Losing Weight is Diet Motivation Itself

I've lost 90 pounds. I don't share that to brag, but to encourage others who are trying to lose. I also remind myself that I lost that much so I don't lose my momentum. Knowing how far I've come keeps my diet mojo, or impetus, going. Here's what I mean.

People have said to me, "you have more willpower than me. I couldn't lose that much." I don't know if I have more willpower or more vested interest in continuing to diet. I have stronger reasons to stay on the wagon and see this thing out. These pictures show me in 2008 (left) and 2013 (right). Losing Weight is Diet Mojo in Itself

My Weight Loss Before and After Pictures, Lose Weight, Lose Shame

Just stepped on the scale today and I'm only 7 pounds from reaching my 100 pounds lost goal. I've been losing at a rate of about 1-2 pounds per week since late spring. I write a Diet-tip-of-the-day post to show how I lost weight. It didn't just happen overnight. Here are before and after pictures to show how. Left is November 2013 (92 pounds lighter). Right is July 2011. Diet Tip Lose Shame with Fat, Please
Today's tip is shed shame with fat. 

I Got Great Deals on Post-Fat Wardrobe Makeover

I was toying with buying a set of expensive designer brand exercise wear because I had a 50% off coupon. Then I stopped at Family Dollar for some household products and found they had a Buy one Get 50% off second sale on fitness, sleepwear and dress clothes. Oh frabjuous day, I was able to fit size small! Color me content. Snagged Great Deals on New Post-Fat Wardrobe Makeover 
 

Snag free Shopping Bucks with Swagbucks

If you participate with Swagbucks, an online reward point company, then don't miss Double Stuff today, November 4. You get double points on filling out surveys, no obligation offers, watching Swagbucks TV, search, toolbar and shopping. Shopping at some stores already earns 3-4 points per purchase and that is doubled today.   Save Money with Double Stuff at Swagbucks November 4

Vintage Gothic Halloween Costumes

I dressed up and did the Haunted museum at our local history society. I was disappointed in the way they chose to decorate the museum up with a lot of kitschy ghoul junk. All those beautiful exhibits covered with electronic skeletons, fake bloody hands and Zombie babies. Yuck. And not educational as I'd hoped. I figured someone needed to speak to the cultural aspect, if only to the Gothic side of horror. I did a dead flapper costume. I donned a tattered flapper dress and head scarf. I wore sequined heels. I added a soupcon of white and blue paint to my face and arms for the ethereal effect. I put on a mole and dark red lipstick. For eye makeup, you could go bright metallic or make it look like it's smeared or running (flappers were notorious gin drinkers and cocaine users). You could do blue shadows under the eyes. Paint nails black or metallic. Add a long cigarette holder. Here's how you could do other vintage Gothic costumes.   I Have a Flair For Scaring People with Gothic Horror, to My Chagrin

Diet Tip Wait 10 Minutes Before Eating a Second Helping

I've lost 87 pounds and am writing a series on how I did it. Today's tip is the old "wait 10 minutes" rule. When kids want seconds, I ask them to wait a few minutes to let their food settle to see if they really could eat more. It takes about that long for food to reach the stomach and give the sensation of fullness. If I forgot to remind them, I ended up making food that didn't get eaten.   Diet Tip Wait 10 Minutes Before Eating More - News - Bubblews

Why Losing Weight is Harder than Quitting Smoking

I have 14 pounds left to lose to get off 100 pounds. And I am sick of reading how easy it is to lose. There are easier ways and things that work better, but shedding 86 pounds was not easy. Dieting is like quitting an addiction but harder. I will argue food is the hardest addiction to break. Diet takes longer. You can stop smoking or drinking and start seeing positive effects almost immediately. And you don't carry around outward evidence of your addiction--fat. If you're doing it right (not crash dieting) it will take months to see real progress and maybe years to get all the weight off. I don't say this to discourage. A journey begins with the first step. But I don't want to kid anyone that losing almost half my body weight has been simple. (picture left July 2013, picture right June 2012).
Why Losing Weight is Harder than Quitting Smoking

Miss America 2014 Is Not Muslim, But I Like Her Anyway

We have a new Miss American Nina Davuluri and she's (gasp) Muslim. Wait, no she's not . Some screw-kooks just thought she was because her skin was dark. They railed that it was un-American especially so close to September 11. I don't get the connection but then I usually don't with bigots. The LA Times quotes some calling her "Miss Al-Qaeda" (just when I thought lunatic fringers couldn't get loonier). Image is from Wiki Commons. Miss America 2014 Is Not Muslim, But I Like Her Anyway
 

Diet Tip: Develop Flaw Blindness

I have lost 84 pounds--one more pound gone today! yippee! I have 15-25 pounds left to lose, depending on where I decide to stop. Every day, I write tips on how I lost weight. Today's tip is more for partners of fat people: develop flaw blindness. Learn to overlook physical imperfections. This is one of my cardinal relationship glue recipes too (that's what I call my suggestions for developing deep, lasting relationships).

