Lose Weight By Accident: Bikini Body Advice from Albert Einstein

May 21, 2012 | By

By Sarah Jenks

Ladies, although we all hate to admit it, bikini season starts literally ONE week from today! Many of us are kicking ourselves saying, “ugh, this was supposed to be the year that I was going to LOVE wearing a bathing suit. Too bad that diet failed… again.” So many of us avoid wearing a bikini because we feel terrible about our bodies.

STOP NOW. Before you change your Memorial Day plans to avoid baring it all on the beach, I want you to consider this week’s LWBA trick, courtesy of a very wise man:

Albert Einstein once said: “Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics.”

Genius. So, according to Albert, the simplest, fastest way to get into bikini shape is to… start wearing a bikini! I know that sounds like a death sentence but here are three things you can do to take the edge off:

1. People always assume a suit has to be a teeny black bikini to be hot. This is not only untrue but sort of boring. Your suit is only as cute as you make it. First and foremost, find a suit that you not only love but also you feel comfortable in. Then accessorize! Put your “energy” into it! Pair your ensemble with a floppy vintage hat, flower halo, adorable cover-up from your favorite beach boutique, and of course a rocking pair of shoes. Doesn’t that sound way sexier than a barely there outfit? And don’t forget you can always take off the layers.

2. The second thing you must have in order to look and feel hot is to believe you look hot, so wear that suit around the house a few times before hitting the beach. Blast some tunes, shake that booty and celebrate your hot self. People that feel great, look great, because it radiates from the inside out.

3. Focus more on your surroundings and less on yourself.  When you’re engaged in your friends, the ocean, the sand or an amazing game of badminton, you’re much less likely to get stuck in a comparison cul de sac.

Your beach body: It's not rocket science... just physics!

I actually just launched an amazing free video training series called Live More Weigh Less, and we’ve had thousands of women already see incredible results based on this philosophy of not waiting on the weight.  I hope you’ll join us by visiting sarahjenks.com.

Sarah Jenks, founder of TheBreathtakingBride.com, helps women fall in love with their bodies and lose weight through exploring the emotional reasons of why we eat.Sarah believes that you can talk about the benefits of broccoli until you are blue in the face, but real change won’t happen until we pull back the veil of fad diets and calorie counting to reveal the true cause of our over eating. Feeling lost about weight loss? Visit her website to download her free guide: “What to do if you feel fat, hopeless and ready to give up.”

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Bringing Your Sexy Back: How I Shed 58 Lbs

February 20, 2012 | By

To be inducted into our Hot Mom Spa Squad, every mom must swear by the Oath of momME Time; a promise to reserve moments spent catering ONLY to herself – reading, sleeping and spa-ing included. Not only is momME time essential to saying sane, today’s Hot Mom proves it’s also essential to keeping your body and health. If you loved Rachael Pontillo’s 8 Mom Rules to Live By: How I Lost 70 lbs with Kids, you’ll love the advice behind this next Hot Mom’s success story, too. I introduce to you Deanna Verbouwens, who used her momME time to make 58 pounds disappear.

Deanna Verbouwens is a writer, runner, blogger, working mom of two unbelievably active and very funny boys ages 4 and 7. Deanna is currently training for her 6th half marathon, of course that all between working full time, and managing spaghetti on the ceiling, a dumped out fish bowl, a house and a family. To catch up on how Deanna tries to get it all done without completely failing visit her at The Unnatural Mother. Deanna also writes for ModernMom.com and ThisMotherCanRun.com

By Deanna Verbouwens

A quick glance at the clock tells you it’s 5:00, the kids are running around the house, you’re racking your brain about what to make for dinner, and just as the tornado is about to touch down tears well up in your eyes because you realize that once again your plan to go to work out went out the window with your sanity.

Step away from the chips, that cake and the monster helping of leftover chicken parm – take a moment and breath, because stuffing your emotions with food will only act as a temporary high… believe me, been there and still conquering that.

It’s not a secret that moms need their momME time; how do I know this? Because I have successfully lost 58 pounds (and still going) by simply making momME time a top priority. Three years ago I weighed in over 225 pounds wearing a size 18/20.  I thought I was eating healthy until I realized that my portions were out of control, the salads I was chomping down on were clocking in over 1200 calories (for one meal!) and I couldn’t even run a half a block.

