“You can't seem to stay on a schedule to work out regularly. Here's how to reign in your free spirit...”

Someone once said that there are basically two kinds of people in the world: free spirits and nerds. On the surface, most would want to be in the free spirit category. These people are fun, unencumbered, adventurous, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of people. Nerds, on the other hand, bring to mind visions of horn-rimmed glasses, rigid oily hair styles, short pants, and tight schedules. When it comes to workouts, free spirits need to embrace nerdiness ½ at least to some extent. Nerds are organized, they get things done, they stay on task, and they are results-driven. If you're a free spirit, your best bet might be to get your workout in first thing in the morning before anything "better" comes along. Look at Clark Kent. He at least got to work in the morning and got to business, and then he was ready to peel off the horn-rims to be his true self later on in the day.

“You feel like you're eating the right things but the weight's not falling off much. Here's how to say, "Liar, liar..."”

Car insurance salesmen, lawyers, and politicians have gotten a bad rap for being liars. There's another group who's worse, though - food marketing companies. They're experts at manipulating words to make us believe things that are completely untrue about the foods we eat. They use key words like "Light," "Fit," "Well-balanced," "Multi-grain," and "Low" - whatever it takes to catch our attention. Our impressionable minds make the leap that these words mean "healthy." As usual, we get suckered. We have to read both the nutrition and ingredients labels to uncover their trickery. Often you'll find that items that are low-carb may be higher in fat. Items lower in fat may be higher in sugar or sodium. Don't save in one area to pay the price in another. One popular bread label reads, "Whole Grain, White Bread." Oops. Get your magnifying glass out and it really says, "made with Whole Grain." Big difference. Whole grain bread should list whole grain wheat (or whatever) as the first ingredient. If something is "made with" whole grain, it may contain only a small amount of whole grain. The only benefit this bread has over regular white bread is a fraction more fiber... and a bigger price tag, and oh, by the way, more calories. Becoming educated on what's really good for you will reap rewards on the scale.

Sorry you met the lady from hell.  She needs to find another job NOT dealing with people.  I can't tell you what to do and obviously she doesn't care.  I wish I had a solution for you other than go down there and sit where she can see you and stare her down all day lol.  Bad idea.  Anyway, he heard one way or the other.

I received the call from my insurance company last Thursday that I was approved and needed to contact my surgeon's office to make my next appt bc the approval expires on the 21st. I called to make the last appt for the ultrasound that same day (last Thursday) so I can also have a surgery date scheduled. I hate to say this but the receptionist was far from friendly and told me there was no way I was approved that fast and need to let them do their job (meaning when they are ready they will call me... found out today they misplaced the authorization fax). I called back today to see if I could not schedule the appt now bc they made it clear this appt would be a very long one and with children and college I need plenty of time to make sure there is someone here to get them from school and that I do not have class that day (my surgeon is an hour away from my home) and after being spoken to once again like I am a toddler the receptionist informed me that she will call be the beginning of next week for the ultrasound appointment and after that I get that appointment they will give me a surgery date... she then informed me that I will not meet the date of the 21st that was given as the expiration on the authorization by the insurance company. I ask what happens once I miss the 21st date and she informed me I have to go through the approval process all over again. Has this happened to anyone else and I wonder if there is a chance that when they submit for a new authorization date it could be denied? If anyone has any experience with this I would really appreciate some info on how the experience went... Sorry for venting and rambling 

“You're looking better, exercising and eating right, but you still don't feel great about yourself. Here's how to strut your stuff.”

Have you ever seen a woman - a regular, non-perfect, over size 10 woman - who doesn't just walk into a room, but makes an entrance? One who smiles, makes eye contact, and has great posture - you immediately envy her. Not because she's beautiful on the outside, but because of her inner glow. She's got that little something extra. It's called confidence - something so many women seem to lack. One way to get it is to give yourself a little pep talk. Mentally list everything you like about yourself - and don't just think physical appearance: I'm a nice person, I'm a great cook, I care about others, everyone envies my organizational skills, I have great feet, I like my voice, I look good in a hat. Now, realize what confident women understand: they need to be the best version of themselves. They don't worry about things they can't control (bad genes, being allergic to dust, and not being Angelina Jolie). They focus on being themselves, as they are today. You are the only one who can be you. So you might as well make the best 'you' that you can. All you have to realize is what a fabulous, worthwhile person 'you' is.