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Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:10 am |
Mars - I know you'll find a lot of good stuff. You will want to check out STOP also... this has had some great reviews. |
_________________ Enjoying dermalogica with my ASG and Pico toner ** Disclosure: I was a participant without remuneration in promotional videos for Ageless Secret Gold and the Neurotris Pico Emmy event. |
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Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:42 am |
beebs wrote: |
i'm 34, have always been mistaken for 24, but a recent bout of ill health has left me with new under eye bags and circles that bother me more than anything else. |
Beebs,
PM me & I will give you two of Carole Maggio's Facercise eye exercises that should help. The exercises will definitely address the bags. They should also help with the dark circles. However, if the dark circles are due to allergies, you might still have some darkness there. Topically, I've found that products containing titanium dioxide have helped to lighten that area. I'm sure others can offer some help with the dark circles. Best, Aprile |
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Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:52 am |
beebs wrote: |
i'm 34, have always been mistaken for 24, but a recent bout of ill health has left me with new under eye bags and circles that bother me more than anything else. i have been working with a doctor to improve my overall health, but i want to start an anti-aging regimen as well (since it is probably about time for me). i am really interested in facial exercise...but was wondering, do you think it will help with my under eye issues?
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I guess a good eye cream can definitely help to improve under-eye bags and circles. Out of many eye products I've used, ReVive Renewal eye cream and Easy eye solutions both work well to reduce fine lines, under-eye bags and circles significantly.
You can check out the forum for Easy eye solutions at:
http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=32702
Eye exercises are also an effective way to improve the areas of the eyes. I'm doing Ageless at the moment and my eyes definitely looks much better with almost no lines and puffiness! Together with a good eye cream, I'm sure you will see noticeable improvements after a few months. |
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Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:19 pm |
One of CM's eye exercises for this is almost identical to one of FE's!
I agree with moonstone that the eye tuck for eye solutions is a worthy option - especially for bags - some very nice results. You may want to check that thread also.
Facial exercises are a good long-term solution and have some nice short-term results. |
_________________ Enjoying dermalogica with my ASG and Pico toner ** Disclosure: I was a participant without remuneration in promotional videos for Ageless Secret Gold and the Neurotris Pico Emmy event. |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:07 am |
I try to do my facial exercises six days a week but some days I am just to tired and then feel guilty. How often do you really have to do the exercises and still get results?? I also find myself getting bored doing the same exercises over and over that is why I like to mix it up with different programs otherwise I probably would just quit. |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:03 am |
one of the things you can do is just follow the idea of the dvd, and pick out 10 to 14 exercises to do for 3 weeks, then change them out in 3 weeks for 14 others. Make sure you pick out ones that work different areas. If you need help with that, just pm me.
ALso the idea is to try for every day because this way if something comes up you know you did them the day before so no biggie. Please don't feel guily if you miss a day here and there! This is hopefully something you want to do for the rest of your life, and feeling guilty keeps is from being fun!
Even if you wind up taking a couple of weeks off - muscles have memory and you won't lose your gains by taking a vacation. Many times a one week or two week break is wonderful! |
_________________ I'm Cathy, 54 yrs old. Flexeffect Certified Trainer in the 2004 vrsn - not the newer one. using flexeffect sincee 1999. |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:41 am |
KayS wrote: |
I try to do my facial exercises six days a week but some days I am just to tired and then feel guilty. How often do you really have to do the exercises and still get results?? I also find myself getting bored doing the same exercises over and over that is why I like to mix it up with different programs otherwise I probably would just quit. |
Well, I remember spending almost one hour doing the whole FE program and ended up looking rather tired after a couple of months. It was a bit frustrating to spend lots of effort on my face without seeing much results. But after I started Ageless, I only spend a few minutes each day and noticed some really nice improvements after 2 months. So I believe that "less is more" when it comes to facial exercises!
