A Firmer Fitter You

Do you have flabby thighs or a saggy bosom or maybe a dimply bottom? Then it's time you began working towards being firmer and fitter. If you jotted down all the reasons why you should take more exercise the list would be longer than your arm. Here are some:

• To promote body fitness,muscle tone, stamina, and suppleness.
• To ward off fatigue and lethargy and improve circulation.
• To keep trim by turning off fat.
• To reduce tension and anxiety
• To improve confidence because you look and feel healthier.

A few minutes throughout the day is good start. Try to build up the time you spend exercising to 15 minutes a day.

Early exercises should be done gracefully like a snow motion ballerina. We don't want to shock the system before it's fully awake. Begin by exercising for a few minutes on the first day and gradually extend the time in following weeks.

There are at least 5 hours of each working week that could be put to better use. Rather than munching your lunch away or burying your head in book, get motivated. Power- walking (brisk walking) is the latest craze. It can be practiced in a group or done solo. Power walking can burn at least 600 to 1200 kilojoules an hour. If you work in the city try brisk window- shopping, not window-stooping. Lunch time work outs, in the gym or aerobic classes, jogging, playing squash or tennis, swimming, skipping or running on the spot could fit into your mid day break. The idea is to keep moving not sitting. You will find that, apart from the health benefits, having some exercises at lunch time will make you feel more alert in the afternoon.

After a day of work, play and/or study you just want to hit the sack. But exercise can relax you.

Eat Your Way To Beauty

Touch your skin. Does it feel greasy, dry or even rough? Its texture reveals many facts about your diet. Your health, skin, nails and body are results of the food you consume. A balanced diet- one where you avoid processed foods, refined sugars, and concentrate on fruits, vegetables, cereals, meats and dairy products- is the key to good nutrition and beauty. A balanced diet supplies all vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates needed for good health. Let's face it- when you feel good, you look good. You become what you eat.

Your daily diet should consists of:

• 4 serves of vegetables and fruits,
• 3/4 serve of cereal, bread and grain,
• 2 serves of milk and dairy products,
• 2 serves of meat, fish, poultry, or eggs.

Vitamins:
Vitamins play a vital role in all over beauty. Below is a list of all vitamins, there food source and their beauty advantages

Vitamin A:
Food Source: dairy products, citrus fruits, green vegetables and carrots.
Advantage: helps prevent skin dryness, aids healing of burns and improves acne.

Vitamin B,B1, B2, B6, B12:
Food Source: whole grains, leafy vegetables. liver and yeast.
Advantage: improves nervous system, skin, heart and liver.

Vitamin C:
Food Source: fruits(especially citrus fruit) green vegetables, tomatoes and fresh milk.
Advantage: helps immunity to colds, helps assimilation of other vitamins and improve acne.

Vitamin E:
Food Source: green leafy vegetables, wheat germ.
Advantage: helps heal cuts and wounds.

Vitamin F & K:
Food Source: liver , tomatoes, green leafy vegetables.
Advantage: aids the treatment of skin disorders, eg. dermatitis.

Vitamin H:
Food Source: brewer's yeast, nuts beef liver.
Advantage: improves tissue repair and skin condition.

Vitamin F:
Food Source: Citrus fruits usually with vitamin C.
Advantage: helps strengthen capillaries by keeping capillary walls flexible.

The Inside Story Of Skin Care

Good nutrition and regular elimination are essential for terrific skin. Fresh fruits and vegetables and lots of water provide what your skin needs to carry out its duties and to radiate good health. Through proper nutrition your skin needs to carry out its duties ad to radiate good health. Through proper nutrition your skin is offered an abundance of good things: vitamins, minerals, protein, fatty acids and trace elements. The natural fiber in a fresh food diet allows the efficient elimination of wastes that keeps your skin healthy and beautiful. Water also helps in the removal of wastes from your body. It is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

All the good things you take in with your diet will serve your skin in some way. Vitamin A, for example, helps regulate the work of the sebaceous ducts to the surface where it mixes up with sweat to form an emulsion that protects the skin. The vitamin B complex keeps nerves healthy and controls excessive oiliness. Riboflavin, vitamin B2, has an important job in providing cellular oxygen. This is vital because it allows nutrients to be used up properly and cellular wastes to be eliminated. Vitamin C is necessary for the protection of the collagen fibers in the dermis and to give strength to capillaries that take nutrients to the skin. For super-radiant skin as well as for a healthy well functioning body, avoid refined foods and stick to delicious fresh variety of fruits, green vegetables and other nutritious items.

