25 WEIGHT LOSS TIPS

This is the time of year when many people gear up to lose weight.....before the holidays begin.  Here are 25 tips that may be of help if you're staring at the scale in dismay. If the list of 25 seems daunting, add them into your routine 5 at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself.

Q: How do you eat an elephant? A: One bite at a time.

1. Set a realistic weight-loss goal. Most experts recommend aiming for half a pound to 2 pounds a week.

2. Keep track. Dieters who keep track of everything they eat lose twice as much weight as those who don't, research shows.

3. Motivate yourself. Get a pair of jeans or pants that are too tight and hang them in the kitchen instead of the closet to keep yourself inspired.

4. Get help from family and friends. Dieters who have support from a partner at home lose more weight than those who don't, studies show.

5. Move it to lose it. Research shows that people who do physical activities such as walking or biking for two to four hours a week during weight-loss efforts lose an extra 3 to 5 pounds over a year.

6. Pay attention to portions. A 3-ounce portion of meat, poultry or fish is about the size of the palm of your hand or a deck of cards; 1 teaspoon of butter or margarine, a standard postage stamp; a cup of cold cereal, berries or popcorn, a baseball; 4-inch pancake or waffle, the diameter of a CD.

7. Clean out your pantry and refrigerator. Get rid of the foods that sabotage your weight loss.

8. Create "a dinner deck." This would include 10 favorite quick and healthful dinners written on index cards. Each card should list the ingredients for the recipe on one side and directions for making it on the other.

9. Avoid hunger. Eat regular meals and snacks. Make sure you have some protein foods such as yogurt, tuna, beans or chicken for most meals. Some research suggests that protein helps you feel full longer.

10. Keep produce on hand. Place a bowl of vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, cucumbers or carrot sticks in the refrigerator. You can eat them as a snack or when preparing meals to take the edge off your hunger.

11. Stock up on "impulse fruits." Keep things like grapes, clementines, small apples, small bananas and pears around the house. These foods are easy to eat without having to do much cutting and slicing.

12. Make some stealth changes. That will get everyone in the family eating healthier. Buy low-fat 1% or skim milk, low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheese instead of the full-fat versions. Use them in recipes to cut the fat and calories.

13. Cut out liquid calories. Eliminate soda and sugary drinks such as sweetened iced tea, sports drinks and alcoholic beverages. Liven up the taste of water by adding lemon, lime, cucumber or mint.... or my favorite, the new product Mio. Choose skim and 1% milk.

14. Practice the "Rule of One." When it comes to high-calorie foods, you won't go wrong if you allow one small treat a day. That might be one cookie or a fun-sized candy bar.

15. Pace, don't race. Force yourself to eat more slowly and savor each bite.

16. Hydrate before meals. Drinking 16 ounces, or two glasses, of water before meals may help you eat less.

17. Downsize plates, bowls, glasses, silverware. Using smaller versions of your serving ware will help you eat less food naturally.

18. Adopt the motto "after 8 is too late" for snacks after dinner.

19. Buy a pedometer. Health experts recommend taking at least 10,000 steps a day, which is roughly 4 to 5 miles, depending on your stride length.

20. Treat yourself occasionally. If your chocolate craving is getting to you, try diet hot-chocolate packets. If you need a treat, go out for it or buy small prepackaged portions of ice cream bars. If you love chocolate, consider keeping bite-size pieces in the freezer.

21. Dine at a table. Eat from a plate while seated at a table. Don't eat while driving, lounging on the couch or standing at the fridge.

22. Dine out without pigging out. Figure out what you are going to eat in advance. Get salad dressing on the side. Restaurants usually put about one-quarter cup (4 tablespoons) of dressing on a salad, which is often too many calories. Best to stick with 1 to 2 tablespoons. Dip your fork into the dressing and then into the salad.

23. Get plenty of sleep. Scientists have found that sleep deprivation increases levels of a hunger hormone and decreases levels of a hormone that makes you feel full. The effects may lead to overeating and weight gain.

24. Weigh yourself regularly. That's what successful dieters and those who manage to maintain weight loss do. Some step on the scales once a week. Others do so daily.

25. Reward yourself. When you meet your incremental weight loss goals, say losing 5 pounds, treat yourself to something — but not food. Buy a CD or DVD you've been wanting or go out to a movie with a friend.

