Movin’ and Mixin’ It Up

If you’re like me, you either know someone who’s struggled with being overweight, you’ve been there yourself or you’ve spent a lot of trying to find a way to add exercise into your daily, or at least weekly, routine.

As you know, obesity is one of the most dangerous conditions one can have.

Further, obesity affects over 40% of the entire US population and the problem is spreading to other parts of the world. This is because we live in a society where there is little time to exercise. We also compound the problem by eating high calorie diets and do little or no exercise.

Obesity is termed as a condition where the body accumulates more fat than it actually needs thereby creating a health risk.

Obesity is measured in what is called BMI or the body mass index which is the amount of weight in relation to height. A BMI of 25 or more is considered overweight.

Obesity may appear like a trivial thing but it actually kills close to half a million people in the US alone. But many people have become determined that in the year 2009, they will lose the extra weight and be on their way to a leaner and healthier body.

But what exercises can one undertake to burn fat

One of the best exercises to burn fat is walking. This means that one need not necessarily enroll in a gym. Walking can be done by round the block, along the road or just make it a habit to walk for short distances instead of driving. For those who live in the country this can be an extra time out to meditate and even clear your mind, not to mention that it can be good for sightseeing.

Another exercise that is related to walking is jogging.

So, get good running shoes and make it a habit to jog just half a mile every morning. And if you live in the country, this can be an ideal way to clear your mind in readiness for the day. If you are an older person, it’s probably best to consult with your doctor before you begin.

Enrolling in a gym is also another way you can lose weight easily.

Exercises such as bench presses can work mightily in helping you shed those excess pounds especially because in a gym there are others like yourself that can motivate you.

If you have belly fat issues, which are almost always the case when someone is struggling with obesity, simple daily sit ups can go a long way to ensure you lose those pounds. This, coupled by good eating habits, can put you well on your way to shrinking your belly and lose fat.

It is recommended that before you do some of these exercises, you consult your doctor or chiropractor because some people might have bone structure issues, especially if one is struggling with arthritis.

Another one of the best exercises to lose weight is to go to a sports store and purchase an exercise machine.

In many of these stores there are capable staff that can help you with any questions you might have and help you make the purchase for the exact machine you need.

Or, you can simply go here —->>>> online to pick from one of the many FITNESS selections.

Yours in your movin’ and your groovin’

More Tips to Reduce Debt

Well, I just had a rude awakening

I readied this blog post for automatic publication yesterday. In fact, if you had been following our thoughts since July 22, and had come here to read the “end” of the tips, you would have seen that they were missing.

Alas!

Unfortunately, these tips were still in “draft” status because inadvertently I did not set this post to “publish”!

So, better late than never…here are some thoughts on “More Tips to Reduce Debt”

Get rid of your credit cards

If you are determined to reduce your debt, cutting up your credit cards will help. Because, if you do not have them you can not use them! If this is too big of a step for you (as in too, traumatic), at least get rid of the most unnecessary ones.

If you can swing it, it’s really a good idea to keep only one or two, low interest rate cards for emergencies only!

And consider that if you can not pay cash for something, then you probably do not need it.

Pay off your debts

If you have already acquired some debt you need to pay off, now is the time to get started. Decide which debt is your smallest and start with that one. Pay on it as your budget will allow.

Once you have your smallest debt paid off, you will have a feeling of satisfaction and know you can pay off your debts. Then move to the next smallest debt. It is much easier to paying your debts off one by one, and you will feel less overwhelmed.

And before you know it, all of your debts will be paid and you will feel great knowing you paid them off.

Debt consolidation

Debt consolidation is another option to consider for reducing your debt. Debt consolidation companies will call your creditors for you, and make payment arrangements for your debts. Many companies will get you one low monthly payment to pay each month, until all of your debt is paid off.

Financial counseling

Make an appointment with a financial counselor to help you reduce your debt. Some people find having someone else point out the errors in their spending habits helps them tremendously. Financial counselors can also show you how to better manage your money, and stick to a budget.

Yours in change,

Reduce Your Debt with Today’s Three Tips

Are you stuck with debt?

In recent months, “debt”, “debt consolidation”, “debt reduction” and the like are first and foremost quite often on our minds. So, here’s news! Today and tomorrow, we’re sharing some tips for you to consider to help you make decisions about reducing your debt.

As debt continues to increase in many households across America, more families each year are looking for ways to reduce their overall household debt.

For some, this may be easier said than done.

