Monday, December 27th, 2010
We wish you happy holiday season. We will see you January 10, 2011.
Love the ladies of MP4!
Friday, December 24th, 2010
Building the healthy lifestyle you want is like creating a great business plan.
Here are ten great tips:
1. Understand your vision and message – Ask yourself, why do I want this? What are your goals? What does the road map for you future look like?
2. Identify your support system – Who are they and do they want you to succeed?
3. Effectively articulate what you want – Create a vision board with pictures and words that support your goals. Dream big and don’t be afraid to put on the vision board exactly what you want…be careful what you wish for J
4. Develop an action plan – Write it in your calendar and remember that this time is non-negotiable. When are you going to get your workouts in? How much time do you need? What are you eating each day? You know the drill, get it done…..without a plan, you are just rowing a boat without a paddle.
5. Stay in contact with your support system – Consistency is the key.
6. Treat your body like gold – You are the only person that will ever care, love and respect your body, so treat it with respect.
7. Cultivate successful relationships – Remember your primary foods, relationships are so important to a happy, healthy lifestyle.
8. Network – Meeting people who love to workout and eat well want you to be successful. Surround yourself with the expertise of the people you wish to learn from.
9. Build your confidence – Just give it a try, really what is the worst that can happen? Do everything, say yes to it all and each time it will get easier and easier.
10. Reduce your fears – If you are afraid to achieve a goal, then that is probably the best reason to get it done. The learning process will be amazing!
Wishing you all a Happy Holiday and Safe New Year!
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
For most of my make up wearing life I’ve taken cheek color for granted, focusing mostly on covering a zit or mastering liquid eyeliner. Not any more though. As I’ve aged I’ve learned to appreciate the lovely glow that blusher brings to the face. And can I just add that I love the word blush. Blush. It’s a soft and pretty word. Blush. And I like to speak it. Blush.
There are lots of thoughts on where to apply blush. I think in general that blush is for your entire cheekbone area. Not too close to the eyes both below and next to them, and not too far below the cheekbone. Be sure to apply color to the apple too (the part that pops out when you smile). Blush is NOT for the nose, forehead, hairline and chin. These places are for bronzer, not blush, and can create a sunburned look.
Blush color is only a big deal if it’s the wrong one. Choose a blush that is similar in shade to the color your cheeks turn when you … yep, blush! (sorry, couldn’t resist) There are thousands of colors of blush and plenty of sales people to help you find a color that works with your skin tone. Cheeks and lips should not match, but they should be in the same color. For example, pink cheeks with pink-toned lips; coral/peachy cheeks with tans and orangish lips; rosy cheeks with rose-toned lips. For red lips, I like a neutral, warm, toned-down cheek in whatever color this is for you.
Bronzer is nice for adding a little warm color on it’s own or along with blush color. If you are using bronzer, be very conservative with the color. Faking a tan with bronzer never works. Go only one shade or so darker than your skin color and apply the sheerest possible amount, adding more only as needed to achieve the look you want. Bronzer looks great on the cheekbones, along the temple and a tiny touch on the forehead, nose and chin. After bronzing, a swirl of blush on the applied to the apple of your cheeks looks very pretty.
I’m kind of in love right now with using a highlighter on my cheeks too. Once you’ve blushed, bronzed, or both, take a little highlighter and apply a sheer swipe on the top edge of your cheekbone for a nice little dusting of sparkle.
Blush, bronzer and highlighter come in powder, cream and even gel formulas. Powders are by far the easiest to work with and are the perfect choice for all but the most extremely dry skin types. A brush is essential for applying powder cheek colors and at the completion of color application, blend, blend blend to soften. Cheeks are no place for hard lines of color.
Cream, liquid, gel and cream-to-powder blushes apply nicely but not more so than powder. In my experience with cream blushes, they look dewy and pretty for about five minutes before they slide, smear or otherwise disappear.
Experiment to find what works for you. You know when you’ve done it right because your cheeks will look slightly glowy and healthy. Likewise, you will know when it’s gone wrong. If you aren’t happy or think it looks weird and off somehow, reach for a make up remover wipe and start over. It’s only make up.
