How Do I Get Rid of Bulges in Clothing

Weight Loss Coaching moment: Always good for the heart.

Client question asked by one of my fitness/weight loss clients: Why don't you ever have any bumps and bulges under your clothing?

Feeling like an Amazon woman: I'm 5'6
scrunching down a little for the photographer.
Without her up-do and heels, this dear lady is about 4'6

Stunned, I didn't think anyone but me noticed something like that. I'm always analyzing how I look. I think most women are self-analyzers. Don't you? But we're told no one else analyzes us like we analyze every little part of us. In the regular day, I don't think that's a wrong statement. But when you're a coach like I am, clients want to believe you know what you're talking about. I have to live what I teach. So physically, I think I'm more prone to being analyzed because it's a trust factor for people who receive my coaching. Same as a band teacher needs to know how to play instruments. The teacher must be able to display their knowledge and ability to the student.

She followed up with: How do I get rid of bulges under my clothing?

In the photo above, the sweet lady at one of my speaking events is a very petite and fine-boned gal. She's really about a foot shorter than my average 5'6 (and a quarter). I'm wearing a size 6. But could have fit into a size 4. I not only look like an Amazon woman, next to the petite woman I look down right chubby! (Um, that would be a good reason why you've never seen this particular photo before, lol.) Yet there's no bumps or lines in the "wrong" spots. How is that possible?

But let me tell you a few little things that make this picture a perfect example for getting rid of bulges under clothing and then I'll give you a few tips.

The fabric is a tweed. It hangs well and wears well.
*The photographer is below the two subjects. Not ever flattering for anyone.
*I'm hunching down so you see a little belly that isn't there when straightened up. Chub factor.
*One subject is a foil for the other. Next to a 6'6 muscular man, an average subject looks like a twiggy. (Look at the photo below for an example. These pictures show me the same size, but in different perspectives.)
*Perception and perspective matter. Notice the gal behind us? She's quite a distance back and so also looks much smaller.
*My photo partner's clothing reveal no bumps and bulges though she has a very different figure.

Wearing red satin is possible.
The dress is lined to help the fabric flow.
It helps to stand next to my 6' hubby to look smaller too ;)

So what are a few tips will help any woman get rid of bulges under clothing? I learned these from charm school. Yes, I really did go back when they still existed. Do they now? I have no idea. But the lessons are still strong in my way of being.

Tips for Banishing Bulges Under Clothing

1. Toss out fixed sizing. There ain't no such animal. Use the size as a guideline, not a law. Even within the same brand, you'll find two garments the same size on the tag that are not the same size in real life. I use the size number to guide me and then try on one up and one down to see what really looks good on my body. I can buy sizes from 4-8 and XS-L. It isn't about what is on the tag. It's how the garment fits and feels. My husband can't figure out what size I wear. Because I don't wear "a size".
2. Buy one size larger of undergarments than the package says. Make sure the item fully covers derriere and doesn't cut into your skin causing a dimply effect under your clothing. Often the bumps, dimples, and bulges are simply caused by poorly sized underwear.
3. Avoid undergarments that hit at the largest curve of the hip. Instead of an hour glass figure, you'll appear to have scalloped edges.
4. Get fitted properly for bra and support garments. Proper support and fit make a major difference in how your clothing flows over your body. Go to a full service department store, not the fad lingerie shop to get fitted. Allow the trained and expert staff to help you find the proper fit for your body type. Lifting the bust line properly allows the lines of the ribcage to show and slenderizes to a sleeker silhouette.
5. Buy tight-fit clothing (like yoga pants, skinny jeans, etc.) one size larger. Clothing should skim, not grip your body. Tight, tight accentuates little bumps, bulges, and undergarment lines.
6. Avoid muffin-top. If the waist is too small, we overflow. It looks plain awful. Psychologically, the number on the tag doesn't make you feel better if you see a muffin-top.
7. Wear slacks and skirts just above the hip, not at it. Wearing anything at the largest curve of the hip draws the eyes to that larger circumference. You'll appear larger. Elongate your body by wearing waistlines above the hip bone, not at it.
8. Skim, skim, skim. The picture in my charm school book is emblazoned in my mind. A belt cinched around a pillow. Clothing should lightly skim your body to cause the perception of a smaller body. The biggest error in fashion I see is women, no matter what size or body type, wearing their clothing too tight. They appear chubby even when they aren't.
9. Belts. Wear the width of a belt to fit your frame. For instance, I have a shorter area between my ribcage and my hips. Wide belts make me look like I don't have a waist while pencil thin belts look great. Look at the length of your torso. If it's long between the ribs and hips, have fun with wider belt styles. If not, pencil them in ;) Choose the belt to fit you, not the fad.
10. Fabric choices matter. Certain fabrics like satin and clingy polyester can cause anyone to have unsightly bumps and bulges. I avoid them unless they are cut properly to flatter and these fabrics are often made cheaply without lining. Some fabrics are almost always flattering like jerseys, denims, and stretch denim. Always, always look at the cut and fit.
11. Take your clothing to a seamstress. Have your clothing altered. It's very inexpensive and helps get rid of gaps in waists, tucks in extra material, and fits the clothing to you. I do this often because clothing off any rack is made for a general population. But our bodies are unique. Spend a small amount (for me it runs $5-20 depending on if I need a simple dart or to re-cut a piece down) to make your clothes really fit you.

