Is that a trick question? Why would I want to deliberately look old and worn out when I can move with a groove and stay healthy and fit.

I recently talked with a friend/colleague who’d moved from New York to Greenville, SC 13 years ago. While it was job related, she expressed how she’d been able to become more in touch with nature and her spiritual side after the move.

Fast forward, she’s back in New York on a temporary job assignment for 6 months. She said she’d forgotten how fit you can become just living in New York.

For those of you that don’t live in the city, you’re always walking and at a brisk pace I might add. Even mature women move at a faster pace than most people living in other cities. It’s nothing to walk for blocks going from one destination to another and not give it a second thought, it’s just part of your day. Walking is a given form of exercise and can work very well for you if you want to drop a pound or two.

Walking won’t do it alone, so you’ll want to be mindful of what you eat or you’re sure to get belly fat, butt fat, fat fat … Don’t like your belly fat or any fat for that matter? Do something about it!

Walking will help, however it’s not the only form of exercise to help slim your tummy or your body. Excess belly fat can steal healthy years from you. Firm your midsection by stretching your muscles and targeting your midsection with exercises that will help you remove the fat build up around your waist. The table top crunch, single/single/double leg drop, the flutter kick and of course the plank. Don’t sleep on yoga, what appears to be simple slow moves will kick your butt.

There’s no looking and feeling younger is you don’t include a healthy nutritional plan.

More and more research is showing that what you eat plays an important role in how good you look and how long you live. The good thing about it is that you only have to make the decision to change what you eat and take the steps to do it.

The foods you eat play a very important role on your beauty and your health.  Adding foods like leafy green vegetables and berries is said to increase your longevity by 7.5 years. More spinach please. Your citrus fruits have anti-inflammatory effects and could help treat diabetes. A study from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Massachusetts General Hospital found that the naringenin, the antioxidant behind giving citrus fruits their bitter taste, can help your liver break down fatty acids the way some diabetes drugs do.

Fish, wholegrain, seaweed, tea and even nuts can help increase your longevity. Plan you meals and be mindful of not only what you eat but when you eat as well.

Your Mindset will keep you younger than anything and adopting a mindful viewpoint will help you live a more joyful life.

• Be bold in your thinking and stay in the moment.
• Don’t fear the unknown. I know, easier said than done.
• Learn to let go of old experiences that cause you to carry emotional baggage. Ditch old friends and old things that no longer bring you joy.
• Be creative and keep an in-the-moment attitude. Write, blog, paint, draw. These activities will not only keep you grounded, they’ll also give you ways to keep your mind active.

That’s it for this week!  As always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel
Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care