You Got That Rhythm?
Rhythm is something I don't have. Music and I are genetically programmed to differ, no matter how long-suffering the tutor and beat-iful the tune.
So it intrigues me to see how much beauty fitness benefits some folk get from dance. Sometimes I even envy the smooth flowing movements, the light in their eyes and the glow on their faces.
And one day, I
will become beat-iful myself! (No promises when, though!)
My partner has just returned from line-dancing - full of sweat and vigor - and my daughter was swirling her belly dancing skirt (could you really call that a skirt?).
So I said I'd at least pass it on. Who knows, it might be just what suits you!
Maybe you'd like to start with Taaj Fi Qalbi's
belly dance article.
Fast Action Pays
Skin blemishes like cold sores and acne are an utter pain, but most people do more complaining about them than actually taking action.
Yet both conditions benefit from early action. They can both be treated, but you do need to get onto it.
The longer you delay, the more the problem can spread, and the longer it will take to heal.
With acne, you're probably better off getting a GP to check you out first. Even with the right prescription it can take 6 - 8 weeks for treatements to take effect.
Likewise with cold sores. Antiviral ointment can speed recovery, especially if applied early.
And if you can't get help quickly, keep the areas clean with salt water - and avoid picking or scratching!
There
is hope!
The Power of 5 Minutes
Next time you're in a public place - mall, railway or bus station - take 5 minutes out and give yourself a beauty fitness boost.
What's one of them, you might ask?
Simple. Just sit there and observe the people going by. Don't just stare - actually look at each one.
No judgements, just notice how they carry themselves, their demeanour, their relationship to time, their eyes ...
Start to consider who they think they are, where they are might be going, what their life is like today ...
Not only does it do wonders for your own beauty and fitness, but it's fun, too.
Try it.
Over 50s Still Growing
Saw some interesting research today.
While the world seems obsessed with the 'youth culture', it may simply be that youth controls the obvious media.
The real power lies underground - every eight seconds another person in the US alone turns 50.
This makes them the fastest growing segment of the population.
And their focus is on health care - with a growing belief that the traditional methods are not working and there’s a need for more “holistic health care”.
Does that ring any bells?
Body Image and Eating Disorders
Here's a thought being tossed around in one of our local high schools that has much wider merit.
Why not designate your own Body Image Week? The original idea added 'eating disorders', so if that's on your agenda you may as well toss it in too.
The idea is to spend a week purging ourselves of any dissatisfaction we may feel about our body and appearance.
The rules are simple: Just make a conscious effort to love the skin you're in. Be grateful each day for the good bits you have and how they fit you.
As an aside you can also do something about it ... like being grateful that yesterday's chocolate was the last you'll eat for 6 months, and clean out your wardrobe and donate clothes that no longer fit.
And as you drift off to sleep each night, run through all the good things that happened to you today.
You may be surprised by how great you feel!
Smoking, Beauty and Fitness
Yesterday was Australia Day, and one of the activities my family and I attended was an open-air movie screening in a picturesque park.
Earlier in the day we visited a historic house.
I couldn't help noticing the cross-section of people who attended each function.
The movie crowd were young, the house crowd were old. In years.
The movie crowd was full of smokers - mainly teenaged girls. The house crowd was smoke-free.
If that's an indication of the success of anti-smoking/pro-health campaigns, we have an enormous job ahead of us.
Gaining Weight Gaining
Just lately I've begun to notice a trend ... the subject of
gaining weight is gaining momentum.
While most of the western world is preoccupied with obesity and weight loss, a portion of the population has struggled to fill out the clothing mainstream stores have on sale.
And there's been a distinct lack of beauty fitnesss courses to help them address their concerns.
In fact, I remember reading a book years ago on the Silva Mind Control System written by a bodybuilder.
In it he mentioned buying a secondhand set of weights which included the workout log of the previous owner.
That owner, a 'hard-gainer' as the author categorised him, had rigidly followed a conventional bodybuilding program yet failed miserably to gain weight.
The author had no suggestions - other than the 'fact' that some people just can't be helped.
Another time I was at a workshop where a girl was laughed down when she asked whether the techniques being taught could be used to gain weight. People thought she was joking.
So look around - people
are succeeding in gaining weight, and they're starting to produce products to help others do the same.