12. Exercise daily for your heart, your life, and your goals. By being a good steward of the body you have, you'll be able to reach those dreams. But battling health, pain, and weight slow us down from living out our God-given purpose.

Bottom line? Toss out the number and look at each piece of clothing for its specific fit and style. Feel good in your clothes and you'll always be a more confident woman.

How adventurous are you?

Have you ever taken an offer from an airline for free tickets in exchange for your seat? I did today and earned a ticket, a hotel room, and meals. Why not take the deal? 

But an entire plane load didn't. Some had work the next day, some had school, and some didn't feel safe volunteering and changing plans so quickly. I've volunteered before and my seat hasn't been needed. It's something I think about when I travel in order to take advantage of opportunities that come my way.

Two people volunteered their seats. I found a few things in common with the other young woman. But what if you don't know the outcome? We had a possible solution, but not a guaranteed one at the time we volunteered. How adventurous are you?

Angie in an experimental aircraft

Adventurous people tend to have these traits:

*Willing to take a risk

*Quick decision-making skills

*Look for opportunities

*Proactive

*Find humor in the unexpected

*Allow the unknown to unfold

*Adaptable

*Thinks of the future benefit

*Trust their abilities to work through to a solution

What about you? Do you have adventurous traits? 

Have you ever wished you'd acted on an opportunity?

What other traits would you add to this list?

Not only did I spend the night, but I'm considering spending the next one as that flight might be oversold too. There are other opportunities that worked out besides a summer flight I already needed to buy. Wonderful friends came to dinner, a business friend and associate was able to meet with me, I spent time relaxing, and there's an entire day pending with two catch up projects I have with me.

When am I going home? Soon, just a tad bit more profitable.

--Angie

PS Did you notice the countdown widget for the upcoming release of A Healing Heart? I am getting so excited to share it with you!

You Can Influence TV!

Angie here: I felt this article was so good that I am posting it (with proper attribution as required). After you read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

Friday, March 2, 2012

You Can Influence TV!

By Beverly Caruso
Special to ASSIST News Service SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (ANS) -- You've probably considered-at least once or twice-selling or giving away your television set. You've become disgusted with the selection of shows, or frustrated with yourself for watching questionable content. You may be angry that your children are exposed to certain material. Maybe you've felt helpless about having any influence over what is aired.

American family watching TV together

You can have influence! Here are five steps to take toward influencing what is broadcast on television:
1. Be selective in what you and your family members watch. Television is a business. Advertisers pay for the shows because viewers watch the shows and buy their products. Producers make the shows because viewers watch the shows and keep the advertisers paying the bills.
Those advertisers make their decisions about which shows to spend their money on based on ratings. This is determined by professional agencies that use scientific methods to determine what percentage of viewers are watching specific shows. If you don't like or approve of a television show, change the channel or turn off the set.
2. Complain in an effective way. We usually think we need a national campaign to protest what we don't like. More often we simply complain to one another. You may be unhappy with a show and know others are unhappy also. To be effective, let the advertisers know about it. But do so politely and as a local group, using an appropriate business letterhead.
When 500 members of a church in Duluth, Minnesota, or Auckland, New Zealand, write to notify a sponsoring manufacturer that members of their churches have agreed not to purchase his product as long as he sponsors an offensive show, the manufacturer will pay attention. He knows that if the group is unhappy, there are probably other groups as well that won't buy his product.
This means we will need to pay attention to commercials aired during a show and write down the sponsors' names. Then we'll have to research to learn the address of the corporate office and the CEO. With Internet access, such a search can take only a few minutes. Some sites have special links for offering feedback. Make use of these, but don't overlook the effectiveness of a personal letter addressed to the top executive.

