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Earn More Money By Changing Up Your Office Space

LearnVest — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:15:07 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Most of us spend about 40 hours per week at work - in other words, the majority of our waking hours.

And nearly all of those hours are spent sitting at our desks. It’s a definite problem - and not just because we’re missing happy hour or quality couch time at home.

There’s no shortage of discouraging research pointing out the evils of a sedentary lifestyle and claiming that sitting will actually shorten our lives.

But, conversely, making a few tweaks to the way you sit - and the space you sit in - all day has been proven to make you a happier, healthier worker, busy earning your killer salary.

And, scientists say, the happier you are, the more you tend to earn.

In an effort to make the time spent at our desks as productive (and as profitable) as possible, we’ve combed the research for the easiest, most effective tips to soothe your mind and body when trapped in a cubicle . . . or corner office.

Just follow these four steps.

1. Make It Comfy

When we say “comfy,” we mean “ergonomic.” It’s an unfriendly word for a friendly concept: basically it means “intended to provide optimum comfort and to avoid stress or injury.” Friendly, right? Besides, an awkward workspace can lead to major health issues, including disorders in your joints or tendons, so a little tweaking of your cubicle can go a long way for your well-being. Line up your body correctly by following these two principles:

Your feet should be flat on the floor and your elbows should be even with your desk. This can be achieved either through adjustable chairs or - if chairs are a hot commodity at your office - a combination of step stools and pillows.

Read on for more tips.

4 More Facts You Don't Know About Calories

Prevention — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:08:37 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Only 12 percent of Americans can estimate the calories they eat in a day! Find out why we're so clueless and get easy ways to stop calorie confusion
By Mara Betsch, Prevention

You know what calories are, and you probably know that if you eat too many, you'll gain weight. But do you know how many are in your favorite deli sandwich? Or how many calories you should really eat each day? Most Americans don’t. Only 12 percent can accurately estimate the number of calories they should consume in a day someone their age, height, weight, and physical activity, according to a 2010 survey by the International Food Information Council Foundation. So what is it about calories that keeps us baffled? Last month, we shared some reasons you might be confused about calories - here are four more and the simple steps that will help you do the math.

1. Exercise makes you hungry
Though studies are mixed when it comes to whether exercise actually stimulates or suppresses appetite, many people think of working out as a way to eat whatever they like. "There’s definitely a mentality of 'I have sweated therefore I deserve,'" says Bonci. However, with most people burning about 100 calories per mile, a short workout won't give you a free pass to eat junk food. "If you walk two miles, eating a handful of chips post-workout can undo the calories you burned," says Bonci. As mentioned above, gym machines don’t accurately measure calories burned, either.

Stop the confusion: To stop an after-workout binge, fuel up pre-gym, Zied suggests. "Have something before - something with carbs and a little protein, like whole wheat toast and peanut butter or a banana and milk." Depending on the intensity of your workout, you may need something afterward as well. After a workout longer than 45 minutes, you should aim to eat about 200 calories.

Tips to Stop Overeating After Workouts

2. Liquid calories are ignored
"People are spending hundreds of calories on beverages each day," says Zied. Unfortunately, a lot of those calories are from sugar-sweetened drinks and alcohol, not milk and 100 percent fruit juice. According to a 2007 study, beverage intake accounted for roughly 12 percent of total calories in 1965 and steadily increased to 21 percent in 2002 - that's 222 extra calories a day from drinks alone! Because bottled drinks often contain multiple servings, it’s best to either pour a serving in a glass or look for mini soda cans and juice boxes.

Keep reading for more info about calories and weight loss after the break.

13 Signs You’re Too Busy

LearnVest — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:15:38 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

There’s busy.

Then there’s too busy.

Busy is running from one appointment to the next. Too busy is running over someone on your way to the next appointment (physically, vehicularly, whatever). Busy is leaving your cell phone behind at the grocery store. Too busy is leaving your kid behind at the grocery store.