Now, my favorite momME time activity is training for endurance races and getting a manicure/pedicure – these help me unwind, and keep me honest. With five half marathons, two triathlons, and countless 5 and 10k’s under my belt, I’m wearing a size 12 – proof that following these simple steps will help you bring sexy back as well as your sanity! I’ll continue to use these too, as I shed the last 20 pounds.

So… let’s get started!

Healthy Eating Exercise
  • Plan…Plan…Plan. You have to plan your meals for your family, so don’t forget about yourself!
  • Don’t skip breakfast* – yes, it’s an oldie but goodie. Think of your body as a car, you wouldn’t run your car on empty, would you? Same theory.
  • Have 3 meals and one-two snacks a day.* Meals should be between 300-400 calories, snacks never over 200. (1200-1400 calories a day)
  • Have 2 fruits and 3 veggies a day* – add a ½ banana to breakfast, a cup of shredded carrots to your sandwich, a handful of baby spinach to your pasta. Make it simple!
  • 5 or less – Eat only processed foods that have five ingredients or less. Don’t want to fill up on empty calories.
  • Pay attention to portion sizes: read the labels, 15 almonds count as 1 serving – that’s 170 calories – imagine how many you downed at a cocktail party?
  • Plan 3 treats a week. Craving a donut? Want that Café Latte Mochachino? Want a glass or two of wine? Have it!
  • Plan…Plan…Plan. Determine when you can fit in exercise, are you a morning, afternoon or night person? Each week map out the time and days you can get a work out in and stick to your plan!
  • Start with 10 minutes a day; 3 days a week. Even if it’s walking up and down your stairs. Do it!
  • Do something you enjoy – whether it’s playing Just Dance on the Wii, tennis, an at home aerobic DVD, walking, body pump class at the gym, running, going for a bike ride. Anything!
  • Each week increase the time spent exercising in 5 minute increments – at your comfort zone until you reach thirty minutes a day.
  • Try anything once! You may fall in love with Zumba or you might have two left feet, but if you don’t try you’ll never know.
  • Find a work out buddy, in real life, or online. Having support will keep you motivated and accountable.
  • Don’t give up, you owe it to yourself to be healthy.

*Quick ideas are below!

Simplicity works. Don’t overwhelm yourself. It takes 66 days to form a good habit. Just by taking two tips a week and incorporating them into your life, you’ll be well on your way to healthy lifestyle in less than 66 days!

Keep it simple, realistic, and manageable.  Don’t over think anything, a handful of lettuce, and two slices of tomato to your sandwich at lunch bulks it up and counts as a vegetable.

Measuring out your portions. Let’s be real. It’s time consuming and can be annoying, however you’ll understand how much you’re eating, know what a portion is, over time it will get easier, and it’s a great strategy for a long healthy life.

Exercising will help you sleep better, you’ll have more patience with everyone and its quality time with yourself that’s much needed!

And above all, if you have one too many slices of pizza, or too many cookies, don’t beat yourself up, make the next decision a better one.

If you don’t make time for yourself you won’t be able to accomplish anything, leave the dishes, the laundry and even your children for a moment, get that momME time – believe me it all can wait, your sanity can’t!

As the saying goes, “If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone.”

Now, get going, and schedule that momME to accomplish your goals!

Breakfast Ideas:

  • Hardboiled egg, ½ banana, 1 slice of whole wheat toast, 1 teaspoon of butter, coffee
  • Smoothie: 1 cup of frozen fruit (medley: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), 1 cup baby spinach , 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 1 cup of OJ (get Tropicana’s Trop50, it’s only 50 calories!), pop in a blender, blend and drink!
  • 1 cup greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey, ½ banana (or 1 serving mixed nuts).
  • 1 mini bagel, 2 scrambled egg whites with onions and peppers, ½ grapefruit.

