The New Year brings new goals and expectations – but only if you earnestly desire to become a new you. For this issue, we’ve consulted with a variety of local authorities on the subject of transformation. Over the next four pages they offer an excellent collection of plans, tips, programs and projects to help you keep your resolutions this year – and beyond.
Skin Care 101
Dr. Carolyn Kim, a board-certified dermatologist with DermOne Dermatology Centers who practices at DermOne’s Arlington office, offers the following skin care resolutions that are easy, practical, and potentially life-saving:
- Make an appointment for a skin cancer check and make this an annual tradition. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., with more than 3.5 million skin cancers diagnosed in more than two million people annually. When left unchecked, it is also one of the deadliest. Whether you are 15 years old or 75, add a skin cancer check with a dermatologist to your annual doctors’ visits.
- Establish a daily skin care routine that includes washing and moisturizing your face nightly. It doesn’t need to be expensive, just effective. Dr. Kim is a fan of drugstore products Neutrogena and Cetaphil.
- Don’t touch your face. Don’t touch your face. Don’t touch your face. Make this your mantra.
- Drink plenty of water. Water flushes out toxins, carries nutrients to cells and provides a moist environment for necessary tissue. Although essential water intake varies per individual, the standard rule is eight glasses per day.
- Wear sunscreen daily. We all know that it helps decrease the risk of skin cancer, which should be reason enough, but sunscreen also helps prevent facial brown spots, skin discoloration and blotch-iness and slows down the development of wrinkled, premature aging skin. Your dermatologist can suggest a cosmetically elegant product that is easy to wear every day, even under makeup.
Skin Care 102
Brenda Cureton-Smith also has some solid advice regarding your skin – but then, as owner of Great Skin Spa-Skincare, she should. Here is her advice:
- Identify exactly what it is that you desire as it relates to your skin – fewer wrinkles, fine lines, acne, dark spots, etc.
- When meeting with an esthetician, open up about what you are looking to achieve and ask that she develop a very specific plan of action to help you reach your goals and establish a treatment plan. Take a photo before your first treatment, so you can have a “Before” shot to compare with the “After” picture.
- Commit to meeting your goal, schedule it in your calendar, follow your home care program and stick to it. Compare your initial photo with the photo that you started with and evaluate your success. You’ll be amazed at the results you get when you partner with a professional skin care specialist and complete your program.
Healthy is as healthy does
Dr. Mark Bishara, cosmetic surgeon at the Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med-Spa, has devoted a career to helping people feel and live younger. He suggests several basic concepts that anyone can practice:
- Limit the number of carbohydrates to a minimum and only eat them at breakfast and occasionally at lunch – never at dinner.
- Exercise to get your heart rate above 110 to 120 for 15 minutes three times per week. Even if you are on rate-control medications you can do mild to moderate exercise with a cardiologist’s approval.
- Pick your favorite 32-ounce cup and fill it up with water. Drink it before you eat. This promotes early satiety and prevents overeating, as well as promotes hydration.
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle can be addictive, so take time to encourage those in your family to join you in the pathway to a new you.
Remember what’s important
Valerie Landry is manager of the Sanford House Hotel and Spa. Her advice to help you transform into a new you is to embrace what’s important. Here are some examples:
- Give more time to someone you love. Spend an hour together taking a walk or just talking about your day before dinner, because every day is a day to celebrate.
- Make sure to have some time for yourself. Get a massage or a facial once a month. It’s important to center yourself by easing the tension in your body.
- Think about your goals and aspirations for the future and make a plan to implement them. Small steps along the way can quickly add up to something big.
- Eat better. Grab a crisp apple to snack on rather than giving in to the fast-food temptation. Try a new place for dinner. She recommends the Inspired American Cuisine at restaurant506.
- Cultivate a new interest and share it with friends. The Sanford House offers monthly cooking classes and in 2015 will host new social events, including a scotch and cigar experience and wine and food pairing dinners.
Grow spiritually
Dr. John Gremmels, the new executive director of Arlington Urban Ministries, said he has been reading things supercentenarians, (those who live longer than 110 years) do. Blending that with the Dr. Oz info on “Living to 100,” he suggests the following best practices to ensure a better new year:
- Party on. Non-profits have more fun and throw the best merrymaking festivities. That is actually in the Bible, John 10:10. Connecting with good people is crucial, blended with good food and the right drink. Arlington Urban Ministries will be part of Boots, Chaps & Cowboy Hats on April 12 at River Ranch in the Fort Worth Stockyards for a serious fiesta, which will help to “break the cycle of poverty, one family at a time!”
