Tips To Set Yourself Up For Success in 2019 (As Seen on CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”)

A new year feels like a clean slate — it’s the perfect time to press “reset” and establish new habits that will ultimately set us on the path towards success. This, of course, can include everything from kicking off new exercise regimens to developing better organizational skills, envisioning new career goals and taking steps to achieve them, learning more about nutrition and clean eating, establishing new haircare and skincare regimens, and adopting practices to nourish our minds, bodies and souls.  On that note, I stopped by CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” today to offer some tips on how to make 2019 your best year yet. Check out the segment above (or click here to view on CBSAustin.com) and keep reading for more details on everything discussed on TV!

DESK ACCESSORIES & FITNESS GEAR AVAILABLE AT JCPENNEY

To quote Benjamin Franklin, “For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” To make 2019 our most productive year to date, it’s essential to start by getting organized — and there’s no better way to do so than with a great weekly and monthly planner, along with a wall calendar you can hang right over your desk. With these tools, you can easily keep track of birthdays, anniversaries, work conferences, PTA meetings, play dates, doctors’ appointments, and more.

JCPenney has a great assortment of chic, quirky, and affordable desk accessories — all for under $25. Two great options are the Tf Publishing 2019 “Hello” Large Weekly/Monthly Planner ($16.99 at JCPenney.com) pictured above, which features a whimsical tropical leaf print, and the Tf Publishing 2019 “Life Of Leisure” Wall Calendar ($14.99 at JCPenney.com), which features the words, “Yes Way, Rosé” along the front and has a playful saying attributed to each month (the one for May 2019 for instant, reads, “The Only BS I Need Is Bags & Shoes”). Not only will these help you keep track of your schedule, but they’ll infuse a fun-loving vibe into your workspace.

And that’s not all: to stay committed to those fitness resolutions, you can visit JCPenney and pick up some budget-friendly workout gear and accessories like the Gaiam Gray Yoga Block ($10.99 at JCPenney.com), which helps yoga beginners improve their balance and flexibility, or the Sip by Swell Bottle Hydration Bottle Insulated Tumbler ($12.99 at JCPenney.com), a lightweight, leak-proof, his stainless steel, insulated bottle that keeps water cold for p to 24 hours.

NUTRATECH KETO PLUS BHB SUPPLEMENTS

Everyone’s talking about the keto diet. A newly buff Vinny Guadagnino has been espousing the low-carb diet’s benefits on MTV’s Jersey Shore Family Vacation.  In an Instagram post, Halle Berry credited keto with helping her maintain her youthful skin and enviable figure, as well as helping her manage her diabetes . Chipotle recently rolled out a Chipotle Keto Salad Bowl, containing pork carnitas, red salsa, cheese, and guacamole. Meal kit subscription service Green Chef, which specializes in plans for those with specific dietary needs, introduced plans tailored specifically to those following keto diet. The lost just goes on!

If you’re still a bit confused of what exactly the ketogenic diet is, here’s a primer: this strict diet involves drastically lowering your carb intake and replacing it with healthy fats so that your body can reach a metabolic state called ketosis. When you’re in ketosis, your body starts to convert stored fat into ketones to use as fuel (as opposed to glucose). With insulin levels low, fat burning increases dramatically, leading to rapid weight loss.

To reach ketosis faster, you can take two Nutratech Keto Plus BHB supplements ($29.97 at Amazon.com) daily. These capsules, feature Nutratech’s triple-stage beta-hydroxybutyrates (BHB) formula and are designed to help those on the keto diet lose weight quickly. They’re also great for those who struggle to get back into ketosis after a cheat meal.

Another great aspect of these supplements is that they eradicate many of the flu-like symptoms people experience when first switching to a keto lifestyle. Oftentimes, people report experiencing symptoms like fatigue, muscle soreness, dizziness, and trouble focusing (or what’s described as a “brain fog”). The Nutratech Keto Plus BHB capsules actually augment athletic endurance, heighten energy levels, and enhance mental focus, making that transitional period as smooth as possible,

VEGANSMART ORGANIC PEA PROTEIN SHAKE

To make the most of your newly established fitness regimen, it’s essential to consume protein after each workout: this will help to repair muscle tissue after exercise and will help you develop muscle mass. Protein shakes are, of course, a very convenient way to give your body the nutrients it needs. If you’re vegan, however, you know all too well that most protein powders are made using animal by-products like whey, eggs, and casein. Not exactly vegan-friendly, right? Luckily for vegans and those looking to establish cleaner-eating habits involving an abundance of plant-derived foods, VeganSmart offers some nutrient-dense, all-natural protein shakes that taste delicious! All of VeganSmart’s nutritional protein shakes are formulated using only plant-derived ingredients and hence contain no artificial flavors or colors, no MSG, and no preservatives. They’re also gluten-free and soy-free.