Snack Ideas:

  • 1 servings of any nuts
  • Any  Fruit, 1 string cheese
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter, apple
  • Hardboiled egg (don’t exceed three eggs a week), 10 pretzels
  • Cut up bell pepper and 2 tablespoons hummus

Lunch Ideas:

  • 2 Wasa crackers (light), 2 slices of turkey breast (low sodium), 1 laughing cow triangle, 8 olives, 1 cup of sliced bell peppers, 2 tablespoons of hummus.
  • 1 cup of butter nut squash soup, 1 apple, tomato and onion salad (little olive oil salt/pepper)
  • 1 piece of grilled chicken over baby spinach, olive oil, 1 cut

Dinner Ideas:

  • 1 cup pasta, 1 cup tomato sauce, 1 cup baby spinach, small salad with tomatoes, onions carrots.
  • 1 ½ slices of Pizza, small salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, carrots
  • 1 piece grilled chicken breast, 1 cup string beans (made on stovetop with 2 tablespoons olive oil and salt/pepper)
  • 4 ounce hamburger, 1 cup of brussel sprouts, 1 cup of roasted potatoes

5K photo via, egg photo via

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Fitness Friday: 13 Quotes to Inspire

January 13, 2012 | By

In case you haven’t heard by now, it’s Friday the 13th. The first of 3 Friday the 13ths in 2012. The spooky part: they’re all 13 weeks apart. If the three things creepier than that freaky fact are your waistline, your blood pressure and your BMI (body mass index) — you’ve come to the right place.

Instead of today being a scary day full of black cat dodging and salt-tossing, let today be the day you turn your luck around. That’s right, I said YOU. You alone have the power to start your own get healthy journey. It starts with a pledge to yourself, and (sadly) yourself is often a very difficult person to make promises to. When you make a promise to yourself (like to quit smoking or join our Mirror, Mirror Challenge), the only one who can hold you accountable is YOU. That’s right, I said YOU (again – louder this time). Trust me, I haven’t made a resolution, a promise or even an intention to myself in a long time, for fear of not holding up to my end of the bargain. But this year, I made a promise to myself that 2012 will be different. And that’s why I’ve put together a list of 13 (lucky!) quotes to help inspire both of us to live a happier, healthier lives.  Even though no one can motivate you like YOU can motivate yourself, I hope these words help you make Friday, January 13th the beginning of your personal get healthy journey.

#1 “The perfect time to start something never arrives.”


If tomorrow is the day you are going to start your new diet or head to the gym, there’s a huge chance tomorrow will turn into the day after tomorrow… and so on. We know you have a hectic schedule and a lot going on, but there’s never going to be the perfect day to start living a healthy life, so stop waiting around for it. Why not today?

#2 “Losing weight is a mind game. Change your mind, change your body.”

The beginning of this journey can start with a war inside your head (fear, excitement, worry, motivation…) Only you can convince yourself that it is time to make a change, and only you can trick yourself into thinking that you can’t do it.

#3 “Make no change, see no change.”

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Wishing you could change your body, your health, your life, over and over won’t make your wish come true.

#4 “Stop thinking so much and just get on with it.”

After you’ve convinced yourself that today, right now, is when everything changes, don’t let the “what ifs” creep into your head. Just do it!

#4 “It took more than a day to put it on. It will take more than a day to take it off. Move.”

Get moving. Pledge to walk for 30 minutes a day. Break it up into three 10 minute walks. Walk the dog. Take the stairs. Skip the cab. Walk in place. However you do it, just move.

#5 “Eat better.”

It sounds so simple, because it is. What’s not simple is your mind’s relationship with food. A great way to examine this is to start a food journal. Write down what you eat, when you eat it and how you feel before and after eating it. I did this for a month and realized most of the time I ate junk was because I was feeling stressed or frazzled and eating allowed me to take a time-out/break and relax. Identifying your bad-eating triggers can help you change the way you think about food.

#6 “Do not reward yourself with food, you’re not a dog.”

Along the same lines as #6, food should not be a reward. A hard morning work-out does not mean pigging out at night is excusable. The same way eating healthy all week isn’t a reason to turn Sunday into a sundae.

#7 ” Drink more water”

In a bottle, in a glass, with lime juice, with fruit, hot, cold — just drink more water. And ditch soda!

#8 “Lift weights to lose weight”

Lifting weights isn’t going to give you a “man body,” trust me. Weight training with 3-12 lb weights doing 12-15 repetitions increases lean muscle mass, making it easier for your body to burn fat. Plus, weight training decreases your risk of osteoporosis.

#9 “Don’t give up what you want most for what you want now.”

Things I want right now: Chocolate truffles. A cold beer. Cheese fries. Things I want more: To be healthy. To wear a bikini on vacation. To be happy. What’s more important in the long run?

#10 “Every morning that you wake up is another chance to get it right.”

It’s okay if you mess up. It’s okay if you should have started 5 years ago instead of 5 days ago. It’s okay if you plateau or get discouraged. Never forget why you started this journey. Get a good night’s sleep and start fresh in the morning.

