Weight Loss for Life

There are many ways to lose weight, but it is not always easy to keep the weight off. The key to successful weight loss is making changes in your eating and physical activity habits that you can keep up for the rest of your life. The information presented here may help put you on the road to healthy habits.

Health experts agree that you may gain health benefits from even a small weight loss if:

* You are obese based on your body mass index (BMI) (see BMI chart below).

* You are overweight based on your BMI and have weight-related health problems or a family history of such problems.

* You have a waist that measures more than 40 inches if you are a man or more than 35 inches if you are a woman.

A weight loss of 5 to 15 percent of body weight may improve your health and quality of life, and prevent these health problems. For a person who weighs 200 pounds, that means losing 10 to 30 pounds.

Even if you do not need to lose weight, you still should follow healthy eating and physical activity habits to help prevent weight gain and stay healthy as you age.

Eating Better for Health

Eating right can be hard when you do not feel akin to cooking or there is a fast-food place on every corner. Here are some easy things you can do to eat better:

* Start every day with breakfast. Try a low-fat whole-grain breakfast bar, nonfat or low-fat yogurt, or whole-grain toast or bagels extend with a little peanut butter, jam or low-fat cream cheese.
* Eat more fruits and vegetables, and choose whole grains like 100 percent whole wheat bread, oatmeal, or brown rice as an alternative of sophisticated grains like white bread and white rice.
* Choose low-fat or nonfat milk as an alternate of whole milk or a milkshake.
* Order a plain hamburger (without sauce or mayonnaise) or a grilled (not fried) chicken sandwich. Skip the fries and strive a salad with fat-free or low-fat dressing instead.
* Go easy on mayonnaise, creamy sauces, and additional butter.
* Don't let sugary soda or additional sweets crowd out healthy foods and beverages.

TIP: Many food brand say "low-fat," "reduced fat," or "light." That does not for all time mean the food is low in calories. Sometimes fat free or low-fat muffins or desserts have even additional sugar than the full fat versions. Remember, fat free does not indicate calorie free and calories do count!

Look Good as You Get Fit

If you avoid physical activity because you do not want to ruin your hairstyle, try:

* A natural hairstyle

* A style that can be covered or pulled back

* A short haircut

* braids, twistes or locs.

TIP: Day-to-day behavior can cause salt buildup in your hair. To remove salt, shampoo with a gentle pH-balanced invention at least once a week.

Tips on Moving More

Physical activity can be fun! Do things you enjoy like:

* dancing

* Rollerblading

* Fast walking

* playing sports

* bicycling

* swimming.

If you can, be physically active among a friend or a group. That way, you can cheer each other on, have company, and experience safer when you are outdoors. Find a local school path where you can walk or run, go for a stroll in a local park, or join a recreation center near your home or work.

Think you do not have time for physical activity? It is easy to move more by making these little changes to your daily routine:

* Get off the bus or subway one stop early and walk the rest of the way (be sure the area is safe).

* Park your car beyond away and walk to your destination.

* Walk to each end of the shopping mall when you go shopping.

Why Move More and Eat Better?

Being physically lively and making smart food choices is good for your health. But that is not the only reason to move more and eat better. You can:

* have more energy

* look good in hip, fashionable clothes

* tone your body (without losing your curves!)

* reduce stress, boredom, or the blues

* feel good about yourself.

The Fantasy Beauty

Although lifelike, early Renaissance portraits of women also conform to an ideal of beauty. Most Florentine women, then as now, were brown-eyed brunettes, yet they are often portrayed with blond hair, ivory skin, and sparkling eyes. These portraits reflect a canon of beauty derived from literature, especially from sonnets written by Petrarch in the fourteenth century in praise of his beloved Laura. Beauty was closely linked to virtue in Renaissance thought: because physical beauty signified an inner beauty of spirit, a beautiful woman was seen as an agent who could draw man to love, and through love, to God.

