Job Interview Tips From an Accidental Interviewer

Nancy is on hunt for job interview tips, too.

Hey recent college grads (or my unemployed friends): Before your next interview--and before you go into a Googling frenzy--take a look my Unorthodox Interviewer's tips. My goal is to make you feel more confident and poised, which is often what the interviewer is really looking for. They already read your resume, now show off your personality.

There was a point in time in my former life where I spent a large chunk of time interviewing people. I interviewed people for internships, freelance, contract and contract-to-hire positions. The departments I was trying to fill ranged from marketing, sales, graphic design, creative catch-all and personal assistant (Hang in there, personal assistants. I respect the hustle.)


The problem with this former-life responsibility was I had no idea what the hell I was doing. (I'm not Fortune 100 quality, but I could employ a start-up, or non-profit in my sleep.) I had a writing degree, with no previous knowledge of Human Resources. But, I know how to talk to people, make them feel comfortable enough to confide in me and how ask important questions. So, I had to learn on my own.

I literally googled "How to Interview" and "Interview Questions"; covertly soaked up as much as I could from professionals and tried to remember my journalism training when it came to asking thoughtful questions and reading body languages. I got better, eventually. Below are my tips for you.

Lie to Yourself and Pretend You Don't Need This: I cannot stress enough how much a sense of calmness can be conveyed as confidence. And confidence, in addition to basic job requirements, is what makes you stand out. Confidence shows you can handle your shit--and whatever kind of shit might arise in the office. No one likes a crybaby. They want a problem solver.

Think of the last time you were anxious. Rapid heartbeat? Extremities slightly shake? Words and recollections float around your head like a jumbled mess? Yeah, that's what you want to avoid. Because when they ask you a stock question like "Where do you see yourself in five years," your answer should seem sincere, as if you took a second to ponder the question.

• Even if you are lying, repeat the words "No big deal. I don't need this" over and over again. Fake it till you made it; position affirmations can work. That does not mean you don't want this job--it just means that if you don't get it, you'll live. And you will. God forbid you don't get one particular job does not mean it's game over. Sometimes getting a "no" makes you hungry and shakes the icy chill of rejection off. Move along.

That being said, confidence is not cockiness. Do not go so far as to convey an attitude that the interviewer is lucky to be graced with your presence. You should be gracious--but you are secure in who you are, what you bring to the table and think you would make a great addition to the team. Think of it as the writing/theater technique of showing vs. telling.

Show them you are intelligent, confident, experienced and well spoken by the way you sit across the table, making eye contact, giving thoughtful answers and providing relative information when asked about prior experience or examples. Don't tell the person, "Yes, I'm a excellent communicator and planner. I didn't bring any samples, but you can just take my word on it." The only way I can see this attitude as a plus is if they are hiring for Pharmaceutical sales and looking for a psychopath (hehe).

So, remember, you don't need this. I understand that your funds are running low--I've been there-- but for the 20-30 minutes you are interviewing, lie. I promise, you will be a better version of yourself. You will be calmer, more confident and better at conversation.

Poker Face: Body language is important. Practice: It works for the FBI and many hiring managers (and most people) pick up on body cues. Here's a couple of body language cues to practice, so when you are in the middle of the interview you can exude your calm, confident, capable self:

