Coffee.... its so expensive!
Give up the daily ritual of stopping at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts or your favorite coffee shop. If an average cup of coffee costs $3.50, that's about $70 a month, $840 a year! More if you buy the $5 cup of coffee and a scone!
Invest in a thermal cup and make your own coffee to take with you. You are also helping the environment by using your own cup! Target seems to have the cheapest coffee, but it really irks me that the containers have gotten smaller, have you noticed? Its even cheaper if you can buy a bulk load of unground beans at Costco or Sam's Club. If you grind your own it always tastes fresh, keep the unground beans in the refrigerator. To add some variety, put some hershey's syrup, flavored creamer or Baily's in your coffee. I only make as much coffee as I think I will drink, usually half a pot is enough to get my day started and to fill my thermal cup and take with me. Refill your cup at work if its free to get you through the rest of the day.
I also found that another cheap way to get coffee is to go over to my parent's house after they come back from a Sam's trip and fill up a container with some of their coffee beans! :)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Diet Tip #8 How I Lost 90 Pounds!
Have a talk with your pushers!
Food pushers, my mother is a great one. Although she isn't Italian, marrying my father inertly turned her into a great-cooking-motherly-Italian-food-pusher. Her famous quotes: Did you get enough to eat? Eat some more! Are you eating? Why aren't you eating? Eat some more! Eat! Eat! Eat!
Geez, no wonder my sister and I both struggle with weight issues! And now, after quitting smoking after 50 years, so does she. When she does this at a family dinner we all chime in and tell her to stop and try to make a joke out if to avoid hurting her feelings.
It is interesting that my boyfriend's mother, who is not a food pusher, has all healthy fit grown children. It makes me wonder if weight issues are genetics, conditioning or both? Hmmmm.
Since my early teens I have been the occasional vegetarian. Two years ago I decided to really try and be a better vegetarian. I'm doing pretty good at it, not 100%, but I'm trying. I never eat red meat or pork, although I must say I really really miss bacon! I occasionally eat chicken, eggs and shrimp, but no more then one of those once a week, if any.
A few months ago we had a family bbq at my parent's house for my dad's birthday. BBQ ribs on the menu. Aren't you eating ribs? Says my mother. No, mom, I don't eat meat. Says me. I made bbq beef, why don't you make yourself a sandwich. Says my mother. To funny! She's like the aunt on My Big Fat Greek Wedding, You don't eat Meat? I make lamb!
So here's my tip: You really have to be firm with yourself that you are not going to give in to eating what you know is in the contrary to your personal goals! Don't do it! Don't eat something you don't want to just to make someone else happy or to avoid an awkward moment. Be strong in your convictions! You can do it!
Food pushers, my mother is a great one. Although she isn't Italian, marrying my father inertly turned her into a great-cooking-motherly-Italian-food-pusher. Her famous quotes: Did you get enough to eat? Eat some more! Are you eating? Why aren't you eating? Eat some more! Eat! Eat! Eat!
Geez, no wonder my sister and I both struggle with weight issues! And now, after quitting smoking after 50 years, so does she. When she does this at a family dinner we all chime in and tell her to stop and try to make a joke out if to avoid hurting her feelings.
It is interesting that my boyfriend's mother, who is not a food pusher, has all healthy fit grown children. It makes me wonder if weight issues are genetics, conditioning or both? Hmmmm.
Since my early teens I have been the occasional vegetarian. Two years ago I decided to really try and be a better vegetarian. I'm doing pretty good at it, not 100%, but I'm trying. I never eat red meat or pork, although I must say I really really miss bacon! I occasionally eat chicken, eggs and shrimp, but no more then one of those once a week, if any.
A few months ago we had a family bbq at my parent's house for my dad's birthday. BBQ ribs on the menu. Aren't you eating ribs? Says my mother. No, mom, I don't eat meat. Says me. I made bbq beef, why don't you make yourself a sandwich. Says my mother. To funny! She's like the aunt on My Big Fat Greek Wedding, You don't eat Meat? I make lamb!
