Look of the Week

 

Spring is in the air. I am sooooo happy the weather is getting nicer. The temperature is warming up and the sun is out more. Although it is a bit chilly at times I feel it is ok to start bringing out those cute and funky dresses. Since I am in Upstate New York I wouldn't wear a dress yet unless I have boots like the ones above. The best thing about these boots to me is that they are a wedge heel. I am definitely a wedge heel girl. They provide the best stability, especially for those who are new to heels. I am LOVING this look of the week, how about you???

Graphic Print Dress from Asos Curves at $47.47
Knee High Wedge Boots from GoJane at $24.95

20 Ways to Love Your Body

1. Think of your body as the vehicle to your dreams. Honor it. Respect it. Fuel it.

2. Create a list of all the things your body lets you do. Read it and add to it often.

3. Become aware of what your body can do each day. Remember it is the instrument of your life, not just an ornament.

4. Create a list of people you admire: people who have contributed to your life, your community, or the world. Consider whether their appearance was important to their success and accomplishments.

5. Walk with your head held high, supported by pride and confidence in yourself as a person.

6. Don’t let your weight or shape keep you from activities that you enjoy.

7. Wear comfortable clothes that you like, that express your personal style, and that feel good to your

body.

8. Count your blessings, not your blemishes.

9. Think about all the things you could accomplish with the time and energy you currently spend

worrying about your body and appearance. Try one!

10. Be your body’s friend and supporter, not its enemy.

11. Consider this: your skin replaces itself once a month, your stomach lining every five days, your liver every six weeks, and your skeleton every three months. Your body is extraordinary--begin to respect and appreciate it.

12. Every morning when you wake up, thank your body for resting and rejuvenating itself so you can

enjoy the day.

13. Every evening when you go to bed, tell your body how much you appreciate what it has allowed you to do throughout the day.

14. Find a method of exercise that you enjoy and do it regularly. Don’t exercise to lose weight or to fight your body. Do it to make your body healthy and strong and because it makes you feel good. Exercise for the Three F’s: Fun, Fitness, and Friendship.

15. Think back to a time in your life when you felt good about your body. Tell yourself you can feel like that again, even in this body at this age.

16. Keep a list of 10 positive things about yourself--without mentioning your appearance. Add to it!

17. Put a sign on each of your mirrors saying, “I’m beautiful inside and out.”

18. Choose to find the beauty in the world and in yourself.

19. Start saying to yourself, “Life is too short to waste my time hating my body this way.”

20. Eat when you are hungry. Rest when you are tired. Surround yourself with people that remind you of your inner strength and beauty.

Don’t Weigh Your Self-Esteem. It’s What’s Inside That Counts!

Compiled by Margo Maine, Ph.D.

Where Does Your Insecurities Come From?

So I had a conversation with someone and it got me thinking. What if you cant figure out where your insecurities come from. Is it possible that there really isn't a reason you feel this way or is there always a reason? I would have no idea. I'm not a doctor or a psychiatrist so I wouldn't know how to figure it out.In my opinion I think there is a trigger for feeling a certain way and having insecurities.

Usually it starts out as a kid. As you grow up and your body changes, you start to notice and realize things you never knew. Such as having larger or smaller breast, being heavier than your friends, the shape of your body and even the features on your face. Not only do you notice them but others do as well and if you hate a specific part of your body that will start your insecurities. No one wants other people to see what they hate about themselves. As we get older we either grow out of those insecurities or they get worse.

When we get to the stage of wanting to date that can cause insecurities also. Feeling that we are good enough or lack certain qualities can damage our self esteem. Some women try to be what they feel that person wants. That leads them to not liking who they are and wanting to be someone else like a celebrity. Everyday we see images of what society says is beautiful and women are affected by it everyday.

As adults we should be at the point were nothing can shake our confidence, but its not always that easy. When you wake up morning and look in the mirror what do you see? You have to ask yourself that and if it's negative you need to figure out why. Comparing ourselves to other is the main culprit in having insecurities. Why do we do it? I'm at the point where no one can make me feel less than and break my confidence, but why cant others be like me. I can admit I have my days when something bothers me, but I don't let it overwhelm me.

Looking back at our lives we should be able to see when our insecurities, lack of confidence and lower self esteem started. At the point you should be able to also see why it started. Was there a boy you liked that hurt your feelings? was your friend skinnier? were you teased at any point? Did family members hurt you? There has to be something.

My point is that we have to work on our inner selves. We can not be confident, powerful women if we don't believe it ourselves. I recommend starting a journal or talking to someone (anyone) to figure out how to become a confident, power and sexy woman. Wake up every morning and tell yourself one positive thing a day. Leave all negatives behind and love yourself. If you have no one to talk to I'm here, you can contact me.

Put an End to Dieting

I've been researching all kinds of healthy eating alternatives, facts, myths, the do's, the don'ts, and so much more for many years now. I have tried many different diets and food plans that didn't meet my needs. What I found to work for me is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. I no longer try diets plans and I definitely never tried diet pills.

I learned how to eat healthy without having to count calories. I learned portion control and what nutrients my body benefits from. It took me a long time but I figured it out. Now everyone is different and for some counting calories or something like weight watchers can be their best choice. What we all must learn is that not every diet will work for you. You have to find what your body will respond to positively.