House Facts From The Census

Fun Housing Facts

The United States Census Bureau recently released some fun facts related to housing across the country, based on data for 2010. Here are just a few highlights from the release that you may find interesting…and may want to pass on to others.

Heating Our Homes

• 57 million = Number of houses heated by utility gas.
• 2.2 million = Number of houses heated by wood.
• 38,010 = Number of houses heated by solar energy.

From Home to Work

• 25.3 minutes = Average time workers across the country spent getting from home to work.
• 31.8 minutes = Longest commute time in the nation, which belonged to Maryland residents.
• 16.1 minutes = Shortest commute time in the nation, which belonged to North Dakota residents.

Home Sweet Home

• 2,392 square feet = Average size of a single-family house built in 2010. That number was down a little from 2,438 square feet in 2009.
• 131.7 million = Number of housing units counted in the 2010 Census. Compare that to 37.2 million in the first housing census, which was conducted in 1940!

Bonus Fact!

The first housing census in 1940 featured 31 housing questions - including some we may find odd today, such as whether the house had a radio…toilets or an outhouse…electric lighting…and running water.

Conversely, the 2010 census only included two housing questions: (1) whether the home was owned or rented and (2) whether the respondent sometimes lived or stayed somewhere else. The number of housing questions in the census has dropped because we now ask a number of housing questions in the American Community Survey, which is sent to about 3 million households nationwide every year.

Over the years, housing has really changed. But regardless of the time or location, 

 one thing remains the same…there's no place like home!

MOTIVATION TO WORKOUT

Many times an individual will begin an exercise program, only to lose all of their motivation to workout within a month of starting. Over time, the person’s exercise routine and motivation may slowly dwindle from working out multiple days a week to none. This is a common problem and many people say to themselves, “I need motivation to workout”. One of the issues is that a person may start working out with misinformation about the plentiful benefits of exercise.

This will cause a lack of motivation to workout. I'm going to discuss a variety of ways for you to gain long lasting motivation to exercise, so that you can avoid the cycle of starting and stopping work out programs.

One of the main reasons an individual begins an exercise program is to lose weight. Working out is an excellent way to manage your weight and burn more calories. This does not mean that regular, sometimes boring, weight lifting or cardiovascular exercises are the only options. In order to develop a true motivation to work out, variety and creativity is a big factor. Playing a pickup game of basketball or taking an exercise class with friends are great ways to keep things interesting and prevent you from quitting on yourself and giving up on your goals

Besides keeping your body fit, regular work outs will assist in improving your overall health in a variety of ways. One of the main body parts to benefit is the heart. Exercising will keep your heart running strong and healthy by increasing blood flow and decreasing beats per minute. Other benefits include keeping cholesterol and blood pressure at healthy levels, preventing certain conditions such as cancer and diabetes, and improving circulation.


The final benefit to help you to find motivation to work out is mental health. Twenty to thirty minutes of physical exercise a week can go a long way in helping you manage stress, anxiety and depression. It is thought that regular strenuous exercise can release chemicals in your brain such as endorphins and dopamine to help you feel better and increase your stress tolerance. This is a great way to avoid prescription medicines and give you a natural alternative that works. Regular exercise will also reduce skeletal muscle tension in your body that anxiety often causes. You will feel less “uptight” and more relaxed in every situation.

Many complaints that I have heard is that people are having trouble finding motivation to work out in the morning, which is commonly the only alotted time available for many people. Overcoming this issue is all about getting used to it and forming a new habit. I recommend setting a goal to work out in the morning for 30 days straight. Many people say that a habit takes 21-30 days to form. The reason we say only 30 days is that there appears to be a finish line to the individual. If a person can see an end date, it will be easier to complete the 30 days. After the person completes the initial 30 day period, they have formed a new habit and they do not actually stop their exercise routine. So whether the morning or evening after work works best for you - form a habit

I hope that you will internalize these benefits and strongly consider them when you are on the fence about working out one day. Exercise has countless benefits and it is awesome to be able to enjoy it regularly. It is my hope that you can avoid having no motivation to work out ever again.

If you want a one-on-one conversation, 

don't hesitate to contact me via email or phone!

Add to the Curb Appeal of Your Property!

FLOWERS ADD INSTANT CURB APPEAL - STAGING THE HOME'S FRONT

The experts all agree that curb appeal is one of the most important aspects to consider when preparing your home to get it ready to go on the market for sale.   Once the home is on the market and offered for sale,  it is often the front appearance from the street that will influence whether potential buyers with today's busy lifestyles will take the time to come in to see the inside, or never get out of their cars.  

