If Reindeer Can Get Fit, So Can You

I just wanted to share a little bit from one of my favorite blog posts of the season. It is a post about famous reindeer Comet, and his recent struggles with weight gain. The post was published on the site of a local weight loss clinic. Check out a clip from the article:

"Why would Claus send one of his beloved reindeer packing? The answer is due in part to cutbacks in the budget, but also to all the candy canes the reindeer team notoriously pilfered from the stocking stuffer supply.

 Image courtesy of transformyou

The rest of the post is really fantastic. Check out the transformyou weight loss blog to continue reading.


Also, I took the liberty to brainstorm a couple of other great meme ideas for this same image that they created. What do you think?

Safety Not Guaranteed Review

I've wanted to see this movie ever since the trailer was released. 

Unfortunately it wasn't shown in many theaters so I had to wait until it came out on DVD.

First of all..

If you came across a Craigslist's ad looking someone to go back in time, stating that it would be very dangerous and that they have only done it once before, wouldn't you want to find out more?

(See for yourself)

During the first 30 minutes or so I was worried that it wasn't going to pick up any speed.

One of the main characters wasn't very likeable, and I was on the fence about the other two.

Maybe my hopes were too high...

So did the film pull through in the end? Did the characters redeem themselves and win my heart?

Oh yeah... Big time! 

I felt like there was a noticeable turning point in the movie. 

There was the half before Aubrey Plaza's character smiled, and then everything after. 

If I had to pick a word to describe the tone of the entire film,

 it would be "sincere."

It does an amazing job building anticipation and getting you to root for the characters.

To sum it all up :
It was a movie about believing! 

How to Find New People to Date

Anyone who has ever stepped foot into the dating world can testify as to how difficult the process can be. Finding the right person that you want to spend the rest of your life with can take a lot longer than you originally planned for. If you want to make the most out of your experience and do your best to see results quickly, you should consider following these three tips:

1.  Online dating service- Even though there may be a bit of a negative connotation with online dating, the truth is that these services can be an excellent resource for those that are looking to meet and date new people. When you join a new online dating service you will want to spend some quality time filling out your profile so that you can get the right results. They will provide you with a detailed survey so that they can get to know all of your interests and match you up with people who will be most compatible. One of the benefits to online dating is that you can see the profiles of people who are interesting in meeting you without having to meet them in person. This can help you to weed out any people that you definitely aren’t interested in and only spend time dating when you see someone that sparks your interest.

2.  Ask your friends- Another excellent way to meet new people is to speak with your friends and ask them for help. Explain to them your situation and let them know that you would like a little assistance meeting someone to date. Tell them what you are looking for in a date and also what you want to avoid. There is a good chance that your friends will be more than happy to help you out in your search for romance. Talking with friends is really good because hey will know you much better than any online service and can recommend people that they think you will work well with.

3.  Join a social group- One of the best ways to meet new people to date is to join a great social group. There are plenty social groups organized throughout the world that allow you to attend great events and meet lots of new people. Often times you can get email notifications of events that are going on in your area and you can choose to attend the ones that interest you most. Meeting new people can be really intimidating and put you out of your comfort zone. Just remember that the more you practice the easier it will get.

Remember not to get discouraged as you are trying to meet new people. Even though it may take a long time, finding the right person is definitely worth the effort. 

Micah writes for Dallas gold buyers, Valley Goldmine. 

3 Date Ideas for Long-Distance Relationships

Being in a close-distance relationship is hard in and of itself. Throw some real distance between a couple and you get a really tough relationship to maintain. One of the hardest parts about being in a long-distance relationship is coming up with fun date ideas. Here are 3 creative things that you can do with your boyfriend or girlfriend that can help you get by until you’re back together again:

1.  Watch a TV show side by side- One of the hardest parts of being in a long-distance relationship is coming up with new things do to that don’t just make you want to be together and feel bad that you are apart. A really creative date idea is to watch a TV show side-by-side. Try setting up a webcam so that it is pointed at the TV so that your partner can see the show that you are watching. You can pass the popcorn back and forth pretending to share, and talk as if you were in the room together. Give it a couple minutes and it will start to feel like nothing ever changed.

2.  Make dinner together- If you really want to do something special with your long-distance boyfriend or girlfriend, then you should consider making dinner together. You can either do a video chat or just put your phones on speakers for the event, depending on what is easiest for you. Then you can go through the steps of making whatever dish you please together. Don’t hold back any of the funny details as cooking can be a really humbling experience. In any relationship it is important that you can laugh at yourself and feel confident that the person you are with will laugh with you and not at you. This is the perfect way for you to spice up your long-distance relationship and keep things feeling fresh and original.

3.  Do a fashion show- If you are going to be in a long-distance relationship then you need to make it a point to communicate with your partner as often as possible. When you do chat it helps to see their face. When it comes to seeing the other person, one of the funnest long-distance dates that you can do is have a fashion show. Take some time to get together any new clothes or outfits that you’ve gotten since you last saw your significant other and then show them off. Use your computer or smartphone to video chat and turn your room or closet into a runway. Take turns showing off your latest outfits. This will help you to feel like you are up-to-date with each other’s life and what is going on. 

Micah writes for property management company, RPM East Valley. 

