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If self-care isn’t already your 2021 focus, make it your focus starting today. We should all dedicate time to ourselves in order to improve our own mental and physical well-being, and committing to do so is the first step. Good self-care is also crucial when it comes to beauty, since makeup can take a toll on our skin if not handled carefully. However, it can be difficult to keep up our good intentions throughout the year, so here are a few affordable items everyone should be adding to their shopping cart in order to keep up the self-care. 

Skincare Kit 

Let 2021 be the year you finally commit to a solid skincare routine. This is especially important if you tend to wear full-coverage makeup, as a little extra effort to keep your pores clean can prevent breakouts and reduce the amount of makeup you need to achieve that smooth look.  

The easiest way to stick to a routine is to keep it simple. According to Skincare.com, a basic skin care routine involves only three products: cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. An exfoliant can be used two to three times a week, but no more than that. If you live in a large city, consider making one of these products an antioxidant-packed one, as this can help fight the damage to your skin from pollution damage. 

At-Home Face Masks 

Sometimes you will need a little extra from your skincare routine. However, professional facials are expensive. For those days when your skin needs a boost (or you just need some pampering), nothing does the trick quite like a face mask. Skip the ultra-expensive branded stuff and reach for one of these excellent drugstore masks. Your face will thank you, and so will your wallet.  

At-Home Dental Aligners 

 We all know that good oral care leads to better health, but how well you take care of your teeth is just as important as how often. Learning the proper ways to care for your teeth (proper brushing techniques, good flossing habits) will help your mouth tremendously. If you have trouble with misaligned teeth, you may struggle to keep the surfaces of your teeth properly cleaned. Fortunately, there are at-home options you can choose from that will keep you out of the dentist’s office. Byte, for example, offers at-home aligners that clock in at thousands less ($1,895) than other, similar aligner options like Invisalign (around $5,000). What’s more, HyperByte (the company’s vibration device) can deliver results in about 90 days. And once your teeth are in alignment, you’ll have less trouble properly cleaning them and more confidence when you flash a smile! 

CBD Oil 

 CBD is the stuff in cannabis that doesn’t get you high, and it’s everywhere right now. From face creams to body lotions to mascara, CBD is becoming a hot additive. Of course, people are also taking it by itself since it’s shown amazing results in reducing anxiety, relieving pain, and improving sleep. A small bottle can seem quite expensive, but a little goes a long way. Compare brands and prices before choosing one to try.  

Lip Balm 

 It’s time to choose a lip balm that truly has your back. Many commercial lip balms actually draw out moisture, which keeps you applying in a never-ending loop of chapped, dry lips. Betches offers some great recommendations for lip balms that actually do the job (including some cheap classics like Aquaphor and Vaseline), as well as some popular brands that can make things worse.  

Makeup Brush Cleaner 

Even if you are fully aware of the importance of brush hygiene for your skin’s health, it can be easy to let habits slip. Which is how you find yourself using a brush that hasn’t been cleaned in months to apply product to your eye. Which is, obviously, a recipe for disaster. Set aside 10 minutes on a Sunday (or whenever is convenient) to give your brushes a quick clean. This Reader’s Digest guide has in-depth reviews of 15 great products you can use, covering a wide range of budgets.  

Essential Oils 

The hype is real, and you should buy into it. Essential oils have a multitude of uses: vaporize them in a diffuser to help you relax, pour them into your bath to elevate the experience, or apply directly to your skin to soothe, energize, or repair. To keep costs under control, invest in a small selection first and add to your collection slowly.  

Of course, self-care is not all about buying stuff. In fact, it’s mostly about making small, healthy adjustments to your lifestyle for long-term well-being. For this reason, you should make sure that you are buying things because they are helpful, and not because the act of buying them makes you feel good for a short time. When it comes to beauty buys, the trick is to go for quality over brand or packaging. Do your research, look up reviews, and go for the cheaper, reliable, less glamorous choice over the one you saw in that Instagram-sponsored post – you’ll be glad you did.  

Don’t forget to work on all other areas of your health as well! Whether you’re looking to lose weight or revamp your workout regimen, get in touch with LBX Fitness for a personalized plan. 

Dylan Foster
Health Wise Well

Photo via Pexels

Photo credit: Pexels.com

If you’re a woman who struggles with weight management, you aren’t alone. According to Our Bodies, Ourselves, only 12% of women are satisfied with their current body size. A healthy weight isn’t just about size, however. Maintaining a weight appropriate for your build can help prevent various physical problems, from diabetes to cardiovascular disease.

Reframing your mindset about weight management is the first step in shedding pounds in a way that is both effective and long-lasting. It’s also critical to recognize that every body is unique and that what works for your friend or husband won’t necessarily work for you. With this knowledge, you can start exploring healthy weight loss options, like LBX Fitness, which takes a holistic approach to helping diverse females transform their minds and bodies alike.

This guide gives you the knowledge you need to start a productive weight-loss journey. Read on to find out more about how women lose weight differently from men and learn what you can do to achieve greater wellbeing in mind and body.

Why women may struggle more than men to lose weight

Women’s bodies are biologically designed for pregnancy. This is why women tend to store more fat around the abdomen and thighs, for example. It’s all about protecting that theoretical baby. Women also tend to have a slower metabolism than men, according to The Cleveland Clinic, which makes it harder to shed pounds.

Additionally, women’s bodies are impacted by hormone issues that contribute to weight fluctuations and make managing regular weight difficult. Goop explains that factors like dysregulated cortisol levels can pose problems, such as sparking sugar cravings. With this knowledge, you can better understand the need for a personally tailored weight management plan that’s designed for your one-of-a-kind female figure.