• Lean back in your chair. Too many people (myself included, at times) get worked up, or nervous to the point where they hunch over the table in front of them. Sometimes it's a security measure as feeling the hard wood surface against your stomach makes you feel less exposed. Other times it might be because your interviewer has learned to sit back in his/her chair, therefore asserting dominance, and you learn forward to be closer to the conversation. Lean back. Feel the hard wood surface against your back. This subtle cue let's them know you are at ease. You will be your charming yourself without letting on that he/she intimidates you.
• Make eye contact. Let me be more specific: Make contact at the start and finish of each answer. It's ok to let your eyes wander a little bit, especially if you are detailing an experience. If you need more specific, try making eye contact every 10-15 seconds. They might not always be staring into your eyes, but they will notice that you are looking their way. More importantly, you do not want to look like a serial killer with a dead-on gaze the whole time. But, meet their gaze when you begin to answer their questions to show respect and that you are involved in the conversation. Then, end your answer by looking at them, to show confidence in your answer and help them know when you're done.
• Act like your hands weigh 50 lbs each. No, don't be a robot. But don't wave them manically when you speak. And don't flip your hair or display other nervous twitches. Or tap them on your portfolio. Find two-three places for your hands after the handshake--your lap, the table in front of you, one hand placed on your open portfolio/samples/resume, etc. When you move your hands, return them to a designated area. You have a comfortable place to land and you will look poised and calm.
• Slow your speech. It is hard to ramble when you talk purposely. Also, you tend to enunciate better, maybe because you're focused on the sound of your own voice. You're gently forcing the other person to listen to you, as by not talking a mile a minute and since there are fewer words, they carry more value. Take a two second pause to formulate a response--even if you have your answers prepared--this will make you look as though you were actually listening to the interviewer instead of formulating your response in your head as they spoke. No one likes the feeling like they aren't being heard.
• Facial cues. As hard as it can be not to wince when an out-of-left-field question pops up, don't show it. Poker face, people. Practice this in the mirror. Have someone interview you and ask outlandish questions. Get used to hearing something uncomfortable and not responding accordingly. Remember to smile. Don't purse your lips together or squint your eyes. Slightly nod at times during speech. Look to the right when asked a questions that requires a thoughtful response (Eye Cues Here). Don't be a deer caught in the headlights. You are in control.

Pretend You Care: Come with 5-6 questions. Research the company beforehand and come up with at least 5-6 questions about it. Think a little further than, "Do you have Casual Friday?" Ask they plan on going nationwide, or international. Ask if there is travel involved for the position. Ask if there are plans to incorporate a blog, additional client market, etc. Ask what the interviewer likes about working there--it gives them a chance to talk about him/herself and everyone likes that! (Note: I pull this question out if the person is from the department I'm interviewing for, or comes off as friendly. Use discretion.) Show that you came prepared. I say 5-6 questions because some will be answered during the interview.

They Certainly Do Not Want to See Your Peacock: Dress professional, even a little boring. There's no reason to peacock at an interview. (The only caveat I can think of is in the fashion industry.) It can even hurt you--interviewers are human, if you get a petty woman or inappropriate man, your look could adversely affect your ability to be taken seriously. Once employed you can exercise your stylish muscle and see what fits into the dress code. Dress professional, as in a suit, blazer and dress pants/ dress skirt. I don't recommend wearing a business-appropriate dress (great for meetings, but came come off as not appropriate).

This is not to say you won't look attractive and powerful. You are just doing it in a formal way.

• Jewelry to a minimum and probably kept to basic metals with small embellishments
• Black or mono-tone pumps/flats (I stick with pumps)
• Blouse under your buttoned jacket--use color if you wish, just not crazy patterns or too bold
• Makeup. Wear some. Not wearing any makeup can actually be distracting. Just some mascara, chapstick and blush should do the trick if makeup is not your normal routine. No fake eyelashes
• Polished hair. I mean not frizzy. Straighten or curl it. Or, put it up in a bun. Save the side braids or updos for your free time or once you see the culture of your office
• Suit / blazer combinations that fit your body (a well-fitting suit can be sexy, don't knock it)
• Nail polish: clear, light pink, nude, red (not a fan, but accepted) muted tones of other shades

Look Important: Bring a portfolio. Fill it with multiple copies of your resume, writing samples, projects, references, etc. You should have samples of anything you want to talk about or refer to. And when you start speaking about it, open up your portfolio and hand the interviewer his/her own copy. (This was one subtle indicator of an organized, competent interviewee-- they always ended up being great workers, who worked well on their individual projects and took the lead on group projects. )Also, feel free to open your handy portfolio and take notes as the interviewer will inevitably ramble on about the company's history and their own role. Look engaged.

I own this one. My mom bought it for me when I graduated college. Thanks, mom. (I know you're reading this and you should be on an international conference call. Go back to work.)

Point I am on the fence about:

Asking salary information at Interview One: Capricorn thinks this is a must and does it. He also believes this is something that will set you apart from the entry-levels as people making lateral moves or advancements will of course need to know salary information as they need to gauge whether this job opportunity is worth their time. Knowing you own worth is the take away here. -- I should point out he primarily works in Sales & Marketing. These people are their own breed, so it's ok if you are not as bubbly and talkative as a sales professional. It takes all kinds.

