Tyler Brule wrote a brilliant article on his health regime and regimen in last weekend’s FT called Try the one-third dinner rule and find a flat without a lift. 4 and 5 are the funniest, “4. When in America, eat a third of what’s on your plate, 5. When in Europe, eat half of what’s on your plate.” Isn’t that the truth.
Although more effete than I am used to, here is his advice:
Here are my 10 tools and tips for keeping toned by Tyler Brule:
1. The 35-minute morning run
Central Park or the Alster, snow or sun, gravel or grass, I kick-start my day with a 35-minute run four to five times a week. On good days I’m frisky enough to throw in a few one-minute sprints, on bad days I drag myself around Regent’s Park. For reasons of security I leave my iPod at home and use my session to focus on the day, week and year ahead.
2. Asics trainers
I’ve tried Reebok, Nike and Adidas but over the past few years I have become a devotee of Asics running trainers. I wouldn’t normally have much place for footwear that features large flashes of metallic silver with electric yellow trim but for the support and comfort of their top-of- the-range trainer I make an exception.
3. Howies’ long-sleeve merino wool thermal tops
With a fingernail-size logo stitched on to the side seam, Welsh brand Howies’s thermal top is one of the most discreet and functional athletic garments on the market. Ideal for chilly morning runs that don’t require protective rainwear, they take up little space in the hold-all, dry quickly and don’t retain odour like most synthetics. Order them in bulk.
4. When in America, eat a third of what’s on your plate
Unless you’re bulking up for sumo school, no one needs to consume the total contents of a contemporary American dinner plate.
5. When in Europe, eat half of what’s on your plate
If your workday involves breakfast, lunch, post-work drinks and dinner meetings, draw an imaginary line down the middle of the plate and only eat from one side of the meridian. As for cocktails, drink whatever you like but give the nut bowl a swerve.
6. Ben
A year ago I started retaining the services of an ex-Royal Marine named Ben to push me that little bit faster and further around the park, force me to do loathsome resistance exercises and chat about the latest in advanced weapons guidance systems.
7. The trolley or the tray?
There’s nothing worse than feeling stuffed at 36,000 feet, which is why I usually pass on the tray and opt for champagne for a starter, tomato juice for my main course and two glasses of merlot for dessert and slumber insurance.
8. Become a stairmaster
I didn’t set out looking for a fourth-floor flat without a lift but two years on I’m convinced I have both a stronger heart and bum as a result of real estate choice.
9. A Polar watch for pace
One of the best inventions to come out of Finland since Alvar Aalto’s stools for Artec, the Polar watch, complete with pedometer function, is the best device for monitoring performance and measuring achievements.
10. Korean bodyscrubs
Not for the modest or faint-hearted, a good Korean scrub not only peels off multiple layers of skin but an all-naked, public environment is also effective for serious self-assessment.
My last few weeks have been unbearable, although the only thing I can mention is that Gerris, my single shell, broke in half and will probably not see the water all summer. And that was just the tip. I have been dealing with this unbearable stress with heavy drinking and its sordid brethren instead of vigorous exercise and my daily run.