As IMCathy suggested, I think it is a good idea to pick out only a certain number of exercises that suit your needs and see what will happen after a few weeks. Be patient and hopefully you will see some wonderful results soon! |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:00 am |
I wonder what they heck people are doing spending a WHOLE hour doing FE. I do that maybe once a week. I'm a BUSY person. I've got MUCH to cram in. Kids, responding to others, my body workout, errands... blah...blah...blah... YOU know.. You all live it!
You can get through the entire list of exercises in 30 minutes. IF you're doing all of them at once. I suppose if you add massage immediately after, then you could be at 40 minutes. I know I don't have time for that in one sitting every day.
Cathy's suggestion is right on. I would imagine for ANY facial exercise. Start thinking of working your face the same as you would your body. (although, after a while your face recoups faster and doesn't NEED the time off like the whole body of HUGE muscles comparatively.) You wouldn't walk into a gym and do a full body workout, with extreme attn. and then go back and do the same exact routine every day. Muscle needs a change to keep continue in respond. You would exhaust yourself, bore yourself, and eventually wear yourself down. But there are many ways to work out in a gym. Right??? What appeals to you?
Do you work arms and chest on day one? BAck and shoulders day 2? Legs day 3 with abs on all days, and a 2 day rest along the way?
Or maybe a upper body day one, lower body day 2, off day three, repeat?
Or light whole body day one, Heavy whole body day 2, Repeat days 3 & 4 but do different exercises? Off on 5 and 6, Start again on 7?
Do you see there are many...many combos you can do? It's the same with your face.
Perhaps your eyes are a bit "out of shape" and show your workout immediately. Well then you might work them on one day, rest for 2 while you work another area.
The key is BALANCE! If you don't know how to write a balanced routine, work with an expert.
But please. Don't beat yourself up because you can't fit it all in everyday. That may be a goal, IF YOU CHOOSE. |
_________________ Claudia of FlexEffect... 43, fair skin, occasional breakout, Using ECO FROG (my own=disclaimer), and TrueScience (I also sell this)... Happy with that...Come visit on FB! |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:11 am |
Oh...and one more thing.. If you're looking tired from a facial workout ... it's too much for you right off. (it's actually an indicator that your face is in fact "out of shape") Less is definitely more, until the time that more is more. Does that make sense? |
_________________ Claudia of FlexEffect... 43, fair skin, occasional breakout, Using ECO FROG (my own=disclaimer), and TrueScience (I also sell this)... Happy with that...Come visit on FB! |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:42 am |
I think what happens is when someone does finally make the decision to cure their woes with facial exercises then they get excited and what to see the change. Also many people feel if they don't get with the program and learn it while the enthusiasm is high they will lose interest and put it away...out of sight out of mind I think it is wise to set up a plan of a certain of exercises daily like has been mentioned. Also realizing that there is a learning curve to really getting the exercises done correctly and you may not be able to do your designated amount daily. Less is more is wise when starting out. Also if something is pleasurable there are greater chances that it will be a routine that will be maintained. Since facial exercises are a life time comentment it makes sense to design the rountine so it can be fun and you are successful. |
_________________ female,"50 something" medium to thick normal skin, no wrinkles,Lightstim,Easy Eye Solutions,Green Smoothies,Ageless Secret Gold, Pico Toner,Beautiful Image |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:55 am |
Yes Toby, I would agree with that. The excitement of doing something gets you to spend the extra time. My concern is when you feel bombarded, and that it's too much. I think the excitement has worn off... And I think it's very important to KNOW that it's perfectly acceptable not to work so hard soooo long. And if you need help figuring out how to do that... absolutely ask... |
_________________ Claudia of FlexEffect... 43, fair skin, occasional breakout, Using ECO FROG (my own=disclaimer), and TrueScience (I also sell this)... Happy with that...Come visit on FB! |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:59 am |
Now that I've added FE, I've gotten extremely frustrated with the amount of time devoted to these new routines. Ageless I can do in the car (we have loooong stoplights) so that takes me no extra time. For the LED I have to be immobile, and now the FE tacks on an additional hour per day. There is no way I can crank out 40+ exercises in 30 minutes, not if I do the number of reps. It's cut into my regular exercise and sleep.
