Archive for » October, 2008 «

A woman took it upon herself to lose weight. She was not happy with herself and life. Over the year, the weight piled on and her self-esteem plummeted. She was not a “happy camper.” A change had to occur and fast, her life depended on it.

One day she watched The Biggest Loser and became inspired. She started working out with the contestants, implemented the trainer tips, and started eating right. Little by little the weight started to come off. She was very excited. Soon, she reached her goal of losing 100 lbs. Not only did she shed the pounds, her horrible self-image went with it. Her mind, body, and spirit were finally connected. This helped her focus on training for a 5K run. She’s off to run a race of a lifetime!

Many people struggle with weight loss. Their weight goes up and down like a yo-yo which is not good for the body. Weight loss does not have to be some big mystery.

Tips for weight loss

  1. Portion control. Instead of using a big plate use a smaller plate. This way you will not be tempted to pile on the food. A 3 oz. piece of chicken and broccoli will fit nicely on the plate.
  2. Cut out white flour. Multi-grain foods are very popular. However, carbs are carbs. Do not think that a multi-grain bagel with light cream cheese is a better choice, it’s not! Bagels can have more than 42 grams of carbohydrates. For breakfast, choose oatmeal, a high fiber cereal (with low carbs), or egg whites with tomatoes.
  3. Drink water! Keep a water bottle near you. If you have a craving, drink some water. This will ease the craving. Plus, water is better for you than soda.
  4. Go organic. These foods are free from unnatural substances such as chemical fertilizers. However, be mindful of the label organic. If a product has the USDA Organic symbol this means that the product is 95% or more organic.
  5. Do not deprive yourself. When you restrict what you eat, you’re more than likely to binge. Incorporate a “cheat day” into your diet. Use a certain amount of calories to splurge on pizza, gelato, chocolate, or whatever is that you like.

These are some tips to improve your odds of weight loss. If you gain weight or hit a plateau, do not panic. This will happen from time to time. You need to give your body time to adjust to your weight loss regime. Remember, you did not gain those 50 lbs. all at once. You gained them 2 or 5 pounds at a time. It will take time to drop the weight. Slow and steady wins the race!

People who carry around weight on their body usually carry “inner baggage.” Once the weight starts to come off, the true cause of weight gain is discovered. Nine times out of ten, people gain weight because of something traumatic that happened in their childhood or some other traumatic life experience such as a death or divorce.

Once you start working on your body, pay attention to your mind. Also, surround yourself with supportive people. You’ll want to work on the mental portion of your weight loss. You may lose 50 lbs. or 100 lbs., but if you’re not comfortable with yourself, you may gain the weight back. You must get to the heart of the matter of your weight gain and then work from that point.

Take your weight loss slow and be kind to yourself. Celebrate a 1 lb. weight loss along with a 10 lb. weight loss. The pounds you lose are important no matter how small they are.

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Has this ever happened to you? You are excited about shopping at your favorite store. The shelves are filled with your favorite products and they’re priced just right. Then it happens. You get to the register and the person behind it provides horrible customer service. This has happened to me numerous times at Ulta Beauty in Chandler, Arizona. The energy in the store is just “blah.” You’d think by now I would know enough to go the Ulta Beauty at Tempe Marketplace. Well, I finally learned my lesson. I’ll shop at Tempe Marketplace store, order online, or find another beauty store.

Customer service in The United States of America is less than stellar. What’s the deal with horrible customer service? Are people that unhappy with their lives? Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding “yes!” These people take their negative energy to work and spread it around faster than the speed of light.

Too bad businesses did not administer an “energy” test to employees. Some give psychological and or personality tests but those are not 100 percent reliable. Then again, most businesses are only concerned with the degree a potential employee has and how many years of experience. It does not occur to businesses that they may be hiring a “toxic” employee. Soon the entire company will be infested with an “energy disease” that can suck the life out you in less than 2.5 seconds!

Oprah had Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com on her September 23, 2008 show. He has taken Zappos.com from $1.6 million in 2000 to $840 million in 2007. Tony did this by focusing relentlessly on customer service. He knew what it was like to receive “horrible customer service” which is why excellent customer service is important at Zappos.com.

Zappos.com offers handbags, clothing, electronics, and much more because of their superior customer service. People who receive good customer service will be loyal customers. Tony does not have an office; he doesn’t even own a suit! Tony prefers to be accessible to all of his employees instead of being holed-up in an office.

The next time you provide or receive horrible customer service, remember these two things: 1) the person you just waited on may be a writer for a major newspaper or magazine and 2) shop at another store. With current economic conditions being a little shaky, there are plenty of stores that provide great customer service. They’ll take your money with a smile!

Have you experienced horrible customer service? What’s the story?

