Week 10: The Final Rules for Weight Loss

5 Mar

By now, you should be looking pretty good and have a good foundation for your new life. These last rules are about the finishing touches to enjoy that social and skinny lifestyle. Many of these are beauty tricks. And I am just going to say it. If you have lost weight, worked hard for a healthy body, don’t you want to show it off and be proud of your beauty?

91. Good Skin
Facials are crucial to having good skin. The right products are just as important. You have to have a good routine here. Also, there are so many foods that have outward health benefits but none more than berries. With all those anti-oxidants they can’t be missed. Wash your face, get a good facial and make an appointment with a dermatologist that can tell you all about your skin. It is so important to understand you skin. You can’t just go to a drug store and guess. You could be wasting more money than you think.

92. Tanning
Now I am going to say this only once. Tanning beds are bad…however getting some natural sun can be beneficial. Vitamin D is essential and the sun can provide that but you really only need about 10 minutes of exposure to benefit. SPF is so important. Please wear it on your face and exposed areas. Your skin will thank you in 20 years. If you want a glow, use a natural tanning lotion but try to keep it au natural. I think it is more important to focus on an even skin tone rather than a tan one.

93. Whiten your Teeth
White teeth can be a shining example of health and wellness. But you can’t just bleach them. Some of those whiteners are really harmful. Healthy teeth and gums can show off your health. Think of it this way when you see someone that has dirty teeth, you wouldn’t think they are super healthy would you? All it takes is a 6 month check up and a good routine of brushing, flossing and mouth wash. I use an at home whitening kit once a month. That’s all it takes. Besides with all that freakin lip gloss we girls buy, you would think we would want to complete that smile with healthy teeth!

94. Make-up
It goes on your face every morning. Are you wearing the best stuff for your skin? Go thru your make up and throw away the old stuff. Buy new stuff that enhances your face not hides it. Oh an very important, wash your face at night!

95. Hands and Feet
Take good care of your hands, feet and nails. You will be working out more and most people forget that it’s your hands holding on tight to that kettle ball and it’s your feet that are pounding the pavement. Give them some love. They make these great gloves and socks that you put on after you put on lotion. Leave on for a few minutes or longer and they are magical. Every night as I am in bed, I massage my feet and hands. Your hands can give away your age but by keeping them moisturized you can take years off. True.

96. New Hair!
All women can agree that there is nothing better than a new hair style/cut to give you a new lease on life. Try something new, something you may have never tried before. Go for it! Go for drastic and everyone will notice you, your new body and your new hair.

97. Under Things…
After you lose weight you may have a distorted view of what your body looks. For many women, their bra size is effected but they never take the time to actually get sized and wear bras properly. Every girl should have good underwear, practical and…ehm… not. You don’t have to spend a ton of money but this is the base of your outfit. Make it count.

98. Fashion
Your body will be changing and your clothes have to adapt. Don’t hide in your clothes. This is your chance for a whole new you! Take an honest friend and go shopping. Be picky and try on everything. Too many people don’t take the time to actually find the right size. Only buy what looks great right now. I know it can be tempting for your to say, “oh it will look so good when I lose 10 pounds.” Stop that! Right now! All you are doing is creating a situation for you to bring it home and loathe it every time you look at it hanging in your closet with the tags still on it. That doesn’t sound like fun to me. Isn’t the dream to have a closet full of things that fit you?! Every one should have a good tailor and use them often. It’s the best way to get a custom fit. And if it fits perfectly, you will wear it more. Totally worth the investment!

99. Laugh
Laughing is the best therapy. When I am having a bad day or a sad moment I go on to Pinterest and find the Humor page and laugh. A silly puppy or a funny celebrity meme can make my day. This is one of the best rules because it is all about you being happy! Watch a funny TV show for 30 minutes. Laugh with friends. Life should be filled with funny moments.

100. Your Mantra
Self motivation is so important. This has to come from you. I can share some of my favorites but you should come up with something that works for you in every situation. When I am working out it is “Just one more (rep/mile/interval)”. One of my favorite quotes that I have written on a post-it note that I see every morning is, “A year from now you will wish you had started today.” Every day, every meal, every workout is a chance to make a change. In the words from Nike: “Just do it. Every damn day.”

Recap:
91. Good Skin
92. Tanning
93. Whiten your Teeth
94. Make-up
95. Hands and Feet
96. New Hair
97. Under Things…
98. Fashion
99. Laugh
100. Your Mantra

And there you have it, the 100 Rules to Weight Loss from my Social and Skinny Diet! I do this because it works and I have a life. No matter what your age is or your weight situation these are rules can help you. Please send me a message or contact me. I will keep writing, so keep checking back.

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Week 9: Old Rules, New Spin

1 Mar

Old rules that are tried and true…with a new spin.

