Goodbye to Cellulite!

Recently my sister asked me for advice on how to get rid of cellulite...

So Sandy, here is your answer and I am sorry it is not an easy straight forward one.

I am no professional expert but have had cellulite all my adult life. I have tried just about every treatment known to man over the last 33 years and have “studied” this condition every opportunity I can. I have seen really fat women with no cellulite and very skinny ones with chronic cellulite.  I run and stand at the starting line of every race looking at the legs around me and am surprised at how many strong athletic women have cellulite. Some in a mild form and others really badly. I have also found that, in my opinion - based on all my informal research that it seems to be hereditary.

When I was in my late teens the Elancyl system was all the rage. This was a hand held massager that held a bar of soap containing ivy extract and used in the shower to massage the cellulite away. So just when I thought I knew everything about this subject I have just googled Elancyl only to find out that there are 3 different types, Embedded – thighs, hips and bottom, Localized – abdomen and  Cellulite accompanied with a bloated feeling, Oh and yes Elancyl still make products for cellulite.

There are many products on the market, the latest being Elixia® BodyShaper Cellulite Contour Crème which we stock and have had many favorable reports from our customers on this product. However, I have been advised that it is not for post menopausal women as it is estrogen based so have not tried it myself. 

Chanel have a fantastic product called Body Excellence Slim formulated with ADIPOFIT ™ -  a unique active ingredient designed to respond to reprogramming the body’s slimming system at the heart of adipose cells. Trials have shown that after 4 weeks of use there is a reduction of up to of 4.3cm in key areas.  

Clarins too have a treatment called HighDefinition Body Lift “ Cellulite Smoother” which, when combined with their Self - Massage Body Contouring Method, delivers  excellent results.

I have used creams, lotions and potions drank copious amounts of water, eaten buckets of celery and parsley, squatted and lunged hundreds of kilometers on my two short legs and had liposuction back in the eighties . All to no avail!

What I have discovered though is that whilst cellulite cannot be cured it can be camouflaged and be made to appear to look better by some very simple tricks.  I believe it is all about sluggish circulation and the storage of lumpy fatty deposits under the skin.

So this is my regime:

Dry Brushing 

Using a Manicare cellulite bristle brush I start at my ankles and in long sweeping strokes brush my legs, hips and buttocks up towards my heart.  I also do my arms and torso for good measure. This breaks down toxins, increases circulation and assists in lymphatic drainage. There are many benefits to dry brushing including:

•  helps to shed dead skin cells, which can help improve skin texture and cell renewal.
• increases circulation to skin, encouraging your body’s discharge of metabolic waste
• helps to tighten the skin because it increases the flow of blood thus increasing circulation
• helps with muscle tone and more even distribution of fat deposits.


Here is a Link to a Dry Brushing tutorial.


Elevation
When done I lie with my legs elevated for awhile before having my shower.


Essential Oils
I am also a great believer in the properties of essential oils. Using a jojoba carrier oil from Jurlique I blend in a few drops of Jurlique’s essential oils in grapefruit, lavender and lemongrass and quickly massage this into my legs using upward sweeping strokes. I choose jojoba because it is nourishing oil with a fine light weight texture easily absorbed into the skin. You only need a small amount -  about one teaspoon full per leg


Tanning
Finally I keep my legs tanned. Using a great body exfoliate like Burt’s Bees Cranberry and Pomegranate Sugar soap I exfoliate twice a week and then use a  gradual build up tan -  my all time favorite being Sugar Baby’s Suntanned Sweeties in Bronze Bombshell. If I have a special occasion to go to it’s off to INDULGE at Berwick for a Tuscan Tan spray tan.


DIET
Watch what you eat. I try to eat fresh healthy food and avoid sugar..I also still drink plenty of water and green tea
I know that this might sound like a lot of hard work but it really takes no time at all. Most research suggests it is better to do this in the morning but I prefer to do mine at night whilst watching TV. Luckily I have this time on my own while hubby is doing his book work in the study and it now only takes me about half an hour. As with all things you need to be patient and give it time as visible results are not immediate. It takes about 30 days to see the difference but you will start to feel better within a few days.


