Back in skinny jeans

Better than Nothin': Reduce using "one less"

Tuesdays is the day we focus on mini changes to reach our longer term goals. Better than Nothin' is the idea that even if you only move half an inch in the direction of your goals, it's better than zero.

The "One Less" principle is weaning from something by consuming one less of that item. Easy!

How I used "One Less" to wean from Diet Sodas

I used to be a Diet Coke addict, and wanted to stop consuming products that had artificial sweeteners in them. I tried to go cold turkey off the Diet Coke, and that proved to be an utter disaster. In fact, that episode triggered me to drink more of the soda.

Learning a lesson, I decided that a slow down plan might be easier, so I started by just drinking one less Diet Coke a week. It is hardly a noticeable change, but it is a change none the less. When I was good with that, I went to drinking one less can a day. I would drink anywhere from 2-3 cans in a day, so I cut that down to 1-2 cans. After that, I went to one whole day a week without the DC, and continued this process until I stopped drinking Diet Soda all together. Besides the DC, I'd drink Diet Dr. Pepper and Diet Root Beer, my other faves.

To be honest, it took me almost a year to completely wean from the diet sodas, but the change has stuck long term, and I don't have any desire for the stuff anymore. In fact, my body is so used to not having the diet sodas, that I start to feel not good, when I drink one now.

The "One Less" principle is a great simple and easy way to start making healthy lifestyle changes, and is particularly effective when you're trying to cut down your consumption of things like junk foods, fast foods, and processed foods.

Perk up your day: What Every Woman Should Know from Pamela Redmond Satran

Here is part of a poem written by Pamela Redmond Satran which I found very inspiring, and definitely words to live by. In particular, the best skill I think everyone should master is:

Enjoy!

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and when to walk away...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table.. or a charming Inn in the woods.... when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
What she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

8 Ways “Perfect Girl” Holds You Back

Many of us let our inner Perfect Girl take the driver’s seat because we believe that she knows all the answers and that she knows better than we do. Indeed, in many cases Perfect Girl has helped us be accomplished, and has helped us develop high standards for our life which is a good thing. However, Perfect Girl can also hold you back from being your true self and from living your most authentic life. Here’s 8 ways Perfect Girl holds you back:

• Perfect Girl likes to stay within her comfort zone. She will only tackle things she knows she can at least be 90% good at. If you only stick to things you think you’re good at, how do you know you’re not missing out on something you could be awesome at, but would never try because initially it doesn’t look like something you could be good at. Start stepping out of your comfort zone.

• Perfect Girl is high maintenance. Ever notice that when she is in charge, you are always tired, frustrated, and tense? Why, because Perfect Girl is unrealistic, relentless and pushes you constantly to go way above the call duty. Start asking yourself why you have to do more work than need be.

• Perfect Girl can’t stop and smell the roses because she’s fixated on wanting to prune the roses, water the roses, and read tips from Martha Stewart to make her roses grow bigger and brighter. In reality, life is not a competition or a beauty contest, only Perfect Girl believes that.

In case you missed Tina Fey as Sarah Palin on SNL...

...here's the opening skit of the new season featuring "Sarah and Hillary." I have the biggest girl crush on Tina Fey. That woman cracks me up. This skit was hilarious. Thoughts? Enjoy! (5 min. 33 sec)

Back in Skinny Jeans is now part of Oprah's Digital Network

Yes, I'm very excited to say that not only is Oprah making an effort to be more involved in the blogosphere, Back in Skinny Jeans gets to be a part of that as a member of her growing Digital Network of bloggers.

So what does this mean?

This means that yes I'll be sharing some exclusive news, clips, and information about upcoming shows, as well as opportunities for interviews with regular guests and possibly even giveaways. I'd really love to interview Dr. Oz.

We love O, however, that does not mean that I'm going to write an Oprah post every day, and just be one big fan girl commercial for upcoming shows. That is not interesting to you or me, as I know you, my readers, pretty well that way.

What will be interesting is that I will weave-in upcoming shows and guests with themes and topics that I'm already discussing which will be pretty seamless because Oprah's message and mine are very similar already which is a primary reason BISJ was invited to join. I like to think that our content is Oprah-like with edge.