81. Portion Control
Now we have all heard this one a million times. And to be honest with you I think weighing food is a bit overkill. However, you do need to have a strong working knowledge for how much things really are. Here is a quick cheat sheet and this is the way I prefer to do it:
1 cup of cooked rice/pasta/ice cream = a tennis ball
2 tablespoons of Peanut Butter = a golf ball
3oz Cooked Chicken = a deck of cards
1 small Baked Potato = a computer mouse
There are tons of these you can find online! It helps when you are at a restaurant to be able to eyeball these portion sizes.

82. Ask for a Doggie Bag right away…after you finish
They say that you should ask for a doggie bag right away. I get why they say to do this but I always feel silly because I know what the waiter is thinking. That I am crazy! I am also not the type of person that wants to draw attention to myself or be asked questions as to how I eat. Instead, do this. Cut your meal in half and express self control to only eat that much at the table. Then don’t pick at the rest. Now you can ask for a doggie bag. The trick is to not pick at the plate. You may end up eating more than 100 extra calories that way. Save them for your next meal.

83. Food Budget
Have you ever used the excuse, “I’m too poor to buy good food, that is why I’m overweight. Healthy food is more expensive.” Trust me, we have all been there. Here is how to save money and eat healthy. Learn to cook instead of using pre-made dressings, sauces, salads, etc. Always have food that will keep. I mentioned this before and it is worth saying again but things like soup and pasta will stick around for a while so don’t just go out to eat. That meal that you will pay $45 is a weeks worth of food at the store if you buy smart. Write up a food budget for yourself. Let’s say you need $X/month at the grocery store and $X/month for when you go out. Stay around those parameters and if you can stay under them.

84. Eat Slowly
This is a practice in self control. Ever been at a restaurant and the whole table is talking and laughing and then the food arrives and all of a sudden everyone stops talking? Don’t be that table. Keep everyone talking. Take a bite and continue the conversation. In France sometime it takes 3 hours to get through a meal. Because it is more of a social engagement, you should take longer. It should take you about 20 minutes to finish a main dish. Also you will be helping your friends by asking them to talk during the meal. Have a great conversation starter ready to go. It’s a win win. By eating slowly you can eat less because you will be able to tell you are full long before you have over eaten.

85. Calorie Counting
Personally, I hate it but it does help for a little while to get your on track. I like to calculate whole meals not just the individual components. Be aware that counting every little calorie will drive you crazy but once you have an understanding what each meal is you can judge from there.

86. Partner in Crime
They say that people who lose weight together tend to lose more weight. That may be true, but you have to stand on your own two feet as well. Having someone to talk to and motivate you is key. It can also help you to help someone else but at the end of the day it is you that is standing on that scale. You have to take responsibility for yourself. This plan is all about being social, and in my opinion the best way to do that and lose weight, is to lead by example. Practice all of these rules and you will see a change. Share them so you are not alone. Oh and do be careful with who you choose, friends have the power to help or sabotage your efforts.

87. Don’t wear Make-up to the Gym
I agree…sort of. I go to a gym in LA that is filled with pretty people so it can be intimidating to workout. Especially when I know that her yoga pants cost $150! Whatever! Spend as much as you want on your gym attire but take pride in yourself even at the gym. No it doesn’t require a full face of make up and an up-do but put a little effort in. When I know I look good, my head is held higher and when I get a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I can be pleased that I don’t look haggard. Yes, you can sweat pretty. Here is a little bonus tip for you: The scent of oranges can invigorate you and instantly make you more positive. Also it is a great scent that few people will mind at the gym. I keep a orange scented body splash in my gym bag. Keeps me smelling fresh and I like to think it’s a nice courtesy for my neighbor on the treadmill. But don’t over do it.
Side note: Try to not be intimidated at the gym but others. Admire them. If they are really fit you should come to a respectful place that they worked hard to get there. Sure it’s easier to be mad at them and think they are just starving themselves but you don’t know them and if you don’t want them judging you, don’t judge them. I always look to these people as the ones who are getting it right. I watch the girls with the great arms to her kettle ball workout. Steal it! Clearly it is working. You can learn a lot from watching others at the gym. Just don’t be creepy about it, okay?

88. Fasting…I mean Starving!
We all know my quickie slim down rules. That is not what I am talking about. That is simply a way to pull back on the reigns for a week or less to jump up your metabolism and bust through a plateau. Fasting is starving. Please don’t do this! “I’ve lost so much weight and kept it off and I am the happiest person to be around because I haven’t eaten for days!” SAID NO ONE EVER! Please just stop with the starving! I don’t know who you think you are kidding when you go on for a week drinking lemon crap, and you are the meanest person to be around and lose weight only to put it back on. You are wrecking your body; and your social life. I just want to throw a sandwich at these people! I’m sorry, but does my way seem so horrible?! I am having you eat, workout, live like a princess and get massages by eating and drinking and having a social life! If you are still against my way then, that’s okay, but please stop with the starving! Love your body and it will love you back. Tough love, not punishment.

