Friday, March 5, 2010

6 ways to look and feel younger! (2 of 2)

Good morning everyone. Let me continue the second part of my article ....

Plan a plant based diet

Your diet should have a good mix of green vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans. "You should try to choose foods that represent a rainbow of colors, such as spinach, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, strawberries, blueberry and grapes. Your food plate should have 75 per cent plant based food and rest should be lower fat sources of protein such as eggs, fish or meat. This diet helps you fight evils of ageing such as osteoporosis, diabetes and heart disease," says dietician Aishwarya Rajan.

Stress on calcium

Getting enough calcium as well as vitamin D help prevent osteoporosis which is the leading cause of bone fractures in women. Especially if you have crossed the age of 50, a daily dose of 1200 mg of calcium is necessary. Good sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products, calcium-fortified soymilk, orange juice, and fish with edible bones (like canned salmon or sardines). You can talk to your doctor to know if you need additional supplements.

Drink in moderation

Recent reports show that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol can protect against heart disease. Consuming alcoholic beverages can interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications. It also may increase the risk for some cancers. If you decide to drink, limit alcoholic beverages to not more than one drink a day.

Sleep enough

Sleep is vital to the proper functioning of our body. While some of us may sleep for barely 5-6 hours at night, others maybe sound asleep for as much as 9-10 hours. But the average amount of sleep required is 7-8 hours. Instead of battling sleep in the daytime, take short power naps of 10-15 minutes as they too will make you feel rested. – The Times of India

Thursday, March 4, 2010

6 ways to look and feel younger! (1 of 2)

Good morning friends. Those who think that women are most petrified of gaining weight, here's some news! Her deepest fears are age related! Though ageing is inevitable, who says one cannot counter it. We help you slow the ageing process with these simple tips:

Save your skin.

As you age, the first most obvious sign is the appearance of wrinkles. With age and improper beauty regime, our skin gets dry and rough which leads to wrinkles. One of the noticeable signs of ageing is the visibility of thin lines around our eyes, which are called crow's feet.

To add to the misery, there can be sun damage in the form of discoloration. So follow the 3-step beauty routine of scrubbing, toning, moisturizing and later slathering on plenty of sunscreen. And if wrinkles are bothering you a bit too much, botox isn't a bad option either. Olive oil also works wonders in banishing wrinkles.

Check your weight and exercise

To beat age related weight gain, experts say one must aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity a day. The form could be anything - yoga, aerobics, swimming, pilates, etc. Leena Mogre, fitness expert, says, "As you cross 30, a good mix of exercise is important. If you feel that your gut is expanding and your chest is softening, it's probably because you're not lifting weights."

The key to reaping the benefits of physical activity is sticking with it, so choose any exercise you enjoy. Do not forget facial exercises to firm your facial muscles.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Go a little wild

Since everyone hits the occasional beauty slump, many companies are introducing fun, feel-good products that give you a big boost—fast. And the results are temporary—so a lapse in judgment never really matters. Some of our favorite rut-busters: Nicole, a line of funky nail colors; Allah’s Sacred Earth’s Mehndi Sasa Henna kit, all you need to create a hip but fleeting henna tattoo; Ralph Lauren’s Extreme Polo Sport, a citrusy, men’s (though perfectly unisex) cologne that helps you find your inner bungee jumper when a 200-foot plunge just isn’t an option. – Olivia Vale