An Egyptian family watching TV  along with their camel (Photo: SAT-7)

Once you've located the information, keep it handy so you can refer to it each time you want to make contact. Then share that contact information with others who might take action.If you can't find the information on the Internet, call your local public library. A Reference Department librarian may look up the information you need. Or go to the library and ask for the appropriate reference books. You'll find addresses and chief officers listed.
Most important, we'll need to take the time to pray about how to write in such a way that our message will be received.
3. Unite your efforts locally. We tend to think that a national campaign will be most effective. Often it works just the reverse. When Americans protested against the movie, "The Last Temptation of Christ," they created massive media attention across the entire country. Many in the movie and television industry believe that the movie would have flopped and quietly disappeared without those well publicized protests. They may be correct. We don't want to crea te free advertising for a show; instead, we want to get the attention of the advertisers and producers.
4. Affirm those who broadcast things you want kept on the air. Protests are not enough. If you do like a show, let the sponsoring manufacturers and the television station know you like it, and why. Most letters and phone calls they receive from television viewers are negative. When a sponsor receives positive feedback he's naturally going to pay attention. The rule of thumb: producers and advertisers calculate that each letter represents several hundreds of viewers. The same is true of producers and network executives. Let them know which shows you like and why. Be specific.
5. Pray. Perhaps our most effective tool of influence is our least applied. Perhaps we are praying against those shows we disapprove. Are we praying for those that have positive qualities? There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Christians in the television industry trying to improve the selection and quality of programs that reach our homes. W e can pray for them. They may not be able to keep all offensive content off the air. Yet when an actress suggests to her director that alternate words would better communicate the story line, and therefore offensive words are not broadcast, she has been effective. When a script writer gets his wholesome story accepted by a popular show's producer, he will influence thousands of lives.
We will not reform the television industry easily. It won't be accomplished this year. You and I can adopt a producer, an actor, or a writer-not necessarily a Christian. And we can pray regularly for him or her.
Prayer groups, Sunday School classes, even youth groups, can adopt a certain show. We can learn about the show, about the people behind the camera as well as in front. We can pray for God's Spirit to draw them unto Himself; we can pray for Christians to be hired to live godly lives inside the industry; we can pray for God's conviction to constrain the decision makers; and we can pray for Christian viewers to do the responsible thi ng-whether it's to change the channel or to send a letter to the sponsor or network CEO.
We can make a difference!

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Bev Caruso, and her husband Pete, have served the Lord together for over 50 years. They pastored two churches for a total of 35 years. From those churches they sent over 100 individuals into fulltime Christian service. They have preached or taught in 35 countries: in schools and colleges, barrios and offices, prisons and jungles. Whether encouraging weary pastors or missionaries or praying for the sick, speaking through an interpreter or teasing with their grandchildren, their love for God and His people shines through. Bev's many books include Tools for Improving Relationships; Developing Godly Character in Children, now in its sixth edition; Getting Your Writing Into Print and Getting It Read; and Loving Confrontation. They recently coauthored: Keeping It Fresh-A Love that Keeps on Growing based on the Marriage Enrichment Seminars they team-teach. The Carusos continue to teach and preach. They also are directors of a hospitality center for traveling missionaries and ministers in Southern California. They have three grown child ren, eight grandchildren, and currently nine great-grandchildren. They can be contacted at: Caruso@across2u.com. Or visit their website: www.PeteandBevCaruso.com

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** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
Send this story to a friend.

Weight Loss Toys (tools)

I posted this on a private loop, but thought it might be fun for the general public too.

No kidding. I LOVE this new "toy". I call them toys instead of tools because I think we can make weight loss fun and staying healthy enjoyable. But only if we adopt an attitude of positive thinking. So I've called my weight loss tools "toys" for a long time. When I coach at the gym, I ask my clients what "toy" they want to play with :-) We smile instead of grimace. Much better!

Here's my newest and current favorite:

https://www.theshakeweight.com/

So why is it my new fave? Because it's light, easy to use, and fun.

Does it work? Yes. I saw additional definition in my arms within one week. Now if you have a lot of weight to lose, it may take longer to visually notice sculpting. But keep going anyway.

Favorite tip: Turn on music and dance with it to Salsa or upbeat tunes. The routine is only 6 minutes long. You can find time to do that! Invite a friend and have a blast.

Be sure you watch the "how-to" video first. It's only a few minutes long, but it explains the isometrics and how to properly use the toy.

My biggest frustration: I had a car accident on Dec. 21st. I'd been using the shake weight for 1 day shy of 2 weeks. My doc won't let me for another week. I am SO bummed. I really started to see results in the definition of my arm muscles. But I'll be back at it soon with a little Salsa music in the mix!