89. The “At least… Workout”
We all have those days when we know there is no way we have get a free minute to workout. That’s okay, don’t beat yourself up. I have been working on a five minute, ten minute and twenty minute workout routines for just an occasion. Do whatever you want but make sure you can get a little something in. Think of it like a power nap. All you need is ten minutes. You can do just the basics: sit ups, push ups, jumping jacks, plank. Whatever. That’s the beauty of it. Have these in your back pocket and you will never have to go thru a crappy day feeling bad that you didn’t workout.

90. Don’t like it, don’t eat it
Every year there are new fads in food and all of a sudden I am being told to eat something that I think is gross. To be totally honest with you, I hate kale. I love spinach and other leafy vegetables but there is something about a kale shake that makes my stomach turn. I even tried the kale chips but in my opinion how healthy are you really making it if you have to dip it in oil!? I mean, really. You should try all kinds of healthy foods, but if you end up not liking it, don’t eat it. Or…hide it. I can’t eat a kale salad, but I will chop it up really small and hide it in my spinach salad. I know it seems juvenile but you just can’t like everything.

Recap:
81. Portion Control
82. Doggie Bags
83. Food Budget
84. Eat Slowly
85. Calorie Counting
86. Partner in Crime
87. Don’t wear Make-up at the Gym
88. Fasting…I mean Starving!
89. The “At least.. Workout”
90. Don’t like it, don’t eat it

Keep going. Remember: Tough Love, Not Punishment!

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Week 8: Lose weight on Vacation!

22 Feb

So you lost all that weight for your vacation only to put on a few pounds at the buffet. Not good! But, the good news is that it is totally avoidable.

71. More Water
I know I’ve said it before but there is an even better reason to keep the water handy on this one. With all the drinking that people tend to do on vacation they are always dehydrated.

72. Walk everywhere you can
Because vacations tend to mean sitting on your ass with a Mai Tai, make sure that you are walking whenever you can.

73. Hotel Workout
All you need to fit in your suitcase is one exercise band. I am talking about one that is long and flat. You can do all kinds of workouts with it. Tighten your arms, legs, back and abs all with the band. All you need is 20 minutes before your shower to do some toning and if you move quickly enough it will get your heart rate going. You really can workout anywhere! Plus, you’ll see immediate benefits to the tone of your body.

74. Eat a little
That is, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. When we are on vacation we tend to overdo it because there is all new foods and drinks to try. Don’t get sucked in. But make sure you are trying the new things. You don’t go to Hawaii and get a cheeseburger do you?! This is the time to use your skills in ordering appetizers. Or suggest to friends that you can go out for a quick bite and a drink. That way you are not obligated to get a huge dinner.

75. The Active Vacation
I love to lay on the beach with that book I’ve been meaning to read but sometimes too much of that and I get bored. So trying planning in a hike or a loooong walk down the beach (great for toning the legs). How about even a surf lesson or if you’re in Europe try a walking tour of the city.

76. Protect Yourself
You should always have a travel emergency kit with you. Here are some things I like to keep on me: Pain meds, bandages, sunscreen, cotton swabs, alcohol wipes, antibacterial gel, and whatever else you may think you need for where you are going. Now, here are some things the social skinny girl will have in addition to the things above: A roll up flask (for water), snack bars, chap stick, gum, and her good beauty products. I say that you need your good beauty stuff because there is nothing that will make you feel crappier than using some hotel stuff that doesn’t work. Also, I always bring my own lotion and aloe vera gel if I am going to a tropical place because you have to keep up your skin care. I am a genius packer and I never bring too much or not enough. But perhaps more on all those secrets later.

77. The Buffet
Try to avoid at all costs. But if you must, get a salad first. Load up on veggies and water first. Then you can go back for lean meats and if you want to try the potatoes or rice get just a small scoop. Stick to the rule of three. If you want to try something make sure you get no more than three bites of it. Which should equal about Three Tablespoons. I know it doesn’t seem like a lot but if you are getting several different things, that is all you need. Remember what I said earlier about only trying new things? Same goes for the buffet.

78. Vacation Your Mind
Don’t forget that when you leave town, you are getting away from your normal life. Take some time while sitting on the beach and just be with your mind. Relax, this is your time to detox. Same goes for if you are in Paris, take in a view, enjoy every sip of that café au lait. Take your deep breaths, do your stretching. This time is so important.

79. Live in Luxury
We would all love to stay at Five Star resorts all the time and if you are, then please enjoy every minute of it. But if you are not you can still feel like you are. I bring my lavender pillow spray with me and sometimes I will bring a scented tea candle. But please don’t burn down your hotel room. These are things you can do at home too but when we are on vacation you can do that will make your experience that much more fun. Also, if you have never taken a solo vacation make sure you do at least once in your life. Even just two nights at a spa resort will make you feel like a million bucks.

