Fitness skincare

How to keep your skin fit while your body enjoys a workout, reports PRIYA NAIR

We don’t often realise that while working out to keep our bodies fit, we need to pay special attention to the needs of our skin. People who exercise are prone to skin problems caused by the nature of the fitness routine they follow. While exercising is a great way to stay healthy, whether you walk or swim, go to a gym or play an energetic game of squash, it is important to remember that vigorous physical activity comes with its own peril. Here are some skin issues that can come up with various kinds of exercises. So be sure to maintain a hygienic and protective routine for your skin, while exercising.

Swimming

You absolutely must use body lotion after a swim to combat dryness caused by the chlorine and as far as possible, use one with fewer chemicals and fragrances, as they add to the drying effect

Whether you swim in an indoor or outdoor pool, the chlorinated water in swimming pools makes the skin really dry and damages hair as well –especially if you colour it. The best way to deal with this is to shower immediately after a swim. When you shower, use a soap-free, foaming cleanser or a shower gel which lathers up to get rid of that pool chemical smell. And because shower gels don’t come off the skin as fast as soap, you can spend more time under fresh water, washing it off. You absolutely must use body lotion after a swim to combat dryness caused by the chlorine and as far as possible, use one with fewer chemicals and fragrances, as they add to the drying effect. Also use a colour protecting shampoo for your hair – preferably one that is mild and can be used often.

If you plan to swim in an outdoor pool for long, use a water-resistant sunscreen before you jump in.

Gym fitness

If you prefer to go to a gym to workout, be sure to drink lots of water. Hydration is vital, especially when exercising in a closed environment like a gym. Even without a vigorous workout, a person loses about 2 litres of water a day, and if your fitness routine has aerobic exercises included with weight training etc, you will lose much more water. You sweat much more and therefore it is important to rehydrate and compensate for the water loss. If you don’t drink enough water while exercising, blood flow to the skin reduces and over time it will affect the cell renewal process of the skin, making it look dry and wrinkles will make an early appearance. With an aerobic exercise routine, drink at least half a litre of water a couple of hours before exercising, about 300 ml just before you start and keep sipping water every 15 minutes during your workout. Make sure to drink enough water half an hour after you finish exercising. Use a rehydrating natural drink like coconut water or nimbu paani, or the branded rehydrating ones you see everywhere.

Outdoor exercises

A lot of people prefer to go for a walk, jog or a run depending on their level of fitness, as they prefer fresh air and an outdoor environment to the confines of a gym. It is a great way to give your skin some exercise as well, especially if walking in a park where fresh oxygen from the trees, coupled with crisp, cool air will add to your skin’s healthy glow. But given the polluted times we live in and the UV rays of the sun doing their bit to add to the damage, it is imperative that you wear sunscreen. If not, your body gets a workout but your skin starts to age. The factors to remember are that not just any sunscreen will suffice and the time of the day that you are out for a walk also makes a difference. Opt for a sunscreen with SPF 15-30 at the least, making sure it is light in texture so that it doesn’t clog the pores of your skin. Also, remember to wash the sunscreen off your face after exercising because sweat combines with sebum that clogs pores and attracts dirt. Wear a cap to protect your hair from sun damage and also to keep your face out of the sun.

Other tips to remember are: l Drink plenty of water no matter what kind of exercise you do. l Remember to spritz your face with a facial mist to keep the skin moist. l If you have had a couple of drinks the night before, avoid exercising the next day as you will sweat more and lose more moisture. l Never, ever wear make-up while exercising. The make-up will run when you sweat and will also clog your pores. l But a bit of lipstick is okay even while you exercise – be it at a gym or a park.

Your skin is the largest organ in the body and it protects other body parts that keep you active and healthy. Make sure you look after it well, so that you can continue staying fit.

If you don’t drink enough water while exercising, blood flow to the skin reduces and over time it will affect the cell renewal process of the skin, making it look dry and wrinkles will make an early appearance

Hen’s night ideas

Dear Auntyji

My best friend is getting married and there is a lot of pressure on me as I am planning her hen’s night and people are making all sorts of silly suggestions. Some friends think that it is her last night of freedom and so we should go wild. Others are saying that a quiet dinner will be better, an occasion to reflect on all the beautiful moments of celebration of the institution of marriage. Please advise me Auntyji: down and dirty, or upright and moral?

