I have a milestone birthday coming up, and every time I think of it, I choke on the number. Like many before me, I’ve set goals to achieve before the milestone date, including one fitness goal and one about my appearance. Ironically, I want gravity’s help with the first goal, and in the second I am trying to defy it.
Regarding fitness, I want to improve my flexibility. My goal is to loosen up my hips and hamstrings and get my splits back. I was a very flexible gymnast in my formative years, yet now I feel like I can’t get out of bed without herniating a disc (slight exaggeration).
Through my work at Sault College, I volunteered to take a series of free personal training sessions as practical training for the Fitness and Health Promotion program students. While in my second session, I realized that I have been dreaming of having my splits back for too long. What a wonderful program for students interested in everything from personal training to using it as a stepping stone diploma towards a degree in kinesiology.
With the breadth of knowledge of the instructors of the program (including Lisa and Heidi), it really is no surprise that it has been a wonderful experience. Suffice it to say that I would recommend my trainer, Jaelyn, to anyone looking to gain or regain any level of bendiness or fitness. (I hear that outside of the College that she works at Catalyst.)
My second goal was to start a skincare regimen to hopefully stave off time’s handiwork. I’d read about a boycott of Nestle products, including skincare, since they were refusing to stop doing business with Russia. According to one boycott website, Nestle has significant ownership positions in or owns the following brands outright: “L’Oreal, Laboratoires Innéov, Maybelline, Garnier, Lancome, Biotherm, Ralph, Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Guy Laroche, Matrix, Redken.” What’s left?
Luckily, I found Babor. While not cheap, thanks to the money that I saved on personal fitness classes, I could justify indulging in multiple products, my favourites so far being the anti-wrinkle serum and lifting cream. Before Babor, I did nothing, other than sometimes remembering to remove my eyeliner before bed. Now, I feel almost decadent, taking the time to pamper myself with a daily routine. This alone made their products a valuable investment.
I can’t believe I’m raving about packaging, but I really enjoyed the deboxing process. Inside the lovely white and gold boxes were little gold “eggs” of sunshine. They sit on my counter in a prestigious position, because I won’t hide them in a drawer.
I have a dry T-zone, and have tried different creams over the years, but even the non-comedogenic products gave me pimples. I am excited to report that Babor’s cruelty-free product leaves my face feeling soft, and my neck tighter, with no breakouts. I keep looking at those gold containers on the counter like Tolkien’s ring thinking “my precioussssssss.”
I couldn’t wait until my, gulp, 50th birthday to share my joy about my ‘resolutions’ in progress with you. If you care to grant me a very early birthday wish, please ask that gravity pull my legs closer to the floor for the splits, and that Babor counteracts the gravity on my face and neck. ????