A striking echo of Laura's portrait is Botticelli's Young Woman (Simonetta Vespucci?) in Mythological Guise. Her flowing golden tresses and braided hairpieces recall one of Petrarch's verses: "Breeze that surrounds those blond and curling locks, that makes them move...and scatters the sweet gold, then gathers it in lovely knots recurling...." Botticelli's portrait may fuse Laura's attributes with those of the renowned Florentine beauty, Simonetta Vespucci, Giuliano de' Medici's ladylove who died in 1476 at the age of twenty-three. The relatively large size of this painting possibly reflects another lost work: a portrait of Simonetta in the guise of the mythological goddess Athena, which Botticelli had painted on a standard that Giuliano carried in a ceremonial joust in Florence in 1475.

Preventing wrinkles

Preventing wrinkles is the best way to not have wrinkles. Your first and best protection against wrinkles is to stay well hydrated; this keeps the skin plump and smooth. It is recommended that you drink between six and eight glasses of water a day. While that sounds like a lot of water in all realism it really is not that much water.

A well balanced diet is also supportive to preventing wrinkles. If your body is getting the proper nutriment you will have healthy skin to go along with that. Foods rich in anti-oxidants and high in vitamins A, C and E are good for the skins appearance. Taking a good multi-vitamin can also be a way to help the skin.

Exercise is important to healthy skin as is moisturizing. When you exercise your body gets rid of toxins that can make up causing you to age faster. Using a good moisturizer will help the skin retain its elasticity making you appear younger.

Avoid the sun, smoking and limit your alcohol. These all have the authority to rob your skin of its elasticity and youthfulness. It is recommended that you always wear an SPF of 15 or higher if you are going to be outside. You can also choose to wear protective clothing to avoid the sun and prevent wrinkles.

Choose the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin

Skin Types

Oily skin is described as shiny with a dull color to it. Chronically oily skin has big pores and often has blackheads or pimples that can be either large or small. There are many causes to this type of skin a few of which are hormone levels, heredity, diet, and the weather. Natural oils such as Olive oil are really good for oily skin types, they help break down the body's oil and replace it with good oil.

Dry skin can be described by a dull flat tight look. This skin type often suffers from a stiff itchy feeling and the skin can flake or chap and crack easily. This skin type can be caused by a lot of the similar things as oily skin such as heredity, diet, and hormones.

Mixture skin is skin that has both oily patches as well as dry patches and is a very typical skin type for the face. Often the T zone is where the oily patches are; the T zone is the forehead, nose, and chin. Often this area is affected by acne or can be more greasy feeling then the rest of your skin. The dry patches are frequently the cheeks where they can become so dry some people may experience flaking or chapping.

Sensitive skin is skin that is thin or fine in texture. If you have sensitive skin you almost certainly have allergic reactions to many products including detergents, cosmetics and alcohol that is used in many skin care products. Sensitive skin burns easily as well as can get windburned more easily.

Products

Dermatologists recommend that you forever use a moisturizer that contains a sun screen. SPF is important to give you the sun protection you need. During the summer months you can even find moisturizers that contain tint for a nice tanned look.

Some products like Aveno have clearly labeled bottles that tell you what the skin type each special product is best for. Aveno is best for sensitive skin as well as to be used during winter months when dry skin can be at its worst.

Neutrogena is one of the top suggested products for skin care by dermatologists and can be found in just about any drug store, chain store, or super market. Neutrogena is a product that is particularly good for people who suffer from oily skin types or acne that is often caused by oily skin.

You may also find that some organic ingredients work best for your skin. A natural deep moisturizer is olive oil and is frequently used even in luxury salons. This is one of the best moisturizers for a deep penetrating facial or all over body moisturizer. Choosing a product that is right for your skin will allow you to save money as well as get the right product for your skin type.

Finding a Facial Natural Remover

Many people seek out a homeopathic treat for age spots rather than resorting to harsh treatments. Some popular vitamin supplements are vitamins C and E, Zinc, Selenium, Beta Carotene, and Potassium.

One popular normal home remedy is pure lemon juice. Rub fresh juice into the affected skin, allow air-drying, and follow with moisturizer every day until faded. A honey and yogurt facial can help fade age spots as well.

