Stick With It! Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals to Lose Weight

Too often, people will set a weight loss goal, work towards it for a few days or a few weeks, and then give up when they don’t see the results they’d like. It’s no wonder: goal-setting in general is just plain tricky. Fortunately, there are a few characteristics of achievable goals that you can take advantage of when setting your own.

I like the S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting method. It’s not exclusive to fitness, but works really well in this area. S.M.A.R.T. goals are those that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Here’s how each aspect applies to fitness-related goals:

Be Specific

Pinpoint exactly what you want–be specific! Determine what you want and how you’re going to get there.

To give an example of how this looks in action, a goal like, “lose 15 pounds and be able to do …

The Meaning of Life Stretched Out of Me at Bikram Yoga

Five years ago my father died of a sudden heart attack. Naturally what followed were a few emotional months. It wasn’t the normal grieving process as you’d expect when someone in your family or a best friend passes away, as my father and I weren’t close. But because of our estrangement I had bottled up a lot of feelings and when I was told of his passing, all these feelings came to the surface, and my mind had become introspective, thinking deeply about the meaning of life. It wasn’t a healthy way to live and I needed something to help me move on. A colleague at work suggested I try Bikram yoga. Yes yoga! He’d been doing it for over a decade and swore by it.

If you don’t know what Bikram yoga is, here …

The Tale of the New Year’s Fail [Infographic]

Each holiday season, the average American gains one pound. They then go on to make New Year’s resolutions to eat better, exercise more, and lose weight. Unfortunately, New Year’s resolutions that are focused on weight loss are not followed through to the next year even a quarter of the time, and that one pound that most people put on during the holidays is still there the next holiday season.

Check out the following infographic to see what those collective holiday pounds are costing two-thirds of Americans, as well as 10 ideas to make the long, hard road of getting and staying in shape a smashing success and something to be proud of when next year’s resolutions are being made.

What to Keep in Mind When Looking for Muscle Gaining Supplements

Back before I worked from home full-time, I worked at a small, independently-owned coffee shop. It was the best “job” I ever had, which may not be saying too much, considering I have only ever had four “real” jobs where I actually reported to a location, accomplished tasks for forty hours a week, and then scored a paycheck at the end of two weeks. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable experience. I worked alone most of the time, listened to whatever music I liked, and served people coffee for eight hours. And I love coffee! I think the reason why I enjoyed it as much as I did is because the business was created by a couple that I enjoyed working for. Having the opportunity to get to know the people who were employing me made …

How to Use Yoga to Calm Anxiety

Let’s face it. It’s easy to get all worked up about nothing, whether it’s an annoying boss, a project deadline, or a fight with your spouse. Or maybe you have more serious circumstances going on in your life that are leaving you constantly anxious, stressed, and tired.

Whatever the case may be, it may be time to tap into your inner yogi…

Corpse Pose: If you’re stressed about an upcoming event, like an important presentation or a first date, try the corpse pose for a few minutes. Many people think that this pose is used to relax after a long yoga class, but it can be used to promote relaxation any time of day. To perform the pose, lie on your back with your arms angled away from your torso. Keep your legs separated and extended in …

How to Become a Healthy Work-at-Home Family – 5 Helpful Tips

There has been an abundance of parents choosing to have a career so they can work from home, and for just as many reasons it seems. Perhaps that’s the reason there are so many advertisements for ‘working at home’ plans and programs, because they are well aware of the public’s desire for it. For some, it’s not a desire, but an actual necessity.

One reason a parent might choose this path is because of the exorbitant cost of daycare. By working from home, a family can save thousands of dollars a year just by not having to place their kids in daycare.

I have heard of a family who wanted to stay home with their disabled child. They couldn’t find a place to provide attentive and individualized care for their child, without having to take …