Too Much Sweating! Will It Be Good For Your Skin?

Everyone sweat during the day. People often take measure to stop the amount of sweat they are producing as it can lead to a foul odor. While many people are worried about smelling clean there is something else that can to be taken into consideration. People often forget about their skin. This brings up the question if there is such a thing as sweating too much and if it is bad for the skin.

Sweating and the Skin

When the body is overheating sweating is a way that will help the body cool itself down. When a person sweats their sebaceous glands produce more oil than usual. Many people worry that their pores will clog up even more and the dirt and bacteria will become trapped. Sweating has the opposite effect on the skin. When a person sweats their pores open up. All the toxins and the bacteria that were in the pores are removed from the sweat. This process is similar to a natural exfoliation process. This is one of the ways in which the body is also to clean and take care of itself. After a person is done doing the physical activity that caused them to sweat they should wash their face and body off. There will still be toxins left on the skin and they do not have a pleasant feeling. Taking a shower will also help the pores close up again.

Why People Sweat

Sweating is a way that the body helps itself to keep a normal temperature. If a person gets too hot the body temperature would rise and cause some healthy problems. Sweating helps the internal temperature of the body stay constant. People sweat when they are engaging in physical activity, when the weather is hot, and when a person is feeling nervous or anxious.

What Is In Sweat?

Sweat consists of water, sodium, chlorides, and a small amount of potassium. Some scientists are finding out more information about human sweat. It contains dermcidin which is a substance that will help kill bacteria. This includes any bacteria that are found on the surface of the skin. if the bacteria stays on the surface of the skin there is a chance it can get inside the pores and lead to skin conditions such as acne. Sweating will remove these bacteria before it gets into the pores.

Can Sweat Hurt the Skin

If a person is sweating and wipes the sweat away when they are done working out or doing the activity that caused them to sweat it can actually help the skin. It is when a person does not bathe themselves after sweating where the problems begin. If sweat is left on the body for a prolonged period of time it can be harmful to the skin. A person may get a heat rash or notice that their skin turns slightly red and itchy. A person can get red bumps due to the glands in the skin becoming blocked. The pores will be open which will allow bacteria and other toxins to enter the skin. To keep sweat productive for the body and to keep it helping the skin be sure to wash the face and the body after sweating. This will allow the skin to see the benefits. For people with sensitive skin that sweat often they should keep their clothing clean and change the bed sheets on a regular basis.

Sweat and Pores

Sweat opens the pores from the deepest layers on the skin to the surface of the skin. Before having professional face cleaning procedures many doctors use steam to open up the pores. This works in the same way that sweat does. The only difference is that sweat is all natural and does not use chemicals to clean out the skin.

Sweat is actually good for the skin as long as a person practice good hygiene habits. Sweat can clean out the pores and the toxins that come with them. By nature some people will sweat more than others. As long as person is using personal hygiene products such as deodorant and bathing after sweating the amount of sweat a person produces should not be a problem for the skin. Sweating is actually beneficial for the skin and will help exfoliate the skin naturally.

Instagram Beauty Secrets Part 6

It's time once again for another Instagram Beauty Secret round-up.  For those of you who aren't family with past Instagram Beauty posts, this is basically where I stalk various instagram accounts in hopes of finding golden nuggets that I can incorporate into my own beauty routine.   In past posts, I discovered gems such as GlamGlow, Capriclear, MAC's Spiked Pencil and many more.  Round 6 will not disappoint. 

@natashandlovu

First up are a couple finds from model Natasha who is know on Instagram for sharing fashion related posts.  When she gives us a glimpse of her facial beauty products, it's a real treat.  In the top pic, she's presenting Cure Aqua Gel and MALIN + GOETZ.  I've never heard of either brand so I had to do a little research.  Cure Aqua Gel is actually a water based exfoliating cleanser with natural ingredients.  According to their Amazon description, one bottle of Cure Gel is sold every 12 seconds in Japan.  The reviews are phenomenal. And you all know about how we feel about exfoliation around these parts.   Apparently, Cure Aqua Gel is so effective that you can actually see the dead skin cells lift as you massage the product into your skin.  But, they also claim that this is one of the most gentle exfoliators available.  Everyone talks about how good your skin looks after using.  