Natural Alliance
Today the European Court of Justice begins hearing a challenge from the Alliance for Natural Health to proposed European Union legislation designed to ban - in August 2005 - many leading-edge nutritional supplements.
ANH is also leading initiatives to offset proposed limits on dosages and health claims through Codex and other EU legislation.
The ANH says these critical events in Europe are likely to lead to restrictions in the US and elsewhere, as there is considerable political and commercial pressure for trade harmonisation and regulation at a global level.
So, hard on the heels of yesterday's post, it seems that legislators worldwide are beginning to target the natural supplement industries.
Why? Proponents say this is a re-run of 1997 attempts by lobby groups to restrict access to supplements through something called the Codex Alimentarius.
The Codex was set up among 165 nations to govern food standards...supposedly to ensure international food safety.
The lobby groups claim it was initiated by drug companies who want supplements re-classified as drugs -- thereby creating its own list of "approved" supplements, raising their prices and availability, and banning the rest.
Keep your eyes open.
What Are You Eating?
I came across an amazing statistic today:
Only 1% of 8000 Americans adults surveyed met the minimum dietary requirement of the USDA's food guide pyramid.
Does that say anything about obesity? Or lethargy? Or ill-health? Or a thousand other things that go 'wrong' with the human body?
The survey showed that Americans could save up to $8.7 billion on treatment for heart disease, stroke, cancer and cataracts if they consumed optimal amounts of antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Beta Carotene.
If beauty fitness lifestyles are in your mind, a little attention to what goes in your mouth might be a very good place to start!
The Spice of Life
Most beauty fitness buffs have more than a passing interest in food, so I've been doing a bit of delving into the good, the bad and the ugly.
We're often admonished to adhere to the '5 food groups' and the 'food triangle' - yet there appears to be quite a lot of scientific evidence to suggest that those ideas are dangerously outdated.
Conceived in the days before pesticides and GM, and even the gigantic sociological shift of people from the country to the city, 'oils ain't oils no more, Sol'.
An apple a day may no longer keep the doctor away. And even using lots of 'fresh produce' may even be harming your health.
Studies show that essential nutrients are missing or tarnished, and the maligned 'junk food' may really be no worse than many so-called 'healthy' alternatives.
And the more 'advanced' the country, the more likely such impediments impact lives.
Little surprise, then, that enterprising groups have had such success with supplements and vitamins and diet programs (not necessarily just for weight loss).
Yet how are ordinary mortals expected to navigate these new minefields without a degree in molecular biology?
Little wonder that one-on-one guidance programs are emerging as the growth sector of 'healthy eating alternatives'.
All we have to do now is figure out how to assess which of those actually knows what they're talking about.
Sunshine Within
One of the wisest sayings I've heard is that 'beauty comes from within'.
I know it's contrary to all beauty fitness edicts, but it's a fact.
The definition of 'beauty' changes, the question of fitness should really be 'fit for what?', and yet ... some people always rise to the top and others drop to the bottom of the 'attractiveness stakes'.
Why?
Because of the light that shines from within. Their disposition. Their magnetism. Their outlook on life.
The sunshine within.
Their exterior appearance matters not a jot - to them. And therefore not a jot to others.
They are happy with themselves. And that translates to an infectious role in life.
Possible? You bet.
Rock Hard or Flubber Soft?
Let's continue with the TV commentary on beauty fitness.
I've just had a few days off, and one of the shows I caught was something where wives exchanged families for a couple of weeks, and got to experience the other woman's reality, and then to subject the other family to her own reality.
In this episode one woman was an award-winning athlete who works out 3 hours a day, and the other woman was a large lady whose attitude to nutrition was 'if it's microwavable, it's fit to eat'.
Opposite ends of the spectrum. As were their husbands and children.
The ripple effects of the experience changed every individual involved. Why? The 'jolt factor', for one. They got to
experience another point of view.
One family found a zest for life they'd been sadly lacking, simply by adding a touch of discipline.
The other family found a depth of humanity their discipline had previously excluded.
One way you can benefit from their discoveries while avoiding the confrontation and alarm they went through is to simply take some quiet time, and imagine the possibilities.
Just what are you obsessing about? Is it truly beneficial?
Or could a slight adjustment truly enrich your experience of this magnificent path we call 'life'?
Stars, or Mud?