I’m particularly fond of the VeganSmart Organic Pea Protein Shake ($24.99 at VeganSmart.com, iHerb.com and Amazon.com), which is available in Chocolate Fudge and Vanilla.  This USDA certified organic shake contains a plant-based protein derived from non-GMO yellow peas. This pea protein isolate has a phenomenal amino acid profile that includes nine essential amino acids, making it all the more notable since essential amino acids can’t be synthesized by the human body and hence need to be consumed via our diets.

Each serving (2 scoops) contains 20 grams of protein, and it’s low in carbs so it’s great for those trying to cut down on starchy foods. Oh, and did I mention it’s delicious?

CELSIUS FITNESS DRINK

Did you eat one too many gingerbread cookies and sip on a few too many cups of eggnog over the holidays? Well, you’re not alone — and, with the help of CELSIUS, you can maximize each workout and burn more calories than ever, shedding those extra pounds and getting in tip-top shape. See, the CELSIUS fitness drink features a MetaPlus Blend that’s clinically proven to increase your metabolism so you can burn more calories and body fat, plus each can contains 200 mg of caffeine, the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee, giving the energy boost you need to crush that workout and tackle anything the day brings. And get this: because that caffeine comes from green tea leaves, guarana, and ginger, your energy levels are bolstered over a prolonged period of time as opposed to giving you a quick spike in energy and then a crash (as tends to happen when we drink coffee).

Each CELSIUS drink contains 7 essential vitamins, no artificial flavors or preservatives, and no high fructose corn syrup, plus it has zero sugar and is very low in sodium, so it’s a much healthier alternative to other fitness and energy drinks.

The drinks are available at Amazon.com, VitaminShoppe.com, and more. They come in both sparkling and non-carbonated varieties and in delicious flavors like Sparkling Orange, Peach Mango Green Tea, Raspberry Açai Green Tea, Sparkling Kiwi Guava. Prices vary by retailer but you can scoop up a Variety Value 12-Pack for $24.99 at VitaminShoppe.com

CELSIUS is also available in On-The-Go Powder Stick Packs ($15.49 for a 14-pack box at VitaminShoppe.com), which you can stash in your handbag or gym bag and pour into your bottle of water when you’re ready to get active!

HEAD & SHOULDERS ROYAL OILS COLLECTION

Studies have found that up to 77% of black women experience scalp issues like dryness, itchiness, and dandruff. Now, dandruff occurs when there’s an overabundance of the naturally occurring, yeast-like scalp fungus known as Malassezia. This microbiome feeds on the natural oils produced by our scalps, breaking them down into byproducts including oleic acid. If you’re sensitive to oleic acid (and 50% of people worldwide are), the skin on your scalp will react to the presence of this substance by increasing cellular renewal rates. This leads to an excess of cells on the scalp so that dead skin cells accumulate and begin to flake and fall off, leding to what we know as dandruff. Here’s where things get tricky:  because many women with textured hair (both African-American women and Latinas like myself) are prone to having drier, more delicate strands, we tend to shampoo our strands less often in order to keep our locks shiny, soft, and healthy, avoiding frizz, breakage, and so on. Also, many of our hairstyles (whether it’s a straight hair look, braids, or twists) are best maintained by washing our strands less frequently. The problem: women of color who are grappling with scalp issues might actually exacerbate those problems by extending the time in between shampoos. Why? Well, as mentioned, Malasezzia thrives when our scalps are oily — and the longer we wait in between washes, the more oils wind up collecting on our scalps. Fort he same reason, applying natural oils to our scalps in an attempt to soothe any itchiness could potentially backfire.

Luckily, women of color grappling with scalp issues can finally address those concerns while still keeping their strands healthy. Head & Shoulders recently launched its Royal Oils Collection, a complete hair and scalp care system designed for and by women with textured hair. Each of the products contains the scalp care active zinc pyrithione to inhibit the growth of Malassezia and provide instant relief, as well as hydrating ingredients like coconut oil.

