Fat, Fat, Everywhere Fat!

I recently attended a meeting that discussed weight loss and nutrition.  I found some of the things the speaker presented very interesting.  Since we all know that obesity is a huge problem, I’d like to share some of what I heard at the meeting.  I make no claim that this information is scientifically proven, because I have not researched the material myself.  It is, however, thought provoking.

·        Is overeating carbohydrates worse than overeating on a low carbohydrate, high fat diet?  A very small study was conducted on this question.  Much more research is necessary to verify the results.  In this small study over a three week period, half the participants “pigged out” on low-carb, high fat foods eating 5800 calories a day.  (That is pretty disgusting to me.)  At the end of the study, the participants averaged a gain of about three pounds. The other half of the participants ate the same number of calories, but they ate carb-rich junk foods.  The average weight gain at the end of three weeks for this group was 16 pounds. 

Although this study cannot be relied upon without further research, it demonstrated that – as we have known all along – all calories are not created equal.  WHAT we eat makes a difference.

The speaker also shared information on body fat about which I was unaware.

·        There are different types of body fat:  Brown, White, Subcutaneous, Visceral, and “Belly” Fat.

·        Brown fat is a good fat, but we don’t have a lot of it. If the brown fat in our body could be maximally stimulated, we would burn off 300 to 500 calories a day (enough to lose about a pound a week).

·        We have a lot more White fat in our bodies, and its job is to store energy and produce hormones that are then secreted into the bloodstream. Small fat cells produce a good hormone called Adiponectin.  This hormone makes the liver and muscles sensitive to insulin, and in the process makes us less susceptible to diabetes and heart disease.  If we are overweight, the Adiponectin production slows down or stops completely, making us more prone to these conditions.

·        Subcutaneous fat is directly under our skin.  This is the fat is what is measured to estimate our total body fat.  Subcutaneous fat generally does not cause as many health issues as other types of fat.  If these fat cells are on our abdomens, however, they are more dangerous.

·        Visceral fat is the deep fat that can surround our inner organs and cause serious health problems. Those who have a large waist or abdomen have visceral fat.  Visceral fat is a severe threat to our health because it increases our risk of diabetes, heart disease, increased cholesterol levels, strokes and dementia.

Women with a waist line over 35 inches or men who have a waist line 40 inches or more are especially a higher risk for these conditions.  Abdominal fat is a much bigger health risk than hip or thigh fat.  

·        In general, men accumulate more fat in the abdomen, and women more often store more fat in their thighs and buttocks before menopause.  Consequently pear-shaped women are protected somewhat from metabolic disease until they reach menopause when they too store fat in their abdomen.

When we lose weight, we lose White fat and tend to lose it evenly throughout our bodies.  When we add exercise to reduced calorie intake, we are likely to lose more Visceral from our abdomens.

There are many products on the market that claim to help us lose weight.  Many are scams, but some may actually help.  I personally believe that the way we can truly weight is by reducing the amount and type of foods we eat and by burning calories with exercise.  The missing part of this “formula” for most people trying to lose weight is willpower.

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, in Russia, in Brazil…

Some of you may know that I have been researching my family history – genealogy – for nearly 40 years.  I am not a professional; it is just a hobby.  It is often frustrating, but it is also very exciting and interesting.

My husband also is researching his family tree.  He is adopted, but he knows his biological family well.  So he has been researching both is adopted and bio family. 

Because of the internet, genealogy is much easier today than it was when I first began.  My husband has found records for his bio family back to before Christ!  He didn’t conduct the original research.  Others did, but they shared it online.  I have not found any records for my own family beyond the 1700’s.

I have been asked by people here on IBO and others how I do my research.  For those who are thinking of starting their own family history or who have just begun, I’d like to share some suggestions.

The very first thing anyone should do when they start genealogy is to speak to your family, particularly older members of the family.  Interview them about everyone they remember, like their grandparents or great-grandparents.  It is great if you can record the interview to return to at any time, but certainly write down everything they tell you.  So much of the information I have acquired came from my parents, aunts and grandparents that I know I wouldn’t have nearly as many records as I do without their help.

There are hundreds of genealogy websites.  Most charge a fee, and some of the fees are very high.  Nearly everyone has heard of http://ancestry.com, which is one of the largest collections of genealogy records you’ll find.  If you subscribe to all their records, it can cost you well over $100.  They offer a seven-day trial for free if you want to just check it out.  However, many public libraries subscribe to ancestry.com and offer it as a free service.

Many of you may know that the Mormon’s (The Church of Jesus Crist of Latter-Day Saints) have a huge genealogy collection as well.  Researching their ancestry is part of their religion.  “We do it to obtain names and other genealogical information so these temple ordinances can be performed for our kindred dead.” (http://mormon.org/values/family-history) Both Mormon’s and non-Mormon’s can visit their Family History Centers throughout the United States (likely worldwide).  Volunteers will help you get started with their records.  They also have a genealogy website, http://familysearch.org where you can conduct research without charge.

