My Advice Column on Fitness, Love, Shoes and More

Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting

2011-02-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

Love her and love the book! Yes, you can have it all.

She is so straight forward and that is just what we need to hear sometimes to snap out of it. I die for chocolate chip cookies. They are my weakness and I don't deny it. In general, sweets are my downfall. I can be good the whole day, get my workout done, flash me a cookie and I salivate. There is so much to learn from her ideas. I say, whatever she is doing is working for her. Bethanny looks great after having her baby and looked great before.

I read her book, and from all her ideas, I want to share one with you. You can eat anything you want and be skinny! That is right I don't diet either. I have my cookie and eat it too.

I will quote her when I say, "Taste everything. Eat nothing." What does this mean? It means that as long as you don't eat the whole box, you are ok. If you like tamales, eat one. If you like ice scream, eat a scoop. Get that craving off your head. Don't eat the whole gallon and then cry about how bad you were. Just saying!

HOW TO CREATE A SHOE COLLECTION THAT WORKS FOR YEARS

2011-02-09T14:04:00.000-08:00

Can you ever have enough shoes? That answer depends on what woman you ask. If you ask me, the answer is no. Fashion is constantly changing and we have to do our best to keep up with it. I will tell you though that some shoes are timeless and those are worth finding. If you find the perfect pair and they are worth a little more, my advice is dish it out that money. It will be worth for you in the long run.

Keeping our new economy in mind, I thought it would be great to think of shoes as a long time investment. It's always important to stick to the basics if you want a shoe collection to work for years. Basics, though, does not mean boring.

Read on and learn to create a shoe collection that works for years to come.

1. Love the Neutrals.

A pair of shoes in beige or bone color can go with anything. Plus, they elongate the legs by being close in color with your legs. I recently got a pair at JCPenney's for $40 from a brand called Worthington. It was love at first sight! (sigh...)

2. Once you go black, you'll always go back.

At least, that's what some say. Think shoes, ladies, shoes! You need a pair of black heels no questions asked.

3. Think bright. Hello Summer!

Hot pink is my top pick with a little black dress. Think of solid yellow, cobalt blue, orange, or floral. A bright pair of heels works great to spice up your outfit. A pair of bright shoes goes well with a simple or solid outfit. But tread carefully, you don't want to look like a rainbow head to toe. Hint: Amazon has beautiful electric blue pumps from Jessica Simpson.

4. These shoes are made for walking. And that's just what they'll do ...

I call these my blah shoes. These would be my tennis shoes and I only wear them to go to the gym or to go for a walk. (Flats and I don't go together.) They are not my fave, but we all need a pair. Grab the pair that calls your name. Wish we could work out in heels! So sexy!

So if your budget is tight, invest in basics. As for me, I am not trying to save so bring on the next pair!

Do What You Love & Shed the Pounds

2011-02-07T18:52:00.000-08:00

"I don't have time to work out!" is the common reason given by most that are out of shape. To start off, let's just accept that as an excuse and not a reason. I used to work with a teacher that would march in place while on duty in the cafeteria. She would teach seven to four, stay at an after-school program until six, and work at a retail store to top it off. It is not about slaving at the gym. Believe me, if you are not enjoying what you are doing, you won't stick with it. Let me give some examples. Is there a favorite show that you enjoy? Maybe you have a favorite friend you like to visit or a store where you like to shop. Since these are activities you like, you find the time to fit them in your schedule. It's all about finding that workout that is fit for you and the rest will come. You will stay with it because you enjoy it and the pounds will melt right off.