PRECIOUS CARGO: The Facelift Edition
Things you probably can…but shouldn’t do without.

	LIPFUSION XL Who can resist a double dose of collagen and hyaluronic acid to dramatically plump, firm and smooth those luscious lips?  Arm yourself with this sleek silver wand and instant gratification plus long term benefits over continued use will end all envy of Jolie. Sephora $50
	LIFTFUSION FACE LIFT Why stop now? Once you’ve plumped those lips, say goodbye to frown lines, forehead furrows, crow’s feet and those pesky nasolabial lines without painful injections. The instant lifter is your most ardent date on a special night and indispensable to looking like you’ve turned the clock back. Sephora $140
	DDF Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer Large pores aren’t just unattractive during photo shoots. Dab this on and see how the appearance of pores and fine lines is minimized to give you that flawless porcelain glow and how hydrated and nourished your skin feels instantly. Sephora $85
	HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY LIFT TV personality, Kym Douglas, who has appeared on Ellen and Good Day LA looks age-proof thanks to her proprietary product that delivers the “Red Carpet” look within just 10 minutes. Once applied, younger, healthier, more radiant skin is yours for a full 24 hours!  Apply, wait 10 minutes, rinse away and apply moisturizer – You’re there!   800-373-0113 $49.95 (includes FREE moisturizer)

KILLER ABS: Plank

Everyone out there wants a flat stomach and six-pack abs.  The majority of people mistakenly believe that all they have to do is a couple hundred sit-ups or crunches three to four times a week and they’ll have the six-pack of their dreams. After a proper diet, and much more important and effective than any crunch or sit up, is core training which includes more than just your abs.  Your core involves the entire area between your neck and waist, front and back of the body. The basic idea behind core training is to use your abs muscles to stabilize and support the rest of your entire body.

My personal favorite core exercise is ‘the plank.”  A plank is an exercise where you are positioned on the floor face down with only your elbows and your toes touching the ground and everything else suspended in air and in a straight line like a plank. No matter how strong your core is there are different ways to make this more challenging.  For example, you can do it with one leg and/or one hand in the air.  Hold this for 20 seconds to a minute.

Be assured that you can and should work out your abs daily because unlike the rest of your body which may require a day or two of rest, the abs can handle the strain since you engage these muscles regularly and through the day even when you’re sitting, standing or walking around. Sit ups and crunches still help and are effective, but they target muscle-building rather than burning the fat that’s covering them.

-- Aldolynn Douvone Howard (Certified Personal Trainer).