Burn baby burn!
xo, Samantha
As much as I love Starbucks, I have been having to cut back because of this! Look at the difference.
xo, Samantha
Daily workout plan! Just print it out & go.
xo, Samantha
What you should eat after a workout! Smart!
xo, Samantha
Take the AIR SQUAT challenge! Squats burn more calories per rep than any other move.
xo, Samantha
Yoga is my absolute favorite :)
xo, Samantha
Great work out plan! Walking, running, weights, yoga… Just do something!
xo, Samantha
Spring break is officially here! This is my spring break and summer beach bod motivation. Whats yours?!
xo, Samantha
It’s definitely sweet and sweaty outside today! Went on a long walk with my dog and was sweating up a storm. What are your sweet and sweaty moments?!
xo, Samantha
Oh man, which one am I. Let’s see… The cravings. So emotional eater? Yikes!!
xo, Samantha
Less is more!!
xo, Samantha
1. Alcohol and Caffeine
After reading the benefits of green tea and water, it is clear that your skin needs to stay hydrated in order to be healthy. Alcohol and caffeine are both very dehydrating, causing your internal organs to metabolize any water you consume before it can reach your skin. Because alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, they rapidly deplete the water in your body, starving your skin of the moisture it desperately needs. If these are two things that are a big part of your everyday diet, it is imperative that you also drink more than the recommended eight glasses of water per day.
2. High Glycemic Foods
Foods with a high glycemic index, such as pastas, white breads, potatoes, and chips, not only are associated with higher weight, but have also been shown to worsen acne symptoms. Professor Neil Mann and Robyn Smith, Ph.D., conducted a study that proved those with diets high in these carbohydrates, which cause an increase in glucose and insulin levels, had worsened acne symptom while those with a low glycemic diet showed a 50% decrease of acne. Try substituting these white foods for whole grains and you may see a significant improvement in your skin.
3. Fried Foods
While it is common knowledge that fried foods are far from a healthy choice, they can also cause oil buildups and harm your skin. While it has not been proven that these foods are directly related to breakouts, it has been debated that fried foods contribute to the trapping of bacteria and causing of blemishes. Doris J. Day and Sondra Forsyth even name fried foods in their list of the worst foods for your skin in their book,Forget the Facelift: Turn Back the Clock with a Revolutionary Program for Ageless Skin. Given that we all know these foods aren’t good for us anyway, we say why not try to skip them just in case?
4. Chocolate – MYTH!
Don’t worry chocolate-lovers, the belief that chocolate causes breakouts is actually a myth! While some have debated the effects of sugar and our skin, the negative findings are mainly traced back to sugar from high glycemic foods. Dark chocolate is actually a low glycemic food and milk chocolate, when eaten in moderation, isn’t that bad either. Don’t worry about your occasional chocolate indulgence leading to a tiny mountain range on your chin, just try to stick to dark chocolate and of course, use self-control so that you don’t go overboard!
1. Low Fat Yogurt
Low fat dairy products can do wonders for your skin. These products are packed with Vitamin A, which is an element that is vital to our skin’s health. Liz Lipski, a nutrition expert and Ph.D., says that Vitamin A also helps our intestines, and “anything that helps keep digestion normal, any live bacteria or enzymes, is also going to be reflected in healthy-looking skin.” Vitamin A aids in repairing skin tissue, which will especially benefit people with dry and flaky skin.
2. Antioxidant-Rich Fruits
Blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and plums. Your skin will love these fruits because of their high antioxidant content. The antioxidants help prevent cell damage, which keeps your skin looking younger longer. While these four fruits have the highest content of antioxidants, artichokes, beans, prunes and pecans also have their fair share and can benefit your skin as well.
3. Salmon
Fishy foods aren’t especially appetizing to everyone, but the benefits of salmon for your skin might convince you to mix a little more into your diet. Salmon contains fatty acids which, according to Yelmokas McDermott, Ph.D. and nutritionist, help strengthen the cell membrane, allowing the cells to more efficiently lock in moisture and even prevent inflammation in your arteries. The most common and beneficial fatty acid is Omega 3, which is packed into salmon. If you can’t stomach the fishy flavor of salmon, try to add some walnuts or flax seed oil into your diet as another source of these fatty acids.
4. Whole wheat bread products
Whole wheat products contain an antioxidant called selenium. Selenium has been the focus of several studies that have found correlations with higher levels of selenium resulting in lower risk of skin cancer and other kinds of cancer. A study of people with selenium deficiencies and ultraviolet radiation published in the journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatologyrevealed that doses of selenium could even prevent sunburn. You can also increase your selenium intake by adding turkey, tuna, and brazil nuts into your diet.
5. Green Tea and Water
The benefits of Green Tea go far beyond improving your skin. Studies published in The Archives of Dermatology reveal that the polyphenolic compounds in green tea act as an anti-inflammatory, helping to prevent skin tumors. In addition to the increase of your skin’s defense against skin cancers, it could also help fight against UV radiation damage. Water contributes to your skin’s vitality in the same way it contributes to your body’s, by keeping it hydrated and looking healthy. We should be drinking six to eight glasses of water a day, which helps your cells maintain water and move out toxins.
xo, Samantha
I love the treadmill just about as every other girl does, but I get bored… So in recent months I do interval training, which helps the boredom and the fat! It helps boost your heart rate and keeps you from staring off into the abyss while “working out.”
xo, Samantha
