Physical fitness is essential to overall health. This is true no matter who you are or what you do; perhaps even more so if you have a discerning fashion sense. After all, an attractive gentleman who takes care of his body will look great in anything, while not even the finest-cut suit can flatter a walking beanbag.
But with our busy modern lives, what is a gentleman to do if he wants to stay in shape? Well, there’s a lot more to fitness than running miles and pumping iron. You also don’t have to invest countless hours at the gym each week to see results. Here’s what you need to do.
Do What You Love
The only way to stick to your daily workout in the long term is to enjoy it. That means finding a form of exercise that you look forward to doing.
Of course, this will largely depend on your goals. Running, cycling and the like are better if you want to lose weight, while lifting and calisthenics are effective muscle builders. A “gentleman’s sport” such as golf, boxing, fishing, or tennis can fill a few time slots on your weekends.
Regardless of what you choose, you should see it as part of your day and not a chore to be completed.
It’s also important to consider the why behind your efforts. Keeping your reason for staying active on top of your mind will help you stick to your routine when motivation is in short supply. Setting clear targets and detailing how you plan on reaching them is another way to stay on track.
Eat Right
Your greatest efforts will be to no avail if you come home and stuff your body with junk. In addition to countless other benefits, a healthy diet will provide the energy you need to get through a tough workout. It will also help you lose weight and gain muscle mass faster. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid added sugar. Substitute energy drinks and protein bars with healthy, natural alternatives.
- Stick to water and remember to stay hydrated.
- Stock up on protein to retain muscle mass and improve healing. Eggs, nuts, and beans are your friend here.
- Try to cook your own food more often. Bake or roast it instead of grilling or frying.
- You needn’t bother with diets. It’s as simple as choosing natural, unprocessed foods that are free of sugar.
Use Supplements
It’s not easy to get everything you need from diet alone, especially when you’re training. Supplements can help you fill the nutritional gaps. Creatine is useful for building strength, while vitamin D helps to keep testosterone levels in check. Magnesium is important for recovery and muscle contraction. Berberine is great for fat burning.
If you’re looking to boost your energy levels, you might be interested in sermorelin. It also increases metabolism and helps to boost strength. Beta-alanine and Vitamin K2 are popular training supplements as well.
Get Enough Sleep
There’s a lot more to sleep than just recharging your batteries for the next day. Quality sleep produces growth hormone, which is key to building lean muscle and helping you recover from injuries. It also keeps your heart healthy and reduces inflammation, not to mention the weight loss benefits. Aim to get between six to eight hours per night.
Conclusion
Your efforts to stay active don’t have to be confined to the gym. There are several ways to keep your blood pumping throughout the day.
Walking faster and more often is one of the simplest solutions. Consider investing in a standing desk if you work behind a computer. And when no one’s watching, you can slip in a quick dance routine while you’re cleaning the house.