It’s been a while since you’ve gone through your medicine cabinet. You feel like you have some time today so you decide to clean it out and restock. Here are a few simple tips you can follow and you do not have to worry about doing it again until next year.

Get a box and dump everything from your medicine cabinet in there. Clean out your medicine cabinet. You can use some white vinegar. Now, go through each and every item in the box. Go through the medicines first. Make sure to dispose of expired prescriptions. Don’t forget to remove the labels on all of them because it has some of your personal information. The general rule of thumb is to throw out anything that is old, since their effectiveness is diminished. Maybe you have accumulated two or more of one product. Check all expiration labels. Keep the newest one and throw out the old. When you are done going through all of the items in the box, return to the medicine cabinet what you have not thrown out. Now is a great time to organize your medicine cabinet.

Depending upon the size of your medicine cabinet, you may want to prioritize those items you use on a daily basis, such as: deodorants and razors, which you can keep on the first shelf. You may want to use plastic cups to keep your Q-tips in; or disposable razors as well. Place all ointments and creams on another shelf, such as Neosporin and the like. Medicinal products can be put on the top shelf. It depends on your preference. Glass bottles, however, should be kept on the first shelf. Replenish whatever creams or ointments you threw out, and any other necessary items you need to have on hand. For example; over the counter antacids; vapor rub; cough syrup; toothpaste; toothbrushes, and the like.

Make sure you have enough band aids; ointments; and other necessary items you may need, especially if you have children. Cleaning out your medicine cabinet can be done once a year as long as you replace or throw out those items which are expired or no longer useable during the year. Wasn’t that easy? 

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Let’s get real for a moment, the older we get, the wider we spread. Is this a fact? Is exercising and dieting not enough to avoid this middle age spread? Weight loss experts say that it has something to do with metabolism. Below are some ways on how you can help speed up your metabolism when you reach middle age.

Diet: Maybe the most essential key to keeping your metabolism at a higher rate is to consume low-fat foods. Combined with strong doses of protein such as fish, and leafy green vegetables, a healthy and balanced diet is the best method in which you can burn fat and gain additional energy. Leans meats, chicken and low-fat dairy products can be helpful in burning calories. While it is true that not everyone’s metabolism is the same, it is also true you can maintain the same metabolic rate in middle age as you did in your early adult years. A proper diet is the key.

Exercise: The most important ingredient in boosting your metabolic rate is to increase muscle mass - this burns more calories - and, at the same time, reduces your body fat.  This is not to say you should pump up your muscles to such an extent that you redefine your body image; but it is a well known fact that without exercise, you lose muscle not fat.  Therefore, if you want to avoid the middle age spread, start an exercise program which is geared for you.  Try walking 20 minutes a day, and work up to a mile or more.  If you like swimming, this is another very healthy exercise which can lose those pounds.  More importantly, these exercises speed up your metabolism which yield a higher rate of return.  In other words, more calories will be burned after your exercise routine is over.

Emotional Well-Being: Try your very best to stay stress-free. Using yoga will not only improve your emotional state, but your physical being as well.  Sometimes, we end up eating more when stressed or depressed.  Maintaining a balance within will stop you from eating and snacking unnecessarily.

Even if the battle of minimizing the middle age spread seems to be hard to win, it doesn’t have to be. Work out and stick to a healthy diet and try your best to burn those calories. This way, the only spread you’ll worry about is that jam you place on your whole-wheat toast in the morning.

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