So here's my tip: You really have to be firm with yourself that you are not going to give in to eating what you know is in the contrary to your personal goals! Don't do it! Don't eat something you don't want to just to make someone else happy or to avoid an awkward moment. Be strong in your convictions! You can do it!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Diet Tip #7 How I Lost 90 Pounds!
Loosing weight is all about burning more calories than you eat!
Eat the bulk of your calories earlier in the day. I usually have a light breakfast, a filling lunch, and then a light dinner. Everything we do throughout the day burns calories, so if you consume the bulk of your calories earlier in the day you are more likely to burn it off before you go to bed, therefore loose weight. We are all tired by the end of our busy days, eating a big dinner, watching tv and then going to bed will keep you fat.
Eat the bulk of your calories earlier in the day. I usually have a light breakfast, a filling lunch, and then a light dinner. Everything we do throughout the day burns calories, so if you consume the bulk of your calories earlier in the day you are more likely to burn it off before you go to bed, therefore loose weight. We are all tired by the end of our busy days, eating a big dinner, watching tv and then going to bed will keep you fat.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Diet Tip #6 How I Lost 90 Pounds!
Don't let others bring you down!
My mother, bless her heart, always felt the need to point out how fat I was. It made me crazy, it made me angry, it made me eat! No one needs to point out your weight problem. You are the person carryng the extra weight around, you live with it every day and you don't need other people commenting on it every time you see them. You need to put your foot down and not allow other people to make you feel bad. Finally, I informed her that if she couldn't stop mentioning it that I would cut her out of my life completely. She stopped.
So tell those people in your life that if that can't love you for who you are, instead of how much you weigh, then you don't need them in your life. If you can't do it, give me their info and I'd be happy to do it for you!
My mother, bless her heart, always felt the need to point out how fat I was. It made me crazy, it made me angry, it made me eat! No one needs to point out your weight problem. You are the person carryng the extra weight around, you live with it every day and you don't need other people commenting on it every time you see them. You need to put your foot down and not allow other people to make you feel bad. Finally, I informed her that if she couldn't stop mentioning it that I would cut her out of my life completely. She stopped.
So tell those people in your life that if that can't love you for who you are, instead of how much you weigh, then you don't need them in your life. If you can't do it, give me their info and I'd be happy to do it for you!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Diet Tip #5 How I Lost 90 Pounds!
Write this down, memorize it, post it on your refrigerator door!
One pound of fat = 3,500 calories
Five pounds of fat = 17,500 calories
Yep, you need to eliminate or burn 3,500 extra calories to loose one little pound of fat!
There are lots of good web sites that help you calculate how many calories you need per day, but I found it very confusing. I determined that under 2,000 is good for me, I aim for 1,500 per day, but as long as I stay under 2,000 I think I'm doing ok.
One pound of fat = 3,500 calories
Five pounds of fat = 17,500 calories
Yep, you need to eliminate or burn 3,500 extra calories to loose one little pound of fat!
There are lots of good web sites that help you calculate how many calories you need per day, but I found it very confusing. I determined that under 2,000 is good for me, I aim for 1,500 per day, but as long as I stay under 2,000 I think I'm doing ok.
Diet Tip #4 How I Lost 90 Pounds!
Weigh Yourself!
Whoever says don't weigh yourself is full of crap! Buy a scale, take a deep breath, and get your fat ass on there! Don't buy one of those talking ones, you don't need everyone in the house to know your business and you will end up hating that evil person living in your scale. As painful as it is, you need to know how much you really weigh. How else will you be able to gage your progress and brag about it later?
My scale also measures your percentage of body fat, you need damp feet to get an accurate reading (purchased at Target). Do not get one of these if you have a pacemaker, it measures through little electrical charges! Even after all my weight loss I'm still 55% body fat, yikes, 30% is normal.
