The closer you get to your ideal weight the slower the pounds come off which make those last 10 pounds seem like they are never coming off. Your body weight is tied to your metabolism.   If you lose 10% of your body weight your metabolism drops by 15%. This means it gets harder to lose more weight. But there are ways to trick your metabolism.

The first thing to try is eat a big breakfast. This tricks your body into thinking that there are plenty of calories which will make your metabolism rev up. Now in order to keep your calories down this means eat a smaller lunch and even less dinner. Your breakfast calories will be burned off by your revved up metabolism and it won’t notice your body is on limited calories until the evening when it will automatically slow everything down.

Try weight lifting the more muscles you have the better. Muscle burns more calories. Lifting weights also increases your metabolism even when you stop exercising.

Drink lots of water to keep your stomach full. Also for this time to break your plateau or drop those last 10 drink only water all day long (this is temporary) but there are no calories in water.

Change up your exercise routine to fool your metabolism. Don’t let your body adapt to the same routine. Try new exercises yoga, dance, or bicycling anything outside your norm. Try to exercise different muscle groups.

Eat protein throughout your day to keep you blood sugar even. This helps you from feeling that crashing feeling, like there is no energy left.

It is time to start a food log. If you never done a food log now may be the time to jot down everything you eat. Where are those calories hiding? How many teaspoons of sugar in that coffee? Try giving up condiments on your sandwiches. Little things like sugar and condiments may be keeping you from losing those last few pounds.

Cut back on portion sizes, just a few bites per item on your plate. Tiny steps that don’t starve you, remember you don’t want your metabolism to bottom out. Once you get to your goal weight you will be able to increase your portions to a maintenance level.

If you still can’t budge that scale get the help of a professional trainer. They can help customize an exercise and nutrition routine that should get your weight moving in the direction you want to go.

Even a little extra weight is harmful. Studies show carrying as little as 10 pounds of excess weight increases your risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Don’t get discouraged your goal is important, you CAN get there!

Do replace water with fruit drinks and sports drinks that contain calories (not soda which causes more harm than good). You want drinks with calories but not necessarily sugar.

Do eat nutritious foods that are high in calories. Making a food log (just as dieters do) will show you where you need to change food choices you are making to food choices that are higher in calories. Some calorie dense food choices might be potatoes, corn, peas, granola cereal, avocado, peanut butter, olives.

Eat at least 3 balanced meals a day with something representing all food groups at each meal. You must have protein at every meal!!!

Increase portion sizes.

Eat at least 3 snacks a day. Milkshakes, fruit smoothies, ice cream, chips with dip, crackers with peanut butter. Don’t avoid fats, oils and sweets but don’t over indulge either. You want to add calories that have nutritional value.

You must eat more calories than you are expending. People who need to add weight just don’t eat enough. So increase your calories: when eating a sandwich add avocado, cheese and salad dressing to your sandwich to boost the calories; when having cereal add fruit to your bowl; when having pasta add meat to the sauce. Keep adding things on to your snacks.

Keep aerobic and cardio exercise to a minimum.

Do weight lifting. Weight lifting creates bulky muscles that will help fill out that thin build. You want fewer reps high weight.

Remember people who have trouble gaining weight usually have an extremely high metabolic rate that makes consuming more calories than you need tough. Eat often, add extras to your meals (dips, condiments, salad dressing), and lift weights to create muscle bulk.

Checking with your physicians to make sure you don’t have a medical condition is a good idea if you are still having trouble gaining weight. 

The one lifestyle change that will give you the most benefit for lowering or controlling your blood pressure is regular exercise. It is more effective than salt reduction, alcohol reduction or even weight loss.

 Studies show that regular exercise helps prevent your blood pressure from going up. Regular exercise makes your heart stronger so your heart can pump more blood with less effort. The less you heart has to work the less pressure on your arteries consequently lower blood pressure. Exercise also reduces your risks for cardiovascular disease and stroke both are connected to your blood pressure.

 The best exercises for those of us with high blood pressure are moderate aerobic physical activity. You want to do activities that get your large muscle groups working and your arms and legs should both be moving. Some examples are: stair climbing, walking, jogging, bicycling, swimming, mopping your floor, raking leaves, gardening, dancing, yoga, pilates, football, hockey and tennis. You need this regular exercise most days of the week for 30 minutes at a time. It doesn’t have to be the same exercise to have it considered regular for instance: Mondays you take an aerobic class, Wednesdays you briskly walk your dog, Friday nights you go dancing and Saturdays you tackle your yard work.

 You know you are exercising at the required intensity when it takes effort to breath but you are still able to talk, you are warm and slightly sweaty.

 Don’t get discouraged it may take 3 months before you see a difference in your blood pressure but it will happen. And remember exercise has no adverse side effects like some medications that are used to lower your blood pressure.

 Avoid isometric exercises. Lifting weights is not good for those with high blood pressure.

 Stop all activity if you have chest pain, dizziness, can’t catch your breath, pain in your arm or jaw, or irregular heart beat.

 Here are the lifestyle changes you should make if you are dealing with high blood pressure:

• Eat a healthy diet high in veggies and fruits.
• Don’t smoke or use any tobacco.
• Limit sodium, alcohol and caffeine.
• Lose weight.
• EXERCISE REGULARLY.