So...it's interesting to read that the full FE program may prove detrimental. I am willing to suffer for a while for good results, but I don't need to invest an hour a day in a program that makes me look worse than I did before!
Again, it's too bad that there isn't someone who has objective expertise about these programs and can recommend a customized exercise plan that meets individual needs. Reading the Ageless and FE boards for direction isn't helpful because those posters focus (understandably) on their own programs. |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:05 am |
Hermosa...
I guess I'm a little confused.
How is it that program has proved to be detrimental?
If you're taking a full hour, I can only imagine that's because you haven't learned all the exercises. You need to allow yourself a learning curve. Unfortunately, it's not just like smearing on a cream and wiping it off. Otherwise, you should be able to do them with CD, (If you want to do all of the exercises)... that's only some 28 minutes. There is a degree of commitment. The defined degree is up to you.
Also, IMO, You should not allow all your facial routines to interfere with your body exercise, or your sleep. You don't do your face any favors becoming sleep deprived... Honestly, the only way, in my experience, that you're going to look worse than you did before is if you don't exercise good judgment. You need to ask questions when you don't understand something. And honestly, you need to ask it of a person who has experience in it. Not just in themselves but also in working with others.
There are people that can objectively work with you the individual and help you write up a routine. You just have to ask. Do so on the FE forum. Or the other forums for the programs that you've purchased.
I'm always happy to help. But I can't fill up the EDS website with training material... |
_________________ Claudia of FlexEffect... 43, fair skin, occasional breakout, Using ECO FROG (my own=disclaimer), and TrueScience (I also sell this)... Happy with that...Come visit on FB! |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:06 am |
Hey Hermosa,
I would think doing the two programs would be overkill and would result in a pretty fatigued face, although if you could figure out a mix that works for you that could well be great. If you're commmitted to doing the Ageless, then why not add FE's ex's 1-10 and lose LL's two eye exercises. LL doesn't put a premium on the brow -- my understanding is that she feels people get lines when they start flexing, get turned off by that, and then don't want to do the exercises. She also feels that the brow doesn't add to the lifting of the face (now this is just what I remember reading in her thread here and on her forum...pls someone correct me if I'm wrong). I personally disagree with that as I've seen fast and excellent benefits to both my eye area and brows with the FE #1-10 ex's. Yes, I did go through a couple of horizontal lines above my brow. That lasted a month or two at most but it was definitely worth it.
Another thing that you might want to add are a couple of add'l neck, chin and lower face exercises. As well, although LL's program is primarily about lifting the cheeks, I personally feel that FE's cheek exercises esp the ones where you stick your hands your mouth, are brilliant.
I guess the other way you could approach it is as alternating days. You'd have to bring your count down on some of LL's stuff as she does more reps because she takes a down day between exercising.
I found when I first started flexing it took me an hour. It does take time to figure out the program. If I do the whole program in one sitting -- yes, like Claudia said -- about 30mins. But I've been flexing for awhile now and I'm not struggling with making sure I have the right hold anymore (although I'm still dicey with a couple of the ex's).
I do feel I need a day or two off, as my face will get stressed looking when I hit 5-6 days straight. But it does mean that your face is building.
Of course it all depends too on how hold you are and what your facial situation is. People definitely have to take that into account.
HTH... trying to be objective.
Vangirl |
_________________ 43 y/o: dark hair, blue eyes, fair skin... Holy grails are Flex Effect and Retin A. Still trying to find the perfect 'physical' sunscreen |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:30 am |
Claudia, not detrimental to me; I was referring to Moonstone's post. I don't expect to find personalized plans here; it would just be nice to be able to get expert advice somewhere. For example, pre-Sephora, if you were buying makeup and needed advice, you went to the cosmetics counter where the Chanel SA could help you with Chanel, but if you wanted a comparison between her lipstick and the Prescriptive one, she couldn't tell you. Now with Sephora, the SA happily takes you all over the store picking and choosing from multiple lines.
