Having been involved in “Aesthetic Medicine” for the past nine years I consider myself to be quite adept at providing and maintaining a more youthful look.  In fact, this knowledge and skill has provided me a successful career that I continue to be thankful for every day.  I have always wanted to help others and I find great satisfaction in making people feel better about themselves.  Of course, I provide an array of services designed to give a jumpstart in turning back the hands of time thus creating a more youthful appearance.  However, I also feel it is my responsibility to educate people on how to incorporate daily habits to maintain results I deliver and to perhaps prevent the need for more expensive “fixes”.  We all know that it is what you do daily that can make the biggest difference over time.  Here are five things you can do daily to look more refreshed and youthful no matter what age!

1.  Drink Water!  I know… there have been conflicting views regarding the true benefit of water consumption on overall health.  With respect to your skin, hydrated skin is far more attractive than dehydrated skin… there is no denying that!  Too many cocktails can appear to bring about new wrinkles overnight simply by the resulting dehydration that occurs as a byproduct.  *Add cucumber slices… tastes great and helps detox!

2. Beauty Sleep!  A minimum of seven hours is truly nature’s own beauty treatment.  Estee Lauder actually did a study in 2013 to prove this.  All I need as evidence is too look at pictures of myself when our kids were about one month old… enough said.

3.Sunshine!  Indeed we need exposure to the sun for a myriad of reasons.  However, protecting your skin from overexposure is the most important thing you can do to decrease the aging appearance of your skin… period!  This fact is always reiterated to me every time I visit my family in Northern Minnesota.  My 80 year old relatives have less wrinkles and discoloration than most 40 somethings I see day to day.  I assure you it is not due to lasers or Botox!  I can’t even say it is a result of daily sunscreen but rather the benefit of less sun exposure due to the geographical location.  I mean it was in the 40’s (that is degrees F) on my fortieth birthday in July this past year!  It was still a fabulous Birthday, thank you Aunt SharonJ, but I think you get the point!  *As for those of us living the sunshine state I recommend Revision’s Intellishade for daily wear, it’s the best!

4. Avoid Sugary Foods/Drinks.  Realistically, moderation is key on this one.  It has been proven that large spikes in blood sugar will result in the breakdown of collagen and elastin.  The result?  Sagging and wrinkled skin.  *I strive to “be good” 80% of the time! 

5.  Smile!  Happy people are perceived as being more youthful, that is it in a nutshell.  In fact, if you smile even when you aren’t feeling particularly happy you will still enjoy the benefit of looking younger!  Other studies suggest you can actually improve your mood by smiling.  So you have nothing to lose on this one… Smile!

 

-Stefani Heisler, PA-C

ATTENTION!!!  There actually is a treatment that can spot treat stubborn fat without surgery!!!  What?  I know… sounds too good to be true, right?  That’s what I thought before researching, hearing first hand testimonials from clinicians I trust, and (of course) trying it out for myself.  The miracle is called TruSculpt and we now offer it at simply you… by stef!

I live my life with regular exercise, eating cleanly 90% of the time, and living pretty healthfully for the most part.  As I’ve gotten older (eek) I’ve noticed that unless I am 100% disciplined, I will have problem areas… hello muffin top and bra line fat, what in the world?  I was resigned to believe this would be my new “baseline” as I appreciate life too much to angst every single thing I put into my body (in other words I am not giving up my Cabernet)!

Then… I was introduced to TruSculpt!  I know it sounds like an infomercial but anyone that knows me can attest I am not into gimmicks.  I had heard from colleagues on the west coast (L.A. not Tampa) all about how fantastic this procedure was and how I “had” to offer it.  Well those of us living here in Central Florida are usually behind the eight ball when it comes to cutting edge aesthetic procedures and I could not find anyone within a 50 mile radius that offered it.  Until now!  That’s right… we have it!