I keep my scale in my bedroom and weigh myself right after my morning relief and before I go to bed. I usually weigh about two pounds less in the morning and about two pounds more on Monday mornings. We all go off our diets a bit on the weekends, but if I'm good on Monday those extra two pounds are gone by Tuesday. I also keep a weekly log of my weight and measurements. Its nice to see the numbers go down!
Don't get discouraged, it takes a while to see progress, but once you see some pounds come off, it totally motivates you. If your weight goes up, it just means you have to cut back a little more and work a little harder! You will see plateaus where your weight stands still. I just went through a month of that, but now finally, 5 pounds less. Keep at it, you can do it!!
Whoever says don't weigh yourself is full of crap! Buy a scale, take a deep breath, and get your fat ass on there! Don't buy one of those talking ones, you don't need everyone in the house to know your business and you will end up hating that evil person living in your scale. As painful as it is, you need to know how much you really weigh. How else will you be able to gage your progress and brag about it later?
My scale also measures your percentage of body fat, you need damp feet to get an accurate reading (purchased at Target). Do not get one of these if you have a pacemaker, it measures through little electrical charges! Even after all my weight loss I'm still 55% body fat, yikes, 30% is normal.
I keep my scale in my bedroom and weigh myself right after my morning relief and before I go to bed. I usually weigh about two pounds less in the morning and about two pounds more on Monday mornings. We all go off our diets a bit on the weekends, but if I'm good on Monday those extra two pounds are gone by Tuesday. I also keep a weekly log of my weight and measurements. Its nice to see the numbers go down!
Don't get discouraged, it takes a while to see progress, but once you see some pounds come off, it totally motivates you. If your weight goes up, it just means you have to cut back a little more and work a little harder! You will see plateaus where your weight stands still. I just went through a month of that, but now finally, 5 pounds less. Keep at it, you can do it!!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Diet Tip #3 How I Lost 90 Pounds!
Soda Makes You Fat!
I think I can attribute a large portion of the 60 pounds I lost between March and August of 2007 to finally breaking my addiction to Coca Cola. I drank it every day, loved it, needed it, even worshiped it. I thought I could never give it up. "I need my fizz" I would say. But we all know it isn't good for you and it makes you fat.
So slowly I started weaning off of it. It was so hard to do! I began limiting myself to only one can a day (as opposed to it being my only fluid during the day), then every other day, etc. Finally I cut it out completely. But I still missed it! When I needed a fizz fix I drank La Croix mineral water, with lemon, so it didn't taste so bland. They also make a berry flavored version. Eventually the cravings went away! I don't recommend switching to diet soda, it isn't good for you, many artificial sweeteners are know to cause cancer. Don't drink it.
I'm not going to lie, I do have soda once in a while, an occasional sprite or ginger ale, but no more than one a week. The last time I tasted a Coke, I really didn't like it, it was so syrupy and sweet! I no longer keep soda in the house because I know if its there I will probably drink it. If I'm at a Walgreens I buy the black cherry soda (Orchard Farms I think is the brand) as a special treat, only one. It doesn't have high fructose corn syrup in it.
Now I drink mostly water, lots and lots of water! First I got a water cooler service, then later cancelled that (budget constraints) and bought a filter for my faucet. I always have some water chillin in the fridge. I also bought a reusable water bottle to fill and take with me when I go to work. I can't advocate buying water bottles every where you go because the empty bottles are no longer recyclable. I heard we throw away about 25 million bottles a day, but I do buy them occasionally, then try and reuse the bottles for a while.
I only drink water with meals especially when dining out. Why add another 150+ calories? For variety I pour some cranberry juice in the water to give it flavor, or add lemon.
So hang in there! The cravings do really go away and if you are a heavy user you will begin to see some weight loss almost immediately!
I think I can attribute a large portion of the 60 pounds I lost between March and August of 2007 to finally breaking my addiction to Coca Cola. I drank it every day, loved it, needed it, even worshiped it. I thought I could never give it up. "I need my fizz" I would say. But we all know it isn't good for you and it makes you fat.
