It is so easy to tell yourself that you are going to accomplish something new, change or improve something in your life. This could include losing weight, changing careers, or just learning a new skill. But what happens when this task takes longer than you had allowed for? Your motivation starts to disappear and quite often you give up on the idea altogether.

The hard part comes shortly after you have started your particular journey. You get sidetracked with other things and your goal becomes nothing but a distant memory. 

Weight loss is a fine example of this. If you have ever tried to lose weight you know your enthusiasm is high for the first week or two. As you make lifestyle changes the pounds drop off quickly and you are feeling great about your efforts.

A few weeks into your diet you plateau and don’t lose any weight. You start to eat a little more or stop exercising as much and then before you know it you have abandoned your goal and have gone back to your old habits.

There are several reasons for this. First, you may not have recognized that plateauing is a perfectly normal occurrence when it comes to losing weight. Secondly, did you use not losing any weight as an excuse to have that extra treat or to miss a workout? Your mind can do wonderful things and is capable of coming up with hundreds of reasons to not do something. 

The number one reason for not attaining a certain goal is often put down to lack of motivation. To stay motivated and focused, you can do a number of things including:

1. Know your why

In order to make any type of change in your life, you need to have a good reason to do so. Having a goal is wonderful but the reason you have to reach that goal is probably more important. If you want to change your job then you need to have a reason for doing so, reasons could include; wanting more money, moving to a new location, or more opportunities.

2.  Set smaller goals

  A great example of this is suddenly deciding that you will run a marathon. While this is a great goal, if you focus on nothing but running 26 miles, those miles will stretch further into the distance. Instead, you want to break down the 26 miles into smaller parts. Why not focus on running a 5K instead? This will seem much more manageable to you and you can reach your goal faster. By having a certain goal within your grasp you will stay motivated longer. As you picture yourself reaching that goal you can feel proud of your accomplishment. Once there, you can then concentrate on running a half marathon, and before you know your goal of running a full marathon will become a reality.

Weight loss is also a perfect example here. If you need to lose 20 kg don’t focus on this amount. Instead, if you set smaller goals of 2 kg per month you will find that you can stay on track better. If you meet this goal faster than one month that is great then just keep on going. If you are struggling or lose a little less then don’t give up, just refocus and set your next monthly goal at 1.5kg.

3. Track your goals

Having a vision of what you want is a great way to stay motivated. This is why many people recommend keeping track of your goals. This can be done in various ways depending upon your goal. You can get tools like a calendar, vision board, food tracker, or exercise planner to help you stay on track.

Read: Tools to help you achieve your goals

 If your goal is to lose weight then keep photos and images of your progress. If it is another type of goal then keep a journal or blog of your journey. This way you can see what you are struggling with and what you are accomplishing.

Next, you really need to be honest with yourself. If you have lost 15 kg before you hit that plateau then congratulate yourself on that achievement. Focus on what you have done and not where you have to go! This is why it is often a good reason to keep photos of your journey. When you are feeling down take a look at them and remember what you did look like.

4. Get a support network 

 Getting support from family and friends can really make a world of difference to your goals. Just being able to share your achievements is often motivation enough to keep on going. Plus today it is really easy to share things with your family and friends.

If you are learning a new sport you can download apps that allow you to set goals and share your progress on Facebook and Twitter. You can even get rewards and trophies as you reach your milestones. Another way to get support is to join a group of people with the same goals. You can find these groups online on social media or offline in clubs or associations interested in that activity.

If you put these four factors into practice you will find that you have both the drive and commitment to finally make those lifestyle changes you have dreamed about.

 Read: How to create good habits to help you achieve your goals

For most people, their skin will never look better than when they are in their 20s. For others, it will never look worse. How your skin looks at the age you’re in really depends on your genetics and many other factors, but it can also be affected by using the wrong products or using the right products wrongly.  The top 8 skin care tips for healthy skin are listed below.

1. Protect Yourself from the Sun

 Sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats are all important tools to help you protect your skin from the sun. While a little sun exposure each day, up to 30 minutes each day, is healthy, overexposing is not. You’ll want to ensure that you use sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to help protect your skin from the sun to keep it healthy. 

Practicing sun protection by wearing a sunscreen of sun protection factor(SPF) 30 and above can  prevent sun damage. Sun damage can cause the skin to develop uneven dark patches(melasma) if you are dark skinned. It can also cause aging and skin cancer.

2. Treat Acne Properly

 If you have acne, the best treatment is to seek medical advice. Some people have acne due to hormonal imbalances, others have it due to genetics, others still due to an allergic reaction to things like dairy. The main thing to know is that if you have acne, you don’t want to touch your acne and cause further infection and scaring by picking at your skin. Find a professional who uses the most natural methods and stick to that.