I guess this will just be my whine of the month and I will have to stop complaining about it on the exercise threads!
Vangirl, thanks for the suggestions. Honestly, I am not at all sure what my face needs. (Yes, I know that sounds pathetic.) I do love the hands-in-mouth exercises because they make my face sore which I interpret, rightly or not, as progress. I am sure that after I've done the FE for another week or two, I'll discard at least a dozen of the exercises because I don't like them (probably the ones I should be doing the most) and it will become easier. I haven't even tried the CD, just the DVD -- maybe I should listen to it the next time I hop on the stairmaster! |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:38 am |
One other thing I've noticed... people look at the 40 exercises in FE (oops plus the additional neck ones) like it's some kind of forbidding to-do list. I really think having that many exercises is a huge resource. There's a few smaller muscles that seem inconsequential until you start to work them and realize how much they add to your face. For example, lower lip curl and part b of prodtruding jaw. I never really did them until a couple of months ago. Chin lift had made my chin nice and defined and thick-feeling and the lower lip curl really helped fill in and round out the sides of my chin. Part B of protruding jaw, seems to fill in a bit of the top of my cheek hollow.
The reason I say this is that we all look at our faces and we see the very obvious things that we want to fix. We think fixing those things will satisfy us. I think we also need to pay attention to the smaller muscles that seem to have little value until you see what building them can do. |
_________________ 43 y/o: dark hair, blue eyes, fair skin... Holy grails are Flex Effect and Retin A. Still trying to find the perfect 'physical' sunscreen |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:53 am |
Hermosa wrote: |
Vangirl, thanks for the suggestions. Honestly, I am not at all sure what my face needs. (Yes, I know that sounds pathetic.) I do love the hands-in-mouth exercises because they make my face sore which I interpret, rightly or not, as progress. I am sure that after I've done the FE for another week or two, I'll discard at least a dozen of the exercises because I don't like them (probably the ones I should be doing the most) and it will become easier. I haven't even tried the CD, just the DVD -- maybe I should listen to it the next time I hop on the stairmaster! |
Hermosa, I think it would really benefit you to send your picture to one or two of the trainers and get them to help you (if you're uncomfortable posting your pic). I did that when I hit an awkward stage and am really grateful for the feedback I got. They both gave me concrete steps to take to help correct the issue.
As as the cd goes... yowza... if you've only been flexing for a couple of weeks it's going to be really intimidating. Deb goes fast. I use the cd quite often(it's in my alarm clock and I put it on before I go to bed). The good thing about you hitting the cd now is that you'll get an idea of how quickly you can get through it. The bad thing is that you could frustrated 'cause you're still on ex 1 and she's on #4. Once you've got confident with your grip, you can move really quickly.
HTH |
_________________ 43 y/o: dark hair, blue eyes, fair skin... Holy grails are Flex Effect and Retin A. Still trying to find the perfect 'physical' sunscreen |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:23 pm |
If you think you are spending way too much time into your facial exercise routine there is a good way to keep it up focusing totally in every second of your training and nothing else, I mean, NOTHING else.
What you do is:
a) get familiar with the exercises you want to use in your routine.
b) take a moment to record a simple cd or an mp3 with your own voice, talking or counting reps, reminders, notes, tweakings, whatever is adapted to your needs. Remember it is only for you
c) add some background music if you like it (I personally like it a lot, BPM's can help keep the rythm, I like energizing music in the mornings and feel that I am dancing with my face, LOL! and relaxing music is good for night sessions or massage)
d) if you want to, add any extra as massage with directions on other tracks, or the use of beauty tools to control time.
To make the record can be a little time consuming when you are trying to decide what to include and how to do it. But is fun! AND, you might spend an hour of your weekend doing it, but the time you will save during the week while exercisiing is worth it.
It keeps you totally focused on your training and go for it intensely, knowing you are going to spend as much time as you want to. Besides you got a commitment with yourself.