I still tend to shy away from asking. It's probably something I need to work on, as it does sound assertive. I never disregarded an interviewee for asking. Follow Capricorn on this one.

In my time as an interviewer (and now interviewee) this is what I learned. I considered people who displayed the above qualities more seriously. Be the best version of yourself you can-- don't morph into a superhero at an interview; you will most likely be found out.

Good luck and tell me how it goes!



Do not steal office supplies,

Lady J

Copyright © 2013 Lady J
All rights reserved

Accidentally Sabotaging The Gap's Marketing Research

I used to work for The Gap. Ok, I worked for Old Navy, but The Gap owns it. And Old Navy's profits have surpassed that of The Gap AND Banana Republic every year since 2000.

You know the retail drill: fold clothes, refold clothes once ignorant customers come and screw up your piles, offer customer service, sales. Pretend you have to pee once an hour but you really just want to sit down and not have to talk to anyone. Oh, did I say that?

Well, The Gap--who also owns the Banana Republic, Old Navy and online Piperlime--tries to accomplish market research by offering a percentage off to customers who call a number listed on their receipt and take a brief survey. They also accomplish this task by making their cashiers ask each customer for their zip code and phone number-- a task that often leads to a cashier being yelled at by the more conspiracy-theory customers.

Author's Note: This question elicited many nasty remarks from otherwise normal customers. It struck a sour, immediate note. I once was yelled at because of this question and told I was a tool, whoring myself out for "The Man." I wanted to counter this attack by informing the yelling jackass that he was the only tool around here with all the pleated khakis and pastel polo shirts he was purchasing. Sadly, I did not. I was afraid at the time. That time has passed. Tool.

The Gap wants to know basic information such as your zip code, phone number household information, blood type (I kid), yadda yadda. Basically, this helps them figure out whether or not a certain zip code would benefit from a store, thus resulting in the company making profit. It's all about the Benjamins, baby. (Please forgive me for quoting P. Diddy. It just felt right.)

So, being young and sarcastic ( but mostly scared of being yelled at again) I bypassed the phone number and started to fill in the zip code myself. I entered the most famous zip code I could think of, of any kid who grew up watching television in the 1990's-- 90210.

That is, Beverly Hills: 90210.

The original cast!

The problem was... I used to cashier a lot. So, MANY a Beverly Hills inhabitant visited our Chicago location, I'm sure much to the confusion of the marketing department at The Gap. I just couldn't stop. My supervisor was horrified when I accidentally told her I was doing this and told me: "Let's keep this between us. Don't say that again." Sorry, the world knows now.

I have no true way of knowing if this swayed The Gap to place new stores in Beverly Hills, California, or perhaps changed the Chicagoland's marketing campaigns to appear more beachy to drive sales. I like to think it made someone stop and do a double take.

I wonder: Do market research departments have a "Beverly Hills: 90210" clause for their data collection to protect the information from getting skewed by jerks like me who grew up in the 1990's and can't help by type that zip code in unimportant questionnaires?

Do they shake their heads and say: "Damnit, those Generation Y-ers are at it again! Throw out all the data for the last 4 months--not all the customers who shopped at the Bass Pro Shop were from California. The bastards got us again!"

If not, they should. If someone finally hires me to work in their retail marketing department (I no longer work in retail, and the company I wrote for could care less about your zip code), I will start this clause and call it the: Brenda & Dylan Forever Rule. Oh yes.

1990's Rant: Kelly belonged with Brandon and she shouldn't have been messing with Dylan in the first place. Be real, Kelly. Take a good, long look at your life choices.
 
Ending Thought: I would apologize to The Gap, but I remember so many nights I had to work 3+ hours past my shift ending to clean up the piles of clothing left by crappy customers, or the year you told us employees we couldn't have raises due to budgetary constraints but gave the managers and supervisors bonuses.

Suck it, Gap. No one from Beverly Hills, California visited your Chicago store in 2008.




Whenever I hear the word "Sabotage" I instantly think of the Beastie Boys' song. In case you are like me, here's the video. Watch it, because I know you're already humming it in your head:

Tell me your retail / workplace fun facts. How do you keep things lively at work?

