February 2006

They did it again.  My spring & summer clothes.  Hung in the closet over the winter and got….er….snug.  Maybe it’s the stillness of the air in the closet during the winter months. … Maybe the proverbial they just don’t make clothes like the proverbial they used to. Wait…I know, the heat,  That’s it!  My middle daughter and I are frightfully cold-natured, so the heat runs all winter…..  Bygawd, that’s what shrinks my clothes.  Every winter. Whew, for a minute there I thought it was too many lattes, bowls of chili, and goodies that begged to be baked (and eaten) during the winter months.
If it weren’t the clothes, and if I had put on a few pounds during the winter….I’d sure be scrambling around trying to get geared up for an intensive get-fit-for-summer program.  After all, I have a reputation to maintain on the tennis courts and miniature golf courses all over the south. My family darn near shakes in their collective shoes when I pick up a golf club.  I own them.

Let’s just pretend for a moment that it is me.  What will I do…I mean, what would I do… to  take that weight off?  What would I do to get ready for sleeveless tops and other non-forgiving summer clothes?

1. I’d start cutting back on empty calories.  I’d buy more fruit and vegetables, especially since they’ll soon be worth having again.  I’d switch to 2 percent milk in my cereal, and cut back on fried foods - all the things we all know we should do anyway.
2. I’d walk twice a day.  Once early to rev the metabolism up, then once in the afternoon to keep it stoked.
3. I’d play tennis at least 3 times a week.  This is one of the best sports in the world for burning calories.  And it’s a heck of a lot of fun, too.
4. I’d convince myself to not sit idle for very long at a time.  If I had sat for an hour writing, blogging, designing websites, or reading - I’d get up and get some sort of activity for 10 - 15 minutes.   (Fortunately, I work from home, so I could do this sort of thing without a invitation into someone’s office.)
5. I’d start drinking more water - lots more water.  After all, every expert in the world recommends 8 glasses of the stuff a day, there must be something to it.

I’m sure I had you fooled, but I can’t lie any more.  I did the winter weight gain.  There I said it!!  At least it wasn’t as bad this year as it was two years ago…. I gained a whole size two winters ago!  But the five changes above took the weight off pretty fast.

Next winter, I WILL have an exercise machine (or two or four…) and save myself from this trauma.

If you’re like me and found more of yourself to love over the winter, take it off now while it’s still within reach and still within reason.  I walked once today, spent an hour working in the yard, and I think I’m up to one more walk before it’s all said and done.  I already feel 100 percent better….tired, but better!

Have a glorious week!

~Joi

“Procrastination:  Turning one of these days into none of these days.”

“It’s no use saying, ”We are doing our best.” You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.” ~Winston Churchill

Study after study proves that the following “keys,” when used together, will help you quit smoking AND quit for good:

1. Talk the Talk!  (a.) Tell yourself not only why you need to quit, but why you want to quit.  Don’t make it all about your long-term health.  Focus also on the fact that you’ll be able to do more things in the here and now:  walk further, play sports longer, wake up without coughing, etc.  (b.)  Tell everyone you know what you’re trying to do.  You won’t even have to ask for their help, they’ll automatically give you encouragement and help keep an eye or two on you!  They may also come up with some wonderful advice for you.  Remember, the best directions come from someone who has taken a road before you - so if you can find an ex-smoker, his or her advice would be golden.
2. Walk the Walk!   (a.)  Learn something new.  If you’re putting your focus on something fresh and exciting, you’ll have less time to think about what you’re trying very hard not to think about!  Take up a new sport or hobby - tennis, golf, walking, jogging, yoga, pilates, soap-making, gardening, baking, etc…  Or, benefit your wallet as well as your health and start an ebay business.  It’s exciting, fun, takes a lot of focus, and brings in extra money - always a good thing.  (b.)  Determine your danger zones - the times when you want “one” the most.  If it’s after meals, start brushing your teeth or chewing gum instead.  If it’s while talking on the phone, start grabbing a pen and doodling instead.

Something very important to keep in mind.  Smoking isn’t a “bad habit,” so when people tell you that it’s all a matter of “willpower,” they’re wrong - well-meaning, I’m sure - but wrong.  Smoking is an addiction and quitting is very difficult.  The only addiction I have and have ever had is to caffeine, and while it doesn’t compare to the hold nicotene has on its victims, I have an idea how difficult it would be to give up.

Smoking, like other addictions, takes time and a lot of fight on the part of the smoker.  It’s when a person finds out just what they’re made of!  I’ve read that most people make several attempts at quitting before they’re successful - so if you aren’t successful the first time, try again…and keep trying until you win!