Monday, December 20th, 2010
Today I look a day over 40. Why? I am! Yesterday was my Big 4-0! Woot! Okay, enough joking around…
I’m more vain than I care to admit. A lot of whether or not I’m happy any given minute depends on how I feel I look physically. I’m not proud of it, but I’m not alone. With time I become much more accepting of my physical self, but I have a long way to go. Part of my problem is that I chose a profession with an element to it wherein my would-be “clients” shop with their eyes. So my love of good health and how to help others attain it has sort of shot me in the foot a little there with regard to where I wrap my self-esteem. I’m dealing with that in many ways. Aging helps and hinders the process, but it seems to be a forward-moving process, thankfully. And most who spend 5 minutes or more with me realize that I know what I’m talking about, thereby (I think) being less concerned with my physical imperfections. Assuming they were in the first place. Most of the time, I get a “Wow, you look great for 40!” so I think most of this is (and was and will be) of my own creation. Ironic considering how many would be surprised to how nonjudgmental I am of that sort of thing when it comes to other folks.
I gave up on perfect a long time ago. If we’re talking just about physical appearance, I looked about as perfect as I was ever going to look just a few years ago. I felt great about myself, much more confident. But that time period also put me in close contact with other women who were SO wrapped up in their physical appearance, that: a) They never looked good enough; b) There was nothing else to them. And how could there be? I know that for that brief blip on my 40 year screen, the extreme effort it took with nutrition and training to (naturally) achieve that extreme of a look felt like a part-time job. It was hard to foster any relationship unless it was with someone who shared the same pursuit at the time, or maintain an interest in something other than asparagus and interval cardio. Needless to say, it was not the time to take up a hobby. Unless you consider trying not to be a social leper at special events a “hobby”.
My first physique show. When I had the thought: "I love you, Honey, but I'd sell you for a cookie right now", I knew this would not be a long-term activity for me.
One thing that has really helped me embrace the “me” that’s more than the meat suit within which my spirit is housed is delving into interests beyond fitness. This year, for example, I’ve taken sewing lessons and I’ve even been painting with friends, something I can’t wait to do again! I’ve been much more social and I’m sinking my teeth into another aspect of my career—segueing it into something that will enable me to help people improve their health on a much deeper level. Not only will that stimulate my brain—something I need—but it will indirectly help me with my own psychosis, reinforcing to me that optimal (dare I say “radical”?) health goes way beyond one’s dress size or eyelash length. So in big and small ways, artsy-craftsy or extra-intellectual, I’m moving beyond what I see in the mirror. And where I work I’m quite literally surrounded by mirrors, so that’s no small feat.
Pillowcase I made for my hubs in sewing class. Hopefully that makes up for the sell-you-for-a-cookie thing...
Does this mean I’m packing it in to search for meaning outside of my bod? No, of course not. Without a really healthy physiology, how in the heck am I going to feel well, think well, function well—all necessary things for having the time, desire, and aptitude to do things outside of fitness activities. It just means I’ll care a little less about how I look while I’m doing them. If you are at all like me, I suggest reaching beyond what’s apparent to the naked eye, and realize that it’s okay to be a dynamic person devoting time and energy to varied interests. And that it’s not ALL about looking good… naked.
Picture I painted at Sips 'n Strokes with some great gal pals. It's "perfectly imperfect". (The "sips" part helps with its appearance. 
)
Friday, December 17th, 2010
My challenge to you this week is to slow down and fully experience all elements of your food.
As I drove to work yesterday morning I watched a women eat an entire meal while driving. I understand that our lives get busy and it is sometimes hard to take the time to sit down to enjoy a meal, but I don’t even think this women even knew what she was putting into her mouth. At every red light she quickly stuffed a few bites into her mouth, chewed as fast as she could while making sure she didn’t miss when the light turned green.
I am sure most of you that have experienced what it feels like to sit, eat a meal slowly and enjoy it, if not, today is the day to try it out.
What do you think it does to your body to eat under stress? Have you ever taken sometime to think about it? Have you ever felt bad after eating on the go or rushing a meal?
Here are a few things to explore during your next meal, see if you notice any difference in how you feel.
Sight: Take a look at your food, is this what you want and need right at this moment?
Smell: Take a moment to actually smell your food before digging in, does it smell good? Are you hungry?
Physiological reaction: Notice how your senses respond to the anticipation of the food you are about to eat. How do you feel?
Taste: As you take your first bite, give all your attention to the food as you begin to chew, notice taste and texture.
Breath: Put down your utensils; take a breath before your next bite. Slow down and enjoy your meal.
Silence: Before you get up and move on with the rest of your day, sit for a minute and be thankful.
So often we eat mindlessly. Eating in the car, in front of the tv or computer, talking and chewing at the same time can take the pleasure out of a good meal.
What are some ways that help you to slow down when eating? Do you have a favorite place that you like to enjoy a meal?
Enjoy your weekend and every bite of every meal!