Dieting can become overwhelming and can lead to depression, low self-esteem, and so much more. We must end the cycle of dieting and focus on being healthy at any size. Don't look at it as I need to be a size two, look at it as I need to be healthy. Develop healthy eating habits instead of yo-yo dieting. Healthy lifestyles will last longer because it's a lifestyle change not a for the moment thing.

End the battle of the diet and make peace with food. It will be very hard trust me I still have my days but the results are so worth it. Loving your body also means taking care of it. All you have to do is take it day by day and step by step. You can do it because you are strong. Your journey starts today.

Younger, Clearer, Fresher Skin: 10 Insider Secrets

1. Add antioxidants to your protection plan.
We've gotten sunscreen-savvy, but no matter how much or how often you apply, it can't protect you 100 percent. For extra defense, layer a serum that contains antioxidants (such as SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, $128, skinceuticals.com, or Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough, $35, philosophy.com) under your sunscreen every morning, says Ranella Hirsch, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and president-elect of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery. The combination has been shown to produce significant improvement in fine lines, inflammation (think redness), and hyperpigmentation.

2. Undo sun damage -- seriously!
UV-ravaged skin can be helped with Aldara, a prescription cream that stimulates your immune system to attack the diseased cells that ultimately give rise to squamous cell carcinomas, explains Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, PhD, a clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine. To turn back the clock on earlier signs of damage, such as fine lines around your eyes and mouth, brown spots, and rough skin texture, use a retinoid cream, says Dr. Hirsch.

3. Try the sun-safe diet.
New research suggests that the polyphenols in brown algae may help repair sun damage -- and even prevent skin cancer -- by essentially turning off cancer genes. The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer, was done on mice, but lead researcher Gary Stoner, PhD, says he has "every reason to believe that the polyphenols would also be active in humans." To add them to your diet, order a mixed seaweed salad from your favorite Japanese restaurant (its properties remain most stable when eaten raw).

4. Brighten your eyes.
Vascular dark circles -- the kind that result from blood vessels underneath thin skin -- can be camouflaged with more than just concealer. "Restylane injections at a cosmetic dermatologist's office can help hide them," says Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas. Not one for needles? Hydrating creams and serums with water-binding ingredients, like collagen and hyaluronic acid, can temporarily plump up the skin to mask blood vessels, she adds. If puffiness is your problem, smoothing an algae mask over the area "can stimulate skin cells to eliminate excess fluid," says Jeannette Graf, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Medical Center. (Try Osea Red Algae Mask, $36, oseamalibu.com or Astara Activated Sea Mineral Mask, $42, astaraskincare.com.)

5. Try complexion perfection combination therapy.
The newest prescription drug, Ziana, combines an exfoliating Retin-A derivative with the topical antibiotic clindamycin. The two ingredients work synergistically to deliver the most powerful skin-clearing treatment, says David E. Bank, MD, director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery in Mount Kisco, New York. This double-whammy way of thinking has trickled down to drugstore products, too. Acne treatments like L'Oreal's AcneResponse Adult Acne Peel ($25, at drugstores) rely on "salicylic acid for its antibacterial effect and glycolic acid for its exfoliating effect," says Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas. "Peels don't work as well when you use only one type of acid."

6. Heal cystic acne.
Although sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid can work wonders on superficial acne, big, red bumps buried deep in the skin are immune to their powers. "A warm compress is the best solution for underground pimples," says Dr. Bank. "This stimulates blood flow, which will either bring the zit to a head, allowing it to open, or speed the body's ability to heal it and reabsorb it."

7. Take skin supplements.
"I like to call beta-carotene the everyman's Accutane, since both are high in vitamin A, a super exfoliator and antioxidant that turns skin cells over rapidly," says Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas. She often prescribes 6-milligram supplements of beta-carotene to her patients who either have mild acne or who have opted out of Accutane. (Accutane isn't prescribed for women who are planning to get pregnant, or who are pregnant, because it can cause birth defects.)

8. Say goodbye to scars.
When zits finally do clear, red, irritated skin and brown spots can take their place. Apply a cream that contains nonfermented soy (such as Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer with SPF 30, $14, at drugstores or Lancome Absolue Premium Bx Lotion, SPF 15, $108, lancome-usa.com). "The ingredient rapidly reduces redness," says Dr. Graf. If spots are stubborn, the VBeam laser, which targets broken capillaries, is a fast and more effective way to get the red out. At least three treatments (at about $400 each) are needed.

9. Fade freckles.
The best way to diminish brown spots, say experts, is with an ultra-gentle combination of botanical-based ingredients. Bearberry, kojic acid, licorice, and soy all have studies supporting their brightening abilities, says Dr. Bank, and they won't irritate your skin. These products work by inhibiting a pigment-producing enzyme called tyrosinase and are gentler than those containing hydroquinone, explains Dr. Graf. Try DDF Intensive Holistic Lightener, $50, sephora.com or Peter Thomas Roth Potent Botanical Skin Brightening Gel Complex, $50, beauty.com.

10. Banish little red bumps.
Treat keratosis pilaris, those ugly little red bumps on the backs of arms and thighs, with a moisturizer that contains 15 percent glycolic acid, says Dr. Bank. For the best results, choose a formula such as Glycolix Elite 15% Body Lotion, $19, dermstore.com. If you have seriously dry skin, try an emollient formula like Skin 911 Intense Body Cream, $30, skin911.com.

Article Courtesy of www.fitnessmagazine.com