When researching for this article, I read everything I could get my hands on about smoking.  People at the library must’ve thought cigarettes had quite a hold on me.  I noticed one librarian, in particular, giving me a, “Good for you!” look - I don’t necessarily get a lot of those looks, so I accepted it, no questions asked.

The experts say that if you are unable to quit “cold turkey,” that you should take advantage of nicotine replacement therapy, such as the nicotine inhaler, patch, gum, or nasal spray.  There are also non-nicotine medicines, such as bupropion SR.

You’ll have a fight on your hands, to be sure.  Your addiction will be on one side, and you’ll be on the other.  Since you pretty much created your addiction, it’ll be as strong as you are.  Remember in Batman when the Joker tells him, “Destroy me??  You Made me!”?  You’re the caped crusader in this situation, and the addiction is the Joker.  In the movie, things didn’t end so well for the Joker, and I’m betting that in your fight - you’ll be the last one standing.

Have a great, great week!

Joi

P.S. As another tool, you might be interested in the e-book below. Click on the link and see what you think.

Quit Smoking Once and For All!

If you are interested in starting your own business (or a second one, for that matter!), here’s an article that you just might find useful.  It’s not the same-o, same-o yadda yadda that usually follows the words “Start Your Own Business.”  This information is fresh and insightful.

#3 sounds like something that’d be perfect for college students - make a little extra money AND keep their skills sharp.  What am I talking about??? College students, nothing…that’s what I need!

 Here’s the link, see what you think. >>> Top 3 Businesses to Start Now

May Monday be half over before you realize it’s Monday.

Joi

“Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.” ~Henry David Thoreau

-Henry David Thoreau,

“For what is the best choice, for each individual is the highest it is possible for him to achieve.” ~Aristotle

Occasionally I’ll write about something (or someone) on one of my blogs that I’m so jazzed up about that I’ll syndicate the post on another one of the blogs - If it’s good stuff, I’m not above re-runs!

I posted earlier this morning on Office Freaks about an exciting and brilliant author , Jean Chatzky.

She has appeared on talk shows from Oprah to Regis, and has written for Time, USA Weekend Magazine, Forbes, New York Magazine, Working Woman, and countless other publications.  She has also written several amazing bestsellers.  The lady knows her stuff, and we’d all do well to take notes.  Below is a little sampling of her knowledge….

By actually doing something over and over again, like reducing your spending in an effort to save, you’ll gain a feeling of accomplishment — even power. That’s why it’s so important to do just what will help you conquer what’s getting you down when you find yourself feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by something. When you’re feeling fat, for instance, you should hit the StairMaster instead of the refrigerator. And when you’re feeling poor, you should sit down with a pad of paper and figure out just how much your new habits are saving you. Saving two dollars a day by walking to work rather than taking the bus may not sound like much, but it adds up to more than $500 a year. Once you write it down, focus on how the accomplishment makes you feel. Concentrating on the change will make you feel energized. Think of it as insurance for how you’ll behave tomorrow.

If you take your eager-to-learn self to her website, Jean Chatzky.com, you can see more AND can subscribe to her newsletter.  It’s worth more than it costs.

Have an unbelievable Saturday!

Joi

“The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed.” ~Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Whether you’re 19 yrs old, 79 yrs old, or 29 like me (glances over shoulder for lightning bolt), it would be foolish not to start paying more attention to your heart and its well-being.  Today works for me, how about you?!

Fast Facts about Heart Health:

1. Heart disease is the number 1 killer of American women. Number 1!
2. Secondhand smoke kills.  While in a smoke-filled room, the blood vessels of a nonsmoker are as damaged as those of a person who smokes 2 packs a day!
3. Know the signs of a heart attack:  chest discomfort, shortness of breath, pressure in the upper abdomen, unusual fatigue, pressure in the neck, jaw and arm, sweating, light-headedness, and fainting.
4. A spokeswoman for the American Heart Association warns that a person might actually experience signs of an impending heart attack as much as 6 weeks beforehand.  She warns anyone experiencing less intense versions of the symptoms above to see the doctor without hesitation.
5. If you are at risk for heart disease, or if you have it already, the American Heart Association recommends that you do the following everyday:

• Exercise - it reduces heart attacks risk by 25 - 30 percent.
• Eat oatmeal
• Add an ounce of flaxseed to your cereal
• Take baby aspirin
• Use your head when you choose your bread.  White bread (and pasta, for that matter) make insulin levels spike.  This can eventually damage the blood vessels leading to your heart.  Whole grains are metabolized more slowly - no spiking, making them a much healthier choice.

While I’m harping on health, there’s a nice little article waiting for you on the other side of the following link:  Ten Things That Age You 

Have an unbelievably awesome Friday!

Joi