Men's Journal's Blog, page 51
July 14, 2025
How to Build Muscle and Lose Fat at the Same Time, According to a Fitness Researcher
One of the biggest misconceptions about fitness, especially for people trying to change how their body looks, is that losing weight is the key to getting the body of your dreams. And while reaching a healthy weight can help you look better and lower your risk for a variety of diseases, it won’t give you that toned, muscular look many people are after. The only way to achieve that is by building muscle and losing—specifically—fat. Old-school lifters might say you can’t gain muscle and lose fat at the same time, but the concept of body recomposition proves otherwise.
Simply put, body recomposition is the process of transforming your physique by reducing body fat and gaining muscle at the same time (this might not result in a lower weight, but it will lead to a healthier, more-toned body). While many people believe this requires a strict calorie deficit, long thought to be the gold standard for fat loss, renowned nutrition researcher and fitness expert Alan Aragon says that’s a common misconception.
"Like 10 years ago, we thought, okay, you need a caloric surplus to gain muscle and you need a caloric deficit to lose fat," he said in a recent interview with Stanford neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, Ph.D. "But what happened in these studies...was a lean-mass-gain-dominant recomposition. In other words, more lean mass was gained than fat was lost. So there were net gains in body mass by the end of these trials, which would very strongly imply that fat was lost in a caloric surplus."
Related: The One Functional Exercise Trainers Use to Build Full-Body Strength and Stamina
And this process isn’t just for competitive athletes. According to Aragon, the average person can successfully recomp their body, too. The key? Research shows that slightly increasing your calorie and protein intake can support muscle growth. Pair that with three to four strength training sessions per week and a bit of cardio, and you'll be on your way to transforming your physique.
"I would say sort of the simple and direct answer is you try to keep the caloric surplus pretty judicious," Aargon said. "So 10 percent above maintenance conditions, which could be somewhere between 200, possibly 300 calories above what you see as maintenance. And the common thread amongst these recomposition studies was that protein was very high...somewhere between a gram to a gram and a half per pound of body weight."
Eating roughly your bodyweight in protein grams is a solid benchmark, but according to Aragon, bumping that number even higher can accelerate results. When people increase their protein intake beyond the basics, that’s when the real shifts in strength, muscle, and physique tend to happen.
"There's a series of studies done by Joey Antonio and colleagues where they fed the subjects 400 to 800 calories above and beyond their habitual intakes, just in protein," he says. "And either recomposition happened, or no significant change in body composition happened."
Secret 'Peacemaker' Season 2 Trailer Just Solved 'Superman's' DCU Canon Crisis '
Whether you're ready or not, the new DCU is about to explode. Now that Superman has landed, a ton of DC comics-related projects are about to really start expanding the classic comic book universe that Superman has helped reestablish. But, with a hilarious cameo from John Cena's Peacemaker in the new movie, one might wonder how the very recent DC movie/TV continuity fits in? Jason Momoa is back in the DC orbit, but he's not playing Aquaman anymore; rather, he will appear in Supergirl as the alien bounty hunter Lobo. But, if that's true, how come John Cena gets to play the same character he played in the old DCU?
The answer might be found in a trailer that you can only catch in movie theaters right now. Playing in front of screenings of Superman is a new trailer for Peacemaker Season 2, which may have just explained everything.
Related: 'Superman' Review: DC Studios Reboot Is Funny, Rushed, and Deeply Weird
In the new theatrical trailer, which has leaked online, Peacemaker says: "There's another dimension. That's exactly the same as ours. But it's better."
This seems to confirm that Peacemaker is the bridge between the old DC cinematic universe (sometimes called the DCEU) and the new DCU. Peacemaker Season 2 will take place after the events of Superman and will feature cameos from Frank Grillo, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced, reprising their roles as Rick Flagg Sr., Guy Gardner, and Hawkgirl.
So, it's also possible that Peacemaker Season 2 will give us a little more clarity on which version of Peacemaker we're even dealing with. Is this the same guy from The Suicide Squad? Or is he just from a slightly alternate dimension? Time will tell! But luckily, we don't have to wait long. Peacemaker Season 2 hits HBO Max on August 21.
Related: Why 'Superman's' Rotten Tomatoes Score Dropped 8 Points After Debut
How Chace Crawford Balances Hollywood, Fitness, and Building a Brand
Chace Crawford has been in the spotlight for nearly 20 years. He rose to teen-heartthrob status as Nate Archibald on Gossip Girl, playing Upper East Side royalty with perfect hair and an on-again, off-again love life to match. These days, he’s traded prep-school drama for superhero antics as The Deep on The Boys, and just recently added “clothing brand co-founder” to his resume with the launch of American Dream Clubhouse.
