Caring for your guy

It's the little things you do that say you love him. By Ivan Olegario

Your man is on a roll! So don't just sit there watching. Throw away the women's lib attitude, even for just this month, and be the woman behind the man. Help him get on top of his game. Here's how:

9 tips to keep him trim and toned

1. Ask him to walk the dog. Or let him do the weekend shopping.

2. Get a handyman to help you install pull-up bars in the garage. Men consider pull-ups as a measure of upper-body strength, and doing a few pull-ups is almost irresistible.

3. Save up for cool cross-trainers for him. If the thought of sweating it out won't get him to the gym, maybe strutting his new limited-edition runners will.

4. Place a bet. Wager that you can do more push-ups than him. The loser gets to wash the dishes. Make this game a daily habit.

5. Go online and map out a circuit-training program that he can finish in 20 minutes.

6. Set aside a wide area in your house for doing tandem stretches together.

7. Teach him how to do pelvic raises. This bun-tightener is great for both men and women.

8. Learn boxing, and then spar with him.

9. Buy him flattering supporter briefs. As I always say: "Nothing gives more confidence than snug underwear." He should never lift heavy weights without supporters anyway.

6 vanity essentials
Your man may be too macho to be seen buying beauty and skin-care products. But actually, men are more vain than women, more than they'd care to admit. Studies show that under casual circumstances (i.e., walking in a mall), men are more likely than women to check themselves out in the mirror.

So why not shop for him instead? Here are must-haves in every guy's vanity kit.

1. Portable electric razor. This is useful for a quick spruce-up should there be a surprise meeting with a client or the top brass. Some men even use this for a quick trim of fly-aways or stubble.

2. Tweezers. For those tiny stray hairs here and there. Some men even find them handy as miniature pliers.

3. Facial toner. A facial toner helps remove dirt and oil buildup throughout the day. It is also a great aftershave.

4. Hair wax. Hair wax is far better than hair gel or hair dressing. It is less drying and more lightweight, provides a neat casual hold, and prevents the hairline and forehead from getting too oily.

5. Sugar-free gum. The chewing action keeps saliva circulating, so that bad breath from a stale mouth becomes a thing of the past. Chewing sugar-free gum also helps rebuild eroded enamel.

6. Scents. The power of smell has been proven many times over. A cool pine- or citrus-based scent is ideal for his day-to-day travails---and is a safer choice than dark, musky night-time scents.

2 easy steps for a heavenly massage
Nothing relaxes your man more than a home massage after work. Learn how to give him a head and neck massage.

1. Pour a few drops of light oil onto your palm. Rub hands together to heat up the oil. You may add a few drops of essential oils for an aromatherapy experience.

2. Massage the large band of neck muscles that runs from behind the ears down to his neck. Use your fingertips. Apply smooth, firm strokes.