If you decide 15 mins, then go for your 15 min, if you want to split it in 2 sessions, great, or alternating days, of doing some ex. for 2 weeks and some others the next 2 weeks.. Or make an special record for your car containig certain ex.
It is a good way to train, AND you know EXACTLY how much TIME you are going to spend at the day. Not more not less. It is amazing how many exercises can you squeze in 15 min this way.
It helped me a lot in the past.
When I did my own record I was totally surprised on how could I go for a session of exercisisng using practically half the time I did before. |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:44 pm |
Zenity, thanks that's a great idea.
I remember seeing your cropped pics on FE and I was so blown away with how you managed to fill in your lower cheek hollows. I'm struggling with that. Any suggestions?
EDITED: Zenity, I found the thread on FE with the little balls... I am going to get the balls and try it out. Loli had mentioned something similar as well.
Are you still doing the cupping? That seems to have helped your hollows out as well.
Thanks
Vangirl |
_________________ 43 y/o: dark hair, blue eyes, fair skin... Holy grails are Flex Effect and Retin A. Still trying to find the perfect 'physical' sunscreen |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:24 pm |
I am amazed at the barage of great suggestions in these recent posts.
I think the important thing is dont' feel overwhelmed with it. Even when I don't have a lot of free time (three kids, single parent, full-time job, boyfriend, gym, etc, etc).... I will do 'some' exercises. I don't stress about it but I know if I get some in I'm okay in my own mind. And that's important.
Maybe I'll just get to do a set of the eye excercises or some of the cheek exercises. Even if I do the full set of Fe (which for me is closer to 30, not 40) I feel accomplished and I try to do this at least three times a week. It all adds up. Burn out happens when you expect too much of both yourself and the exercises.
Other days I do LL's and some of Carole Maggio's - she has some that are so easy to fit in - love them. Make it work for you and it will be a labor of love. |
_________________ Enjoying dermalogica with my ASG and Pico toner ** Disclosure: I was a participant without remuneration in promotional videos for Ageless Secret Gold and the Neurotris Pico Emmy event. |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:26 pm |
sister sweets wrote: |
I am amazed at the barage of great suggestions in these recent posts.
I think the important thing is dont' feel overwhelmed with it. Even when I don't have a lot of free time (three kids, single parent, full-time job, boyfriend, gym, etc, etc).... I will do 'some' exercises. I don't stress about it but I know if I get some in I'm okay in my own mind. And that's important.
Maybe I'll just get to do a set of the eye excercises or some of the cheek exercises. Even if I do the full set of Fe (which for me is closer to 30, not 40) I feel accomplished and I try to do this at least three times a week. It all adds up. Burn out happens when you expect too much of both yourself and the exercises.
Other days I do LL's and some of Carole Maggio's - she has some that are so easy to fit in - love them. Make it work for you and it will be a labor of love. |
Sis,
You totally amaze me with all you do and your positive attitude and energy. My hat goes off to you and a big thanks for all the many contributions you give to this forum.
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_________________ female,"50 something" medium to thick normal skin, no wrinkles,Lightstim,Easy Eye Solutions,Green Smoothies,Ageless Secret Gold, Pico Toner,Beautiful Image |
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Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:55 pm |
Thanks guys, for all the great suggestions! I really like the idea of making my own exercise audio and will have to research the balls method because I could use some filling out.
I am amazed at how much benefit I have gotten from the exercises already, and much of that is possible because of the fantastic information on these eds forums. |
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Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:35 am |
Vangirl:
Training your lower face with the foam is a very intense exercise. Really, you can get sore muscles fast.
The only problem I have found regarding the exercise system I posted on FE with the homemade foam balls is to overdo and overbuild (the triangularis in my case).
You know isolating muscles is quite difficult on facial exercises, and isolating buccinators is not an exception.
The best advise I can give you with the foam balls is: Less is more!!!!
