17 replies to this topic

[CelloIsLove]

So here we go. It's 1/3/11 and I'm due for some serious life changes this year.

On May 10th I'm leaving for Navy basic training. I have 5 months to fill in between that, and I'd like to make the best of them and leave a new person!

Goals:
-Clear existing acne: I cleared my skin from severe to rather mild over the past two years or so through diet, stress reduction, and physical activity. Certain factors I'll discuss later still cause me to break out. I want to eliminate those.
-Reduce red marks and improve complexion: I use AHA products that help with the scars, but I think more physical activity and better diet will help as well.
-Effectively reduce anxiety
-Eliminate bouts of depression
-Read as many books as possible
-Handle responsibilities well
-Do something I enjoy every day
-Regulate sleep schedule (No more going to bed at 2am!)





Chances are I'll add more

Every winter during the post holiday time I always fall into a depression. I think it's mostly vitamin D deprivation, but it's also the monotony and the cold. When that happens, my anxiety runs rampant and my diet goes to sh*t, and then I develop a major guilt complex. The cycle has led to near eating disorders in the past. So that's not happening this year. I'm not letting it.


So I will log everything that I eat. I guarantee you my diet will not be flawless, but it will be better than it has been. I will also log my physical activity, because it has a positive effect on my skin and mood. I will ALSO log a bunch of other crap nobody probably cares about! So this will be, if anything, interesting for sure



So here's to a new life for 2011!

[Heather Lynne]

Good luck sweetie! I think there's something about winter that makes us all blue and moody. Well, at least for me. I hate it because I take that moodiness and eat crap foods.

[CelloIsLove]

Thanks!! It's no fun, is it? Two years ago about nowish is when my acne changed from very mild to severe; all over my face. It was a lot of factors that led to that, including:
-Tough situations that led to major stress and serious depression
-No sunlight
-Cleanser with sulfates and irritating ingredients
-Horrible diet
-Bad cosmetics

It was a really tough time in my life, but I came out of it a new person.

Here's everything I use on my face at the moment:
-Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash
-Aspirin Masks
-Alpha Hydrox Enhanced 10% AHA cream
-CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion on dry areas
-Nutrogena Skin Clearing Concealer
-Palladio Duo Wet/Dry Foundation


The AHA products have really helped me with inflammatory acne, and what's residual is diet/hormone/stress related.


I also take a Hair/Skin/Nails vitamin (Biotin doesn't bother me, but be wary) and Vitamin C. I'm picking up a Vitamin D supp today.


I'll try and post a tip every day as I learn new things and put my existing knowledge to use

Tip of the Day!
If you're craving chocolate, try eating two or three pieces of dark chocolate with a handful of almonds.

The almonds help fill you up with fiber and protein and will counteract blood sugar spikes to satisfy cravings, while still getting your chocolate fix.

More pointless ramblings to come later

[SocialAnxiety]

Thanks!! It's no fun, is it? Two years ago about nowish is when my acne changed from very mild to severe; all over my face. It was a lot of factors that led to that, including:
-Tough situations that led to major stress and serious depression
-No sunlight
-Cleanser with sulfates and irritating ingredients
-Horrible diet
-Bad cosmetics

It was a really tough time in my life, but I came out of it a new person.

Here's everything I use on my face at the moment:
-Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash
-Aspirin Masks
-Alpha Hydrox Enhanced 10% AHA cream
-CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion on dry areas
-Nutrogena Skin Clearing Concealer
-Palladio Duo Wet/Dry Foundation


The AHA products have really helped me with inflammatory acne, and what's residual is diet/hormone/stress related.


I also take a Hair/Skin/Nails vitamin (Biotin doesn't bother me, but be wary) and Vitamin C. I'm picking up a Vitamin D supp today.


I'll try and post a tip every day as I learn new things and put my existing knowledge to use

Tip of the Day!
If you're craving chocolate, try eating two or three pieces of dark chocolate with a handful of almonds.

The almonds help fill you up with fiber and protein and will counteract blood sugar spikes to satisfy cravings, while still getting your chocolate fix.

More pointless ramblings to come later

Too bad most of the chocolate sold where i live contains dairy of some sort :/

BUT THATS WHAT COCOA POWDER IS FOR!

Also with the vitamin D, i'm assuming you're getting D3, since thats supposed to be what people take for lack of exposure to sunlight.

I'm sure you already know this, but just making sure.

Goodluck with your journey/log/thingy/all that good stuff! :3

[Heather Lynne]

Thanks!! It's no fun, is it? Two years ago about nowish is when my acne changed from very mild to severe; all over my face. It was a lot of factors that led to that, including:
-Tough situations that led to major stress and serious depression
-No sunlight
-Cleanser with sulfates and irritating ingredients
-Horrible diet
-Bad cosmetics

It was a really tough time in my life, but I came out of it a new person.