Special Advice For All Hair Types

Behind every head of hair there is always a sensible hair care program- a routine that take into account basic hair characteristics and uses hair care products developed specifically for their hair type. Discover your hair type and look at the special advice for helpful tips and occasional treats.

NORMAL HAIR:

• Appears strong and healthy.
• Has good body.
• Stays looking freshly washed longer than other hair types.

Special Advice:

This hair can be damaged by being taken for granted. It has a great natural elasticity but still requires conditioning at every shampoo.

DRY HAIR:

• Prone to damage.
• Loses shape and bounce.
• Simply lacks lustre.

Special Advice:

Like dry skin this hair type requires constant nourishment. In addition to regular after shampooing and conditioning give a monthly deep conditioning treatment. After shampooing, apply moisturizing conditioner to the hair, massage in, comb through, wrap in hot damp towel and wait 20-30 minutes. Then rinse.

OILY HAIR:

• Actually feels oily.
• Discourages your efforts by becoming lank and limp soon after shampooing.

Special Advice:

Have your hair cut in one of the latest short style and shampoo as often as you need for a fresh, contemporary look.

DAMAGED HAIR:

• Drab and lifeless.
• No body or bounce.
• Splits and breaks easily.
• Has probably been permed or bleached.

Special Advice

Maintain condition with manageability with conditioner. Treat your hair to a deep conditioning treatment as often as you feel it needs it.

FINE HAIR:

• Flyaway and unmanageable after shampooing.
• Soft and fluffy.
• Lacks body.
• Hard to control
  

Special Advice:

Try to avoid over perming and tinting as this can seriously weaken fine hair. However your hair dresser may recommend a light body wave. Keep your hair trimmed so even edge gives an impression of volume.. Apply mousse for extra body and control.

COMBINATION HAIR:

• Your hair can be a combination of types. i.e oily at the roots with dry brittle ends.
• You probably have shoulder length or longer hair.

Special Advice:

Brush hair gently to distribute oils. Have the ends trimmed regularly to keep splits to minimum.

Real Beauty

Real beauty is all over and all through, reaching far beyond classic features and elegant clothes. Real beauty comes from imagination, self discipline, common sense and proper pride.
Imagination inspires us to rise above everyday disappointment and live life fully; self discipline enables us to make most of our bodies and use them as well as possible; common sense ensures that we eat enjoyably and well but not stupidly; and proper pride means taking care of our face, skin, hair and nails- all outward features which reflects and express a state of mind.

Classic features are inherited. Elegant clothes can be bought. But real beauty is the reward of mental and physical effort. Here we suggest some ways in which you can work through achieving it.