I really do respect marketing data. Just not at that time in my life,

Lady J

Copyright © 201 Lady J
All rights reserved

Calling A Cheerleader Fat | Abusing Blogs

This post is mostly a response to the Cheerleader Weight-Shaming article, published by CBS Houston Sports Blog, written by Digital Content Manager Anna-Megan Raley under a pseudonym. I realize it's ranty--if that's not your thing, you don't have to read it.

Thanks to a few women "bloggers" (others highlighted in the Shine Yahoo! link posted above) you have perpetuated the stereotype that women are jealous, insecure twats who shame-hate on the appearance of other women because we're afraid we're not pretty enough to get boys to pay attention to us. And it's all we talk about.

Author's Note: If you can't taste my sarcasm in the last paragraph, I would like to take this opportunity to point it out to you.

Thanks, ladies. Anna-Megan Raley has been fired for her tasteless piece, but I hope she knows why she was fired.

First off: An opinion and access to the internet does not a journalist make. Neither do one-sided, fluff pieces that make us WOMEN look like snarky assholes because one of us makes comments on what we believe men look for in a woman, or passive-aggressively attack a woman on the internet: " We are just discussing what men like in women, specifically NBA cheerleaders... I wish she had a little more up on top, if you know what I mean… We think she’s beautiful."

Kelsey Williams

Really? Talk about a back-handed compliment. And who is the "We" you speak of, but don't cite? The format here is the slickly passive-aggressive shit that shouldn't be shown to the masses. Allow me to parse out the details if you haven't read the article posted, because, you can't, because it's been stricken from the CBS Houston website, but here is another article commenting and quoting it.

• Blogger points out that SOME people (the ever-growing population of people who are never cited, but are used to make some blogger's point valid) made complaints about a  cheerleader
• Blogger takes the opportunity to say "We're not trying to be mean..." but let me go into detail about the jokes and nasty comments "people" are saying about the cheerleader and be mean.
• Blogger attempts theorize what men are looking for in a woman, therefore hopefully stirring the male readers to affirm her belief that "I’d say most men prefer a little extra meat on her bones." Or possibly agitate the women readers.
• Blogger, who has called the cheerleader positive adjectives such as "pretty" and will soon call her "beautiful," would like to take this opportunity to inject her opinion that "I wish she had a little more up on top, if you know what I mean." -- the only opinion or quote that has any attribution in the whole piece.

So, my question: What exactly is your point, Anna-Megan? Or should I call you Claire Crawford, because that's the pseudonym you blog under.  Was it to write a piece that lacked any substance so you could get page views ::cough advertisement cough:: Why don't you head over to TMZ and see if they need a staff writer.

You are a Digital Content Manager after all. I'm sure you have a quota.

Second Point: I think attacking another woman's weight or features is in poor taste, especially if that is all you have to talk about. I don't think this cheerleader has been called a bad cheerleader, or causing trouble amongst the team--they just want to talk about her weight. Which, to be fair, Anna-Megan can't quite make up her mind whether it's a problem. She just wants you to know that "people" are talking. Oh, and she's like it if you clicked on her links and made her blog some money, too. Or take her poll at the bottom of the article so you can feel like your opinion means something and you'll hopefully keep reading the blog and make her more money in advertisement.

I respect opinions. I don't believe every person should have to think that this cheerleader is beautiful. But, to be fair, not every person has access to a major broadcasting sports' blog where many people will read it. You should feel some sort of responsibility for your writing, that's what journalists deal with on a regular basis.

I don't respect meanness for the sake of trying to get attention: in a previous post, I have talked badly about Ann Coulter, even her aging face. You know why? Because I disagree with Ann's consistent spewing of hateful messages, republican agenda and general opinion. I also agree with the fact that Ann Coulter has tried to use her sex appeal to gain career leaps--so I made mention of her aging looks, saying it will be harder to "sleep" her way into another job she isn't qualified for, as it was when she was younger. Maybe it was mean, but I had a point and it wasn't just to call her old or ugly. And I have never made her the center of an article, her politics nor her appearance.

To Anna-Megan: So, Anna-Megan... you just look like a mean girl. Maybe I'm kind of a mean girl, too, for writing this post in response to you, but I haven't said a word about what you look like, because it's not important to me. Also, I run my own blog, my real name is Jean and I'm not writing this in hopes a ton of Oklahoma City Thunder will read it and make me tons of money in advertisements.