Here's everything I use on my face at the moment:
-Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash
-Aspirin Masks
-Alpha Hydrox Enhanced 10% AHA cream
-CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion on dry areas
-Nutrogena Skin Clearing Concealer
-Palladio Duo Wet/Dry Foundation


The AHA products have really helped me with inflammatory acne, and what's residual is diet/hormone/stress related.


I also take a Hair/Skin/Nails vitamin (Biotin doesn't bother me, but be wary) and Vitamin C. I'm picking up a Vitamin D supp today.


I'll try and post a tip every day as I learn new things and put my existing knowledge to use

Tip of the Day!
If you're craving chocolate, try eating two or three pieces of dark chocolate with a handful of almonds.

The almonds help fill you up with fiber and protein and will counteract blood sugar spikes to satisfy cravings, while still getting your chocolate fix.

More pointless ramblings to come later

It does suck, but I've noticed my crap diet as of lately has no effect on my skin because I'm clear for like the first time in forever. Even when I went veggie my skin still didn't clear up. I think diet works for some people and for others it doesn't.

[tree23]

Wow I feel like I could have written that post! I too fall into a sort of depression in the winter. I often think I have mono in the winter, and every year I went to the doctor they said I didn't and had never had it. I just feel so fatigued in the winter. Damn these cold, dark, short days!

I also have some similar goals - especially the book part! The first book I'm reading is Three Cups of Tea. My best friend told me it is an amazing book. I'm not far into it, but I can tell it really is going to be amazing. I hope you keep us updated on the books you're reading. I'm going to need ideas!

Good luck to you. I will be sure to check back here, and I'm going to start a new log of my own so stop by.... when that happens haha.

[RockingRedhead]

omg three cups of tea is so good! there's a sequel too. I'm dying to read the girl with the ddragon tattoo series but haven't had a chance.
love your goals btw!!

[tree23]

Hey how are you doing?!

[CelloIsLove]

Apparently I am HORRIBLE at this.





Ok, back on the bandwagon kiddos. Let's see, how have things been since...Over a month ago?


Well, I changed my skin routine. It's about to change again, but here's it at the moment:


Morning:
Alpha Hydrox Foaming Cleanser
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion

Evening:
Oil Cleanse with Castor oil (and sometimes a little EVOO)


My skin improved and regressed at the same time, lol. It got a lot healthier and 80% of my stubborn red marks are gone. Within a month, that's pretty damn good.

[rambling]
January was a so-so month for me. I was pretty lazy to be honest, but I made some steps forward.

First of all, my days as of February are more active. Aside from housekeeping, I'm also volunteering with the local string program, which is part of the school system here. It was the one that I started out in. Their energy is invigorating They love the music so much.

I also am working with my recruiters in the Navy office doing clerical work. It gets me out of the house at least, lol.


Then of course there's practicing and work, cooking, cleaning, studying, and playing WoW. Life without school is straaaange. But in order to be more social, sometimes I study at the coffee shop instead of at home.
[/rambling]


So here's a rundown of my current status:



Skin: Is so-so. Better than a month ago but worse than it's been. Been eating well, but had a huge influx of stress the past few days that is now resolved, but wreaked havoc on my appetite, sleep schedule, and skin. Also been burning a lot of whatever fat I have on my body, which means the toxins stored in there get released through the skin. Yuch. So pretty oily and bumpier than I'd like. But, I feel like it's going to get better very soon.


Emotional Status: Pretty good. Feeling optimistic, but still recovering from said stress. Depression wise, being active and getting my vitamin D has helped a LOT. As long as I keep moving, I don't get too down, even when it's a whopping four degrees outside.


Exercise: Was waaaay lazy over January, but I am back in the gym this month.





I really want to go water only with my skin regimen, but I'm afraid to stop wearing makeup. But I know the makeup isn't doing favors for my skin either.



So there's my update! I will start doing these daily or bi-daily to update more on my diet and such.

[CelloIsLove]

Oh hey now, I forgot the...


Tip of the Day!

Or more like week...Month...Whatever


If you're like me and have an insatiable appetite, fennel tea is the way to go. I actually found this out by accident, so no placebo effect here. Fennel tea suppresses the appetite so you're less likely to over-snack. I found this out because I found some in the cupboard and started drinking it because I was out of my Goldenseal tea. And I just kept drinking more and more of it, and I couldn't for the life of me muster up the want to eat, lol. Obviously, don't drink too much and don't stop eating altogether.

Edited by CelloIsLove, 12 February 2011 - 07:30 PM.

[wheezle]

Yes, please do update more on your diet. I want to know what you're eating/avoiding, as creepy as that sounds.

And stop playing WoW.

[tree23]

Good to see you back!

I decided to check out the alpha hydrox product... I'm on the neotericcosmetics.com website, and there is an option to choose your 'regime' haha. As soon as I read it I remembered your signature.