3 Reasons Why You Should Get a Personal Trainer

Many people are excited about going to the gym or working out in general, but question whether or not a personal trainer could actually help them get the results they want. If you are feeling a bit skeptical and are trying to decide if you want to spend your hard-earned money on a trainer, here are 3 reasons why you should consider it:

1.  Better metrics- If you want to see real results then you are going to have to spend some time measuring your current state and tracking your progress. One of the biggest benefits to having a personal trainer is that they will stay on top of all of your metrics for you. You just have to show up and do what they say. They’ll take your baseline measurements, record your weekly progress, and adjust your workouts accordingly.

2.  Customized workout- Every single person on this planet is unique, just like a snowflake. This means that we all need workouts that are tailored to our body types and to our needs. Think of a personal trainer as having a private tutor in school. They will work with you one-on-one to help you progress at your on rate. Whether you are recovering from hip surgery and need to strengthen your joints slowly, or are working to make the football team, a personal trainer can help you develop a workout plan that is right for you. The best part about personal training is that after a few months you’ll be able to get a good feel for what types of things you should be doing and you can continue to do them on your own.

3.  Hands-on help- If you are wondering whether or not a personal trainer is right for you, you should think about all the hands-on help that you will get with a trainer. When you are really pushing yourself to new levels it is important to have someone with you in case you aren’t able to handle the weight you are working with. When you have a personal trainer they will be by your side every step of the way, to not only give you encouragement, but also to help you if you get stuck with a weight that you can’t lift. There is nothing worse than trying to lift something that is too heavy, or getting exhausted during one last rep and having no one around to help you out. The personal trainer can give you the helping hand that you need to push your muscles to exhaustion every time so that you can stimulate new muscle growth. 

Micah is a freelance writer for Phoenix property management agency, RPM East Valley. 

3 Benefits of Buying Yourself A Birthday Gift

Very few people have the ability or the money to give the perfect gift. During birthdays when you get to become the gift recipient, you can’t expect everyone to do as well as you would if it were up to you to choose your own present. This, along with many other reasons is why you should consider buying your next birthday gift for yourself:

1.  Get exactly what you want- The first and most important reason why you should consider getting yourself a birthday gift is that you can get exactly what you want. When you leave the gift choosing to a loved one or relative there is a pretty good chance that something won’t come to you the way you want it. Sure birthdays aren’t all about the gifts but if you are going to ask for something then why not get it exactly the way you want it? Also, many people don’t like to burden others by asking for gifts, especially if what they want is going to be really expensive.

2.  Choose your budget- Another great benefit of picking out your own birthday gift is that you can set your budget and choose something that you are comfortable with. Asking others to spend a lot of money on you can make you feel uncomfortable but if you are in charge of the budget then the sky is the limit. If you want something that is really expensive you can make it a point to save up for that item and get yourself one grand present.

3.  No favors to return- One of the best parts about getting yourself a birthday gift is that you won’t have to return the favor. When someone else gets you a gift, no matter what the occasion you always remember what they got you and feel as if you have to return the favor. This can lead to extra stress if you are tight on funds, or if you are simply having a hard time coming up with something that you think they will like. Since you’ll be the one picking out the gift and receiving the gift you can get everything done in one fell swoop. The day you get yourself you very own gift and don’t ask for anything from others is the day that you never have to worry about returning the favor again.

Birthdays are a great time to celebrate your life and all that you mean to your family and loved ones. If getting you a give is going to be a source of conflict for anyone, then you really should think about taking care of things yourself. That way you, and everyone else will be happy and you’ll be able to enjoy your birthday without any hangups. 

Micah is a freelance author for Regal Tool & Supply

Tips for Public Speaking

One of the biggest fears that people have in life is public speaking. Getting in front of a large crowd and talking for several minutes can be really nerve-wracking, but here are 3 great tips to help you get through everything with less difficulty:

1.  Don’t memorize- When you are giving a speech one of the worst things that you can do is try to memorize it. The problem with memorizing your speech is that if you forget one of the lines it will throw off your flow and can be really distracting to the audience. In your mind you will be trying to remember exactly how you had it written down and this can be a real hiccup for some people. Instead write down topic points that you would like to cover in your speech that you can glance at.

2.  Time yourself beforehand- One of the toughest things that public speakers face is dealing with time constraints. With public speaking you never known when you’ll have to extend your speech longer than you anticipated or cut it short due to outside circumstances. To best get around this you should take the time to practice giving your speech beforehand and time yourself so that you have a rough idea of how long it will take you. Generally when you are speaking in front of an audience you will tend to talk a little faster than when you are rehearsing. With that in mind, it is a good idea to write down some extra speaking points just in case you feel like you are moving too quickly.

3.  Watch your hands- When you are speaking in public one of the things that you have to keep track of is your hands. You want to know where they are, what they are doing, and if they are adding or detracting from your presentation. While there is nothing wrong with some hand gesturing as you give your speech, too much gesturing can be distracting for listeners and can cause them to lose focus on the message that you are delivering. If you are playing with your pockets, fidgeting with a button on your shirt, or doing something else it may come across as a nervous habit and it can be really tough for the audience to focus on anything other than your hands. If you are at a podium when you are speaking then you can either hide your hands behind he podium, place them gently on top, or lightly grip the sides of the podium. If you are just standing in front of your audience then it is a good idea either to place your hands at your side and relax them so that they stay there, or keep your arms at your sides and bend your elbow which will allow you to motion with your hands a little but not too much 

Do these things and you should be good to go. Of course it will take time to become a pro at public speaking, but hang in there and you'll do fine. 

Micah writes for Peoria bankruptcy attorney, Benjamin Skinner.