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Many people are constantly in their head. Of course, some of these people are writers so they’re always in their head because it’s part of their job.

For those of you who are not writers, being a prisoner of your mind may slowly drive you and the people around you insane! Freedom can be yours if you put your mind to it.

The worst “mind-crime” committed by people is negative self-talk. Negative chatter not only affects you, but everyone around you. This can include someone in a country far away such as Hungary. If you do not believe this to be true, just take a stroll through Barnes and Noble or any other bookstore. The New Age, Spirituality, and or Science sections of book stores are packed with books on “mind control.” Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich” is very popular. Other books include Sandra Anne Taylor’s “Quantum Success.”

8 Ways to Escape Your Mind

  1. Meditate. A great way to re-center yourself.
  2. Yoga. Stretch the mind and body to align with your spirit.
  3. Deep breathing exercises. Releases the tension within your body.
  4. Listening to music. Whether you listen to metal, rock, jazz, pop, or indie, music will soothe your soul.
  5. Painting, drawing, or some other art project. Studies have shown that being creative enriches the brain.
  6. Go for a walk. A low impact exercise that will do your mind and body good.
  7. Let go. If you’re trying to force circumstances in your life such as relationships and careers, the best way is to detach and let go. If you want quick results, detachment is key.
  8. Journal. Release your thoughts onto paper in the morning or at night. A technique used by shamans is to write your thoughts on paper and then burn the paper. If you choose to do this, please be careful. You do not want Smokey the Bear showing up!

The mind is a powerful tool. Look at how far we’ve come with technologies, health care, and space exploration. If these are not indicators of how powerful the mind can be, then what is?

Free yourself from the trappings of your mind today and tomorrow your future will be brighter. Whether or not you believe in a collective consciousness, tune into the radio or watch television. The media constantly reports on the fears Americans have about America’s economic situation and now these fears have spread around the world.

Review the headlines of your local newspapers. If you’re still not convinced that the mind is a powerful instrument, take a look at your own life and “mind your thoughts” for a week or two. See what manifests in your life. You may or may not be pleasantly surprised!

Are you a victim of your own mind or someone else’s? What are you doing to break free?

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Many people do not use coupons; they think it’s a waste of time. Yet, their savings account and 401(K) are becoming lighter by the hour. The time is now to use coupons. Did you know that Fry’s grocery store is giving consumers double and triple coupons? Like most grocery stores, they have a V.I.P. card that will save consumers money. The bonus is that they are accepting competitor’s coupons.

True, many people will not give up such items such as health and beauty items no matter their financial circumstance. If you’re a woman who uses Oil of Olay products, visit their website for money saving coupons. That’s right, you can get coupons for Oil of Olay’s Definity and Regenerist product lines. The coupons take 6-8 weeks to arrive by mail, but it will be worth it in the end. Visit Oil of Olay for more information.

How many people are familiar with General Mills? If you visit their website, check out all of their brands. Furthermore, if you click on Coupons and Promotions, it will take you to pages upon pages of money saving coupons. All you have to do is sign up and become a member of the Pillsbury Community. It’s that simple and easy. Sign up today and start saving tomorrow!

For those that receive the Sunday paper, it’s usually jammed pack with coupons. Instead of throwing the coupons out or using them to the line bird cage, grab the scissors and start saving at the grocery store.

Another way to save is via direct mail. The ValPak and direct mail magazines you throw away each week, is like opening a window and tossing out money! You never know what’s in that direct mail magazine — are you overlooking a “Buy One Gelato, Get One Free” coupon? Now, that’s a sin!

Quit throwing away money saving coupons. The money that you save on coupons can be put into a savings accounts. Before you know it, you’ll have enough money in the bank and rest easy at night.

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Category: All Finance  Tags: ,  2 Comments

Many people are their own worst enemies. When it comes to money, they continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. People fall victim to their own money mistakes. For those who desire financial independence, recognize and eliminate money mistakes today. This way you can start to live a more peaceful life tomorrow!

The majority of people are impulse buyers. They spend more than what is in the bank because of the need to keep up with their neighbors. Some people buy things because they hold a belief that they will feel better. If you’re an impulsive buyer, make a list of the necessities you need to purchase and then go shopping.

Another money mistake people make is not having a savings account. Putting $10 or $20 a week into a savings account will eventually add up!

Many employees do not take advantage of the 401(K) that their employer offers. Most companies will match their employees contributions. Put the maximum amount into a 401(K) account and watch the dollar amount grow over time. Those who save now will benefit in the long run.

Some people rely on family and friends to bail them out. This is a big mistake! It’s one thing to accept help when the situation is dire, but avoid making a habit of it. Family and friends have their own lives and must take care of themselves as well.

