Tips For Affordable Wardrobe Update

I have gained a substantial amount of weight over the last few years. What used to be a svelte figure is now a flabby and rotund one. My small sized clothes and shoes are now the property of my daughter. And I am forced to buy few few sizes bigger than what I used to wear.

Despite of my weight gain, I still have to present myself appropriately.  I am in serious need of a wardrobe update and here are tips on how to go about it without burning a hole in the pocket.

Check out flea markets

There is absolutely nothing wrong with checking out flea markets to update your wardrobe. I like vintage clothing so the best place to find gorgeous lacey and loose, billowy blouses that looks vintage are in flea markets. You can haggle too and you'll be surprised to find plenty of other stuff that you can accessorize your new outfits with.

Check out online shopping sites and avail of their promo deals

I was checking the internet a while ago for great deals online. I found several good hits of online shopping sites for full-figured woman like myself in the internet. There are also others that are preppy and great for office wear too. Visit MakeMeChic.com so you'll have an idea of what kind of staples you can add in your wardrobe to accommodate your new size plus don't forget to check out the shoes too.  I want to add a nice pair of boots that I can wear to work in my wardrobe collection.  The site is also offering 30% off due to its extended sale. You can find more of these online sales in the internet.

Swap clothes with your relatives or friends who are the same size as you

This can be tricky but it can be done if you're not the fussy one. Just make sure that when you trade clothes with your relatives and even trusted friends, they don't have body odors because that is a big no-no. If so and to avoid hurting their feelings, you may just want to take a rain check on this one. This is just a suggestion.

Have your clothes repaired/adjusted by a dressmaker

Do you even know what a dressmaker is? Well, they are still around and thriving. I know several dressmakers here in our place where I can take my beloved business suits for repair. In this case, adjustments.  Some of my coats have enough allowance in the seams so it can be adjusted accordingly. Business suits are really expensive here in Dubai so I can live with several of my suits being adjusted rather than kept in a box and put into oblivion.  That will save me money because I will just pay my dressmaker a fraction of the costs of each business suits I have bought and not worn for sometime because they are all tight.

Buy basics and mix and match and invest on some classic cut outfit

If it's really necessary that you have to spend few money to buy new clothes, make sure you spend it wisely by investing on outfits like a business suit, a shift dress, 1 or 2 cardigans of basic colors, at least 2 blouses that you can wear with a business suit or solo, 1 or 2 pairs of trousers, at least 1 decent jeans that will fit your new body perfectly and basic tees to match it with. You don't have to splurge and there is no need for it. Just learn to mix and match your updated wardrobe and stick to colors that can go well with others like white, black, gray, and pastel colors.

See, updating your wardrobe need not be an expensive undertaking.  Just follow these simple tips and you will be fine.

Deflate Your Belly Without The Use Of Gym Equipment

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Eating healthily is not only the key to lose those love handles. You also have to work out to burn those belly fats with core exercises including cardio exercises.

There are several ways to do crunching and you will be surprised that not all crunches require you to be in the gym or to use complex fitness machine to do the work. Simple floor exercises and twisting can also do the trick.


Here are some perfect moves to help deflate that pooch belly without the use of equipment.

PLANKS

This exercise is a type of isometric ab workout. Isometric kind of exercise generate tension in the muscle without involving too much movement.

BICYCLE EXERCISE

This type of floor exercise helps tone not only the core muscles of your mid section but also your legs and glutes.

VERTICAL LEG CRUNCH

It is an effective exercise for the rectus abdominis and the obliques. It is like the regular crunch but on this kind, the legs are raised.

TWIST

This exercises engages the oblique muscles. This is fairly simple and you can up the ante by holding a broomstick on your neck and twist your torso.

REGULAR CRUNCH

This is a basic exercise for the abdominal muscles. Just lie on the floor in a supine position, contract your ab muscles while lifting your upper body with your hands behind your neck.

Flatten Your Belly With These Moves

How many do you know who does not complain about their mid-section? I know a lot and that includes me! I have been trying so hard to lose the bulge but ever since I reached the big 4-0, losing weight has become a nightmare. The girth is following my age! And I am not losing weight as much as I exercise. It could be due to metabolic issues but I am sure there are natural ways to achieve weight loss and a flatter belly by moving around - a lot.

Here are some moves I have read from RealAge.com on how to flatten your belly. It does not require gym equipment nor membership. It won't certainly take so much of your time but just spare few minutes a day to do these moves and you may see an improvement.

I have to see it for myself but no harm in trying. Now, try these steady plank moves for a great core workout.

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Lie face down on a carpet or yoga mat with your arms folded close to your body and hands by your ears.
Push up your body about 6 inches so only your toes and forearms touch the ground; your body rests like a plank between them.
Keep your stomach pulled in by contracting and keep your buttocks tight. Your body must be kept straight and eyes on the floor.
Hold as long as you can. If you can hold the position for more than a minute then you're a superman/superwoman! There's no need to hold it as long as 1 minute but you're encouraged if you can.

These movement will tighten your core, the very foundation of your body which are the torso muscles, abdomen and hips. Sneak in few minutes of these movements during your break time or while watching TV and you'll see results. A strong core will prevent back pains and will burn fats. When you have no belly fats then you'll have a flat stomach.

Dinner with Friends

I rarely go out on social events. Last night I did! My hubby and I went out for a buffet-dinner with friends in Le Meridien.

The food was superb! There were plenty of selections so picking one was a tough call. I chose the grilled fish, salads, and a few serving of angel-hair pasta with chicken and white sauce. I made a beeline at the desserts area not once but twice. That's really bad! Diet wise.

So, I guess I have to start checking on the fastest ways to lose belly fat. My pants are a bit tight now because of the recent holidays and my lack of motivation to exercise.

That outlook will have to change or all the past weight-loss success I have had will be futile.

Achey Breaky...Knee

I do not know why I am starting to feel joint pain specially in the knee area whenever I use the stairs or when I suddenly stand up from a seated position.

I think this is due to the fact that I gained weight substantially over the course of the previous years. I was really petite, almost bordering anorexic 6 years ago. However, due to hormonal imbalance, I became chubby and now I am certified fat! I think I need to have blood chem just to be sure.

Health Nut - Creamy Food and Less Fat

I thought eating creamy food can make you more fat. However, not all creamy food can make you fat; instead, this creamy food can curb your fat build-up.

Studies indicate that having calcium regularly may inhibit the absorption of fat in the small intestine. Yogurt is one creamy food that is rich in calcium. You may also take other dairy products rich in calcium but skip on the full-cream versions. Just have low fat or non-fat if you can.

Easier Said Than Done

I hope my title won't be the case for me as I go full-swing on my weight loss plan. I am just tired fooling myself. I want to regain my lost confidence on myself. I want the banter on weight-issues to end. I just want my old self back. It is going to be a very difficult journey for me but I have to do this for my health and family.

I am not going to stick on any fad diets but will eat properly, exercise regularly and resist the temptation of having second-servings. I have already started my food journal and so far I am getting used to the routine of entering my food intake. This way, I have a better perspective of knowing when I fall prey to emotional eating which I need to curb now.

I pray that I can go through this. I am not aiming for a "sexy" body but I want my old clothes to fit. I know I will never get my previous body back but at least have a sound health, emotion and mind.

I have just enough of the name calling! In few months time, we'll see who's fatty...