They say, a bikini body is made in the winter. Not like, twelve days before summer which is kind of what I have done the past few years. And I say past few years because before that? Like before I had kids and even after I had my first? I worked out all the time. Before kids was easy, but even while pregnant with Gunner, I worked out at least five days a week, never missing a one. After he was born? Five days a week, never missing a one.
Colt was the one who did me in. I don't care what they say, going from one kid to two is a huh-uge adjustment. I've gotten back on track a few times here and there, but I've learned by and long the only way to get results and keep them is to eat less, move more. So revolutionary I know, but trust a bish...I've tried it all.
So now that that's settled, let's talk about how I'm preparing my skin to look it's best this summer. A few of these things I have talked about before, but I feel they are so important and so vital so stellar skin care that I'm mentioning them again now.
1. Dry brushing.
I've talk abut this in length before here, and it is something I have stuck with ever since. Dry brushing has completely transformed my skin, period, and so many women I know swear by this technique. It's exactly how it sounds...you take a body brush, get in the shower (before you turn the water on) and use the brush all over your body, paying particular attention to your legs. The goal is a few things:
a) to diminish cellulite. And let's be honest, isn't that the most important thing? The theory is this: your skin is your biggest canvas, and when you stimulate the skin thru dry brushing, it helps rid itself of toxins. Cellulite is toxic. It is accumulated in your body's fat cells as they are unable to be eliminated. Dry brushing helps smooth the skin and gives it a more, well, smooth appearance.
b) increase circulation. Just like when you stimulate and increase circulation in other body parts (ahem), the same thing goes with increasing circulation in your skin. It makes the blood flow more, which results is softer, healthier looking skin. I cannot stress how this has changed my skin as whole...my husband tells me daily how much softer my skin has become since I started. Scaly skin? Dry brush. You will have scales no more, promise.
The entire premise is to brush towards the heart. Get the skin and inner workings stimulated and pumping towards that heart.
c) it helps shed dead skin cells. Dry brushing takes away the ashy appearance of skin and improves it's texture and cell renewal. Slather on some lotion when you are done taking a shower and omg, you will never, ever skip dry brushing again.
Also, this is my favorite dry brush EVER!
2. Hot/cold water therapy.
Listen. At first, this may sound a bit out there, but after trying it? And after reading why it works? You will never stop this tradition.
What is it exactly? Again, it's just how it sounds: while in the shower (most people do this at the very end of their shower), you turn the water to extremes: as hot as you can handle and then as cold as you can handle. I personally only do this to my lower half - my legs specifically, because they are my biggest problem area.
Hot/cold water therapy benefits you in that "when the body is subjected to cold external temperatures, the flow of circulation is directed inward toward the internal organs. As the outside temperature gets hot, the flow of circulation goes outward toward the skin. Alternating hot and cold makes the circulation move in and out like an accordian. This has the effect of unblocking stuck flows, increasing the rate of detoxification and moving nutrients more readily to various parts of the body." (via healthfree)
You guys. Read this article also. It perfectly explains how cold water has negative energy removal effects, and how alternating between hot and cold water stimulates the skin and makes it glow and rid itself of dangerous toxins. Trust me, stimulating the skin has enormous effects!
3. Moisturize.
I know this one seems obvious, but I swear by lathering my entire body in lotion every single day. My favorite example is how when I was pregnant, I was told over and over again that no matter what I did, stretch marks were just a part of the game. You were either going to get them or you weren't.
Maybe, maybe not. All I know is that I slathered body lotion all over my body my entire pregnancy. I didn't get one stretch mark. I compare this to taking a rubber band. It stretches in and out: don't moisturize the rubber band at all and when it stretches out, it will get cracks here and there. Moisture and lube the rubber band? It will stretch out and return to it's normal size, without any cracks and abrasions. This is a theory that has been in my head since the second I found out I was pregnant and I stand by it to this day. Moisturizing with lotion every single day and on every inch of you body is not something to dismiss!
This is what I do every day:
Get in the shower with the water off, take my dry brush and spend about three minutes on my entire body, paying special attention to my legs. I then turn on the water and take a loofah to my skin, exfoliating all the dead skin cells and rubbing off everything the dry brushing just eliminated.
I then do my usual thing in the shower and right before I'm ready to get out, I alternate between freezing cold water and semi-scalding hot water...as cold and as hot as I can take it...and do this about 3-4 times on each side: front of my legs and back of my legs. I always end on the cold water cycle as cold water is the best to eliminate toxins.
I get out of the shower, blow kiss myself in the mirror and then get to work slathering on the body lotion. I never miss a morning and it has become a favorite daily routine of mine.
So there you go. Summer skin ready in three easy steps.
See you in 90 degrees.
