Back in skinny jeans

Better Than Nothin': Just One Glass of Water

Tuesdays are the day we give you a woo-hoo! for making even the tiniest of changes and actions towards achieving your healthy goals. Rome was not built in a day and getting to your goals will take time too.

For long term success, it's actually more effective to make smaller changes over time than to try and do the big drastic changes in a short time mainly because the tiny changes won't trigger your Inner Resistance Monster who always wants to push you back to your old comfortable ways. When you make smaller to even minuscule changes, it feels effortless, it will stick longer over the years, and it's better than doing zero.

Today, we're all about water. Water is vital to achieving and keeping vibrant health. Really! I can't even begin to tell you how important water is to well being. Also, water is one of the best beauty treatments out there. One of the reasons I look way younger than 40 is because I drink up! Water is a girl's best friend.

But lots of you don't like to drink water because you don't like the pee part. Well, peeing is actually really good for you after the water drink because you're flushing out your system and that water is taking the toxins right along with it. If you want to drop weight, you gotta drink water.

Next time you feel hungry, drink a glass or two of water first and wait 5-10 minutes, and see if you're still hungry. Sometimes that hunger pain is actually a dehydration need. Your body wants water not food.

Drinking just one glass of water at a time is better than drinking nothing. Coffee, tea, juice, sports drinks, and sodas do not count as water breaks. Just because something is a liquid does not mean it is hydrating your body. Water is the way to hydrate for daily wellness.

If you'd like a water reminder, on Twitter, I do a 2-3 times daily hydration reminder usually morning, afternoon, and night time. Follow me @skinnyjeans on Twitter for the water nudges.

Featured in Self Magazine BISJ Reader Meghan Clifford, "Got Up and Ran"

I'm like a very proud big sister here. Back in Skinny Jeans reader Meghan Clifford is featured in February's Self magazine in an article about how 5 Self readers came to find body bliss through attitude adjustment and self-appreciation.

Meghan has dropped 80 pounds over the last 3 years and has kept it off. Running her first 10k was one of her first big fitness accomplishments. Woo-hoo! Give a huge round of applause for Meghan. {clapping}

Winners of the Wild Garden Hummus in a Tube

Mucho apologies! I was gonna post this Friday, but something unexpected happened. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Here are the 10 randomly picked winners of the Wild Garden Hummus in a Tube from the post, "10 Ways to Eat to Next To Nothin' and Win Some Hummus in a Tube."

Michelle commented 1/13 at 6:20am
Mara commented 1/13 at 6:23am
Anne commented 1/13 at 7:49am
Melissa S commented 1/13 at 8:38am
Jamie commented 1/13 at 10:12am
jbuttars commented 1/13 at 11:55am
Theresa commented 1/13 at 1:01pm
Kim commented 1/14 at 6:58am
Patrice commented 1/15 at 3:39am
Tanya commented 1/15 at 4:12pm

All winners have been emailed already. If you see your name, but didn't see the email, please check your spam folder or let me know.

Thank you again to Wild Garden for this fabulous giveaway!

Building Emotional Currency

On Fridays for the Skinny Debt Diet, we address feelings, and I thought a good topic to bring up is the building or eroding of emotional currency in our relationships with others, whether it be loved ones, friends, colleagues, or even business.

It is true that most of us have emotional bank accounts with those in our lives. For instance, we make deposits like when we tell someone we are proud of them or when we cheer them on in the rain during their first marathon. We make withdrawals like when we forget an anniversary or failed to meet a promise we made.

Over time, we keep mental balance sheets of the emotional currency in our relationships, and because of that some relationships increase in value or depreciate in value. And in longer term relationships, there will indeed be times when you just might have to take out an emotional loan like when you are going through a really hard time such as divorce, death, bankruptcy, illness, or recovery. And likewise, those who have built up their emotional currency with you, you most certainly would give them the same loan.

True emotional currency is not about payback or "you owe me", it's about balance, mutual giving and receiving, and respect. When you respect others and yourself, you have the means to be very rich with the things that matter: love, truth, and joy. There is always plenty to give and share.

Here's some ways you can start beefing up those emotional accounts with others:

• Never underestimate the smallest of gestures like a simple "thank you, I appreciate what you did, or I just called to hear your voice." Even something like sending a text or email could brighten someone's day because it showed you were thinking about them and cared to take action.

