Protect Your Assets
Sun, smoking and sugar are the three biggest enemies to maintaining a lifelong beautiful visage.   You know the drill, use sunscreen religiously and avoid the tanning bed.  Use artificial tanners and bronzing powders to achieve a golden glow, stop smoking immediately, and avoid processed sugars.  Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function, the more sugar you eat the more elasticity and function you lose.  Sugar makes our skin age by changing the structure of collagen. 

Moisturize From the Inside Out
Find and use a serum daily under any moisturizer that incorporates Hyaluronic acid to aid in keeping your skin as plump and fresh.  Hyaluronic acid does not rely on moisture in the atmosphere to plump your skin, rather it is absorbed into the skin and moisturizes skin from the inside out, smoothing out wrinkles in the process. Hyaluronic acid acts as an internal cosmetic to hydrate the skin.  We all have heard that eight glasses of water a day are necessary to flush out toxins from our bodies, but the truth is that even one half that prescription will make a huge difference. 

Fat is Your Friend
Omega 3 Fats are the best friends your skin, hair and nails can have.  Unfortunately, this fat is particular short supply as it is found only in trace amounts in some dark green vegetables such as kale, spinach, seaweed and broccoli.   Flaxseed Oil is the best provider of omega 3 fats, either sprinkled on vegetables and salads, or taken as an essential fatty acid gel supplement at every meal.  Flaxseed oil breaks down if heated, so substitute olive oil while cooking, and use flaxseed to brush on vegetables after they are cooked -- roasted vegetables are my favorite foods these days!  The extra benefit is this essential fatty acid has been proven to aid in weight loss as well as moisturizing from the inside out.  It's a triple threat to aging!

Timing is Everything
Researchers are finding that when you eat is even more important than what you eat.  Regularly timing meals and snacks in 3-4 hour intervals keeps your metabolism humming along, kills your appetite and maintains high energy levels.  Eat a little of everything, including your favorite treats, to prevent binge eating.  Use protein powders and shakes for emergency snacks if you won’t have access to the refrigerator.  Stock your car, your purse, and your refrigerator with smart treats, such as veggies, nuts and dried fruits.   Moderation in all things!

Vitamins For Your Face
Vitamin C is a powerful proven antioxidant, and many cosmetic companies are using this vitamin in topical formulations to brighten aging skin, fade age spots and restore a more youthful appearance.   Regular use will maintain your youthful appearance and stave off future aging in the form of age spots, wrinkles and loss of volume.  Take care to insure your vitamin C products haven’t oxidized.  Oxidized vitamin C products have a noticeable rancid odor, return those items for a refund. 

Stay Active
You don't have to be an exercising maniac to stay in shape, but you do need to keep moving!  Scientists at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, believe that conscious voluntary activities--such as changing posture, stretching your arms above your head, and getting up from your seat--are responsible for burning many more calories than those who choose to stay motionless. The researchers have termed this type of movement NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) and estimate that it zaps an additional 300 to 800 calories a day. It's a no-brainer. If you have an opportunity to move, move.  You can track your progress with a pedometer.   Aim for 10,000 steps a day, and you won't ever have to go the gym!

These are just a few tips from the professional front, but I promise, if you adopt them as routine, you will notice the beautiful benefits almost immediately!  Make it a Beautiful Day! 
 

About the Author, Robin Fleming
A published author and popular seminar lecturer, Robin Fleming resides in South Florida with her husband Tom and her children, Mackenzie and Liam.   Fleming heads up KidNutrition.org, a non-profit committed to empowering children's choices with respect to nutrition.  She is currently working on a book project to help bring awareness to children's nutritional needs and the lack of healthy choices in our public institutions both at home, and abroad.