A budget is a great tool that will help many people avoid making money mistakes. Budgeting is not that difficult to do. List monthly expenses such as rent or mortgage, utilities, car, cell or mobile, clothing, eating out, and other expenses that appear each month. Start by curbing or cutting out expenses such as clothing, food, and entertainment. Cook at home because it’s cheaper and will keep you trimmer!

Finally, do not let your emotions or past experiences get in the way of making money mistakes. Remember, most people make purchases based on their emotions. Logic seems to go out the window, although not entirely. Take a step back, deep breathe, and put the IPod back on the shelf. Besides, Apple will probably come out will a new and improved IPod next year. The one you buy will be obsolete!

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The U.S.’s current economic situation is taking its toll on many people. Many are scared of losing their homes, jobs, and sanity. Unfortunately, those who do not have a healthy way to deal with stress often turn to food. It’s the most common way people deal with problems and situations in their lives. This may sound ironic because food prices seem to go up each day.

Before you reach for that candy bar, think about the consequence of your action. Pause for a moment before you reach for the potato chips. Do not let the talk of the economy ruin your weight loss plan.

Think about this for a moment: Do you want to pack on the pounds because the people on Wall Street were given a free pass to financial paradise? Do you think the people who spent money they did not have care whether or not you pack on the pounds? How will eating comfort food solve the economic crisis? It will not; it will just contribute to it.

What to do to avoid stress eating

  1. Go for a walk.
  2. Meditate.
  3. Practice deep breathing.
  4. You’re never too old to go to the park and swing on the swings.
  5. Play with your kids.
  6. Attend FREE community activities.
  7. Read a book.
  8. Rent a movie from the library.
  9. Keep a food journal.

Avoid the temptation of comforting yourself with food. It’s not worth it, especially if you worked hard to take off the pounds. When you grocery shop, make sure to eat a well-balanced breakfast or lunch. Do not shop when you’re hungry because the grocery cart will be filled with foods that will sabotage your weight loss.

Visit my recently published article 10 Tips to Motivate You to Workout on Associated Content and learn how working out can help you avoid stress eating.

What are you doing to avoid “stress eating” during these times of economic uncertainty?

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We all know that people use social media websites such as MySpace, Facebook, and countless others to find Ms. or Mr. Right. Don’t forget about dating websites like eHarmony and Match.com. But, can you really find that “special someone” through online dating? It’s easier to tell if someone is lying when meeting them in person versus the internet. Of course, being a good judge of character is also helpful.

Is it easier to meet people online? After all, you do have the buffer of the internet. Perhaps a few online chats here and there can be helpful before deciding to go out. Of course, it would not be a date, but a pre-date. Meeting at a cafe or smoothie shop is very popular these days. It takes the pressure off of a “real date” and gives people a chance to meet then decide if the next step is an actual date. Think of it like interviewing. First, there’s the phone interview. Second, you meet with your potential new boss. Finally, a decision is made whether or not to hire you.

Is online dating the same as going to a bar? How do you know that you’re not being fed “lines?” Many people do not use a current picture of themselves. Some use a picture that is 10 years old! When you meet face-to-face, feelings of anger and disappointment surface because the other person lied. That’s not a good way to start a date. A second date is out of the question.

Online dating can be a good way to ease back into the dating scene after a divorce or breakup. It allows you to communicate with someone without any pressure. If you decide that you’re not ready to date, all you have to do is tell the person from the comfort of your home versus in person.

Be mindful when using online dating. If your gut instinct says this does not feel right, end the chatting straight-away without any hesitation. Woman, more so than men, have a tendency to go against their gut instinct because they do not want to hurt someone’s feelings or believe they are over analyzing the situation. Ladies, it’s time to get over that mindset. If it does not feel right, run do not walk! You’ll be glad you did. That goes for you men out there as well.

Have you met that special someone online? Did you meet them on MySpace, Facebook, or some other site? Inquiring minds would like to know!

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The U.S.’s economic situation is being felt around the world. Last week was the worst week for the stock market. People are bailing out left and right. Is that a wise thing to do? No, it’s not. Fear is like a disease that infests one person and then spreads like wildfire to others. That’s exactly what is happening right now. Americans are scared to death and are salvaging what they can. On the flip side, those with money will find great bargains on wall street and will be able to turn a profit when the stocks go up.

Perhaps the “economic crisis” in America will teach people a valuable lesson or two. First, do not live beyond your means. People who knew they could not afford the $400,000 house are learning that lesson right now. Second, cut back on expenses. Is it necessary to eat out 3 to 4 times week? Why not prepare a home cooked meal with the family gathered around the table? This is a great way for parents to interact with their children and find out what they are doing or not doing.