I think you did a bad job and people like you, who manage "digital content" for corporations and sports teams shouldn't say such superficial, hateful shit. And I don't believe you or your sources--I think you cherry-picked your information. For as many of these supposed "people" who you said complained that this girl was too fat to be a cheerleader, I bet you could have found the same number of them who said it was nice to see a woman who wasn't "toothpick thin" dancing and being good at her job.

They might have called her inspirational. Just like the grandma who auditioned to become a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader in her fifties. Who knows, you didn't ask. No, you spun your story the negative, bitchy way. And I think you need to deal with that choice.

I usually stay away from public affairs, because I DO feel a responsibility for what I write, and I generally don't feel informed enough to put my opinions out on the internet for those who read my blog to see. Today I do as a woman and a blogger.

Anna-Megan, I don't think sports fans needed to hear your opinion on this. Way to abuse power.

Seacrest out,

Jean

Copyright © 2013 Lady J
All rights reserved

My Cat-Induced Tourettes

Hello, my name is Jean and I have cat-induced tourettes.

Yes, yes I do. What I mean is: If I am out in a place where I wouldn't normally expect to see a cat (i.e. in public, on a walking ghost tour in Naperville, IL, or at Disney World) the mere sight of a cat causes me to involuntarily gasp and see "KITTY!" I often lose function of my motor skills and point at the spotted feline, too.

I call it tourettes because, well, I don't plan on doing it, I don't know I'm doing it and god knows I can't stop it from happening. I don't often use the word "kitty" in everyday life either, but when the tourettes strikes, it's the only word that comes to mind. And I always gasp, like it's an exotic sight to see--there's a tone of excitement in my voice.

 I'd do it at a funeral. I just can't control the urge.

An example of this was when I went on a ghost-hunting walking tour (stay with me) in a suburb of Chicago. Did we see any ghosts? No, but it was a lot of fun, and the organizer was a fun woman and a great storyteller. If anything, it was a worthwhile history lesson.

This is as close to seeing a ghost that we came that night.

During the ghost tour, we were standing in the courtyard of a small, private college in that used to be a seminary school. As the woman was telling us a tale of woe of a seminary student who had lost his faith, and became so lost and grief stricken he hung himself in the attic of the building, I noticed a shadow move out of the corner of my eye.

Oh, no. Not now in front of all these people.

Intrigued, I kept my body still--turned towards the woman--but turned my neck slightly towards the moving shadow. Sure enough, a small ginger-colored cat darted out from under a bush and trotted along the twisting path that lead towards the main street.

Wild and ferocious beast

The crowd had gone quiet, taking in the fact that a young man had been so sad after losing his faith he decided to commit a mortal sin. All that was audible was the sound of leaves rustling in the Autumn wind.

Oh, and me yelling: ::Gasp:: KITTY!

A few people jumped. A woman gave me a disapproving glare. The storyteller laughed, obviously caught off guard, and said "Oh, yes, there are a few cats on campus. The college kids feed them and built them a little house near the dorms."

I heard Capricorn next to me, sighing deeply and knowingly. At this point in our relationship, we were dating, but he had purchased my engagement ring. Maybe he was reflecting on whether or not it was a good idea to spend the rest of his life with someone who shrieks when she sees a cat.

SUCKER!

PERSONAL GROWTH: As you grow up you realize that once you develop your personality, you really can't be anything you want to be. It's healthier to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses. I have come to terms with a sad truth: I can never be a spy because I might blow my cover if a cat jumps out from behind a tree.

See, this is president material: handles the deficit and a clingy cat.

You probably don't want me to be your president either; I'll embarrass the nation on a goodwill trip to any country with a feral cat population.

Author's Note: I am not making fun of anyone with tourettes. I recognize this is a real condition and I don't wish it on anyone. If you would like to learn more, or to donate, please visit: http://tsa-usa.org/ So, please curb your impulse to send me hate mail.

Feel free to share your tourette-like quirks and general outbursts in the comment section. It will make someone else laugh AND less like they are the only person who suffers from that kind of stuff. Fun times

Kitty Kitty Bang Bang,

Lady J

Copyright © 2013 Lady J
All rights reserved

Confusing Fitness Trends | What Doesn't Work

Let me start by saying that if you are trying to get into shape I both empathize with and applaud you. I am, too, and it's difficult. And all the fitness trends out there are both exciting and overwhelming. As it is FINALLY getting warmer, getting into shape is becoming a big deal.