Without getting too technical this is how it works.  Heat is created using radiofrequency and directed into the fatty layer of the skin.  Fat cells are notoriously delicate and the heat induces a slow death in them (yay)!  Your body then disposes of this “waste” and… bye bye unwanted fat!!!  The cells are permanently gone!  As long as you don’t gain weight, the new shape you achieve is yours forever.

There have been other “fat lasers” on the market such as Zerona and Cool Sculpt.  I have not been at all impressed with Zerona results, and although Cool Sculpt works, it is limited on which areas of the body can be treated.  TruSculpt can be used anywhere on the body, even the neck/double chin area.

Needless to say I am super excited to offer this treatment!  You can learn more about it on my website http://simplyyoubystef.com/our-services/fat-removal/

 

 

31. Even when you think you’ve learned it all… just know that you haven’t and you never will.  Try not to make the same mistake twice!  Pay attention to the wisdom you might gain from others.

32. Take pictures!  I cannot stress that enough!  Time goes by quickly, capture the moments so you can go back and reflect.  It also provides endless fun and laughs for your children… and friends younger than you (Glenrose)!  Denim shirts tucked into high waisted jeans, brown woven belts, and socks with Tevas was cool in the late 90’s!  You can’t see the Tevas but they are there!  Ha!  You have to be able to laugh at yourself…

33. Life is not a fairy tale.  Don’t get caught up in “I will be happy when…___________”.   No one is promised another day, take pleasure in every day.

34. Remove negativity from your life.  Sometimes, this means ending “friendships”.  If a relationship (friend or otherwise) is adding to the stress in your life it is probably time to let go of that relationship.

35. “Aging gracefully” will include Botox, Laser Resurfacing, and Fillers!  Life is too short to look older than you feel!

36. Try not to say “NEVER”… even if you are 100% sure about something (see #31)!  Life has a way of humbling you.

37. As an add on to number 36… unless you’ve walked in the shoes of another, do not judge.  You have no idea how you would react to a situation you’ve never been subjected to.  It is as simple as that.

38. Only give advice when you are asked for it. 

39. When you are forced to use a public bathroom always use the stall closest to where you enter.  Studies show it is the cleanest.  Whether or not said studies are valid, I have no idea, BUT it makes me feel better!

40. Last but not least… you will avoid a lot of senseless drama throughout life if you realize one small fact.  IT IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU!!!  The sooner you learn this the happier you will be.  In fact, most of the “tips” I have shared include this last one as an unsaid given.  It ties back into number 1… most of the time people are too concerned with their own shortcomings (perceived or otherwise) to be bothered by yours (perceived or otherwise)!

 

21. It is hard enough to make changes within yourself (New Year’s resolutions, anyone?)… you will not be able to make changes in other people.  How I wish I had figured this out prior to college!

22. When you make a mistake, stop and reflect.  Will it matter in a year?  Chances are it won’t so move on!  If the answer is yes, then please refer back to number 18.

23. No matter how sweet, bubbly, and charming you may be… not everyone you meet is going to like you!  I know, hard to believe, right?  Best advice is (once again) move on!  Spend your time and energy fostering the relationships with the people that love you!

24. Try to live in the moment.  I continue to battle with this, but I figure that because I am aware it is a weakness of mine… I am making progress!  My children remind me to live in the moment daily, without even realizing it.  I find myself rushing through life to go on to the next task but guess what?  It is OK (probably more normal) to take a few minutes to stop and observe.  “Stop and smell the roses” so to speak!

25. One of my favorite sayings is “live your life so that if someone speaks poorly of you, no one will believe it”.  Those that matter will know the difference between truth and gossip.  Once you realize that you will be able to let go of a lot of unnecessary angst.

26. Cross-Train!  Seriously, running every single day for years on end will take its toll!  I am probably wasting my breath on this one since I too was warned and didn’t listen!  Two knee surgeries later I have finally accepted the importance of cross-training!  Yay me!