But the main reason I agreed to be a part of Oprah's new Digital Network is that The Oprah Winfrey show wants to get feedback from us. They want to extend the conversation into the Internet through bloggers and that I find extremely exciting, and really it's time. How it plays out who knows, but I believe it is a good step for Oprah's show, and for us in the blogosphere.

So, let the conversation begin!

Without you realizing: How the Internet can make you dangerously sleep deprived

I found this clip really fascinating following all those sleep issues I had in the Spring. Getting your sleep is very important for overall wellness.

David Schulman MD a sleep specialist explains in under 1 minute and 17 seconds how the internet contributes to our lack of sleep, and how in many ways you are sleep deprived more than you think you are.

What We're Noshing: Raw vs. Vegan, Green Plums, Gluten-free Snack Bars, and Dish Gawking

Over at Noshtopia for your eating wellness pleasure:

• Wanna know the difference between eating Raw and Vegan? Yes, they are different yet can be tied together.

• Here's a review for Enjoy Life Foods Vegan friendly, Nut and Gluten Free Very Berry Snack Bars.

• How about some dish gawking of some of my favorite dishes at Cafe Pro Bono in Palo Alto: Tiramisu, Risotto with Italian Sausage, Linguine and Clams, and Salmon on top of Arugula and Rainbow Beets. The food is soooo good there.

• Ever seen a green plum before? I tried one recently, and here's what I thought.

• Here's a review for Annie Chun's Noodle Express Spicy Szechuan. It's a much better alternative to Top Ramen or Cup o' Noodles.

BISJ Readers: "I'm a hot chick magnet"

Lately, I've been inviting all of my lovely readers to be friends with me on Facebook. So, send in your friend request and let me know you're a BISJ fan.

I love being friends with my readers on FB because now I get to see your smiling faces, and I get to learn more about you all. The one thing that has taken my breathe away is how good looking all of you are. Seriously folks, the other day I thought to myself, "I'm a hot chick magnet. Look at all these gorgeous women. Woo!"

My goodness, if I were at some Geek party here in Silicon Valley and told them all of my readers were coming, the poor techies would be totally besides themselves. All these knockouts in one room would stun them silly.

...Look at all these gorgeous women ...

Putting all jesting aside, on the surface, I know I'm focusing a bit on the superficial, but I wanted to point it out because it goes to perception.

Just seeing the physical yous, not knowing anything but that, most people would think how could any of these beautiful women feel any kind of insecurity about her beauty. Not saying that you're all insecure, but many of you come to BISJ because you resonate with my personal issues around beauty and the struggle to feel okay in our unrealistic beauty obsessed culture. That insecurity exists only in your thoughts. It's not reality, and you can change your thoughts. On the outside, you are beautiful as you are.

So for today, I want you all to stand tall, and walk around all day reminding yourself, "You are one hot tamale. Go girl!" Because, again, you are, and that is for real.

Quote on beauty and numbers

Ellen is a million dollar Cover Girl, Is that Anne Hathaway on W and other tiddly bits around the skinnysphere

• Now, this is my kind of glamor gal. Ellen DeGeneres is raking in a cool million to be a new face for Cover Girl. Top show, newlywed, and mega contracts, Ellen is most definitely walking on a bliss cloud. [TV Guide]

• I love Anne Hathaway my cutie Prada wearing Devilista, but holey moley what did W do to her on the cover? Me no get. Where would you where that Elvirastein look? More pics from Anne's W spread. [W]

• Starbucks CEO Howard Schulz just dropped 12lbs on a weight loss program called Kinetix which he partly owns through a VC firm. SBux employees can enroll in the program too. Have any of you tried Kinetix and shed lbs? The menu at SB's too will be getting a skinnifying so look for the healthier eats. That's baristatastic! [Calorie Lab]

• Shareholders are still concerned about Steve Jobs' health but at least now he shows he has a sense of humor by reminding everyone at his latest stage presence that reports of his death are greatly exaggerated. [Valleywag]