So far that is the best resistance training I have found to train my lower face, but, as not all the muscles respond equally I had to be careful on taking my time of rest between sessions and watch carefully for any overbuilding sign showing up. I did not ignore them and results were great in few months.
As it is a very intense training aux muscles can develop faster than the targeted ones.
Sandford Bennet cheek massage is something, too, I did in between sessions. Overall It worked great and felt great.
The only ones I have seen with my own eyes -friends- using the balls have experienced similar enthusiasm as described on some posts, to work out fast and yet similar problems as the result of overbuilding. It is hard to refrain yourself when you are crawing fast results.
If anyone decides to go for it, my only advice is to start slowly paying a lot of attention of what muscles are involved, then trying to isolate them as much as you can (really takes time to learn... ) and watch out for any sign of overbuilding to cut back asap as you see this happening.
Saving the distance, my VERY humble and non formal opinion is that I, somehow, feel than the balls are for the lower cheeks as the bootcamp is for the upper cheek. But, please, do not compare exercises, just intensity of the level of exercising.
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The suction massage has been great in the past for me. Still is. Somehow I experienced that contracting the muscles while suctioning was applied made the results last longer and somehow felt a different type of "build" in the muscle, but in no way as exercising my face. Just something in between: not as simple as a massage not as intense as a facial workout.
I have not seen any other facial exerciser using the suction the way I did, so I can't really claim any science behind. I just know how it felt for me and what results I achieved in the past avoiding weird stages mostly during that point of my training.
Have to mention that at some point I lost track of many of the things I was doing at the time, so I can't really tell exactly were the results came from... I guess a combo of all did it.
I did like it the suction massage, it did work for me and I experimented a lot. Really you have no idea how great it is for not only your face but your body.
I have found that it is a good adittion to fill out lower cheeks for people who is experienciencing the gauntness stage while buccinator suck in. But it is an optical trick to make you feel better and look better.
One of my (virtual) friends did some lower cheek ex. and went into the sucked in look, then added the suctioning massage just to help his face look better while the muscles were developing. Did the trick while the muscle was developing, and avoided being depressed and stressed about how his face looked at the time he was expecting results to show.
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I agree with everyone else about this thread, I feel a very healthy atmosphere that invites us to share our experiences regardless the method we use. Constructive attitude gives us a lot while negative attitude only takes from us the little we have.
Thnks to all! |
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Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:09 am |
Toby wrote: |
sister sweets wrote: |
I am amazed at the barage of great suggestions in these recent posts.
I think the important thing is dont' feel overwhelmed with it. Even when I don't have a lot of free time (three kids, single parent, full-time job, boyfriend, gym, etc, etc).... I will do 'some' exercises. I don't stress about it but I know if I get some in I'm okay in my own mind. And that's important.
Maybe I'll just get to do a set of the eye excercises or some of the cheek exercises. Even if I do the full set of Fe (which for me is closer to 30, not 40) I feel accomplished and I try to do this at least three times a week. It all adds up. Burn out happens when you expect too much of both yourself and the exercises.
Other days I do LL's and some of Carole Maggio's - she has some that are so easy to fit in - love them. Make it work for you and it will be a labor of love. |
Sis,
You totally amaze me with all you do and your positive attitude and energy. My hat goes off to you and a big thanks for all the many contributions you give to this forum.
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Aaahh Toby - my pal! Thanks |
_________________ Enjoying dermalogica with my ASG and Pico toner ** Disclosure: I was a participant without remuneration in promotional videos for Ageless Secret Gold and the Neurotris Pico Emmy event. |
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Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:12 am |
Zenity wrote: |
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I agree with everyone else about this thread, I feel a very healthy atmosphere that invites us to share our experiences regardless the method we use. Constructive attitude gives us a lot while negative attitude only takes from us the little we have.
Thnks to all! |
'tis a good thing... Thanks for mentioning this. |
_________________ Enjoying dermalogica with my ASG and Pico toner ** Disclosure: I was a participant without remuneration in promotional videos for Ageless Secret Gold and the Neurotris Pico Emmy event. |
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