People who “tighten their money belt” now will save later. How do you save when you have a family of four or are a single person living on your own? Here are some money saving tips.

Tips to Save Money

  1. Cut back on going out to eat.
  2. Skip the Starbucks, donut shop, or bakery.
  3. Carpool if you can.
  4. Use coupons. Some grocery stores offer double and triple coupons and will accept competitors coupon.
  5. Sell items on Craigslist and eBay. Go through the house and see what can be sold. If something has not been used in a year, it will not be used at all. Sell it!
  6. Cut back on entertainment. Wait until movies come out on video and rent them from the video store or library. As far as concerts go, choose one that you will really enjoy. Before you agree to see Motley Crue (that’s another article), remember, it’s Motley Crue. Speaking from experience, go with the Metallica tickets. It will be a better show. Remember, your time is just as valuable as your money.
  7. Go to FREE events within your community.
  8. Take your lunch to work instead of buying it every day.

Money that you save can be put into a savings account (FDIC insured), Treasury Bills, or Treasury Money Market funds. Be smart with your money and it will take you far. Remember, you are the master of your money; it’s not the master of you.

Saving money is a mindset. You will either save money or not. Most people would like to own their own home, but it may not be feasible at this time. As mom used to say “patience is a virtue.” For now be happy with the things in your life such as good health, family, and friends. You may live in a one bedroom apartment, but at least you are in perfect health!

Bonus

  1. Do not grocery shop on an empty stomach! People who shop when they’re hungry usually spend more. Make sure you eat breakfast before going to the grocery store.
  2. If products come with a rebate, redeem them, and save the money!

How are you saving money? Do you have any suggestions you would like to share?

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Coaching blends concepts from counseling, mentoring, sociology, business, psychology, spirituality, and sports. The main purpose of a coach is to support people as they strive to create the ideal life for themselves.

Life coaches help their clients achieve and narrow down their personal goals. Life coaches usually specialize in one or more areas such as career, business, creativity, pets, small business, and many other areas.

The International Coach Federation offers certification in life coaching. The International Coach Academy is accredited by the International Coach Federation. These classes are teleclasses that are online. They are not like online classes that you would take at a college or university.

Sometimes you need support from someone other than a family member or friend. This is why I contacted Beth from InSpirit Life Coaching. I was curious if life coaching is something that I really wanted to pursue and to find out first hand what it is. The session “flew by,” and I realized that I still had some “family issues” to work out even though I thought I forgave people and moved on with my life. Yes, I did what Debbie Ford says most people do which is cover up “your story” with another “story.”

Whether you live in the Phoenix, AZ area or not and are looking for a life coach, please visit In Spirit Life Coaching. Beth is a fantastic life coach who listens with compassion and understanding. She gives you guidance so you can begin to create an ideal life for yourself. The question is, are you ready to do that? If the answer is “yes,” contact Beth today. Tomorrow, you will have a new perspective on your life.

Do you have a life coach or considered hiring a life coach? Is it worth it to you?

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To all of the “hockey moms” and “joe-six packers” of the beer drinking kind (not six-pack abs) in America, are Sarah Palin’s remarks offensive or flattering? When Sarah Palin uses a phrase like joe-six packer, some Americans and people from around the world may get an image of a man with a six-pack of Bud Light that sits on his beer gut, where he is parked in front of the television watching football in a trailer home, and living off of the government through welfare. They probably envision a plethora of broken down cars on the property as well.

Hockey moms do not fair any better. Picture a woman with big hair from the 80s, dressed in an over-sized sweatshirt with some cute design on it, and wearing acid-wash blue jeans that are tight around the ankle. When the ref makes a bad call or what is perceived as a bad call, they probably get up out of their seat and let the obscenities flow like a raging Alaskan river.The choice vehicle is probably a SUV or mini-van. Children are probably catered to each day so there is no reason for them to think or do for themselves.

Does America really desire this woman as our VP? If something happens to McCain, she will be Commander-In-Chief. Just picture the discussions with leaders from Iran and Iraq. Will Sarah Palin show up in her hockey mom wardrobe, bring a six-pack of Bud Light, and open the bottle with her teeth instead of twisting the cap off?

Currently, we do not have a great image in other countries. Most people believe Americans to be rude, arrogant, impatient, fat, and lazy. The words that Palin uses to describe Americans may make matters worse. Who is she to assume that all of us are “hockey moms” and “joe-six packers.” What does this mean for men and women who “pulled themselves up by their boot-strings” and went to college and now own their own business. Perhaps she will convince McCain to give them many tax incentives, one year of FREE Bud Light, and tickets to see their local hockey team play. Let’s go Phoenix Coyotes and Lake Erie Monsters!

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