You deserve all the help you can get and not to be swindled by a corporation who is trying to make money off of you.  So, here are a few fitness trends that I think are full of it:

1. Muscle Confusion: (I know I am going to get shit for this one, honey badger don't care.)

I think whoever made this chart is the one who is confused.

The human body is an amazing complex wonder. Muscles in motion, however, only do two things: contract and relax. You do not need to confuse them, nor should you personify them.

The idea behind muscle confusion is that your body will adapt (use less energy) to exercises you do consistently and your muscles will grow less rapidly unless you keep doing brand new exercises, somehow confusing your two-step muscles. I guess that sounds attractive, but when analyzed, it's not sound science.

As mentioned in Men's Health magazine, switching up your workouts (Muscle Confusion) sounds like a way to keep you mind motivated--not your muscles. In order to keep you less bored, you do different things. There is NOTHING wrong with changing up exercises in order to keep you interested and motivated, but don't be fooled into thinking your muscles are what need constant variety.

Furthermore, muscles cannot be confused into growing more rapidly by doing different exercises with the same amount of weight and/or repetition as the previous exercise. Each muscle group (minor and major muscles) contracts and relaxes. If you do a bicep curl, your biceps contract and relax. If you do a new bicep curl exercise, your biceps contract and relax.

If you want to your muscles to grow, try changing the amount of weight and/or repetition. Those are variable factors that make sense to me.

Also, people who believe in "muscle confusion" often confuse the idea between weight loss and gaining muscle. I believe this is an important distinction. Many of the popular fitness trends showcased on TV like to show very overweight people transform their bodies through muscle confusion. But (and it's a big but), what they are pushing these people to do is exercise at a high intensity (therefore pushing these people to do aerobic exercise) for about 60-90 minutes a day... on a structured diet (included in the package when you order the dvds). Of COURSE a very overweight person is going to transform their body, you're pushing them to exercise 60-90 minutes a day on significantly less calories. I believe promoting exercise is fantastic, but charging $100+ for muscle confusion dvds and a strict diet plan is lying to people for the sake of profit.

Case in Point: When I started this blog, I wrote a LOT about fitness because I was at the beginning of my weight loss and super pumped. Much to my surprise, I received an email from BeachBody (the company that produces fitness dvds such as P90X, Insanity, Brazil Butt Lift) asking if I would write a post about their products and include a few links to their website.

Honestly, I was flattered--I attracted the attention of a big company! (The inner fat kid inside of me was beaming). However, when I spoke to the contact person and said while I was interested in fitness and learning more about their products, I had never tried any of their programs. She told me that this wasn't an issue and alluded to the fact that they just wanted me to tell my readers blindly how great their products were, include links, and to do this all for free.

Um, no.

So, I did research on my own about their products. And the fact that muscle confusion is a fad without any real science to back it up. And I found out about the strict diet plan and amounts of intense aerobic exercise they promoted. And the high price of their dvds. Shame on you.

Alternative Fitness Trend: Static Contraction

I won't go on and on about static contractions, but this makes more sense to me. It's an idea created by Peter Sisco. It's the general idea that instead of doing many reps, you should lift the maximum weight you can, for a shorter number of reps. This will push your muscles to grow/respond.

And no, girls, you will not look like a dude. You simply do NOT have enough testosterone in your body to bulk up like dudes. You will look fit, you will look great in your clothes, but you will not magically grow broad shoulders or a penis. Believe me, I've used this excuse before; I  do strength training about 3 times a week and still resemble a woman.

2. Yoga as Your Only Method for Weight Loss

Yes, Madonna. You're still kicking ass. We get it. Please put your boob away.

I love yoga. I love the peace of mind it gives me and the flexibility I feel after a session. But, it's not what is going to help me lose weight. Yoga is a great addition to a workout regimen, but if you are trying to lose weight or stay toned, I implore you to add cardio and strength training. Hot yoga, Bikram, intense yoga--whatever. I'm just not sold it can be your only method of exercise if you have weight loss goals. I still think it's important, but you have to do more.