Both partners should do this. If you're not happy with each other as is, you won't be happy no matter what you change. Actually, we all should overlook others' physical inadequacies. No one's perfect. And who's to judge flaw from characteristic? Diet Tip of the Day: Flaw Blindness - News - Bubblews
Pointing out blemishes is ignorant and arrogant (a bad combo). No one wants to hear about unattractive features, particularly those he has no control over.

Hair Coloring Tips: Choose a Good Color to Skin Tone Fit

My hair started graying when I was in my late twenties. It got progressively worse, fast, after several traumatic pregnancies. I would have been completely roots-to-tip gray had it not been for M. Revlon! I have never spent much on beauty products. And I will not pay professional salon service prices. It's DIY for me or nothing. I've tried many different hair color products and found this Revlon works best for my hair. Happily, their Colorsilk is also one of the cheapest on the market--about $3 a box. Here are other +Beauty-products I like that are cheap. Hair Coloring Tips: Choose a Good Color to Skin Tone Fit

How I Lost 82 Pounds Without Surgery, Drugs

I was a chubby child, then slimmed down around 12. I never had a weight problem till age 40, even through four kids. Then I lost a stillborn infant and hit a nasty depression jag. I started taking the antidepressant Paxil (paroxetine). I couldn't shed post-pregnancy weight as I normally would, breast-feeding. I lost another pregnancy, spiraled further into depression and gained more. In all, I put on 100 pounds. I quit Paxil in 2010 and started dieting (not too successfully). I got serious about weight loss in fall 2012. I've lost about 82 (more since writing this) pounds, dropped 7-8 sizes without surgery or drugs.Left is August 2013 right is June 2011 (I'm the one on the right). Here's how.   How I Lost 75 Pounds Without Surgery, Drugs

I Am Going to Try Facial Waxing

I'm going to try waxing. And no not a Brazilian bikini wax--let's just get that awkward question off the table right away. It's going to be difficult enough where I am doing it. I will not rip wax off really sensitive areas. Sooo, where? Well, on my face. Yes, I'm one of the unfortunate women who grow facial hair. Better than my sons in fact, which is embarrassing for all of us. Here's how pot wax works. I Am Going to Try Facial Waxing

Lost Weight? Purge Closet, Donate Fat Clothes

I've lost 80 pounds. I'm not trying to reiterate ad nauseum. But I just want you to know that when I share a diet tip, it's a what-worked-for-me. So today's weight loss tip: purge the fat clothes. Get them out of your closet. I just did that for the second time. I'd done it a few months ago but missed weeding out the summer garments. Purging fat clothes is therapeutic on many levels: it's a great self-esteem booster. It's helps you see how much progress you've made. For more on how to makeover that wardrobe, read onDiet Tip of the Day: Purge, Donate Fat Clothes

Plus-Size? The Old Masters Called It Sexy

I've lost nearly 80 pounds. Yeah right, yea me, woo-hoo. In our era, that's a good thing. But if I lived in Ancient Rome or Greece, I'd be outcast as a model. They'd be like, "meh, too skeeny." And if I, who still need to shed 30-40 pounds wouldn't pass muster, thinner ones would be on the unemployment line for sure. "Too leetle"--the painter would say "eez tweeg. She no beeg enough to hold vase. She gonna snap, like so."

And the German's were even more fussy about having their girls plush and padded. Look at Rubens' Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus! Those aren't dainty little maids. They look like they could curb stomp their attackers if they wanted. If they wanted. The artists of old would have preferred me in my former avoir du pois splendor. Let's consider the concept of "fat" in classical sculptures and neo-classical paintings. Plus-Size? The Greco-Roman Word For it Was Sexy

Budget Fashionista's Cheap, Under-$170 Clothing Wardrobe Makeover

I've taken off 73 pounds, dropped three blouse sizes and four pants sizes. I purged my wardrobe, but since I still plan to lose, I'm keeping my clothing makeover cheap. I'm buying clothes I can still wear at goal weight. Here's my under-$170 fashion upgrade.  Budget Fashionista's Cheap, Under-$170 Clothing Wardrobe Makeover 

Plus-Size Fashion: From Faux-Pas to Fabulous

I've been wearing plus-size clothes since 2004. I lost two stillborn babies and couldn't shed weight. I was depressed and didn't care what I wore. Money was tight and fashion was an easy place to skimp. Consequently, my wardrobe resembled post-garage sale dumpster. I've since lost weight and am back in regular sizes. My mood is improving too. Combating depression, I discovered, meant taking pride in my attire, whatever the size. Here's how to take fat-clothes fashion from faux-pas to fabulous. Plus-Size Fashion: From Faux-Pas to Fabulous

Stop Overdoing It: Work Smart, Relax, Feel Better

I'm a recovering workaholic. Since childhood, I've been an obsessive-compulsive, Type A over-achiever. This hurts me, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. So I'm practicing ways to work smarter, not harder. Though I'm not a Zen Buddhist, I find great comfort in the wisdom of the east. I call my philosophy Catholic Transcendentalism. Slowing, centering, focusing, I accomplish more than I do rushing about frantically. Most importantly, I feel better. HereStop Overdoing It: Work Smart, Relax, Feel Better
's how.

