Everyone has to deal with the effects of aging skin [http://www.yearserased.com] as they get older. There are several things under your control that can stop and even reverse the appearance of aging skin. Some are as simple as keeping a daily skin regimen (kind of like a gym for your skin). The "mainstays" of skin fitness are the same sort of things that you would see in a general fitness program. Here are four simple steps that you can take to reduce the effects of aging on your skin. You will notice that these 'Do it yourself' skin care [http://www.yearserased.com/skin-care-dictionary/] tips are also good for your general health. That shouldn't be surprising as your skin is the largest organ in your body.

• Drink Plenty of Water
  
  Abundant hydration is necessary. While it's possible to overdose on water, it's also highly unlikely. Most of us truly do not get enough water. We get plenty of soft drinks and coffee, but not pure water. And, it does not need to be bottled. Tap water is fine. While it is generally understood that a body doesn't transfer water directly to the skin as we drink, our bodies still use hydration in many ways, skin health and replication being one.
  



• Quit Smoking
  
  Just stop. I know it is easy for me to say, but you must at least make a serious effort to stop if you want healthy skin. Toxins produced by smoking greatly decrease the body's ability to nourish cells. It may interest you to know some plastic surgeons feel so strongly about this that they will not consider operating on a smoker. Everything from actual surgery, to outcome, to healing time is negatively affected with a smoker.
  



• Exercise Regularly
  
  Aerobic exercise is great. It increases circulation to all your organs including your skin. Actually, skin is our largest organ both in size and weight. Aerobic exercise increases oxygen (oxygenation is one of your body's great nutrients), and encourages a sense of well-being. Good exercise can lead directly to more healthy skin by increasing healthy oxygen flow.
  



• Eat a Healthy Diet
  
  I think we all know that a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and proteins will make us healthier and feel better. Often we (me included) don't watch this, but it is important.
  
  Our country has a diet way too heavy in fats and carbohydrates. I have nothing against carbs, but they need to be balanced. The metabolic syndrome, a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes, is out of control. Overweight people and obesity (yes, there is a difference, at least in how it is measured) rates are skyrocketing. A diet high in fat and carbohydrates doesn't contain the necessary antioxidants required to squelch the thirst for the oxygen atom. This results in an imbalance of free radicals as discussed earlier. The maladies from being overweight create lots of free radicals searching for their oxygen atom. As we learned earlier, this free radical imbalance can be harmful to your skin.
  

What You Can Do Now?

Think of your body and skin as one.

Consciously drink water and choose your foods wisely.

Get some aerobic exercise. Yoga is phenomenal too, but should not be substituted for aerobic exercise.