- Cheerfully spend less. It is not what you have in your life that gives happiness; it is who you have. Giving is such an adrenaline rush. Nu2U Resale at 2220 W. Park Row is Arlington Urban Ministries’ store, offering trendy styles and fashionable home goods at bargain prices. You can share the savings, and proceeds help families pay electricity bills to keep the kids warm and “cook the vittles.”
- • Keep calm and volunteer. The greatest joy in life is to love and be loved. Experience that by giving back – nothing makes you feel better. Arlington Urban Ministries helps feed 600 families every first Wednesday of each month. You may think you are helping others, but you are truly helping yourself.
Unplug and connect
Ryan Hegreness, marketing and enterprise development manager for the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department, said unplugging from our work, our devices and our hectic schedules is crucial to our health and wellness. The Arlington Parks and Recreation Department provides the following tips to help you “Unplug and Connect in 2015”:
- Make family time count: Don’t spend your evenings in front of a screen. Instead, plan a family fun night, have a picnic dinner outside, visit one of Arlington’s 90-plus parks. Looking for a family event? Arlington offers numerous options such as the Daddy-Daughter Dance, Mother-Son Campout and much more. Turn your hobbies into family activities by signing the kids up for 10 & Under Tennis Instruction or SNAG ® Golf lessons.
- Be a part of something bigger. There is more to connecting than Facebook and LinkedIn. Find a sense of belonging when you make time to connect with your community. You could plan a block party, or volunteer at a local charity or civic group.
- Make fitness fit. Less screen time and more activity equal better health. Here are some ideas to get you started: Make the TV and computer off-limits for certain hours of the day, take advantage of the 50-plus miles of hike and bike trails that Arlington has to offer, try a new group fitness class, sign up for a sports league or try something completely new like Bubble Soccer. Check out the amenities and group fitness classes at one of your local recreation centers and ask about New Year’s discounts.
- Connect with nature: Treat yourself to a Naturally Fun experience by isolating yourself from city life in one of Arlington’s nature preserves or natural areas. Whether you bring your boots, fishing rod, bike or just a blanket, you are sure to discover unexpected peace of mind. River Legacy Parks in North Arlington boasts over 1,000 acres and 400 species of wildlife. The Southwest Nature Preserve has a fishing pier and hiking trails that lead to sandstone outcroppings with dramatic views of downtown Fort Worth.
Be totally healthy
Local holistic chiropractor Kenyon Godwin said many people set out with big ambitions and goals for the New Year, but many fall short each year. He offers three tips that he implements in his own life to help you succeed this time:
- Make your health a top priority. We are not talking about losing weight as a resolution; we mean your overall health being No. 1. This is the one thing that if it declines will affect the rest of your life and potential. So don’t make excuses; invest in your health, learn more about health and wellness and be open-minded to live the life you desire. Money, promotions, relationships will not matter if you are in poor health.
- Correct your posture. Many health conditions are a result of poor posture. Neck pain, back pain, sciatica, disc problems, arthritis, fatigue, headaches, sleep apnea, TMJ dysfunction, digestive difficulties, breathing difficulties, etc., can be a result of poor posture in people of all ages. Dr. Godwin’s office teaches proper posture, at no charge to the community.
- De-commit. Many of us are stressed out, overwhelmed and over-committed. If you cannot give 100 percent in all of the areas you are functioning in, prioritize and let some things go. This will decrease your stress, increase your quality of sleep, increase your focus, increase your family time and improve your health, energy and mood. You owe it to yourself to try to be your best. It is OK to say “no” when your plate is already full.
Stay active
A little over a year ago Dorie and Jodie Creamer decided retirement wasn’t their thing, so they bought a Hand & Stone franchise in Lincoln Square. That move symbolized something they’ve learned through the years about improving their lives, and it shows in three ways that can be applicable for anyone:
- Busy people are productive people.
- It really is better to give than receive. Besides running a business, the Creamers provided jobs, and a majority of the Hand & Stone staff was either just entering the workforce or starting anew.
- Help others feel better about themselves. Facials, massages or spa enhancements aren’t just tasks at a workplace. They’re ways to make people get more out of life.
Communicate – no, really communicate
Dr. David Rasmussen is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who heads Arlington Cosmetic Surgery Center, so he knows a thing or two dozen about enhancing the lives of others. Three keys to his success transcend what goes on just in the office and operating room:
- Learn to listen.
- Communicate in an empathetic manner.
- Appreciate the value of a smile – and share one often.