So slowly I started weaning off of it. It was so hard to do! I began limiting myself to only one can a day (as opposed to it being my only fluid during the day), then every other day, etc. Finally I cut it out completely. But I still missed it! When I needed a fizz fix I drank La Croix mineral water, with lemon, so it didn't taste so bland. They also make a berry flavored version. Eventually the cravings went away! I don't recommend switching to diet soda, it isn't good for you, many artificial sweeteners are know to cause cancer. Don't drink it.
I'm not going to lie, I do have soda once in a while, an occasional sprite or ginger ale, but no more than one a week. The last time I tasted a Coke, I really didn't like it, it was so syrupy and sweet! I no longer keep soda in the house because I know if its there I will probably drink it. If I'm at a Walgreens I buy the black cherry soda (Orchard Farms I think is the brand) as a special treat, only one. It doesn't have high fructose corn syrup in it.
Now I drink mostly water, lots and lots of water! First I got a water cooler service, then later cancelled that (budget constraints) and bought a filter for my faucet. I always have some water chillin in the fridge. I also bought a reusable water bottle to fill and take with me when I go to work. I can't advocate buying water bottles every where you go because the empty bottles are no longer recyclable. I heard we throw away about 25 million bottles a day, but I do buy them occasionally, then try and reuse the bottles for a while.
I only drink water with meals especially when dining out. Why add another 150+ calories? For variety I pour some cranberry juice in the water to give it flavor, or add lemon.
So hang in there! The cravings do really go away and if you are a heavy user you will begin to see some weight loss almost immediately!
Diet Tip #2 How I Lost 90 Pounds!
Edy's All Natural Fruit Bars (with no sugar added)
I think these really helped me drop some pounds this summer. I eliminated ice cream and made it a point to always have these in the fridge. These are made from real fruit and do not have any of the cancer causing fake sugar additives. They are only 25 calories and very yummy! You can even have two a day without feeling guilty!!
Since 2007 I have lost 91 pounds! I lost 60 pounds the first year, held that off for another year and have lost another 31 pounds since June 2010. I have 49 more pounds to loose in order to reach my goal! Can I do it? Not sure, but I'm sure going to try.
Follow my blog to see how I did it and what worked best for me. These are real practical tips that actually work! It might seem hopeless to you, but once you get going it is life changing! Feel free to ask questions or make comments. Let me know how you're doing!
I think these really helped me drop some pounds this summer. I eliminated ice cream and made it a point to always have these in the fridge. These are made from real fruit and do not have any of the cancer causing fake sugar additives. They are only 25 calories and very yummy! You can even have two a day without feeling guilty!!
Since 2007 I have lost 91 pounds! I lost 60 pounds the first year, held that off for another year and have lost another 31 pounds since June 2010. I have 49 more pounds to loose in order to reach my goal! Can I do it? Not sure, but I'm sure going to try.
Follow my blog to see how I did it and what worked best for me. These are real practical tips that actually work! It might seem hopeless to you, but once you get going it is life changing! Feel free to ask questions or make comments. Let me know how you're doing!
Practical Advice on Living Poor #2
Mow your own lawn! Lawn services average about $25 per week. Depending where you live that's anywhere from $600 to $1,200 a year. Use some of that money to buy a new lawn mower (now is a good time, they are all on sale) or buy a used one at a garage sale. An added benefit is that its good exercise!
Diet Tip #1 How I Lost 90 Pounds!
Diet Tip #1
You don't need to pay money to not eat! Forget about weight watchers, nutra systems etc. Count your calories yourself. Read your packages and look up other items online. Once you start learning how many calories are in food items you will make better choices. I was shocked to learn that a slice of bread is about 100 calories! Two slices are more than a can of soda or a candy bar. Think I'd rather have the candy bar!
Since 2007 I have lost 91 pounds! I lost 60 pounds the first year, held that off for another year and have lost another 31 pounds since June 2010. I have 49 more pounds to loose in order to reach my goal! Can I do it? Not sure, but I'm sure going to try.
