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Every year around my birthday, I do a detox for a few weeks. Last year I did it for 8 weeks (4 weeks before and 4 weeks after my bday) and lost 20 pounds. I usually do it because I have a tendency to eat and drink alot without thinking and this is a way for me to start watching what I put in my body and get back on a healthy track. I don't consider this a diet by any means. I pretty much eat whatever I want except the following:

*Coffee
*Alcohol
*Sugar
*Junk Food

So today is day 1 (my birthday is July 25th btw) and I am going to try to keep a daily journal like I did last year. It's weird because it seems so much more difficult to do it this year. Last year the main reason why I did it was to lose those 20 pounds. I was in panic mode when I saw that I had gain so much weight (in my opinion) and was scared to gain even another pound. This year I manage to keep off 15 of those 20 pounds so im not really feeling pressure to do it. I am doing it though because I have been eating out alot lately and have been drinking way too much coffee and wine(love my wine lol). I hope to rid my body of all of that junk and only drink water and eat in moderation...at least for these 30 days. I will also be cooking everyday and bring my own lunch to work instead of ordering out. I am excited to get started but also a little apprehensive. The hardest thing to do is to keep motivated especially when you are already at your goal weight but I'm going to take it one day at a time. I did it before for 8 weeks so 4 weeks should be a breeze...I hope! I'll be keeping you all posted :-)

It's technically still only spring, but with temperatures averaging in the high 70's and 80's recently (and reportedly will be in the high 90's in the next few days), we have to make sure that we get an early start on our summer skin regiment. Most of us, including myself, are so glad that winter is finally gone and have already pulled out our shorts, sundresses and flip flops. But what we sometimes forget is that this beautiful weather can also wreck and damage our skin. Heat, humidity and the sun's rays can cause wrinkles, age spots, breakouts, clogged pores, rashes and of course, skin cancer. Here are my top 10 summer tips that will not only keep you looking but also feeling fabulous, all summer long.

1) Exfoliate

Actually its a great idea to exfoliate all year long, not just in the summer because our skin sheds dead cell everyday, all day. In the summer though because of the sun, sweat and sand, we shed even more and if we don't remove these dead cells, they will just continue to build up all over our face and body (I know, that's not an attractive thought!). All you have to do is just use your favorite exfoliator 2-3 times a week while you are in the shower (mine is St. Ives Apricot Scrub) and you'll start seeing beautiful glowing skin in no time.

2)Moisturize

Just because the weather is hot outside does not mean that we should skip moisturizing our skin. Au contraire, my friends! No, you no longer need to slather on tubs of body butter like you did in the winter. Instead opt for lighter, water-based fomulas for both your face and body. Also, if you are use to using heavy face creams especially at night, switch to a light serum such as Lumene Time Lift Instant Serum.

3)Balm it up, baby!

Don't forget to keep your kisser supple and sun safe by using a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15. Lips can get cancer too you know..plus no one wants to walk around with dry, cracked lips in the summer anyways.

4)Sunscreen

Another thing that you should be using year round but it's even more important in the summer. Make sure that when you are searching for a sunscreen, that you pick one that provide broad-spectrum protection because they block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The minimum SPF (sun protection factor) that it should have is 15. Sunscreen should be applied liberally all over before you go outside and it should be reapply every two hours and always after swimming. Remember, don't leave home without it! My sunscreen of choice is Aveeno's Continuous Protection Sunblock Spray SPF 70.

5)Get a summer glow-Safely!

The best way to minimize your chances of getting wrinkles, age spots, etc is to minimize your exposure to the sun (and/or tanning beds). A few great alternatives are sunless tanners, spray tan, airbrushing or by using a lotion with an invigorating glow such as Jergen's Revitalizing Natural Glow.

6)Shaving

There is no law that said that you have to keep your legs shaved at all time in the winter but in the summer it's a must if you plan on donning shorts and little dresses. The key to shaving is to find a great razor. Getting nicks and razor burns from a cheap razor is just as bad as having hairy legs, if not worst. Personally, I like Gillette's Venus razor. Oh and while you're in the store picking up your razor, make sure to get a great shaving cream also. If you don't have one or can't find one, simple use whatever conditioner you have in your bathroom. This will ensure that your skin is nice and hydrated while you are shaving.