So yeah. I HAVE to try this. I'm going to experiment with this as a body exfoliator as well.  Can't wait.

The other product she's holding is MALIN + GOETZ grapefruit cleanser.  This too has solid reviews although it doesn't appear to be a cult classic like The Cure Gel.  As the weather shifts, I'm drawn to refreshing citrus scents and a grapefruit cleanser sounds yummy.  MALIN +GOETZ  boasts of brightening and clarifying properties. It's also microbial and great for removing makeup without stripping the skin or over drying.  This cleanser would be great as the weather heats up to manage the effects of excessive oil production. 

She's also trying out Rodial products which we've seen in a past Instagram Secrets post.  Natasha will be trying the Rodial products out and sharing her results.  Can't wait to find out her thoughts. 

@mymanicuredmama

I love this next Instagram Beauty Secret because it's not really a secret for us.  We've been known about Fermented Cod Liver Oil.  But it's nice to get confirmation about how it's benefiting others.  Mymanicuredmama posted this caption when she shared a image of herself and her favorite beauty secret:

"I NEVER get breakouts anymore!!! Not even hormonal breakouts.  There are several things I've done to improve my skin.  FERMENTED COD LIVER OIL is 1 of my skin secrets...."

Like  Manicuredmama, I too experienced a huge difference in breakouts once Fermented Cod Liver came into my life.  All that natural vitamin A combined with unprocessed omega 3 does the skin good.

@osalo

Instagrammer @Osalovely finally reveals the secret to her flawless skin when she shares this message with her followers:

"I get asked a lot about my skin regimen (in public & online).   #1-Genetics #2-Mandelic acid 15% and glycolic acid 15% chemical peels together for a total of 30% .  There ya go!  You can have skin like a star with no [Photo]shop.  

While I do agree that genetics plays a role in great looking skin, there's a lot to be said about someone who was given great skin, yet still chooses to take the steps necessary to create flawless skin.  That should be a lesson to all of us.

@evelynlozada

Shout out to Jasmin for tagging me when "Basket Ball Wife" Evelyn Lozada revealed the products that keep her hair strong and healthy.  I LIVE for Instagram reveals like this.  Immediately, my eyes landed on the large size Nioxin bottles.  Years back, Nioxin was a staple.  Scalp Therapy was a little expensive but so worth it (especially if you have scalp issues).  I'm really tempted to bring it back into rotation to address any sweat and other build up on the scalp once the weather heats up.

Another product of interest in Evelyn's regimen is the L'OREAL Absolut Cellular Mask which was once in my Amazon cart.  Aside from the stellar reviews, I was drawn to the Lactic Acid ingredient which could have a mild straightening/smoothing effect.  Evelyn's post has enticed me to finally give it a shot.

@shanieceh

Another shout out goes to @officialawalolo for tagging me when Evelyn's daughter shared the secret to her flawless skin. Shaniece gives credit to YouthH20 and facials every 4 weeks.  This reminds of when we learned about how "Basketball Wife" Sundy Carter  attributed her amazing skin to regular facial appointments.

Looks like Shaniece likes to pamper herself with an at home facial in between visits to her esthetician.  The facial steamer she uses is solid choice.  I've had a couple table top steamers back in the day and loved them.  If you plan on investing in a steamer, skip the drug store brand and go for one of these.

Shaniece appears to be enjoying a full body steam session by exposing her neck and shoulders.  That's a great tip.  Who needs a fancy steam room when you've got a high powered steamer with an adjustable nozzle?  Sometimes, you can throw a towel over your head and multiply the amount of steam for an even greater experience.

Until next time ladies.  Oh, and if you ever come across a great hair or beauty secret reveal on instagram, be sure to tag me (@lifeasnadege).

Fit Friday | Three Ways to a flatter tummy

Today's post is inspired a by recent review of Beautifully Bamboo Tea.  In her review, the happy customer shared this:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great product!, March 8, 2015

By 

Nadine - 

Great product!!! If I'm not mistaken the tea has kept my stomach from being bloated. My co-workers noticed the difference. I got them interested in purchasing the tea, also my daughter has purchased it. 

