Stargurl80's Blog

Since my last post, "The 5 Hardest Things About Losing Weight", had such a pessimistic feel to it, I figured I'd do some good with the bad.  Now that we've identified the obstacles that get in the way of being lean and mean, I'll give some advice on how to balance those obstacles with some smart lifestyle changes.  Here are my 5 easy ways to lose weight.  I hope this helps anyone struggling with their body!

1.  Tupperware containers.

Tupperware containers are a God sent.  You can put everything from lunch and dipping sauces to protein and diet pills /supplements in them.  They come in all shapes and sizes and are easily transportable and mostly spill proof.  This makes serving sizes very easy as well because you can cook once and eat 2 or 3 times.  Portion control is really important, and plastic containers really help with that.

2.  90 minutes at the gym.

The gym shouldn't be something you dread.  If you work or go to class until late in the afternoon, the last thing anyone wants to do is get home at 8:00 at night.  Don't spend forever at the gym, keep it short and fun.  Getting changed, stretching, working out and showering should never take longer than 90 minutes.  This way the gym doesn't become boring and you get home in time for dinner.

3.  Eat in silence.

Don't eat in front of the TV.  Don't eat in the car.  Don't eat while reading.  Sit down at your dinner table or wherever with no music, no TV, no reading material and enjoy your meal.  Eat slowly and chew each mouthful very thoroughly.  This will slow your eating down and you will feel full faster.  Trust me, it works!  Most time we just eat so fast we don't even have time to feel full.  If you use this with any kind of herbal diet pills or appetite suppressant, your eating will become less yet more filling.

4.  Pre-plan what you eat.

It is a lot easier to stick to a plan than to just have a loose idea what you are going to eat.  Write down in your phone, on your computer or on a piece of paper EXACTLY what you are going to eat for that day and stick to it no matter what.  If you are following a detailed plan, it is a lot easier to stay focused and not cheat.

5.  Eat a big breakfast.

 There's two times in the day where you can get away with over eating:  right after working out and breakfast.  I've noticed that if I don't eat a big breakfast, I'm hungry throughout the day no matter what I have for lunch or a snack.  I like to have a big breakfast with a lot of protein and a good amount of carbs.  Don't be afraid to go with the scrambled eggs and the bowl of cereal.

Although I've never really struggled with weight and have been blessed with good metabolism, when I have tried to lose weight it has been hard.  There are several reasons why I can understand someone struggling with their weight because losing weight can be really difficult.  There are several moving parts that have to be working together to lose weight.  I think that there are about 5 reasons standing in the way of everyone and their ideal weight.  Here are my 5 hardest things about losing weight.

1. Portions

Have you ever read the nutrition label on the back of a package of food.  You don't...you usually cook and eat the whole thing to realize that it was 3 servings.  That is why half of all diet pills these days are appetite suppressants.  It is hard to eat slowly and have small portions.

2. Timing

Ideally, you should eat 6 small meals per day...not 3 main meals like we've been raised to believe.  If you eat less more frequently, you will lose weight because your metabolism will speed up.  This could be a problem because not everyone has the time to eat 6 times a day, especially if you are in class or work.  We eat whenever we can, which is usually at the worst possible time (i.e right before bed).

3. Holidays

Birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, 4th of July, Friday...they all take a toll on you from a nutrition standpoint.  Why, you ask?  Big meals, lots of fat, lots of booze.  A deadly combination right there.  Oh yeah, lets not forget the lack of exercise or doing anything whatsoever.  You know...like after Thanksgiving dinner when you fall asleep?  Holidays are a killer, but even the most strong willed person cannot go through the holidays unscathed.

 4. Other People

Other people make losing weight really tough.  Whether it is that person who can eat whatever they want and not gain a pound while you are having a cucumber sandwich and fat burning diet pills for lunch or your mom or significant other who always cook horrible things for you.  Other people make losing weight very hard.  Is it their fault?  Not always.  Are they totally innocent?  Far from it.  Think about every time your friend said "c'mon lets go get ice cream...".

5. Coping Mechanism 

People eat for a variety of different reasons.  People eat when they are happy, sad, depressed, excited, nervous, bored or any combination of these feelings.  You read a lot of tips that say to eat at the dinner table by yourself with no distractions, people say this because some people need food to sit down and watch TV.  It is true, people use food to cope with a bevy of personal emotions.

I went shopping with my mom for some fall and winter clothes this past weekend, and I have to vent about something. Every clothing retail store and franchises are exactly the same anymore! The stores look the same, sell the same stuff, have the same music and the same layout.  I guess I was never much of that high school girl who wore all the cookie cutter clothes from Abercrombie, Hollister, American Eagle, Aeropostale, Gap or even Hot Topic. 

