Top Tips for Looking Beautiful and Staying Healthy

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Beauty Brief has compiled a list of the best tips for 2009 on how to look great and feel great!

Tip#1: Myth: Eating Causes Wrinkles?!? Fact or Fiction?

It's true! Overtime, eating sugar can actually make skin appear wrinkled and dull. A chemical process takes place in our bodies to cause this wrinkling effect known as glycation. Glycation occurs when sugar in the blood stream attaches to proteins and forms molecules called AGE (advanced glycation end-products). The easiest way to minimize the effects is to avoid eating foods high in sugar, and to definitely always wear sunscreen. Additionally, vitamins B1 and B6 inhibit the formation of AGE molecules, so try getting 1 mg a day of each.

Tip#2: Know Your Food Portions!

Portion control is an integral part of dieting and maintaining a healthy weight. To help identify what correct portion sizes are we have outlined proper serving sizes and related those portions to everyday items.

* 1 serving of meat (6oz) is about the size of a deck of cards

* A single serving of pasta, rice or potatoes (1/2 cup) is roughly the size of a golf ball or a small scoop of ice cream.

* 1 serving of vegetables or fruit is about the size of a tennis ball or a fist.

* 1 serving of cheese is just the size of 2 dominoes or 4 dice.

Tip#3: Get Lots of Sleep!

Getting enough sleep is essential to look younger, lose weight and feel great. Unfortunately, a recent survey found that 75% of Americans believe they are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. Sleep deprivation causes our skin to look older and drier because during sleep is when our skin renews itself. So, make sure you are getting enough sleep every night. Make it a priority!

Tip#4: Eat Foods That Make Your Skin Glow!

Our skin is the body's largest organ and it requires proper nutrition to stay healthy, beautiful and youthful looking. A, C, E & Selenium are necessary vitamins to help you look your best!

Foods Rich in Vitamin A: Broccoli, Spinach, Hale, Kale, Halibut, Red Peppers

Foods Rich in Vitamin C: Strawberries, Citrus Fruits, Tomatoes, Cantaloupes

Foods Rich in Vitamin E: Almonds, Asparagus, Avocados, Seeds, Olives

Foods Rich in Selenium: Nuts, Garlic, Poultry

Tip#5: Get Your Body Moving!

When you feel like there's not enough time in the day or you just don't know where or how to begin, we've put together a few tips on ways you can sneak exercise into your busy life without having to sacrifice anything on your to-do list.

1) If you take public transportation, get off a stop or two early and walk. Or, take the stairs instead of the elevator. And if you work in a high rise get off the elevator a few stories early and take the stairs the rest of the way. When going shopping, park at the far end of the parking lot.

2) Join a health club near your work so that you can more conveniently get a work out in during your lunch or before/after work.

3) Use you speaker phone at work and walk around the room while speaking.

4) Make sure you either stand, walk around or stretch at least once every hour, for even just a minute. It's important to keep your blood circulating.

5) When traveling, walk around the airport while waiting for your flight instead of just sitting at the terminal.

Just doing a little bit of exercise every day counts. While you should try to get in at least 30 minutes a day, sometimes you just can't, remember these simple tips and try to work them into various times throughout your day.

Remember, every little bit helps! Use common sense and reward yourself with a good book or iced tea instead of grabbing an unhealthy snack when you are following your diet. Take little walks around the building on your break, and call a friend to walk on the weekends. If you use these tips this year you will be on the road to not only looking beautiful but feeling good!