You've probably heard the old saying about two prisoners looking out through their bars.
"One saw only stars. One saw only mud."
I was reminded of it today when someone began complaining to me about some small sores on her body. A pest, to be sure, but hardly debilitating.
Yet someone else had something similar but far worse - definitely debilitating. And she was getting about her business in great style.
Which do you habitually see? Stars or mud?
That predisposition to optimism or pessimism can have a profound affect on your beauty fitness progress and results.
And guess which one "shines"?
Physio and the Apes
Visiting a physiotherapist yesterday I learned something interesting - about the link between humans and apes.
Have you ever noticed the difference between the skin on your palms and soles, and that on most of the rest of your body?
(Aha, trivial pursuit time!)
The skin on most of your body moves, relatively independent of the flesh underneath.
The skin on your palms and soles doesn't - otherwise you'd slip. Which, of course, is what apes want to do when they're swinging through the trees.
And some of us humans retain the link. If you tense your hand, a ridge rises on the inside of your wrist - if you haven't fully evolved.
Or so he told me. But then, the ridge came up on one of his wrists and not on the other. Does that make him a "mape"?
Weight Loss Momentum
Watching an episode of The Biggest Loser last night, I was struck by the mental element of the marathon the dozen or so overweight contestants are experiencing.
For those who haven't seen it, there are two teams, each team on a different diet/exercise regime. The aim is to lose weight permanently, and instill the lifestyle habits that will ensure the change is permanent.
Most are putting in an extraordinary effort. But in the first week, one team lost in the order of 10-22 pounds each; this week the same individuals ranged from a 2 lb loss to ADDing 3 lbs.
Their faces told the emotional trauma that result produced.
The professionals running the team were apparently aware that the pattern would be like that. What they didn't do was mentally prepare the contestants for it.
If that happened to you, would you stick to your beauty fitness regime? Or get discouraged and quit?
Exactly. So before you start any full-on program, it obviously pays to squeeze a full and comprehensive prediction of likely events from your trainer - or risk doing it all in vain.
Solar Skin Damage
In this part of the world, it's hot at this time of the year. 38 degrees C today (that's 100 F - or what we call 'the old scale')
And kids being kids, my daughters are enjoying swimming and all those other summer activities outdoors.
Which, of course, brings on all the attendant risks of solar skin damage - sunburn and its cousins.
"Slip, Slop, Slap and Cover-up" as the authorities' sunsafe message urges, really is important.
If you're surrounded by snow, the same is true.
Slip on a hat, slop on sun cream and slap on sunglasses, then cover up with a long-sleeved shirt and long pants.
Too many ignore the long-term devastation of unmediated exposure to the sun.
Look after yourself.
Sleep the Great Revitalizer
Seem to have been getting a number of questions lately about sleep.
Don't know whether it's the holiday season or not, but lots of people seem to be having lots of problems with it.
I've posted a straight-forward list of options at
Beauty Fitness for anyone having problems.
If you're having any difficulties with sleep, have a look at it.
Poor sleep is one of the great undiscussed destroyers of both fitness and beauty. And most of the time, problems can be remedied with simple adjustments to lifestyle.
If at all possible, avoid the instant fixes - they have long-term disaster written all over them.
The Power of Thought
One of the most powerful forces in nature is the power of thought.
In fact, quantum physics places 'thought' at the centre of the universe.
Why not use it in your beauty fitness lifestyles?
There's a myriad number of ways you can do that, and already you're quite the expert.
Unfortunately, if you're like 99% of people, thought is running you. And it's out of control.
Try this ... For 24 hours, you take control of your thoughts. Think about what you
WANT. NOT about what you don't want.
Start with identifying what you
do want, and then enjoy the thoughts that brings.
Important point - if any negatives intrude - 'this is silly', or 'that will never happen' type thoughts - can them immediately and change them back to what you want - in the moment.
You'll be surprised and delighted at what a difference it makes!
Beauty Fitness Growing
The beauty fitness niche appears to be growing. Recognition!
Over the weekend I came across two other new sites dedicated to the combination that's designed to get you looking good and feeling fantastic.
That's a very positive mood. A growing synergy can only help us to expand the range of products and skills available, to the benefit of everyone.
Let's look forward to a great 2005!
