Exercise

[cinnamonfern]

I know this isn't anything new to hear to anyone here, but exercise is a great way to less the urges and obsessive thinking about picking. People have been telling me for so long, "Get on your tredmill, get some
exercise", and I finally did cause I want to get in shape and lose some weight, but it really does make you feel good like I did something worthwhile, plus I feel so energized. My picking this week has been really good, hardly picked at all, wonder if the decrease is cause of the exercise? C'mon guys, lets take all that negative feeling and turn it into postive energy!

[reflection]

I agree!!!!!
Getting fit is the key to so many problems. I have started jogging again, something i havnt done for a long time, but used to LOVE and was addicted to.
My facial person said exercise helps the skin too cos of the blood circulation and fresh air!!!
I see an improvement already... I have color and glow and I feel like picking less!!!!
Went jogging today in woods, with intervals up and down stairs!!!!

Hope u too had an activ day!!! ;D

[cinnamonfern]

That's great, Reflection! We all could use exercise in our lives. I have also been eating healthier, that is making sure I eat my 3 meals a day, and if I want to snack on something, I'll have apples or something that's low fat. I've been drinking so much water, which is also great for your skin! I used to drink so much soda, which I admit, was hard to give up, but I'm now drinking tons of water. Hope I also see some results in my weight soon! ;D

[lauryn]

so true but yet so hard to get motivated when you look like shit

[cinnamonfern]

I know how u feel Lauryn, I felt the same way, but once I started and stuck to exercising, I don't wanna stop now, cause I feel like I actually did something positive and I think my picking has decreased since I started, I feel like I'm getting into a good habit instead of a bad one like picking. I know, it's tough.

[lauryn]

today is the day i start

i hope

[lauryn]

exercise
Exercise can help acne by increasing the blood flow to the skin and providing oxgyen to the skin cells. Moderate sweating will clean the pores from the inside. This in turn will aid skin health and reduce acne by both preventing further outbreaks of acne and helping existing acne disappear. Spots and blackheads will heal quicker and scars will fade.

Exercise will improve the fitness of your internal organs so they will be able to work more efficiently. Improved cardio-vascular fitness will mean your heart and lungs will get oxygen round your body more effectively. Your liver, kidneys and bowel will be able to work better to get the right nutrients out of the food you eat and get toxins out of your system more quickly. Exercise rebalances hormones and reduces stress — both are precursors of acne.

hygiene
Make sure you shower as soon after exercising as possible to wash away the sweat where bacteria can grow. This is especially important if you have acne on you back and chest.

[lauryn]

sweat and your skin

On the contrary! Moderate exercise is actually good for your skin — it helps you maintain a healthy body and manage your stress levels, too. If you find your acne is aggravated by regular exercise, then you may want to examine your routine. What do you wear? Where do you go? How hard do you work? Exercise-related acne is usually caused by something you put on your body rather something you do with it. Remove these outside factors, and you may put an end to your workout breakouts. Here are just a few things to watch for.

Make-up. When exercising, wear as little make-up as possible. Even oil-free and non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) cosmetics can clog pores if worn during heavy exercise. When you’re done working out, wash as soon as possible.

Sunscreen. If your regimen takes you outdoors, always wear sunscreen. While acne may improve slightly after brief periods in the sun, studies show that prolonged exposure actually promotes comedones (clogged pores) and, of course, sun damage. Some kinds of acne medication make skin more sensitive to the sun, so sunscreen is even more important. When choosing a sunscreen, look for products that are oil-free and have a protection factor of at least SPF 15 for both UVA and UVB rays. Like make-up, sunscreen can travel across the skin’s surface and lodge in the pores — so wash immediately after working out.

Clothing. If you’re prone to body acne, avoid garments made exclusively with lycra or nylon. Why? Some synthetic fabrics can trap the heat and moisture against your skin, creating a fertile breeding ground for the bacteria that contribute to acne. For moderate exercise, your best bet is lightweight, loose-fitting cotton, or a lycra-cotton blend. Natural fabrics allow the skin to breathe, and loose garments are less likely to cause friction. If you’re exercising vigorously and working up a good sweat, however, you may want to try some of the new fabrics designed to wick moisture away from your skin.

Equipment. Some people are more likely to get acne or have their lesions aggravated in the areas affected by sports equipment. The best defense against friction-related breakouts is a good fit — make sure your helmet doesn’t slide around on your forehead, or your wetsuit isn’t too tight under the arms. You can also curb equipment-triggered breakouts by lining your helmet with a layer of soft, washable cotton fabric; it's a great use for those old t-shirts, too. And no matter what the sport, it’s always a good idea to keep your equipment clean and dry when not in use.

Moisture. Mom was right: You should get out of those wet clothes! No matter how you get your exercise — treadmill, trail, tennis court, or whatever — don’t sit around in your sweaty clothes or wet bathing suit when you’re done. If you can, shower off immediately and change into dry clothes before driving home. If this isn’t possible, change into dry clothes and wipe down as well as you can. When toweling sweat off your face, always use a clean towel, and blot gently rather than wipe. Vigorous wiping can irritate your skin, driving make-up and sunscreen deeper into the pores.

Showering. Again, it’s best to shower immediately after working out. You may want to use a medicated exfoliant cleanser, but always be gentle with your skin. Scrubbing harder isn’t going to make you any cleaner, or make your acne go away — and it may actually irritate existing lesions or promote the development of new ones. If you can't shower right away, you can still curb breakouts by wiping down with medicated pads; keep a few in your gym bag just in case.

So keep up the good work! A healthy exercise program is an integral part of your overall health; and a healthy body is more likely to have healthy skin. Just keep an eye on the various factors that accompany your regimen, and try to remove the acne triggers — you’ll be on your way to breakout-free workouts.

[kimj]

lauryn said:

so true but yet so hard to get motivated when you look like shit

The times when I do it most are when I'm watching tv, on the computer or just alone in my apartment. I got some light dumbells and i plan to keep them close by and lift them when I get the urge to pick. That way you don't have to leave the house to exercise.

[Happyface!]

I happen to be a group fitness instructor and of course, must promote exercise. The more fit you are, the more energy you have. You want to be out doing something instead of sitting in front of a mirror all day!

Also, I used to be obese and didn't care where I picked at because if I was covered up, people just thought it was my fat I was hiding. Thanks to a lot of exercise, I now have a great body and really want to show it off all the time! The only place I pick now is my face, because I can cover it with make up!

I became a group instructor, because I am in front of a lot of people every day. It may be vain, but if I know I have a class the next day, I don't want to be seen all bruised, blotchy and scabby!

Excercise definitely helps relieve stress which is a major factor for a lot of pickers.

Excercise is not the be all and end all of course. I taught classes every day last week and still spent at least an hour picking each day. We can only improve the outside so much before we need to start looking inside too!