We’re living longer but are we investing wiser?

The Fat to Fit Radio Show...

We’re living longer but are we investing wiser?

Thanks to better access to health care, medical advances and healthier lifestyles, living beyond 90 is likelier than ever. The number of Americans living to age 90 and beyond has tripled in the past three decades to about 1.8 million people and is like to quadruple by 2050, according to the Census Bureau. Our expectations for retirement age need to be revised to reflect increasing life expectancies. Most people don’t have the money for a 20-year or 30-year retirement. They have not saved enough in their 401(k)s, IRAs and savings accounts to create meaningful retirement income. Many people may find that retirement does not live up to their expectations. Some will go back to work; some will retire on less and settle for less.

Here are 5 tips to finance for a long life:

1. Take a look at your future needs. Sit down with a financial advisor to determine whether your current savings is sufficient for your future lifestyle. Many times people retire too early because they underestimate their savings.
2. Consider downsizing.This is a good time to think about lifestyle changes. Ask yourself if can you live comfortably in a smaller home? If you and your spouse have stopped working, can you live with one vehicle instead of two? This is a good time to think about what you can live without.
3. Understand your retirement accounts. It is important that you understand the tax implications of your retirement funds so you know what to expect when you retire and begin to withdraw your money.
4. Look into longevity insurance. There are annuity options available that don’t begin making payments until the age of 85. If you knew there would be a stream of income kicking in when you turn 85, you could spend your other assets by that time and not worry about outliving your money.
5. Live a more frugal lifestyle. Cut down on expenses, clip coupons, and take advantage of discounts. Becoming a member of AARP provides a number of discounts on entertainment, dining, and other purchases. Once you have more free time, use it to save yourself money.

Ultimately, what many of us don't want to hear but is true is finding a career that you love will be the best investment you can make for your financial future. Doing what you love and loving what you do is essential to maximizing your savings for retirement. 

"Your Greatest Risk to a Secure Retirement: Living Longer - NerdWallet."NerdWallet Credit Card Blog. N.p., 30 Mar. 2015. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.
"5 Financial Strategies for a Long Life." - Your Financial Life. N.p., 17 Sept. 2015. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.

Six Ways to Balance Life and Work This Spring // Socialize Your Bizness

As Promised by The Fat To Fit Radio Show..

Six Ways to Balance Life and Work This Spring

1. Let go of perfectionism
A lot of overachievers develop perfectionist tendencies at a young age when demands on their time are limited to school, hobbies and maybe an after-school job. It’s easier to maintain that perfectionist habit as a kid, but as you grow up, life gets more complicated. As you climb the ladder at work and as your family grows, your responsibilities build. Perfectionism becomes out of reach, and if that habit is left unchecked, it can become destructive. The healthier option is to strive not for perfection, but for excellence.

2. Unplug

From telecommuting to programs that make work easier, technology has helped our lives in many ways. But it has also created expectations of constant accessibility. The work day never seems to end. There are times when you should just shut your phone off and enjoy the moment. Phone notifications interrupt your off time and inject an undercurrent of stress in your system. So don’t text at your kid’s soccer game and don’t send work emails while you’re hanging out with family. Make quality time true quality time. By not reacting to the updates from work, you will developing a stronger habit of resilience.

3. Exercise and meditate

Even when we’re busy, we make time for the crucial things in life. We eat. We go to the bathroom. We sleep. And yet one of our most crucial needs – exercise – is often the first thing to go when our calendars fill up. Exercise is an effective stress reducer. It pumps feel-good endorphins through your body. It helps lift your mood and can even serve a one-two punch by also putting you in a meditative state.

Dedicate a few chunks of time each week to self-care, whether it’s exercise, yoga, or meditation. And if you’re really pressed for time, start small with deep-breathing exercises during your commute, a quick five-minute meditation session morning and night, or replacing drinking alcohol with a healthier form of stress reduction.

4. Limit time-wasting activities and people

First, identify what’s most important in your life. This list will differ for everyone, so make sure it truly reflects your priorities, not someone else’s. Next, draw firm boundaries so you can devote quality time to these high-priority people and activities. From there, it will be easier to determine what needs to be trimmed from the schedule. Focus on the people and activities that reward you the most.

5. Change the structure of your life

Sometimes we fall into a rut and assume our habits are set in stone. Take a birdseye view of your life and ask yourself: What changes could make life easier? So instead of trying to do it all, focus on activities you specialize in and value most. Delegate or outsource everything else.