80. Take a Good Picture
I hated taking pictures. I was always trying to hide my body from the camera, but with these simple tricks you will look great in all your vacation photos. Turn slightly to the side, and push your head toward the camera slightly. Make sure your arms are away from your body and your chest is out with your tummy pulled in gently. I always find that laughing in photos gives the best smile. So try to joke with your buds as you snap away.

Week 8 Recap:
71. More Water
72. Walk everywhere you can
73. Hotel Workout
74. Eat a Little
75. The Active Vacation
76. Protect Yourself
77. The Buffet
78. Vacation Your Mind
79. Live in Luxury
80. Take a Good Picture

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Week 7: Time to Indulge

10 Feb

These rules come at a good time. Right around Valentines Day and Fat Tuesday. This week, we talk chocolate and dessert!

61. Choose Dark Chocolate
Dark Chocolate has great antioxidant properties and has been proven to help in many things like brain and heart health. Now, with that said, please eat responsibly. Buy the good stuff and eat only a little. I love to buy the dark chocolate chips that you can use for baking and add them to my snack mixes with fruits and nuts. It’s a great way to get a little something sweet but all those almonds and dried cherries will help to fill you up.

62. Drink your dessert
Hot Chocolate, cider, tea, coffee. Don’t just have coffee has the best cup of coffee. I also love dunking in my tea and coffee. When I was in London they had these biscuits that were like graham crackers with one side covered in chocolate. All I needed to indulge, was the best brewed tea and two biscuits. Freakin awesome! I also love a mudslide martini that you make with skim milk, sugar free chocolate syrup and a flavored vodka (love the vanilla in this drink). Shake it up and pour that baby in a martini glass, sip away your day, and still look great tomorrow!

63. Share a dessert
Splitting means half the calories. Because honestly sometimes all you need is a little taste.

64. Fruit as dessert
I love to add berries to my desserts. They make the dessert feel more full without adding more fat. Also just a bowl of chopped strawberries with a little dollop of yogurt can be good on a regular basis.

65. Late Night Snacks
I know you are not supposed to eat late at night and I do my best not to, but we are not perfect. I do make sure that if I eat at night it is healthy. And do try to keep it at least an hour before bed time, longer if you can, but I know how we get sometimes. Try not to reach for chips or carbs. Go for something with protein and fat. Because if it is late at night your body won’t use the energy from the carbs before you hit the sack.

66. Dessert Liquor
I love going out an ordering a dessert martini but the way they make it, it really is just a bunch of calories. But make it at home and it’s so delicious. See above Mudslide Martini. This is your chance to get creative.

67. Late Night Boredom
Most people who eat at night aren’t really hungry they are just bored in front of the TV. So for a way to just keep you from eating a ton of calories that will take you a long time to eat, grab a popsicle or fudgesicle.

68. Sugar Free
Alright calm down. Sugar in large quantities is bad, there is just no other way to say it. But trust me when I say that you will not miss it if you buy a few things that are sugar free. For example, sugar free popsicles or hard candies. Sometimes it is just about your mouth being bored. So give it a hard candy or gum. Thou shalt not seek out sugar. It comes across us in so many sneaky ways that you never really have to go looking for it. But beware some of the “sugar free” stuff can contain some crazy substitute that is not good for you. Always read the labels.

69. Steal from you favorite restaurant
I have talked about this before with other foods but where most of the calories really hide on the menu are in the dessert section. So steal the idea and make it at home. One of my all time favorite desserts is the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory; oddly enough, I hate the whipped cream they put on it so I always get it without. But what I love about it is the chocolate crust and the white chocolate and raspberries. So here is what I do. I go to the store and buy reduced fat Oreo cookies, cheesecake sugar free fat free pudding (the powder that you make with skim milk at home), fresh raspberries and white chocolate bar to make chocolate curls out of. Make the pudding as directed, crush up one Oreo as a topping, then add the chocolate and raspberries. So good and much healthier. I know it’s not the same but it’s damn close and my ass gets to stay in my skinny jeans.

70. Go out for dessert
Now despite what I just said….if you have a favorite place you like to get dessert make that an event just about the dessert. Have dinner at home, a very small dinner, then go out for dessert and drinks with your beau or pal. I don’t know about you but when I go out I never have room for dessert but I want to order it anyway, and I end up feeling miserable about it. How about you go to your favorite place for dessert that is just about that dessert. That way you can enjoy every bite. This is not something to do every day but don’t feel bad about eating that whole piece of cheesecake once in a blue moon.

Overall, losing weight just takes some planning and making good choices. Don’t let your new life restrict you. Allow it to fit.

61. Choose Dark Chocolate
62. Drink your dessert
63. Share a dessert
64. Fruit as dessert
65. Late Night Snacks
66. Dessert Liquor
67. Late Night Boredom
68. Sugar Free
69. Steal from you favorite restaurant
70. Go out for dessert

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Week 6: What it mentally takes to lose weight

5 Feb

So we should be doing pretty good now. Your house is organized. You are working out and trying new recipes at home. And now you’ve had a good jump start to your lifestyle.

