Dial Diaries- Week 4 final week

I am sad that this is my final week of helpful tips and ideas and sharing them with you guys. I must say this weeks is the best one and most important one yet! Me time! Now this has to be one of the hardest things as well other than the water drinking lol. With 6 kids 12 and under I have no me time other than a hour or 2 after they go to bed which consists of typing up reviews and posts, bath, and anything else I need to get done.

Week 4: Me Time

It’s week 4 of the Dial^® Healthier You program, and I can’t believe how quickly time has passed! It has been such a great experience helping you achieve better health and skin. My final tip is about finding that special time for yourself, something I like to call “me time.”

Carving out some special “me time” isn’t selfish; it’s actually extremely important to spend time taking care of yourself. Stress and poor sleep habits can contribute to health issues and lackluster skin that’s prone to breakouts.

With all of the multitasking that goes on in our busy lives, you’re probably wondering how to squeeze some “me time” into your life. First, get organized! That means scheduling your entire week, from planning menus to shopping for everything at once and cooking for the week on Sunday. When it comes to skin care, Dial^® NutriSkin™ body wash cleanses and moisturizes in one step. 

* I have awful sleep habits since its been over 5 years since I have had a full nights sleep without kids waking me up. My 2 year old still wakes up at least 1 time a night and sometimes more. Then comes stress and well with my life we really don't want to go into that area lol. I have alot of stress in every aspect of my life and I just deal. I definitely do Multi-task though. I have to with everything that needs done.

The most important part of “me time” is figuring out what will make you happier, even for a brief moment, everyday. Is it reconnecting with a past hobby or finding a new one? Maybe it’s taking a bubble bath, having a cup of your favorite tea while meditating or reading a few pages of that book you’ve been meaning to pick up. You’ll find yourself invigorated and energized with even the smallest amount of “me time” — I guarantee it. 

*Now a good Me time for me is music and a hot bubble bath. Its relaxing, soothing and enjoyable!

Remember that at the end of this week we’ll be choosing the member who has best embodied the Healthier You journey and documented her progress in her Dial^® Diaries. Though this is the final week of the Dial^® Healthier You program, I will still be here to provide you with tips and advice to help you maintain your new healthier lifestyle. Good luck to you all!

- Amy

Dial Diaries- Week 3

My week has been going slow. I am still trying to eat the right foods and vitamins and get enough water. Last week we talked about exercise and trying to get more of it in my schedule. I am really working on it. It been a crazy week with dance showings for my kids, family Christmas party and that lovely time of the month. So eating habits this week were honestly awful. I ate alot of junk. I did have some chicken and salmon. I did push fluids. The exercise was very little unless you count shopping, running around place to place to get stuff ready for the party, chasing after kids, and major cleaning this week. I have had killer cramps and bloating. So I am hoping this week will be better. I plan on getting more real exercise into my schedule and eating better. Its so hard around the Holidays!

This week is all about skin care.  Oh boy do I need this! My skin is dry and itchy and gross. So I cant wait to hear and do some of the suggestion and see if they make my skin any better!


Week 3: Skin Care
Can you believe it’s already week three? I have to say, I’m really enjoying your Dial® Diaries! I hope my comments and reflections are also guiding your journey to a Healthier You. In the past two weeks, we’ve covered skin-healthy nutrition and exercise, so now we’ll specifically discuss skin care.

Sunblock is the #1 tool most dermatologists recommend for preventing skin cancers and premature aging. If you want a tan, you can get it from a bottle or bronzing powder. Once you have embraced the daily SPF, then good skin care really boils down to two steps: Cleansing and Moisturizing.

(I do use a sunblock lotion on my face everyday. I have to moisturize my face because it peels and flakes and is itchy and breaks out. )

Your facial cleanser should match your skin type and age. Your body wash should gently cleanse without stripping your skin of important oils and moisture. Choosing a body wash like Dial® NutriSkin™ will allow you to cleanse and moisturize in just one step. If you choose to use a separate moisturizer, use it directly after the shower while your skin is still damp. The moisturizer will seal in the water droplets for added hydration. In addition to the smart skin care choices you make, drinking water and eating plenty of fruits and veggies is extremely important in keeping your skin well-hydrated.

(Such a great tip. I have tried alot of cleansers and alot of them dry my face out or break me out. I moisturize right after I wash my face as well to lock in the moisture. Still working on the water but I love fruits and veggies.)

I am excited to see how well I do this week so stay tune for next week the final week of my Dial Diaries posts. Sad isn't it? Well I have been learning and hope this week is better progress!

Dial Diaries- Week 2

So another week gone by I am really working on my fluid intake especially water. I am up to 2 water bottles a day plus my coffee in the morning haha. I know thats not great but its double what I did the weeks before. I have added fish into my diet once a week and chicken once a week as well. I have also started a zinc supplement since I am not a bean fan but once in a while I like bush's beans. I havent got the Vitamin E supplement yet but I did have tuna sandwiches this week and well it was easy to add dark chocolate to my diet haha. I wish watermelon was in season because I could eat a watermelon a day easily haha. I know I got alot more work to do but it is coming along and I am happy and feel better already. So on to week 2 which is exercise. Oh Boy I am in trouble here. I used to be good at this.I would work out on the Wii Fit 30-45 minutes every day. Then well things happened and I slacked off. I know that is bad. Not only do I need exercise to lose weight and be healthy but I need it for my spinal issues as well. So I got a exercise ball and a dance work out DVD and I am going to start working on the Wii Fit again. So lets see how this week goes!