Follow my blog to see how I did it and what worked best for me. These are real practical tips that actually work! It might seem hopeless to you, but once you get going it is life changing! Feel free to ask questions or make comments. Let me know how you're doing!
You don't need to pay money to not eat! Forget about weight watchers, nutra systems etc. Count your calories yourself. Read your packages and look up other items online. Once you start learning how many calories are in food items you will make better choices. I was shocked to learn that a slice of bread is about 100 calories! Two slices are more than a can of soda or a candy bar. Think I'd rather have the candy bar!
Since 2007 I have lost 91 pounds! I lost 60 pounds the first year, held that off for another year and have lost another 31 pounds since June 2010. I have 49 more pounds to loose in order to reach my goal! Can I do it? Not sure, but I'm sure going to try.
Follow my blog to see how I did it and what worked best for me. These are real practical tips that actually work! It might seem hopeless to you, but once you get going it is life changing! Feel free to ask questions or make comments. Let me know how you're doing!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Practical Advice on Living Poor #1
Don't bundle your services!
Keep your cable, phones and internet on seperate carriers. This way if you get behind on paying your bills and one gets shut off, you won't loose all communication with the world. Don't forget you can always watch tv on the internet or get online from your cell phone.
Keep your cable, phones and internet on seperate carriers. This way if you get behind on paying your bills and one gets shut off, you won't loose all communication with the world. Don't forget you can always watch tv on the internet or get online from your cell phone.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
How You Made My Day #2 Thanks Target!
Special thanks to Target for selling me not one, but two of your exclusive mops that you now no longer sell the mop head refills for. I can't say your mops "suck" because they can't without the spongy heads! Thanks! You made my day!!
Things That Make You Go Hmmm #1
I wonder why all the people who owe me money are no longer friends with me? Hmmm.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
How You Made My Day #1: Thanks AT&T!
Many thanks to AT&T for leaving me on hold for twenty minutes only to get a recorded message that the offices were now closed. Thank you AT&T!! You made my day!
After thought: I wonder if its because I kept saying "f*** you" over and over during the voice automated session.
After thought: I wonder if its because I kept saying "f*** you" over and over during the voice automated session.
Tip #2 Online Dating For Men
Lower Your Expectations
If you are balding, short, overweight, cross eyed, disfigured, nerdy, creepy or have a blue collar job you probably should not be seeking a "skinny model type". A "skinny model type" will never date you. It doesn't matter how funny you are. Your only hope is if you make a lot of money and she's doing a search by income level and even then your chances are slim. It is totally unnecessary for you to describe how "well hung" you are because that won't help. Work on developing more realistic expectations.
To the guy seeking a "skinny model type" that wrote in his profile "40 pounds overweight isn't average": Um, if you live in America - it is dumbass.
If you are balding, short, overweight, cross eyed, disfigured, nerdy, creepy or have a blue collar job you probably should not be seeking a "skinny model type". A "skinny model type" will never date you. It doesn't matter how funny you are. Your only hope is if you make a lot of money and she's doing a search by income level and even then your chances are slim. It is totally unnecessary for you to describe how "well hung" you are because that won't help. Work on developing more realistic expectations.
To the guy seeking a "skinny model type" that wrote in his profile "40 pounds overweight isn't average": Um, if you live in America - it is dumbass.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
3 Simple Ways To Get Your Resume Noticed Online
Applying for jobs online can be very difficult. Companies that are hiring receive hundreds or even thousands of responses for each job posted. Here are three simple tips to help get your resume noticed.
1. Don't send just one email, send about 50 consecutive emails. If you fill up their inbox with your resume employers will see you as enthusiastic and are bound to review it at least once.
2. Write HIRE ME OR I'LL KILL YOU, I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE in the subject line. This is sure to get you some attention!
3. Take the time to write an interesting and thoughtful cover letter. Include a picture showing you with your empty pants pockets turned inside out and a sad face. If you are a well-endowed woman, take a pic of yourself working at the computer with your breasts resting on the keyboard. Prospective employers will definitely notice that you are a great asset to any company!