This week we will focus on looking inward and setting goals.

51. Go to the Doctor
I don’t know a single person that likes going to the doctor but it really shouldn’t be avoided. Make an appointment for a full check up. As much as we don’t want bad news, we don’t want really awful news later that can’t be undone. It’s important to go and save yourself from any harm later down the road. Just do it. You may be given a clean bill of health. Isn’t that a good thing?!

52. Set a health goal
If the doctor says you have high cholesterol, make it your mission to get that down. Your doctor can provide you with how to do that. The ultimate goal is to stay off medication for the rest of your life. Wouldn’t you rather make sure that you are healthy now so you can grow old and stay strong without having to pop a bunch of pills everyday for the rest of your life? Make it your mission to have a healthy amount of body fat or BMI.

53. Get your body a Fit test
I know we talked about a “fitness test” but this goes one step further. Many gyms will offer a body fat test and measurements for free. Sometimes they will give you a free personal training session as well. But do all the stats for a healthy body. Have them check your heart rate and blood pressure as well as body fat and fitness tests like flexibility. It’s good to know where you are and where you need to be. Also, it’s good to take all of your measurements every three months. That way you will see how the shape of your body changes as you workout and lose the weight.

54. Set a fitness goal
Sign up for a 5k or join a class that you know is hard. There is a class at my gym and right now I can never get thru the whole thing without modifying or not finishing all the sets, but I am getting stronger. My goal is to get all the way thru that class in full form with all reps.

55. EAT IT ALL!
This one may shock you but it’s one we all love. Twice a month have a calorie fest. Go eat that double cheeseburger or that whole tub of popcorn and chocolate. This can actually help jump start your metabolism. As you lose weight you probably won’t be eating as much on this day as you might think. But think of it this way, if you have been doing great for two weeks but you know it’s your friend’s wedding or birthday bash, go ahead; eat drink and be merry! Give yourself the green light to indulge. But next day, get back to the gym. But trust me those extra calories will act as extra fuel if you go back and burn them off the next day. It’s a win-win. You enjoyed some of your favorite foods, didn’t wreck your diet and you are back on track. And rest assured you won’t put on 15 pounds in one day.

56. Meditation
It is so important to sit and listen to your body. You also have to mentally prepare yourself for the changes you are going thru. Losing weight is a big deal. So many people struggle with their bodies for their whole lives. You don’t want to be one of those people. Know that you are doing something about it. You are making changes and you are doing great. Check in with yourself. Be proud of your progress every day.

57. The outside world
The people around you will react differently to your weight loss. And you have to be prepared to deal with them. Some won’t understand and some will be fawning on you. You have to decide how you want to move forward. I have heard so many stories about people putting the weight back on because the people in their life didn’t accept their new body. Also, know that when you are at your goal and you meet a new person, they may not know that you were ever fluffy. You get to decide how you want them to find out and/or ever know. If it comes up, have your response ready. I like to say to those people, “Yes, I used to be overweight but I have since gotten healthy and have been maintaining my new lifestyle.” It’s a brush off combined with a big fat FU. Because in my mind, it’s a non issue if I don’t make it one. Who cares what I used to be? Besides it’s not like you were doing something horrific like stealing from children or kicking puppies! Come on, get over it! “I used to be overweight, now I’m hot! I’m awesome!”

58. Forgive Yourself
I know I am getting all psychological on you but hear me out. You need to forgive who you were. This is important so that you can move on. It’s like breaking up with yourself and your big pants. What do you do when you break up with someone? You have to get them out of your life. Do the same with your old clothes and even old pictures of yourself. Don’t hold on to anything that you can associate with that old life. Forgive and move on. As soon as something you were wearing is too big, get rid of it. No going back.

59. Have a drink
When you go out drinking you can be better prepared as to what won’t ruin your diet if you know a few tricks. Try to stay away from anything that has a juice, like cranberry or OJ. They can be healthy, but at a bar they are just sugar water with your vodka. Don’t do anything blended or that comes with cream/milk. You will never get the low fat kind. If you can, drink it neat or on the rocks. My go to favorite is a glass of wine or a whiskey and diet coke. It is also good practice to order a glass of water with any beverage and alternate between them. Now I know sometimes we just want to go out and party, so for those of you that intend on having more than two read carefully. Make sure you get a glass of water in there somewhere and do eat something substantial before your go out. Also, you should never over do it on alcohol. Pace yourself. No one wants to take care of a sloppy drunk person. Keep your drinks simple and stick to one kind. Vodka soda with a lime is always s good choice when you go out.