Just a final observation. I recently purchased a Circulation Booster as I was having trouble with my feet and legs. I use this religiously for 30 minutes a night and firmly believe that this has helped the appearance of my cellulite. Mind over matter???? Perhaps - but feeling good about yourself gives you the confidence to accept your body for what it is and get out there and enjoy life. I refuse to hide my faults and cover my legs and proudly walk on the beach in my bathers because I know that I have done all I can and in this regard I am the best I can be. Not that I will ever take my foot off the pedal as I would hate for it to get worse.


Bye for now!

The Beauty of Acceptance

About 8 weeks ago I visited my doctor and spoke to her about menopause and weight gain and her response was “what shape is your mother?”

This got me thinking.

I have spent all my life trying not to be like my mother. My mom is just 20 years older than me and in her younger days was always very hip and trendy. All my friends wished their Mothers were more like mine.  My mom wore short dresses and embraced slacks when they became all the rage in the late 60’s.   Mom worked very hard for a florist before opening her own shop when I was 10 but knew how to live life too. Mom and Dad would go out dancing every Saturday night and on Friday night would come home with her hair in rollers, sleep like that and then have her hair done on the Saturday. I remember sitting at the window eagerly waiting for Mom to get home so that I could see what “do” she had and what color her hair would be. Each week her hair was tinted to match the dress she was wearing that night. When I was chosen to be part of an Afrikaans folk dancing group, one of thousands I might add, Mom took me to the hairdresser to have my hair quaffed into an enormous beehive that I am sure was taller than me at the time. The very young boy partnering me was too scared to do all the twirls in case my hair fell off.   Mom obviously influenced my sense of occasion and I too like to dress up and am more often than not over dressed for the occasion.

I have always looked a lot like my mom and people would always say “she’s the splitting image of you but where does the red hair come from”

As a very young girl I idolized my mom but as I went through those horrible awkward teenage years trying to find my own identity I started to resent the continual comparison. I remember one well meaning lady asking “Now which is the mother and which is the daughter?” I have a photo of my mom and dad taken about 25 years ago. In the early days of our relationship my now husband, who had never met my mom, once asked me  if that was me in the photo. I replied that it was my mother to which he commented “thought it might be – her face is much thinner than yours!”

So I have spent most of my adult life consciously trying very hard to fight the inevitable – my genes.

Over these past few weeks I have had a good hard look at myself and have realized that even with a great big ocean between us and not seeing each other for 13 years I am my mother’s daughter and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it but accept it and stop fighting. I am what I am because of my mother, not just in looks but mom has shaped my outlook on life and instilled in me values, morals and a great work ethic that have stood me in good stead thus far.

Now I am working hard at changing my mind set. This is who I am and who I will be for the rest of my life. I have embraced the things I cannot change and working hard to improve the things I can.

And there in is the beauty of contentment.

Finally it has all clicked and that huge chip on my shoulder has lifted. That is not to say that this going to be easy. I think it may be a long term work in progress but there are the benefits of being at peace with who you are and acceptance of yourself. I will never be Elle Mcpherson but

I am Jaki Crow and plan to be the very best version of myself that I can be - because of, and not in spite of, the influence of my Mom - good and bad.

As we head towards the end of 2011 and start to make our new years resolutions remember to be kind to yourself and accept the things you cannot change and maximize the potential in the things you can. Just be the very best version you can be of yourself!

Wishing you and your families all a very Merry Christmas and make 2012 your year of contentment.

Bye for now!

Pakenham Gazette Oaks Day Best Dressed - Marlene Burhop

A big congratulations to Marlene Burhop who won the Best Dressed Mature Lady award at the Pakenham Gazette Oaks Day on the 3rd of November, 2011. Marlene amazed the judges in a canary yellow dress, complimented with a long deep purple jacket and matching lace shoes and gloves as well as a new season patent black Mimco clutch. 
Marlene also had her make up done on the day by one of our very talented Estee Lauder Ladies..


So there you go ladies, it doesn't matter what age you are, a little pampering is always fun!! 


Upcoming events?? Needing to have you make up done?? Please phone us on 9707 1555 and speak to one of our friendly staff members who will be more than happy to answer any of your questions.


Bye for now!!