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🚨 Welcome to this week’s issue of Generation Xcellent. I’m Stephen Perrine, New York Times bestselling author and former top editor at Men’s Health and Maxim. And like you, I’m doing all I can to survive the moshpit of midlife. Thanks for joining me on the journey! (And as always, our content is 100% Organic Intelligence—written by guys like us, for guys like us.)

📩 Thanks for joining the conversation!

- GEN X CULTURE -

Kim Kardashian’s 4 Rules for Lovers

They work on Kim. They’ll probably work on the dream girl in your life as well.

By Jeff Stevenson

Jeff Stevenson has written for Men’s Health, Maxim, and other classic men’s magazines.

- FITNESS -

Flatten Your Belly at 45+

5 Easy (and Unexpected) Core Exercises to Build Strength and Definition

By Gwen Lawrence

>When most guys think “core training,” they picture crunches, leg lifts and other tedious movements that involve flexing the abdomen over and over again.

But moves like that only scratch the surface. A truly sculpted, powerful core comes from working the deep stabilizing muscles — the ones that support your spine, improve posture, and transfer energy efficiently in every sport and movement. When you train your core to stabilize, not just flex, you’ll look stronger, feel stronger—and perform stronger. Here are 5 under-utilized moves to get you started. Perform each exercise for 30 seconds, and aim for 3 sets of each.

Related:  Build More Muscle Faster!

1. Dead Bug with Stability Hold. Lie on your back on the floor, arms extended toward the ceiling, knees directly over your hips and bent at 90 degrees. Flatten your lower back into the mat and engage your core. Lift your head slightly off the floor so you’re looking down at your legs. Slowly extend and lower your right arm and left leg toward the floor without letting your back arch. Hold for 2 seconds, then return and switch sides, this time extending your left arm and right leg.
Why it works: This “anti-extension” move lights up your deep transverse abdominals — the “corset” muscles that flatten the waistline. Bonus: it improves coordination and spinal control.

2. Bear Crawl Shoulder Taps. Start on your hands and knees, your palms and the balls of your feet flat on the floor, back straight. Shift your weight onto your toes as you lift your knees 2-3 inches off the floor. Lift your right hand and tap your left shoulder, then return it to the floor. Lift your left hand and tap your right shoulder. Continue swapping back and forth. Throughout, keep your hips square and your core tight.
Why it works: This move trains anti-rotation stability, a key function of real-world core strength. You’ll feel it in your abs, obliques, and even your quads and shoulders.

3. Hollow Body Rock. Lie on your back, legs and arms extended straight. Lift your shoulders and legs slightly off the mat, pressing your lower back and butt firmly down. Gently rock forwards and backwards without breaking form.
Why it works: Gymnasts swear by this move—and for good reason. It sculpts the entire anterior chain and builds rock-solid midline stability for running, lifting, and rotational sports.

4. Plank Pike on Towels. Place a towel flat on the floor. Get into a high pushup position, elbows straight, hands directly under your shoulders, balls of your feet resting on the towel. Keeping your arms and legs straight, use your core muscles to pull your feet towards your hands, sliding the towel toward you until your butt is high in the air, legs straight. Slowly return to the starting position.
Why it works: This move combines core control, shoulder strength, and flexibility. The sliding motion fires stabilizers in your abs and hip flexors for deep, functional carving power.

5. Boat Pose Twists. Sit tall on the floor, knees bent, feet lifted so your shins are parallel to the floor. Extend your arms out in front of you or, if you’d like, hold a light dumbbell with both hands. Now slowly twist side-to-side, reaching your hands toward the floor with each twist.
Why it works: Strengthens obliques and hip flexors, improves balance, and builds endurance through controlled rotation — perfect for golfers, fighters, and field athletes.

—Gwen Lawrence is the former yoga instructor for the New York Giants and New York Knicks and cohost of The Better Man Show.

Ask Jen: The X-Rated Files
“It’s been a while. How can I jumpstart our sex life?”

>Got a question about sex, marriage, dating, or whatever’s happening in your DMs? Ask Jen X. She’ll sort it out, no judgement. (Well, maybe a little.)

Q: My wife and I haven’t had sex in months, and I can feel us both getting weird about it. How can I hit restart without making it awkward? —Marco L., Raleigh, NC

A: Treat this like reviving an old mixtape, not jump-starting a dead car battery. You don’t yank the cords and hope for sparks; you rebuild the vibe. Start by saying the quiet part out loud, outside the bedroom and not at 11:58 p.m. when one of you is half-asleep. Try: “I miss being close to you. Can we talk about how to ease back into sex in a way that feels good for both of us?” Keep it curious, not courtroom.

Then warm the engine. Flirt like it’s 1997 and you’re both on AOL after midnight. Compliment her, send a flirty text, kiss her neck in the kitchen, hold her hand on the couch. Touch doesn’t have to be a gateway to The Main Event. Start with nurturing and affectionate—shoulder rubs, hair strokes—then something sensual like slow kisses or back tracing. Let erotic and sexual be the sequel, not the pilot episode.

Also do a quick audit of the libido-killers: stress, resentment, sleep, meds, pain. If something’s off, address it like adults; doctors and therapists exist for a reason. And remember, lots of couples go through dry spells, so you’re not a freak, you’re just rusty. Restarting isn’t about tricks; it’s about creating a low-pressure loop of talking, touching, trying, laughing, and trying again. Less “flip a switch,” more “press play.”

- MASCULINITY -

What to Say (and Not Say) to Someone Who’s Hurting

A Gen X field guide to showing up, speaking wisely, and giving comfort without feeling uncomfortable.

By Bob Larkin

>The older we get, the more black clothes we own, and not the cool kind. Funerals, Shivas and memorial services become a regular part of the calendar, wedged between dental cleanings and that shoulder that clicks now.

As men, we’re supposed to be pillars of strength and condolence when others are hurting.

Thing is, women are good at this “sharing feelings” stuff, while most of us guys freeze up in the face of another’s pain, terrified of saying the wrong thing. So, the next time a friend suffers a loss—a spouse, a job, even a loyal dog—here are the words that should come out of your mouth.

Say This: Begin with the simplest move—name the loss. “Carmen was really special; I’ll miss her too” puts the emphasis where it belongs.
Not That: Any cliches or euphemisms about “the situation.”

Say This: “It won’t always feel this awful.”
Not That: “You’re so strong.” Maybe your buddy really is strong, but maybe he’s just a quivering mass of goo on the inside. “You’re so strong” translates to “Don’t start crying around me, dude.”

Say This: “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Not That: “They’re in a better place.” Or, “They’re out of pain now.” Or, “They’d want you to be happy.” Some folks might find comfort in those words, but it’s just as likely that they’ll interpret it as a dismissal of their grief. It’s got a bit of a “get over it” vibe.

Say This: “I can take the kids on Saturday.”
Not That: “I’m here to help if you need anything.” It sounds kind, but it’s not: You’re essentially handing your friend a to-do list at the exact moment they can’t make toast. Find a need and fill it without asking your friend for a road map.

Have at the ready few revealing anecdotes about the deceased and how he or she impacted your life, in case you’re called upon to speak. And if you say something clumsy, own it fast. “That came out wrong. I’m sorry.” Then pivot back to listening. There’s no need for a TED Talk.

—Bob Larkin writes for Men’s Health, the New York Post, and other publications.

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