Another great free genealogy site is http://rootsweb.ancestry.com.  You need not subscribe or pay here. 

If your more recent ancestry leads you to New York, you may find more free records at http://italiangen.org.  My family is Jewish with no Italian connection, but I have found many records there.

If your family immigrated to the USA through New York, you may find the manifest of the ship’s passengers at http://ellisisland.org.  Ellis Island was in operation from about 1890 to 1921, and millions of records are on the site.  Prior to that time, http://castlegarden.org has some records.  There have been many other points of entry over the years, including Boston, Philadelphia, British Columbia (Canada) and more. 

If you have Jewish ancestry, you’ll want to check out http://jewishgen.org.  They have a fabulous collection of records as well.  If your family was in Europe during WWII, you may want to also visit http://www.yadvashemusa.org/.  Their records cover Holocaust victims and survivors. 

Of course, if you can travel to your ancestors’ homeland, you can find even more.  There are many more genealogy websites, but the ones I have provided here are the ones I use most often and find valuable.

Good luck with your research!

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com.  

Help! I Have Been Scammed!

Identity Theft is a huge and ever-increasing crime.  Although most people associate ID theft with the internet or credit cards, it is actually a much larger problem.  In fact nearly half of all ID theft claims come from people who lost or had their wallet stolen.  ID theft due to lost or stolen wallets is three times more common than either internet scams or data breaches.  So, the number one preventative measure you should take is being certain your wallet and/or purse are secure at all times.

Victims of ID Theft have had their credit ruined and lost enormous amounts of money.  So whether or not you use credit cards EVERYONE is a potential victim.

I frequently see women in grocery stores leave their purses in their cart and then turn their backs to the cart to get something off a shelf.  It only takes a moment to grab a purse out of the basket.  Ladies, always hold onto your purse while shopping.  If you lay it in the “baby seat,” keep your arm through the strap so it cannot be easily grabbed.  In addition, if the basket has a “seat belt,” place it through your purse strap, and put the purse in a position that hides the straps.  Even with these precautions, however, never leave your purse unattended!

Never keep your Social Security Card, list of PIN numbers or bank accounts in your wallet!  Leave them in a secure place at home.  If you’re on Medicare, don’t carry your Medicare ID card with you.  Instead, make a photocopy of the card and cut out the last four characters of the number.  If you are visiting a physician for the first time, you must bring your Medicare card, so guard it carefully.

Keep a photocopy of both the front and back of all cards that you carry in your wallet at home.  That includes your driver’s license, insurance and credit cards, even your library card!

In spite of your best efforts, if your wallet is stolen do the following:

·        Call your credit card issuers immediately.  Do NOT tell them you want to cancel your account.  Instead, request an account number change.  They will issue you a new card with a new number to prevent thieves from using your card and possibly costing you a great deal of time and money and ruining your credit score.

·        Contact your bank immediately as well.  Change your PIN number and cancel your missing ATM card.  If your checkbook too is missing, get a new account number.

·        File a police report in the city where your wallet “disappeared.”  Be sure to request a copy of the report and send a copy to your bank and the three credit-reporting agencies.

·        You will also want to put a “fraud alert” on your record with the credit-reporting agencies.  They are free.  You can also request a “security freeze” which is more secure, but they may charge a fee for that service.

·        Contact your local Motor Vehicle Department to replace your driver’s license or State ID.  Also ask them to put an alert on your record.

·        Contact your medical insurers and ask them to assign a new account number.  Health insurance fraud has become a major problem over the past few years. 

·        Contact your auto insurance company to prevent the thief from making an accident claim on your insurance.

·        Check to see if your homeowner’s insurance includes ID theft protection.

·        As strange as it seems, thieves have been known to take out books using their victims’ library card, and never returning the books.  So, get a new library card as well.

·        A couple weeks after your wallet “went missing,” check your credit report.  You can get an annual credit report at no charge.

One of the most important things you can do is to purchase an Identity Theft Protection plan.  My husband and I both have LifeLock®.  My husband received an alert this past weekend from them advising him that someone was trying to access one of his online accounts.  He immediately went to that account and changed the password.  When I purchased a new smart phone last year, before I even left the store, I received a text message advising me that a large purchase was made on my credit card.  I seldom make large purchases with my card, so that created an alert with LifeLock®.  I was pleased to see how quickly they would have responded if a thief had been using my card.

LifeLock® is among the benefit plans (NOT insurance) that I promote with my Xpress Healthcare® business. There are several other companies that sell ID Theft Protection plans as well.  Whichever you purchase, sign up for one TODAY!  Please do not wait until it is too late.