• Your facial skin is the most delicate on your body. Buy small jars or bottles of cosmetics, keep them tightly capped and away from heat and light, and use them up quickly, so they don't become colonies for harmful bacteria. In this way too, you'll find yourself constantly acquiring the latest colors and shades of makeup and avoiding that stale look.
• Always carefully wash your face and hands before putting up makeup and if possible, use a cosmetic brush. Cosmetic brushes give a softer, more finished look and are gentle on your skin. A good brush whether for eye shadow, blusher or powder, will feel good on your hand and against your skin before you buy. These brushes should be sift and fuzzy. For eyeliner, lip and cream shadow, you'll need stiffer brushes which will hold a point when wet.
• Brow brushes are bristled nylon; be sure the tips are rounded so no damage is done to hairs. A medium bristle is fine for most brows.
• Keep cosmetic brushes clean with mild shampoo or liquid soap one a week, rinse carefully, comb through and store upright.
• Take care of your hair, eyes, ears and teeth too.
• Keep hair clean, well cut and brushed. It is the frame for your face.
• Visit the dentist. Get previous neglect repaired and learn how to use a toothbrush and dental floss properly. Super straight, movie-star teeth aren't necessary for beauty but super-clean teeth in healthy mouth is absolute must.
• Keep ears clean. Don't be content with quick wiggle with the corner of a towel when you wash your hair.
• Wear glasses or contact lenses if you need them. Women look most unattractive when they screw their faces up and peer. Rinse tired or irritated eyes in a solution of 1 teaspoon salt to 600ml of warm water.
• Shade your face from sun. Sunlight ages it quickly and causes skin cancers. Wear a hat and use a good block out cream, especially on your nose.
  

How Thin is Too Thin?

For those who are battling the problem of too much weight, the possibility of being too thin is probably difficult to imaging. But there are people who can never seem to gain weight, who see themselves as unattractively angular and fervently wish for curves to provide a well rounded appearance.

It is really true that you can never be too thin, provided- and this is an important qualification that you are healthy. A healthy body, even when it looks thin, is strong, well-toned, and resistant to disease. There are some cases, though, where thinness is associated with medical problems.

Psychological stress can lead to the misuse of food, as in the case of anorexics. Victims need to be retrained to eat so that they don't die of starvation that is self-imposed. Another eating disorder is bulimia nervosa, in which there is compulsive eating, then self-induced vomiting followed by a period of starvation. Both of these conditions require treatment aimed at uncovering the nature of underlying stress and correcting it.

Another possible cause for extreme thinness is an overactive thyroid with under active adrenal glands. The symptoms are in tolerance of the body for heat, increased sweating and a rapid heartbeat. With even the most enormous appetite weight is still lost because all food eaten is burnt up very quickly.

All these conditions come under heading of "unhealthy underweight" and require medical treatment.

A very thin person is defined as one who is 10 to 20 percent below the average weight for someone of her height. Although tables that list ideal ranges of weight for particular heights provide a target to aim for, they are guide only. The test of whether or not you have achieved the ideal weight for yourself lies in how you are feeling. Falling slightly above or below the recommended ranges is fine if you feel alive, healthy, strong and full of vitality.

Stress tends to have a lot to do with underweight. A body that is in a state of stress is not easily tempted by food and, in the process, there is physical reaction. For food to be digested effectively, blood need to be directed to the digestive organs- the liver, the stomach and the intestines. When the body is in stress the blood supply is directed, instead , into the muscles, ready for the "fight or flight" response. This means that digestive juices and the enzymes that are necessary for the proper processing of food are not freely available, so that good deal of food will pass through system without benefiting the body. To overcome this problem, you need to reduce the stress in your life and make conscious effort to approach the choice and preparation of food, as well as meal times, in a calm state of mind.

Eat slowly and quietly and chew thoroughly. Appreciate every bite you take and you'll find that you will be eating just the right amount for your body needs. Couple exercise with real enjoyment of your food and you'll find you are feeling terrific and that your body is posotively shapely.

You And Your Hairdresser

An expertly trained hairdresser is the vital link between how you want to look and how beautiful the everyday result is. You may already go to you hairdresser regularly- with an eye to keeping up-to-date with the latest fashions. Or you may like many women who are very apprehensive about going, yet expect miracles when you do go.

First of all, remember you are an individual. Your hair cut must be geared to the way you live as well as to its texture, color and condition. Nobody wants to be slave to their hair- but some can afford to devote a little more time than others. Discuss all this, including you occupation with your hair dresser.

Don't be afraid to take along a picture of a style you have seen in a magazine or to look through the books in the salon. It may not be the final style but it helps your hairdresser understand what appeals to you.

When you walk out of the salon, you should feel happy with the style you have. But the test of a really good cut is how you can duplicate the look at home and how manageable it is over next 4 to 6 weeks.

