If Only You Could Turn Back Time


Tactics to slow the aging process

 

By Tom Bonanti

  

Face the facts, we are living in very stressful times. Worrying about your job and this crappy economy, not getting enough sleep, and poor nutritional habits are just a few of the factors that speed up the aging process in one hell of a hurry. You can use botox, collagen and a top notch plastic surgeon to fight off the ravages of 'Father Time', but you may go broke in the process. Result: more damn stress!  Why not let Mark's List offer a few cost-effective suggestions on how to eliminate some of your stress and the wrinkles that come with it.

Remember when your mother told you to stop scowling or your face would freeze that way? Well, your old lady had a point. Every time you cop a facial expression, tiny creases form underneath the surface of your skin; the more you do the expression, the deeper the creases. As you age and your skin loses moisture and elasticity, these lines turn into permanent deep grooves. Hint: so that you won’t end up looking like one of the apple trees in the Wizard of Oz, try to keep your eyes, eyebrows and forehead relaxed. Also, try sleeping on your back and avoid sleeping on your side with your face scrunched up in the pillow. Yes, more time on your back will keep you looking younger. And don’t forget the importance of moisturizing your skin at night and in the morning before you go to work. 

Yo-yo or crash diets are a no-no. While it’s tempting to starve yourself or try a new gimmick to shed fat fast, such strategies can wreak havoc with your heart, cause bagging, sagging skin, and make you fatter in the long run. Eat healthy and exercise regularly starting today. That waist and butt didn’t blimp out overnight, so it only makes sense that you can’t tone up and trim down and acquire a gorgeous body in a short period of time. Diet wisely by losing only 1-3 pounds per week and always combine a sound nutritional plan with wise, consistent exercise. 

Stop smoking and eating so many sweets. Both of these vices can cause wrinkles by speeding up the degradation of elastin and collagen, both crucial skin proteins. In addition, cigarette smoking can dry out your skin and give you bad breath and yellow teeth. Lovely! Try eating more fruit instead of cupcakes and brownies. Try replacing cigarettes with more sex. Great cardio! 

Life's a bitch and then you die – and stress is here to stay. But when stress makes you feel out of control, certain catabolic hormones, like cortisol, adrenaline and neurodrenaline, rage wildly in your body speeding up the aging process. Try deep  breathing activities like Yoga and meditation, which can be done anywhere. Try listening to classical music. A little Mozart can make you calmer and smarter, too. Masturbation is also a great stress releaser, but not recommended at your job. 

A great tan is sexy. But years of baking and broiling can also cause skin to become dry, splotchy and wrinkled. To prevent these casualties, use a sunscreen (a minimum of SPF-15) daily and your skin will retain its moisture and absorb the sun’s cancer fighting and bone building Vitamin D. 

Here’s to youth, beauty, joy and happiness. Remember, life is too short to be stressed and miserable all the time. For more fitness tips, contact TrainerTomB@aol.com!

TOM BONANTI IS A CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER AND
OWNER OF PUMP’N INC GYM AT 1271 NE 9TH AVENUE
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33304, www.pumpnincgym.com.