Still, between his parts on the big screen and jet-setting from his New York City home base, Crawford somehow keeps it all in check. Which begs the question: How does the former golden boy of the Upper East Side fit in exercise with a schedule that’s anything but laid-back?
"I never want to complain [but] it's kind of feast or famine. It's like, I'm either working all day, or I have a whole day to schedule my stuff," he told Men's Journal. "So, you know, it's tough acting on set when you're really cranking and working almost every day, because 12 hours is pretty much the bare minimum that you'll be there if you're in every scene. So, you really [have] to squeeze it in when you can."
Crawford’s always been into fitness. Growing up, he played football and golf—though it’s the latter that’s stuck with him into adulthood and even influenced his clothing brand. These days, with 40 around the corner, he keeps his routine flexible. Whether it’s squeezing in a quick workout in his hotel room or getting outside for a walk, he just tries to keep moving, no matter where he is.
“I subscribe to the theory that if you can only walk for 10 minutes or walk the dog or incline walk on a treadmill—just get 15, 20 minutes, even in a trailer or my room or hotel room," he says. "Just moving and stretching and getting in some push-ups. I mean, sometimes that’s enough to kickstart your day.”
But going to the gym and blasting himself with a well-thought-out playlist isn’t the only way he likes to exercise. While he admits he’s currently on an '80s disco kick, he’s also leaning into more quiet time, taking some of his long walks outdoors sans headphones.
"I've learned going on walks and not having earphones in...music or podcasts, we always just have so much stimulation," he says. "I have some quieter moments either in the morning or on these walks. I'm starting to leave the phone behind and take the headphones out. It's been really nice."
July 13, 2025
John Goodman Breaks His Silence on Roseanne Barr
John Goodman played the on-screen husband of Roseanne Barr for nine years. While the two of them seemed to have a strong friendship at one point, it sounds like that relationship has faded in recent years.
Barr played Roseanne Conner on the popular television sitcom Roseanne, which originally ran from 1988 to 1996. The show was renewed for another season with the original cast back in 2018, but was canceled as a result of a derogatory tweet about Barack Obama’s senior advisor, Valerie Jarrett, back in 2018.
The revived show ultimately continued without Barr under the name The Conners, with Barr's character killed off in the storyline.
The series officially came to an end this year, with Barr never making another appearance on the show, and it sounds like she hasn't spoken to her co-star, either.
During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Goodman broke his silence on his controversial former co-star as he admitted that he hasn't spoken to her in "seven or eight years."
"No. I’d rather doubt if she wants to talk to me. We haven’t talked for about seven or eight years," Goodman told The Hollywood Reporter.
Goodman said that the two of them once had a good and fun relationship, but that changed in recent years.
"We hit it off from jump street. She made me laugh, and I made her laugh, and wow, it was so much fun. We’d get so many viewers for the show back then — 20, 30 million people. Things are so different now, but it was a special time," Goodman said.
Obviously, Goodman and Barr have a lot of history together, but that history was not strong enough to keep their relationship alive.
Travis Kelce Shows Signs of 'Physical Decline'
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is one of the most dominant tight ends ever to play in the NFL. However, as he prepares for what could be the final season of his NFL career, it's pretty clear that he isn't the same player he once was.
Throughout his career, Kelce has been one of the most dominant and consistent pass-catching tight ends in the history of the NFL and a favorite target for Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Despite this, Kelce had a disappointing performance last season by his standards, putting up career-low numbers in every major receiving statistic, including yards per reception, yards after the catch, and total receiving touchdowns, while seeing his average depth of target decline significantly, as well.
It's not just the stats that have fallen off, either; NFL scouts have noticed a "physical decline" on film.
One veteran pro personnel evaluator recently told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that he has seen a noticeable dropoff in Kelce's physical ability.
“For sure [he showed] signs of physical decline, but you still have to worry about him because he’s such a smart player with a great connection with the QB. Just doesn’t get open like he used to,” the scout told Fowler.
While Kelce himself admits that he didn't perform up to his standard last season, he also made it pretty clear that he still thinks he's capable of performing well, despite this assessment from the scout.
“I still feel like I can play at a high level and possibly at a higher level than I did last year,” Kelce said after announcing his decision to return for one more season. “I don’t think it was my best outing, you know? I think I let my guys down in a lot more moments than I helped them, especially if you look at my track record and how I’ve been in years past. You know, I want to give it a good run. I got a bad taste in my mouth about how I ended the year and how well I was playing, and how accountable I was for the people around me.”
We'll have to see whether or not Kelce can prove this critical scout wrong.