1. Don't send just one email, send about 50 consecutive emails. If you fill up their inbox with your resume employers will see you as enthusiastic and are bound to review it at least once.
2. Write HIRE ME OR I'LL KILL YOU, I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE in the subject line. This is sure to get you some attention!
3. Take the time to write an interesting and thoughtful cover letter. Include a picture showing you with your empty pants pockets turned inside out and a sad face. If you are a well-endowed woman, take a pic of yourself working at the computer with your breasts resting on the keyboard. Prospective employers will definitely notice that you are a great asset to any company!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tip #1 Online Dating for Men
If you want a woman to take you seriously
it is not recommended that you use any of the following screen names
TommytheSalami
HungFu
GiganticJohnson
Penislicious
DickFitsWell
BoobyPatrol
ScooterShooter
LooserAndLiar
ButtUglyCowboy
Prick4Life
BoobyPatrol
ScooterShooter
LooserAndLiar
ButtUglyCowboy
Prick4Life
(Please check back, more to be added later.... yep, these are real!)
Monday, September 13, 2010
Hey There Supercurvy!
Today a man I didn't know called me super curvy. It wasn't just a comment like you are super curvy, he saw me and just blurted out Hey there supercurvy! It was funny how he said super curvy, like it was one word.
First Superman, then Spiderman, now Supercurvy!
I am a Super Hero!
Protecting the world with breasts of steel, hahaha.
How does one respond to that?
Hello to you slightlybaldingbeerbelliedman.
First Superman, then Spiderman, now Supercurvy!
I am a Super Hero!
Protecting the world with breasts of steel, hahaha.
How does one respond to that?
Hello to you slightlybaldingbeerbelliedman.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Define Happiness
Today I decided to start a blog in order to chronicle my ongoing search for happiness. Like many people in the world I don't feel like I'm completely happy and sometimes I feel a little down. I think that most of the time my life is good, but something's missing..... just not sure what. I'm hoping that other people can relate to the ups and downs of an ordinary life and follow me through this journey, maybe together we can find what we are looking for.
But what is happiness exactly? I guess if I'm searching for it I should know what it is just in case I run across it. So I asked the google god to please define happiness...pleasure, joy, exhilaration, bliss, contentedness, delight, enjoyment, satisfaction. Sounds like a Viagra commercial.
Happiness results from the possession or attainment of what one considers good.
Huh? That doesn't help.
Bliss - unalloyed happiness or supreme delight
Somehow that makes me think of Chinese food. Yum Sum Bliss Supreme Delight is our special today.
Felicity - a formal word for happiness of an especially fortunate or intense kind.
Searching for felicity would just be confusing, can't help but think of that one actress who cut her hair, can she help? Don't think so, keep going.
Contentment - a peaceful kind of happiness in which one rests without desires, even though every wish may not be gratified.
That's it! I'm not looking for happiness, just contentment. Hence my blog title In Search of (ISO) Contentment. Well that seems like a very good start.
But what is happiness exactly? I guess if I'm searching for it I should know what it is just in case I run across it. So I asked the google god to please define happiness...pleasure, joy, exhilaration, bliss, contentedness, delight, enjoyment, satisfaction. Sounds like a Viagra commercial.
Happiness results from the possession or attainment of what one considers good.
Huh? That doesn't help.
Bliss - unalloyed happiness or supreme delight
Somehow that makes me think of Chinese food. Yum Sum Bliss Supreme Delight is our special today.
Felicity - a formal word for happiness of an especially fortunate or intense kind.
Searching for felicity would just be confusing, can't help but think of that one actress who cut her hair, can she help? Don't think so, keep going.
Contentment - a peaceful kind of happiness in which one rests without desires, even though every wish may not be gratified.
That's it! I'm not looking for happiness, just contentment. Hence my blog title In Search of (ISO) Contentment. Well that seems like a very good start.
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