3. Avoid Using Too Many Products

 Many people get a little crazy with the products, piling them on and ending up with skin issues. All you really need is gentle soap for washing, a microfiber washcloth/towel for wiping and drying, and a skin type appropriate moisturizer with sunscreen. For makeup, less is more too, but you can use a lot if you make sure it doesn’t have a lot of additives.

4. Remove Makeup before Bed

 No matter how natural your makeup is, washing your face before bed is an essential beauty regime that will really make a huge difference. Wash off not just the day’s makeup but also the germs and oils that can cause acne and dullness. Add a night-time moisturizer, and your skin will work hard to repair itself while you sleep.

5. Get an Annual Skin Cancer Check

 Everyone is at risk of skin cancer, no matter what shade of skin you have. Getting an annual skin cancer check is one of the ways that you can reduce your risk of dying from highly treatable skin cancers. Most of the time, a simple procedure that takes less than 10 minutes can remove problem spots before they get serious.

6. Stay Hydrated and Eat Right

 Eating right and drinking enough water help to maintain and improve your health. Eating a diet that is high in plant nutrition is essential for healthy skin and eyes. Drinking enough water is also essential. 

Did you know that most people are dehydrated right now and don’t know it? Try focusing on drinking a minimum of 64 ounces to one gallon (depending on your height and weight) of water a day for 30 days. You will see a difference in your skin.

Read: Why is Avocado Good For The Skin?

7. Clean Your Makeup Applicators and Brushes

 You may be surprised at how damaging your makeup applicators and brushes can be to your skin. Dirty makeup brushes can cause an infection that looks like acne. Clean your brushes regularly with a good cleaner recommended for your type of applicators and brushes, and let them dry.

8. Get Your Beauty Sleep

 Sleeping enough each night gives your body time to perform repairs that only happen while you’re asleep. Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night helps cut down on sagging skin, dark circles, and dullness. Imagine that – you can look many years younger just from sleeping? .

You really don’t have to do much to keep your skin looking amazing and feeling amazing. Remember, less is more. Wash your skin gently, moisturize, eat right, and watch the sun exposure, and your skin will look its best all the time now and later.

Mango Orange Juice  

Ingredients

Instructions

Mango Pineapple Juice

Ingredients

Your immune system has a big task. It fights germs and keeps you from succumbing to sickness and disease. Because your immune system plays such a vital role in regard to your health, you should do everything you can to keep it strong. Here are some ways you can assist your immune system to make it the best it can be.

1. Focus on foods that can be eaten straight from nature. 

Concentrate on fresh fruits and vegetables, and add in healthy fats, lean proteins, and whole grains as well. By eating a large variety of foods, you will benefit from the combination of vitamins and minerals that each of them provides, which work together to strengthen your immune system.

2. Learn about the specific benefits of individual foods. 

There are many foods that have special immune-boosting qualities. Fresh garlic is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. Yogurt contains probiotics, which benefit the immune system by giving you a healthy balance of gut flora.

3. Practice good hygiene. 

steps such as washing your hands after using the bathroom and before eating can have a profound impact on your health. Your immune system will have fewer battles to fight if you focus on basic precautions such as these.

4. Get a sufficient amount of sleep every night.

 Your immune system works best when it has time to rest. If you do not get enough sleep, your immune system will be compromised, and will be less able to fight off colds and the flu.

5. Be physically active on a daily basis.

 Exercise stimulates the immune system by increasing the production of macrophages, which attack bacteria. One bout of exercise brings this effect for a few hours, and regular exercise extends this time period even further.

6. Drink lots of water to help your immune system function at its best

. Consuming at least 8 glasses of water per day assists your body in flushing out toxins. Your body also uses water to produce lymph, which transports white blood cells and other immune cells all over your body to fight infection and disease.

7. Avoid unnecessary chemicals and toxins

. Taking in chemicals and toxins puts stress on your immune system. Some are unavoidable but stay away from the ones you can. These include products with heavy pesticides, nicotine, and alcohol. Avoid chemicals you apply topically such as certain perfumes and lotions.

8. Get daily fresh air and sunlight. 

Sunlight is necessary to allow your body to synthesize the production of Vitamin D, which prevents susceptibility to infection. Breathing fresh air brings oxygen to every part of your body, which fights a variety of illnesses, infections, and diseases.

9. Reduce sugar and all substitutes.

 Sugar depresses the immune system, making it more likely for you to become ill with any virus that you are exposed to. Sugar substitutes are no better, which are related to a variety of health problems. Let fresh fruit satisfy your sweet tooth.

10. Make mental health a top priority.

 When you are not happy, your immune system suffers. Make time for your happiness and mental wellness. Surround yourself with people who love and care for you, and avoid people and situations that add to your stress level.

Your immune system fights on a moment-by-moment basis for you. It has a tough job to do already, so help it function at its peak. Do what you can to assist your immune system by following these 10 simple tips.