60. Throw a party
This part should be fun. So it’s Saturday night and your house is already clean, because that’s the way you keep it, and you have friends coming over! Awesome! You are in control of all the food and drinks. You get to have all healthy alternatives for your drinks and snacks. My biggest thing is that most people won’t be able to tell that things are low fat. So don’t tell them. Let them eat it and oohh and aahh over your cooking prowess. Also set up the perfect bar so guests can serve themselves. You can get cheap pitchers at any home goods store like IKEA. Buy the diet cranberry juice and put it in the pitcher as a serve yourself. It looks classy and they will never guess it’s diet. Or make a batch of a recipe to serve like homemade margaritas. (Hit me up and ask me for my famous recipe using fresh fruit juice). Throwing a party is a great excuse to show off a new dress and your new house or just have a few friends over to save money and calories instead of going out. This is the fun part! Be social, be skinny!

Recap:
51. Go to the Doctor
52. Set a health goal
53. Get a your body a fit test
54. Set a fitness goal
55. Eat it all!
56. Meditation
57. The Outside World
58. Forgive yourself
59. Have a drink
60. Throw a party

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Week 5: Award Show Slim Down

29 Jan

So it has been a month and you are almost halfway done with my rules. Of course you will never be totally done I hope, because I want these become new habits for you.

Here is something that always boggles my mind. We read magazines, we watch E!, we even follow them on twitter. We are always interested in what celebrities are up to and we want to know their secrets. We all want to be given the five star treatment, and yet, we are all capable of doing it ourselves. It boils down to this. Start treating yourself like a celebrity. Take the best care of yourself. Think about it this way. Picture your fav celeb that you’d love to be like. Imagine what their day at home would look like. What do you think their bathroom looks like? Sure it may be the size of your whole apartment but that is no reason you can’t emulate it. I love feeling like I am living at the Ritz. Even though I bought all my bathroom stuff at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Walk yourself thru their day. Do you really think they are hitting the drive thru every day? Or are they at a cool restaurant eating a delicious salad with an iced tea? I think that we should be living fabulously and I don’t think it has to cost a fortune. You don’t have to pay thousands of dollars for that custom closet. Just by organizing your closet to where you can see everything will make you feel like you have a personal organizer. Treat yourself like a star. Maybe even cut out a picture from a magazine of your fav celeb and put it up where you will see it every day. A daily reminder of your fabulous life.

With it being Award season I have moved these 10 rules to this week. I was going to leave them until the end but what the hell! I want to share some celeb secrets with you for a one week slim down. This is where is gets hard but honestly, if you do this approximately every six weeks or so, you will never plateau. But if you try to do this as a whole lifestyle, you will gain it all back in an instant if you go back to a “regular” schedule.

So for one week:

41. Cut the Carbs
I know, I know, but it really is the fasted way to lose the weight. However, please don’t read “Oh good now I can eat a pound of bacon and cheese!” No. No. You job is to focus on eating healthy protein and veggies. Here is a sample day of food: Egg white omelet with spinach and goat cheese. Two Celery stalks with a light veggie dip. A chicken Caesar salad with no croutons and a low sugar dressing. Grilled chicken fajitas with no tortillas, just pepper and onions; can be served over lettuce for a southwest salad. And a caffeine free tea for dessert. See, it’s not terrible. You will still be eating actual food, just not all those potatoes, bread and rice. You have to stay pretty strict for one week to make this work, but again, it is only one week.

42. Cut out the Milk
Most things that are dairy tend to cause bloating in people. I usually love yogurt and skim milk in my cereal and cheese but for this week try to limit them as much as possible. No a slice of cheese won’t make you blow up like a balloon but cutting back for a week will show in your stomach. As a note about Dairy: Eating low fat dairy has been shown to help you lose weight and I agree. After this week feel free to add low fat yogurt and skim milk into your diet. The only reason to cut back for a week is to beat the bloat.

43. Cut out all salt, carbonated beverages and alcohol
This will help with any bloating too. Believe it or not most of your fat cells are really just bloated which make you appear fluffier. The good news is that because you will be avoiding carbs you will naturally be avoiding much of the salt in your diet. I would avoid coffee as well, at least for this one week.

44. Drink lots of water and green tea
Please don’t drink too much, but water is vital to flushing out your system. Water with sliced cucumber is now your best friend. Sip through out the day but don’t force it. Your body will know when it has had too much.

45. Sweat it out
Now that you are drinking lots of water, it is time to get rid of all the excess toxins in your body. Work out with a shirt and a sweatshirt on. Anything to help you sweat. Please, as a health precaution: know your limits. If you feel faint or dizzy, stop. This is not meant to be a harsh Rocky moment for you. But when your body is warm it will naturally help you sweat out those toxins. And as always, keep your water bottle handy.

46. Two-a-days
That’s right, for one week you must workout twice a day. So in the morning get a good cardio burn on. And in the evenings warm up with cardio and add weight training. Weight training is a beautiful thing because you body will actually burn calories long after you have stopped your workout. I do still encourage you to try new workouts but in order to make the most of this week, you need to work out twice a day. Even a 60 min AM yoga class and a PM Body Sculpt class will get you amazing results in just one week.

