(Fit & Fabulous After 40) Thirty Days to Clearer Skin and A Thinner Body
Posted: Friday, June 16, 2006
by Peggy Butler
PSB COMMUNICATIONS
Interesting tips that make your skin glow, your body roar and heads turn when you enter a room. How divine!
At some point in their lives, every woman envisions the quintessential beauty enhancers ---clear skin and an attractive body. Unfortunately, nature did not equip all of us with this envious duo, so we’re left to create our own destiny. Not surprisingly, that is easier said than done, especially if you are over 40.
Mirror, Mirror On The Wall
Clear skin is defined as a flawless complexion void of marks, blemishes and other defects. According to dermatologists, all of us have it at some point in our lives. Then adolescence sets in, and our skin turns into Frankenstein on steroids.
But like other quirks of nature, our skin enters a new phase as we reach our 20s. The oil glands become less active and once again we experience the joys of a clear complexion. But despite this transition, some women still find themselves stuck with skin that is not to their liking.
Beautiful skin begins on the inside, and is wholly dependant on the foods you eat. A diet high in fruit, vegetables and chicken will result in a complexion with few problems. While a diet high in fried, sugary and greasy food will produce the opposite effect.
This formula which I have used for 20 years will work, if followed thoroughly. Any attempt to deviate, will not produce the desired results. And to reiterate, the key to this recipe, is, FOLLOW THE REGIMEN FOR 30 DAYS.
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: Before attempting any diet, it is important that you see your physician. Women with cancer, diabetes and eating disorders should avoid the diet portion of this regimen entirely.
Clearer Skin Can Be Yours
1. Drink 10 glass of water daily, preferably 8 ounces.
2. Eliminate all sugary, oily and fried foods from your diet. Yep, that means no more midnight twinkie snacks.
3. Eat plenty of fish (especially salmon) chicken, fruits and vegetables.
4. Limit your intake of bread, rice and other carbohydrates. The only bread I recommend is wheat bread, white bread is a NO, NO.
5. If you must use salt, use it sparingly, and make sure it does not contain iodine. According to experts, iodine, a mineral that regulates the thyroid, has a tendency to produce acne.
6. Avoid chips, olives and peanut butter. All of these products contain iodine which can reek havoc on your complexion.
7. Take vitamins that are designed to enhance your skin, hair and nails. A vitamin experts highly recommend is Biotin, which plays a key role in the health of the skin, hair and nails. Although the dietary recommendation is 100mcg, try the maximum potency which is 5000 mcg.
8. Always remove makeup before getting into bed. I know you've heard this a thousand times, but do you actually do it?
9. Use soaps that are designed for your specific skin type. Therefore, if you have oily skin avoid using soaps that are made for people with dry skin.
10. Keep your hands away from your face. No matter how much you want to squeeze that annoying pimple on your forehead, don’t, by squeezing it you will only create more problems.
11. Give yourself a facial. For those women who can’t afford to shell out $50 to go to a ritzy spa, you can give yourself a facial in the privacy of your own home. All you need is water and a wash cloth. Okay, here goes, clean your face, next take a clean towel (discard the one you just washed your face with) and run hot water on it. Next, take the towel and place it on your face for 5 minutes. The steam from the heat loosens any blackheads you may have, and cleans the pores. Do this twice a week and you’ll notice the difference in your skin after 4 weeks. To enhance this procedure, apply a mask following your steam routine. Lovely, lovely.
Firm Up That Tummy & Tighten Those Thighs
As we get older, we notice that our skin is no longer as tight as it was when we were 20 or 30. Holy gravity! For women, that means a slight sagging of the hips, thighs and stomach. Time to panic? Not necessarily, since there are emulsions and firming lotions on the market that target specific areas. For the abdomen, a great product to try is Bio Hot Gel Anti Cellulite Slimming and Firming cream. Not only does it firm the stomach, but reduces cellulite. And for those other troublesome spots, Olay Body Firming Reviver Lotion is the absolute best. Moreover, the 8 oz. bottle goes a long way. For best results, massage the lotion into affected areas twice daily. If done correctly you should see results in 4 weeks.
Okay, now that we’ve dissected the areas below the neckline, we turn our attention to the all- encompassing neck. For those whose neck resemble a turkey’s, complete with jowls, there are many products that can restore the jawline to its former elasticity. One product that fitness enthusiasts recommended is Serious Skin Care Reverse Neck Firming Lotion with Argifirm. Packaged in an attractive 2 oz. bottle, the lotion reportedly firms and tightens the areas around the neck and jawline. In addition to their toning ability, these products are inexpensive and can be purchased for under $20 on Ebay (www.eBay.com).
Look Out Great Bod Here I Come!
1. Do not eat after 9 P.M.
2. Eat only when you are hungry. Experts contend that people have a tendency to over eat when they are nervous or depressed. So before you put that slice of pizza in your mouth, make sure you’re really hungry and not just having a bad day.
3. Do not eat in front of the tv or at the computer.
4. Eat smaller portions. You can train yourself to eat less by putting your food on a smaller plate.
5. Weigh yourself daily.
6. Drink plenty of water.
7. If you INSIST on having a snack, reach for something nutritional, such as an apple. Okay, if you’re really hungry, make that two apples.
Breakfast
6 ounces of salmon
1 apple or the fruit of your choice
1 8 0z glass of water
Lunch
Salad (If you must spread on a dressing, make sure it low in fat and calories). Lemon juice is a perfect alternative.
Fruit of your choice
A hamburger without cheese, mayo or mustard is a must have. Moreover, fast food restaurants have an impressive supply of low cal entrees. So what are you waiting for?
1 8oz. Glass of water
Dinner
1 cup of raw strawberries. If you don’t like to eat them in their natural state, sprinkle on a sugar substitute for added flavor 2 pieces of broiled chicken, 1 cup of beets or string beans I 8 oz glass of water.
Snack
Although experts don’t encourage snacking, I know that everyone reaches a point where they just have to have something to sink their teeth into. For them, I recommend sweet, juicy fruit: excellent choice a peach or orange. Second choice, 1 cup of vanilla yogurt sweetened with Aspartame. Believe me when I say it tastes better than regular yogurt, but without the calories.
Don’t like that idea? How about a bowl of sugar-free ice cream? Triple Chocolate, courtesy of Edys Grand Ice Cream is soooo delicious. It costs more than regular ice cream, $4.99 for a 1.75 quart, but worth every cent. Another reason to buy it? There’s only 100 calories in a ½ cup. Not interested in triple chocolate? How about blueberry cobbler or rasberry vanilla swirl? There you have it, a body and beauty regimen that promises results if used correctly. Whew! With all that activity I need a drink. Slim Fast, anyone?
This Article has been viewed 1,886 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)That's what I'm talking about. At 75, I still think I'm one hot mama, in spite of many who say I should act my age. No way, sitting still and doing nothing is for the birds.Hey, a lady whose age doesn't deter her from enjoying life. Rock on sister!
This has been extremely helpful, especially the tip - to not eat anything after 9 pm. Thanks, Miss Peggy. I'm happier after reading your article.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.