Week 2: Exercise
Welcome to week two! I’m Amy Hendel, your Dial® Healthier You program expert. If you are incorporating the skin healthy foods we discussed last week into your daily diet, then you are ready for the next step to a healthier you: exercise.

(*yikes)

In addition to helping you lose weight, exercise can help to prevent heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. It supports a healthy and radiant complexion by promoting circulation, which carries oxygen to your skin and other vital organs. It also causes you to sweat, which flushes out dirt and debris from your pores and gives your skin that natural, rosy glow.

(*sounds lovely haha but definitely something I need)

So how do you fit exercise into an already challenged schedule? First, write it down on your calendar so you are reminded of it every day. Then be smart about how you exercise. I’m a big fan of interval training: a program that involves a variation in pace and intensity. For example, try walking followed by timed challenges like hills, jogging or running. You can also do this with any cardiovascular machine like a stationary bike or elliptical with periods of increased resistance if there isn’t an incline option.

(* great tip I am a calandar type of person. I look at it a million times a day and I write every thing I need to do on it. If it's not on my calandar its likely I wont do it. So definitely need to write exercise and how long on my calandar. I like to mix my exercis eup as well I hate doing the same thing every day so on the Wii Fit I change my routine daily and then I will use the ball sometimes and the dvd other times.)

If you’re a beginner, work on building up to a 45- 60 minute walk almost everyday. Then you can reduce your time by adding in intervals like this beginner program for the treadmill:
• Warm up for 5 minutes at 3.2 mph.
• Alternate between steady walking at a pace of 3.3 mph for 5 minutes, followed by 1-minute challenges of 3.5 mph. Do three intervals like this.
• Toward the end of your workout, really push yourself for 2 minutes at 3.6 mph.
• Drop down to 3.5mph for 5 minutes, then 3.4 mph for another 5 minutes.
• Cool down for 5 minutes at 3.2 mph.

Over time, you will be able to increase your overall speed and intervals. Keep yourself challenged by switching from speed to hill challenges. And of course, remember to shower after your workout to remove dead skin cells and odor-causing bacteria. Plus, if you wash with Dial® NutriSkin™ body wash, you’ll be left with a delicious lemongrass or cherry scent and moisturized skin without a heavy residue.

(*I definitely shower after my workouts since I feel sticky and gross afterwards and I love the Dial Nutriskin body wash scent and I feel clean and moisturized afterwards. I love it! I have a great workout and a great hot shower. It leaves me feeling refreshed all day. I always exercise in the morning since it gives me a burst of energy afterwards which is handy for taking care of 6 kids and cleaning the house and errrands.)

Dial Diaries- Week 1

I have been selected as one of 100 people from across the country to join the Dial® Healthier You Member Program!  I am very excited since I could definitely use some help right now in the healthy beauty, healthy food and a healthy lifestyle. I am a mom of 6 kids who all have crazy schedules, I am a blogger, a photographer, a wife, and house cleaner and etc. My life is so crazy busy I don't always have the time for myself. I am really gonna try hard to follow these tips and make time for myself.  As part of this program, I will be posting about some wonderful Healthier You tips from Amy Hendel, a Dial® Healthier You program expert. This week we focus on healthy skin and healthy eating!

Week 1: Skin Healthy Foods
Over the next four weeks, I’m going to help you improve your skin and overall health. This week, let’s start with nutrition. They say that you are what you eat, and when it comes to your skin’s health, your food choices can improve your skin’s resilience and clarity, slow the aging process and prevent breakouts. Keeping processed foods to a minimum and focusing on a diet rich in whole foods will help your skin maintain its health. Let’s look at the three major aspects of skin care:

Hydration: To keep your skin from becoming dry, drink lots of water and eat foods like oily fish and flax seed that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Make sure to include foods fortified with biotin like white meat chicken, eggs and Swiss chard to help your body process those healthy fats.

*This is one of biggest challenges. I don't drink enough especially water. Really water is not my favorite drink and I don't drink probably more than 32 Oz's a day so I am really gonna try on this one! I love fish but I am not a huge Chicken fan either or cheeses so we will see ha ha.

Blemish fighters: To fight breakouts, make sure to follow a proper skin care regimen, and include foods rich in zinc like vegetarian baked beans, garbanzo beans and pumpkin seeds.

*This is another one I am really going to try on this one. I not a bean person. I do eat a little bit but not nearly enough. I do like pumpkin seeds but not beans lol.

Anti-aging: Commit to regular use of a broad spectrum SPF, and add vitamin E to your daily diet to prevent skin damage and wrinkles. Foods enriched with Vitamin E include tuna and fortified cereals. Dark chocolate, tea and watermelon contain compounds that will also help you fight skin damage.

* I use a SPF lotion on my face and body everyday after my bath but never thought to add Vitamin E to my diet. This is one I am definitely gonna start doing.

When you go to the supermarket to buy these healthy skin-promoting foods, include Dial® NutriSkin™ body wash, which hydrates and moisturizes while cleansing your skin of impurities. What to learn more? Follow Dial on Facebook or twitter read my tips on twitter under #DialHealthyTips. Stay Healthy!

Disclosure: I am one of 100 participants of the Dial Healthier You Program and wrote this post as a part of a series of Dial® Healthy You content. All opinions are mine and are not influenced by my part in the campaign at all. Your opinions may differ.