Her experience has me thinking about summer preparations and how achieving a toned, flat stomach is an absolute must.  My biggest problem area is my midsection.  I wish I was one of those people with a naturally flat tummy, but that just isn't the case.  If I want to appear like I have any semblance of abs, I've got to take deliberate action. Now that summer is approaching, it's time to get serious again and employ the tree strategies that have worked for me in the past.

My midsection often appears bloated and expanded.  In my opinion, the biggest contributor is the way I eat.  My meals ware pretty much scarfed down as quickly as possible.  This allows me to fit in as much food as I can before the feelings of being full start to set in.  I'm also confessing that I don't chew my food as thoroughly as I should.  Again, this has everything to do with consuming as much food as I can within a short amount of time (what can I say, I love to eat).

Once I realized the error of my ways, I began practicing conscious eating.  Basically, it's when you remain present while you eat.  Instead of eating in front of a tv/phone/computer, or while driving, I eat with a single-minded focus and no distractions.  Then I fulfilled the recommended amount of chews per bite.  For optimal digestion, it's best to chew 20-30 times before swallowing.  This is especially hard  for me because I HATE swallowing liquified food (HATE!).  But, I bit the bullet and did it anyway.

But, you know what happened?  With mindful chewing, I reached the time threshold where the mind and stomach communicate and tell you that you're full.  The more consistent I was with conscious eating and thorough chewing, the less food was needed to fill me up.  Soon my stomach, which was once over-expanded, regained its elasticity and began to naturally shrink.  Before, I could down several slices of pizza before my mind even noticed.  Now, I was full from eating a home made sandwich.  Turns out that my stomach was much smaller than I thought.  It wasn't long before I was enjoying the flat stomach that I always longer for.  It also took away my issue with a sluggish stomach.  Overall, the benefits were very much worth it so I'm willing to try it again.

The other time I had a small midsection was when I first gave up gluten.  At the time, I was really gong ho about it so I also gave up starches as well.  So, in essence, I was following a low carb diet.  They say that "abs are made in the kitchen."  Well they're right.  It wasn't long before stubborn pounds melted off.  Eating all those wonderful salads game me the belly of my dreams.  No to mention how quickly my skin cleared up.  And, to be honest, it was easier than conscious eating because I didn't have to keep a running total of how many times I chewed my last bite.  Even if my belly did expand slightly after eating a large salad, it was easily digested so the bloated feeling was short lived.

The last trick up my sleeve is running.  Once upon a time, I was required to run a 3 mile race in under a certain amount of minutes.  I'm one of those people who never ran so I had to get in a lot of practice to build up my endurance.   After weeks of running 9-15 miles a week, I had the flattest tummy of my life.  If I recall correctly,  I even enjoyed some wonderful ab definition in the process. No change in eating habits, nothing else but burning off a ton of calories.  My gluted toned up as well.  Then I reached my goal and stopped running regularly. The rest is history.

These three strategies have worked well for me in the past so I'm going to use a blended approach to get back on track.  On the agenda for today is to pick up some organic leafy greens for salad making.  Although I don't plan on going full low carb, I will increase the number of times I eat a salad per week. When I'm not having a salad, I'm use conscious eating to manage portion size.  Lastly, I began to incorporate brief jogging sessions in my long walks to burn extra calories.

But that's only half the battle.  A flat belly is one thing, but a flat, toned stomach is what's hot in these streets.  In phase two of my plan we talk about how to tone up, while keeping the waist as defined as possible.

Eternal Youth | Cryotherapy Beauty Treatment

It wasn't that long ago that we we talking about cold showers for all of its amazing beauty benefits.  Now we're taking things to the next level.  Last week, I accidentally stumbled upon two separate instances where the topic of cryotherapy came up. Whenever that happens, I believe it's a message sent directly to me for a reason.

So I started looking more into cryotherapy. The more I learned, the more I wanted needed to experience it.  What is cryotherapy?  Basically, you're exposed to extremely low temperatures (well below -100 degrees) for 2-3 minutes.  All the blood rushes to your organs for protection. Your blood then becomes concentrated to a relatively small area.  As you breathe in, all of the oxygen reaches the blood that's concentrated around your vital organs. This causes the blood to become very RICH IN OXYGEN.  Then, you step out of the chamber, and all of that oxygen rich blood immediately rushes throughout the body to bring your body temperature back to normal.

