I cannot believe that there are only a few more days left in 2012! Strangely once October hits I feel like the rest of the year just flies by. December always starts out innocently enough… the excitement of gift giving and parties and time with family, but somehow I always end up here – 5 pounds of bloat heavier and super dark circles from a lack of sleep. And even though it might only be the 27th. I am ready to start my “new year new you” routine right now! Even though I no longer make resolutions but rather prefer to create new habits, if you are ready to jump in too, I have compiled some of my favorite “resolutions” from past posts to get us started.
Get Your Zzzz’s!
We can eat right, work out like there is no tomorrow, drink water by the gallons and slather on face cream to stave off wrinkles, but if you don’t get enough sleep everything else is for naught. Sleep time is when your body regenerates. There are dozens of ways that sleep deprivation has a negative effect on the body but here’s just one from WebMd: When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases more of the stress hormone cortisol. In excess amounts, cortisol can break down skin collagen, the protein that keeps skin smooth and elastic.
Sleep loss also causes the body to release too little human growth hormone. When we’re young, human growth hormone promotes growth. As we age, it helps increase muscle mass, thicken skin, and strengthen bones. Lack of sleep also seems to be related to an increase in hunger and appetite, and possibly to obesity. According to a 2004 study, people who sleep less than six hours a day were almost 30 percent more likely to become obese than those who slept seven to nine hours.
Drink your 8!
It’s not a secret that water is the best thing you can drink (especially after all those delectable holiday flavors at Starbucks) and the benefits are far reaching- it hydrates the skin, flushes out toxins, and helps brain, muscle and metabolism functions… The list goes on for days, including it can help you lose weight when you replace your other beverages with water. Eight 8-12oz glasses a day are recommended for optimum health.
Wash your Face!
Make a pact to take off your makeup before bedtime- I know, it sounds easy and even I have succumbed at the end of a particularly hectic day to falling into bed and forgetting to cleanse. This nasty little habit is enemy número UNO to your skin. All that icky bacteria, dirt, makeup and sweat sinks deeper into your skin and overnight when skin should be repairing itself it’s actually getting more damage from all the yuck left behind. Try cleansing your skin earlier in the evening rather than waiting right before bedtime that way your skin has time to breathe and the act of washing your face doesn’t startle you from an almost slumber ready bliss.
Eat (or Drink) your Veggies!
Many times the lifestyle I lead is not conducive with some of the eating habits that I need to be practicing… isn’t that always the culprit? But eating more mindfully and healthfully leads to a few great side effects – clear glowing (younger looking) skin, a flatter stomach and often loss of fat. Not only are many of these ingredients full of antioxidants but they are also alkaline which helps to keep your body and your skin in a more healthy state. In fact many skin experts like Kate Sommerville tout that a diet rich in alkaline will also help with hyperpigmentation and fine lines. So if you are currently addicted to a 1 or 2 a day coffee habit or a sugary breakfast (guess what those “healthy” muffins at the coffee joint are no better than a not defunct Twinkie when it comes to sugar content) try to start incorporating some of these “smoothies” in the morning and see how much better you feel and look! On a side note – some fruits still have lots of natural sugar like pears, bananas or melon so if you are trying to cut out sugar switch to apple or blueberries (which are also better for fat loss).
From Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Diet
Make Juice Not War Green Drink
It’s our motto and our morning beverage. Here’s what we serve in the Carr/Fassett home daily. This recipe makes almost 32 oz.
-2 large cucumbers (peeled if not organic)
-Big fist full of kale or romaine
-Big fist full of sweet pea sprouts (if easy to find)
-4-5 stalks celery
-1-2 big broccoli stems
-1-2 pears or green apples (optional)
*Other optional greens we love: spinach
Kris Carr’s Green Smoothie
Makes enough for 2 people. You can adjust the recipe accordingly. My taste buds are different than yours so don’t be afraid to play!
-1 Avocado
-1-2 pieces of low glycemic fruit: we love green apple, pear, berries & cantaloupe
-1 Cucumber
-A bit of kale or romaine or spinach
-Coconut water (or purified water)
-Stevia to taste
*You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon and some cacao.
*You can also use coconut meat or almond butter or nut milk in place of avocado.
Wishing you a healthy and happy New Year!
Sources: Web Md, Kris Carr
wonderful post, thank you.