This is the time of year every one of us usually reflect on our weight. The holidays have passed, we look back on just how much we decided to eat, drink and be merry, ignoring those scales in the bathroom every single day…but only to pay a high price. After the last glass of wine has been drank on New Year’s Day, we come to step on the scale and see how much damage we’ve really done and make those oh-so-looming Resolutions. Now it is back to reality. Now you actually have to deal with what you see in the mirror, and stop ignoring the fact that your jeans are way too tight.

Well, *sigh* I’m no different. Weight has been something I’ve struggled with for years. UP and DOWN and UP and DOWN on the scales. Although I have to say that when I’ve put my mind to losing weight, I am very successful and tend to keep the majority of it off for at least a couple of years or so.

Exactly one year ago today I moved to the Jonesborough area and started the day spa, Grace Healing Therapies. Before that I worked at Grove Park Inn in Asheville, and had a very active lifestyle. I did between 4 and 5 massages a day and either went on lovely hikes or went down town to walk around and shop a lot on my days off. Add all that up in a week’s time, and you’ve burned a lot of calories without really even TRYING to. The only bad thing was that I got burned out working so much and desperately needed a change. So I moved here to be closer to my boyfriend, David.

Re-modeling the space for the day spa was no easy task, and that took quite a bit of energy too. But as soon as that was finished and I opened up for business, I found myself doing anywhere from 4 massage to NO massages a week. Business has picked up some, yes. But rarely is there a day when I do more then I did at GPI. I just won’t burn myself out again.

David is not very active because he works 60-70 hours per week, is not in good shape himself and is always exhausted. So, we rarely do any activities such as hiking or walking long distances. Mostly we watch movies or go out to dinner and occasionally some shopping. Over the past year, my lifestyle has significantly changed, and, as a result I’ve gained more then 20 lbs!! The worst part is, I was at least 30 lbs overweight to begin with, so you can imagine the desperation I feel now. It has been agony.

I finally began a diet after my sad, long, difficult birthday of 30 years this month. Since February 12 I have lost 3.6 lbs. Not exactly as much as I had hoped, but then again there have been many fast food days in there when I was busy or too tired to cook, along with some chocolate indulgences. All in all, I have to say I am pleased.

David and I are going on a cruise late this fall, 2007. I am looking so forward to it, as it will indeed be my first cruise. So now I have a definite goal and a winning plan.

More updates later on!

Beth

I am pleased to announce the addition of THREE new facials to the Grace Healing Therapies Menu of Services.

Intelligence™ Deep-Cleansing Facial:
This uniquely formulated skin care line is self-adjusting to the skin, moisturizing alot in dry areas, and less in oily areas. This facial begins with a light cleansing, gentle steam, and application of a detoxifying Exfoliating Masque with Thermal Fusion technology to increase microcirculation, cell proliferation and deep-cleansing. Self-balancing toner and moisturization with Bio-Hydria® Complex for face, neck and the delicate eye area finish this facial, leaving your skin soft, supple and glowing! Includes hot stones massage for the feet.
RE9® Anti-Aging Facial:
Formulated with 9 key, anti-aging elements, these products have changed the face of anti-aging skin care! Helps support collagen, elastin, increases moisture retention and cell turnover, activates healthy cells, increasing translucence while diminishing the look of fine lines. This facial begins with hydrating cleanse, exfoliation, gentle steam, and application of the RE9 anti-aging deep pore cleansing masque, followed by REstoring Toner, REactivating Facial Serum, Corrective Eye Cream, and REality Day Cream with SPF 8. This Facial protects, moisturizes, visibly firms skin, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making beautiful skin a REALITY! Includes hot stones massage for the feet.
Clear Advantage Acne Facial: If you suffer with acne, you know the agony it can be. Many skin care products can irritate, rather then help, acne. Introducing Clear Advantage System from Arbonne International. This facial begins with deep-cleaning wash that unclogs pores, while keeping outbreaks under control with acne-fighting salicylic acid that prevents new blemishes without drying skin, followed by a gentle steam and a Refining toner blended with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) to help balance and calm skin. This tonic removes excess oils leaving skin clean, soothed and refreshed. Lastly, you will enjoy an application of the oil-free Acne Lotion that penetrates pores to combat blemish-causing bacteria, while soothing and clarifying skin. Acne doesn’t stand a fighting chance!

I am very excited to be able to add these new facials into the menu. Also, I will have most of all these items in stock by the end of the week. What I may not have on hand, I am happy to order for you! Pricing isn’t available yet, but keep checking gracehealing.com/facials for updates.

(originally posted on Sunday February 18, 2007)

Happy Sunday! I have a little bit of time before my treatments today, so I thought I’d make a post about a new treatment I have recently added to the spa menu - and a few others coming soon.
I have been using a line of products for the previous 4 months known as Arbonne International: pure swiss-formulated cosmetics, skin care, hair care, nutritional and weightloss products. The reason I made the decision to give it a try was because their products are all botanically based, pH correct, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, never tested on animals, and made without animal products, by-products, without mineral oil, and without dyes or chemical fragrances. Still, at first I was very skeptical because I have used a lot of products in my ever-enduring quest for flawless skin, and have been disappointed many times. Like a lot of women, I am very fair and sensitive-skinned and lots of things irritate it. I’ve used Merle Norman, Clinique, Lancombe, Mary Kay, Elizabeth Arden (guilty), and even very high-end, expensive skin care lines such as Jurlique. Even when I worked at the Spa at Grove Park Inn, some of their Babor and Mary Cohr stuff would cause a rash on my face at times. Still, they were wonderful spa quality products that gave me the closest thing to perfection I could find at the time (and believe me - the price WAS NOT RIGHT… very expensive). So expensive, in fact, that even with my discount I could not always afford to use them.

So far, the Arbonne has not broken me out, given me a rash or irritated my skin at all. I have used things from their Nutramin RE9 and Not-So-Basic lines and both have been fabulous. So, being that I’ve been looking for an affordable but fabulous product to use in spa treatments and put on my shelves for you to take advantage of, let me say one thing… EUREKA!
I plan to add new facials, beginning with a special Acne Treatment Regimine and an Anti-Aging Facial. Eventually, make-up applications and sales will be offered. (Yes, ladies. Never fear. I’m an expert at makeup application. This is a whole year of Merle Norman Beauty Consultant training talking)! I will let you know more about the Facials as I get the “wrinkles” ironed out…(no pun intended).

So the very first treatment from this line that I am incorporating is the Vanish! Figure 8 Anti-Cellulite treatment. There are two products involved here: The Figure 8 Pre-Shower Cellulite Scrub, which visually tones, tightens and preps the skin for the Contouring Cellulite Cream, which improves the visual appearance of cellulite.

TREATMENT RITUAL DESCRIPTION : I begin using the cellulite scrub in your target areas (hips, thighs, upper arms, buttocks) and use a regular salt scrub on your limbs, tummy (if desired) and back. Then you will enjoy a 20-minute detoxifying hydrotherapy bath which will increase your circulation and enhance lymphatic drainage (both which are essential to diminishing and smoothing out the spongy look of cellulite). To finish, you will receive an application of the Figure 8 Vanish! Contouring Cream on your target areas and Lavender Skin Food on your limbs, tummy and back.

I currently have these in retail if you wish to take them home and continue treatments there. You can really feel this working! It is a hot and cold tingling sensation… but I trust it will be a very refreshing retreat for anyone in those hot summer days just before heading to the beach or lake, when you want to look your best. For more information and pricing, check out this treatment here: http://www.gracehealing.com/spatherapies.php
More later!

Beth