I made this the title of the post as I knew it would draw you all in. Now that you’re here, however, I must tell you that within this post you will not find an instant cure to making you look like a twenty year old again. Rather, you will find out how to look the best YOU that you can be, and trust me when I say that that YOU will be more beautiful than any plastic surgeon can create.

Image via Ultimatecleanse.ws

Here are your guidelines:

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Make sure to drink at least 1 to 2 litres per day of distilled or mineral water. This will keep the skin looking young and supple as well as the myriad of other benefits that water provides.

Wear sunscreen. We all know the song but it does serve some truth. Wear that sunscreen everyday, even in winter. This will slow down signs of aging, protect from dangerous skin damage that can cause melanoma and will also keep the skin moisturized.

Go organic, don’t panic. What women tend to skip over is the fact that their skin is not a barrier but, rather, an organ that absorbs whatever is put on it. Instead, opt for natural and organic products that aid your body rather than pumping unnecessary toxins into your bloodstream that will only fatigue your body. Many non-organic products on the market are also proving to cause far more serious issues than the companies would have you believe.

Eat happy and healthily. Opt for organic vegetables, colorful fruits and fresh, free range meats. The shorter the shelf life, usually, the better it is for you. So, avoid those middle supermarket aisles as much as possible and stick to the fresh areas. Changing your diet from mostly processed foods to mostly fresh foods will dramatically change your overall appearance; Your skin will be more radiant, your eyes more white and bright and your hair and nails, stronger.

Exercise. I know, I know, you’re all saying ‘well, duh’ but really. Make a habit of getting out with the dog, the kids or the hubby and going out for an evening stroll, having a game of tennis, going bowling, ice skating, WHATEVER. Just make sure to move at least 30 minutes everyday outside of your usual activities. This, like your diet, will start to show on the outside as well as help elevate your overall mood.

Breathe. We do it unconsciously day in, day out but many of us forget to notice how important it is. So, when you have 5 minutes spare just sit or lie down. Relax and spend time focusing on the natural rise and fall of your breath. Don’t force it, just let life breathe you as it does throughout the day but give it the attention it deserves for just this moment each day. Any thoughts that cross your mind, let them fly by and bring attention back to the breath. In perfoming this daily, you will start to notice drastic changes in your mood and other areas of your life. Lengthen the duration as you feel necessary.

And that’s it. That’s the magic formula. There’s no special cream, injection, expensive spa treatment or any other fad product that can get you the results that the above things can. Treat your body right and it will treat you the same in return. Don’t resort to the ‘quick fix’ because it will only cause further problems in the future.

Make a list and do all of the above suggestions every day for just 2 weeks and you WILL notice a drastic positive difference in your life.

Have a happy and healthy day.

Lara

With fans including Madonna and Britney Spears, this style of yoga has recently blown up around the world as the place to get your yoga on. It’s called Bikram yoga and trust us, it’s HOT.

What is it?

Bikram Yoga was developed from Hatha Yoga. It is a 26-posture sequence that repeats twice making a 90 minute routine. The catch? The practice takes place in a studio heated to 40 degrees Celcius.

Below are the poses that are performed:

Image via Palter.ca

Why try it?

Along with the usual benefits of Yoga, it is claimed that due to the heat and the sweat being produced, many toxins are released from the body. It also keeps all of your muscles warm allowing for less stress on your body (especially people with injuries) and easier flexibility and movement.

Some beginners tips for Bikram yoga:

• Trial it first. Most studios offer a trial period (either free or for a small non-contracted fee) which will allow you to get a feel fornot only the class, but the studio too. Make sure you feel comfortable and welcome there, otherwise you will not want to keep attending.
• Bring a buddy. Having a buddy to bring along to each session not only makes you feel more at ease in a new place (and doing awkward poses in front of strangers) but you can also motivate each other to keep attending classes.
• Wear breathable workout gear. Many hot yoga participants basically wear a glorified bra and underwear set due to the excessive sweating. You, however, can simply opt for something highly breathable so that you don’t feel like you’re wearing 5kgs of sweat-filled attire.
• Get a hot yoga toweling mat (if you’re looking to do this regularly). Due to the sweat, a regular yoga mat just won’t cut it as you’ll be slipping and sliding all over the place which can be highly distracting. You can also just bring a regular towel with you. At the class, you’ll slowly learn what works best for you.
• Bring a big bottle of water with you to rehydrate yourself after your session and also keep hydrated throughout the day BEFORE you session. DO NOT opt for energy drinks or sports drinks. Water is your best friend! And if you need some flavour, then reach for some organic coconut water.
• Learn your studios rules BEFORE you go to your session. Many Bikram studios have strict rules such as not allowing people to leave the room for the first 30 minutes, or not being allowed water until the 3rd pose. Have a friendly chat to the instructors so you know what to expect.

Alenka has become a recent fan. Here’s what she has to say about her experience:

“After recently hearing all of the amazing benefits of Bikram Yoga, I decided to start taking some classes for myself to see what all the fuss was about. I must admit that during the first session, I didn’t think I would be able to make it all the way through as I have never experienced so much sweating with any other activity before. It’s no wonder though as you are practicing in a room heated to 40-degrees!

Once it was all over, however, I felt so energized and amazing that I continued to attend 6 classes over 10 days. After each class you feel cleansed of any toxins, your skin feels soft and toned plus I feel like I look younger and have less wrinkles. It’s almost like a natural microdermabrasion!

Since my trial sessions, I have now persuaded my daughter to join me 4 times per week and we are both loving it. Not only do I feel more energized on a daily basis but I am more focused, especially in my business pursuits. I am also hoping to improve my knees through my yoga practice due to a pain that still remains from a bad car accident that I had 20 years ago and has always limited me in certain sports.”

Alenka attends Bikram Yoga Gold Coast. Click here for more information on them.

Give it a try for yourself. You’ll either love it or hate it but what have you got to lose except maybe a few toxins? And just remember, the first session may be uncomfortable but don’t give up just because that was hard. Push through that mental barrier and you may surprise yourself and be all that much more healthier for it!

Happy weekend all!