Month: February 2014

How A Few Small Diet Changes Can Add Up To Big Results

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Lose to gain.

For most of us, dieting isn’t easy, because we’re too good at focusing on the high calorie foods we didn’t avoid or the exercise bike we pretended wasn’t in the house each day; it’s often too easy to get caught up in the feeling that we’re losing at dieting instead of losing weight and gaining our desired shape. It’s good to take a break and think about your monthly goals; are they achievable?

Don’t worry if you don’t have any goals and just one aim.

Making the decision to seek out small opportunities to act and eat healthily can add up to big results.

It can be as easy as taking the stairs every time you see an escalator or filling your bag with fruit so you can always eat and always eat healthily, it’s up to you.

Of course, changing your diet can feel incredibly daunting because it takes discipline, motivation and a positive attitude. It’s estimated that each bite of food constitutes to around 25 calories per day and so in leaving two of these behind on the plate at lunch and dinner, we can cut out 100 calories per day which, if done every day for a year, would mean we’d achieve losing 10lb /4.5kg. Leaving four mouthfuls of food behind can’t require that much discipline, can it?

Pick a fruit!

With so much variety of snacks on offer to get us through the day it’s easy to forget the most colourful of foods– fruit. Maybe you drink fruit juice with a snack of your choice; consider replacing the drink with water and eating a whole fruit. Although fruit juice can act as a source of vitamins and sugars it does not provide the fibre fruits contain.

For example, if you were to swap a 375ml of juice for a big orange, you’d save yourself a whole 100 calories and pick up 5 grams of fibre.

Try to remain hydrated before you can think you need food fast: often when we think we are hungry when we are actually thirsty.

It’s important to make sure you maintain a balanced diet each day. Too many carbohydrates found in crisps and bread will fill you up before you have room for foods containing high levels of nutrients. Swap bread for more vegetables; they can go with any meal, even curry can even be made with butternut squash as an alternative to yet another meat-filled meal.

Because you are worth it!

Don’t forget why you’re doing this. With small amendments to our diets we can gain that one thing we all crave – confidence. And it has to start with what we think of ourselves and what we deserve. In the same way that you can think you deserve the occasional treat you also deserve healthy foods that will set you on track towards a healthy and happier you!

If you still need an extra hand to lose stubborn fat why not consider coolsculpting. Visit the page to learn more.

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Why Do I Have Varicose Veins?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Causes Of Varicose Veins?

When blood flows through your veins, a tiny one way valve opens up to allow the blood to flow through and then closes which prevents any leakage and back flow. However sometimes the walls of the veins stretch causing them to lose their elasticity weakening the valves in the process. If this happens then blood will leak and a build up of blood will collect in the veins causing them to become swollen.

Although it is not always understood why the walls of the veins stretch there are a number of varying things that can increase your chance of developing varicose veins. These include:

Gender

Sorry women but you are more prone to varicose veins then your male counterparts. Why is this you ask? It is believed that female hormones can have a relaxing effect on the vein walls making them more susceptible to leakage.

Job

If your work requires you to stand for extensive amounts of time then this may increase your chances of getting varicose veins as blood circulation doesn’t flow as easily when you are stood for prolonged periods of time

Overweight

If you are overweight you are putting added pressure on your veins meaning they have to work a lot harder to keep the blood travelling around the body. This increased pressure can damage the valves causing varicose veins – sorry ladies but again overweight women are more susceptible to this then men.

Pregnancy

The increased blood supply that is attributed to becoming pregnant in order to support the growing baby puts added pressure on the veins. Also increased hormones cause the walls of the blood vessels to relax which also contributes to the condition. It’s not all bad news however as a lot of pregnant woman actually find that their veins considerably improve once the baby is born.

Age

As we get older our veins lose their elasticity meaning the values decrease in their ability to function.

Genetics

Some of you may just be unfortunate enough to have inherited a higher chance of developing the condition from a parent.

How Can I Get Rid Of My Unsightly Veins

If you would like to treat your varicose veins book a free consultation with one of our highly experienced clinicians to discuss varicose veins treatment options.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Get The Valentine’s Day Look

Valentines Day is only 24 hours away. By now we hope you have already bought your Valentine’s card and gift for your loved one, but have you given a second thought about your makeup and hair for your romantic date together?

Not to worry, if you are simply stuck for ideas or want to mix it up a little and try a new look the two part videos below will help you to achieve the complete Valentines Day look.

Video 1: Makeup Tutorial

Video 2: Hair Tutorial

 

Natural Tips To Turn The Clock Back On Wrinkles

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whether you have decided to grow old gracefully or want to try all the remedies under the sun, wrinkles are an inevitable sign of aging, and one which can be slowed down by taking good care of your skin.  The earlier you start, ultimately, the better.

Hydrate

Whilst it is, of course, important to keep your skin clean, over-washing can actually strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture which help to protect against wrinkles.  You should try to wash your face with soft water (if you live in an area with hard water, boiling it can help) or a mild lotion which can be made from products such as cucumber.  Rub the lotion gently into your face and then rinse away with lukewarm water and dab your face dry with a soft towel.

Face Masks

You can apply home made treatments to your face using things such as carrot or tomato juice.  Carrots contain a high content of vitamins A and B as well as a number of beneficial minerals.  It can be a great natural cleanser for your face as can a freshly squeezed tomato juice.  Leave either juice on your face for around 20 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water.

Other products found within your home can also be used to make a mask, such as yolk, almond oil, milk and lemon juice.  Mixing all these ingredients together can create a mask which is ideal for skin with larger pores.  Again, leave the mask for 20 minutes then rinse off with tepid water.