During that re-warming process, toxins are flushed out, nutrients are delivered more efficiently and anti-inflammatory proteins are released throughout the body.  Red blood cells flood the surface of the skin, which can have wonderful benefits to healing scars.   Metabolism rises as the body works diligently to bring temps back to normal.  In fact, one short cryotherapy session can burn as much as 600-800 calories per session.

Cryotherapy is also excellent for pain management and reducing inflammation.  Athletes have been taking ice baths to address pain and injury for years.   Cryotherapy offers a more comfortable alternative to ice baths because it uses nitrogen gas instead of ice cold water.  When the skin is wet, the experience is way more uncomfortable.  I've watched videos of people in cryotherapy chambers and they seem to endure it pretty well considering the sub freezing temps.

Then I learned of the beauty benefits.  I mean....I already knew of some of the benefits from my experience with cold showers but this takes it to the max.  Cryotherapy claims to help reduce cellulite and increase the production of collagen.  I checked out a local cryotherapy center in my city and their website also boasts of healthier hair and nail growth.  No explanation was provided but I imagine the increase of nutrient rich blood to the extremities can stimulate healthy growth.   The prices seem pretty reasonable. The more sessions you purchase, the cheaper they are.  Cryotherapy is good stuff and serious anti-aging connoisseurs like Demi Moore are already hip to this eternal youth secret.

I can not wait to try this for myself! But for now, I'll take cold showers as practice for the big day.

Style School | Five ways to create shoulder length waves

Ah, so you wanna know how to style your shoulder length do into cute effortless waves?  Well you're in luck.  I've compiled five different options for you to chose from.

(click on images to view video)

Method #1 is probably the most common.  All you need is your trusty curling wand and you're good to go.  I don't use my curling wand that often, but when I do, the results are pretty much perfect.  And the curls last all day.  But don't get too comfortable breaking out your curling wand every day otherwise, the heat will destroy your hair.   And when you do use heat, be sure to follow the rules to minimize damage as much as possible.   

Wanna avoid heat altogether. Check out this video on how to transform your basic wig into an ultra cute shoulder length bob.  This is perfect if you aren't quite ready to chop off your hard earned length just yet.

In my opinion, a flexi rod is just an unheated version of the curling wand.  Meaning, you can pretty much replicate any style using a flexi rod without the dangers of using heat.  In the tutorial above, she uses a blended approach of heat and no heat. But you can create a similar result going sans heat.  

This next method is probably the most creative of our list.  She uses a plain headband to create heatless waves on her neck length strands.  While I do appreciate this somewhat unusual styling method, I still cringed a little at how things could go wrong if you have fragile ends.  Another, safer alternative might be large bantu knots instead. 

Probably my favorite option are the heatless twists.  I've tried this style on my hair and it's pretty  fool proof.  And, you can get two hair styles out of it.  I like to wear my hair twisted for a day or two then go for wavy for the next two days.  Simple + Healthy + Low Manipulation.  What more can you ask for?

Motivation Monday | Break out of your Default Settings.

I was listening to a podcast, the other day, where the host explained the importance of having a morning routine.  More specifically, he recommended that the morning routine be so systematic that

1.  It can be carried out day after day without much conscious thought.
2.  You could write out your routine and someone else could carry out our morning ritual step by step.

Then I got to thinking about my current routine, which looks something like this:

Wake up, head to the computer, check emails, check stats, browse various sites, etc.

After reflecting on my routine, I came to the following conclusions.  First, my routine isn't clearly defined.  It's more a random set of actions that I repeat over and over again.  Second, these morning activities do not offer any leverage with regards to how the rest of my day will turn out.  Simply put, my actions don't set me up for success.

So I immediately decided to change all of that.  My new morning routine would incorporate quiet time for meditation, reflection, prayer, etc. Then I'd do some type of physical exercise to increase blood flow and promote sweating.  I'd also take time to focus on my current goals and determine which actions to do, that day, that get me one step closer to my goal. Finally, I'd incorporate a small beauty routine, as a celebration of life, while I put on a cup of warm bamboo tea.