Delegating can be a win-win situation. Talking to the “key stakeholders” in different areas of your life, which could include employees or colleagues at work, a spouse or a partner in a community project. Find out what you can do to let go in ways that benefit other people by giving them opportunities to grow. This will give them a chance to learn something new and free you up so you may devote attention to your higher priorities.

6. Start small. Build from there.

We’ve all been there: crash diets that fizzle out, New Year’s resolutions we forget by February. It’s the same with the work-life balance when we take on too much too quickly. Many of his workaholic clients commit to drastic changes: cutting their hours from 80 hours a week to 40, bumping up their daily run from zero miles a day to five miles a day. It’s a recipe for failure. If you’re trying to change a certain script in your life, start small and experience some success. Build from there.

Socialize Your Bizness helps put your best face forward in today’s new premier business location: The Web! Socialize Your Bizness provides all the services you need to create traditional marketing materials and advertising while focusing on maximizing your online visibility. Services include social media, blogging, website design, marketing materials (brochures, flyers, business cards, etc.) logo design, and much more!

The Importance of Sleep & Little Red Hen Production Run Events

As Promised By The Fat To Fit Radio Show...

The Importance of Sleep

Sleep plays an important role in your physical health.Sleep is involved in healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety.  During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. In children and teens, sleep also helps support growth and development. The damage from sleep deficiency can occur in an instant, or it can harm you over time. Ongoing sleep deficiency can raise your risk for some chronic health problems. It also can affect how well you think, react, work, learn, and get along with others.

The benefits from sleep are endless but here is some just to name a few:

• Memory
• Brain Function
• Sex Life
• Appetite
• Health
• Live Longer
• Curb Inflammation
• Weight
• Avoiding Depression
• Lower Stress
• Reduce Risk For Diabetes
• Good health in general

While you're sleeping, your brain is preparing for the next day. It's forming new pathways to help you learn and remember information. Studies also show that sleep deficiency alters activity in some parts of the brain. If you're sleep deficient, you may have trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling your emotions and behavior, and coping with change. Sleep deficiency has been linked to depression, suicide, and risk-taking behavior. Sleep deficiency also increases the risk of obesity. Sleep also affects how your body reacts to insulin, the hormone that controls your blood glucose (sugar) level. Sleep deficiency results in a higher than normal blood sugar level, which may increase your risk for diabetes.

Sleep also supports healthy growth and development. Deep sleep triggers the body to release the hormone that promotes normal growth in children and teens. This hormone also boosts muscle mass and helps repair cells and tissues in children, teens, and adults. Sleep also plays a role in puberty and fertility. Your immune system relies on sleep to stay healthy. This system defends your body against foreign or harmful substances. Ongoing sleep deficiency can change the way in which your immune system responds. If you're sleep deficient, you may have trouble fighting common infections. Getting enough sleep at the right times helps you function well throughout the day and helps benefit your quality of life.


"Why Is Sleep Important?" - NHLBI, NIH. N.p., 12 Mar. 2015. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.

Little Red Hen Production Local Runs Coming Up

Spring Fever Chase 10K and 2 Mile Fun Run

Date:	Saturday, March 21, 2015
Start Time:	10K 8:00 AM 2 Mi Fun Run 9:30 AM
Distance:	10K and 2 Mi Fun Run
Location:	Fairhope Avenue and Bayview St Fairhope, AL
Produced By:	Little Red Hen Productions
Sponsored By:	Infirmary Health and Wells Fargo

Let`s Get It 5K

Date:	Saturday, March 21, 2015
Start Time:	11:00 AM
Distance:	5K
Location:	Mellow Mushroom at the Loop (2032 Airport Blvd, Mobile, AL 36606)
Benefiting:	Wounded Warrior Project - In Memory of Justin Hasty
Produced By:	Little Red Hen Productions

38th Annual Azalea Trail Run

Date:	Saturday, March 28, 2015
Start Time:	10K - 8:00 AM 5K - 8:15 AM Fun Run - 9:30 AM
Distance:	10K, 5K and 1.2 Mi - See Maps
Location:	Mobile Civic Center, Downtown Mobile
Organized By:	Port City Pacers
Benefiting:	All Runners
Produced By:	Port City Pacers

Balancing Work & Life

As promised by the Fat To Fit Radio Show...