Tom Holland Explains Why 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Will Be a ‘Breath of Fresh Air’
When it comes to Marvel movies and the expectations of fans to find spoilers, they typically aren’t high. Even putting spoilers aside, Marvel has been notorious for keeping virtually all aspects of upcoming movies, including storylines and details about filming, under wraps.
This is why it was surprising to hear the latest comments from longtime Spider-Man star Tom Holland.
While Holland either got the go-ahead from the studio to reveal a fun tidbit or went rogue with it, fans have to feel like it's a win to hear anything about Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Not only did Holland explain how the new Spider-Man will take an "old school filmmaking" approach, but he also said he's confident fans will be "over the moon" with the results.
Holland's comments were made during an interview with Flip Your Wig, and the clip was posted on Instagram.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Anthony | Tom Holland Updates (@tomhollandupdates)
“We were really restricted with what we could do in the last movie because of COVID. We shot the entire film on stages," Holland admitted. "Now, we’re really gonna lean into that old school filmmaking and shoot in real locations."
"We are gonna use the streets of Glasgow for this massive set piece that we are putting together...It’s gonna feel like a breath of fresh air, and I think the fans are gonna be over the moon with what we're putting together.”
Holland's comments are noteworthy for several reasons, as he offers insight into the previous film, Spider-Man: No Way Home, as well as the upcoming addition to the series. While Holland didn't provide much in the way of spoilers about Spider-Man: Brand New Day, he gave fans another jolt of adrenaline and excitement about what lies ahead.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is slated to hit theaters on July 31, 2026, and will also feature Jon Bernthal's The Punisher in the film.
Related: Tom Holland Makes Personal Admission About Filming 'The Odyssey'
Travis Kelce Opens Up About Taylor Swift Relationship
Kansas City Chiefs superstar tight end Travis Kelce and pop sensation Taylor Swift aren't exactly shy about being seen together in public, but they don't often speak openly about the details of their relationship. However, Kelce broke his silence on the matter during a recent podcast, where he opened up a little bit about how things are going with his girlfriend.
Last week, Travis Kelce joined the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, where he spoke to hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan about the upcoming NFL season.
While most of the conversation focused on football or football-related subjects, Kelce did speak a little bit about his relationship with Taylor Swift, giving his first comments on their relationship status in several months.
Kelce specifically addressed the pair's recent public appearances as he made it clear that the two of them are just "having fun" and "enjoying life" together, and sometimes that results in public appearances.
“It gets thrown out there as it's like we're trying to seek attention, every now and then,” Kelce said on the podcast earlier this month. “But it's like, we're just enjoying life and having fun going to hockey games. Kind of introducing her to some more of the sports world.”
“We’re having fun with it, man, being a couple,” Kelce added.
Kelce is preparing for what could be his final NFL season. After briefly considering retirement following what was a disappointing season for the veteran tight end, Kelce decided to return this season, believing he is capable of performing better than he did this past season.
“I still feel like I can play at a high level and possibly at a higher level than I did last year,” Kelce said. “I don’t think it was my best outing, you know? I think I let my guys down in a lot more moments than I helped them, especially if you look at my track record and how I’ve been in years past. You know, I want to give it a good run. I got a bad taste in my mouth about how I ended the year and how well I was playing, and how accountable I was for the people around me.”
We'll have to see how Kelce performs this upcoming season. Regardless, it sounds like his relationship with Taylor is going well, though.
Amanda Balionis Calls Out Rory McIlroy Haircut
PGA Tour superstar Rory McIlroy rocked a new haircut at the Genesis Scottish Open this weekend, and CBS Sports announcer Amanda Balionis could not help but call attention to it during one of their interviews.
After some notable struggles at recent tournaments, McIlroy actually had a very strong showing at the Scottish Open over the weekend, finishing in a tie for second place, even holding the lead heading into the final round.
However, it was not his performance on the links that caught the attention of Balionis during an interview on Saturday night. Instead, she took notice of a pretty significant change in his appearance.
During the interview, Balionis noticed that McIlroy's hair was significantly shorter than it usually is, and she was quick to call him out for it, going as far as to have him take off his hat to show off his new haircut.
"You seem a little lighter, and it might be because of the haircut," Balionis said to McIlroy as he wore a cap during their interview. "Can you just take the hat off for us? What happened there, Rory?"
After some obvious reluctance, McIlroy decided to remove his hat and display his new haircut, which was significantly shorter than he typically wears his hair.
He also explained why he decided to cut it so short.
You know, I'm getting a little gray as everyone probably knows. I stupidly thought that by going shorter, it would take the grays out," McIlroy said. "If anything, I think it makes me look more gray."