This would be my ideal morning.  But, unfortunately, the first version of my morning has now become my default.  While in default mode, no (mental) effort is required. These behaviors repeat themselves over and over again.  I want the second version of the morning ritual to become my default.  But here's the issue.  Every time I've done version #1, I've created a connection in the brain. When that same action is repeated over and over again, I'm essentially creating a deep rooted program.  It's like walking the same path day after day. Eventually, the path becomes permanent.

Then one day, I decide I want to create a new path.  Unfortunately, that area is overgrown. I literally have forgo the easy path (already awaiting me) and exert a considerable amount of energy to carve out a new path.  Basically, you have to go against your default programming, day after day, until your new actions become hardwired into your subconscious.  Soon, it becomes second nature.  You wake up and instinctively carry out this new way of life.

Anytime you want to create new habits, an important thing to realize is that you will have to face a certain level of resistance.  It's natural.  YOU WILL NOT FEEL LIKE DOING IT.  You will rationalize reasons why you can't.  You will break promises to yourself.  But it's all part of the process.  As long as you are aware of this AND as long as you employ your power of CHOICE throughout this process.

You will have to choose to work out even though you've lost an hour of sleep 'cause of daylight savings.  You will have to choose to drink water, even though you hate the way it tastes.  You will have to choose to work on your business even though you are afraid of failing.  You've gotta want this new path more than you want your own comfort.  You also have to believe you're capable of being that person capable of living out that new path.  If your belief is insufficient, your subconscious works against you to hold on to your old patterns.

So I decided.  I decided to carry out my desired morning ritual.  It wasn't easy.  I had to keep pulling myself away from wanting to surf the web.   I wanted to shift to default.  When I realized what was happening, I adjusted my focus.  Each time I executed morning ritual #2, I had a tremendous day.  Then I used the results as leverage to keep me motivated to do it again tomorrow.  Every morning, I remind myself why it's so important that I push against resistance no matter how hard it may seem.

The reward is what makes it all worth it.

Style Obsession | Shoulder Length.

With spring being just around the corner, I thought it would be good idea to do a quick trim of my ends.  Just a simple dusting, I thought, to freshen up my hair in preparation of a new season.  But with every snip, I found myself fighting back the urge to create thick, blunt ends landing at just past my shoulders.  

I know the purpose of a hair journey is to reach new lengths and retain every inch possible.  Shoulder length is supposed to be just a milestone to reached on the way brastrap or mid-back.  But, now I'm starting to rethink how I look at shoulder length.  It's such a flirty hair style that pretty much looks amazing on anyone, especially if you've got well maintained ends.  Shoulder length just so easy and care free.  Rub in a little light oil for shine and you're ready to head out.

If you're currently at shoulder length, take some time to enjoy this wonderful time in your hair journey.  Experiment with parting your hair in different ways.  Try wearing it straight, wavy, curly.  Trim a 1/4 inch off to thicken those ends and rock your shoulder length hair proudly.

Summer Countdown | Time for a Skin Detox

Now let's move on to Phase II of our countdown to summer readiness plan.  But first, let me share a little story.  A couple years ago, I suffered from severe acne prone skin.  Winters were a blessing for me because my skin seemed to calm down and only break out sporadically.  Summers, on the other hand, were a constant battle as my skin was at its worst.

Then, I adjusted my diet and my focus.  I took several actions that seemed to effectively address the acne.  Summer came around, and my skin behaved.  But I observed an interesting phenomena.  Others around me, with relatively normal skin, seemed to suffer from acne breakouts as soon warm weather came around.

It was at the point that I came to the unscientific conclusion that their acne was a result of a purging.  The increased sweat, oil production,  and cell turnover increases in the spring and summer, creating the right environment for fussy skin.  And, think of all the consumption of fatty foods over the winter holidays, along with the lower amount of water intake during the winter.  Things are pretty much stagnant.

