Get Rid Of Cellulite In 5 Easy Steps.

Which woman out there hasn’t, at some time in her life, looked at herself in the mirror horrified at the discovery of the familiar and unsightly “orange peel” look of cellulite around hips, thighs and buttocks? Very few of us might be lucky enough to raise their hand and say “it has never happened to me!” and they are a very fortunate minority.

Apart from being a very common problem, both for the slim and the more generously rounded of us, cellulite is also a typical female complaint and it is very rare in males. This is due to the very nature of cellulite which is a consequence of fat and toxins being stored in the cells straight under the skin, causing the typical orange peel effect. Women fat cells are very different from the men fat cells. In women the chambers containing the fat cells are bigger than in the men and they are also higher in numbers. 

The normal fat percentage in a woman’s body is between 21% and 35%, whereas in a man’s body is between 8% and 25%.

As for pretty much everything else, getting rid of cellulite is the result of a holistic approach that takes into consideration what happens inside the body (causes) as well as the outside (symptoms), where the cellulite shows its dreaded presence. So, here are my 5 steps to get rid of cellulite, get healthier and improve your self esteem:

1.    Hydrate adequately

2.    Apply a combination of essential oils

3.    Promote oxygen circulation

4.    Prepare yummy healthy meals

                    5.    Yearn for a daily good long walk

     1.Hydrate adequately. Our body is made of up to 75% water which is fundamental for all the vital functions of the system including flushing out the toxins, which are part of the cellulite problem together with fat. The minimal daily intake of water that we need is, more or less, a litre of water for every 30 kilos of body weight. If you live in a hot climate, or if you are exercising or if you are unwell, your daily amount of water should increase to make up of the water you lose with perspiration, sweating and internal cleansing (when you are sick). One very important factor, which is often missed when talking about water intake, is that for our body to use the water intake in the most efficient way we need salt. In order for the water to get inside the cells and carry out excess fat and toxins, it is fundamental to have salt and start the osmosis process which promotes the exchange of water in and out of the cells and therefore the clearing of toxins. For a more in depth information about which salt to use, go to
http://earthlyenergies.blogspot.com/2011/03/is-salt-good-or-bad-for-you.html

2.            Apply a combination of essential oils. There are several essential oils that are very helpful in increasing blood circulation as well as fight fluid retention and lymphatic congestion: rosemary, black pepper, geranium, sage, grapefruit, cypress, lavender, helichrysum and patchouli. When you prepare yourself a blend of essential oils, always remember that all the oils made from citrus fruit are photosensitive, which means they can cause irritation if used up to 6 hours before exposure to the sun. Choose the essential oils that most appeal to you and add them to a carrier oil (I use apricot kernel and rosehip oil) and massage them on the skin area that show the cellulite with circular movements going upwards towards the heart. You can also use a soft brush in the same way to achieve a massage of the lymphatic vessels and to improve blood circulation on the skin surface. I make my own blend for cellulite with added DMSO for a better penetration in the skin and a teaspoon of “sole”, a solution of Himalayan crystal salt and water.

3.            Promote oxygen circulation. In other words breathe deeply, possibly while relaxing and enjoying 15 minutes all for yourself, in the morning upon waking up is the best time. Find a nice place where you are not going to be disturbed for 15 minutes. Face the sun if you have the luxury of a sunny day, close your eyes and breathe in deeply, enjoying the air going through every cell of your body. Breathe in positive thoughts and breathe out all your worries, anxiety and stress. Stress has a huge impact on the congestion of fat and toxins that cause cellulite.

    

 4.         Prepare yummy healthy meals. Increase your intake of fresh fruit, raw salads, veggies, nuts and seeds while trying to be conservative with dairy products, meat and processed sugar (like cakes, biscuits and ice-cream). A very important thing to remember is that our body has only one signal to indicate thirst as well as hunger. Many people who have a weight problem tend to respond to this “call” by eating first. A good rule of thumb is to have a couple of glasses of water when you first feel “hungry”. Wait 15-20 minutes and then have something to eat. You will find that you eat less food altogether and probably you will also feel less prone to eat junk food. 

Pay some attention also to the combination of foods you prepare.

Excellent combinations are:
- Proteins (like meat, fish and eggs) and non starchy
  vegetables (lettuce, mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini,
  tomatoes, capsicum, spinach, asparagus, cabbage and
  green beans to name a few);
- Starchy vegetables (like potatoes, pumpkin, peas,
  carrots, beans and corn) with proteins and non starchy
  vegetables.
- Grains (like pasta, bread and millet) with non starchy
  vegetables

5.        Yearn for a daily good long walk. The best exercise you can do to fight cellulite is cardio-vascular which keeps the blood circulation moving and the lymphatic system active.