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

Multitasking – A Good or Bad Thing?

You're on the phone with a team member and at the same time typing up notes about your previous phone call. An instant message arrives as soon as you end your call, so you read it while you are dialing the phone to speak with a prospect. 

Believing it will increase our productivity, many people multitask – some frequently, others occasionally.   Our lives today seem to move more quickly.  We often believe people who frequently multitask as productive and resourceful, using their time wisely.  Do multitaskers truly accomplish more than those who do not? 

In reality, when we try doing more than one thing at a time, neither task is likely to be done as efficiently as if we gave our full concentration to one task at a time.  The quality of our work will suffer, and in the end, we may have to repeat projects we thought we had completed.  Studies have shown that we waste 30-40% of our time when we try to do two or three things at once.

Oftentimes people will be speaking to someone on the phone while they are writing an email to someone else.  With two different forms of communication going on at once, one or both will suffer.  We might put a lot of “ums” or pauses in the phone conversation or make typing errors on the email.  When we attempt to perform technical or more complex tasks, the quality will suffer the most.

Multitasking can also cause stress.  We may become confused, feel more tired or be overwhelmed.  Some people don’t even realize that they ARE multitasking.  We tend to do this even more when we’re working on an unpleasant task. By doing something else at the same time, we are “avoiding” doing the task we dislike.

Do you have several website tabs open at once?  Is your desk covered in papers that you’re working with?  Do you check your email while you’re on a phone call or working on a document?

Frequent interruptions can contribute to multitasking.  Let’s say that while you are working on a presentation, you are interrupted by one of your children.  You try to answer their question without looking up from the presentation.  You are not giving your child your full attention, nor are you doing your best work on your document.

Resist the urge to check your email several times a day.  Turn it off when working on any job.  Since nearly everyone has caller ID these days, if your phone rings and you see it isn’t work related or important, let the call go to voice mail. 

Focus is the key.  If something urgent comes up while you’re working on something, stop what you’re doing and deal with the urgent situation.  If what you are working on is complex, quickly write down notes about it before stopping.  When you have handled the immediate situation, you can check your notes and continue on with your original task.  This way both tasks are given your full attention and the quality of your work will not suffer.

If you find you are having difficulty focusing on a particular job, stop for five minutes.  Take a quick break.  Walk around to clear your head.  When you return to your desk, you’ll likely have your focus back.

Look closely at yourself.  Are you multitasking without thinking about it?  When you put all your efforts into one job at a time, watch your productivity improve.

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

I Am Not a Quitter!

·        Difficult things take a long time, impossible things a little longer.

·        Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. -  William Feather

·        If you quit ONCE it becomes a habit. Never quit!!! ― Michael Jordan

·        It's always too soon to quit! ― Norman Vincent Peale

·        It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. Confucius

I have never been a quitter.  From my very first job working part time at a nursery school while I was still in school (high school and college), I stuck with it for several years.  I held my next job for six years, until I had my first baby. Then, when my children were older, I resumed my career and held one job for 14 years.  I put my best effort into every job I had, because that was what I was being paid to do.  

When I first started working a home business nearly a decade ago, I worked with a network marketing company for a year.  It was a “party plan” company, and I disliked it from the beginning, but I still gave it my all.  When I learned that the company itself was failing, I decided to leave the company before that happened.  After a year with the company, I broke even.  All I lost was time, but I gained great knowledge from the experience.

You see, with that first network marketing company, I did not research the company well before I joined.  Had I done so, I would have known I was joining a faltering company. 

After researching the next company quite a bit, I joined and put my heart and soul into it.  I worked the business full time for over six years.  I earned decent money with that business, but I was not a super star.  I doubt I would have ever left though, because I liked the product I was promoting and it helped many people.  Over the years, that company became greedy.  So, they terminated hundreds of reps, including me.  The termination letter told us we were “terminated without cause.” I was not earning a six-figure income, but whatever I was earning ended up going to the company.

This brings us to my current business with Xpress Healthcare.  Not only did I research the company thoroughly – not finding a single negative comment on the internet, but I also spoke with the founders twice before I joined.  They actually changed their Policies and Procedures, because they did NOT include a statement saying reps could not be terminated without cause.  There is now!  

I have had my Xpress business nearly three years.  I love the company, our products and the founders.  Like most people, I have had my ups and downs, but I NEVER considered quitting!  I am not yet earning a six-figure income, but I am earning a living and growing my business consistently.  

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.”  I have watched many new reps come and go, quitting without ever putting in the effort required to succeed.  I have also seen way too many people join my team and quit when they don’t begin earning money immediately.  “Anything worth having is worth working for.” 

