Tag Archive for: exercise

 

On the dawn of 2018 , this is good time to think about setting intentions and making resolutions for the year ahead. Setting and keeping intentions gives us a sense of accomplishment and self worth. With an average of only 8% of people keeping their resolutions; they’re easy to make and hard to keep. Below are a few easy tips on how not to derail in the New year.

Be realistic

For example, if you’re aiming to get healthy or lose weight, aim for 5 pounds and cutting out one bad food. The idea is to set yourself up for success. By keeping the resolution achievable you will hit your goal and can always increase as the year progresses.

 

Be Accountable

Make a resolution with a friend. A great idea is to make a plan to meet up for a run or workout twice a week. By involving another person, you become accountable to one another. If you own a Fitbit or use workout tracking apps, share them on social media, as this is accountability too.

 

Set a Timeline

A realistic time line will allow you to hit and surpass your goal. Resolutions derail when the time line is too short. A helpful tool is calendar you can mark the days off-this way you can visually see your progress. Remember this is marathon not a sprint.

 

Popular Resolution Ideas:

  • Exercise more
  • Get outside more
  • Read more books
  • Volunteer
  • Meditate
  • Practice patience
  • Run a half marathon
  • Clean out your closet
  • Enjoy life more
  • Remove toxic people from your life
  • Lose weight
  • Spend more time with family
  • Empty cabinets of junk food
  • Self love
  • Be positive

 

Here is to a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year!

 

Summer is here which means more pool and beach visits, BBQ’s , sun dresses and bathing suits.  No one is really ever  bathing suit ready.   Cellulite, uneven skin tone, veins and  broken capillaries be gone! This year you don’t have to fear revealing more skin thanks to Dr. G’s tips on how to look summer ready.

photo via @margoandme

The culprits that scare us away from stripping down to our tiny bikinis are issues most women deal with. With a few tricks you’ll feel comfortable this summer!

“A fake tan is very helpful in disguising body issues. The darker the skin appears the fewer imperfections and uneven areas will be noticeable.”

Dr. G

The Culprit: Facial redness

The solution:

  • Limit the use of alcohol as it dilates blood vessels
  • Limit outdoor exercise during hottest hours of the day
  • Limit retinol, glycolic acid and aggressive exfoliators
  • Increase use of anti-inflammatory products with cooling/ soothing ingredients such as, red tea (Rooibos) alpha lipoic acid, green tea and oatmeal.

The Culprit: Cellulite

The solution:

  • A healthy diet full of essential fatty acids and leafy green vegetable and fruit is the best defense against cellulite.
  • Exercise is also extremely beneficial due to the increase in circulation
  • Sweating will increase circulation and flush salt out of the body
  • However, cellulite is genetic in some cases and not much can be down to fully get rid of.
  • Products that contain caffeine may be beneficial for smoothing out the appearance of cellulite.
  • Dry brushing skin removes dead skin cells and increases circulation. This may help to breakdown stubborn cellulite and prevent
  • Pour yourself a glass of bone broth. Bone broth is high in collagen, protein and Glucosamine, all help keep joints healthy, strengthen the immune system and fight cellulite.

The Culprit: Varicose veins

The solution:

  • Varicose veins are extremely hard to get rid of but can be managed by keeping weight at a healthy level, exercising and elevating the legs when possible.
  • Try wearing support socks or compression socks to assist in better circulation.
  • Self-tanners will help to cover uneven skin tone and color.

The Culprit: Lumpy Bumpy Skin

The solution:

  • Exfoliation is crucial in correcting lumpy and bumpy skin.
  • Look for a body scrub that contains both physical and enzymatic
  • Dry brushing. Dr. G tip: Remember to always brush towards the heart so the lymphatic system can flush and drain the fluid.

 

Every January people panic over what type of detox to attempt or foods to eliminate and by the third week, the bad habits are usually back with vengeance. No need to fall off the wagon before February! So this year we decided to implement healthy choices all year long not just for January. We all know that the key to success is moderation. Instead of trying to quit every bad habit cold turkey, we are going to change it up on monthly basis. Every month we will decrease or eliminate an unhealthy habit. Below are a few tips and tricks to get the year started right!

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Photo via Byrdie

Limit alcohol intake to once a week. If your job requires a lot of socializing try to drink 1:1- one water to every one alcoholic drink. This will help ward off dehydration. Drinking extra water will also create the feeling of fullness.

Limit sugar intake to once a week. The trick with sugar is getting it out of  your system. Sugar is the devil and really the worst thing for your body. Start reading labels and thinking about what is in the food you eat. Hidden sugars will derail any healthy diet. If you have a sweet tooth reach for the dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is a good sugar to eat in moderation and you bypass all the gross chemicals in junk food candy.

Switch dairy to a non-dairy choice. There are so many dairy alternatives available now. Soy, coconut milk, rice milk, and almond milk (which comes in many varieties). First and foremost milk is for baby cow consumption not human consumption. Dairy causes inflammation and is acid forming in our bodies. After pasteurization, all enzymes, proteins and vitamins have been destroyed and therefore milk provides no real health benefits.

A fibrous diet is a happy one. If you suffer from constipation or lack of regularity, add a cruciferous vegetable to your diet. Broccoli, Red or Green Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels and Kale all contain phytochemicals, vitamins and are very high in fiber. They are all also crunchy and easy to cook with.

Drink as much water as possible. Eight glasses always sounds like a lot, but it really does help the entire body. Your eyes and skin will be clearer and your body will function at a higher level when hydrated.

Exercise is the best cure for the winter blues, a few extra holiday pounds and overall wellness. Exercise allows us to sweat out toxins(salt, sugar, alcohol), increase circulation, increase blood flow and release endorphins. Endorphins make you feel good!