In order to have a good hair cut, you need a great hair stylist and when you find one, keep him/her! Jumping around from stylist to stylist can be hazardous to your hair. The old adage about “getting what you pay for” is very true when it comes to something as important as your stylist. Yes, it’s possible to find a good stylist at the “fast hair” shops, but the cost to your hair while searching may be more than you care to spend. Fast hair shops usually employ new, young stylists with little experience.   They earn a minimal wage and do not have to invest in hair care products to use on their clients. Stylists that you find in upscale shops and salons are usually independent contractors leasing space in the salon. The salon provides the work station, utilities and in some cases a receptionist to service the stylists. These stylists are generally more experienced and have built a solid clientele. They purchase their own products used in servicing their clients either from the salon or other suppliers and set their own prices.

 If you absolutely must trim your hair at home, do it right! Purchase a pair of professional hair cutting scissors and use them for nothing else. Not to cut out pumpkins for the kids at Halloween, not to trim a frayed edge off of a piece of clothing. Use them for cutting hair . . . period! Take care of them properly and they will last your for years to come.

 Trimming your own hair isn’t as easy as it sounds. Try just evening up the hair that frames your face. Grasp a small section of dry hair (just a few strands at a time) and hold it gently. If you tug at it the hair stretches and you will end up cutting off more than you’d like. Try cutting beneath your fingers instead of on top of them. This will also help to prevent cutting off too much.

 Keep your hair clean! There’s nothing worse than dirty, oily hair that hangs in clumps. 

 Use the correct shampoo for your hair type. Not all hair is created equal. 

 If you have oily hair, do not shampoo every day. As paradoxical as it seems, clean hair makes the problem worse because it allows the oil to seep into the glands making it much more difficult to deal with. Stay away from those “all in one” shampoos. Use a ph-balanced shampoo when you do wash your hair and scrub it well. You may need to change shampoos, so ask your stylist what he or she recommends. Another tip is to avoid oily foods as much as you can. It just contributes to the problem. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Whatever you do, stay away from products that are supposed to make your hair shine! Also do not use conditioner unless you apply it to the ends of the hair strands. Keep it away from the scalp!

 Hair looking drab? Need a change? Try a few highlights. It can do wonders for brightening up your hair and face.

 Wanna’ try some curls but don’t want the damage of a perm? Try a curling iron and/or hot rollers. Hot rollers will give you more control, but you won’t get those wispy, trailing curls. That you will have to do with the curling iron. 

 Do not try and curl freshly cleaned hair. Try and remember to shampoo the night before. Squeaky clean hair can sometimes give you difficulty with holding a curl.

Never use a “sticky” hair spray before curling your hair with a curling iron or hot rollers. You can cause damage.

 If you are fortunate to have naturally curly hair, have your stylist cut it in layers to take advantage of the new cascading curly look.

 If you are athletic, keep your lifestyle in mind when selecting a “do.”

 If you are blonde or have gray hair do not use any coal tar shampoo product for dandruff as it may permanently stain your hair.

 Have a problem with the dreaded “dandruff?” Here’s the “sure cure” and you’ll find it in your kitchen. Vinegar! Yep, pour vinegar into your hair, let it dry for a little while, then shampoo. Just keep repeating it daily until the dandruff disappears . . . and it will!

 Have dry hair? Use a hot oil treatment. Alberto V05 is a great over the counter solution for dry hair.

 Have you ever almost fallen asleep in a stylist’s chair because you felt sooo relaxed? Another good reason for visiting the salon!

If you find yourself struggling with the physical and emotional scars caused by acne, or you know someone who is, then there’s some great news to share: acne can be treated, and it can be camouflaged while under treatment. This is brand new information to many acne sufferers.

Treatment

Most acne treatments have produced remarkable results. A good treatment typically begins with cleansing and moisturizing the skin. Three kinds of substances have become popular in the treatment of acne:

·        salicylic acid

·        glycolic acid

·        benzoyl peroxide

        The substance chosen will depend on the “grade” of the acne (mild, moderate, or severe).

        Salicylic acid is generally used to treat mild to moderate skin irregularities, and is usually available only with a prescription. Salicylic acid is available in these different forms:  Topical Cream, Gel, Lotion, Ointment, Pads, Plaster, Shampoo, Soap, Topical solution. 

        Glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide are also popular in the treatment of moderate to severe acne problems. Most alpha hydroxy products have glycolic acid elements that help skin, giving it that peeled, refreshed look. 

Camouflage

Cosmetic camouflage has been around for years, and is a technique to cover blemishes and conceal color irregularities (sometimes strong acne solutions discolor the skin temporarily) that surgical means cannot accomplish. Doctors David J. Eddy and Stephen Breathnack in their book, Surgical Dermatology (1996) note that cosmetic camouflage is best left in the hands of trained personnel who will advise on color match and color blending. Three products are presently in the market: Dermablend® (10 shades), Dermacolor® (55 shades) and Keromask (11 shades). 

        Doctors Eddy and Breathnack advise that it is best to use a color selection that is the opposite of the primary color of the blemish. For example:

        Blemish Color                                    Masking Color

        Blue                                                  Orange

        Red                                                   Green

        Yellow                                               Purple

        Care must be taken not to over apply the agent so that a theatrical look does not result. Eighty percent coverage is all that is needed for everyday activities. A make-up sponge should also be used instead of fingers.