October 1, 2009
The first time I met with my personal trainer Becca, she immediately zoned in on my posture. I have always had poor posture, but I didn't realize I had been walking around looking like this shlump all my life until we took official BEFORE posture pictures. Ouch. My nose actually sticks out farther than my boobs. Truly humiliating to share this with you but here it is.
     The after picture was taken 6 weeks later, and it would be easy to say, "She just stood up straight for the picture. Lame!" but that really isn't the case. I wanted to see what I looked like in my regular, every day posture, so I purposely stood absolutely normal. Quite an improvement, eh?
     Because I have had shlumpy shoulders all my life, I will have to keep up the back strengthening to keep the posture improvement. Becca has me doing back exercises every time she comes over, in addition to the full-body workout. I have had some great improvements from training besides the posture: no more aching back when I do laundry!
     As always, feel free to join me in the journey to get healthy, and make the outside match the inside--let's get fabulous!

October 1, 2009
Mindy showed up at my house last Tuesday wearing a patterned top, dark denim, and yellow heels--way more stylish than I have ever looked in my life.  She immediately asked to see my wardrobe,  and we took everything out of my huge closet & arranged it on a rolling rack, then piled everything else onto the bed. Purses, belts, shoes, ski gear, painting shirts,  everything. It felt so good to get all that junk out of my closet, and I was amazed that we got through everything in 1 1/2 hours. Here is what I learned:

1. By trying to hide my problem areas I have been hiding all of me. My idea was that if I buy size L or even size XL shirts, they will be loose enough to hide my had-four-kids mommy tummy. Turns out I have been drowning in my clothes, and almost every shirt I own is way too big in the shoulders & bust. I never knew!

2. Fit is King. I just bought a darling orange turtle neck from Banana Republic a few weeks ago. It was a favorite shirt in my wardrobe until Mindy pointed out that even though the color & style are great on me, it is too big. I either have to get it tailored so it does fit, or pass it on. I am dusting off my sewing machine to make the needed changes.

3. It is easy to move a button over on jackets. I have a jacket that fits great, but it is a little loose where it should fit snug--right under the bustline. All I need to do to improve the fit is move the button over an inch!

4. I don't have a wardrobe. That's right. I have a million jackets because I love them, a few pants & skirts, but I don't own a single shirt beyond a t-shirt or cami. Mindy kept asking me, "What do you wear?"  I kept telling her, "That's why you're here!"

5. I have been wearing nanny shoes.Yes, Mindy actually called them that. My wear-every-Sunday black heels are "nanny shoes." Shame.

6. I am a lot more in need than I thought I was. I record TLC's What Not to Wear, and thought I pretty much knew it all. It was kind of a blow to learn that I am making the pretty classic mistakes.

Now that I am learning how to dress my figure, I am excited to go shopping! I am on a budget so I won't be hitting any expensive stores, but Mindy assures me I can look professional, pulled together, and even a little sexy with my figure as-is and less than sexy budget. I'll keep you posted!

If you would like to get a taste of what Mindy can do for you, sign up for our in-home "Style Analysis" class. It is only $25 in Utah County (Alpine to Provo).

August 15, 2009
I started the fashion program and the results are in:  I haven't washed my hair in two days---Shhhh, don't tell anyone! I hop in the shower & keep my hair mostly dry, then just run a flat iron through it and it is done in three minutes or less. Wow. That is the power of a good haircut--it takes me less time to do my hair than it takes to put in a ponytail. Hurray for good haircuts!
   Here are some more things I have learned in my first week in the fashion program:

• The $15 flat iron that I got at Wal-mart doesn't cut it. You actually have to buy a nice one (bummer)    
• A nice flat iron does amazing things to my course, thick hair
• I can put my chin-length hair up in a cute up-do. My stylist gave me step-by-step instructions, and even took pictures of each step so I know I can reproduce the look. Now I just need to find some amazing event (or hubby needs to take me on some amazing date) so I'll have a place to wear my beautiful new up-do. I'll keep you posted on that one!
  

September 15, 2009
If you have ever wanted to walk the red carpet, here is your chance! Look for our booth at the Women's expo this weekend at UVU (I can give you free tickets). You will get to walk the red carpet, tell us why you deserve a make-over, and get your "before" photo taken. We will choose multiple winners both days.

     We also have a special at the Women's expo--you can buy $50 gift certificates for $25 (limit 2 per customer). If you are thinking of buying a fitness or fashion package in the future, or if you are looking for a fabulous gift, this will be your only chance to get this discount.

