Vibrant Health * Natural Beauty

Lauren Kent is the General Manager of Daily Balance, the official source of Dr. Susan Lark's nutritional supplements, and health and beauty products.

A native of Philadelphia, she currently resides outside Washington, D.C. with her husband, David, and two little girls, Maya and Alexis.

Last week, during my annual exam with my doctor, she suggested I get a mammogram to establish a baseline. I was not expecting this. I'm 37 (almost 38), and thought I wouldn't have to deal with such things for a few more years.

I have to admit, I was nervous. Who hasn't heard horror stories from other women about how awful a mammogram is? I was also a bit worried about the results. While I've never found a lump, my paternal grandmother did have breast cancer, so the risk is always in the back of my mind.

I scheduled the appointment for later that week and then started asking women around my office what to expect. This was not helpful. It was a little bit like hearing other women's childbirth stories when I was pregnant.

So, if you are wondering what to expect at your first mammogram, here's what I can tell you:

1. They will ask you not to wear deodorant for the mammogram. I wish I had known this upfront so that I could have scheduled an appointment for first thing in the morning. Instead, I ended up with an 11:30 am appointment on a warm summer day. (My apologies to my colleagues if there was an unpleasant smell coming from my office.)
2. You will have to undress from the top up. So, it's best not to wear dresses or other one-piece outfits. And, they'll give you a gown to cover-up.
3. The person doing the mammogram will manipulate your body to get the best pictures. Just let them move you. Don't try to help them. Just (try to) relax and let them position your arms, breasts, etc.
4. The actual mammogram will be uncomfortable, but compared to childbirth, it is nothing! Yes, your breasts will feel smushed. And there is pressure. But it is quick. The entire process took about 5-10 minutes. Since my office was near the center, I was back at my desk by 11:45.

Hopefully, this information will be helpful for some of you out there!

For more information on anything related to female hormones, from breast cancer risk to menopause symtoms, visit Dr. Lark's Web site.

Have you ever had one of those moments when you're in the middle of your natural weightloss journey and come across a picture of yourself before the weight started coming off? I had one of those moments last night.

My sister-in-law got married a couple weeks before I started my natural weight loss plan. Yesterday, we received several pictures from the wedding and I just couldn't believe how big I looked. In every picture I was holding one of my kids, so you can't really see my body. I'm sure this was some subconscious way to "hide" from the camera. But my face. That double chin. Yikes!

My first instinct was to hide the pictures, maybe even throw them out or shred them. But, since this was his sister's wedding, I knew my dear husband wouldn't go for that. So now they sit, in the middle of our dining room table. Ugh!

I know in all natural weightloss journeys there's a "before" picture. Just seeing what I looked like six months ago really reinforced why I was doing this in the first place. I said in the beginning that one of my ultimate goals was to have a picture of me with my girls that I wasn't ashamed of. And, hopefully, I'll have such a picture by year's end.

I've been following my natural weight loss plan for about 6 months now. And, I've been lucky in that I've lost weight each week. Some weeks it was a couple pounds or more. Others, it was just a half pound. But, at least the scale was going down... until this past week. For the first time since I started this journey, I gained weight. It wasn't a lot. A pound exactly. But, I was still disappointed in myself. I know I had overindulged and hadn't picked up my exercise to compensate for the extra calories. All natural weightloss efforts come with highs and lows. I've been riding the highs for months now. And now, I have to deal with a low.

So many weight loss efforts get derailed by disappointment. I'm determined not to let this happen to me. I have to keep my eyes on the prize: a wedding ring that will fit on my finger, a picture with my girls that I'm not ashamed of, (and cellulite free thighs wouldn't be so bad either). I'm motivated to move on and start losing again!

My family and I just enjoyed an amazing week at the beach. Sun, surf, sand... FOOD! I know a vacation can throw a wrench in many natural weightloss efforts. But, by planning ahead, and following a few tips, your vacation doesn't have to be one where you pack on the pounds. Here's a few things I did last week so that I didn't come back heavier than when I left:

1. Limit the dining out. I know for some vacations, this is very difficult. But, if you're renting a house, and have access to a kitchen, cooking at home can really make a big difference. When you cook for yourself, you know what's going in your food. When you eat out, who knows how much butter, oil, etc. they're putting on top of your food.