How long have you used the face wash? Do you think it helped with the red marks, or was that from something else?? Right now I mainly just use water, coconut oil, and/or some crappy face wash I borrow from my mom. I want something for red marks that I could use every 2nd or 3rd day or so (and on the other days I'll stick to just water and coconut oil if I have makeup on).

Also, what does fennel tea taste like?

I hear you on the make-up thing. I am having a no make-up day today, but only because I have so much to study for school that I'm not going anywhere!

[CelloIsLove]

Yes, please do update more on your diet. I want to know what you're eating/avoiding, as creepy as that sounds.

And stop playing WoW.

Hey now


Fennel tea has a very mild flavor. Slightly like licorice, but mostly just earthy. I doubt anyone would be highly objected to the flavor since it is so mild.

I actually can't drink licorice tea because it gives me sharp stomach pains. I can only guess I'm allergic to licorice.

Also, do note the change in my regimen. Using both the AHA cleanser and moisturizer was way too harsh for my skin.

I think I'm going makeup free today, It's kind of scary, but I think I can handle it. I think.

My diet is mostly paleo. Here's a usual rundown.

Breakfast:
Green smoothie
Eggs

Lunch:
Some sort of veggie and some sort of meat. Sometimes tuna salad or something.


Dinner:
If I make dinner, it's something paleo-ish. Stir-fry, grain free meat loaf, etc. Sweet potatoes star in my meals often. When my mom makes dinner, she normally goes grain free (since I have Celiac) but sometimes she'll at regular potatoes (which I normally try to avoid) or something I otherwise wouldn't really eat. I still eat it though


I avoid sugar, most of the time, lol. Non-fruit sugar makes me not only break out, but also get irritable and foggy. Gives me cramps during that time of the month too.


Moderation is key with diet. Watching my calories (in spite of being thin) is huge. If I'm not utilizing the calories, I don't need them in my body.


I drink water with about a tablespoon of ACV about three times a day. It gives me energy.

[wheezle]

Aye-aye. Thanks for the rundown. I haven't mustered up the effort to do the green smoothie thing, but I keep hearing good things about 'em.

As for the rest, I try to do similar stuff. Looks good.

[CelloIsLove]

Green smoothies can either taste horrible or wonderful. Spring mix, some cucumber, and a few strawberries can taste heavenly. A lot of people make the mistake of adding a shit ton of fruit, when the greens should make up 90% of the smoothie. A lot of the time, I don't even add fruit, but I have taste buds of steel .



Today was alright. I had a little trouble getting going because I overslept (on days my mom goes into work later, I tend to sleep later, because I prefer getting things done in a house where I have no one to bother me). But I slept like 10 hours, which is too much for me, and I ended up feeling cruddish. I got some stuff accomplished though, and I worked out tonight. Which means I'll probably sleep well tonight D


I cheated and ate some gluten free waffles



Tip of the Day!
If you're feeling fatigued and stressed, or aren't sleeping well, work it out. Do some yoga stretches and go for a good run at the park or gym. It makes all the difference in the world.

[CelloIsLove]

So I'm so stupid



So the other day, I thought, heck-why not add some whole grains back into my diet?


I mean, what do I have to lose?


Well, my intestinal lining for one.



So I made some granola with oats, pumpkin seed, carob powder, almonds, cranberries, and flax. I used a pureed banana as a binder.

Ugh, needless to say, between the super oily skin, congested pores, and, um, endless flatulence, it was

NOT ONE OF MY BRIGHTER IDEAS.

Oh, and apparently, grains like Oats can be recognized in the bodies of Celiacs (like meself) as if they're wheat (even though they're not!) and can cause major damage the same.


Now it's time to get sleep and wake up bright and early for church tomorrow. Maybe I'll get a run in before my area gets attacked by an impending ice storm.



Ice+No coordination=I'm going to have more problems with my face than just breakouts.

Prepare the ER

Tip of the Day!

Grains suck balls.

OHOHOH.
P.S.
My skincare regimen will be changing yet again. Will update once I get the products.

I'm trying to go as gentle as possible, which is why it keeps changing.
Sorry

Edited by CelloIsLove, 19 February 2011 - 10:51 PM.

[CelloIsLove]

CeraVe sucks. I've been using it for months. It was great for a while because it's non-greasy and extremely lightweight, but I think it's been a major contributor to the amount of blackheads I have in my skin.



Skin is also breaking out because my hormones are being super weird this month. I'm like a week and a half late for that "time of the month". Urghh. This rarely happens. I've been super good the past few days with my diet. Going shopping today to restock on food and get new skincare products, since the ones I ordered online apparently won't be here until March, and I am nooot waiting that long.

Hopefully things will start balancing out and I can feel better.

Real post coming soon.

[pokemonster]

heeey! intresting log here, also liking your tips of the day! :> but u should update maybe? :3