27. Think before you speak!  Another tip I work on daily!  I tend to be quite reactive to things… hard to believe right?  Ha!  My husband is exactly the opposite which is one of the many reasons I love him so much.  He has inspired me to breathe and think before reacting.  I have to admit this approach has proved to be much more effective.  That’s right my love you are right… occasionally.

28. Try to refrain from participating in gossip.  If what is about to come out of your mouth:  A) isn’t helpful B) might cause hurt feelings, or C) is motivated by hurt feelings (aka anger) then keep quiet!  The small print on this one is it does not apply when conversing/venting to your BFF!

29. As an adjunct to #28, be aware that those who gossip to you are also likely to gossip about you!

30. Listen to your parents!  Although you might have different opinions keep an open mind.  They have their own “tips” and can save you from making mistakes they have already made.

 

11. Start taking care of yourself now… as in immediately if not sooner!  Clean eating, daily exercise, and overall healthy living are the tools to avoid feeling and looking older each year.  That and a little “simply you… by stef” magic!  You will age and you will appreciate this advice.

 

 12. Trust your first instinct as it is almost always right.  If your gut is warning you then you should listen!  I am still working on this one.

 

13. Resist the urge to be passive aggressive.  It is a tremendous waste of energy that often leads to frustration for all involved… be direct.  If only everyone were capable of this.  Yes, I work on this one daily… swallowing sarcasm does not come naturally to me.

 

14. Not getting what you think you want is sometimes a stroke of unbelievably good luck or as I like to think of it “faith”.  “simply you… by stef” is a testament to that!

 

 15. Disarm negativity with kindness.  Usually you can change the overall disposition of a grumpy (cashier, server, receptionist) simply by being kind.  BTW, this works well on hubands too!

 

 16. Sometimes the only answer necessary is “no”.

 

17. If you would like to experience a different outcome then you must change your actions.  You would think this is common sense… I assure you it is not.

 

18. Be a problem solver.  It is easy to complain, resist the urge and find a solution.

 

19. Moisturize every day!  Slack off and you might start seeing elbow wrinkles on the inside of your arm!  True story.

 

20.  Mistakes teach valuable lessons.  Don’t be so busy denying the mistake that you miss the lesson.

 

I cannot believe another year is almost over…  (one more thing my mom was right about)!  What a year it has been.  If someone would have told me on January 1, 2013 that I would own a business, doing what I love to do, in an amazing location, I would have thought they were insane!  Funny how life works!  In the words of C.S. Lewis, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny”.  While this year started out as a formidable challenge… it is leaving me feeling excited, grateful and blessed.

I wanted to put into writing things I’ve learned the year I turned 40.  I am going to share these bits of wisdom with my children.  I am hopeful that if they glean just one tiny bit it will help them to live a better life.  So here goes… Forty Things I Wish I Had Known Before Turning 40!  No groaning… I am breaking this down into a 4 part series.  Let’s be real, I can’t even pay attention long enough to read my own list much less expect you to!

1. Other people are more concerned about their own (bad hair, giant pimple, extra 5lbs, etc.) to notice your (bad hair, giant pimple, extra 5lbs)!  This is a fact and in knowing it you can alleviate much unnecessary angst!

2.  Self Confidence is THE KEY!!!  If you find yourself struggling reread number 1!  It usually takes time to learn the skill that is self-confidence… until then, Fake It Until You Make It!

3.  Right or wrong, you are judged within seconds of a first meeting.  Present the impression you wish to portray.  I cannot express this enough!  This is why numbers 1&2 are so important.

4. All friendships are not created equal, and that is ok.

5. Always work towards self-improvement.  It is never too late to learn a new skill or embark on an adventure.  I mean I put my first website together (really?) seriously I was  the girl that couldn’t change the ink in my printer until 6 months ago… embarrassing but true.

6. Do not EVER make assumptions about people.  Given number 3 this is a very difficult tip to follow.  Try to resist hasty opinions about others… you never know what they are experiencing and chances are it has NOTHING to do with you.