2. Get active. No, you don't have to go for a run or bike ride everyday, but you can at least get your body moving in fun ways. Chase your kids/grand kids around the beach. Have a beach ball toss. Go for a swim in the pool. Jump the waves in the ocean. All the activity can really make a difference to keeping with your natural weight loss plan.

3. Individual servings of fruits/veggies. If you are able to go food shopping during your vacation, putting fruits and vegetables into individual serving-size bags makes it really easy to just grab a healthy snack. Take a bag of cherries and divide them up into snack bags. Cut up watermelon into slices. That way, it's ready for you when you want it.

4. Splurge a little. You are on vacation after all. I didn't want to keep ice cream in the house, but we did take the kids to get ice cream one afternoon, and I got a small cup. It was delicious. And, I didn't feel like I was overindulging.

For more information on natural weight loss plans or other issues related to natural weightloss, visit Dr. Lark’s Web site. While there, you can also sign up for Dr. Lark’s FREE eLetter or monthly newsletter.

With many natural weightloss efforts, there comes a point where your clothes no longer fit. But, if you still want to lose more weight, you certainly don't want to spend a lot of money buying new clothes that will eventually not fit either.

I concluded that I was at this point in my own natural weight loss plan when my pants fell down as I was trying to put my 4-year-old in a timeout. As you can imagine, the effectiveness of the timeout was completely lost with my pants at my ankles.

Since I still have a ways to go to reach my goal, I've begun using small binder clips to keep my pants up. They've been working pretty well. I no longer have to pull my pants up every few steps--and they're not falling down an inopportune moments.

What have you done to make those baggy clothes last you a few extra months? Share your tricks with us!

The third (and final) supplement I've incorporated into my natural weight loss plan is Metabo-X. Why this formula? For one thing, the Svetol (green coffee extract) has some impressive research behind it to help support natural weightloss. In one study, overweight subjects were given 400 mg of Svetol over a two-month period. On average, lost about 10 pounds and their BMI improved. Metabo-X has the same dosage as the weight loss study.

The other ingredients in Metabo-X: chromium and Sensoril (Ashwagandha), which have been shown to support normal blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. While I do not currently have issues in these areas, there is family history with each, so I feel like I'm helping to ward those issues off as well.

So there you have it. Three natural remedies for weight loss that have, to date, helped me lose over 27 pounds: Daily Answer, Silhouette, and Metabo-X.

The second of the weight loss remedies I've incorporated into my natural weight loss plan is Dr. Lark's Daily Balance Silhouette formula. If you read my post "Dr. Lark's 3 Natural Remedies for Weight Loss," you know that this formula helps reduce water weight and bloating.

Why do I take this formula? Well, as much as I would fancy myself a cook, the bottom line is that I do rely on some frozen entrees in my natural weightloss efforts. And, many frozen entrees contain sodium that can lead to water retention. I want to make sure that sodium doesn't sabotage my natural weightloss efforts, and add pounds to the scale.

Learn more about Silhouette here.

There are certainly no lack of natural remedies for weight loss on the market today. As part of my own weightloss efforts, I've incorporated several that I'll be sharing over the next few weeks.

The first is Daily Answer, Dr. Lark's multinutrient. Not many people think of a multi as a weight loss supplement. But, for me, I think it's critical. With Daily Answer, I not only get a great foundation of vitamins and minerals, but also digestive enzymes. These digestive enzymes help me process the additional vegetables I've been eating as part of my natural weightloss plan, so I don't have the gas and bloating that certain vegetables can cause. Daily Answer also provides b vitamins for the energy boost I need to get moving and exercise.

If you're losing weight and not taking a multinutrient, I encourage you to add one to your daily routine. From digestion to energy it can really boost your natural weightloss efforts.