7)Switch up your makeup

Because it's so hot in the summer, no one wants to run around with a pound of makeup melting off their face throughout the day. If you like liquid foundations or full covered creams, trade them in temporarily for something lighter such as mineral based makeups or my favorite, airbrush makeup. Or, you can go even more natural looking by simply using a bronzer in place of foundation. It evens out the skin and gives you a nice healthy glow. Add a coat of your favorite waterproof mascara and a bit of tinted gloss and you have the perfect sun kissed summer face.

8)Pamper those feet

If you haven't been keeping your feet in tip top condition this past winter, don't fear! You can still run to the nearest salon to get your feet sandal ready or you can give yourself an at home pedicure. All you really need is a foot scrub such as Feet's Sake Foot Scrub, and a file that you can use whenever you are in the shower. Do this a few times a week and your feet will be looking great in those sexy sandals in no time.

9)Wear protective clothing

Protecting yourself from harmful sunrays goes beyond sunscreen. Whenever you are outside, throw on wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and even a long sleeve shirt. Contrary to popular beliefs, you should be wearing darker, tightly woven fabrics instead of lightweight, light colored garments in the summer. They are better at blocking your skin from the sun.

10) Drink Plently of water!

The last tip is also the simplest but the most important. You must stay hydrated all summer long and nothing is better for you and your body than those 8 glasses a day. Try and stay away from all that sugery stuff such as sodas and juices. Yes, they taste great but they are loaded with calories and do not keep you hydrated.

Follow these 10 tips to summer proof your skin. All my favorite, recommended items can be found in all the CVS's and Rite Aids here in Glen Cove. And speaking about Rite Aid, they just launched a summer skin care campaign, with the support of the Skin Cancer Foundation, which comprises of free informational guides in all of their stores and online, money-saving promotions on skin care products. Make sure to stop by your local Rite Aid to pick up one of your free guides and check them out online at riteaid.com. Have a fun and safe summer,

Samantha

I've been meaning to write this post since the summer but I just never got around to it. I went on a diet back in June for eight weeks and dropped 20 pounds. Because a lady never tells her age (or weight) I am not going to say what I use to weigh or what I weigh now (LOL...I know, I know). I decided to put myself on a diet because one saturday morning I stepped on the scale and it said a crazy ass number and I freaked out...bad! Now, I have to say that I am honestly blessed in the fact that I am 5'8 and carry my weight very well...I look as if I'm 15-20 pounds smaller than I truly am. I usually wear a size 7/8 comfortably but over the past few months my clothing started fitting a little too sexy if you know what I mean! I started going to the gym, hired an expensive trainer that I was paying $400 a month to work out with 3xs a week and after 8 months and not losing any weight (I was toned tho) I quit! Well, after that faithful day I decided that I had to do something and it had to be done NOW! I put myself on a home made diet and after 8 weeks, I passed my "fantasy number" and dropped from (im assuming a 9/10) to a size 6. Here's how I did it:

The first thing I did was eliminated all juices and beverages from my diet. I only drank water. Thats it! I would usually drink at least 2 snapples a day and when you add that up, it would be over 500 calories a day just from that. If I started craving orange juice or fruit juice, I would just eat an orange or a fruit instead. I also started eating breakfast even though most times I really didn't want to because I have no appetite in the morning. I would then have a yogurt then lunch then a yogurt again a few hours later. If I got hungry anytime in between meals, I would just snack on fruits until I was full. I then had dinner and for dessert, I would have one of those 100 calories snack packs. That was it! That was how I ate 95% of the time I was on my diet. There were times that I would eat out with friends of course and still had wine and drinks (oh and even champagne and cake since I was dieting through my bday).

The thing that I learned that worked for me was that I could never deprived myself..I just had to change my food portion. I ate alot of those lean cuisine meals until I realized what the right portion was. After that, it was honestly very easy. After getting off my diet, my weight has been flutuating within 5 pounds of my goal weight. I am back to drinking juices and eating "regularly" but now I go to the gym again and workout on the treadmill for about 30 minutes or take a class here or there just to help maintain my weight. This is how I did it and it may not work for everyone but I am the worst eater (I got a mean sweet tooth) and I hate the gym so I figured if it worked for me, you should give it a try too if you are looking to lose a few pounds fast and safe :-)

xoxo
Sam