The Head & Shoulders Royal Oils Collection is available at Target, and it’s comprised of 4 in-shower treatments —the Moisture Boost Shampoo,Moisture Renewal Conditioner, Moisturizing Co-Wash, and Deep Moisture Masque — as well as 2 out-of-shower treatments for days in between washes. These targeted treatments are: the Instant Soothe Scalp Elixir, a leave-in spray with cooling menthol and peppermint oil to relieve any itchiness, niacinamide to moisturize the scalp, and caffeine to reduce inflammation; and the Daily Moisture Scalp Cream, a leave-in moisturizing cream that can be used up to four times daily to prevent flakiness and itchiness.

Prices range from $6.99 to $8.99 at Target.

DEFENAGE CLINICAL POWER TRIO

We all want to enjoy year after year on this beautiful planet, but we want to do so without looking like we’ve aged a day. And, as it turns out, that desire may not be completely unreasonable! Enter DefenAge Skincare, which is a technology-driven, anti-aging skincare line that addresses and corrects up to 16 skin aging signs in just 6 weeks. The DefenAge Clinical Power Trio ($380 at DefenAge.com) is a 3-step regimen that’s clinically proven to rejuvenate the skin: increasing epidermal thickness, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, reducing pore size, evening out the skin tone, fading dark spots, improving elasticity, refining skin’s texture, and much more.

The trio consists of a 2.5 oz. 2-Minute Reveal Masque,1.5 fl. oz. 24/7 Balance Barrier Cream, and 1.0 fl. oz. 8-in-1 BioSerum. All three products are powered by DefenAge’s paten-pending, award-winning, groundbreaking technology: Age-Repair Defensins. These are peptides that activate the LGR6+ stem cells in our skin so that these stem cells then jumpstart the skin’s healing and rejuvenation mechanisms and create healthy new skin cells. Other key ingredients include niacinamide (vitamin B3), which is known to moisturize the skin and help yield a more even skin tone; hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture and bind it to skin; papaya extract, which contains alpha hydroxy acids that stimulate cellular renewal; cranberry extract, which is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C; and sea whip, which has anti-inflammatory benefits and calms the skin.

This system is like giving your skin a time machine — no flying DeLorean necessary!

PAI-SHAU BIPHASIC INFUSION, SOMETHING TO BELEAVE-IN & SUPREME REVITALIZING MASK

Ring in 2019 with a tea party for your strands — all you’ll need is these ultra-hydrating products from Pai-Shau, the first-of-its-kind, tea-infused hair care line. All Pai-Shau products contain the brand’s polyphenol-rife, antioxidant-rich, vitamin-packed Signature Tea Complex, which is comprised of 5 tea extracts: Rooibos  tea to fortify strands and stimulate hair growth, black tea to nourish hair and prevent excess shedding, green tea to exfoliate and detoxify the scalp, white tea to protect against any stressors, and Pu-erhh  tea to repair damage.

For years, I’ve raved about the transformative powers of the Pai-Shau Biphasic Infusion ($24 for 30ml at Pai-Shau.com), an oil-free daily treatment that features a binary technology that more effectively drives the Signature Tea Complex inside the hair cuticle, locking in moisture and fortifying strands from the inside out. It can be applied on wet or dry hair, and it does wonders to leave strands soft, smooth, and frizz-free. I actually credit this product for bringing my curls back to life (they’d been dormant after decades of dyeing my strands!).

The brand new Something to BeLeave-in $24 at Pai-Shau.com) is a lightweight but ultra-powerful leave-in conditioner that’s a multi-tasking miracle! In addition to giving strands a burst of moisture, it smooths and detangles strands, prevents frizz, amplifies shine, and protects from pollutants and heat (up to 450 degrees). You can apply it to damp hair after washing, or spritz it on second- or third-day ‘dos for a quick refresh. It’s particularly effective if you have curly hair and want to give them a bit of a boost!

You can complete your moisturizing regimen with the Supreme Revitalizing Mask ($43 for 280 ml at Pai-Shau.com), an intensely nourishing weekly treatment that contains argan oil as well as the brand’s Signature Tea Complex to leave hair shinier, softer and bouncier — all without weighing down strands.

TRUSCULPT ID BY CUTERA

Want to kiss those love handles goodbye in 2019? If you’ve tried diet and exercise but haven’t been able to lost that belly fat, consider TruSculpt ID by Cutera,  is a safe, effective, and clinically proven treatment that permanently eliminates fat cells in stubborn areas like the abdomen and flanks.

The non-invasive treatment involves using Monopolar Radiofrequency technology to selectively target fat cells and therapeutically heat them. Fat cells are then destroyed and expelled from the body naturally. This, in turn, results in a decreased circumference along the midsection, a flatter tummy, and greater body definition.

Visit TrusculptID.com for more info