• Cook for someone. I believe that food is a way to anyone's heart. I don't know one person in the world who does not love the idea of someone cooking them a meal. Breakfast in bed will score you extra points. Guys (XYs) take note as Valentine's day is coming up, and making your lady breakfast in bed would be a major score! You just might even win a love lottery.

• When someone is sick, bring them some soup, offer to visit them if they are at home or in the hospital, or ask them if they need anything. They might not need anything at all but mentally it's very comforting to know that you are willing to be there if need be.

• If someone you know is training for a race whether it be running, walking, kayaking, or biking, etc, on race day be at the finish line to cheer when they cross the line. Seriously, this is a HUGE, MONUMENTAL thing you can do to rack up the emotional currency because those of us who have been the racer LOVE that someone was there to see us in our accomplishment. We put so much blood, sweat, and tears into training that it means the world to us that you are with us at that final moment; crossing the finish line.

• Say "I love you" just because. I really don't think you can say "I love you" too much, but you can definitely say "I love you" not enough. The I love you thing includes your friends. I've been making it more of a point to tell my friends that I love them and appreciate them because man, I surely don't know where I'd be without them. And vice versa, when my friends tell me they love me, watch my face light up.

Building emotional currency in your relationships is one of the best ways to become truly rich in life. Can you share something you did recently that built or created emotional currency with someone in your life? Personally, I'm always looking for new ideas :)

Quote on Personal Stength

Lunging Your Way to the Bank

For January, MizFit becomes our official fitness guru for the Skinny Debt Diet because well not only does she have arm muscles I just so envy, she is holistic in her approach to wellness like yours truly.

Working on strengthening your leg muscles will not only help boost your body's fat burning capabilities, it will help you feel like you have some "strong legs to stand on", metaphorically, and indeed this stronger feeling will make it easier for you to feel more empowered when dealing with your finances.

In today's fitness video, MizFit demonstrates how you can burn some calories, save on some calories, and even de-stress while going to the bank. Oh yeah, it is possible to multi-task so efficiently!

If you liked this calorie burner, here's another exercise video at MizFit Online on finding ways to do lunges in creative places, and another lunging exercise with tips on proper lunging form using a kitchen towel. Yes, it's amazing how you can get creative exercise in with common kitchen items.

Steph Is Quoted in February's Glamour...Next To a Topless Pregnant Woman in Jeans

I'm very excited to say that in February's Glamour magazine, on stands now, I am quoted in the column of Carmen Wong Ulrich of CNBC On the Money about making money from blogging. Page 124.

See, there it is. Very cool!

Now, you know I am eternally grateful for this inclusion in Glamour magazine with Carmen because that is uber fantastic, but the irony of my quote is that it physically sits next to an ad for maternity jeans by 7 For All Mankind, and the model is um, topless doing the "I'm still sexy and smokin' hot with my pregnant self in couture jeans."

I know the Glamour editors didn't do this on purpose but it feels kinda like, "What! Are you trying to poke the tiger?" So you know I have to talk about this jeans ad because it's what I do.

I have mixed feelings about this ad but mostly it veers into the *ugh* direction. I'm all for portraying pregnancy as hot and sexy, but I'm not digging this particular execution because well who looks like this pregnant woman except for 20 year old pregnant supermodels, and even then I'd think even those genetically blessed women would have a challenging time looking this perfect. Is this a Juno supermodel or some child bride knocked up because she doesn't look older than 21 to me.

The tagline says, "Maternity Redefined." A more fitting line would be, "Maternity. You'll Never Look Like This in Your Dreams."...oh, did I say that out loud?

In fact if someone told me this model wasn't actually pregnant in real life but was photoshopped to look pregnant, I'd believe it. If you know the real model, please let us know if her pregnancy is real in the shot.

On the upside, I have to say, I really love the hairdo. I could make my hair look like that. And I like the fact that a couture designer has made the effort to sell hot looking maternity clothes. These 7 jeans would look cool with a pretty flowy top like this one.

And lastly, she's about what 6-7 months preggers, yes/no? Who's gonna be glamming up that much when you're most likely feeling all kinds of things but sexy. And everything about her is still skinny except for the basketball bump. If she's got 4" spikey Jimmy Choos with those jeans, I'm gonna have to scream. On the Pea in a Pod site, they do have a mama-to-be in spikes but she doesn't look too far along yet, so perhaps the heels would be okay. But still, I gotta think it would ouchie.

