Author: Premier Laser

10 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight

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There are several factors that contribute to healthy and effective weight loss; our methods, our willpower and determination, how educated we are on the subject of weight loss.

Maybe it’s time to change your eating habits, replace bad habits with good ones and ultimately, provide yourself with the right environment to allow successful weight loss.

So, if you haven’t yet started to lose the weight you desire, don’t kick yourself, get clued up. Think carefully about these 10 reasons you’re not losing weight:

1. You’re simply not eating healthy

If your diet consists of large amounts of produce, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re on the right path to healthy weight loss. A healthy eating plan doesn’t include jugs full of diet soda, loaves of 1g net carb bread or a plate of pure fibre noodles. Eating food that has no real nutritional value is a no go! There’s more benefit in choosing pure, organic foods instead of engineered, processed garbage so disregard the food labels and be completely honest with yourself about the food that you’re choosing to consume. Take the junk out your trunk and eat real food!

2. Are you stressed?

Stress (of any kind), can cause you to lose weight (this may be harmful to your health) or gain it. The stress response system in our bodies is subconscious, it responds to stimuli. Stress causes the body to produce a hormone called cortisol, it increases muscle, worsens insulin resistance and promotes the storage of fat. If stress is working against you, take a step back and regain control as it may be holding you back from reaching your healthy weight loss target.

3. You’re totting up muscle

If you’re relying on weighing scales as a guide to your weight loss, don’t! Pull out the tape measure and line it up against your waistline. Your bathroom scales won’t measure body mass, muscle gain or bone density so use weighing scales with caution. If you’re feeling great but failing to see improvements, it’s likely to be extra muscle and stronger bone from resistance training.

4. You need to increase your level of activity

Moving frequently at a slow pace won’t work in your favour. If you want results, remember that every bit of movement counts but you might need to turn up the pace.

5. You haven’t yet overcome bad habits and developed good ones

Be honest with yourself and stop making excuses. Now is not the time to cover up your bad eating habits but to identify them and commit to developing good eating habits. If you’ve started off on the wrong note, it’s not too late to end on the right one.

6. Cleanse the cupboards

As long as junk food is in your cupboard, there is always the temptation. Keep the junk out of sight, of mind and out of reach and you’ll be on the right track to weight loss success.

7. You’ve reached a healthy homeostasis

Your body may have reached its ‘ideal’ weight, not your desired weight. Breaking weight barriers can be difficult but when these barriers are set by the body itself, what do you do? Measure your carb and calorie intake, check activity levels, examine sleep and stress too. If you can see no obvious reason as to the lack of weight loss, you may already have a healthy homeostasis.

8. You Pay With Plastic

A recent survey has shown that people who buy junk food are aware of the extra calories and cost of buying the unhealthy food but since they don’t feel the immediate hit in the wallet they are more prone to impulse buys. Whenever you buy a treat make sure to pay by cash only as this will help to reinforce the added cost and will help curb the impulses.

9. Low on willpower?

Willpower is the key to triumph. Motivation doesn’t always come easy so if you’re struggling with the will to workout, maybe start with small victories like going for a long walk. Consider your body’s need to rest and recover as over-training can cause more harm than good.

10. Give it time

The Primal Blueprint is a fat loss challenge and you may not acquire instant results. Everyone’s body mass, workout pace, bone density, stress level, willpower, metabolism is different. For many of us, managing our weight is a lifestyle choice. Be encouraged, you can do it if you put your mind to it!

what if you have already done everything and still cant shift stubborn fat?

If you have done everything in your power to get into great shape but are still troubled by stubborn pockets of fat then Coolsculpting may be for you. Find out more by clicking on the link[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Secrets To Sleeping Like A Baby

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In our last article we discussed the benefits to getting a great night’s sleep, but with hectic schedules, pressures at work and busy family lives few of us every actually achieve the elusive eight hours that is recommended. Our bodies require a minimum of 5-7 solid hours sleep a night in order to restore and repair ready for the next day, and lack of sleep is widely considered to be the cause for numerous health issues. If the land of nod is proving tricky to find, read on to discover the top tips to achieving a super sleep.