     You will also see Fabulous Living showcased as a premier company that is giving away a 6-week fitness package. A personal trainer will come to your home once a week & workout with you. Visit our booth to enter!

     To get your free tickets to the women's expo, simply reply to this email & tell me how many you want. I will email you printable tickets. I hope to see you there!

August 15, 2009
It is official: all of my nails are chewed off with anticipation. We are launching our second Fabulous Living Class: How NOT to dress on August 17th.
     My goal is to look as pulled together as this chick. Right now I am wearing a T-shirt, and my hair is up in a twist with a clippy (circa 1997) because I haven't cut my hair in 5 months (!!!) in anticipation of this program--I want the stylist to tell ME what hairstyle would look good. If anyone has ever needed this program, it would be me. I can't wait!
     We have been working with an amazing fashionista (her name is Tiffany, and yes, she is a professional stylist) to get Utah Valley women out of our mom jeans and $10 Target T's and into something that makes us look like the fabulous women we are.
     I'll keep you up-to-date with my style progress. I look forward to learning how to dress my body type, build my wardrobe with foundation pieces, and create a mix and match wardrobe. I am also excited to learn how to DO my hair, and put on eye shadow correctly. I am 33 years old & have never quite mastered that!

August 15, 2009
f you have watched the show "What not to Wear" on TLC, you have the basic idea (except we don't fly you to NYC, alas.)  Our class focuses on where you are, right now. Our stylist will tell you like it is, but she is always kind. This is what your $25 in-home class will entail:

#1  Hair & Make-up Analysis

     Do your hair & make-up just like you do on an average Tuesday. Tiffany will tell you what is and what isn't working with your current style, and more importantly--why. Are your bangs hiding your pretty eyes, or are they perfect for covering your forehead? Is your eyeliner accenting your best feature, or making you look dated?

#2  Every Day Dress Analysis
    
     Put on your daily "uniform" whether it is T-shirt and jeans, a velour track suit, or that cable knit sweater you always wear. Tiffany will show you what your everyday look is or isn't doing for you.

#3  Body Type Analysis

     Do you have an hourglass figure, or do you have an inverted triangle, rectangular, or circular figure?  Let Tiffany show you what styles best flatter your body type and what styles to avoid so you can always look your best, no matter what your size.

     By the end of this hour-long class, you will have an idea of what the world sees when they look at you, and what changes you can make so your exterior says what you want it to say--that you are, in every way, a fabulous woman. We look forward to working with you!

Call us to schedule your $25 in-home How NOT to Dress class today: 801-796-6099

July 7, 2009
My baby is now 5 months old, and I have been doing personal training in my home for 3 1/2 months now. Here are my results:

• Weight lost: 16 pounds (14 more to go . . .)

• 2 1/2 inches off my waist

• 2 inches off each thigh

• 1/2 inch of muscle gained on my skinny chicken legs

     I am definitely on my way. The best thing about working with Ellie (my FABULOUS in-home personal trainer) is that I don't feel like I'm on a diet.

     I am good at diets actually--I can starve myself for 3 months, drop weight really quickly, and be really proud of myself for having self-control, and then the problems start: I go OFF the diet, and immediately start gaining it back. I love food, and I absolutely refuse to live my entire life hungry. What's a girl to do?

     Intuitive eating is the answer. The principles below will bring slow, steady, life-style change weight loss--I am losing about 1/2 pound a week. If you want to drop 30 pounds in a month, this isn't for you. BUT if you want to lose weight without killing your metabolism, while enjoying your regular everyday foods, and while learning eating habits you will have for the rest of your life, intuitive eating is the way to go.

 

     I wish you similar success this month as we work together to lose the chubbers, get off the couch, and get fabulous!

July 7, 2009
  If you have ever been on a diet before (and really, who hasn't?) these steps are going to sound silly and counter-intuitive to you. You are going to have to go out on a limb and just do some trusting on this one. The first thing you will need to do is:

#1  Eat the foods that are FORBIDDEN.

     Nope--I'm not kidding. Buy yourself your favorite ice cream, potato chips, pie, chocolate cake, whatever it is that you feel is your absolute weakness. Then here's the different part--ENJOY it. Taste every bite, relish every last lick, pay attention to nothing else but the flavor & wonderfulness of your forbidden food. Whenever you want more, indulge yourself. Keep doing this until

• you no longer feel deprived of this food
• you actually know what the food tastes like

June 2009

June 2009