And last, but not least, be HAPPY, smile more often, be nice to yourself and to others, think positively, make sure that you always have the sun in front of you so that shadows, worries, doubts, anxiety and fear are behind you. Stress is a big factor, not only for cellulite, but also for heart disease and many other ailments. Positive living, on the other hand, makes the immune system stronger and ready to fight disease. I’m not trying to say that you shouldn’t feel angry, sad or worried. All these feelings are important and need to be expressed. However, staying angry, sad and worried long after the causes of those feeling are gone, only hurt the people who dwell on them, weakening the immune system and causing nothing but grief. Smile often, appreciate the little beautiful things that make your day and let your loved ones know that you love them and treasure their presence around you...

Lastly, share this information with the man in your life. Even if they don’t get as much cellulite as we do, the five steps we have just outlined, being part of an holistic approach, will benefit everyone. Moreover, it will be easier for you to improve your diet and exercise program if you have someone that does it with you, and it will be great for both of you!

5 golden rules to a slimmer and healthier you!

Christmas holidays are a beautiful time of the year full of love, full of presents but also full of cakes, chocolates and generally speaking full of unused calories which all go straight to hips (for us girls) and stomachs (for the boys)...

I’m not a believer in strict diets which have lots of “no-foods” and that do not educate people to a better nutrition which becomes a lifestyle and which is forgiving of some chocolate sins and some fish-and-chips outings that we all love every now and then.

This is why I decided to share with all of you my 5 golden rules for nutrition which have been part of my lifestyle for many years, are easy to follow (no need to look up a complex calendar to see what you can have for dinner each day!) and above all work very well!!

1. Drink a good glass of water before you put any food in your mouth!

Water is one of the most important elements for the good functioning of our bodies. If our daily intake of water is not sufficient the consequences, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are quite immediate. Everyone should aim to a daily minimum of 1 litre of water per every 30 kilos of body weight, and increase this quantity when you are exercising or if you live in warmer temperatures. Also, very often when our bodies are dehydrated, we might feel hungry rather than thirsty, so it’s a good idea to drink a good glass of water before any meal: it will replenish the water content in your body and partially fill up your stomach taking the edge off the hunger and making you eat a bit less during the meal.
It is also a good practice to start a day with a glass of water in which you squeeze half a lemon or lime. These fruits, even though they are acidic, become alkaline when they enter our system, and a pH of 7.4 is essential to lose weight and keep it off!

2. Make sure that half of your plate is taken by green fresh veggies!

The best thing is to have a giant fresh salad made up of different leaves (lettuce, spinach, rocket and basil are just a few typical choices), a couple of tomatoes, celery, carrots, raw mushrooms and whatever else you like in a salad. Now, the secret is to have 2 or 3 mouthfuls of salad before you have anything from the main dish. I often do this when we are having a takeaway pizza, but you can do that with any other meal which is not 100% healthy like fish and chips, or your favourite takeaway. I find that by eating the salad first, I fill up some more space (some has already been taken by the glass of water!) and when I get to the pizza I only have a couple of slices.

3. Combine the right foods...
The right combination of foods is highly important both for weight loss and for a healthier body.
Excellent combinations are:
a) Proteins (like meat, fish and eggs) and non starchy vegetables (lettuce, mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, tomatoes, capsicum, spinach, asparagus, cabbage and green beans to name a few);
b)Starchy vegetables (like potatoes, pumpkin, peas, carrots, beans and corn) with proteins and non starchy vegetables.
c) Grains (like pasta, bread, millet and couscous) with non starchy vegetables.
 
4. Delay the sweet foods cravings!
Sugar and sweet foods are acid forming in our body, which means that they make us fat in two ways: first by creating acids which our body has to “pack away” in fat cells, and secondly by providing us of an excessive amount of calories in just a mouthful. So, when you have a craving, before you go to the pantry and grab a packet of chocolate biscuits, drink slowly a glass of water... then munch on a piece of fresh fruit or a carrot or some celery... If you are still craving, now you can go a grab a piece of chocolate, make sure it is a small one and don’t feel guilty about it, enjoy it and tell yourself that you are a healthy person and you are improving every day!

           5. Walk it off, dance it off, swim it off and remember to smile!
Exercise does not need to be a boring chore that we have to do to keep healthy...
If you have a dog take him for a long walk of at least 20 minutes every day, walk with long steps, breathing deeply and aim to increase your speed a little bit every day to the point of doing a light jog... Your fourlegged friend will be very grateful too!
Maybe you prefer dancing? Get your partner or a friend to join you and enroll in some dancing classes of your favourite style... it’s heaps of fun and it will get your heart beating!
If you live close to the ocean you can go for a walk and a swim in the morning, it’s a fantastic and energizing way to start the day, and you also get the benefits of all the gorgeous minerals that are in the ocean, magnesium included!
And last, but not least, make sure you keep a positive attitude, don’t nag yourself if you commit a little chocolate sin but congratulate yourself for becoming every day a slimmer, healthier and happier person!!

