How I Dropped 3 Dress Sizes in 7 Months (My Weight Loss Story)

How I Dropped 3 Dress Sizes in 7 Months (My Weight Loss Story)

by | Jul 31, 2011

Happy New Year! I thought it would be fitting to feature my weight loss story to help motivate those of you who have decided to drop a few pounds this year. I believe losing weight is just as much about changing your mind and beliefs as it is about changing your eating habits (I don’t believe in diets) and moving your body.

Read and ask me any question you want in the comments. We all need support so I’m here to help.

RichSingleMomma.com Weight Loss Challenge

Top Left – Size 6 | Bottom Left – Size 14 | Right – Size 8

I’ve lost weight and I’m happy about it. It was a conscious decision but it wasn’t a major undertaking.

Over the last three years I went from a size 8 to a size 14. That’s pretty significant and I was starting to feel it in my joints. It actually hurt to sit, stand, and lay down for extended periods of time.

My knees started to look like two chubby little faces. Though I love chubby little cute faces I don’t want them on my knees.

I Wanted to Lose Weight But Not Look Anorexic
So I decided I would drop (more…)

Single Mom Stress Management 101: Chocolate and Movies

by | May 10, 2011

I’m one of those ultra independent, over-achieving women who regularly experience overwhelm.

I find ways to compensate, like eating chocolate or vegging out on movies for hours at a time. It’s my dad’s fault I am this way (and partly my mom’s too). They taught me (overtly and covertly) that I have to be self-reliant and take care of things myself so I won’t be disappointed in other people.

Let me tell you, that’s a sucky way to live. Unfortunately, this has been so ingrained in my life, it’s like a part of my DNA.

Being an independent do-it-yourself-er has had it’s advantages. I’ve taken risks in life that others may not feel comfortable in taking. I’ve accomplished things and been successful.

But the overwhelm still comes and I still veg out on movies or overdose on chocolate.

I retreat to my bedroom too and sometimes forget that my kids may want to see me more than just at dinner time.

With so many roles pulling at me and so many things I “have” to do, I just check out and leave it for another day. If it’s not life threatening, then it can wait until tomorrow.

Independence and overachieving is fine for a 20-something single, no kids woman.

But as a 40ish woman with two kids I’m learning it’s healthier (and wiser) to be more interdependent and average (did I really say that?) if I want to see my kids grow up and get married.

It’s a challenge to change, but at this point change in necessary…

[Video] How to Let Go and Live

by | Nov 3, 2010

I had a few things on my mind I wanted to share with you so I put it in a video. Basically I’m encouraging you all to make the decision to let go and move forward in your life. The things you should let go of may vary depending on your situation.

The point is if you are holding on to something, struggling with something and it’s holding you back; let it go! It may be a person, a job situation, a habit that keeps you stuck and unproductive. That’s not good for you if you want to make progress in your life.

I’ve been procrastinating these last few months over letting a few things go and it has caused feelings of anxiety and depression. That is not how I want to live so I had to let it go. But when I let it go I had an immediate feeling of relief and freedom. I want this for you too.

I hope you will leave a comment and talk to me about what you need to let go. Is it a relationship? A job? A living situation?

Also, what would you like for me to talk more about? Do you enjoy the videos? What hot topic have you been wanting me to write about or do a video on? Let me know in the comments below.

How I Managed My Cost of Wisdom Tooth Removal

by | Nov 2, 2010

Several months ago I wrote an article about how to get medical care if you’re uninsured. I happen to be one of those uninsured people, so I’m going to share my experience with you from this past week when I needed medical/dental attention.

When you don’t have health insurance you float between two worlds. The first world is one of worry and stress and fear that some health calamity could happen. The other is a pretty stress-free world, especially if you are taking care of yourself and doing everything you can to maintain your health.

I tend to live the last world because I have done all I can to maintain my health in various ways. I also do my best to make sure that my children’s health is maintained through healthy eating, exercise, and drinking plenty of water. It doesn’t always work out that way, but I do my best and so far we have had no major health issues.

It all started I began having pains from my wisdom tooth (more…)

Practical Pampering for Single Parents

by | Nov 24, 2009

tranquility_4What do you get when you wear the hat of mother, father, nurse, teacher, employee, chef, and chauffer? One tired single mom is what you get. Picture an eight-armed; four-legged woman with a haggard face, furrowed brow, and drooping shoulders and you just might be looking at yourself. Too often single moms are so worn out from doing it all that they forget about caring for themselves. I have fallen into the super mom trap many times to count and I am sure you have too. 

Finding the time to pamper yourself is difficult at times, not to mention expensive, but I am going to share a few great ways to get your needs met without breaking the bank. All it will take is a few clicks of your mouse, a phone call, and a minimum of an hour of your time. 

So where can you get pampered at rock-bottom prices? Where can you get your hair and nails done for less than $20 bucks? Where can you get a 30 -60 minute massages or facials for under $45 dollars? Need a shampoo and cut for under $15? Well it is possible and likely right around the corner from your home or job. I love being pampered this way but I often don’t have a wad of money to plunk down for these services. I’m thinking technical colleges and universities. 

I got turned on about these cheap, but quality services when I was a teenager. My mom attended cosmetology school and I would go and get my hair done for as little as $5. Getting services through a beauty school, technical college, or university is a wonder alternative to going to a regular and more expensive service provider. 

To find schools in my area, I googled a service school I wanted including my city and state. For example I entered “beauty school Atlanta, Ga” and received several hits. I clicked on the links to the school and located the services page on the site. On this page I was able to find out the services they offered, prices, hours of operation, and a telephone number. It was very easy to do and now I am calling to book my first visit. 

I couldn’t believe how reasonable the prices were. The best thing is that there are so many services you can get this way. You can get spa-type services like massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing body scrubs, etc at a fraction of upscale spa prices. Get you hair shampooed, cut, colored, or processed for next to nothing and you can feel comfortable because, though students perform the services, the experienced instructor is there to assist the entire time.

You can even get health services like dental exams and cleanings, optometry exams, and basically any service there is a school for. Visit your local and surrounding technical college and university website and see what programs of study they offer then contact then to see if they offer services to the public. This is the most affordable to get treated like a queen at pauper prices. Happy pampering!

Happy New Year! Design a New Life

by | Jan 1, 2009

2009-presentGreeting to all my single mom friends! We made it into a new year and there is so much in store for us all. I am excited about my future and have been planning and planning out what I will accomplish this year. Have you been doing the same? I hope so.

It’s not enough to hope and wish that things will change in your life this year. You have to make the plans and make the opportunities. I think we’ve been conditioned to think that the wishing and hoping will change things but in reality it won’t. You have to know what you want then plan for it. (more…)