My name is Jane, one of the Director's of Babes in Business, and I'm embarking on the Outshine 12 Week Better Skin Challenge.
Karen, Penny and the wonderful Outshine Team are going to give my skin an overhaul using a combination of salon treatments, home care products from Ultraceuticals and advice on lifestyle and nutritional changes that can dramatically affect our skin's health and appearance. Outshine believes that good skin is not just skin deep, so we will be focusing on a rounded approach to getting skin looking fit and fabulous!
So let's get started ...
Jane's diary - August 2007
Okay. I'm not overly ecstatic about having my 'before' picture up on the web for all to see. But admittedly, I'm one of the first to devour the NW 'Stars without make-up' edition when it hits the stands. I love seeing Cameron, Madonna, Kylie etc sans make-up and airbrushing ... looking like normal people with normal problems and issues. It makes me feel better about being, well ... normal. Okay if I'm being completely honest, I do utter a few "Oh my GODS! She looks terrible!" so I guess having to put my naked face up is a bit of karmic payback for some of my nastier comments!
But I guess that is the point of this 12 Week Better Skin Challenge. Stars or not, we all have the desire to look and feel healthier and better about ourselves. And it's not just skin deep. It goes further than that. We want to eat better, sleep better, exercise better, balance our lives better. The pay-off from all these "B's" is that it shows in that largest of organs - our skin. No quick fix cream or crazy diet can do it alone. The team at Outshine tell me they believe in a holistic approach to achieving better skin - treat the whole and the rewards will follow.
Over the next 12 weeks I will be embarking on a series of in salon treatments including focus lights, peels and non surgical face-lifts, supported by a homecare regime of Ultraceuticals products. According to Karen from Outshine, homecare maintenance is the key to any great skin change. Salon treatments are vital, but they must be supported by the correct routine at home to continue to see improvements.
The other major contributor to skin fitness is lifestyle. We all know we should drink two litres of water a day, eat fresh food, do more exercise and meditate to reinvigorate ourselves. Except sometimes it's easier to meditate with friends over a glass of wine, a full fat creamy blue cheese and possibly a few cigarettes.
Obviously the cigarettes have to go. Besides the ever expanding list of associated health risks, they deeply enhance lines around the eyes, cheeks and mouth (hence the term cat's bottom mouth!). They deprive the skin cells of oxygen so skin loses elasticity, collagen and vibrancy.
But what about the wine and blue cheese? It's not that you can't have it, just don't have it so much. Moderation is the key, with a few changes here and there. Try having red instead of white wine, or good quality vodka with fresh lime and soda. Swap the blue cheese for ricotta drizzled with olive oil, garlic, chilli and fresh herbs, or make your own rustic guacamole with cumin, garlic, chilli, lemon and coriander.
Exercise and sleep are the other two musts! Exercise doesn't have to be two hours of kick boxing - it's about building fitness, getting the blood pumping and the cells oxygenated. So choose something you like, and get moving.
Your skin renews itself at a much quicker rate while you sleep, so try to get seven to eight hours a night. And take a nap on a Sunday afternoon! It will help you feel rejuvenated for the week ahead.
So I'm ready to start my challenge! I'm looking forward to trying out new treatments and products, and I'm excited about the holistic approach Outshine has created for me.
I look forward to shedding my skin, and seeing you next month!
Jane
A few tips from Outshine to get you started
- Two litres of water a day.
- Limit sugar intake - along with the sun, this is the skins enemy number one! (don't replace sugar with artificial sweeteners).
- Don't skip breakfast ... EVER!
- Limit tea and coffee - enemy number two! Herbal teas can be taken without limit and help to increase your water intake.
- Fresh fruit (2-3 pieces) and fresh vegetables (5 serves a day) - make sure you eat something raw every day (fruit, vegetable or nuts)
- Avoid fried foods altogether.
- Don't touch soft drink EVER (aka satan in a can)!
- Berries, berries and more berries ... they are a super food so eat plenty!
- Add a tablespoon of flaxseed oil to your day - in a smoothie or a salad dressing. Flaxseed oil is high in omega 3's, carotene and vitamin E. Don't heat it though! It must be kept in the fridge. Remember: you won't get fat from eating good fats, only bad ones.
- Don't feel guilty about splurging on your favourite food once a week.
Next Month
- Treatment and skin update: what are the changes?
- More lifestyle tips and tricks to get that glow.
Read more about Jane's progress
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