For anyone considering starting any home business, remember, “Do. Or do not!! There is no try....”  

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).  

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle  

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

 

Low Tech. Who Me?

Those of you who know me also know that I am a pretty low-tech person when it comes to computers. 

The router on my computer from which both my husband and I get internet access for our wireless computers has been slowly failing.  It would cut us off the internet at least once a day, and this week it was three to four times a day.  So, it was time to buy a new router.

Whenever we buy any new computer-related equipment, it becomes a major ordeal for us to get everything up and running.  Today was definitely no exception.

The salesman at the office supply store advised us to purchase a mid-priced router that we just had to plug in and it would automatically set itself up.  Yeah, right!

We brought it home, and I loaded the software.  It was no surprise to us when we discovered it did not connect us to the internet.  We did everything we could figure out, disconnecting, reconnecting our modem and router and re-booting our computers.  It still did not work.  We called the store where we bought it, and the salesman advised us to call our internet provider.  Apparently our internet provider had to reset something on their end, and voila!  It worked!

We thought we were good to go until I tried to print something.  Of course, I’d forgotten that the new network would be unable to connect to my wireless printer.  I searched the printer’s support site, and it gave step-by-step instructions on how to connect it to the new network, but when it reached the step to push a button on the router that did not exist, we were stuck again.

I called the support line for the router, and I was told that since the printer was from a third party, it was out of their “scope” of training.  He said he would be glad to connect me to their partner support company that could help me if I signed up for their contract.  No thanks!

We searched the printer’s support website and “Googled” for help.  After hours of struggling, we finally found a way to set up the printer using a cable.  Whoopee!  It worked! 

We now have a new router that is connecting us to the internet just fine AND my printer is communicating with my computer!

So, other than this blog, I have gotten no work done today.  Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Those of you who know how to work with all these electronic gadgets easily likely are laughing right now.  I have come a very long way with my technological knowledge over the past few years, but I still have a very long way to go!  You can stop laughing now!

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

Do You Qualify to be a Home Business Owner?

So, you have been thinking about starting a home business for a while.  Perhaps you just can’t bear to go back to work after having your first baby.  Maybe you have a full time job, but you are struggling to pay the bills and want to supplement your income.  Or, is it that you are just sick of fighting the traffic every day and you really don’t like your job anyway.  There are innumerable reasons why people want to work from home.  Whatever your reason may be, I suggest that you “interview” yourself first to see if you “qualify” to be a home business owner.  To determine whether this is a realistic option for you, here are a few questions to ask yourself before you quit your job or pay a single dime toward any business. 

·        Why do you want a home business?  This is important.  Write down your reasons, your goals and what you hope to accomplish.

·        Have you done lots of research on a variety of businesses and found one you would be proud to represent?  If so, have you checked out the company on the internet on third party sites to see what those outside the company say about it? 

·        Are you passionate about the product or service you would be promoting?  If not, it is unlikely you will be successful.

·        Have you compared the products you will be offering and why they are better than those of their competition?

·        Have you thought about the target market to which you will be marketing the business?

·        Have you looked at all of the costs involved in starting the business?  I’ve seen companies that have a very low start-up cost, but once you get into the business, you learn there are a variety of “hidden” charges.  Even those companies that claim to be “free” will have some kind of expenses to operate.

·        Can you afford to pay the monthly fees and other expenses required to operate the business out of pocket for at least three months?  Many companies say you’ll be earning a six-figure income in a very short period of time.  A six-figure income is rare even after a year in business with any company.  Expect to be paying out of pocket until you reach profit mode.

·        Do you truly have the time to work a home business?  If you have an outside job, how much time will you be able to devote to your business?  Even if you are a stay-at-home parent, will you be able to work around your children’s schedule with their soccer games, band practice and orthodontist appointments?  Are your children old enough to know they cannot disturb you when you are working?

·        Do you have a space in your home where you can work without the background sounds of the TV or the kids playing?  You’ll need a space dedicated to your “home office.”   

·        Are you self-motivated?  Working at home, you’ll have no boss setting your work schedule or telling you what to do.  Will you be able to create a work schedule and stick to it?

·        Have you discussed the idea of a home business with your family?  Without your spouse and children supporting your efforts, you’ll be under greater pressure to succeed quickly.  That simply may not happen.

·        Are you willing and able to make the sacrifices that a home business requires?  You may have to work harder and more hours than you have ever worked on any job.

Answer all these questions honestly.  If you try to fool yourself, you will suffer the consequences. You will end up losing money and time, and you will add stress to your life that will affect you and your family.   There is no shame in not being a good candidate to work and operate a home business.  If the answers to these questions make you a good fit to be a home business owner, be prepared for it to be the hardest job you have ever loved.  I wish you great success!

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For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle  

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com.