To help your hairdresser here are a few tips:

• When you see someone who has a hairstyle you like go up and ask her who cuts her hair. You'll never know if don't ask, and most of the women will be flattered by your asking.
• Call the salon and arrange to drop in for few minutes for a consultation or make your first appointment for shampoo and blow-dry only. You want to get a feel for hairdresser and should have confidence in him or her before committing yourself to a cut. It gives you time to discuss things more thoroughly too.
• Use the hairdresser's expertise to learn how to look after your hair at home. Even if you have never applied mousse or blow-dryer before, you'll wonder, after few practice sessions, how you ever lived without them.
• Try to have little fun with your hair. When choosing a style choose one that can be changed every six months like fashion. Then you will always look beautiful and stay up-to-date.
  

Banish Cellulite Forever

Cellulite must be the world's most controversial beauty problem. Depending on which expert you ask, this unsightly dimpled fat just under the skin is caused by stress lack of exercise, not enough fluid, poor circulation, hormone imbalance, constipation, or incorrect diet. Some doctors say it is just plain fat, Others maintain it is a mixture of fat and toxins wrapped in water.

But everybody especially the sufferers, agrees cellulite is ugly and plague even the slimmest women.The good news is that it can be shifted- but you must be patient and strict. There are several methods of attack. They are:

• Right eating. Eat only wholesome foods- wholegrain breads and cereals, fresh fruits, raw vegetables, plus lean meats to build and repair tissues. Drink 6 glasses of water per day. Don;t eat preserved foods and avoid salt because if you use salt while drinking lots of fluids your body will retain the fluid instead of losing it.
• Avoid constipation.Exercise regularly and eat laxatives like bran, prunes, yogurt and figs.
• Saunas ans steam baths. As cellulite is thought by many to be pockets of water trapped between layer of fat, sweating is one possible way of removing it. Have one glass of water before entering sauna and follow it with a cool shower or swim.
• Deep breathing. Increasing your oxygen intake removes tension. Sit on the floor with your back erect, legs bent and crossed at the ankles. Inhale to a count of four and exhale to a count of 12.
• Massage. Speeding up blood flow in the tissues helps carry wastes away. You can massage with a special mitt with rubber bristles, a massage appliance or a rough loofah.Anti-cellulite massage should be done everyday. If you find the skin veins developing discontinue massage and concentrate on exercise.
• Water friction. A warm water shower massage with flexible shower head will improve your circulation in cellulite. Direct the jet of warm water across you hips and derriere, moving it back and forth, then spray up and down your legs. Spray inner thighs and calves last.
• Exercise. Dancing, yoga, gym, classes,tennis,walking and swimming can all help. add special exercises for your thighs.
  

Styling Mousse

Do you often have trouble re-creating the style your hairdresser gave you or does your hair need extra fullness and hold without lost of its shine and softness? Then welcome a magical hair care product, mousse. Here is a guide to using it.

Mousse is a hair care product that helps you style your hair while giving extra fullness, lift and hold. Unlike many other styling aids, it leaves your hair with natural softness and shine. It is easy to use. Available in a slim aerosol can, it is simply foamed into the palm of your hand without any mess or fuss, then spread through your after normal shampooing and conditioning. Because it is concentrated 1 can of mousse can be used in many application.

To make an effective use of it begin by shampooing conditioning your hair as usual. It is important to note that mousse doesn't replace your normal conditioning treatment but adds to the overall result of a better, lasting style and good hair grooming. Please note that it can be used also on dry hair.

Always shake the can well before squeezing the nozzle. Then hold the can with the spout pointing downward into your palm as you squeeze out the required amount. Only a small amount mousse is generally needed, depending on a length of your hair.

Work the mousse through your hair, first with your hands. If your hair is of average length you don't need much. Start by applying an amount the size of an egg, adding more if your hair is longer and if your hair needs lift. To add extra style of your choice you can use hair rolls or hairdryer. You can comb thoroughly with brush to gain the sleek look.