Skin Update...and other stuff

So, no weekly weigh in today. I'm not sure if I would have lost this week or not. My calories were pretty good (sans Cinco de Mayo)...AND I got 16 miles in this week. I feel relieved that I didn't have to get on the scale...but I have to admit that I have been curious. We'll see if I reach my goal of 125 lbs on May 22.

Skin is coming along. I've been pretty consistent with my routine. I've even been taking care of the skin on my body too. I feel like my face looks better. But whenever I take a picture it doesn't look that great.

Week 4...Nice shot of a new little pimple!

Day One

I tried a lemon and egg white mask today. Not sure how I liked it. I'm going to try to keep it up at least twice a week. Lemon is supposed to lighten your skin...so we'll see if it evens it out.

I'm getting kind of frustrated and I've been thinking about going to the dermatologist. Hopefully the vitamins and my regimen will make a difference soon. I think quitting will help too.

Today was pretty productive. Brunch with mom, her friend, and my husband (no pics...I have to get better).

I also made some of Gina's Amaze-balls!

Yummy Balls!!!!!

INGREDIENTS
2 Tbsp. almond butter
2 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut
1 Tbsp. honey
1 packet chocolate rice protein
a pinch of sea salt, Stevia, and cinnamon
1 Tbsp. dark chocolate chips

They were super yum! I'm kinda disappointed that they are only 5 grams of protein (seems kind of low for protein balls)...but I am pleasantly surprised that they are only 112 calories...and REALLY good!

The first time that I tried almond butter, I wasn't a fan. But I have definitely acquired the taste! I'm excited about trying sunflower butter next!




I also made some PMS Banana, yogurt and walnut muffins. I used some super ripe bananas and some light agave that I found at Kroger. They are not super sweet, but sweet enough. I think that they will be a good addition to my vanilla Greek yogurt snack this week.




I also made some Tuna...with Avocado, Yogurt and Celery

INGREDIENTS
2 3 oz. cans of solid tuna
1/2 avocado (pureed)
2 celery stalks
1 Tbsp. green onions, chopped
1 Tbsp. Greek yogurt
1 tsp. dijon mustard
salt and pepper, some cayenne and garlic powder

Makes 2 very yummy servings!:)

This is what I had to clean up after my afternoon of cooking...I'm a messy cook!

Last week was Cinco de Mayo...a day that I always get super excited about. One reason that I love it is that my husband and I always go to our favorite little Mexican hole in the wall, The Border (not to be confused with On the Border).

This place is extra special because the staff is awesome! They know us at this point...and we have nicknames for all of the employees ("Bout Business," "Over It," "Mama," "Kinky Curly"...we love them all!) It's also special because this is the place where my husband proposed:)

Every year, the Border gives away t-shirts on Cinco de Mayo!

2011 Border Shirts!!!

We've gotten shirts for the past 5 years...it's a tradition for us at this point and I couldn't imagine spending May 5 anywhere else. The shirts always have little funny characters on them.

Still counting down until the end of the school year. Last week was particularly trying. Every year around this time, it seems that everyone in the building loses their minds...the kids, the faculty, the staff AND the administration. The morale at the school is super low...and mine may be even lower. It is so good that summer will be here in 12 days.

I'm also getting excited about YOGA SUMMER 2011. I was debating between two different yoga places...my old studio, Atlanta Hot Yoga and Red Hot Yoga, a new place that just opened 8 or 9 months ago. I decided to go to RHY...I've never been there, but it is owned by Bethany, my favorite yoga instructor from AHY (and I l-o-v-e her!!!). Three times a week, I will be doing downward dog this summer. I bought a 5 day pass from Living Social a month ago...and I plan to buy a 20 class pass this summer. So excited!!!!!!

Living Social has had a lot of great deals recently. I just purchased one month unlimited boot camp at BodyProud Fitness. It was only $29 (It's usually $89!...and you get a fitness consultation). I'm going to start in June...twice/week. I hope I like it!

I'm also going to buy a pass (today) to this place called Mandala Yoga. The deal is 20 fitness classes for $20 (it's usually $200!!! You cannot beat that!) They offer Zumba at this place and if I just go two or three times, I think that I will have gotten my money's worth. I'll probably start that after the honeymoon!

Okay...I need to fight these SNB (SNB = Sunday Night Blues; They come every Sunday around 5 or 6 pm...sometimes earlier depending how much I am dreading the impending week.) Bye for now.

Skin Update

Just a quick skin update

After 2 weeks

After 1 week

Before

It actually FEELS so much better. I hope the improvements continue. If they don't I have thought about going back to the dermatologist. I'll give it two months and we'll see how things look at the end of June.

Skin update

I've been on my new skin regimen for almost a week now and I can already see the difference.

Before

After 1 week

I don't know if you can tell by the picture, but it seems a little clearer to me...after just one week.  And it's got a little more shine too.  Yay, baking soda!  I'm going to do the egg and lemon mask today.  I'll update again next week.

Vitamin Regimen

Lately, I've been focusing on getting my skin to look flawless.  I've started with exfoliation and a new skin regimen.

I also think that it is time to start my vitamin regimen again.  I think that my skin may have looked better when I was taking all those vitamins.  I think that I will start taking my multi (maybe a prenatal), fish oil, MSM, and biotin again.  Now, I'm looking to see what new vitamins that I can add to this regimen.

Vitamins C and E keep coming up online when I google "healthy skin supplements."  Vitamin C is supposed to be good for protein metabolism and also promotes healing.   It is recommended to look for one that is mixed with flavanoids.  Vitamin E is supposed to help prevent scarring and promote healing.

I have been known to get overzealous when it comes to my supplement intake.  So, I'm going to try to keep it simple.

For now, I'm going to start on the following regimen today:

Twice Daily
Multi/Prenatal vitamin
MSM (1000 mg)
Omega-3 Fish Oil (1000 mg)
Biotin (2500 mcg)
Vitamin C (1000 mg)
Vitamin E (Need to find the recommended amount)

Now I just need to research which ones are best.  I'm always inclined to buy the cheapest or the ones on sale...but I know that is not the smartest way to go.  I'll report back which ones I like for my records. 

I'm super excited about clear skin...I hope all of this crap works.

New Face Regimen

Okay...for the past couple of weeks I have been thinking that I need to exfoliate. My skin has been looking dull and my dark spots aren't going anywhere. The more that I read, the more that I think that exfoliation might be the answer.

So here is what I am going to try for awhile.

Morning
Neutragena Acne Wash
Moisturizer

Evenings
Gentle Skin Face Wash & Organic Baking Soda Scrub
Apple Cider Vinegar (leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water)
Moisturizer

1-3X Weekly
Egg White and Lemon Mask (I may add some honey for moisture...but organic honey is SO expensive)

Hopefully, that will take care of these dead skin cells and will even out my skin. I'm going to work on that morning regimen. It needs to be simple because I'm usually running behind in the morning. I read today that you really don't need to wash your face with soap in the morning...I might just use some Cetaphil (or the generic version that is much cheaper) in the AM.

I may also add some oatmeal or honey or something to that mask. Need to keep doing research.

Lastly, I'm going to start some supplements for hair, nails and skin again.

Tried it today and my face feels pretty soft. We'll see how it goes. Here is my before pic.

Looks a little red...hopefully this regimen will even it out a bit. (Nice eyebrows:))

Hopefully, I will remember to post an after pic in a week or two.

*UPDATE:  I just changed my regimen to mix the baking soda with a sensitive skin wash instead of using the acne wash twice a day.  Also, my face was less red this morning...and I (think) that I can notice a difference.  Though, I do think that there is still a lot of dead skin that needs to come off.