-eating. Also, to prevent the mid-party sinking spell, avoid the sugar-loaded drinks like eggnog and instead, opt for red wine or a basic mixed drink like a vodka and soda.
Christmas Feast – The Five Minute Rule
A typical Christmas dinner has around 3,000 calories. That’s more than the average person needs in a day. Go ahead and enjoy that traditional experience but eat slowly and savor the meal. Also, steer clear of eating two days worth of calories in one sitting by waiting five minutes before you go back for seconds. You’ll likely discover that you’re actually satisfied and can wait until the next day’s leftovers for more.
The Office – Wait Until The Afternoon
Your break room has probably already been converted into a holiday gift basket showcase. A piece of fudge, a sugar cookie and a couple of cheese straws can push the size of a typical meal. Wait until the afternoon to check out the sampler and look for something like roasted almonds.