Then, all of the sudden things start moving again. It's hot, we got outside, our skin gets oily, we start sweating, then we break out.  I'm of the opinion that we break out because we haven't done our due diligence to properly cleanse/detox before hand.  So when the body does it's natural detox, our skin suffers the consequences.  And it happens at the most inopportune time.

That's why it's important to take matters into our own hands. And to do it now.  We begin the cleansing process so by the time warm weather hits, we're glowing.

No detox exists without the increased consumption of water.  While I was observing the random breakouts of my coworkers over the summer, I also became in tune to which of them were severely dehydrated.  Some, I could tell by the peeling lips, others, by their dry hands. One coworker, who I admired  dearly, showed signs of dehydration on her face.  She was younger than me but her excessively dry skin had lead to the obvious formation of fine lines and wrinkles.  Out of no where I asked her "how much water are you drinking?"  She looked down and admitted that she didn't drink hardly any water.

You will be doing yourself a favor if you increase your water intake starting now.  Once your body is adequately hydrated, it'll use the additional water intake to help start the cleansing process.  It's time to clean house and water is your best friend. Immediately after your water intake increases, you will experience a rise in the number of rest room breaks.  Some people are bothered by that. I like to think of it as something wonderful. I'd rather flush my toxins down the toilet than have them excreted through the skin.


We all can fall victim to not drinking enough water.   Heck, just a couple of weeks ago, I suffered from scaly skin after I got "too busy" to keep up with my water intake.  But I had to correct that real quick and now I'm back to my old self again.

After I rehydrated, I started the process of detoxing.  Nothing crazy, just simple steps like adding a few cups of lemon water into my daily rotation.  This is to keep the body alkaline which is it's happy place.  An alkaline environment wards off inflammation. Acne is a form of inflammation and I'd like to avoid that at all costs.  Along with lemon water, I've restocked on probiotics to further promote a healthy internal environment.  As mentioned in the last post, I'm increasing the amount of leafy greens and fruits.  And maybe, I'll squeeze in a 3 day fast before summer hits for the heck of it.

Lastly, I will make sure to head back to the sauna on a regular basis.  The point is to start sweating and clearing out the pores now.  By the time summer hits, my sweat will be "cleaner" (if that makes sense).  Problem skin happens when we sweat are the toxins through our skin.  I learned the value of sweating when after visiting the steam from for the first time.  The first couple of sessions, I could barely keep my eyes open. The salt content of my sweat stung my eyes.  But, as I continued the sessions, my sweat became much less concentrated and had no salty taste.  It's like going to the rest room when you're dehydrated.  Both the color and the scent of the urine is super strong. But, when you drink plenty of water, the urine is almost clear.   Do you want strong, concentrated sweat coming through your pores this summer or the clearer version?

And again, I'll bring up exfoliation for the 50th time.  Why?  Because it's time to remove all the old, dead layers of skin.  All the lotions + butters we slathered on for months have built up. Our cell turnover slowed down during the winter months.  Those two variables are working together to rob you of your glow.  And if you start sweating through all those layers of dirt and dead skin, you're asking for trouble.  Long ago, I would break out on my chest and back. But once I learned of the merits of hydration, clean eating, and exfoliation, those problems left my life.  As a matter of fact, the first to areas I scrub while in the shower are my chest and back.  I guess it's just habit, but it's allowed me to eliminate old acne scarring from both of those areas.  I can proudly wear a tube top without a care in the world.

Ok, to recap, PHASE II of our get ready for summer plan is all about internal cleansing so when you sweat this summer, and when your cell turnover increases, you don't have to worry about the hideous side effects of what could happen if we aren't intentional.

Countdown to Summer | Glowing skin starts now.

This weekend is daylight savings.  This means the start of the "warmer seasons."  This week has been unseasonably warm which reminded served as reminder of how unprepared I am.  Winter allows me the opportunity to slack a little on my skincare, my eating, and fitness routine.  When spring rolls around, it's on!

So I've got to move quickly into action to get things back in order.  As always, the first priority was up to up my water intake and I'm already experiencing improvements.  Quick tip, if you want to drink more water, get a bigger water bottle.

Now that I've upped my hydration, I can worry about other things.  First and foremost on my list is body exfoliation.  Time to switch out my Salux cloth for an upgraded, harder version.  I've become a bit accustomed standard texture and now I'm graduating to the next level (super hard Salux cloth).

