I have extremely dry, scaly skin. I'm only in my early 30s but my skin looks like someone in their 70s. Has anyone been in my shoes and tried a regimen or products that worked? Whether over-the-counter or prescription (I use Palmer's Cocoa-Butter now)? Diet (I don't currently drink a lot of water)? Exercise (I don't currently exercise)? Loofahs? Please help. I want to show more skin for the summer!

Hi,

I am in your shoes but since I have started using Arbonne's awaken sea salt shower scrub (the oil helps so much)
and the re9 body lotion my skin has never been better.

It's not cheap but to me not having snake skin, I am thrilled.

Also be careful not to use any products that contain mineral oil it hardens skin not softens it (most brands use this as its cheap) not good for you!!!

Good Luck…

Drink water.

I'm 13 years old and I really want to lose weight. It's not because of what other people say, but because I want to be healthier and feel good about myself. How can I lose weight fast?
Also, in the summer, I tend to snack a lot without even realizing it. Is there any way to help that?

Weight loss is an overall process and there are no magic answers. Pay no attention to weight loss supplements and pills and all the latest fads. You need to think about many factors but most of them are related to issues we've known about for a very long time. There are many sensible things you can do that will make a tremendous difference over the long term if you need to lose weight. It can be done in a healthy way. This is what has worked for me.

Keeping a food journal really does help. It will give you a much better sense of how much you are eating, and when, and why.

Make a few additional small changes – walk everywhere, always use stairs instead of elevators, walk on escalators, get up and move around at least once an hour if your work or your life in general is sedentary, walk every day, use a pedometer. Walking 10,000 steps a day is a really good idea. Build up to a long brisk walk everyday, or most days. Be more active and watch less TV and spend less time on the computer. Buy one piece of exercise equipment to have at home and be strict with yourself about using it. Sometimes you can find mini-steppers or exercise bikes at second hand stores and thrift stores for just a few dollars.

Start a weight lifting routine. Join a gym. Possibly you can find one that has someone who specializes in weight lifting programs for beginners. Weight lifting will increase your metabolism as well as improve posture and appearance overall. Even if you can't get to the gym you can work out at home using things around the house. Invest in a good weight training book. The Dummies series actually has a good one.

In terms of diet, cut out or reduce things like junk food, pop, fat, fast food. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, fish. Particularly if you choose a vegetarian lifestyle include natural peanut butter, hummus, dried fruit and nuts. Pay close attention to getting the nutrients your body needs to be healthy.

Make your portion sizes smaller. Use a smaller plate – in our society we have become accustomed to thinking that we need a large plate of food at every meal, and we don't. About quarter of your plate of food should be protein and at least half of it should be veggies.

Learn to count calories. At your current weight and activity level, you may possibly need about 2000 calories or more to maintain your current weight. So you will lose weight at a reasonable and healthy rate if you cut back to about 1600 or 1700 calories a day.

Eat small amounts frequently, rather than three large meals. Never skip breakfast. Include some protein in your breakfast. It will help get you through the day.

Drink plenty of water, at least 8 big glasses of water a day, and more if it is very hot, if you sweat a lot, or if you are exercising intensely, and eliminate fruit juices. Fruit juices have too many calories, so get your vitamins from fresh fruit, not the juice. You will begin to see changes in your body.

Vary your routines. Don't eat the same number of calories every day (vary your calories from 1400 a day to 1900 or 2000 some days), eat a variety of foods, and do different kinds and amounts of exercise. You will lose weight much more efficiently if you mix things up from time to time so that your body doesn't adjust to any one routine.

An area that many people overlook is getting enough sleep. You are much more likely to overeat or to binge eat if you are tired and not well rested, so get enough sleep.

Check out websites about nutrition, exercise, weight training, etc. Here are a few helpful links.

http://www.nutrawatch.com/

http://www.caloriesperhour.com/

http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_diet.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Weight-the-Healthy-Way

http://weightloss.about.com/cs/fitness/a/aa011503a.htm

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/no-weight-workout?page=4

I am 16 and gained a lot of weight in the last year because I have been really sick. I used to eat really healthy and run but recently (from being sick) I have become really lazy. I really want to lose weight and tone up in the healthy way. Every time I make a diet plan, I CAN'T stick to it! I also am always hungry so portion control is really hard. (I am on a med with that side effect)

Hey Lauren,

Losing weight is a constant struggle, and something that I have been fighting with for the better part of my life. I was overweight as I child, and always thought I would grow out of it.

But I kept getting bigger and bigger as I got older. I blamed it on everything. I tried all the fad diets and none of them ever did me any good. I was always left dissapointed in the results.

I am a huge oprah addict, and one day she was talking with Dr. Oz about the powers of acai berry for Fast weight loss. They were talking about how all of the celebrities are now using it to lose weight quickly for their movie roles.

The only downside is that it works very well, and can be quite expensive. That is because it Works.

But being the thrifty person that I am. I managed to find a website on google that gives a free 30 day free trial.

http://lose37poundsquickly.blogspot.com/

After I ordered it, it came within 3 days. I have only been taking it for about 2 months now, but have already lost 47 pounds.

I have never felt better in my life. My energy level is through the roof. I look and feel better about my life. And everyone I know is constantly complementing me on how good I look and asking how I did it.

Get your free trial below:

http://lose37poundsquickly.blogspot.com/

Good Luck!

hi im 15 and im EXTREMELY athletic. i do about 3-4 hours of intensive fencing/excersise each day. i am 6'1" and 200 pounds. my goal is to be 170-175. any diet plans ? tips? sites?

phetamine diet pills ive been on them 4 16 days and ive lost 8lb

I feel more better when I drink diet coke. I drink the caffine free kind. I like it better but I will drink the caffine one if there isnt caffine free. I feel more full than I usually am by drinking diet pepsi. Could this make an effect on my weight?

no. studies show diet drinks actually make you hungrier. Plus, the safety of artifical sweetners are still in question.

Some people focus so hard on 'dropping pounds" that they forget the motivation is supposed to be health. the best thing to drink to loose wieght is water. Always has been.