5 Top Tools for Weight Loss

I have struggled with weight for a long time. If you're like me, you have tried everything to get the extra pounds off. Heaven knows there are thousands of options out there with all the diets, pills, exercise videos, etc. They all claim to miraculously melt the weight off, but if you haven't figured it out for yourself yet let me tell you to keep your money and forget about all that junk. The truth is you don't need any of that to lose weight, but there are some tools out there that can help make your weight loss easier.

If you want to lose weight, you have to burn more calories than you consume. I know that you can make it more complicated than that, but that's how I lost over 50 pounds. I didn't take any special pills or follow any diet. I just became more aware of what I ate and how many calories I was burning.

Here are some of my top recommended tools to lose weight and keep it off:

1. Record Keeper. You have to keep track of the calories you eat. Not for the rest of your life, but even just a week or two will help you see exactly how many calories you consume. You can just jot down the calories in a notebook or you can use a calorie counter app. There are a ton of apps out there, but if you don't want to search through them all I would recommend MyFitnessPal.com.
2. Measuring Cups. One of the biggest wake up calls for me was when I started actually measuring my food out. I realized very quickly that my serving size was typically two or three times as much as what it actually should have been. Those low calorie chips weren't so low cal when I realized I ate half the bag and 600 calories.
3. Scale. I know this is the enemy. I used to do anything to avoid stepping on one, because I was too scared to face the truth. Unfortunately, you have to step up on one and face your truth. You won't know if you are cutting enough calories if you never step on one. Just make it a routine and step on it once a week to see if what you are doing is working.
4. Measuring Tape. There are times when you will go weeks without losing any weight. I started taking my measurements and often found that even when the scale was stubbornly sticking in one place my measurements were shrinking. It helps so much to see results, if not on a scale then in the size of your thigh.  ;)
5. Pedometer.  You need to know how many calories you are burning. There are all types of pedometers out there. I personally use a Fitbit. I love it. It's become an accessory I never take off. It keeps track of my steps, calories burnt and even sleep (or lack there of). You need to know how many calories you are burning to get an idea of how many calories you can consume.

These are just five of my top tools  I personally use. They worked for me, and hopefully they will work for you too.

5 Tips to Get Karma's Attention

You've probably heard of karma before or you've heard sayings about it like "What goes around, comes around." or "If you do good things, good things happen." If you believe in karma, here are some tips to help get the Karma Queen's attention. I'm sure she's busy trying to keep track of everyone's score, so if you're just going about life not doing anything to get her attention she might miss you. Here are five easy ways to throw up flares the next time you're at the grocery store to get her to see you and maybe throw a little good karma your way. (It can't hurt to try)

1. Smile. This is one of the easiest things to do. It doesn't cost a thing, and we all could use more smiles in our day. It may seem silly, and I'm not saying walk around like a crazy person with a permanent grin on your face. I'm just saying try smiling more. Smile at a stranger. Just say "Hi!" Smiling is contagious. It will make you feel better, and make whoever sees it want to smile back and maybe even pass it on. :)
2. Assist in Reaching that Hidden Item on the Top Shelf. Obviously you need to be blessed with height to do this. I haven't been able to try this one since I can't reach any of the top shelves myself, but I can tell you from personal experience I always appreciate help with those items beyond my reach. Normally you can find me standing on my tip-toes using a long box of spaghetti to nudge the top item to the edge until I can eventually grab it. On those rare occasions when someone takes the time to stop and grab it for me I always appreciate it.
3. Pick It Up. Have you ever seen someone drop something or have a bag break open with items rolling all over the place and momentarily think they could use some help and then just walk by? Stop and help them. It will literally only take a matter of seconds or minutes, but it will be another flare to Karma.
4. Help a Man (or Woman) Out. I know there are supposed to be employees to help people locate items in stores, but from my experience finding an employee to help is almost more of a challenge than just going up and down every aisle and finding the item yourself. So if you see a guy in the tampon aisle who is obviously lost, help him find what he needs. Or if you're a guy and you see a woman staring blankly at the endless choices in car oil. Stop and help her out. Obviously these are just some stereo-typical examples. The point is this...if you see someone who looks frustrated or completely lost at a section of the store you know pretty well, ask them if they need help.
5. Let Someone Cut in Line. Everyone is always in such a hurry. Imagine running late and having to wait in a long line to get out of the store. Now imagine how much you would appreciate it if the person in front of you would say "Would you like to go before me?" Wouldn't that make your day? It would make someone else's day too. Next time you're in line and in no real hurry, but the person behind you seems to be. Offer to let them cut in front of you. You'll feel good for doing it, you'll make that person's day, and you may just get Karma's attention.

I believe in karma, and I think we could all use a little more good karma in our lives. It doesn't take a big gesture to get her attention. You don't have to buy a car for someone or pay off a person's mortgage to get something great. I believe every little thing counts. These are just 5 simple tips to get karma's attention. They won't cost you a thing, and you'll be surprised how good you feel after you do them.

Teen Drama

Trying to follow my daughter's drama is like trying to follow a dozen soaps at a time. I'm floored by all the things going on around her, and I can understand why teens have such a hard time navigating through it all. She has friends who are drinking, cutting, getting in fights, and having sex. I appreciate the fact that she tells me these things, but yet it terrifies me to know there is so much she is having to deal with. Heaven knows my teen years weren't exactly all peaches and cream, but she's been dealing with all this drama years before I ever had to. I wonder how these kids handle all this. I guess not very well since there are so many of them doing things they shouldn't be.

It scares me to know she is surrounded by so much drama. She is a good girl and strong willed, but I can't imagine the peer pressure she has to face on a daily basis. I only hope that she continues to stay strong and do her best to survive all the chaos. 

So I've been "Let Go"...

Well, I was let go from my job about three months ago. You would think by now I would have another job, but I've got nothing. I am so tired of everyone saying how there are so many jobs out there. Where are these hidden gems? I've searched all the classifieds and search engines and I'm finding very little. Yes, there are lots of jobs, but the majority of them are not for me. There are none in my field, and the ones that are out there would require me taking a huge pay cut. I was barely making the bills at my prior salary. I can't imagine making at least 25% less than what I have been making. How in the heck would that work? Do I just pay 25% of my bills?!

Anyhow, I guess I'll just continue my search and hopefully I will eventually find something. Let's hope.