Blog Posts by Woman s Day

By Woman's Day Staff

Losing weight is a struggle unique to each person. While some manage to drop the pounds with extra trips to the gym or by cutting back on junk food, for others, their problem runs much deeper than bad habits alone. Cammy Chapel got bigger as her self-confidence got weaker; Audrey Holden found comfort in food after her son's tragic death and Hollie Johnson grew up in a household of overeaters. But whatever the underlying issue, these three women learned to deal with the underlying reasons they gained the weight so they could undertake the difficult journey of losing it. Here are their stories.

In My Shoes

Blogger Cammy Chapel ( TippyToeDiet.com), 52, Memphis, TN

"We don't have anything that will fit you here. Your sizes are somewhere else." It's been 20 years and those words-spoken loudly and rudely by a clerk in a high-end department store-still sting. Never mind that I was looking for something for a friend. I hadn't even asked for help; she just

By Mary Hunt

When career librarian Rachel Singer Gordon, 40, of Lombard, Illinois, quit her job in 2005 to take care of her children and pursue freelance writing, she knew she'd need to find other sources of income to supplement her writing. She dove headlong into couponing and frugality, and became a wizard at finding ways to earn money online. Soon Rachel was bringing in small amounts of income from lots of sources she calls "multiple profit centers." "They're the equivalent of a nice, steady part-time job," says Rachel. In 2009, she started the blog Mashup Mom to share all the stuff she was learning. In fewer than two years, the blog has become yet another profit center for Rachel, as has her first book, Point, Click, and Save: Mashup Mom's Guide to Saving and Making Money Online. Tap into multiple profit centers with Rachel's favorites.

1. Launch a Blog

"If you have something interesting to say, grow your readership, post ads and earn some dough," says Rachel. Start your

By Brynn Mannino

Age-Defying StrandsAge-Defying Strands

Your hair is one of the first things people notice about you-and it can say a lot about your age. How your strands shape your face and contrast with your skin can easily add-or subtract-years. Fortunately, changing your hairstyle is an easy fix. Even a small adjustment, such as moving your part, can refresh your look, while an edgy new cut can take years off your appearance. From a simple tweak to an entire transformation, follow these ideas from leading salon experts to become as fresh-faced as a 20-something.







The PonytailThe Ponytail

When styled well, a ponytail is both sophisticated and girlish, explains hairstylist Eugene Smith from the Ted Gibson Salon. Plus, when tied back snugly, it can act as a mini-facelift, notes Suave Professionals Stylist Jenny Cho, as it helps smooth the skin around the eyes and forehead and accentuate the cheekbones. "Wrap a piece of hair around the tie for extra polish," adds stylist Riccardo Maggiore of the Riccardo Maggiore

By Sarah Jio

While that tub of ice cream in the back of the freezer may be what you crave when you're feeling blue, there is a long list of other (healthier!) foods that can cure a grouchy morning or a stressed-out afternoon. We talked to the experts to get the scoop on what to eat to make you feel better no matter what your mood.

Stressed: Eat Chocolate

The scenario: It's Friday at 6:30 p.m. You're hungry, tired and late for your dinner date. You were supposed to be out of work an hour ago, but your boss has asked you for a favor…again. The stress is building, so what can calm you down fast? Now's the time to pull out the chocolate bar hiding in the back of your desk drawer. Experts say that chocolate-particularly dark chocolate-may help reduce the stress hormones that are swarming in your body. In fact, a recent study by researchers in Switzerland, published in the Journal of Proteome Research, found that eating just a smidge of dark chocolate (about 1.4 ounces) has the

By Woman's Day Staff The ABCs of Proper Desk Posture

Logging lots of computer time? Check the position of your monitor. Sitting correctly at a computer has everything to do with keeping your body ache-free.The top of the screen should fall below eye level. Because your eyes naturally gaze downward, that's the best way to keep them relaxed (which will prevent eye strain and headaches), says Hope Ricciotti, MD, coauthor of The Real Life Body Book. And studies show that positioning the screen this way may also boost productivity and performance. Read on for more desk posture tips.

Arms: Keep them by your sides at a 90-degree angle while typing. (You may have to scoot your chair in or out.)

Watch this video for exercise moves that help relieve and prevent pain.

Shoulders: Drop them down, and keep them relaxed. If they're scrunched up by your neck, it may mean that your chair is too low, so adjust the seat accordingly.

Feet: Plant them flat on the ground while you're seated. Can't reach? Invest in a

By Diane Blahut

Our homes are full of plastic, and the kitchen is no exception. The problem: Chemicals in plastic containers and other kitchenware may leach into the foods or drinks that they're holding. Scientific evidence suggests that some of these chemicals may be harmful to people, especially infants and children.Is That Plastic Container Safe?

The two best-studied offenders are bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. BPA mimics estrogen and has been shown to disrupt hormone and reproductive system function in animals. Research by the National Toxicology Program found a moderate level of concern about its "effects on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children." Phthalates have been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and have led to malformations in the male reproductive system in animals. Studies in humans have found associations between high phthalate exposure and a variety of health concerns including low sperm quality, high waist circumference and insulin resistance.

By Ayn-Monique KlahreBusiness Card Smarts In a high-tech world of emailing and tweeting, there's still nothing like a good old business card to get your information into a potential employer's or contact's hands. "A card comes in handy at all sorts of events-like when you're introduced to a new group of friends or meet someone at a restaurant," says Kathryn Lowell, founder of Image Matters, a consulting group in Arkansas. "It allows you to continue the conversation." To find out how to design your own card like the one shown here, turn the page.


Get expert tips on how to successfully start your own business.

What to Choose

If you're in a creative field (a caterer, an art teacher, a gardener), select a card with a graphic design that shows off your personality; your contact information can go on the back of the card if necessary. Otherwise, opt for light-colored sturdy paper stock and easy-to-read sans serif fonts like Verdana, Tahoma or Arial in navy blue or black.

What to Include On It

● A

Top 10 Work-at-Home ScamsBy Audri G. Lanford

No matter how much you need a job, don't fall for these, says Audri G. Lanford, PhD, co-director of the consumer watchdog group ScamBusters.org.

1. "Make Money at Home Stuffing Envelopes!" This classic has been around since the 1920s. You pay to learn how to get started with your business, and what you get is a photocopy of the same ad you read, with instructions to make copies of it to snag other unsuspecting souls.

2. "This Really Works!" You receive this as a chain letter, then send the email you received along with money to the top names on the list, adding your name to the bottom. You're guaranteed to be a millionaire, say the scammers. The only problems: The money never comes-and chain letters like these are illegal.

3. "Financial Freedom Working at Home!" This is trying to pull you into a pyramid-type business where you pay upfront fees for an "opportunity." And that opportunity turns out to be selling the same "opportunity" to others. One way to