Auntyji says

Both darling, both! There is no reason why you can’t do both. Life is always a mix of badmashi and good behaviour. As long as it does not lead to badnaami we are all fine. On my hen’s night party, we all sat around the farmyard and looked at hens laying eggs. My 70-year-old grandmother (god bless her) then embarked on a big lecture of the birds and bees. Now, while that was embarrassing, it became even more so when Dadiji used to forget midway through the sentence that my Mataji would jump in to help. Eeeek, that almost turned me away from the whole idea of marriage… but then once I got to know Uncleji, it was all ok! Go organise a girl’s night out at a top restaurant, get a private room and have lots of fun. But take along with you some of the older women in the family like the mother and the aunts who with their presence, will keep the decorum. All will be fun and under control. Remember to toast the bride and wish her all the best for the wonderful life she is about to embark on with the love of her life. Of course, if the mother and aunts get out of hand, then you could be in trouble.

What should I tell da bro?

Yo Auntyji Whassup? I’m 24 years old and to tell it to you like it is, man, I have lived a carefree live. Free like da little birdies. I got into drugs and all ‘cos all my friends were into it, you know what I mean? But it’s not like I was an addict or anything. Anyways, over eight weeks ago, I went to my bro’s house and he had $250 lying on the drawer just like that and I wanted some gold so I just pop it in me pocket and walked away. So’s my brother got all upset and he doesn’t know where the money went and he gonna call da police and all. Anyway, I’m trying to get off those drugs, man, ‘cos I hear they can kill you. But I’m thinking, should I be telling me bro I took tha dough? I feel bad, and I want to be good now, Auntyji dude. I promise.

Matrimonials

Seeking Brides

Seeking match for my brother, Senior Manager in Reliance Bangalore, India. 37 years/5’11”, issueless divorcee, clean shaven Sikh, extra ordinary personality, responsible, caring. Parents settled in Baroda, sister married to Army doctor, happy to migrate, caste no bar. Contact Manisha 0401 542 550

Saraswat Brahmin (Punjabi) boy, 29 years, 5’9” M.Sc Maths, B.Ed, good property in India, pure vegetarian. Looking for Australian PR / citizen girl. Caste no bar. Contact 0433 778 222 or email naresh2981@gmail.com

Palghat Brahmin Iyer, 32/5’9”, MBA, MS, pure veg, dual citizen, working as IT Operations Specialist at large Telecom at Melbourne CBD, pleasant looks, seeks bride under 30 with similar cultural background. Horoscope available. Please email kkrangan@yahoo.com or contact 0418 720 781 for more information.

Brahmin family from north India seek suitable bride for their son, handsome, fair colour, slim, never married, nonsmoker, non-drinker, broadminded, 29 years, 5’ 5”. He lives in Sydney while his parents are in India, and earns well. The girl should be good looking, well educated,

Yo? Whassup? What the hell is wrong with you, boy, can’t you speak English? Nothing is more pathetic than a brown boy pretending to be white pretending to be black. Leave this to the experts. Look, you’ve already fallen from grace as far as I am concerned so just go to your brother, tell him you were high on coke that day and you took the money to buy a gun so you could shoot your dealer. Your brother will be so shocked that he’ll do anything to help you out. Of course, this is the easy way out. If you really want to get your act together, go and tell your brother the truth. And then deal with the consequences - what the hell, you do the crime, you pay the time. And if you’re still a bewakoof bachcha and you don’t want to take responsibility for your actions, then go and sneak the money into your brother’s trouser pants, but not while he is wearing the trousers. And while I’m dishing out advice, can you please learn to speak properly - that damn patois you’re using is really irritating to us educated folks.

Innocent chokri, or exhibitionist?

Dear Auntyji

We live in a high rise apartment on the north shore of Sydney. Across the window from us lives another Indian girl. Each morning, as she makes breakfast, she walks around in her underwear. She wears a skirt on her lower half, but her top half is only clad in underwear. She probably doesn’t even know that other people are looking at her. My problem is that I think my husband must feel very uncomfortable when he sees this nangi kudi prancing around in her kitchen. I haven’t said anything to my husband yet. Do you think I should say something to this girl, who I don’t know? I was thinking of leaving a note under her door.