Biggest money saving tip: I get the 20% off mailing flyer from Bed, Bath, and Beyond all the time. They carry the shake weight. Use the coupon and save two bucks. Don't order it online because it's just a lot of postage for no reason. You can find it in most stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond or Walmart, Target, etc.

Have fun Salsa dancing with your new toy!

Angie

Simplify Christmas

Is the world racing too fast? 

Christmas (okay, the month of December) seems like a sprint from start to finish. There's never time to catch a breath and enjoy. Then after the holidays, we feel like collapsing.

I'm sharing a few things today to help you slow down and simplify Christmas. Then if you're signed up for my newsletter, I'm sending out a few more ideas and another recipe. But click on the link now for a high protein, high fiber, low fat Christmas breakfast recipe for Pumpkin Pancakes as well as a thoughtful article on Holiday Simplicity.

http://www.christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/berzerk_angie.html

Here's a few more ideas to Simplify Christmas:

1. Consider planning your Christmas season more around restful worship than parties to release the frenetic energy. An article to inspire you: http://www.inspireafire.com/hurry-less-worry-less-this-christmas/
2. Plan leisurely brunches rather than huge dinners.
3. Say no, no, and no to all the invitations.
4. Take time to tell the stories that connect your family to history and faith. An article on celebrating Advent: http://www.inspireafire.com/advent-ageous/
5. Make simple recipes and use crockpots, casseroles, and even frozen appetizers.
6. Focus on emotional stability rather than on shopping and events. Here's an article on emotional stability for you: http://www.inspireafire.com/ten-steps-to-emotional-stability/

What do you do when things go wrong?

Do you have days when the world seems to be spinning backwards? Yep, me too. The last few days my sons have had a spammer hacking into their email accounts. I dutifully let them know. Then I changed my password because it appeared the hacker was systematically going through every email he/she could crack in our family. What a hassle!

But in changing my email password to protect myself, I accidentally locked myself out of accessing it on my blackberry. Now you have to know I have a love/hate relationship with this blackberry anyway. Things that are simple on other devices take an FBI clearance on mine. So for the last 2 days, I've been trying to get the email back on the blackberry. (Luckily I still have access when on computer.)

But even contacting the company causes a time lag and headache. The issue happens when we're busiest, doesn't it? And if we're not, the incessant fixing we have to do every day in our lives seems to wear on us. The daily plan was to work out, eat, get a little writing done before heading to a lunch date with a friend who's moving away. Then this evening is a fun family festival, First Friday, in Hamilton, MT where I'm the featured author with Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life and Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance.

But the day started off much differently. Now on holding pattern on the work out and breakfast, hoping to solve the email dilemma, I'm feeling a little grumpy. I think I'd have been less grumpy if some silly prankster hadn't called my cell 3 times at 2 in the morning. I had to silence it to stop the annoyance.

Had a morning like that?

Here's my thoughts: I'm going forward anyway. The world isn't going to stop spinning. I'm not going to get more sleep. The email issue isn't going to fix itself. The 3 "but" comments above don't change set appointments and goals. Having a flexible attitude is crucial in a backwards spinning world. It lessens the stress and allows us to use creativity to solve our dilemmas. But (and the most positive one of the series of "but" comments) is I'm going to stop first and hand it all over to God. I'm asking Him for a spirit of positive influence and for joy to replace my grumpy mode. Then a little coffee for the tech session might just put me over into a smile.

What do you think? How do you handle a morning gone awry?

Simple Tool for Achieving Any Goal

Are you digging into your dreams or are they already floating away?

By doing a little every day, you'll set up a pace to achieve them this year.

I think the biggest mistake we make in annual goals is not putting the daily planner to work. It's the simplest tool we have and the most neglected. But the neglect is of your own dreams--your special purpose.

We set ourselves up for failure by not working out a daily plan. Then a few months down the line, those dreams are already forgotten because they haven't been in front of us each morning. That sense of failure becomes a prophecy far into the future. But it's a prophecy you can change.

Put a note in your calendar, whether you use your cell phone or a hard copy. Ask yourself one week from today, "What have I done to work toward _____?" Can you look back and actually see steps toward achievement?

Do you have more than one goal? Then it's doubly important to schedule in time each day to work on that project. I realized this morning two things I'd promised myself to finish last week. I didn't write them down. They didn't get done. Perfect examples that my day timer works when I use the tool properly!

