Labor Day weekend is here and for many guys that means one last chance to head out into the sunshine before cooler weather takes over. But before you start setting up that grill, consider your skin and what you need to do to protect it. Most men know that you should wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher than contains broad-spectrum protection, but did you know there are actually other factors beside sunlight that can contribute to a sunburn?

Labels: men's health, men's skincare, skin cancer, summer skin care, sun protection, sunburn

You think putting on some weight is embarrassing? What if an entire town was watching you? In a move which could backfire magnificently or vastly improve the health of its citizens, an Italian town will pay overweight and obese men who live there to lose weight.

Labels: dieting, men's health, men's nutrition, weight loss, weird wagers

David Miller doesn't know the meaning of the words "couch potato." He's a fitness trainer who's achieved an incredible level of success as the founder of D.A.M. Good Bodies Elite Personal Training.

Maintaining a diverse roster of clients that includes athletes, entertainers, models and professionals, David has devoted his life to helping people become the healthiest and fittest they can be. "Training is so much more involved then most people realize. I've worked with a wide range of clients from athletes that want to take it to the next level, to people who have not regularly exercised since they were in high school," he states.

David began his life-long love of fitness with a very active childhood, and pursued athletics throughout school and into college where he received a B.S. in Exercise & Sport Science from Penn State University. As a football player there, David understood what it took to get athletes into shape. He used this knowledge to help train athletes at Penn State and Temple University, and later on as Physical Director & Coordinator of Personal Training and Fitness Testing at the Central Branch YMCA. After gaining these years of experience, David officially launched D.A.M. Good Bodies Elite Personal Training in Philadelphia in 1992. He later relocated his company to Hollywood, Florida, but still maintains strong ties with his hometown.

At D.A.M. Good Bodies, David customizes specific programs that incorporate cardio, resistance training, flexibility and nutrition guidance for a variety of clients. He says, "I'm constantly giving information to clients. I don't want them to do something just because I say they should; I want them to understand why they should do it."

The 41-year-old athlete has built a solid career on discovering what it takes to get the human body in top form and this hasn't gone unrecognized: David was named Best Personal Trainer in his hometown of Philadelphia by Heart & Soul Magazine and has been featured in Health Quest magazine, the Philadelphia Inquirer, on the cover of ESPN Magazine, and on numerous radio programs. He is currently certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association and American Council on Exercise, and is a member of the International Association of Fitness Professionals.

He says, "I've been doing this for 20 years, and I'm still always learning, I'm always discovering new information and research. You have to try and educate yourself."

While still creating and implementing customized, effective physical training programs at D.A.M. Good Bodies, David has also recently become concerned about the growing trend of childhood obesity and would like to become involved in eliminating this problem.

It is because of David's firm commitment to improving the health of Americans one person at a time that MenScience recognizes him as a true Man of MenScience.

For more information about David and his training programs, as well as free fitness and nutrition advice, visit his website at www.damgoodbodies.com.

Labels: body building, David Miller, exercise, fitness, men of menscience, men's health, men's nutrition, weight loss

Okay, so we're not exactly reinventing the wheel here or telling you something you probably don't know. But even with the vacation season in full swing, it looks like many American men are opting to skip time off altogether.

Compared to many international workplaces, Americans get far fewer vacation days per year, and they are far less likely to actually use them, according to a new article on Forbes.com. And that could be hurting men's health:

"Stress produces physiological changes in our bodies, including higher blood pressure and a surge in stress hormones, such as adrenaline, which can cause blood to clot and increase the risk of a heart attack. By working all of the time, you're constantly subjecting your body to these responses, says Dr. Harvey Simon, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and founding editor of the Harvard Men's Health Watch."

The article goes on to state that men at risk to heart disease who regularly take time off each year have a lower risk of death than those that don't. It also offers tips on how to make your vacation as stress-free as possible.

So the next time your boss gives you a hard time about requesting days off, tell him your life just may depend on it.

(Check out the MenScience article Health & the Modern Traveler for even more healthy ways to trot the globe).

DG

Labels: heart health, men's health, stress, summer skin care