And then there’s the biggest of all ironies-we want to cut back, but frankly, we just don’t have the time to figure out how to do it.

Sound familiar? Well, we’re here to do an intervention-a time intervention. Today, we’ll help you figure out if your life is starting to burst at the seams when it comes to your time. If it is, you need a wake-up call to reset priorities, because there is no shakier foundation for healthy, balanced living (and healthy, balanced money management) than not having the space and breathing room that time provides in our lives.

If you’ve crossed over the line into too busy, you’ll need to reset your foundation: Maybe it means taking a day off from work to reassess your life priorities. Maybe it means evaluating what your time is worth and outsourcing chores like housekeeping or laundry. Maybe it means taking a break from social engagements for a little while to focus on building the right foundation.

Here are 13 signs that you might need a time overhaul in your life-and easy tips on how to get started, today.

You Spend a Good Amount of Time Worrying About Your Time

If your time is preoccupied with, well, your time, you might be: endlessly cycling through your to-do list in your head, spending a lot of time arranging and rearranging your schedule, or wishing throughout the day that you had more time.

If you've worried about your schedule or wished you had more time more than three times a day, you need a break from time itself as a stressor in your life.

Try this: Take a mental break. Remove one thing from your schedule for today that is the least important-it might be putting off doing the laundry or postponing a work call. Spend that time instead totally luxuriating in something in the present moment (like eating a macaron or listening to your favorite song) and not thinking about your schedule, or future plans, at all.

Read on for more.

Simple Tips to Reduce Workday Stress

Michele Foley — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:16:46 PDT

Sometimes a "case of the Mondays" can follow us well into the work week. Looming deadlines, pressure from the boss, and a hectic day of meetings are enough to frazzle the calmest individual. Before you let stress take control of an otherwise productive workday, follow these tips for stopping stress before it takes full hold.

Eat yourself to calm: While fatty junk foods may seem like the cure to your hectic day, these indulgences will only have you experiencing the crash-and-burn effect of a sugar high. Instead of reaching for things like chips or candy, eat one of these healthy foods proven to fight stress. Good-for-you items like nuts, oranges, spinach, and fish all contain nutrients that will ward off workday pressures. If a sweet treat is the only way you'll be able to survive the day, choose dark chocolate. A recent study shows that eating a small amount of dark chocolate can reduce stress levels. Along these same lines, give yourself a break and eat lunch away from your desk. Getting out of the office may be just what you need to relax.
Schedule a lunchtime workout: An easy way to blow off steam during your workday is to exercise. If the idea of leaving work to hit the gym only causes stress levels to rise, follow these timesaving tips for a midday workout and check out this quick beauty routine for the locker room. Numerous studies have shown that exercise is a sure-fire way to boost endorphins. You'll return to work happier, calmer, and energized.

See the rest of the tips after the break!

Don’t Miss Open Enrollment!

LearnVest — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:15:57 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Never has there been a more dreaded phrase than “out-of-network.”

Well, maybe. But anyone who’s ever had health insurance knows the headache that is copayments, referrals and reimbursements.

Given that, staying on top of the maze of paperwork can sound about as appealing as a lobotomy. But this is the season for open enrollment, the one time of year (often no more than two weeks long) when many employers let their employees make changes to their insurance policies.

For the most part, you can’t change your health care choices at any other time of year, unless you’ve had a major life change like getting married or having a baby. That’s why it’s time to act now.

From getting your paperwork under control to getting money back by negotiating your bills, we bring you the ultimate guide to turning health insurance into a (healthy, brisk) walk in the park:

Figure Out Your Window

Call your HR representative to find out exactly when your open enrollment period begins and ends. The specific dates vary from company to company; if you miss your window, you’ll still receive the same medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage as the year before, but you won’t be able to make changes to your accounts or sign up for a flexible spending account, for which you need to re-enroll each year.