Healthy diet and exercise changes that women can make to shed pounds

Diet and exercise are the basis of healthy weight loss. “Diet” doesn’t refer to fad plans, however. The key is to eat healthy and nutritious food. Avoid processed items, which have excess sugars and empty calories. Prioritize a balanced intake of lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Don’t starve yourself. This causes your body to go into survival mode and store fat. Meal planning is one way to take control of what you eat.

As for exercise, the key is consistency. There’s no point doing super intense workouts one week just to sit on the couch the following week. Find forms of physical activity that you genuinely enjoy and don’t have a problem sticking with. Real Buzz lists some fun options, like dancing, indoor soccer, climbing, and more.

Additional tips to support successful weight loss strategies

Effective weight management that lasts isn’t about making short-term changes — it requires revamping your lifestyle. Instead of focusing on shedding pounds, focus on a healthier life in general, both mental and physical. For example, exercise doesn’t just burn calories and support weight loss. It’s also proven to boost your mind, according to Harvard Health.

Find ways to embrace healthy change and enjoy it. You might motivate yourself to work out by investing in some cute new exercise clothing, for instance. Organic cotton sports bras, tanks, and underwear from Davy Piper will keep you comfy, wick away moisture, and make you that much more motivated to break a sweat.

Understanding your body’s unique needs is the first step in achieving lasting weight loss. Hopefully, this guide has provided some insights into how you can get started in creating a healthier lifestyle that will nurture body and mind alike.

LBX Fitness provides women with the personalized plans they need to successfully lose weight and keep it off. Get started with a 30-day challenge.

Sheila Johnson

When we started 2020, no one could have predicted the challenges and changes that were in store for all of us. From a global pandemic to months in lockdown to fluctuating restrictions, there’s a lot to keep up with. There are a few shifts that are likely to stick around even after this crisis is over. Consider these widespread pandemic lifestyle changes. 
 
We’re Spending More Time at Home 
 
We’ve all spent most of 2020 staying safe in our homes, and this trend is not likely to go anywhere in the months ahead. COVID-19 cases are rising once again and public health experts are predicting these surges to continue through the winter, so sheltering in place at home will be the best way to protect your family and yourself. 
 
If you are going to be at home more, you should take a few steps to make it more comforting and calming. To reduce stress and clear any bad energy, spend some time cleaning up and organizing, and then open a few windows to let a fresh breeze purify your air. After making these adjustments, you may even notice that your family members are arguing less. 
 
We’re Spending More Time With Family 
 
Taking the time to make subtle improvements around your home can relieve stress. This can be especially helpful when you are sheltering in place with a spouse, partner, and/or children. While having more time with the ones you love can be a positive, it can also cause issues when you are trying to work remotely, helping kids with online school, and constantly having to find ways to keep your family entertained. 
 
Since you’re likely to be at home with your family for the foreseeable future, it’s essential that you find ways to mitigate any extra tension you may be experiencing. Taking more time each day for self-care will help, or you can get your entire family out for some sun and exercise. With indoor activities still on hold, it’s also a good idea to get used to spending more hours outdoors.

Also know that increasing screen time is completely okay. In fact, most experts recommend that parents embrace screens and technology, especially in lockdown. Online gaming can even be a great way to spend time as a family, so long as you have the right internet connection to support all that extra playtime.
 
We Need to Keep Supporting Local Businesses
 
Small business owners are still fighting to survive amidst pandemic restrictions and considerations, and need support from consumers like you. So the next time you need to pick up any essentials, commit to shopping local.

If you’re thinking of starting a small business yourself to make up for lost income due to the pandemic – or to simply shift careers – know that there are many online tools that can help. For instance, you can fill out all necessary forms online that are needed to establish an LLC for your new business. By signing up with a trusted service, you can leave the necessary research (for example: your state’s requirements, fees and regulations) entirely in their hands so that you can focus on other aspects of the business itself.
 
We all want the COVID-19 pandemic to be over and for our lives to return to normal. Even so, that normal is likely to look a lot different than it did in the past. So be prepared for a few pandemic changes to still be around and find ways to make them work for your life. 
 
If you’re finding it hard to maintain good health during the pandemic, connect with LBX Fitness for exercise and coaching services.
 
Photo Credit: Rawpixel

Dylan Foster
Health Wise Well

Self-isolation and quarantine measures can make you feel lonely and out of touch with the world. Even though you may not be able to go to the gym or fitness studio right now, it doesn’t mean you have to let these healthy routines slide. There are many ways to stay motivated at home so you can keep up your health and fitness goals.

Being stuck inside can also wreak havoc on your diet, especially if you’re a little out of practice with cooking every meal at home. That pantry full of boxed and canned foods might not bring that much inspiration, but there are plenty of ways to cook amazing meals at home with things you have on hand. The following resources can give you a helping hand.

For expert virtual yoga and fitness instruction, reach out to LBX Fitness! Send us a message or call 980-819-1656.

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Tips for Making the Most of Your Pantry Foods

Since you’re spending much more time at home and shopping less, you may need to make use of your pantry.

Basic Foods Checklist: How to Stock Your Kitchen for Simple Meals

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How to Cook Pasta Perfectly (Because You’re Probably Doing It Wrong)

Having your life disrupted by the coronavirus can make it hard to achieve your goals. However, you can make the most of your time spent at home by creating a motivating place to work out and cooking delicious pantry meals with the ingredients you’ve got stocked in your kitchen.