Go public

Go public. I didn’t want to admit that I had screwed up, but admitting the problem in public was the first step on the path to eventual success. I was now accountable for my actions, and all my friends knew what I was doing. There was no turning back, otherwise I’d be risk damaging my integrity. I didn’t want to disappoint the people who read me on a regular (or semi-regular) basis. Plus, it’s an easy way to find out which of your friends have gone through the process before – and glean tips from their own experiences. Then, other friends might become inspired to do the same thing you’re doing once they see that you’ve taken the first step.

Anti-Aging Skin Care Checklist

A lot of people have asked me about organic or “natural” cosmetics and skin care products, and if they are better than regular products. Because my main skin care concerns are to prevent acne and wrinkles, I look for ingredients to successfully achieve those goals, and I haven’t happened to try any organic products yet. I haven’t tried many all natural products either, because most products labeled “natural” or “mineral” still have chemicals in them.

This leads me to the book The Truth About Beauty. I’ve read a ton of skin care books, and they are mostly pretty similiar in how they approach skin care. This book is quite different though, and offers a unique perspective on beauty. I read the original version in 2003 when it came out, and I just picked up the new fully-updated version, but haven’t read it yet. Since it’s been four years since I read the book, I forget all the details, which is why I’m excited to read the new version. It’s written by Kat James, who was a makeup artist in the late 1980s. She struggled with her weight and led an extremely unhealthy lifestyle that included binge eating. After a health scare, she started researching healthy eating and living, and was able to transform her body and her skin, and judging by her before and after pictures in the book, she completely turned back the clock fifteen years!

The Truth About Beauty takes a holistic and whole-body approach to achieving beautiful skin, and it’s similiar to my Anti-Aging Skin Care Checklist, although I’m sure Kat is anti-Botox! Kat does not recommend the usual ingredients to fight wrinkles and acne (hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and she’s against mineral oil as a moisturizing ingredients. I happen to use all of these ingredients). I follow the more traditional skin care approaches that Dr. Perricone, Dr. Murad, and Paula Begoun, for example, teach, but I also take what I can from Kat James, and her natural approach to beauty. She recommends installing a chlorine shower filter, for example, which I did end up doing.

Even though I may not personally follow or believe everything Kat says, I still highly recommend this book (based on the 2003 version), and hope that the 2008 version is just as good. I may not buy all the organic products Kat recommends, but this book is still valuable to read, not just to help you improve your skin, but to improve your body as a whole.detox program

Strength Training and Resistance Bands

Get on the resistance bandwagon! Resistance bands are easier and more flexible than barbells, dumbbells or even hand weights. Your weight training routine will benefit from adding at least one strength training exercise that uses a resistance band.

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Try doing squats while pulling on the resistance band wrapped around a doorknob (this weight training exercise strengthens the butt, thighs, back, chest, triceps and biceps).

Be careful in your resistance band strength training to:



• Secure the band around objects, otherwise the ends can come loose and possibly cause an injury

• Before and during every session of your weight training program, make sure your hands aren't damp, sweaty or slippery



If you're accident prone, look into buying a resistance band with safety features (the B-Lines Resistance Bands Upgrade Kit includes a door attachment with safety strap, so you can attach your band to a doorjamb or even a tree and pull, pull, pull without fear).

Places to Walk

Here's another reason Americans are fatter than Europeans. American cities, in general, are less walking-friendly than European cities. Distances, lack of sidewalks, and traffic make it harder to find good walking areas.

Don't be discouraged from your fitness walking regimen. Look for high school tracks, paths in parks, industrial parks which often have lots of flat streets with sidewalks, shopping malls, golf courses, or playing fields where you can walk around the periphery, or any nearby open area. In the mall, walking for exercise is more fun when you're window shopping!