Reinvent Your Life
HOW TO...
Be friends with your family
* Spend entire Sundays with them at home. Play board games, cook for them, watch DVD's with them.
*Trace your family tree and document everything. It'll be so interesting to find out about all the people who started creating you even 50 years before you were born.
HOW TO...
De-clutter your Life
> Ditch clothes you haven't worn in the last 6 months. The universe abhors a vacuum. Create space for new things by getting rid of the old. Give them away or sell them.
> Space out. Invest in plastic, stackable drawers to organize your stuff (p.s. you'll see the floor of your room too!).
HOW TO...
Cut out a bad habit
The best way to beat a bad habit is to replace it with a good one. In his book, Body For Life, Bill Philips shares the importance of a future vision if you want to change your life and body for the better. Take his cue right here:
1. List 5 important, specific accomplishments you want to make within the next month/three months/year? Write it in this manner: "in 12 weeks, I will ____"
2. Identify three bad habits you'd like to change, and what good habit you'd like to substitute them with. Examples:
> Stop eating junk food- start eating more fruits.
> Stop missing my yoga class- do yoga videos at home.
> Stop smoking when I'm tense- try meditation.
3. Find yourself saying "I can't do it?" Wear a rubber band around your wrist. Every time you think of backsliding, snap your elastic to remind you to get back on track. You'll be snapping into positive habits in no time!
4. Have an on-call cheerleader. If you're on the verge of pigging out on pastillas in your room, call her to talk you out on it.
HOW TO...
Look and feel Taller
Even if you weren't born long-legged, you can maximize your presence with these tactics.
1. TRY PILATES. It's a gentle but tough workout that lengthens and strengthens the look of your muscles. Try classes at The Core Fitness. Or buy video workouts at National Bookstore.
2. WEAR CLOTHES IN ONE COLOR. Doing so will create a continuous silhouette. Pick dark colors like brown, navy and black.
3. SLIP ON A PAIR OF SEXY HEELS. Can't stand wearing them all day? Stash some flip-flops in your bag for those moments you won't need the added height.
HOW TO...
Have more energy
* Log in eight hours of sleep regularly. Make sure you're snoozing from 11:30 PM to 2 PM. This is the time when you're body should be recovering and rebuilding itself.
* Drink lots of water. Being dehydrated and only drinking caffeinated colas and coffee can deplete you of moisture and energy.
HOW TO...
Sparkle like a gem
* Complete at least eight hours of sleep every night. The right amount of sleep repairs damaged tissue, enhances your memory, energizes you, and keeps you cheerful and optimistic.
* Drink lots of water. Dehydration drains you of energy.
* Meditate. Pray. Think fascinating thoughts.
* Surround yourself with sparkles. Positive people.
* Let your eyes sparkle--add lip gloss over your eyeshadow.
HOW TO...
Save Money
Get into the habit of saving with these practical, doable ideas from Cosmopolitan Philippines' cash guru Stephanie Dychiu!
1. Set Aside 10 Percent Of Your Allowance. if you get P100 a day, stash the P10 and use only the P90. "Or ask your parents to save it for you and give you only P90," says Dychiu.
2. Make Baon Last Night's Leftovers. "You'll save so much than if you bought from school. plus, papayat ka pa."
3. Ditch The Meals For Now. Instead, Dychiu says scour ukay-ukay bins for really cheap, second-hand clothes.
4. Get A Part-Time Job Doing What You're Good At. Be a diving instructor on weekends, make accessories, contribute to magazines as a stylist, writer or photographer.
5. Have A Goal With A Deadline And Work Towards It. Plan a road trip with your friends this coming summer vacation. Start saving for it so you won't have to scrimp on food to but gas when you're on the road.
6. Open A Bank Account Once You've Saved Up P1000. Make it your monthly goal to deposit at least P500. This is your money magnet, so don't touch it.