47. Body Brushing
This is a great rule to follow all the time, but especially now. If you are getting ready for an event, you want your skin looking as great as your body that you have worked so hard for. Using a body brush is a great way to promote good circulation and to rid the top layer of your skin from any dry skin to reveal a natural glow. Do it before every shower. It doesn’t have to hurt, in fact it should feel good. Use the brush in a circular motion from your feet to your heart. It may hurt a little at first, just judge the amount of pressure. You skin should not be red afterwards.

48. A really good body scrub
Not every day but maybe every third day, it is a good idea to get rid of the dull skin. I recommend on the day you will use this to be extra gentle with the body brush because you do not want to irritate your skin.

49. Massage
About half way thru your week get a really good deep-tissue massage. Massage is a great thing to keep up. Your muscles will be working extra hard so why not help them recover and work harder for you and get a massage. Tips to get the most out of your massage: Do a little light stretching before your massage. Drink water before and after to assist in the flushing out of toxins. Arrive early, and get your body warmed up. Ask if they have a way to warm the table (most places do). I like to schedule my massages towards the end of the day because then I can relax and go to sleep having had a wonderful time to let my body turn to goo without adding any stress before the day is over. Ahhh.

50. Firming Lotion
As you lose weight, you don’t want saggy extra skin. But you can’t fix it as easily after you have lost the weight. You have to focus on that through out your weight loss. My favorite firming lotion is by Nivea. They have a great formula that is not too heavy and smells fresh. After every shower make sure to really massage it into your skin.

41. Cut the Carbs
42. Cut the milk
43. Cut the salt and carbonated beverages
44. Drink water and green tea
45. Sweat it out
46. Two-a-day workouts
47. Body Brush Daily
48. Body Scrub every few days
49. Get a Massage on day 3/4
50. Firming Lotion

After one week of this you will lose 5-10 pounds. Again I do not recommend this for every week but as a jump start and as a plateau buster this is a great, and healthy way to drop weight quickly. After this go back to eating healthy and working out. I would keep up with the body brushing, scrubs, and lotion. If you can treat your body to a massage every month. It will help shape your new body as you continue on this journey. Good luck this week!

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Week 4: Clean and Organize

22 Jan

Week 4: Rules 31-40

So you are well underway to your new lifestyle. Now it’s time to focus on your new house. This week you get a pass for the gym. But you will be working just as hard, trust me. So you remember when I made you make those play lists? Well now’s the time to break them out. Tie your hair back, and put on your cleaning clothes. This week, we will clean your house. And keep that water bottle handy, you’re going to need it.

The day/days you will spend organizing and cleaning your space will leave you with less stress on a daily basis and it will give you a sense of luxury. Unless you have a live in maid, you have to make cleaning fun. The idea is to move quickly so you get a workout in too.

Organizing week-
Everything should have a place where it is accessible to you. One of the most stressful things is not knowing where things are. How often are you running around your house looking for something?! Ahhh! We all know the feeling. This will help alleviate all of that. How does that sound? A blissful…ahhh.

31. Pantry
All that good food you bought last week, and every week, needs some place to go and be organized. If things are where you can see them you will use them. So many people have things in their cabinets that are years old that have been pushed to the back. Get rid of them. Your weekly menu should be set up and you can put them in order in your cabinet so that there is less searching involved when you go to cook them. The idea is to make this space a no-brainer.

32. Kitchen
I have heard so many people say that they would cook more if they had a better kitchen. So create it. I have a tiny kitchen but everything has it’s place. I always have my place to work too. Streamline your appliances and get them off your counter if you don‘t use them. If you have something that you haven’t used in years, get rid of it. Any old pots or pans that you don’t use? Give them to Goodwill. I bet there are 10 things you can get rid of in your kitchen. Don’t forget to actually clean everything. Scrub the floors, clean out the fridge, wipe the oven down. Keep your kitchen environment clean. After a good scrub your shoulders should be feeling it. If you really scrub it hard today, it will only need a quick wipe down once a week.

33. Closet
Get those goodwill bags ready. This is the hardest part for most people. We tend to hold on to things that we don’t fit in anymore or we have things that we never fit in. You have to part with those things. By the time you are going to fit into them again they may be out of style. I will tell you this from experience. By keeping the things that you may fit into one day you are depriving yourself two things. One: That feeling in the dressing room zipping up that smaller size jeans. And Two: You are holding on to who you used to be. Here’s where I get real. By losing weight you are going to become a different person. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact you should be proud. But how does this new person dress? It probably isn’t like the former you. You are going to want to wear things that you couldn’t before. That’s exciting! But all of that starts now. Get rid of the old you. This should be cathartic. As your lose weight, you may have to do this once a month but don’t be scared. This is a good thing. You can also try selling your clothes at a place like “Buffalo Exchange” for some extra shopping cash.