Honey is also an ideal ingredient to include in a face mask.  Honey is suitable for all skin types and will increase softness and flexibility of the skin which can assist in reducing fine lines.  You could try mixing a little bit of lemon juice in with your honey mask for increased effectiveness.

Food

Eating a balanced diet can also assist with the reduction of wrinkles.  Think of it as a whole body approach, the healthier your body, the healthier your skin will be.  Fruit and vegetables are naturally great as their antioxidant compounds help to keep skin looking radiant and younger.  Soy is also thought to help the skin heal any damage which has been caused from ultra-violet rays, in other words, the sun.  Fish is also a good food to include in your diet due to the level of protein and the omega 3 it contains.  Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid which can help keep your skin looking younger.

Additional Solutions

If you find that you have tried the natural approach and it isn’t getting the results you want, why not consider a professional approach?  Whilst this may bring to mind face lifts and chemical peels there are actually a fair few treatments which are non-invasive such as the green peel.  A green peel is a herbal treatment which only contains pure natural plant ingredients.  It increases blood circulation and enhances the regeneration of new skin cells and collagen fibre which can assist with the reduction of imperfections on the skin such as wrinkles.

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Tips To Get Rid Of Your Cellulite

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Tips To Get Rid Of Your Cellulite

With more than 80% of women suffering with cellulite even if you are on the skinny side, it’s no surprise that many of us want to know how we can effectively get rid of it.  There are many different theories on the best ways to avoid getting cellulite and the best ways to rid yourself of it.  Here are some of our top tips:-

Cardio Exercise

Exercises which focus specifically on the hips, thigh and buttocks area are great for helping to get rid of cellulite.  Walking or cycling are ideal options.  If you find yourself struggling with the motivation to exercise, begin by simply taking the stairs.  This is a great cardio exercise and one which helps to stimulate circulation.

Water

Drinking a good amount of water each day can help your body to flush out toxins and keep your skin hydrated.

Eat The Right Foods

There are certain foods which you can eat to assist with the prevention of cellulite.  Fish contains omega 6 fatty acids which help to promote skin cell growth.  If you aren’t a fish fan, consider taking fish oil supplements instead to help give your skin the boost it needs.

Foods rich in protein are also great as protein strengthens the production of collagen and elastin in the skin which helps to keep cellulite away.  Eat foods which are high in protein such as lean meats and nuts.  Avoid foods which are high in saturated fats such as full fat milk, cheese and butter.  You should also avoid fast foods and processed foods, particularly cakes and sweet things.

Cellulite Creams

This is one of the quickest ways to deal with cellulite, although it can be somewhat more expensive than the above methods.  Using a cream can help improve blood circulation which can help enhance skin cells and connective tissues.

Massage

This can be interlinked with the use of cellulite creams.  Massaging the skin can help to break down far and to increase blood circulation.  You can do this yourself, or seek the assistance of a professional.  If you choose to do this yourself, the best time to do so is when you are in the shower, particularly on the thigh and buttocks.

Professional Help

If you find that you are still struggling with cellulite issues and want to seriously work on getting rid of it, then you might consider professional assistance.  One of the most effective treatments of cellulite is the Triactive Treatment from London Premier Laser.

The Triactive Treatment works by using low level laser diodes directed into the skin to improve circulation and reduce any excess toxins and fluids which are being stored in the skin.  It is quick, painless and cost-effective, which makes it certainly worth considering when it comes to combating any cellulite problems you may have.

Don’t put up with cellulite issues.  Follow a regime including any of the above tips and you will be certain to see improvement in any cellulite you may be suffering with.

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Say Bye To Your Acne

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Whilst acne is something which most adolescents will have to deal with, if it continues to be a problem into adulthood it can not only be embarrassing, it can also start to affect your self-esteem.  Interestingly however, around 1in 5 adults between the ages of 25 and 40 suffer with some degree of acne so it is possibly more common than you might think.

Treating adult acne can be quite straightforward if you follow some basic rules:-

Don’t Touch Your Face

As tempting as it can be to pick or pop a pimple, this can lead to scarring and is unlikely to speed up the process of the pimple disappearing from your skin.  As a general rule, you should keep your hands away from your face as much as possible to stop the transfer of dirt and grime which can clog up your pores.

Wash Your Face after Washing Your Hair

If you are washing your hair in the shower, make sure you properly wash your face afterwards.  Shampoo contains residues and oils which can run down your face, get into your pores and cause a break out of acne.  By ensuring that you wash your face you can limit how much of residue gets left on your skin.

Use chemical-free products

Make sure you are only applying chemical-free, gentle products to your skin in the form of any cleansers you are using as well as make up removers.

Exercise

This may surprise some people but exercise can be an effective tool in the fight against acne.  By working up a sweat you can flush your pores and help stop them becoming clogged.  Just ensure that any clothing you wear is breathable and doesn’t irritate your skin further.

Face Masks

Using a face mask made with honey once a week is a great way of helping your skin to heal itself.  Honey is antibacterial making it perfect for disinfecting the skin and it is also suitable for those with sensitive skin too.  You can buy a honey face mask or make one yourself using ingredients from your kitchen.

Food Moderation

Whilst you shouldn’t believe the rumours that certain food groups can cause acne, you should eat less healthy foods in moderation.  A healthy body can help you to get healthier skin so although fatty foods and chocolate may not have a direct link to the cause of acne, limiting the amount you eat can certainly help from a bigger picture perspective.

Professional Help

If you find that your acne is still causing you difficulties, even when you take the above rules into consideration, it might be worth investigating professional help.  The latest treatment to become available for the management of acne is a green peel. Green peels are herbal face peels essentially and work by removing the outer layer of skin to encourage new skin growth and the degree of ‘peel’ can be altered depending on the individual.

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