Auntyji says family oriented, and from Brahmin background. Initial contact, with profile, can be made at raj2010syd@gmail.com

What? You want to leave a note under her door? Whatever on earth for? Just because you don’t like looking at this girl doesn’t mean that the rest of the residents in your block of flats must be denied this visual feast either. If you don’t like what you see, then don’t look. As for your husband, if he perves on the girl, then you’ve got a problem. You will have to tell him how you feel when he looks at this sundari. And for god’s sake, woman, don’t go accusing him of anything. In fact, I would take a different approach. One day, while this girl is in the kitchen and so is your husband, tell him how you think the girl has a great figure, but you’re hoping that he isn’t perving on her. Your husband will get the message. It’s simply rude to stare at anyone - whether or not they are putting their charms on display for the world to see. If it bothers you this much, invest in some venetian blinds. But don’t go writing a note to the girl - what she does in her apartment is her business.

Parents of Gujarati Patel boy seek bride for their son, age 29 years, Australian citizen, IT professional, permanent job. Visit www.Bharatmatrimony.com and search for his ID G584083 to find more details or call Kesh Patel on 02 8205 8409 / 0401 548 194 to discuss further.

Australian citizen, 36 years, settled and working in Sydney as a professional employer. Seeking girl between 27 and 36, no caste bar. Please contact 0416 398 869 or for other details and photo mail me at satishsingh_2009@ yahoo.com.au

Seeking Grooms

Seeking a suitable match for Panjabi girl 28 years (Aust citizen), 5’8”, fair, never married, working in Sydney. Seeking match with progressive and broadminded personality, preferably settled in Sydney, caste no bar. Parents currently live in Brunei. Send details and recent photo at mukeshrandev@hotmail.com or Tel: 00 673-233 4324 (Res).

Seeking alliance for our 23-year old, 5’3” beautiful Sarswat Brahmin daughter.

She is an engineering professional with strong family values. We have been settled in Sydney for 18 years. Please send your details and latest photo and horoscope at as76176@gmail.com

Seeking alliance for Sunni Muslim girl from India, 36 years, 5’3”, fair, software consultant working in USA, strong family values. Looking for Sunni Muslim boy, non-smoker, non-alcoholic and follower of Halal food. Please contact on marrylink@ymail.com with photograph and details.

Seeking suitable groom for a Tamil Brahmin girl (Kodanya/5/8/23 years) professionally qualified and working in Bangalore. Family well settled in India. Seeking 26-29 year old groom, qualified and match with strong cultural and family background. Please email kallvidhya@ yahoo.com with your biodata.

Seeking a professional and caring boy for a smart, MBA, professional and homely 26-year-old girl working in management in a leading private bank in India. Grandparents currently visiting Sydney. Please send details on mainirahul@ gmail.com

Seeking suitable professionally qualified, Hindu, well-settled match for Indianbased Hindu girl, never married, 30 years,

160cm, practicing as an architect and interior designer in India. Please contact Shivani Baheti (elder sister) on 0421530 876 or bahetived@yahoo.com.

Sister and brother-in-law seek suitable groom for Gujarati Brahmin girl, professionally qualified. Family well settled in India. Seeking 26-29 year old, qualified match with strong cultural and family background. Please email biodata and recent pictures to Meghna.joshi@ato.gov. au or contact 0433 613 676.

Parents seek educated and wellsettled boy for Hindu Punjabi girl, IT professional, Australian citizen, born 1977, 5’ 6” slim, never married. Please send details and recent, clear photo to vnsb2009@gmail.com

Seeking alliance for our 24-year old, 5’4” beautiful Sikh daughter. She is a finance professional with strong family values. We are settled in Sydney for many years. Please send your details and photo at kuldeeponly@gmail.com

Brother seeks suitable groom for Hindu Gupta girl, professionally qualified. Family well settled in India. Seeking a 2830 year old, professionally qualified match, with strong family values. Please send biodata and recent picture to vikjas@gmail. com or contact 0401 318 439.