Debt reduction requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Especially when you are used to spending money left and right.

Those that are serious and committed to reducing their debt will eventually reap the rewards of being debt free.

And by reading my simple tips today and tomorrow it is my hope you will discover many ideas, about how you can reduce your debt.

Cut back

When you start to cut back on spending, you will find other corners you can cut throughout the month that will help you pay off your debts. Simple things such as, being aware of all of the electricity you use–and turning off lights that are not needed as you leave a room, will help reduce your light bill. Therefore, you save a little more money with which to reduce your debt.

Once you become aware of your spending habits, and pay attention to them, you’ll start cutting back and begin to notice more ways to cut back each month.

Budget Your Income

List all of your monthly bills and their due dates. Apply them to your budget, as well as to your other household needs; for example, groceries, gas etc. Allow yourself only so much money per month to spend on extras.

Sticking to your budget will show self-control, and your determination to reduce your debt.

Limit the use of your Credit cards

If you cannot pay cash for it, then do not buy it.

And if you have to charge something, make sure you can pay the balance in full when your next credit card bill comes in.

Never put a charge on your credit card to only pay the minimum monthly amount. You will never get that maxed out credit card paid off that way.

The importance of paying your credit card balance in full, cannot be stressed enough.

Of course, there are many other tips to help reduce your debt. We have four more we’ll share with you “tomorrow.”

See you then!

Note: But “tomorrow” never came! I just stopped back in here now and learned this post never got out of draft status.

So, I’m activating it now.

Best regards,

It’s About That Self-Talk

Sometimes hearing voices isn’t all bad! After all, as we mentioned in yesterday’s post, positive self-talk is a great way to conquer any goals!

We do, however, have to listen in order for them to work! Which may take some re-programming of your mind in the process.

Affirmations are essentially positive statements that re-program your mind for the positive. The moment you have a self-defeating thought you’d be able to counter the negative with a motivating statement. An example of a positive affirmation is: “I am worthy of great success,” or “I see myself in the winner’s circle.”

What this does is replace negativity with thoughts that will help you move toward your goals instead of further away from them.

Positive self-talk is easier to implement than you might think.

You may not be aware of the severity of the negative dialogue currently going on within your mind. However, once you begin with positive self-talk, you will suddenly realize that you are self-sabotaging the goals you set for yourself from the minute that you make them.

This process can open your eyes to exactly how much this inner conversation has been interfering with your life. You’ll feel hopeful that you can now set goals and surpass them.

Through positive self-talk you will be able easily set long and short-term goals for yourself.

And when you use affirmations, you’ll have accessible tools to help you push yourself further than ever before. Learning to quiet negativity with positive thoughts is a great move toward setting and attaining future goals with ease.

Listen to your Self-Talk…and Set Your Goals High

Do you feel like you are always talking yourself out of success?

As in, as soon as you start to set goals for yourself, you suddenly have nagging thoughts about how you aren’t up to the task or how you simply aren’t qualified to carry it through?

If you have ever experienced either situation, you need to change the way you respond to your inner dialogue. Instead of obeying your negative commands, you can use positive self-talk to counter the negativity and overcome nearly all anxious thoughts.

Setting Goals and Sticking to them with Positive Self-Talk

Are you initially filled with excitement when you first set goals for yourself? Are these thoughts then followed by self-doubt and self-defeating thoughts that stop you in your tracks before you even get started?

It can be difficult to make the most of your life when you are constantly talking yourself out of being a success. It can be frustrating and discouraging to have these thoughts constantly plaguing you.

Many of us, in fact, don’t even realize we have these thoughts!

All we know is that we don’t have the confidence to stick to our plans and reach our goals.

But there is another way!

Positive self-talk is an effective way to set goals … and ensure that you stick to them, even if you have never been able to do this before.

It works like this!

You decide what goal is important to you. Then you plan how you are going to reach this goal. When self-doubt starts kicking in, you will respond with affirmations that prove your success without surrendering to the negative pressure.

Since you’re reading this post, it’s clear you’re no quitter and you’re certainly not a failure, so start believing in yourself now!

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about how to “reprogram” your negative thinking.

A Step or Two Toward Creating Good Credit

There are many things you learned “at your mother’s knee” or in your early years in school as you were growing up. One of those might have been how to take care of your money.

Those little “piggy banks” had a place in your life for something.

So now, all grown up, as a consumer you’ve continued your learning about the importance of establishing a good credit rating with your lenders. Whether you are shopping for a new home or auto, or searching for the best deals on insurance, your credit worthiness will be judged by your credit rating or credit score.