Flowers are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to dress up the front of your house, make it look inviting and instantly increases the curb or drive-up appeal.   Even if the home's front appearance has a lack of real landscaping,  flowers can transform a rather dull and plain looking front yard into one that looks colorful,  lush and more pleasing by directing the eye away from what the home is lacking; such as a lack of mature landscaping.  Especially during the spring, summer and fall seasons, you should take advantage of each season's colors by planting pots and flower boxes reflecting the seasonal flowers that adapt well to the weather at that time of year.  

You should choose colorful flowers that will be in bloom during the time you're selling your home.  Planting the flowers in planter boxes and pots is easier than planting them in the ground and lets you more easily place them where they can have the most visual impact.  Although it is also fine to plant flowers to dress up an area around a tree, the mailbox, a courtyard area or some other special feature in the front yard of a home, if your home is in an area that may have to deal with watering restrictions during the hot months of the year, the potted flowers and planter boxes will enable you to water these items more regularly even when you are not able to water the entire yard.  You don't need to have a green thumb, or spend a lot of money to get great results either.  Visit your local home improvement center or nursery and they will be happy to advise you of the best flowers and plants for your purpose and time of the year.  You can put together several very nice planter boxes and pots of flowers for well under $100.  Also, simple gardening like this is an easy and fun way to relax or can also be an enjoyable activity to share with others members of your family; even small children love to help out in getting the home ready to sell!

 One of the nice things about using flowers in this way is that you'll see the results immediately, and so will prospective buyers visiting your home!

 

 

Get Your Spring Exercise Off to a Great Start!

Spring–the season of rebirth and renewal and the perfect time to breathe new life into a stale fitness regimen. Even if you have been hibernating from fitness the past few months or years, there’s nothing like the fresh air, bright sunshine and fragrant blossoms to entice you outdoors and energize you for exercise.
You only need 30 minutes of exercise a day, three days a week to reap long-term benefits. So shake off that winter dust, stretch those muscles and spring into fitness!

1. Get an attitude check. Your muscles may do all the work when you exercise, but your mind provides the incentive. A positive attitude gets you off on the right foot to fitness and keeps you there. Get your mind primed for fitness by visualizing how good your body will look and feel. Set realistic goals and reward yourself when you reach them. Be patient and forgiving. Change will come, but it takes time. Remember, losers fall down and stay down. Winners fall down, but get up. Remind yourself that you are a winner.
2.  Gear up. It may seem trivial, but what you wear really can make a difference in your workout. If your shoes pinch or your clothes cut off your circulation, your workout will undoubtedly suffer. Comfortable and stylish athletic wear, especially well-cushioned shoes with plenty of arch support, not only feel good on your body, but inspire you to work out in a way that worn-out sweats and sneakers just can’t match. Wearing the correct clothing can make all the difference.
3. Go easy. Working out too hard, too soon increases your risk of strains and sprains. And if you injure yourself badly enough, you won’t be able or willing to exercise. If you’re just starting out, fitness experts say do low- to moderate-level activities and slowly increase the duration and intensity of your activities as you become more fit. A good workout should leave you a little sore the next day or two, not incapacitated.
4. Keep it fun and fresh. If exercise is a chore or a bore, you won’t be exercising very long. Stay psyched for fitness by linking exercise with a fun activity or pastime. And add variety. If you like sightseeing, walk, bike, jog or skate your way around town. If you enjoy picnics in the park, round up the family for a game of tag or football before you feast. Go swimming, dancing or hiking. Learn a new sport or revisit a childhood favorite.
5. Recruit a good cheerleader. It’s easy to stay focused on fitness if you have help. A fitness partner provides company and can push you when you need that extra motivation. If you can’t find a regular partner or if you prefer to workout solo, you still can surround yourself with fitness cheerleaders–people who will congratulate you on your successes, offer encouragement and wisdom and keep tabs on you to make sure you stay on track.

MAKE IT YOUR BEST SPRING & SUMMER EVER!

Housing Affordability

Comparing the payments on a $94k mortgage in '89 at those 10% rates with a mortgage today of $166k at a rate of 4.45%, your payments would be $825 and $837 respectively for a difference of $12. $12!!!

