Closet Purge

The frivolity of the New Year has passed. In fact, the first month of the year is nearly over! Why wait until spring to "clean up your act?" I think the New Year offers a great opportunity to clean out your closet! Here are some tips I have come across to help you in the potentially pain-staking and painful process.

Sort it out.

There are those pieces that you cannot do without; you love and live in them. Keep 'em, but organize them in a way that makes sense for you - by type (tee vs. tank), color, or occasion (casual, dressy, essentials). Having some sort of organization makes for easier wardrobe choices later on and when you're in a hurry.

Then, there are things in your wardrobe that have not seen the light of day in at least a year or more. These are easy tosses. Unless they have some great sentimental value, they can head straight to the donation pile. (Emotional attachment is grounds to go to the "maybe" pile; however, when you get to the point where you need to choose yes/no, be brutally realistic). 

Also, things that do not fit any more or are very worn (think pulled fabric, armpit stains, holes, etc.) are easy to eliminate. I cleared about 4 hangers getting rid of stuff that has become too big on me; too big = ill fitting = not flattering = not for me. Out it goes!

If you're like any other woman, you've likely accumulated quite a number of shoes and bags. Treat them as you would your clothes. Ask yourself: When was the last time you wore them? Do they fit? Can you stand in them, or do they cripple you in a matter of minutes? Are they wearable with the rest of your wardrobe? How many pairs of flip flops do you really need? Again, approaching your items with a realistic, practical perspective safeguards you from holding on to things you really don't need.

Along those lines, assess quantity. How many __________ (tees, skirts, pairs of jeans, hoodies) do you really need? Perhaps a more recently purchased item can officially replace an older one. 

This tip I cannot take credit for, but is perhaps my favorite. Borrowed from Style Me Thrifty: "Keep a notepad handy as you go through your wardrobe. Make a wish list of new pieces of clothing or accessories that might breathe new life back into an outfit. A skinny belt, long necklace, or nude pumps might be just want you need to tie a couple outfits together. " I do this all the time, not just when I'm purging my dresser drawers. I create a "Wish List" so that when I feel the urge to shop (which is often weekly), I can go with purpose and settle on something my wardrobe "needs" rather than something I impulsively like.

Hopefully, these tips will get you on the way to a more organized, accessible wardrobe. Sifting through your clothes periodically is quite helpful, especially as the seasons change. Sometimes, you've forgotten about that great halter top you can effortless rock this summer or those great cords you snagged right at the end of the fall/winter season last year. Knowing what you have is half the battle. Utilizing as many wardrobe pieces as possible and creating knock out looks in clothes you feel confident wearing is the sweet victory. :)

Happy New Year!!

So many use this time of year to "get back on track." I say, work to never fall off track!! True, easier said than done, but not if you approach your goals realistically. Here a few easy-to-incorporate tips to help you get started.

Tip 1: Be realistic. Set small goals that can be achieved - not easily necessarily, but make them doable. Determining to lose ALL of the extra pounds that were added to your waistline over the course of 2011 by the end of January is a recipe for failure.  Sure, a crash diet may produce those kinds of results, but they will never last. Also, once you achieve your smaller goals, you can set new, small ones, and as you achieve those, all of the small achievements you've made will add up. All the while, you will have incrementally changed your life habits, which will make for a lasting effect. Hello, success!

Tip 2: Drink more water. (I am scrambling for my Nalgene as I write this). Your body is 70% water, and that water needs to be replenished and refreshed. Plus, it helps all of your body's systems run smoothly. So simple a task. So often neglected.

Tip 3: Eat less processed foods. Processed foods often contain excess sugar or salt that you can just do without. Stick to natural, whole foods - fruits and vegetables. Or when it comes to other snacks, create your own so you have control over it's contents - make your own granola bars, trail mixes, cheese and crackers. The less of your food that is manufactured, the better.

Tip 4: MOVE! Put in exercise wherever, however, whenever you can. Park farther from your job's entrance. Take stairs rather than the elevator. Do an extra lap around the grocery store as you think of any other items you may have missed. Do an exercise DVD. Invest in a Wii and play! It doesn't even need to be a "fitness" game; there are quite a few that just get you up and moving. Take a walk. I know, it's not hard to figure out what to do, but more difficult to actually DO it. But if healthy living is a priority, you can make it happen!

Tip 5: Eat often; keep your metabolism running. Aim to eat every 3-4 hours. Have small snacks between each meal that combine protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They will keep you feeling full, energized, and well nourished. If you stick to three meals a day, or even eat frequently but in an unbalanced manner, you'll do yourself a disservice. You'll lose out on natural burn time that you don't even have to work for! Plus, if you're like me and love food, eating more frequently offers more opportunities to nosh on the foods you love. Granted, you will need to exercise portion control; however, since you'll be able to eat more often, you won't feel as compelled to eat so much in one sitting.

I have to say that 2011 was a good year for me as far as healthy living is concerned. I have dropped a few pounds since last January and have toned up a good deal. Certainly, teaching Zumba has helped a lot towards this end. Nevertheless, I acknowledge that I am where I am because of the diligence with which I approach diet and exercise.

You can't just "diet;" you must make it a lifestyle. Then and only then will you find true success. The number on the scale will matter less, and it will revolve more around how you feel in your own skin. When you're actively taking care of yourself, you can live guiltless, free, confident. That is not to say you won't have a bad day every so often; we all do. But keep your perspective on your journey as a whole, not on one single trip-up when you have countless other steps logged that have moved you in a positive direction.

I wish you the best in 2012. I hope you can put these tips to good use. Even if you only endeavor to incorporate one into your already busy life, something is always better than nothing at all. You can do it! Feel free to contact me if you need some extra moral support. :) Happy New Year!