Second on the agenda is a cleanser that also evens out the skin.  In the past I've reached for the Kojic Acid soap. But I think I may venture onto something even more powerful.  So far, I've got my eye on this Mandelic Acid 3-N-1 exfoliating cleanser.  Mandelic acid is a mild exfoliant that is deemed the most effective for ethnic skin.  Even though mandelic acid is considered  on the mild side, as far as peeling agents go,  it's pretty effective.  Perfect for using a couple of times a week to promote healthy, even toned skin.

Ok, so I'll continue up my water intake, slough off dead skin with a high-powered Salux cloth,  and incorporate skin brightening products into my daily/weekly routine.  In addition to all of this, I plan to transition my eating habits away from fatty, heavy comfort food to fresher choices.  This means incorporating more fresh fruits and green salads throughout the day.  Not only will this help me shed a few pounds, the water content in fruit and veggies also help contribute to my total water intake.

This is Phase I of the "Get Ready for Summer" plan.  There's also a Phase II which involves one simple action which will contribute to my fitness, health and skin care goals all at once.  Let's Phase II discuss next time.

Style Obsession// TWO CHAINS

A signature style should appear like it took little effort to create your finished look.  And it's the smallest of details which make all the difference in the world.

The only way to take a basic tee from boring lounge wear to stylish + effortless is to accent the look with simple accessories that change everything.  That, and pairing it with quality outwear (see above).  I'm loving minimalist chains and how they give the neckline a wonderful hint of femininity.  They're sleek, they're sexy and they bring balance to the  tomboyish look of an oversized tee (or tank).

Don't get me wrong, I love a good chunky chain (I mean, who doesn't), but they don't provide the same level of allure. Statement necklaces are meant to do just that.....make a statement!  But sometimes a statements can be more subtle....more mysterious.

Style Inspo | Fitted to a Tee

In less than three weeks, spring will be upon us.  Although I dressed for  the cooler weather, yesterday happened to be one of those unseasonable warm days that served as a stark reminder that warm weather is coming.  Immediately, I reflected on the change in wardrobe and quickly devised a strategy for the months ahead.

In keeping with my promise to create a signature style, I decided to start with what's easiest.  If it wasn't simple, I wouldn't carry it out.  For me, the simplest style choice is wearing a dress.  You just slip it on, find matching shoes and you're done.  Dresses also set you apart from the crowd, surrounding you with vibes of being an international woman of mystery.  Donning a dress is definitely something I want to experiment with on a regular this spring.

But also on my agenda, is mastering the art of wearing basics.  I own a handful of tees.  But they're the kind of t-shirts you get for signing up for 5k runs or are given to you as a gift when a family member comes back from vacation.  None of them are what I would call stylish.

But all of that is about to change.  I'm chucking all of the faded, oversized t-shirts and replacing them them with quality, stylish tees.  You know what's so great about a well fitted tee?  It's like a blank slate upon which to create your masterpiece.  Tees can easily compliment your favorite shredded jeans or A line skirt.  Like a dress, the tee allows you incredible amounts of styling options.   Your outerwear now becomes the focus and possibilities are limitless.

A well fitted tee is also timeless, which means spending less money on trendy pieces.  It pains me to look into my closet and see various peplums and other tops reminiscent of obsolete trends.  My closet isn't big enough to hold ruffled blouses and such.  It's all about keeping things stylish and simple.

Oh, and I found the perfect accessory to pair with my basic tees.  That'll be our next topic.

Monday Motivation | Operate at the highest level of intensity to reach your goals

After stepping onto the treadmill, my trainer than advised me that we would be doing a series of interval running exercises.  Basically, he started me off on a light jog for a couple of minutes, then, he cranked up the speed until I was running at my maximum level.  After about a minute, he once again dropped the speed to allow me to return the jog, then again, he repeated the cycle.

"High intensity interval training," he explained, "is highly effective for burning calories and building cardiovascular strength. It's one of the best forms of fat burning exercise you can do."  For most of us who work out, burning fat is a big part of the end goal.  Training that involves increasing the intensity of activity (going all out), even for short bursts of time, gives us the results we want.