LearnVest tip: Make a calendar reminder for yourself so you won’t forget to talk to HR.

Read on for more tips on open enrollment.

Ricki Lake Gained Weight Falling in Love - Can You Relate?

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:07:08 PDT

Ahh love. Finding that special person makes life so much better, but unfortunately falling head over heels can make you fall off the healthy wagon. Season 13 Dancing With the Stars contestant Ricki Lake has always been very public about her weight issues, and she shares with Us Weekly:

"I fell in love last year . . . I didn't gain a lot of weight but I feel like I could lose about 15 pounds. I'm going to be careful. It's going to be weird, because having dealt with weight issues my whole life and you think deprivation, starving yourself - but I can't do that if I'm dancing six hours a day. I'm just going to be really conscious of it. For the first time it won't be about the pounds, it'll be about strength and my body. I'm up for the challenge."

When you first meet someone, you spend so much time together that you tend to skip out on your workouts. Plus you go out to eat a lot, share bottles of wine and plates of strawberry cheesecake, and chow down on takeout in front of a movie - no wonder your jeans feel tight. It doesn't help that you feel so comfortable and loved by the person that you think, "Why work out when he loves me no matter what size I am?" I guess it depends on the relationship and how strong-willed you are when it comes to sticking to your healthy ways, but like Ricki, do relationships cause you to gain weight? If so, tell us in the comments how you got back on track.

How Friends Sabotage Your Weight-Loss Goals

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:34:14 PDT

Friends can help you lose weight when they share your good intentions, but here are some ways your buddies can also derail you on your weight-loss quest, and what you can do about it.

They Bring You Treats
Aww, how thoughtful. Your hubby stopped off at your favorite bakery and brought you home a raspberry-filled chocolate cupcake. First off, thank that man! Then offer to share it with him as you explain that you really appreciate him thinking of you, but you'd prefer something lower in calories like Gerber daisies or a copy of the latest romantic comedy.

They Want to Catch Up at the Local Bar For Happy Hour
Of course you want to get together to hear about your best friend's new job, but all those cocktails and apps are so high in calories. Eat a snack before so you're not tempted to order mozzarella sticks, and slowly sip on one low-calorie bevvy such as a glass of wine or a light beer.

They Lure You to Go Out For Brunch Instead of Getting in Your Morning Run
Peach-stuffed french toast sounds much more amazing than running hills in your neighborhood, but you know you'll feel guilty for skipping out. So be strong and tell your friends you'll meet them afterward. Or better yet, encourage your buds to slip on their sports bras and get their sweat on too so you'll all feel good about indulging after your workout.

Keep reading to see other ways your friends wreck your plans for weight loss.

Friends and Weight Loss: Use 'Em and Lose It

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:57:30 PDT

Losing weight is not easy for so many reasons. Not only does it take commitment and determination, but it can be such a long journey that it's tempting to give up before reaching your goal. If you have a close friend you can lean on, it's likely to make dropping pounds easier and more likely. It should be someone you're comfortable with, someone you can count on to be there when you need them most, and someone you can share your achievements with. Here are some specific ways you can use your buddy on your weight-loss quest:

Call when cravings are at their worst. When you’re having an insatiable urge to hop in your car and head to the nearest bakery, speed dial your friend so they can talk you into eating fruit instead.
Swap healthy recipes, strength training tips, fitness DVDs, health magazines, and running playlists. Boredom can drive you to hop off the healthy wagon, so spice things up with new snack and meal ideas, workouts, and kick-butt tunes courtesy of your fellow fit-minded pal.

For some other ways you can use a friend to help you slim down and get healthier keep reading.

Group Therapy: Does My Friend Need Therapy?

Tres Community — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:05:03 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I have a friend who was in an emotionally abusive relationship from late high school throughout the majority of college. He was controlling, manipulative, and made constant disparaging remarks about her. He was the puppet-master in her life for years. When she finally broke free of him, all her friends were so happy, especially since there was a time in college he didn't allow her to go out at night, and subsequently, we all went months without seeing her.