This past weekend, my husband and I celebrated our 5-year wedding anniversary. To mark the occasion, we had brunch in the same room where we had our wedding reception. I knew going into the meal that I was going to let myself splurge, just this one meal. But, holy moly, did I eat like a horse. Bacon, sausage, potatoes, waffles, chocolate croissants. Needless to say, an all-you-can eat champagne brunch and natural weightloss, don't mix. I'm really trying not to beat myself up over the indulgence, but I admit that I do feel guilty about straying from my natural weight loss plan.

I'm planning on exercising more this week to help make up for the extra food. Hopefully, by the time I check my weight on Saturday morning, I'll have been able to burn off all that greasy deliciousness.

A couple weeks ago, I wrote a blog about the difficulty I had been having with finding the time to exercise for my natural weight loss plan. I would try to get up in the mornings to workout, but with a baby that doesn't sleep through the night yet, that just wasn't happening. I bought a DVD so that I could workout in my office, but my computer wouldn't read it. But, now my problem has been solved!

If you have cable, you may have come across the ExerciseTV channel. But, it's their Web site that's become the answer to my natural weightloss prayers. On their Web site, http://www.exercisetv.tv/ you can watch full exercise videos for FREE!

I just close my office door, change into my workout clothes, and get a good 20-30 cardio workout. I've done some dance videos, and a kickboxing video, and have just loved them! Yes, I feel a little grimy afterwards. But, at least I'm able to fit exercise into my schedule. And, I know this will make a huge difference in my natural weightloss efforts.

Last week I passed the 18 pound mark in my natural weight loss plan. And, even more exciting for me, I've lost a combined 23.5 inches from my bust, waist, hips, and thighs. It's time to celebrate... and reward myself. In the past, a reward or celebration would involve some type of food. But, now that I'm losing weight and living a more healthy lifestyle, rewards come in different forms. This weekend I plan to indulge myself in a massage, and I can't wait. 60 minutes of quiet. 60 minutes of focusing on myself.

What are your healthy rewards for natural weightloss? A manicure? Pedicure? Shopping for new clothes or shoes? Let's all celebrate our successes the healthy way!

Some women have wondered why Dr. Lark chose Indole-3 Carbinol (I3C) over Diindolylmethane (DIM) for her menopause relief formula, Harmony. Both I3C and DIM do the exact same thing, converting estrogen into beneficial metabolites, with clinical evidence to support them. DIM, however, is poorly absorbed, making it necessary to use special forms available on the market that enhance its bioavailability. These special forms do not work well in a multi-ingredient formula, and is about ten times the cost of I3C. I3C is effective, affordable, and compatible with the other ingredients in Harmony, which is why Dr. Lark ultimately chose it over DIM.

Can you lose weight without exercising? Yes. Is that they way I want to go with my own natural weight loss program? No! To me, natural weightloss is about changing habits. Eating a more healthy diet and increasing physical activity. Plus, I love the way exercise gives a woman a toned, healthy look.

Before I had kids, I used to exercise 6 times a week. But now, with 2 little kids running around, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to work exercise into my daily life. I do go to the gym on both Saturday and Sunday. One day I do a weight lifting class and on the other day I do some type of cardio exercise for about 45 minutes.

But, Monday-Friday, I'm just too exhausted to workout. I had bought an exercise DVD with the hope that I could play in on my work computer and get some cardio in during the day. But, unfortunately, my computer wouldn't read the disc. So, now I know I'll have to watch it at home.

I've always been a morning exerciser. I think it's a great way to start the day. And, I love the fact that it's over and done with first thing. So, my goal over the next week is to start waking up earlier and trying to get at least 30 minutes of cardio in 2-3 times a week.

For those of you who are doing your own natural weightloss programs, how are you fitting exercise into your daily routine? I'd love to hear from you!

Everyone knows that to lose weight, you have to eat a healthy diet. It's the cornerstone of any natural weight loss plan. But, saying it and actually doing it are two very different things, however.

