Jermain Defoe claims he has shunned "popcorn and sweets" and adopted a regime of yoga and pilates in an effort to play in next year's World Cup with England as he looks to share his international experience with the rest of the squad.
The 34-year-old, who left relegated Sunderland for Bournemouth on a free transfer at the end of last season, returned to the senior England squad for the time in three years in March after impressing manager Gareth Southgate with his form at the Stadium of Light.
With Wayne Rooney announcing his retirement from international football last week at the age of 31, the door has opened for Defoe to secure a place in Southgate's squad for Russia 2018 should England qualify from Group F as expected.
But having played at the top level for almost 20 years, Defoe admits that he has now become 'boring' in order to prolong his career.
"I do everything -- yoga, pilates and a lot of power work in the gym, which is something I have always done anyway," Defoe said. "I eat the right things, I understand my body a lot more now.
"I speak to the nutritionist, the doctors, the physic, about what do I need to make me better and that is it really.
"At times it is boring. You want a day when you just want to eat sweets or go to the cinema and have popcorn, but it is a sacrifice.
"I know when I am doing it right how I feel in games I feel fresh and I feel good - and there is no better feeling. You get tempted, but you've got to be disciplined.
"When I was younger I used to have a lot of desserts. I always enjoy eating out and going to nice restaurants, but now I mainly eat at home.
"My girlfriend says I am boring to be fair, because I always eat the same things.
"She always says 'why don't you mix it up?' but if it works you just continue doing it - so no more desserts now."
Defoe won his 57th England cap during the 2-2 draw with Scotland in Glasgow in June, 13 years after making his debut in a 1-0 defeat against Sweden in Gothenburg.
He is, by some distance, the longest-serving player in Southgate's young squad and he believes his experience, in Rooney's absence, can be crucial in a major tournament.
"If I can bring my experience to this camp with the lads who haven't been to a tournament and even the young lads having their first time in the squad, I will certainly do that," he said.
"Obviously Wayne [Rooney] has had a lot of criticism and stuff. To be honest it is a little bit strange.
"Sometimes I feel like it is difficult if you've not been in that sort of situation to really understand what it takes to play at the top level and deal with that sort of pressure and still perform.
"To be the highest goal scorer for England, if it was me I would be proud and I am sure any footballer would so I feel like it is a little bit unfair and we need to respect what he has done.
"It is a great achievement. But he's made his decision now and we all have to respect that."
Defoe, who has yet to score for Bournemouth since his summer move, admits his form for Eddie Howe's team will ultimately determine whether he makes it to Russia for the World Cup.
"Of course I think about the World Cup," he said. "When you are here you want to be involved and mainly just think about performing for my club - because at the end of the day to get into a World Cup squad, it's based on merit.
"You have got to have a good season. And as a forward it's how many goals have you scored and being injury free, in a long season playing many games and stuff like.