My Kingdom

♥Five Ways to Get in Shape Now♥< >Is it just us or do all the complicated herbal fasts, cleanses, fad
diets, and other "health programs" out there seem overwhelming and
not exactly body friendly? Believe it or not, the steps to a fit and
strong body don't have to be so convoluted. Here are a few things that
you can start doing now to get in shape.


1. Drink tons of water. (Not literally, eight glasses a day will do.)
H20 is a totally essential ingredient to the body's many functions.
It carries key nutrients into the body and washes unneeded waste out.
Water also gives skin a radiating glow.


2. Substitute those Skittles with an apple or an apricot instead.
We all get cravings for sweets, but the refined sugar used in most
candies and packaged desserts can wreak havoc on your body by causing
hormonal imbalances (which can sometimes aggravate acne) and
suppressing the body's immune system. And don't think those gummy
fruit snacks are any healthier. They're just as loaded with sugar.
It's much healthier to eat the real thing — fruit — instead.


3. Get off of the bus a few stops early.
So you're not really into gym class. You can still work exercise
into your day without playing a game of hoops. Try walking a few
extra blocks home or taking the stairs at the mall instead of the
elevator. Make sure these activities add up to about 30 minutes every
day.


4. Eat protein and carbohydrates.
The problem with most fad diets is that they leave your body
depleted in key vitamins and minerals. Eating cheeseburgers
without the bun everyday may help you shed pounds, but you
could end up with a serious vitamin deficiency if you don't
remember to eat the lettuce and tomato that comes with it.
Make it a point to eat in moderation from all of the food groups,
that way you'll get the vitamins and minerals you need.


5. Lift some weights.

Don't freak out. We're not talking about major beefing up
through bench-pressing. You can get your strength training
in the comfort of your own home with inexpensive dumbbells or
books or cans of soup. Exercising with these for 30 minutes two
to three times a week will help you develop nice muscle tone
(hello, beach!) and prevent diseases like osteoporosis.

♥Ole's Top Five Summer Beauty Secrets♥

1. Be gentle with summer skin.
"Skin is more tender in the summer
due to excessive sun exposure. When
your skin gets tan, it's actually a
defense mechanism against the harmful
rays — it's trying to create a protective
shield by darkening. The skin also dries out
more as the sun's rays go through many layers
of skin, so you don't want to use aggressive
products," explains Ole. His trick to soothe
sunburned or irritated skin is to mix a pint
of milk and a pint of cold water with a tray of
ice cubes. Soak a washcloth in the mixture and
apply it to your face for five minutes.


2. Drink lots of water. "Our body doesn't always
tell us how much water we need. Our natural
perspiration makes us lose a certain amount
of fluid. If you ignore your need for fluid,
you feel more tired, but you'll notice a glass
of water makes you more energized, so it's a
vital source of energy. Water also flushes the
skin of toxic matter," says Ole. You should have
an 8-ounce glass of water every hour during the
daytime. If you don't like plain water, he suggests
giving it a boost with lemon and cucumber slices,
which enhance the flavor and quench your thirst.


3. Use eye cream. "You squint a lot in sunlight,
even when you wear sunglasses," Ole says. As the
skin around your eyes is especially delicate and
can start to develop fine lines and wrinkles at
an early age, Ole suggests using an eye cream like
his Fresh Start Eye Creme. Dab it lightly under your
eyes and smooth out toward the sides of your face.


4. Give yourself a face mask. Treat your skin to a
mask once a week during the summer. "It's cooling,
soothing, and gives your skin a pick-me-up," says Ole.
A gentle clay mask like Ole's Firm Action Pore Refining
Mask is great for oily skin. Ole's Blue/Blackberry Enzyme
Mask is a good choice for tender, sensitive, and dry skin.


5. Exercise. Take advantage of the good weather and swim
or play sports outside. "Your body's more limber from the
heat," explains Ole. "Exercise is such an energizer, and
when you have the proper fitness level your skin will benefit
from it, too — exercise naturally enhances the oxygen flow
throughout your body, especially to your face, speeding up
the natural cleansing process."



When You're Out in the Sun...
1. Buy the right sun block. One of the best things
you can do to protect your skin is buy an oil-free sun block.
"It means that you get all the shielding with something that's
totally greaseless," says Ole. Apply it after you've cleansed
and toned, so it's in immediate contact with the skin. Wait a
couple of minutes and put your regular moisturizer on top. Ole
suggests his Herbal Day Creme SPF 15 or Skin Insulator, which is
rich and good for dry skin.


2. Always wear it. Make sure that you put adequate layers of
sun block on your body and your face (the rule of thumb: use
enough to fill a shot glass) at least half an hour before you
go out in the sun so it can bind with your skin. It's also a
good idea to wear a hat or a visor that's big enough to shade
the face. "That way you take precautions, but you still get a
bit of a golden glow," Ole says. "The truth is there is nothing
100 percent protective against the sun rays unless you put on a
thick layer of white zinc oxide," he says.


3. Don't go to a tanning salon. Seriously. Ole compares tanning
salons to an oven where you roast yourself. "The rays used in
tanning are the most harmful of the light spectrum. They break
down your skin's connective tissue, which causes wrinkles and
is cancer-inducing," he says. However, If you absolutely have
to lie in the sun, cover your face with a hat or a towel. "The
body is a little less exposed to the elements of nature, and it
can handle more than the face," he explains.


4. Eat good foods. Have you heard the saying, "You are what you eat?"
While that may be hard to imagine, Ole says you should be getting
plenty of anti-oxidants like vitamin C, which is found in citrus
fruits (like the lemon in your water). This strengthens the skin's
immunity toward potential damage. The fat you get from eating seafood,
sunflower seeds, almonds, and olive oil will help your skin maintain
balance.


Ole Henriksen Face/Body products are available online at
www.olehenriksen.com and www.sephora.com.