Get Regulated

Everyone has their own natural body clock, some are early risers who like to be up and out, whereas others are night owls who like to stay up late. There is no right or wrong here as your natural sleep-wake cycle known as your circadian rhythm will dictate what works best for you. The important thing is that once you have established your rhythm that you stick to it. If you need 7 hours sleep a day then try to make sure you go to bed and wake up the same time every day rather than switching between late nights and early mornings. An established routine is key to a good nights sleep, so tick to a regular bedtime and set an alarm for the following day so that you wake up the same time each day.

Power Naps

If you have a disturbed nights sleep, try not to sleep too much during the day to compensate for your lost hours as this will massively affect your natural sleeping pattern. Instead take a power nap for no more than thirty minutes to recharge your batteries and keep you going for the rest of the day without adversely affecting your night time sleep. Avoid falling asleep in the post dinner lull, get up and walk about, do some chores or call a friend to keep you alert and prevent any early evening snoozes affecting your night time sleep later on.

Monitor Your Melatonin

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone controlled by exposure to natural light exposure that helps the body to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Your brain is designed to secrete more in the evening when it is darker to make you feel sleepy and less during the day when you are awake. The pressures and demands of 21st century life can massively affect the production of melatonin, which then affects your sleep cycle, so be careful how long you spend away from natural light. Avoid spending a whole day indoors as the darker unnatural light can cause increase melatonin which makes you feel more drowsy, get out in the fresh air for a walk when you can and try to work next to a window to make the most of the sunlight. On the flip side, you want to try and promote melatonin production during the evening so use blackout curtains and dim bulbs to create a relaxing peaceful atmosphere in which to sleep.

Stay Cool

Temperature and noise will affect your sleeping success so try and keep music or talk to a minimum and avoid watching TV in bed. If necessary use ear plugs to block out any noise that is beyond your control and maintain a cool bedroom at around 18 degrees with good ventilation. Don’t work in your bed, reserve your boudoir as a place for sleep and this way, you are less likely to start thinking shop while you lay in bed trying to drift off.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Sleep Your Way To Great Skin

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Our skin works hard for us. Despite hours of heavy makeup, being brutally punished by British weather and regularly dehydrated by air conditioning or central heating, our skin keeps on protecting us, however in order to look our best we need to invest in our skin with these top tips to maintaining a youthful glow.

Night time is associated with rest and rejuvenation, and although this is true, our skin is actually working at its hardest during the night to repair any damage sustained during the day and restore the skins hydration levels. With this in mind, applying a little extra TLC to your skin before your bedtime routine can go a long way in helping to replenish lost moisture and nutrients.

Clean Up Your Act

The first rule of great skin is to always cleanse before you go to bed. Never sleep in a face full of makeup, even if you only wear tinted moisturiser because your pores will be blocked and unable to breathe, and the oils and dirt will work their way deep in to your skin resulting in breakouts and enlarged pores. A quick three step skin care routine is easy to implement and will make a huge difference to your complexion within the first week. Also ensure that you use separate products for your eyes and face, the eyes are much more delicate and will require much smaller amounts of gentler products that do not build up to cause puffiness.

All Hail Vitamin A

Our skin’s connective tissue is held together by the protein collagen, named after the Greek word ‘kolla’ meaning glue. Collagen keeps our skin plump and firm, however it’s production decreases as we age, therefore using a collagen boosting production our skin care routine is essential. Vitamin A can significantly stimulate the collagen production process in our skin, and so helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles and decrease the size of enlarged pore. Vitamin A can be found in several serums and anti ageing moisturisers so give your face a natural life with this ingenious supplement.

Me, Myself and Eye

Eyes are incredibly sensitive, and the skin around our eyes and eyelids is paper thin, therefore required special attention in the skin care routine. As we age this skin becomes thinner still and can result in ageing dark under eye circles, so pamper your peepers with specialist eye creams or serums containing super vitamins A, C, E or K to promote skin repair. When applying eye serums or creams ensure that you don’t drag the skin, rather just pat the product along the eye socket bone and allow the skin to absorb it naturally.