A bad credit history or bad credit habits will place “black marks” on your credit profile. These include things such as late payments, having an account assigned to a collection agency, and of course bankruptcy.

Establishing good credit habits and therefore a good credit rating will improve your credit worthiness. This will be reflected in potential lenders offering you substantially lower interest rates and better deals on credit offers.

Here are 4 tips to help you create a shining credit profile:

1) Pay Your Bills On Time

Lenders only have your past payment history on which to decide the type of credit risk you present to them. How you pay off your debts now indicates to them how you will pay off future debts.

2) Don’t Use Too Many or Too Few Credit Cards

How much is too much ? How little is too little ? Many credit experts and financial planners suggest two to four credit cards is just the right mix.

3) Pay At Least The Minimum Due

Always pay at least the minimum due payment, but never less. And remember, just paying the minimum payment means it will take you years and years to pay off that credit card.

Example: Paying off a $2,000 credit payment at 18% APR with a minimum monthly payment of 2% ($40 dollars or less) will take you 30 years to pay off the amount plus interest.

4) Review Your Credit Report Regularly

Monitor your credit report from all three major credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax – on a regular basis. Check your credit profile at least annually. Review it carefully and make sure that any past mistakes or disputes have been corrected.

Also, if you notice an account listed that you know that you have not personally opened, contact that creditor and the credit bureaus immediately. This could be a sign that you’ve had your identity stolen.

Request to have a fraud alert placed on your profile and account to protect yourself and your credit. Identity theft is the fastest growing consumer crime in America, with an estimated 1 million people victimized each year.

Establish good credit habits early in life and reap the benefits that your good credit rating will provide you for the rest of your financial future.

Things You Can Learn From A Two-Year Old

…other than breakdancing!

Have you seen the latest video on YouTube that’s getting lots of hits…the one with the little babies on skates breakdancing?!

If you ask any child about the adults around them, they’d probably say we’re a little wacky and seem to be stressed out a lot of the time.

Here are a few simple things they can teach us…

1. Nap when you’re tired.

2. Eat when you’re hungry.

3. Don’t starve yourself, it makes you tired and cranky. Eat little bits often to keep fueled up.

4. Stubbornly refuse to eat even one more bite once you’re full. If you’re full after a few bites, gleefully throw the rest away.

5. Leave the table with a satisfied, full belly and an eagerness to dive back into your delicious life.

6. Be picky and only eat foods you love. If it doesn’t taste great to you, clamp those lips shut and refuse to eat until something better is found.

7. Be in awe over how amazing and wonderful your body is. Notice how it moves, hugs, plays, loves, heals, and enjoys life.

8. Run, jump, skip, play. Move your body because it’s so much fun and it feels good. Be amazed at all the incredible physical things your body can do.

9. Wear clothes that are comfy and that make you feel good.

10. Appreciate the people around you for who they are rather than for how they look.

11. Hang out with fun, friendly people and stay away from mean, critical ones.

12. Feel great about yourself because, well, why wouldn’t you?

If you don’t have a two-year old around right now, find one as quickly as you can and watch them for a day.

Their simple enjoyment of life, and their absolute respect for their own bodies is something to aspire to.

And see information here about weight loss as a grown up.

Breaking Stress

Yesterday, we began a post with tips for learning how to “break stress”. We continue our post today by suggesting three more “stress breaking” tips.

3. Turn it off.The convenience that cell phones have added in our lives can actually be a double-edged sword. We depend on them so much it seems we can’t live without them.

This increased accessibility means not only can our loved ones reach us at any time, but so can work! If your employer legitimately needs to have your cell phone number, make sure you set clear limits on when you can and cannot be reached. Your time off is yours.

4. Take a holiday. It doesn’t have to be a fancy vacation resort. A day at the beach, or an afternoon at the park will do. Just anywhere you can be and not think about the bills, work, or whatever tensions you may have.

It’s important to take time for yourself, so do it! You’ll feel better with a fresh outlook.

5. Treat yourself. Sign up for a yoga class at your local gym or community center. The costs are nominal, and you’ll feel more relaxed after even just one session. A monthly massage or a spa treatment is also a great way to recharge. You’ll walk out feeling like a million dollar bowl of jelly.

Stress is unavoidable.

But what we do about it is up to us. Take some time each day or two to experiment with these suggestions and to see what works for you!