7. While on this topic, be willing to make the first move in meeting people.  Chances are they are just as scared to meet new people as you are.

8. If you want to be the hit of the party, stop talking and listen.  People LOVE, LOVE, LOVE talking about themselves.  Ask questions, listen to the answers.  I love this because I am not a huge talker when it comes to people I don’t know very well (my friends can stop laughing) so I enjoy hearing what others have to say.  This is also a great way to learn of new restaurants, movies, events, etc.

9. “Birds of a feather flock together” indeed!  Studies have shown that you are the average of the 5 people you hang around the most.  Choose wisely!

10. Always be the duck!  People only see what you choose to show them.  You can be paddling like crazy beneath the water but if you appear calm, cool and collected no one will suspect otherwise!

I try to live a fairly healthy lifestyle overall, however, this time of year is always a challenge.  In the past, I would feel depressed, guilty and angry with myself for overindulging.  I can remember not enjoying the season because of these negative thoughts.  How silly!  Turning 40 has actually made me grow up (at least a little) and realize that life goes on despite such setbacks.  So instead of succumbing to self-imposed misery I have vowed to change my perspective!  Hmmmm… maybe 40 isn’t so bad!

I realize that it is what we do daily that makes the most difference overall.  This applies not only to diet and exercise, but to other aspects of life as well.  Of course knowing something and actually implementing that knowledge are two very different things!   I have devised my own little 5 step program to restore & renew my health “IF” I should overindulge and/or skip workouts.  After all… “Tis the Season”!

1. Revamp the Diet!  I find that if I return to the Paleo diet 100%, I am feeling like myself within days!  It is a surefire way to eliminate that disgusting bloated feeling and restore the glow back into my skin and hair!
2. Barre Classes!  Due to recent health events, I can no longer run miles and miles every single day.  I know, I should have come to this conclusion years ago (perhaps after the first but definitely after the second knee surgery) but what can I say… I can be a tiny bit stubborn.  Barre classes have proven to be a haven for me.  Who knew you could feel like you were beaten down in a workout without pounding your joints into oblivion?  Not only that, but it forces me to stretch which has helped decrease the ever present tightness in my shoulders and back.  I am loving Barre54 in Winter Park!
3. Candles, Quiet, & a Good Read.  I’ve said it before, but nothing relaxes me more than winding down to the scent of a great candle.  This time of year R.R. Nichols “Sparkle” is my absolute fave!  If you haven’t tried it you definitely should!  I have also gotten back into reading in the evening.  Don’t be too impressed.  My selections are typically more chic lit than cerebral.
4. Turn Off & Turn In!  No more bringing the iPad to bed!  I cannot be trusted to stop the Pinterest scrolling or quit reading an iBook!  Let’s face it, losing sleep at my age definitely shows in the morning not to mention throughout the entire next day.
5. Be Grateful & Kind!  I have found that taking those first few quiet moments upon awakening and before falling asleep to reflect on my blessings not only makes for a better mood but for a happier attitude all together.  This simple act of reflection has helped me to be a better person, to embrace optimism, and to live a happier life!

 

 

While clearly not a (Christmas Gifting) Mistake…

Certainly “an unforeseen Christmas Tree problem”!

~courtesy of one Mrs. Jen O’Brien

 

 

In an earlier blog post, I tried to inspire you (ok me) to shop early this season.  While some progress was made… I must confess I am far from done.  Let the mad rush begin!

This leads me to today’s “Wednesday Wisdom”.

Rushed purchases often lead to gift giving mistakes. It is likely that each of us (including myself) has probably been guilty of one or more of them.  Worse yet, we have all likely been the recipient of such gifting blunders at one point or another.  I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, I just hate the idea of anyone wasting time, energy, and money simply to provide “something/anything” to complete a shopping list.   The following list is comprised of common mistakes often made due to hasty last minute shopping.  This list is entirely my opinion and any similarities to actual events are purely coincidental!

