I’m on a mission to fix my skin. I have combination skin and get pimples on my chin, and sometimes my forehead, and my cheeks are generally normal to dry. I don’t want to use products that are not environmentally friendly, nor do I want any harsh chemicals. I want a natural or organic line and it would be great if it was Canadian made..
Over the years I’ve tried many different products and brands and none have been as successful as I hoped. I’m sure that there is a good solution out there. I know that blemishes are something that everyone has to deal with, but they should be few and far between in my opinion. I must admit that my eating and drinking habits over the holidays did not do anything to help me out, but since I’ve been back to work I’m back to my normal, healthier self.
I’ve tried the following:
- Lush: Black Coal Soap, Tea Tree Mist, Imperialis Moisturizer – it seemed to work well in the summer but the past few months have been pretty unpleasant
- ProActiv: dried out my skin and made me break out even more
- Garnier Nutritioniste Nutri-Pure: too drying
- Body Shop: Vitamin E Starter Kit – didn’t cleanse as well as I needed
- Body Shop Tea Tree Starter Kit – too strong and drying
- Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser & Toner – made me breakout
- Garnier Pure A Skin Perfection – too strong
- Clinique – too long ago to remember which formulation, but it was very drying
- Burt’s Bees – a sample pack from a few Christmases ago. Too drying.
I would love any advice or info on products you have used or would recommend, and if any brands want to send me some products to try I’m definitely interested.
I’ve done some research and these are the products I’m thinking about trying:
Please share your secrets, tips or info with me. Let the Skincare search begin!
My stockpile of leftover products
I’m over the gym. I did 22 of 24 sessions with my trainer and then he left the gym. I haven’t been since September, and have been paying for it twice a month, so just wasting money that I don’t really have. I really enjoyed my time working out with my trainer and I learned a lot, but we didn’t get to the final “here’s what you do without a trainer” sessions and I haven’t wanted to go back.
I’ve been seriously debating cancelling my membership for the past month. I did really enjoy going, but only because there was someone there waiting for me, who had a workout plan ready to go. I can’t see myself going there and using the machines by myself when all I really want to do is Yoga. It also seems a little ridiculous to pay for a gym membership just for a few Yoga classes a week.
In the past three years I have had three gym memberships to two different gyms. I’ve probably gone a total of 40 times. Ok, I just figured out the math and that means that it has cost me $25 each time I’ve gone to the gym over the past three years. To go to a Yoga class in my area it’s $14-$17 and to do it by myself, at home, is free. You know what, when I first worked for myself I did Yoga every day, after I finished my morning submissions. It took the stress out of the rest of my day and I felt great afterwards.
What do you think? Do you have a gym membership or do you prefer to work out at home?
I just came back from a massage. I needed one desperately and haven’t had a chance to go since, well, June I guess.
I’ve been going to a friend of mine Carri, who is an RMT, and she is amazing! Her business is called Imprint Massage and she has the nicest studio at 101 Spadina Ave. The place is so nice and clean and relaxing. Carri’s massage studio is a part of Imprint Pilates, and they also offer pilates (duh), acupuncture and physio.
I highly recommend you check her out, you won’t be disappointed. You can email her at carri@imprintpilates.com or call her to book an appointment at 416-209-1315. Check the Imprint Massage website.
Today was chest day. It was pretty hard, but did pretty well. I have to start writing down the weights that I do cause I think it’s pretty impressive. I’m using all of the machines at the gym and it’s crazy because I’ve always been so scared of them. I really like going now, even though its hard and I’m kinda sore afterwards.
My trainer Carl is good. He pushes me, which is good cause I might cheat, and we have a good time talking between sets. He also emails me what we do each time cause I never remember.
So for Chest Day the machines I used were:
Smith Machine flat bench press
smith machine incline bench press
decline bench press (free bar)
Side to side oblique touches
Decline bench sit-up’s
ball raise / leg raise
oblique twists
And I’ve been doing 10 reps about 4 or 5 times I think. Chad noticed that I’m looking more fit and I can totally tell. 20 more sessions and I’m going to be ridiculous.
This was done on Fri. July 10. I’m supposed to go every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but I’ve just been too busy to stick to that schedule.
This was the most intense workout so far. Carl created an H.I.I.T 8 point circuit. (High Intensity Interval Training) and I had to do it three times with a five minute rest in between each circuit.
Box Jumps x 15
Ball Grabs x 10
Push ups to failure – I did 10 each time
1 minutes wall sits
Dips to failure – I was doing 15 each time
Post to post runs – There was a stack of 10 – 7 lbs weights and I had to move one at a time from post to post.
Sit ups to failure – I think this was 10 each time.
2 minute rows
I was red faced and sweating which was actually pretty awesome. Kathryn met me there halfway and saw what I was doing. After my 3 rounds we stretched a bit, went home and ate like champs. Next workout is tomorrow (so I missed about a week). I’ll try to be more consistent. I did Kayak at the cottage, so I did a bit of a workout there. But it was probably cancelled out by the amazing food, beer and other festive treats.