So here's my challenge: Will you do something every day to reach your goals with the tools available?
If so, pull out your daytimer right now and note the next seven steps, one each for the seven days. By following through on those plans, you'll reprogram your brain with positive expectations. You'll begin to expect to achieve your dreams. That expectation will turn into action and action into achievement.

Preparing for a New Year

Spring cleaning at the end of the year?

I'm doing that with both my house and my email accounts. One is being handed over to the next publicity officer for ACFW. I don't want either one of us to start the new year with a bunch of clutter.

At home I've finished my kitchen and the next room is my office. Scary! Seriously, I am working on cleaning it in order to have a clear head. With 2 big projects starting in January, I don't want all the old stuff stopping me.

Stuff. It just gets in the way of goals and dreams.

I work organically. My brain is on high speed almost every day of my life. So it's easy for me to pile things instead of file things. Every few months I need to file my piles. Then I have a sense of clarity and accomplishment. Nothing is pulling me in different directions. But the organic nature of my high speed brain will not let me stop and manage the stuff of each project while I'm in it. Somehow it stalls me. I've learned to honor that part of me too by cleaning up after each project instead. It also offers me closure on the project, both mental and physical. I think that's as important as feeling prepared and organized for the future, saying goodbye to the old allows space for the new.

I plan on getting the office cleaned up and then spending time (a few hours to a few days) determining my achieved goals from last year and setting the new ones for this year. I have a 5 step plan for annual goals, how to make New Year resolutions actually happen. So I'm going to sit down and follow my own advice.

 I'll post a photo of the cleaned desk just to be accountable :-) Hmm, I wonder when? By next week for sure...

Do you do anything to prepare for new goals?

Angie

Thanksgiving: The Musical?

Lots of families have a hard time visiting over a long day. Chats turn into criticism and irritation over old habits invade what's supposed to be a pleasant holiday.

What if you could change it this year by getting out of the rut?

For musical families, the change is easier than you think. Tell everyone to bring their instruments and have  a good old fashioned jam session.

What if you're not so musical?

Plan some silly moments around creating music with odd instruments and rhythm. Spoons, rubber bands, boxes, pots and pans, old glasses filled with water. See if guests can guess that tune. Then everyone divvy up the parts and try playing it. Start simple with children's songs and build up. The familiarity will give everyone confidence.

Try karaoke in the living room.

Pass out kazoos or penny whistles.

Put in a musical and create a sing-a-long.

Find Silly Songs from the Vegie Tales. (You'll be shocked at how many adults know them too!)

Using music in the background can add dimension and atmosphere. It can also bring back the 50's, 60's, and 70's! Teach the younger generation the dances from your generation. Get them excited about it by dressing for the event in costumes.

Talk about the history of your family and how certain songs remind you of significant family or historic events. Were any of your family members involved in those historic events? Protests, wars, the Great Depression, serving during a catastrophe all have huge impact on our country and telling those stories crosses generational lines. Did anyone become a hero or cross paths with a famous American? Play the music that helps you tell the stories. Share the stories that shouldn't be forgotten.

The idea isn't to show off your talents but to invite, encourage, and enlist everyone present to be a participant in the laughter and bonding.

May your gems of wisdom overflow and fill the treasure chests of those you love,
Angie

Decisions, Decisions

Today I'm exploring how to publish the Creative Cooking Series to hard copy.  It's out as ebook and CD book copies already. Now the requests from actual bookstores are coming in for a standard book style too.

Two books with more planned.
 Each meets a special need. Cooking for Colitis helps people with IBD issues. Simple Elegance helps people make simple, elegant, inexpensive meals. Same recipes, two different markets.



The problem is the cost to self-publish. Two books in the series means two sets of costs. The other problem is that I've already received requests for orders. The CD and e-books were doing fine. In fact in the self-publishing world, I've done great. Most self-published authors don't break even. So far I've been able to do that. Now though, I'm being asked to take it one step further.

If it were a standard book, no worries. That's actually more affordable because of the black and white printing. But these books are heavy with photography. I don't want to lose those photos because it's what makes the book special. The cook can see what the recipe is supposed to look like and several recipes show the stages of the recipe. So to meet the cost issue, I can only do one book at a time. It makes me sad to have to choose. Which would you do?

Another possibility is in presales. By preselling the book, it's possible to help offset the costs. But again, we're looking at the costs times two. In the meantime, I'm trying to decide on a solid company that will meet my needs with this series. Not an easy task. I'd love to hear from others about their experiences in choosing a company. I'm considering Westbow, Create Space, and open to others that allow me to have my design inside versus the cookbook template style designs. Remember I need to print full color.

Have you ever thought of self-publishing?
If you did, what would you publish?

Angie