For my weight loss plan, I've been trying to eat about 1,500 calories a day. Breakfasts are usually cereal with a piece of fruit. Lunches are a sandwich with a salad. Dinners are usually a frozen entree of some sort. (As much as I would like to cook a fresh meal each night, I just don't have the time or the energy when I get home from work.) I also eat two snacks a day consisting of fruit, yogurt, and sometimes a low calorie munchie treat.

Overall, I've stuck to the plan well. But, I have had my challenges. Today, for example, I had a few moments of going "off the wagon". What caused the stumble? I was in a meeting for the morning that ran through lunch. I had brought my healthy lunch to work with me. But, when I saw what had been ordered in, it looked so much more appealing. I ended up having one of those higher-calorie sandwiches, and indulged in a brownie.

Do I feel bad about it? Of course! But, now I know one of my great weaknesses and can try to figure out strategies to overcome them. That's what natural weightloss is all about. Learning from your mistakes so that you can make wiser, healthier choices in the future.

I have a confession to make. I never lost the weight I gained from my two pregnancies. People always said "Oh, it will just come off as you breastfeed." It didn't.

I had lost weight in the past, and it seemed to come off pretty easily. But, now that I had crossed the 35-year barrier, it seemed to be increasingly difficult to take the weight off.

About a month ago, I had had enough. I didn't want to be heavy anymore. I wanted to be able to wear my wedding and engagement rings again. Most of all, I wanted a picture of me and my girls that I wasn't ashamed or embarrassed of. So, I started a natural weight loss plan.

What do I consider "natural" weightloss? It doesn't involve surgery or pills with false promises. It's losing weight the old fashioned way: eating a healthy diet and exercising. I have also incorporated some of Dr. Lark's natural remedies for weight loss.

How am I doing? I'm 5 weeks into this plan and I've lost 12 pounds. I still have a long way to go. But, I'm pleased with the start.

Over the next few months I'll be sharing this journey with you. My highs. My lows. (Hopefully, more highs than lows.) Maybe my story will inspire some of you. Maybe you'll share your own stories and inspire me. Let's get started!

Many women, me included, love that rugged, unshaven look on the men. When I'm on vacation with my husband and he doesn't shave for a week, I love the feel of that scruff. But, as women, we’re not supposed to grow our own mustache, or have a 5 o’clock shadow on our chins! If this is something you’re struggling with, you’re not alone.

Many women find that as they make the transition, one of the unpleasant menopause symptoms they experience is the appearance of dark, coarse hair above their lips or around their jaw line.

What causes the unwanted hair growth? Hair follicles are being “tricked” into growing unwanted male-pattern hair by a shift in hormone levels. Dark, coarse male-pattern hair growth on your face is caused by too many male androgens (testosterone) stimulating the hair follicles.

When you were younger, you had enough estrogen to counterbalance the testosterone.
But during menopause your estrogen levels naturally drop, which sets male-pattern hair
growth into action.

So, what can you do about it?

Dr. Lark found a natural skin care solution that addresses the hormonal issue at it's root. It's called Reductase-5 that doesn’t just cover up facial hair or remove it. Instead it works right in the hair follicles helping to restore hormonal balance.

Reductase-5 goes to work in your hair follicles, inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzymes that cause male-pattern facial hair to grow. It does that using a special patent-pending blend of natural botanicals and nutrients that help to restore the appearance of normal female hair.

In a 90-day study of women using Reductase-5, users saw an average reduction of 41% in their perception of overall facial hair. Plus, the participants noticed a 70% decrease in the amount of time they spent tending to their unwanted facial hair. This means they spent far less time in front of a mirror, trying to remove unwanted facial hair.

If you've been struggling with dark, thick facial hair, give Reductase-5 a try and let me know what you think.

Since I began writing this blog, I've been amazed to discover how my female hormones, and my estrogen level in particular, affect so many aspects of my life. From brain fog to insomnia, night sweats to fatigue, I've discovered a hormone link with all of these symptoms.