The arguments we hear from buyers is they are waiting for lower rates or they fear prices will drop again. I learned a long time ago that you can't time the market. Economists and professionals have been trying for decades and they'll tell you the only way to know prices have bottomed out is when they're going up.

So you're a buyer and you're waiting for prices to drop another 3%. You're preapproved at today's low of 3.85%. You find a property but want to wait for the seller to drop their price. Rates rise a 1/4 point and you've essentially got a wash because the mortgage payment is going to be the same. If they raise a 1/2 point then you're paying more than had you put in an offer and asked the seller to pay closing costs. You're only at an interest rate of about 4.35% but you've lost a lot of buying power.

Say you're a seller and you're waiting to put your property on the market when prices rise. You're waiting for them to rise 10%. Historically, we've seen prices rise about 4% per year. Our area rose 1.4% last year. That's a long time for the appreciation you're talking about. But I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and say you're going to see 5% increases over two years which would give you slightly over the 10% you want but what an amazing market that would be compared to now. Well how many buyers do you think are going to be able to afford that house in 2 years if interest rise 1/2 pt, 1 pt or God forbid 2 pts? That would still be only 6% interest rates but is the equivalent of a 20% price drop for you. The buyers are there. Take advantage.

If you're thinking about buying or selling, give me a call!

Why This Is a Bad Market for Doing "For Sale By Owner"

You can't hardly turn on the TV the last few months without hearing about the housing crisis and the horrible situation the real estate market is in. Prices are coming down in order to meet the lowering demand for new homes and buyers are hesitant to make such a large investment at this time as well. Even if you must sell your home during these troubled times, it's a bad idea to do it without the help of an experienced realtor. Here are some reasons why this is a bad market for doing "For Sale by Owner."

You might panic and lower the price too much.
If you're trying to sell your home without the help of a real estate agent, you might lower the price too soon. When you're not familiar with the process or the market, you might get nervous when you house is on the market more than a few weeks. But a realtor knows the best time to lower the price and how much to lower it, even in a bad market like the one we're in today.

There are fewer buyers in the market today.
A few years ago, houses were selling like crazy. Today, though, there are fewer buyers in the market looking for a home. And the ones that are looking to buy are overwhelmed by realtors targeting them to buy their property. You need a realtor that can compete with the others in the market so you can have a fair chance at selling your home. Real estate companies have the resources to advertise and market your property. You don't have the same resources so you can be at a disadvantage when competing with other companies.

It's just too hard to sell a house right now.
With the lower supply of quality homes on the market today, it's getting nearly impossible to do a home sale with a "For Sale by Owner." You need the expertise and know-how of a realtor who has a proven record of success and a reputation that potential buyers will recognize.

Realtors take the stress out of a home sale.
When you hire a real estate agent to sell your home, they typically take care of all the paperwork and anything else that goes along with selling a home. That leaves you to simply pack your stuff and move out of the old home and into your new one.

Realtors get more money for a home.
You'll need to pay your realtor a commission for their services, but studies show realtors get more money for a house. Most of the time, the extra money they sell your house for will make up for their commission with some left over.

Don't get stuck with a home you can't sell in this volatile real estate market. 

Call me!

You'll enjoy the reduced stress and everything else I do to get your home sold 

at the highest price possible in the least amount of time. 

Which Seller Incentives Tempt Buyers?

Sellers trying to get buyers attention are offering up plenty of incentives, everything from closing-cost assistance to remodeling credits — even hot tubs, home theatre systems, flat-screen TVs, and cars, reports The Washington Times.

But these incentives “don’t actually make the deal,” says Michael Labout, regional vice president for the National Association of REALTORS®, who recalls one seller who offered up his 1970s Cadillac El Dorado in a real estate deal. “They’re as much to get buyers and agents to look at a house as anything.”

But sellers may be convinced that the extra buyers these incentives may bring in to view their home may be worth it. Some popular seller incentives catching on:

• Offering a gift card to a home improvement store or a local flooring company if the property you’re trying to sell is in need of some remodeling work;
• Covering some or all of the closing costs;
• Offering home warranties, which will cover HVAC systems and other major appliances., usually for a year — although more home sellers are offering warranties that last longer, possibly even up to 4 or 5 years;
• Paying the homeowners association dues for a year or more or covering the first year’s property taxes or condo fees;
• Offering a selling agent bonus, such as $2,000 or $3,000 bonus to the buyer’s agent may help get the property shown to more potential buyers.

- Daily Real Estate News. December 2011