It’s great that you’ve been lifting weights and running track to get a stronger, leaner looking body; but looks aren’t everything, especially if what looks good, smells gross.

B.O. or body odor occurs when the proteins and fatty acids in your sweat metabolize. It takes just about an hour after you’ve worked out to produce the bacteria that causes the bad smell.

Here are some things you can do to prevent B.O.:

Bathe more often and better. Scrub your armpits and groin area at least once a day with a soapy washcloth. A washcloth works better than just a bar of soap in removing the bacteria that causes the odor

Use whatever soap you want but be sure to leave it on your skin for at least two minutes, before rinsing it off.

After you’ve managed to get clean, use a deodorant. Make sure the product you use is labeled deodorant not just antiperspirant. An antiperspirant does only what its name says. It stops you from perspiring by blocking your sweat glands. Deodorants do as their name implies, they don’t stop you from perspiring; they stop you from smelling bad. They contain chemicals, which turn the skin acidic. This makes the skin less attractive to odor causing bacteria.

Check out what you eat. Foods such as garlic, onions, and asparagus are known to cause body odor. Foods with lots of zinc in them such as spinach, cukes, and string beans are less likely to cause B.O.