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Transform U: Reveal yourself this summer! |
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Written by Auretha Callison
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 Some of us endure quite a shock when we put on shorts or a bathing suit for the first time in the summer. I have some actions to make that transition more gentle and less frightening, along with a plan to look better quickly and for the long term.
The first is to reveal yourself at home in the sunlight right now. Try on your swimsuit and take a good, loving look. Breathe. Begin by noticing without judgment what occurred in the cold months and what you might do differently at the end of this year to love your body through next winter.
Next, project love to your body. Close your eyes in front of the mirror, think of someone you love, deeply feel all that love and then open your eyes and send that love to yourself, feeling and directing it to any area that needs it. This is truly how to feel good naked!
• Begin now eating lean and green. Do a cleanse. Give your body the nudge that you are doing spring cleaning and that you expect to let go of all old energy that does not serve you (fat and toxins). Start moving and breathing intentionally. We forget that the entire reason we are told to exercise is that it causes us to breathe and circulate oxygen, which revs up our internal furnace. When you are deep breathing, you are exercising! I have the most fun lymphasizing on a mini-trampoline to my favorite dance music for 15 minutes a day. It gives me my cardio without aching joints. It’s the best exercise for your lymphatic system and health. I think only happy thoughts, and I focus on my vision boards and set intention while I am having my own private dance party. It’s a great way to begin the day with a natural high!
• Tone up with free weights for your biceps and triceps while doing wall sit/squats for as long as you can to feel the burn. Your arms and legs will quickly reveal your efforts.
• Cellulite, bruises and varicose veins are all circulation issues, not fat issues. Educate yourself on skin nutrition and the best skin products (my personal favorites are found at www.murad.com. For daily skin care, Todd Mangum, holistically oriented M.D., recommends only Aubrey Organics.) Cover up bruises with Dermablend waterproof makeup.
• To increase skin circulation, dry brush your skin all over (except delicate areas such as face and throat) before exercise with a natural bristle brush, working towards the heart.
• While bathing, exfoliate! Use a non-oily scrub to slough off that dead skin. Shaving is exfoliating. While your skin is still damp, put lotion on your heels, knees and elbows.
 • Apply sunless tanner in a light or medium shade or a combo lotion/ tanner. Apply in a circular motion to any area of your body where you want more color. Make sure that every edge is blended in with regular lotion. Let dry and wear something you can stain, like sweatpants. It’s good to do this on the weekends or before bed. Once or twice a week will make a huge difference for the cream-colored among us. Rubbing alcohol will take care of any errors made in the first attempts. Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy.
• Women, please use sunscreen on the décolletage and your arms and hands. Skin damage there will be seen for a lifetime, just like on your face.
• Get a pedicure. Men and women alike need foot care. Choose a fun nail polish shade that will go with everything, like a pink/nude/metallic. I see people decked to the nines with yukky looking toenails and feet. Eew. Do it before you forget.
• During every bath, scrub the back and sides of your heels with a pumice stone. We are in the desert and it shows!
 • Remove that extra hair. Waxing hurts the first time, but if you keep it up, the new hairs don’t develop “adult roots” and come out much easier. Men, please do “man-scaping.” Trim that chest hair so that it doesn’t come popping out of your shirt. It’s also more comfortable under your shirts.
• Evaluate the length of your shorts and skirts. Stand in front of a mirror and bend over. Adult men and women shouldn’t wear anything shorter than mid-thigh. Please don’t embarrass your children!
• Sleeve length for women is critical. A sleeve chopped off at the shoulder might look good on body-builders but won’t on anyone else. The curvaceous female arm requires a curve that goes toward the neck, like a halter-style, or a diagonal cap sleeve, not too tight. A diagonal line across the arm is much more flattering than a horizontal line. Horizontal lines make any part of us look wider.
• On the leg, never wear Capri pants that cut you across your widest point, like the calf. The best shorts look great mid-thigh or just above the kneecap, where our legs are narrow.
• Let’s talk about T-shirts. Americans are known for their poor taste in dressing throughout the world. I have known few people to actually look good in a boxy cotton t-shirt. I love wicking shirts that follow the curves in a great color. Women look great in V-necks and no one looks good with a T-shirt choking them at the neck.
• Pack the black. Adorn your beautiful body with beautiful color!
• Dresses are everywhere this summer. Be a diva. Go to the Farmer’s Market as if you were in France and have fun showing off your beautiful skin. Save face. Wear an incredible wide-brimmed hat.
Feel great playing outside this summer by making the most of what you’ve been given!
Auretha Callison is an image and essence consultant in Salt Lake City, Utah. Questions?
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Auretha Callison |
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