34. Bedroom
Clean everywhere. De clutter your bedroom. It should feel like a sanctuary. Put away all papers, clothes, trash, whatever is keeping your bedroom from feeling like a luxury hotel. If you want, go buy new things. Get new sheets, bedspreads, etc. Sometimes we need a visual change. Goodwill would be happy to take theses things off your hands. Don’t forget to vacuum, dust and burn those calories.

35. Bathroom
Say it with me… De-clutter! Do you really need all those products? Before I cleaned my bathroom I had so many things that were half empty. If you are dead set on finishing them, put all other products away. Anything that you don’t use up in a week goes bye-bye. Get an organizational caddy with everything you use in plain sight. My bathroom is set up like something out of a hotel. Designed by yours truly with stuff from Bed Bath and Beyond. Imagine how much time you waste every morning and night digging thru bottles. There is no reason for that. Clutter stresses people out and there is no reason to be like that. Do the same with your make -up too. Here is a great cheat sheet for how long your should keep your make-up. Mascara – good for 3 months; Liquid Eyeliner – 3 months; Foundation In liquid form – 6 months; Powdered foundation – 2 years; Lipsticks – 2 years; Nail polishes – 1-2 years; Eye Shadows – 2 years; Eyeliner pencils – 2+ years if they can be sharpened. Hope that helps. Oh yeah, and don’t forget to scrub down the whole bathroom….goodbye calories! (Yes, the toilet too.)

36. Office
The OCD girl in me can go crazy at Staples! I’ve done everything in my power to not buy one of those “easy” buttons. Time to organize the office. Finally tackle that stack of old bills that need to be filed or shredded. Come on I know you can do it. We don’t throw away as much as we could. Test those pens that you’ve had for years. I bet half of them don’t work. Make a spot on your desk for new stuff and make sure that spot is clean once a week. If things are where they should be, paying your bills, making your calendar, etc should be less stressful, therefore you will actually do it. Throw it away, recycle all the old papers and magazines. Make sure to shred sensitive materials.

37. Accidental workouts
I wear wrist weights and ankle weights when I am walking around my house and doing things like folding laundry or vacuuming. Even adding 1lbs weights to your limbs can make a difference. When you are cleaning your house crank the music and move quickly. Get it done and burn those calories. After every song make sure you are getting a 30 sec water break. This should be fun. Your house needs to be clean and you need to workout. Done and done.

38. Morning Routine
Set yourself up for success every single day. One of the secrets to success in just about anything is setting yourself up right. That part is all on you.

Morning: Do you really know how long it takes you to get ready in the morning from wake-up to out the door? Take a day and time yourself. I bet it’s more than what you think. What’s more is that we all have those days when we wake up late and magically we get out the door in half the time it normally takes us. It’s because you cut out all that in between bullshit. Streamline how you are getting ready. Your bathroom, bedroom and closet should all be cleaner which should already make it easier for you to find things. Also, lay out your clothes the night before. I bet you waste a lot of time trying to find something to wear when you are half awake and cranky, right? Do it the night before.

39. Night Routine
Night: Make sure you have a good cleaning routine for yourself. You know, wash your face, brush your teeth, etc. That may not have a lot to do with losing weight but what good is a slammin’ body with acne on your face? To help your AM routine, do what you can to pre-make your snacks/lunch for the next day. Get the coffee pot ready to go. Make sure it’s clean. Doing all this same stuff at night that you usually do bleary eyed in the morning will actually distress you to sleep better. Mentally you know that your day is already for your tomorrow. Your work bag/ gym bag is packed and ready for you to go. Your water bottle is chilling overnight in the fridge and your kitchen is clean in the morning when you go and make your breakfast. What a great way to start and end your days.

40. Home workout station
I have a gym membership but I also have a set of weights, yoga blocks and resistance bands at home. I also have a ton of DVD’s that I use to workout too. Set them up in a place that is official, all in one place. There are days when I just don’t feel like getting my butt to the gym but I can do a quick workout at home. If I have to pull it out of the back of the closet, I won’t do it. Most people by nature are lazy. I admit it. So I make my life a no excuses zone. The weights are there, and I have my DVR with my fav show on. I can do squats and curls while watching my show. Done and done.

Week 4 Recap- Clean/Organizing week
31. Pantry
32. Kitchen
33. Closet
34. Bedroom
35. Bathroom
36. Office
37. Accidental workouts
38. Morning Routine
39. Night Routine
40. Home workout station

I know a lot of this seems a little OCD but it’s just what it takes. You want a new life to live stress free in a great house that is always clean, and look great all the time? This is how you do it. It takes hard work and maintenance. Now that your house is clean and de-cluttered, carve out time every week for a quick clean-up. I do it every Sunday from 10-11am. Right after breakfast I get to it, then it’s done and I can start my week with a fresh start.
“Am I crazy? No. Am I skinny? Yes.”

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