Diet Foods I'll Never Eat After Weight Loss

I'm on a mission to lose 100 pounds gained from antidepressants and postpartum depression. So far, I've shaved off nearly 70 pounds (feel free to cheer!) To lose weight, I've obviously had to greatly amend my food intake. Some diet switches were easy and painless. I'll keep eating even after I lose all the weight. Others I won't touch ever again! Here's my list of worst diet foods and some better alternatives. This is important for losing weight. If you don't like the food, can't stomach it, you'll be much less likely to stick with it. Dieting? Skip These Foods Read more.

Where to Find Free Prom Dresses

Spring means prom season for most high school students. Girls eagerly look forward to choosing their dress and accessories. But what happens if you can't afford a prom dress? Prom dresses are expensive. Donate My Dress my dress is here to help. Donate My Dress, partners with several stores and organizations that collect donated prom dresses and give them a second life. Organizations like The Princess Project, The Magic Wand Project, Becca's Closest, The Priceless Gown Project and local area missions and stores provide free prom dresses for high school girls in need. Donate My Dress operates a database of stores and venues where girls can donate dresses or select a free one. And PLEASE consider sharing if you have prom dresses, first communion or quinceanera, wedding dress, bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses. I gave away several and loved playing fairy godmother! This article is written about free prom dress outlets in Michigan, but the organizations listed operate nationwide (some in Canada and Mexico, too).  Where to Find Free Prom Dresses

How Fat People Are Bullied, Shamed

 "Fat" is one of the most common words in the English language. It's used mostly-negatively to describe, ridicule, shame, preach and value-judge. Being overweight myself, it seems fat people get more than their share of bullying. In college special education classes, we discussed the danger of labeling kids. It pigeon holes them and sets up unhealthy behavioral expectations. Kids get trapped in the parameters superimposed by labels. That concern about labeling doesn't carry over to fat people. Being tagged fat is inescapable, like wearing a brand name or badge you can't take off. Even if we lose weight, if society deems us still-too-fat, the persona follows us.  How Fat People Are Bullied, Shamed

How I Save $1,500 a Year on Family Personal Care Products

Do girls or boys cost more for hygiene and personal care? I've got two of each and they are evenly matched. Each has product preferences. I never minded buying what they liked, but I did it cheaply. Here's how I saved at least $1,500 a year on personal care products for a family of six. And no, I didn't get rid of two kids!  How I Save $1,500 a Year on Family Personal Care Products

Does This Make Me Look Fat? Look Thin With Better Posture

I'm about halfway through my goal to lose 100 pounds. Looking at pictures of myself, I can see why I still look like I did with 50 extra pounds. I sometimes have fat posture. Just as certain things make me look younger or older, some habits make me look thinner or fatter. Here's why and how.  Look Thinner: Break Fat Posture Habits

Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gifts with Chutzpah!

Well, you did it again. February 14th is right around the corner and you haven't gotten your sweetheart. Don't panic; your friendly neighborhood cupid is here with some fabulous ideas that you can get last minute. Don't settle for kitschy candy flowers. You're no ho-hum guy. You've got moxy! So give your girlfriend or wife a gift with attitude! If you want to impress your lady and gain brownie points, give her one of these these offerings. She'll see how sensitive, savvy and sophisticated a guy you are. And the good news is, none will break the budget. Just visit a local antique store, consignment shop, secondhand store. You might even hit pay dirt with a Good Will. Here is what you are looking for: Last-Minute Valentine Gifts with Style

Watch How You Eat, Not Just What to Lose Weight

I'm about halfway toward my goal to lose 80 pounds. It's been a journey--I've learned many things about dieting. Along with watching what I eat, I'm learning to watch how I eat. Being mindful of eating habits has helped me emotionally and physically. Here are some bad eating habits plus healthier ones. Weight loss is about how you eat, not just what

Best Winter Skin Care Products Under $10

Walking in a winter wonderland can be a beautiful experience visually. For your skin, it could also be a frightening experience for dry skin. Even oily skin can become drier in the winter. You have both the dry cold winter air outside and the dry indoor heating sucking the moisture from your skin. Do not fret; here are a few products that combat winter dryness for under $10 a pop.  Best Winter Skin Care Products Under $10