Get Great Skin On Your Back

We all have a preferred sleeping position, however even the side we lay on most often can affect our skin as this side of our face will often have more wrinkles and fine lines than the other. Try and sleep flat on your back, or if this is not possible for you, change your sleeping position regularly and invest in some anti-wrinkle pillows with quality textiles that are much gentler on your face than synthetic polyesters.

Say Cheese!

We are constantly told that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, so why not take this old adage on board and make an effort to have a happier countenance? Even if you have had a tough day and just want to go home and curl up on the sofa, take a few minutes to yourself, count all the blessings in your life and remember some funny quotes or memories to turn that frown upside down. Your motions affect your emotions, and you will look and feel much happier in minutes.

Hand and Foot Beauty Tips

Our hands and feet take the brunt of our daily activity, so why not indulge them with a bit of attention to help prevent dry skin and cracked heels? Two or three times a week gently massage some 12% lactic acid lotion into your feet to help remove dry excess skin, then slather moisturiser on top and finish with a pair of cotton socks and let the creams do their magic while you catch up on some zzz’s.  For hands, gently exfoliate with a hand scrub them apply a rich thick hand cream into your fingers and cuticles before hitting the pillow to wake up to beautifully smooth hands by morning.

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The Ugly Side Of Stress

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Stress is a fact of life. At some point or another you are more than likely to experience some levels of stress due to pressures at work, deadlines to meet, financial difficulties or personal circumstances.

Stress not only affects our mental and emotional well being, but can also have a detrimental effect on our physical appearance too.

Nail biting is perhaps one of the most common habits linked with stress that can cause noticeable physical differences. Stressed out workers or multitasking mothers may find themselves nibbling away right down to the quick, resulting in unsightly fingernails and cuticles which will not make a great impression.

The stress hormone, cortisol is the reason behind this impact on our outward appearance, causing many individuals to develop grey hair and have difficulties sleeping which can lead to puffiness and unwelcome dark circles under the eyes. Other physical effects include stress-induced acne, where the skins sebum production goes into overdrive resulting in oily skin with increased breakouts. Of course some stress cannot be avoided so we have created a self help guide to help you combat stress.

Eat Your Way To Relaxation

Food has a huge impact on our health, and we typically spend less time preparing and eating balanced diets when we are on the go or feeling stressed. Highly processed foods containing large amounts of sugar are frequently associated with increased cortisol levels and it is no secret then when we are stressed we maybe more inclined to reach for the chocolates. Try and switch to super foods that can counteract the cortisol levels in your body such as dark greens like broccoli, spinach and asparagus and vitamin C rich berries citrus fruits, and you will be sure to notice a vast difference in both your mental well being and your physical complexion.

Caress Your Cares Away

Physical touch is a powerful healer, and regular touch such as stroking, hugging and massage has been proven to reduce cortisol levels and even boost the immune system. Even a short foot rub or gentle head massage from your other half can instantly help you to relax and unwind, and if you are on your own five minutes of self massage can work wonders.

Keep Confident and Carry On

Self belief is vital in a world that is constantly ready to knock you down, however research has shown that too much confidence can be harmful to your health as those with huge egos often have much higher levels of cortisol. Today’s society is more competitive than ever, with celebrities displaying perfect bodies, faces and lives on every magazine and this results in individuals developing an unrealistic desire to strive to be like them. This places unnecessary pressure on us both at home and at work, so take stock of your accomplishments and find peace with your current home, role and appearance.

Sleep Away Stress

Busy lifestyles and hectic schedules can lead to time stretched men and women working late in to the night, and if you are burning the candles at both ends your body will increase it’s production of cortisol to help keep you going. Those who have six hours sleep or less each night can have up to 50% higher levels in comparison to those who sleep for eight hours or more. If the magic eight is difficult for you to achieve, then a midday nap can help to lower your cortisol levels during the day, so sleep deprived people could benefit from a quick snooze in the car during their lunch break.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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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