The image in this ad is just off the reality scale in my opinion, and just creates yet another unattainable and unrealistic standard of beauty. What do you think?

But really Glamour, thank you again for putting me in the mag. If I can have any say, next time can I at least be next to a hair product ad like for Sebastian or Redken, that would be awesome!

Steve Jobs Is Going On a 6-month Medical Leave...And What We Can Learn From That

Apple announced today that their CEO Steve Jobs is going on a 6-month medical leave due to further complications in his health. Here's the email Steve sent out to Apple employees about his leave.

First, I send all my prayers to Steve and his family for his healing and return to vibrant health. I'm very glad to see that Steve is taking care of himself because we are nothing without our health and no job, money, or power is worth sacrificing your wellness.

When the doctor put me on medical leave

Back in 2001, my doctor put me on a 3-month medical leave from work, and put me on the happy pills, it was a life altering time. I also had to deal with an enormous amount of depression. You really start to think about your life, where you are going, how you got to "this place" health wise, and how can you regain vibrant health once again.

Faced with your mortality you really begin to see what is most important and that is your loved ones, the quality times of happiness and laughter you have with those people, what you have given back to those people and others, and the difference you've made in the world. When faced with the end, people are always thinking about the people in their lives and the experiences that made their heart swell with love and joy.

No one will remember you wore your skinny jeans

No one, and I mean no one wishes they spent more time in the office, wishes they had more money in their bank account, or wishes that if they were thin and pretty their life would have been better. In fact, for me, I started to really look at why I spent way too much time obsessing and focused on really superficial things that will have utterly no meaning when I come to the end of my days. My grandma Rose has been teaching me what real beauty is.

When I leave this world, no one is going to remember that I wore a size 6 or 14. No one is going to remember my wrinkles, the muffin top I can't stop nitpicking, nor the outfits I wore or the car I drove. Indeed keeping our body in good shape and health is important, but it should not drive nor take over your life.

What people will remember is how I touched their lives. They will remember that someone took the time to be there for them when it mattered. They will remember that they could depend on me, trust me, and know that I loved them. People who are truly rich are those who have built up emotional, spiritual, and health currency. Money just makes your life more comfortable, not better.

Listen to your body and heart

Going on medical leave indeed was the hardest and scariest time in my life, but it set me on a better path because it helped me to open eyes, and I mean really open them. My break down was actually a break through. One of the first things I had to do was kill the "current me."

My body and soul tried so hard to get me to listen and I didn't. I just kept pushing the envelope and ignoring the signs, so finally, my body and mind broke down to force me to stop. You can avoid what I went through by listening to your body, listening to your gut, and taking the actions to make your life healthier, richer, and happier. You will never regret making those life altering decisions!

Who Knew Personal Finances Could Be So Sexy and Fabulous

Today, for Finances day on the Skinny Debt Diet, I have dived into the world of the personal finance blogs and wowza, there are some pretty cool, and hilarious bloggers out there. Really. I got totally sucked in people, and now I'm hooked.

It's so refreshing to go to sites that speak human instead of bank. These blogs are warm, fun, joyful, and most importantly provide very good information. You will find a wealth of information. Check out these 10 blogs that caught my eye. I have no doubt that there are many more fantastico personal finance blogs.

• Fabulous Financials - “the journey of a 30-something fabulous single mom pursuing financial independence.” I need to have Cosmos with this woman.

• Budgets Are Sexy - J. Money says, once upon a time, "I" *thought* i was The Man when it came to money."  That was until he and his wife bought their first house. This guy is pretty funny, and I love how uses the word "sexy" in his blog.

• Give Me Back My Five Bucks - This young lady is still in college yet in 10 months she has managed to eliminate $17k in debt from her shopaholic days. krystalatwork has a size zero debt! Very impressive. She is tracking the building of a retirement portfolio and a travel fund. I love the blog name.

• Thicken My Wallet - Fat is good when it comes to wallet size. This blogger is a recovering lawyer turned entrepreneur earnestly trying to thicken his wallet. Great attitude about life. Here's a great post on what he learned about personal finance in 2008. My favorite line: "character is enduring- and people remember what you did when the times got tough."