 

1.Decorative Items- Unless you are well informed (i.e. itemized on a wish list) avoid such things.  Nothing is more stressful than trying to locate Great Aunt Marge’s toad sculpture to “put out” before her visit.

2.No Large Appliances- “Set It and Forget It”… need I say more?

3.Get over the stigma of money being impersonal.  There is a reason why “Cash is King”!

4.Too Expensive/ Too Cheap- Honor the agreed upon spending amount!

5.Last but certainly not least… Presence rather than Presents!  Give your time to a family member, friend, neighbor… after all that is the true spirit of Christmas!

~Stefani Heisler, PA-C

(To RSVP to this event please click the image above)

 

The holiday season brings presents, lights and, of course, parties galore!

We know it’s one of the busiest times of the year which is why we would be honored for you to join us! This party is a time for appreciation, acknowledgement, and a year end celebration with our amazing clients!!

We’ll provide the food, drinks, and fun, just bring yourself and be ready to have a good time!

All attendees will have the opportunity to receive up to 50% off the service of their choice! Not to mention we will be hosting a raffle with some awesome prizes!! (You do not want to miss out on this!)

 If you would like to join us in supporting Toys for Tots, please bring a new, unwrapped toy with you for donation.

Join us Thursday December 12th, 2013 @ 6:30 p.m.

At the office of simply you… by stef, located at 976 Orange Ave, Ste B. Winter Park, FL 32879.

-GlenRose Hurley

In my attempt to decrease the overall stress in my life I found I am actually doing something right!  I love making people happy… I suppose that explains my career path.  I found a study that shows when people show an expression of gratitude or make another person happy there is a corresponding 23% decrease in their cortisol levels.  Cortisol, an important hormone in our bodies, is a BIGTIME stress hormone!  So… I now have a legitimate reason to buy gifts and spread good cheer!  It is a surefire way to feel less stressed…

Or is it?   I absolutely love finding the most perfect gift for everyone on my holiday list.  The problem is I always wait until crunch time (a day before said gifts should be given) to make my most lofty gift goals a reality.  While my intentions should result in less stress (i.e.  gratitude = less cortisol = less stress) waiting until the  last minute assures  the whole experience to  become not only exhausting but incredibly stressful!  That is why I have made it my mission to plan and shop early this holiday season!

Admittedly I have sort of given myself a head start this year and thought I should share a few of my secrets!  Start paying attention to things your family and friends mention they like throughout the year.  Then keep a list in your notes on your phone and like magic you have your shopping list!  Sounds so easy…  I am not sure why it has taken me until midlife to figure that one out!  No need to panic if it seems too late to start the list.  Another sneaky way to find one’s gift desires is to check out their Pinterest boards.   What?  No Pinterest?  Make it a plan to introduce this to all family/friends if for no other reason other than to make next year’s gift buying easier!   *A hint for my husband (should he read this)… look under “My Wish List”! 

Of course, I do not always follow my own advice so I have another little tip to share for brainstorming gift ideas.  Make a list of everyday items that are nice to have but not necessarily fun to buy.   Include inexpensive items that would seem indulgent to purchase for yourself.  The key to making these “ho- hum” items become amazing gifts is to go online and search for unique, custom, personalized versions of them!  To help get the brainstorming started I have listed some ideas below:

Nightlights- from rustic to whimsical to elegant the options are endless

Gardening Gloves- might as well be comfortable and look cute while pulling weeds

Personalized items- grilling spatulas, baking dishes, luggage tags, and table linens are all great gifts (just remember to order ahead of time)!

Gourmet- olive oil, herb blends/rubs, salts and peppercorns

“_____ Of the Month Club”- not just for jelly anymore!  Believe it or not there are hundreds of options here.  From Fresh Floral Arrangements to Bacon… it truly is “The Gift That Keeps on Giving”!