I think a retail store would go a long way if they differentiated a bit.  Instead of having bland pop punk playing over the speakers, hire a live band to play music in the back of the store.  Instead of having the lates ballet flats or slim fit jeans, have someone on hand who can do alterations and decontruction.  These are the kinds of thinking outside of the box ideas that would really give a retail store a cult following.

I wish I could work for these retail franchises as some kind of new store planner.  I have all kinds of good ideas!  I bet I'd make some good money too!  Maybe I'll put some e-mails out there...who knows.

I included in a previous post that I visited my Aunt's new house built by Shumacher Homes .  Well, I didn't get to tell everyone how amazing it was!  I was reminded about my earlier post because I will be going to visit her once again this upcoming weekend and I'm really excited about it.  The trip is worth visiting my Aunt and staying in her amazing home.

The cookout was terrific, as the weather was unbeatable.  Lots of hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks, sun, swimming and general happiness.  Her house has an indoor pool as well, which blew my mind.  She is a heath nut and wanted to be able to swim all year round, so she had the people from Schumacher Homes accommodate that.  In addition, my favorite part was the hot tub right next to the indoor pool.  If there is one thing I am a complete sucker for, its a hot tub.  

Anyways, I'm staying this entire weekend and I'm looking forward to spending time in her gorgeous home theater.  It even has leather seats like in the movies in front of a huge screen.  It's going to be so fun!

I've been reading up on hoodia a lot lately, and there seems to be a bit of controversy.  Hoodia is one of the latest miracle plants that is supposed to aid in weight loss.  Hoodia is a group of cactus like flowering plants from Nambia and Angola.  You can find hoodia and hoodia diet pills at most nutrition and supplement stores.

So does it work.  Honestly, I don't know...I've never taken it.  I have, however, read several accounts (more than 20) of hoodia helping to curb appetite and giving you more energy.  I've also read that there isn't a whole lot of scientific evidence backing hoodia or hoodia diet pills as a helpful weight loss supplement.

My final thought is that there is too much personal testimonial evidence that hoodia is useful to deny it.  However, I think it is somewhat of a placebo effect.  If a person goes out and spends money on hoodia, they are more likely to be motivated to go to the gym and eat better.  Taking hoodia then eating a double cheeseburger would kind of be a waste of money.  Regardless, whatever helps people is alright with me!

I've long been the love counselor for my group of friends.  It is a title that I never really asked for, but I'm glad to help my friends.  I've received the responsibility due to the fact that I've been in pretty much every relationship known to man.  Therefore, there aren't too many situations that surprise me.  I am also an incredibly good judge of character.  I'm not being a snob about it, I've been told by several people not to mention experiencing it myself.  Because of these two traits, I have a good knack in giving love and even marriage advice.

It can be a little strange sometimes to be giving marriage advice to some of my older friends, but I see marriage as an extension of a regular relationship.  Sometimes I feel like the main character in that movie about the bridesmaid that was in a bunch of weddings, it's name escapes me.  Hopefully with all my apparent wisdom I can find my prince charming!

As long as my friends keep coming to me for advice, I will be giving it.  I haven't knowingly gave a friend bad advice yet, and I don't plan on doing so anytime in the future.  So I guess if anyone reading this needs some advice, let me know!

As I was watching re-runs of The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air the other day (great show I know), I was thinking about what it must be like to live that sort of a luxurious life.  I find myself thinking about the finer things in life sometimes, and I like to talk to my friends about it.  I don't really have expensive taste, but I do admire some things reserved for the very wealthy.  Most times it isn't a car or a house that I admire, but some of the arduous monotonous tasks normal people have to carry out that the wealthy can skip.  The question I posed to my friends is "what service would you want the most?".  Here are the choices.

Maid Service

After seeing my Aunt who lives out west have her own Phoenix cleaning service, I can say that this is probably the front runner for most people's answer to the aforementioned question.  It is a comforting thought knowing that you would never have to scrub, dust, polish, mow, fold or wash anything ever again.  I'd be afraid to get lazy though!

Chauffeur 

If you of legal drinking age, like to party or hate to drive, this one is for you.  There is a certain air of nobility for someone who has a personal driver, and I can see why.  Imagine having a car pull up to your front door whenever you wanted to go somewhere, and never having to walk from a parking spot again.  It is quite a luxury, and would make traveling much more enjoyable than if you had to drive yourself.

Cook

Assuming the maid doesn't cook, a personal chef would be amazing to have.  Giving him a list of things you wanted to eat that day and having him or her go out to get the ingredients and make a gourmet meal...that is heaven to me.  I wouldn't mind waking up to French Toast or a gigantic omelet every morning.