Even if you are stick thin, add strength training (whether that be resistance bands, weight lifting) to keep your muscles toned. Incorporate yoga for the amazing mental/emotional and flexibility benefits it will afford your body.

Here is a link to "weight-loss" yoga moves... the main focus in the article is relieving stress in order to combat fat stores, while I think the article itself lacks integrity as to how yoga actual combats fat, stress relief is still important. Don't give up your other exercises, but try these moves to take care of  your mental wellness.

3. Hour-long Cardio Sessions

I used to do this all the time. I would saunter on the treadmill or elliptical for 45-60 minutes. I'd watch a full TV show and barely break a full sweat. Yes, I would burn hundreds of calories, but I would not push myself. I also lost weight at a much slower pace and didn't feel my endurance was improving very much.

You know why I did it? Because I heard in an interview that Oprah's trainer suggested she do this (during one of her weight-loss stints). And so I thought: If Oprah, a billionaire who could afford the best trainers, was divulging fitness tips, I was going to listen. She and her trainer were wrong.

Is it just me or is she touching herself?

I thought I was losing weight the easy way (low impact-Oprah way) and when I talked to my friends, some of them admitted to doing similar things. Some of us were overweight and had big boobs so we hated the idea of running. Some of us were smokers so we didn't think we could push ourselves without passing out. Either way, we chose time over intensity. And our fitness goals suffered.

Now I'll do 20-35 minutes, higher intensity, and burn more calories. At first, it was terribly hard. I wanted to give up many times. But now, I feel great, I have much more energy and I can jog upstairs without problem. Pushing yourself harder for less time really produces better results. At least in my case--and that's evidence I can feel and see, so I know it's real.

Try pushing yourself or using one of the predetermined modes on your cardio machine with a higher intensity setting. If it's hard at first, alternate between doing 3 minutes of high intensity to 1 minute of low intensity. If you are scared of running (I still am) or suffer any joint discomfort, use an elliptical or bike for stability. Try different cardio exercises--inside and outside the gym. You can do it and your results will appear faster. Big O, I wish you well.

4. Eat Whatever You Want, As Long as You Work Out

Nom nom nom

As much as I wish this was true, it's not. At least not for me. While exercise is incredibly important for our hearts, physical health and mental health (stress relief & confidence); weight loss requires healthy eating, too. Coming from a girl who has finally come to terms with that fact that she will never be able to burn off all the calories from a sushi dinner, eating high-fiber, lean protein, less sugar, lower sodium and less saturated fat is really the way to go.

While you can rev your metabolism to still burn calories while you are done working out, you are not going to easily negate the 1000 calories [insert bad food] you ate with your large Coke. Eating less calories makes weight loss so much easier, even though I HATE to admit it. Moderation really works, yo. The first week is the hardest in a lifestyle change, get through that rough patch, and you can do it--you will probably feel better, too. Stay focused.

But, I don't believe in saying you never eat a certain food again (unless you are allergic). I think that will just make that food more alluring and you will want it more.

Do the small things: try green drinks, swap out whole grain flour for white flour, greatly limit your pop/juice intake, greatly limit your fast food intake, drink less sugar with your morning coffee/tea, try to eat more veggies than fruit, switch avocado for mayo, eat more broth-based soups instead of creamy ones, use less salad dressing... the list continues, and I am not nutritionist, but my guess is you KNOW ways you can cut down on the bad stuff, and you should give it a try.

Do Not: Try to make everything with sugar substitutes or low/no-fat choices. Sometimes those choices are full with chemicals, sodium and sugar to make up for changed ingredients--worse than the originals. Read the backs of labels and compare the sugar/sodium ratios.

Do Not: Go on a crazy diet: You can't sustain that crap, and then you will binge on bad food and feel guilty. Make generally healthier eating choices, and then don't beat yourself up if you occasionally go out for sushi or foccacia (I feel like I am mostly talking to myself here, as sushi and focaccia are my main food weaknesses.) In fact, a lot of health options encourage cheat meals / relaxed eating.

If you think you need more structure, try Weight Watchers. I hear good things about the point program, and that way you can manage your food intake and really see if it's WORTH giving up half of your daily points just for a piece of chocolate cake. Helps with perspective.

If you heard a fitness tip you think is full of it, let me know.

Good luck out there,

Lady J

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