Deciding to remove or fade your age spots is easier today, the number of options available. You can choose from cover-ups, natural remedies, bleaching, or complete removal. You do not have to live with unpleasant age spots; treatment can begin in your own kitchen.

Specialty Facial Treatments

Many specialty facial treatments eliminate the discolored area to reveal lighter, undamaged skin as the body heals. Removing the damaged layer of skin often involves some level of discomfort and particularly trained professionals perform these procedures. Treatments include laser surgery, chemical peels, freezing, and microdermabrasion.

Bleaching

Women interested in reducing the visibility of age spots frequently choose over-the counter treatments to bleach the affected skin. Many women find relief from an old-fashioned beauty fade cream. These treatments fade the discolorations, but subsequent sun exposure will result in reappearance of the age spots.

Hydroquinolone creams are successful in fading age spots in fair-skinned individuals. These creams should not be used by anyone with dark skin, as a darkening of the age spots may occur with usage.

Natural Causes, Prevent and Home Treatments for Liver, Brown and Age Spots

The Dreaded Appearance of Brown Age Spots

Age spots, or liver spots, often appear on the backs of hands, arms, shoulders, and the face. They are flat, discolored areas and are generally circular in shape, but can be irregular. These discolorations can vary from deep brown to light tan in color.

It is important to note that any unusual skin blemishes need evaluation by a medical professional. Some skin cancers go untreated because they are mistaken for age spots, freckles, or moles.

Causes of Age or Liver Spots

There are many contributing factors in the enlargement of age spots, but the bottom line is sun exposure causes age spots. Tanning beds and long periods of exposure to sunlight without proper skin protection create these discolorations.

Other popular theories suggest impaired liver function, an overabundance of free radicals in the body, and poor diet contribute to the improvement of age spots when combined with sun exposure.

Genetic predisposition plays a role in the development of most undesirable conditions, and age spots are no exception. Some people will develop age spots despite preventative measures.

Preventing Age Spots

The best protection against age spots is protection from the sun. Sun block, protective clothing, and limiting time in direct sunlight will drastically reduce your chances of developing age spots.

Basic lifestyle changes are helpful in reducing the appearance of new age spots. Consuming plenty of pure water per day, eating fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, and getting usual exercise assist your body in naturally defending itself from free radicals, skin damage, and toxin build-up. Medical professionals also recommend avoiding concentrated sugars, preservatives, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and fats.

Protecting Delicate Skin Around the Eyes and Basic Skin Care Around The Eyes

You should always wash off eye make up using a mild cleanser. Many over the counter products that are formed to remove make up around the eyes are best because they are made to be gentle enough to not cause damage to the skin. One very good cleanser that is natural and gentle sufficient for even sensitive skin is witch hazel. This product cleans well all while still being gentle enough for that very sensitive around the eye area.

A good way to avoid this from happening is to use an eye gel or moisturizing cream in the morning when you first get up and again at night before you go to bed. As we age the skin becomes less elastic and can loose the soft supple look it had before. Staying well hydrated also helps the skin to maintain to have that supple look. Ensuring that your moisturizers contain SPF will also help to ensure that the delicate skin around your eyes is protected from getting wrinkles that can be caused by sun damage to the skin.

Lymph nodes located under the eyes where toxins build up in the lymph system your eyes to be puffy and swollen. A good way to decrease that swelling is to apply a cool mask around the eyes. You can also gently press on the area using the third finger on each hand to massage this area to release the toxins built up in the lymph system. Many people also like to store a jar of eye cream in the refrigerator so that they can apply it cold to the skin to decrease the swelling and sooth the enflamed feeling.

Crows feet or laugh lines around the eyes are very typically the first to show because of how delicate and thin the skin around the eyes is. The best way to combat these types of lines and wrinkles is to use a invention that contains glycolic acid, also known as alpha hydroxy acid or AHA. One product line that boasts to be gentle enough to be used around the eye as a wrinkle remover is Olay. Utilizing cosmetics that contain AHA will help you to diminish your fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. There are many over the counter cosmetics that help get clear of your fine lines and wrinkles.