Financial Advisor

I wanted to include this for our more responsible friends.  If you are in a position where you are wealthy enough, you probably should have a financial advisor.  This person would handle personal finances, personal accounting, payroll and any other miscellaneous money or asset issues that arrise.  This is the least "sexy" choice, but one of the smartest.

I'd probably lean towards the maid or the chauffeur myself, as I kind of enjoy cooking.  That's just me though!

I think the reason why most other countries dislike the U.S is because of our culture of excess.  Now, I am as guilty as anyone of indulging, but I guess I kind of realize it.  We need the biggest burgers, the biggest automobiles, the biggest houses...everything is like a contest.  I think everyone would be a lot better of if they lived their lives in moderation.  There are few things in life that are bad in moderation.

If you like having a beer or glass of wine, have a glass or two a day...thats moderation.  If you like to smoke a cigarette, cigar or pipe, then limit yourself to one a day and you could still enjoy it.  Many things that have gotten a bad rap like diet pills , Slim Fast shakes, fast food and caffiene can all be useful and enjoyable if you use them in moderation.  The reason why people get in danger with diet pills is because they don't use them as described.

I think energy and natural resources is a whole different topic as well.  I rarely see people carpooling or using public transportation where I'm from.  I'd go to a store and see 6 cars outside and walk in and see 6 or 7 people in the store.  There is a green movement happening in America, though, which is very hopeful for the environment and people.  Hopefully people get the idea and stop being wasteful and gluttonous.  I know I'm trying!

My friend Becky and I were talking about some future plans and she said that she aspires to start a business.  I never really thought about it before, but Becky got me thinking.  What kind of business would I start if I were to start one at this stage of my life.  Business in general is difficult, but trying to start your own business can be very, very hard without a plan.  It would need to be something I am genuinely and sincerely interested in, and something that there is a demand for.  Here are my 3 ideas of a business that would work for me.

Custom Bakery

I really enjoy baking, and there aren't a lot of gourmet bakeries around me here.  Two of my friends are also terrific bakers, and I would partner with them if they were willing.  We would make all kinds of cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies etc.  I think the niche could work out if we do solid advertising and the product quality is there.  I can't see ever getting sick of baking either!

Clothing Boutique

I have a hobby of clothing design, but this idea is a little far fetched.  I am really interested in fashion and everything that comes with it, and I'm not a huge fan of all the cookie cutter stores I see in every mall.  I like unique, fashionable clothing and if I found someone who was handy with material and actual clothes making, we could make a fantastic team.  I wouldn't want any huge scale operation, just a small boutique.

Fashion Website

Starting a website can also be a very profitable online business, even if you don't sell anything on it.  I know there are advertising opportunities for popular websites, and I would takr advantage of that when my blog or website became popular.  I have a lot to say about fashion and I'm sure my opinions would draw a lot of traffic.

I've often heard the stereotype that women can't handle money.  I am proud to be a female, but I'll be honest with you...from what I've seen this is a pretty accurate assessment.  Although I know some guys who are dumb with their income and finances, almost every girl I know is awful with money.  I'll admit, I'm no master investor or financial advisor but at least I don't spend money I don't have.

Hearing about all these girls in thousands of dollars in credit card debt both upsets and infuriates me.  People like this give us girls who think before we buy a bad name.  I would understand if a mother was using a credit card to feed her family and couldn't come up with the money...you have to put food on the table somehow.  However, I have no tolerance for these high school and college aged girls who use their credit card to go to Abercrombie & Fitch and buy $150 jeans, or the girls who spend $75 on martinis at the bar every Saturday night.

I used to work in a retail store, and there were several ladies who would come in and buy hundreds of dollars worth of clothing at least once a week.  Like clockwork, they would come back a day or two later returning half of it laughingly saying "I can't afford this, I don't know what I was thinking".  That is such financial carelessness.

These people may have thousands of dollars in debt, but I don't feel bad for them.  They should go get credit consolidation/debt consolidation, learn their lesson, start over and stop shopping!

I was debating getting a bartender job this upcoming winter.  There are a lot of things I'm going to need money for, and I'm a bit of a night owl so it seems like a perfect fit.  I know a decent amount about making drinks, and my beer knowledge is pretty surprising for a girl.  Anyways, it's going to be tough getting a bartending job without any direct experience, but I have worked as a server in a restaurant franchise before so I'm not totally in the dark.

The main question is whether I will be more successful getting a job in a small corner bar or tavern, or if I should go right for the big restaurant franchises like Olive Garden, TGI Fridays, ruby Tuesdays and the such.  I imagine that it would be harder to get into the franchise places, but the money would be a lot better.  I always see their bars packed.  I've heard from a few friends that it is harder to work in a restaurant because they have more complex drinks to make.

I will put out applications and try my luck...wish me the best!!!