Solid Information Scarce
Another factor becoming glaringly obvious as you chase beauty fitness information on the Web is how it's becoming increasingly hard to actually get answers.
There seem to be so many sites set up by computer that drag essentially the same results from search engines.
So you go to a search engine to look something up. Click on some of the results, and end up at another search engine results page.
And the only thing on some of those pages is the keyword you searched on.
Hopefully, the information I'm publishing at
Beauty Fitness Lifestyles will stand out like a beacon of help in the darkness!
Scalpel, or Sword?
I've been researching a number of remedies to write articles for the
Beauty Fitness web site.
One thing that amazes me is how fixed folk can be in their approach to rectifying a problem.
Take the double chin, for instance.
Once you've decided you'd be better off without it, do you reach for the scalpel, or the sword?
Some say: "Well, what do you mean? What's involved?"
Others say - categorically, no arguments - that:
a. surgery is the only sure way
b. exercise fixes everything
c. forget it - who cares?
d. diet fixes everything
e. there must be a pill for this somewhere
All good in the proactive sense, but how about a little open-mindedness?
Could it be that a combination might be the most appropriate?
Just a thought. And they start everything :)
Should Beauty Fitness Lifestyles Just Happen?
Interesting notion. A bit like: "What's the purpose of life?"
And every bit as profound for anyone seeking beauty fitness lifestyles.
Think about this passage by Neale Donald Walsch in his book "Conversations with God":
"The deepest secret is that life is not a
process of discovery, but a process of
creation. You are not discovering yourself,
but creating yourself anew. Seek, therefore,
not to find out who you are, seek to determine
who you want to be."
Now that puts a different complexion on things, doesn't it?
Now you know - ANYTHING is possible.
And it's up to who? Yep. YOU.
Just imagine ...
Day Spas Appearing
Day spas seem to dominate the North American
beauty fitness landscape, but they've been relatively rare in other parts of the world.
Health farms, health retreats and health resorts have perhaps a larger slice of other markets.
They're generally geared to longer periods than just an hour or two, but offer a hugely rewarding experience.
But they're not always convenient unless you have a large chunk of time to spend.
So I was very interested to see yesterday that construction signs have gone up around a shop within my local shopping mall.
"Day spa, opening soon."
The world is on it's way!
Beauty Fitness Fork
Now we come to the fork in the beauty fitness road.
Time to start researching your own unique path. Articles at the
Beauty Fitness web site can give you background on the types of services available, the benefits to be gained from various treatments and programs, and some factors you might want to consider before choosing your ultimate provider.
Go there now and start checking. I've gathered wisdom from some of the better-informed writers from each industry, often supplementing their notes with additional comments geared specifically to beauty fitness lifestyles.
Once you feel comfortable with the route you plan on taking, you can start researching local providers.
If they have a web site, check that out. If not, make some phone calls. The impression the person who answers the phone gives can often be a guide to the overall atmosphere you can expect at that facility, even though that person is unlikely to be the one responsible for your program.
So, listen with your heart as well as your ears.
And you will find the best provider for your individual needs.
Enjoy the journey!
Beauty Fitness Balance
I hope that extra day to ponder bore fruit for you.
What insights surfaced? What priorities? Is it as bad, or as urgent as you'd thought? Can you now be more targeted in your approach?
In many pursuits there is advantage in taking the best of a number of approaches and customising your own unique path.
Your research and pondering may well have given you such insights here as well.
However, you may have decided that only one path is desirable - in fact, IT is essential.
Either way ... know that it IS OK!
This is your life. Only you can make the ultimate decision and the ultimate responsibility for achieving your goals.
But do consider the options.
Plastic surgery, for instance, might be 80%, but give 20% to mental exercise.
The aim, remember, is to improve how you feel - not just how others see you.
Ditto for physical exercise.
Now, what are your percentages?
Variety Spice
Just a brief interlude to add the spice of variety.
Because with beauty fitness, what we're aiming for is lifestyle. And yesterday I visited a couple who have found unusual, but remarkably successful beauty fitness lifestyles.
They designed and built a stunningly successful house on 200 acres just out of town - on the huge experience base of ... one completed dog kennel.
They've done it all themselves ... providing their own physical and emotional fitness along the way.
Now they continue, espaliering fruit trees, moving holes, and having friends to share.
Aspirations. What works for you?
