Better Skin in 5: Day 3 Exercise

As we get older and start transitioning into perimenopause we really shouldn't be exercising like we did when we were in our 20s and 30s.

When I was in my 20s I would run, mainly because I was in my 20s and didn't have any money to spend on a gym or workout equipment. Which worked out well at the time, since running back then gave me a lot of energy and my body responded well to the physical impacts of it. Now if I run, not only do my joints hurt, but I am completely taxed by the end and feel like I want to die. 

If your hormones are changing distance running can trigger your body to store fat instead of muscle. Sure, it can be good for your heart, and lungs, but it's not doing anything for your muscles and bones.

You can't outrun the infamous perimenopausal belly bulge.

1) Ditch the long workouts - get better skin w shorter workouts!

We need to be doing less volume and more intensity-based workouts. Like lifting heavy shit, and doing interval training. 

You're probably wondering how does this affect your skin?

 As much as exercising can help to slow down the aging process of your skin, continuous high-impact training, like running, can have reverse effects and promote sagging of the skin. It breaks down the elasticity and connective tissue in the skin.

Ummm, ya, I don't know about you but I'd like to preserve my elasticity.

There are so many different forms of exercise we could be doing instead. Pick ones that are short, intense, and build muscle. A quick reminder, lifting heavy weights does not create bulk. Fat accumulation does, and this has a lot to do with your diet. 

2) How to get rid of wrinkles by exercising & massaging your face- don't forget that there are 42 individual muscles in your face!

-Face Yoga 

-Gua Sha (gwa shah)

Every time we make expressions we are exercising our face, but most people overuse certain muscles which ends up weakening the opposing muscles. For instance, when you frown often enough you create a crease, which means you are overusing those muscles, and unfortunately, the other muscles that lift your smile become weakened.

I'm sure you have come across a post of someone making interesting facial expressions and thought wtf is that person doing? The answer is yoga for the face. There is a method to the madness though. You need to work those muscles a certain way, just like you do your body. For more info, I would check out The Face Yoga Method on YouTube. 

If the thought of adding one more thing to your daily routine has your head spinning, I hear ya sister. Pick one that resonates more and one that is easier to incorporate into your daily routine. 

I have found using the Gua Sha massage tool in the morning helps me wake up and keeps my face feeling toned. The Gua Sha comes in a variety of different colored stones, and it increases circulation to the face and relieves tension, puffiness, and inflammation.

You need to use a good quality oil with the Gua Sha. I recommend Just Skincare's Anti-aging, or Antioxidant Facial Oil, which you can find here. For more info and a tutorial on how to use the Gua Sha click here.