Then I got to thinking.  What if operating with the highest level of intensity possible,  for short periods of time, could help us reach our personal goals?

Let's talk about intensity and what it means.  Intensity, to me means, full power.  It's going all in, leaving nothing the table.  You're giving 100% of what you are capable of. 

in·tense

inˈtens/

adjective

1. 1.

   of extreme force, degree, or strength.

   "the job demands intense concentration"

I wouldn't use the word intensity to describe my current approach to goal achievement.  I'm more of a slow and steady person.  There's nothing wrong with that. Unless, I wanted to experience results much, much, sooner.  What if, instead of taking a few, small actions a day, I operated in short bursts of focused high intensity?

Just like in fitness, my "success muscles" would strengthen.  I'd eventually become accustomed to operating at a high level.  Soon, even my low intensity threshold would rise.  Let's say one of my goals is to start a new business. Instead of piddling around and inching towards my goal, I'd set a timer and dedicate 30, 60 or 90 minutes to getting as much accomplished as possible.  When I finished, I'd take a break & do other stuff. Then I set aside another chunk of time to go all out.  High intensity could also mean increasing the amount of output you are currently producing.  For example, if you now invest $100 a month to market your business, changing the budget to $500 is increasing the intensity. 

Another approach is to set aside a week of intensity a la the 7 day challenge.  Give yourself a week to accomplish something great like writing your book, launching your site or producing a prototype for your product.  Work at full speed to ensure your goal is accomplished in 7 days.  Aim for completion, not perfection.  Perfection slows you down.  Intensity propels you forward.  

With high intensity training, you're not expected to run at full speed the entire time.  You're supposed to slow down and regain strength to do it all over again.  Keep in mind, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SLOW DOWN DURING THE 'REST PERIOD,  NOT STOP!

Take a moment to reflect on your goals. Are you operating at high intensity, low intensity or have you stopped?

Enjoying Life | Conquering your bucket list

My workout sessions with the personal trainer are coming to an end.  Not only am I fitter, I also learned a lot about myself as a result of the experience.  What's most exciting, about the ordeal, is that I got to experience a small part of my life's bucket list.

Now I have the taste for more.  To experience the "luxuries" I thought were only possible if I reached a certain financial status.  But since my time with the trainer was so rewarding,  I now desire to carry out other items on the wish list.

If I could design my life, luxury experiences like facials, massages, personal training, amazing dinners, weekend getaways,  etc, would be common place.  But I've held the belief that I'm not financially capable of enjoying these experiences on the regular so I've put them on the back burner hoping that one day I'd be in a position to make them a reality.  But a wise man (my dad) once said to me, "your life is like your home, you choose where everything goes. If you don't like where the couch is positioned, then move it.  If you don't like something about your life, then change it."

By saying yes, I got to experience working with a wonderful trainer who challenges me in ways that  benefited me tremendously.  Now, I'm ready to conquer the next thing on my bucket list.  In my mental fantasies, I live a life where I enjoy weekly massages.  Not just for the sake of getting massages, but also for the benefits.  Areas of stress would be released.  That hour of relaxation would take away months of tension build up.  Full body massage is an excellent way to increase circulation and clear out the lymphatic system.  It stimulates a full body detox.  A study was done on participants who received massages 1-2 times a week vs. those who didn't.  Not only did the stress hormone (cortisol) decrease,  those who received weekly massages also enjoyed a boost to their immune system.

There's a professional beauty school, on the other side of town, that offers a great price on the purchase of a series of massages.  They use high quality botanical products and take great measures to create a truly relaxing experience.  This week, I'm gonna treat myself to a four session package as a reward for reaching a milestone in February.  And in doing so, I will be chipping away at a limiting belief that I have to reach a certain status in order to enjoy weekly massages.  Then, maybe in April, I book a series of facial treatments as well.

The goal is to remain in a constant state of creation and not to put things on a someday list that can actually happen right now.  It's all about choice.

Life happens once.  Sometimes we make choices that create a life that looks very different from the life we say we want.  This year, it's about being intentional and taking small steps to paint that exact picture I have in my mind.