While the haircut was obviously a mistake, the good news is that it will eventually grow back, as McIlroy pointed out.
"But it'll grow back, that's the good thing. It'll be the perfect length for the Ryder Cup in September," McIlroy said.
If McIlroy continues performing the way he did over the weekend, however, he won't care what his hair looks like.
Southwest Airlines Addresses Leaked Survery
Southwest Airlines has made a number of controversial changes over the past several weeks, ending its longstanding "bags fly free" policy and its iconic open seating policy. However, Southwest Airlines has recently shut down talk of another unpopular change.
Last month, a leaked survey that was sent to Southwest Airlines loyalty members seemed to suggest that the airline was looking to make some pretty significant changes to its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, including some possible restrictions to the popular Companion Pass benefit.
"So I took a survey, husband A-List Preferred. Our 6th year with companion pass and it seems they want to change up the tiers of rewards to 5 levels and only give the highest level the ability to have Companion seat picked at booking. They are so going to start making us pay for every little thing," a Facebook post read, explaining the survey.
A Reddit thread on the survey shared some similar details.
"Southwest survey on loyalty levels for next year. Seems likely a big CP nerf incoming. They’re looking at a 4 tier program, with only the top tier earning CP, if that. Top tier qualifying points requirements ranging from 100-160k or 30-50 round trips. Companion pass options are either nonexistent, 4 one way certs or full CP. No CP on the lower 3 tiers at all in the survey. They seem to be entertaining a option to keep the seat next to you open, with various numbers of certs. Any seat, 3 bags, 2 drinks, priority lane at top level. Various iterations down to almost nothing at a low level that bottoms out at 10k. No indication if card sign up bonuses count for qualifying points or not," the post read.
Despite this leaked survey, Southwest Airlines broke its silence on the talks, insisting that there are no changes currently planned for its loyalty program.
"There is no work underway to change our industry-leading loyalty program, including Companion Pass," according to a statement made by a Southwest Airlines spokesperson to Parade.
“We’ll continue our efforts to track preferences and sentiment on many aspects of our loyalty program to ensure we remain competitive and know what our Customers and Rapid Rewards Members value most."
Obviously, there's a chance that Southwest moves forward with those changes at some point in the future. But as of now, the unpopular changes won't be happening just yet.
Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek Turn Heads in Photos at Champions Dinner
Wimbledon 2025's singles winners cleaned up well for their appearances at the Champions dinner.
Italian Jannik Sinner and Polish Iga Swiatek were seen dressed up for the dinner in a post on the official Wimbledon X account.
To be clear, there's nothing to show the two were at the dinner as a couple, just as the most successful tennis players of the tournament.
Both certainly proved why they're each ranked number one in the world.
However, they did dance together as part of the longstanding tradition at the nearly 150-year-old tournament where the singles champions share a dance. Though the dance surely is not quite that old since Wimbledon only started allowing women's singles in 1884 after first starting the tournament in 1877.
Welcome to the Champions Dinner, @janniksin and @iga_swiatek ✨#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/URpk8GkrNc
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2025
Sinner, 23, won his first ever Wimbledon title after defeating Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, 22, in the men's singles final on July 13, 2025. In doing so, he became the first Italian to ever win Wimbledon, according to the tournament's official Instagram.
Jannik Sinner of Italy and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain pose for a photo after being presented with the Gentlemen's Singles trophies following the Gentlemen’s Singles Final on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2025 in London, England. Sinner wore a simple black suit with a narrow black tie to the dinner.
Swiatek, 24, wore a long, light blue dress and some fairly simple jewelry.
She's also celebrating her first ever Wimbledon title, and sixth grand slam win in her career.
She dominated in her match against American Amanda Anisimova, 23, who herself was having quite the impressive tournament until the final match, where Swiatek swept the court.
Iga Swiatek of Poland poses for a photo with the Ladies’ Singles Trophy following her victory against Amanda Anisimova of United States during the Ladies' Singles Final on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2025 in London, England.Julian Finney/Getty Images
Hopefully the pair don't have quite as awkward of a dance as Alcaraz had in 2024, when he danced with women's singles winner Czech Barbora Krejcikova, 29.
Alcaraz admittedly could use some dancing lessons.
"Let's say, could be better I guess. Yeah, let's see tonight, but I try to do my best," he told talkSPORT in 2024, after winning Wimbledon.
While the dance is generally considered tradition, in later years it hasn't always been mandatory, and the dinner and dance were canceled altogether in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The dinner and dance are usually held at .
Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek share a dance at the Champions' Dinner ✨#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/bAPlvo9OVN
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2025
Related: Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz Girlfriend History: Are They Married or Single?
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