Five secrets to a gorgeous and healthy skin

1. Never ever put on your skin anything that you wouldn't put in your mouth!

Our skin is one of the main ways into our bodies. Everything you put on your skin will get absorbed fairly quickly and reach all the other organs and cells of your body.
So the question now is: why would you use on your skin something that you wouldn't dare to swallow?
Have a look in your bathroom cabinet and take notice of how many products you have in there that carry the warning: "For external use only"... Problem is that whatever you use "externally" will travel "internally" within a few hours and in some cases within a few minutes!

2. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day.

Just like the rest of our body, water makes up a huge amount of our skin cells, so it is very important to have an adequate amount of water within our system to keep those cells plumped up and working beautifully to give us a healthy, glowing skin!

3. Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts.

Just as it is true that everything we put on our skin will be absorbed within our body, it is also true the opposite: everything we eat will show on our skin. Our skin is one of the organs, like the liver and the kidneys, that help get rid of toxins and keep our body system clean and healthy.
Fruits and vegetables are an incredible source of anti-oxidants that help fighting toxins so that the skin has to work less and we look younger and healthier!
Seeds and nuts contain good fats and oils that help moisturise the skin from inside out!

4. Exercise at least 20 minutes every day.

Exercise is not just going to the gym and sweat for half an hour on the treadmill or doing weights. You can just as well exercise by taking your dog for a brisk walk, take the stairs instead of the lift at work, get off the bus two stops earlier and walk the rest of the way. Exercise is of primary importance to the skin (as well as to the rest of the body!) for many reasons: first of all it gets your blood circulation going which provides all your cells with fresh oxygen, secondly it gets the lymph (another important player in the cleaning of the body) circulating as well and last but not least, exercise relaxes you and will make you sleep better which are two other important factors for a beautiful and healthy skin.

5. Become conscious of your breathing.

Find a time every day to sit in a place which relaxes you, in the garden, on the beach or in your favourite chair at home. Make sure that, for at least 15 minutes, your not going to be disturbed and focus on your breathing. Breathe in slowly, visualising the air getting into every little corner of your body, feeding every cell with precious oxygen, pumping breathing life into every layer of your system. Now breathe out slowly, visualising the air taking out of your body your tiredness, your stress, your anxiety and all your problems. Breathe in again, and this time, be the air and flow throughout your body carrying into it peace, health, love and nice smells. When breathing out, think again of carrying out everything that bothers you, both physically and emotionally. This is the simplest way of meditating and it's very relaxing.

If you follow these 5 simple steps you will see your skin, and all your body, becoming healthier and healthier. It won't happen in one day or even in one week, but surely in a couple of months you will start noticing the change and you will feel much more energetic and happy... Talking about being happy... Don't forget to smile!! It makes wonders for your body, for your mind and for your spirit!!

A day spent without smiling is a day lost...

Unfortunately the author of this quote in unknown, but there is so much truth is in these words!! There are hundreds of scientific studies that show that people who are happier are also healthier... Once again, our body, mind and spirit are intrinsically connected, so it makes sense that if your mind and your spirit are happy, your body will follow and it will be much healthier!! Think of the organization which sends clown in the hospital because they discovered that people heal faster if they are in a good and positive mood...
A lot of research has been conducted to explore why some people seem to be happier than others, and the results all point to 4 main factors:
1. Happy people like themselves, they have a high level of self esteem and self love
2. They are usually extroverted, which means they get energized by being around other people. Extroverted people also have a tendency to think at the same time as they talk (which could cause some problems in some situations... :))
3. Happy people feel that they are in control of their life. The concept of being in control of one's life is a tricky one, as some people might say "Well, if I had a better job, or a better house or a different partner, I too would feel in control of my life!". However, feeling in control of one's life has a lot to do with taking responsibility of what we do, we say, we choose for ourselves...
4. Happy people are commonly optimistic... They live with the belief that "As one door closes another one opens"!
 
Now, let's make a little step further... Did you actually know that if you fell a bit sad, or down, or don't feel very well and you actually smile rather than frown, the smiling position of your face muscles will be recorded by your brain as happy and in a few minutes you will start feeling much better? A beautiful smile is not just a message that we send out to other people to let them know we are friendly and happy, it is also a message that we can send to our body, mind and spirit to pick ourselves up!

One more step... A smile is highly contagious!! If you smile to a stranger in the street, most likely they will smile back and people will always be drawn more easily towards a person who smiles rather than a person who looks serious!

And as another unknown author rightly said:


Smile! Because you never know who is going to fall in love with your smile...!









Wayne Dyer is a great writer and he has the amazing ability of explaining things so easily that I often find, while reading his books, saying to myself "Of course!! Why didn't I think of this before?"... But the best characteristic of Wayne Dyer and his books is that everything he writes about he has experienced and applied to his own life, family and friends, so when you read his books you can actually see the journey that brought him to a particular conclusion, and often you find similarities with what's happening in your life... A complete pleasure to read and a great way to start smiling more!!