Once she was single, she became sexually promiscuous, and had casual sex with an array of guys. While we didn't necessarily approve of this behavior, no one said anything, because we all assumed this was her way of taking back control of her life. After a few years, she started talking via Facebook with someone she had a class with in college who was now in the Army. To make it clear, she was not friends with this person beforehand, just acquaintances. They decided to start a long distance relationship, and he was 2 1/2 years younger than her (21 to her 23). After only a few months of dating, he was pressuring her to get married. After entertaining the idea for too long, she broke up with him.

Now, she is in a sexual relationship with someone over a decade older than her, who has a girlfriend. She will go out with us at night, then take the subway to his place. It's essentially a booty call, but she is so smitten with him, she doesn't care/realize it. After months, we all finally met him. Unfortunately, any doubts about the relationship were NOT alleviated and we are all more concerned that she is losing herself.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that she's never been in a healthy relationship, and might not realize she deserves better. She isn't treating herself or her body with any respect. It's becoming obvious to her friends and family that she might need to meet with a shrink or go to some type of counseling to deal with unresolved issues from her abusive relationship, because it seems to have impacted her self-esteem and judgement greatly. My friend is incredibly smart, vibrant and strong-willed . . . and no one is sure if we should approach the idea of seeing a therapist/how she would react. Or, are we just too concerned, and making a mountain out of a mole hill? Should we just go with the flow and trust her?

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

How to Get Rid of a Stage-5 Clinger

Lizzie Fuhr — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:00:00 PDT

We all know and love Vince Vaughn's crazy antics in Wedding Crashers. His character comes across a stage-five clinger; he's got to get the situation dealt with stat!

Although women are typically associated with this kind of behavior in the pop culture arena, I've met my fair share of dudes who share similarly clingy and incredibly overwhelming characteristics. It can be hard to effectively communicate what you want, or don't want, and end things with someone who can't get enough of you. And doing this all while remaining as kind as possible? It's a very delicate balancing act to say the least. If you're looking to get rid out of a similar situation, here are some rules to live by.

Be honest. Even if it's hard. For some reason this is challenging for a lot of women. When we're talking with our girlfriends about the situation, we sound poised, confident, and like we know exactly what we want. When you put the guy on the other side of the equation, all of the preparation goes to the wind. If you're dealing with a serious clinger, maybe you've tried to end things once, twice, even three times. If you're not meeting in person to talk things through, have a shortlist of what you need to say. Don't try to sugarcoat it. If this guy is a clinger he's going to have to hear it straight up.
Set healthy boundaries. And follow through. You may get the old "we can totally be friends" response. Be wary of this from a clinger. Maybe he's being sincere, but he may just be plotting a way to win back your heart. Set very specific limitations and give yourself a chance to breathe. Don't pick up every time he calls. Don't respond to every text. If you're going to try to forge any type of a friendship in the future, make it crystal clear that this kind of behavior will not fly. Also, remember there are no backsies! A night you're out and feeling lonely is not an excuse to call him and give him any inkling of hope. This is a two-way street, sister. For everyone's sake, it's integral that you hold up your end of the bargain.
Realize it's not all about you. I know, you're really awesome. But he's dealing with his own issues and insecurities. He's projecting this relationship with all its idealized expectations smack dab onto your face. It's not your fault. And ending things does not make you a lady with a heart of stone. You know what you want, and deserve, and that's a healthy, consummate love.
Do your best to be kind. Don't bad mouth him to your friends. Don't talk about all his shortcomings. Maybe he really thought something was there. Even if you've had to deal with your fair share of crazy, do your best to be as kind as possible without sending the wrong idea. Be strong. You can end the cycle and give him a chance to find someone as crazy as he is.

Any other tools for how to be as kind as possible but get the message across to a clinger? Please share them below!