P90X

Approaching 30 is not only bringing a bit of sag to the face, but also to the body.  And sadly to say, I am still searching for a workout routine that fits best for me.  My biggest challenge is making a lasting commitment and fighting the boredom.  Boredom kills me.  I enjoy all types of workouts.....just not for the duration.  Six months of the same routine and I am done with it. Exactly six months prior to this post I was circuit training three times per week with five days of cardio.  I was in great shape.  Then I got bored and I stepped back from that intense regimen and now when I step into my clothes in the morning, the word snug resounds in my head.

I am a cycle exerciser.  I need a constant rotation of workouts in combination with a variation in intensity.  So, bored with the gym and the circuit I was on, I finally bought into a product I have heard so much about over the years: P90X. The initial purchase is steep for workout videos, but with the gym membership canceled it all evens out.  The videos have to be supplemented with a few resistance bands and weights of your choice.  But after the first week of videos I believe I may have found a lasting routine. 

About the product: The package arrived with 13 different workouts and two user manuals.  One containing different sequences of the videos, and the other a guide for healthy eating.  The bill came to $140, which they are charging my card over three months.  I barely even feel it :)  The sequences range from Classic, the typical 90 day routine to get you in shape; Intense, which speeds up your results by increasing workouts to get the job done in 60 days; and a Modified routine for maintenance or users in search of a lighter circuit.  All the workouts can be done in the comfort of your own home. 

What I Found:
1) For now, happiness and soreness :)  I love being able to come straight home from work to get my exercise in, instead of making the cross-town trek to the gym which would ultimately lead to fighting commuter traffic when I finished.  The workouts are each about one hour long and are broken down by a countdown clock along the bottom of the screen so I can monitor my progress.  And yes, the workouts are legit - I have been incredibly sore afterwards.

2) A slight annoyance with the lead guy, Tony.  He never shuts up.  And he's cheesy.  He leads me through a solid routine, but I could do without his lame comments.  I am hoping after I get to know the routines I can mute him and crank up some tunes instead.

3) Variety!  The spice of life.  Everyday it's something different and I LOVE that.  A few days of the week are focused on different areas of the body and they mix it up with a Cardio day, a Plyometrics day (killer), a Yoga day and Kenpo (which is basically their version for Taebo, lol).  I am showing no signs of boredom yet.

Conclusion: P90X and I are off to a great start.  There are numerous positives to this new routine I have embarked upon.  I take my eating seriously during this time, so if the results come in as P90X claims they will, I will be one happy camper.

Burt's Bees Naturally AGELESS Skin Firming Night Creme

Turning 29 has been the incline of the roller coaster for me.....that slow, creeping crawl filled with anticipation.  Not even a month has gone by and yet each day I awaken a few inches closer to 30 with the realization that I cannot get off this ride.  However, as I near the top I keep thinking to myself how much more reassured I would feel if I was prepared to turn 30.  When I reach the top, I want to be the person on the ride who throws her hands up in the air and screams with excitement and exhilaration, not the one who's green and quesy.

So after the initial (and extended) celebration of yet another year well-lived, the immediate need for research and preparation set in.  Deciding where to start first was easy: a first impression can only be made once, right?  And what better way to say 'Hello, World' than with a radiant, fresh-looking face.  After an up-close inspection in my vanity mirror, it was time to delve into the world of anti.  Anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, anti-grow old.  Sure, I spent my summer worshiping the sun god, but now I want salvation.  I am a skeptic of sorts, not entirely convinced that the magic in all these little bottles and vials can really save face, especially with the price tag they slap on some of those tiny jars.  In addition, I am constantly nagged by an inner green voice these days as I view the products in my bathroom (and entire household for that matter), "Exactly how many chemicals is my body exposed to on a daily basis?"

Off in pursuit of a magical elixir that would reduce the age showing on my face without polluting my face with even more chemicals.  This brought me to Burt's Bees Naturally Ageless line of products.  

 About the product: It is a night cream, to be applied nightly after cleansing and claims to firm the skin.  It contains extracts from pomegranate which are high in antioxidants to fight free-radical damage the face has incurred.  The other extract, white birch bark, is for firming and the diminishing of fine lines and wrinkles.  I purchased a 2-ounce jar for $17. 

What I found:

1)  This cream is thick, but does not feel greasy upon application.  A little bit goes a long way - these 2 ounces are going to last long enough to see some results!

2) It smells fresh and natural, which is a BIG deal for me.  For some reason I am really picky about the scent of the lotions I use.  This one is great. 

3) There's a slight tightness that I feel in my face after I apply it.  I like it.  It makes me feel like it may really be working.

Conclusion:

My face and neck feel hydrated and I feel more responsible for owning an anti-aging cream.  Too early to report major changes, but I am happy with this product and the progress we are making together!

OLAY Regenerist Anti Aging Eye Roller

I purchased the Olay Regenerist Anti Aging Eye Roller at the same time as the L'Oréal REVITALIFT Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night cream.  My main concern with my eyes are my crows feet (aka fine lines and wrinkles) not so much the puffiness aspect, but most of the drug store eye pens were focused on puffiness.  I reminded myself that you won't know how it works for your skin until you try it.  I can't remember how much I paid for it, somewhere around the $16 range.   I didn't want to spend a lot initially without doing much research on what ingredients to look for, brands, etc.  I spent $25 on both products, cheep considering!

About the product:

Help banish puffiness and soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles for instantly brighter, younger-looking skin around the eyes.

       • Massage reduces puffy eyes
       • Diminishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles with hydration/hydrating treatment

What I found:
1) It feels really good when you rub this pen around your eyes, there is a cooling sensation.  That must help with the puffiness.  It is definitely a feel good experience!

2) I'm not as consistent with using this pen as I am with a cream.  I did use it consistently for about 2 weeks and then I just kinda stopped.

3) In the two weeks that I used the product I didn't notice much of a difference, nothing seemed brighter or younger.  Everything looked the same.  Maybe you need to use if for longer than 2 weeks to see a difference...

Conclusion:
I would rather use a cream than this pen.

L'Oréal REVITALIFT Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night cream

It was two weeks before I was to turn 29 and I looked at my forehead and it just looked completely haggard.  I had 3 major "laugh" lines that were honestly looking very deep.  Not to mention my crows feet.  At that moment I decided enough is enough, I need to start using something to fight off these wrinkles.  Not knowing what to try, what works, what doesn't...I thought I'm not going to know what works for me until I just try something.   I went to the local Walgreens and L'Oréal REVITALIFT was on sale for $8.99 so I picked it up and started applying that night.

About the product:
The L'Oréal Paris laboratories have reformulated REVITALIFT Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night cream to be enriched with Elastin; it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and helps improve the skin's elasticity; skin feels firmer. Unless you want a permanent lift, there's always Revitalift.

What I found:
1) I have been using this product for about 4 weeks and after 2 weeks I noticed that my 3 major forehead wrinkles were softer.

2) I used this cream on my face, neck and chest (because girls we can't neglect our neck and chest) and I got a rash on my jaw line and chest.  I do have very sensitive skin so this is very common for me.  I am now just using it on my forehead and around me eyes.

3) The directions say to use this cream at night, but I use it morning and night.  I have very dry skin so a cream isn't too thick for me on a daily basis.

Conclusion:
For the price, I would say this product is better than nothing.  It did do what it claimed to do, which was "reduces the appearance of wrinkles."