Yesterday, as I began another period, I discovered one more--mood swings. Moodiness is one of the more common PMS and menopause symptoms, but I never thought of myself as a moody person. However, last night as I was snapping at my poor girls for just about everything, I could see that my hormone levels were clearly out-of-whack. I immediately felt awful about yelling at them. After all, a 20-month-old can hardly stop herself from screaming (not crying, simply screaming for amusement) at the top of her lungs.

Luckily, once dinner was done, I started to feel a bit better, and was able to get them bathed and to bed without further yelling. And, today, I feel like a completely new person.

This past weekend, couples celebrated Valentine's Day. Unfortunately for many women, this day can also be a reminder of one of the most emotional menopause symptoms, a diminished libido.

One of the effects of menopause is that you ovulate less frequently. Without ovulation, you don't produce the androgens (mostly testosterone) that stimulate sex drive. At the same time, your estrogen levels decrease and your vaginal tissues begin to weaken.

The good news is, healthy, enjoyable sex is possible, at any age, you may just need a little help from time to time. Here are Dr. Lark's top recommendations for boosting libido and enjoying intimacy once again.

If you're experiencing...

• Low libido. Try Maca. The herb from South America has been traditionally used to support normal sexual functioning, enhance libido, and promote hormonal balance.
• Lack of arousal and satisfaction. A tasteful personal massager might help.
• Pain and discomfort. A few drops of a natural lubricant can help ease the pain.
• Loss of sensation. Look for a natural response cream made with l-arginine, l-phenylalanine, and l-tyrosine. These are the same ingredients you’ll find in many nutritional supplements that promote potency because they increase blood flow and stimulate the response you want.

You can learn more about each of these recommendations here.

Whatever you do, don't give up on your right to enjoy a great sex life. With a little help, bringing the romance back to your bedroom is well within your reach.

Just when you thought your years of acne breakouts were decades behind you, blemishes (zits) can show back up at any time—and they can break through regardless of how well you care for your skin. So what causes these annoying and embarrassing flare-ups?

The answer is simple. It’s the same reason you broke out in your teens—hormones and stress.

Acne actually forms deep in your hair follicles. Each of those tiny “micro-hairs” on your face has a hair follicle—which secretes sebum, an oily mixture that keeps your skin moist. This all works perfectly, until times of hormonal changes (like menopause), or stress comes along.

Unlike other menopause symptoms, which are often due to changes in your female hormones, such as your estrogen levels, with acne, you can blame the male hormone androgen.

During hormonal changes, your body starts to produce more androgen, which changes the pH of your skin. This change causes those sebaceous glands in your skin to produce too much sebum, resulting in acne.

While you may be tempted to use over-the-counter treatments formulated for teens on your adult acne, we'd recommend you don't. Most of these products contain unnatural chemicals that Dr. Lark never recommends using on your skin. Plus, these creams can irritate your skin even more, causing additional or worsened flare-ups.

There are several excellent, natural skin care products on the market that can help clear up adult acne—safely and gently. Here are our top picks for clear, blemish-free skin:

For Clearing-Up Pimples and Blemishes: Take a look at ThermaClear. This hand-held device uses Thermal Pulse Technology™ to deliver a controlled burst of heat to individual pimples, clearing them up in as little as 24 hours.

To Treat Whiteheads: Try the   Badescu Drying Lotion , which is the secret the stars use for flawless skin. It heals and dries blemishes overnight.

For On-the-Go Touch Ups: Devita's Essential Control for Blemishes contains an all-natural blend of rare essential oils that fight acne flare-ups. What’s nice is that it comes in an easy to use roll-on, so there’s no mess.

To Prevent Breakouts Before they Happen: Dr. Lark recommends a blend of salicylic acid, aloe vera gel, and witch hazel which you can find in Devita's Acne Solution Pads. These pads gently clean deep into your pores, removing acne-causing dirt and make-up—so blemishes don’t erupt.

The bottom line is you shouldn’t have to put up with adult acne. These natural skin care solutions can help you enjoy clear, blemish-free skin every day.