#11 “It never gets easier, you just get better.”

One of the most rewarding days on your journey will be the day you look back at today and say, “That used to be so hard, now it’s a piece of cake.”

#12 “Healthy is sexy.”

Being healthy will improve your relationship with yourself, cost you less money in doctor’s bills and give you more time (alive) with your loved ones.

#13 “A year from now you will wish you had started today.”

This quote is the single most powerful piece of inspiration I have personally ever laid eyes on. On January 13th, 2013, I won’t have any regrets. I promise myself.

 

Images via Pinterest

Filed Under: Good + Happy, Health & Wellness Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Lose Weight By Accident: Join The One Plate Club

December 12, 2011 | By

By Jamie Dougherty – Part #3 of the JamieLiving 5-Part Holiday Survival Guide

See Part 1 – Buffer Your Beverages
And Part 2 – Eat By Numbers

Remember the other week when you mowed through your first plate of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and peas just to hit the buffet for a second round?  The first plate was simply the gateway to plate number two, the serving you were actually going to taste, right?  If you are a habitual second-helping sister, this is the tip that will change your life forever.

Part 3: Become a member of the One Plate Club.

One Plate Club members take their singular plate, fill it with bits of each tasty holiday dish and then enjoy each morsel to the fullest.  They say yes to stuffing, yes to turkey, and a big freakin’ YES to dessert… but only once.

Rather than pick and graze which makes it impossible for you to know how much you are eating, have a small plate/napkin for appetizers, a plate for dinner and a very small plate/napkin for dessert.  Nothing goes into your mouth than does not first go on to a plate.  (This is key to portion control.)  Each plate then gets filled only once which allows you to taste everything while keeping track of your food and avoiding what often turns into a seven-course meal.  Eating only one plate also encourages you to sit and savor because it is a sad state of affairs when you blow through your food and then have to watch everyone else finish theirs.  No FUN!

In the comments let me know your thoughts on the One Plate Club and how it works for you.  Come on ladies, sharing is caring! (And it feels good too.)

Jamie G. Dougherty, founder of JamieLiving.com, gives women the secrets to feel amazing in their bodies and create the balance they crave between their busy schedules and eating well. Jamie believes that though kale and brown rice are good foods to put on your plate, until we truly learn HOW to eat rather than just WHAT to eat we will continue to be carb-craving, super-frazzled, stress-out ladies.

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Lose Weight By Accident: Eat By Numbers

December 5, 2011 | By

By Jamie Dougherty – Part #2 of the JamieLiving 5-Part Holiday Survival Guide

Staving off unhelpful holiday pounds ultimately comes down to one thing: listening to your body. Easier said that done, right? We’ve all had the body conversation that goes something like this: “I know I don’t need that extra cookie but I want one!” and then you quickly stuff another cookie down your unsuspecting gullet before anyone see. Believe me, I’ve been there and done that! However, the issue with ignoring your already full tummy is it will immediately spite you with a severe stomach ache and uncomfortably snug jeans. NO fun!

So how do you actually listen to your body and then follow through with what it’s telling you?

Part 2: Eat by numbers!

Think about your hunger on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 is you are starving and about to eat your arm and 10 is you are so full it hurts to breathe. (Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m taking about.) Along this scale you want to eat at a 3 and stop at a 7. A 3 is where you are definitely hungry but could wait another 20 minutes to eat. The situation isn’t dire but will be soon. After enjoying your meal, stop eating at 7. 7 is where you are full, completely satisfied and comfortable. You could eat more but if you did you would certainly need to unbutton your pants. There you have it, the second part of your JamieLiving Holiday Survival Guide! Who knew a 3 and a 7 could save your lovely waistline?

In the comments let me know how eating by numbers has helped you during the holidays. Come on ladies, sharing is caring! (And it feels good too.)

Jamie G. Dougherty, founder of JamieLiving.com, gives women the secrets to feel amazing in their bodies and create the balance they crave between their busy schedules and eating well. Jamie believes that though kale and brown rice are good foods to put on your plate, until we truly learn HOW to eat rather than just WHAT to eat we will continue to be carb-craving, super-frazzled, stress-out ladies. If you ever feel hungry, stuck and unsatisfied with your food be sure to visit Jamie’s website to get her FREE 5-Step Guide to Fabulous. Seriously ladies, get ready for Jamie to rock your world!

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