• Over the Cubicle Wall - This is a relatively new blogger, 5 months, but the writing here is like chatting with a friendly co-worker at the water cooler, and indeed, he does work in a cubicle. How many of us can relate to that? {raises hand} He's a 30-something and "working towards a goal of financial independence, with the option of an early retirement somewhere between the ages of 40 and 45."

• $5 Dinners - Erin has a family of four to feed: her, hubbie, and two boys. She has what she calls an "unnatural need" to make meals for under $5. She "races through recipes and numbers as I go through the grocery store, wondering 'can I pull off that meal for less than $5?" And you know what, she's got some really good ideas, and pretty healthy as it would be very easy to eat lots of processed foods and starches when we get that frugal. She even has a Gluten-free section.

• Shrinkage is Good - Love this blog name! This is the company blog for BillShrink, a free, personalized savings service for everyday services like wireless and credit cards. Normally, I think many company blogs are boring, sorry companies but ya are, but this one has quite a unique personality and wow some really helpful tips like, "Top 12 Coupon & Discount Websites - Because Paying Full Price is So 1999." The Editor of Shrinkage is Good, also blogs at his own place Stop Buying Crap, and yeah, the content is just as personable as the blog name.

• The Simple Dollar - Trent was born into poverty, got some money of his own as an adult but then had a complete financial melt down in 2006. A husband and father, enough was enough. He was so determined that within eight months, "I had paid off all of my credit card debt, paid off my vehicle, and also established an emergency fund." Nice! Trent is a really good writer, and a favorite at Wesabe, our Skinny Debt Diet community partner.

• Well-Heeled With a Mission - This 20-something has a good head on her shoulders as she balances living well in her means without having personal finance make her miserable as she puts it. Indeed she is into shoes. Wellheeled has been navigating the quarter life, and been blogging for over 2 years now. Her motto:"Experience, not stuff." I like it!

• Make Love Not Debt - This blog is as uplifting as the name. Money is one of the biggest relationship stressors, and this engaged couple shares how they are making more love not debt. They are saving for their wedding, they paid off all their debt in 2 years, and they even found a creative rated PG way to make money by having sex. On the Skinny Debt Diet theme of being fit physically and fiscally, here's a great point about "The Cost of Good Health."

So, there you have 10 personal finance blogs I thought were very cool. What personal finance blogs have you read that you enjoy and find very helpful?

Would You Pay For a GOOPy Gym Membership?

The GOOPiness empire may be expanding. If rumor holds true, Gwyneth Paltrow and her personal trainer Tracy Anderson - who also trains Madonna, are looking to open up a chain of gyms across Europe, Asia and Australia. Tracy already has gyms in LA and New York which you would expect of any trainer to the elite and stars, or those who can afford it well just because they can. {Yes, there is a whiff of smugness there}

Most of us are trying to just stay afloat, and one thing that many people have cut off their budgets is gym memberships even at inexpensive places like 24 Hour. The outdoors, exercise shows on Cable, books and hey even club dancing are looking mighty good these days.

So, what makes Gwyneth think that her gym would thrive in this struggling economy because you know this is going to be some swank place with a waterfall with the scent of water lillies to greet you as you enter the GOOP hive? I can imagine the fresh faced, slim, and limber employees with names like Chantal and Verde to be dressed in organic sustainable made linen capris and scoopneck tees with "Namaste" printed in the center where the 3rd chakra lies.

And indeed, the gym itself would be built with nothing but green friendly materials, with artwork from a 79-year-old painter from a quaint French village hanging from the Terra cotta shaded walls. And if not artwork, you'd see zen sayings scribed on the walls in luminescent flowing colors like, "There is nothing you can see that is not a flower," so that, when you look in the mirror at that muffin top you gained over the holidays, there is no room for negativity. No, not here at 24 Hour GOOP.

Anyone up for some haughty hamstring stretches?
How about some supercilious squats?
Up for some lofty leg presses?

Ah yes indeed Gywnnie. I feel the oneness of the inner aspect. May I have a sip of some refreshing Yerba Mate now.

Okay, I jest, but stuff like this is parody in the making. A blogger cannot help herself. Of course who wouldn't want to go to a heavenly gym like this, but really, is now the time Gwyneth dear when so many of us are just trying to pay off credit cards, keep our homes, and stay employed?

Does some celeb have her head in the clouds a bit too much or am I just a spoofing opportunist who has to do crunches and planks watching the free 10 minute fitness clips on Comcast?