Balancing Work & Life

1. Let go of perfectionism

A lot of overachievers develop perfectionist tendencies at a young age when demands on their time are limited to school, hobbies and maybe an after-school job. It’s easier to maintain that perfectionist habit as a kid, but as you grow up, life gets more complicated. As you climb the ladder at work and as your family grows, your responsibilities build. Perfectionism becomes out of reach, and if that habit is left unchecked, it can become destructive. The healthier option is to strive not for perfection, but for excellence.

2. Unplug

From telecommuting to programs that make work easier, technology has helped our lives in many ways. But it has also created expectations of constant accessibility. The work day never seems to end. There are times when you should just shut your phone off and enjoy the moment. Phone notifications interrupt your off time and inject an undercurrent of stress in your system. So don’t text at your kid’s soccer game and don’t send work emails while you’re hanging out with family. Make quality time true quality time. By not reacting to the updates from work, you will developing a stronger habit of resilience.

3. Exercise and meditate

Even when we’re busy, we make time for the crucial things in life. We eat. We go to the bathroom. We sleep. And yet one of our most crucial needs – exercise – is often the first thing to go when our calendars fill up. Exercise is an effective stress reducer. It pumps feel-good endorphin's through your body. It helps lift your mood and can even serve a one-two punch by also putting you in a meditative state. Dedicate a few chunks of time each week to self-care, whether it’s exercise, yoga or meditation. And if you’re really pressed for time, start small with deep breathing exercises during your commute, a quick five minute meditation session morning and night, or replacing drinking alcohol with a healthier form of stress reduction.

4. Limit time-wasting activities and people

First, identify what’s most important in your life. This list will differ for everyone, so make sure it truly reflects your priorities, not someone else’s. Next, draw firm boundaries so you can devote quality time to these high-priority people and activities. From there, it will be easier to determine what needs to be trimmed from the schedule. Focus on the people and activities that reward you the most.


5. Change the structure of your life

Sometimes we fall into a rut and assume our habits are set in stone. Take a birds-eye view of your life and ask yourself: What changes could make life easier? So instead of trying to do it all, focus on activities you specialize in and value most. Delegate or outsource everything else. Delegating can be a win-win situation. Talking to the “key stakeholders” in different areas of your life, which could include employees or colleagues at work, a spouse or a partner in a community project. Find out what you can do to let go in ways that benefit other people by giving them opportunities to grow. This will give them a chance to learn something new and free you up so you may devote attention to your higher priorities.


6. Start small. Build from there.

We've all been there: crash diets that fizzle out, New Year’s resolutions we forget by February. It’s the same with work-life balance when we take on too much too quickly. Many of his workaholic clients commit to drastic changes: cutting their hours from 80 hours a week to 40, bumping up their daily run from zero miles a day to five miles a day. It’s a recipe for failure. If you’re trying to change a certain script in your life, start small and experience some success. Build from there.

 

"6 Tips For Better Work-Life Balance." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2015.

Creating Your Own Happiness

As Promised By The Fat To Fit Radio Show...

Creating Your Own Happiness

"If you had one year left to live, I bet you'd live differently than you do right now."

"You are the driver of your own life, don't let anyone steal your seat or your happiness." 

These 7 tips may help you start creating more joy in your life:

1. Tell a new story.
What’s your current story, and how does it make you feel? If it doesn't make you feel good when you tell it, then stop telling it. Instead, tell a story that makes you feel inspired and positive. Maybe you haven’t found your calling yet and feel as if every day is ground hog day.

You can change that. What have you always wanted to do in life but have been too afraid to attempt? What activities throughout your life have given you the greatest feeling of achievement? If you could do anything what would you do and what would bring you a step closer to that?

2. Feel the thoughts that make you feel good.
Sometimes it can feel that our thoughts are thinking us and that we have no control over them. How many of the 60,000 thoughts you have each day are anxious, critical, defensive, or frustrated?

Most of our everyday thinking is driven from the unconscious mind, which is far greater than the conscious mind. This is why it may feel an impossible task to rein your thoughts in. But as with most things, a little practice can go a long way.

Reach for the thoughts that make you feel good and then practice holding on to them. If, for example, you have had a bad day at work, don’t tell the story about it because that won’t make you feel good! Instead let go of the thoughts and think of something else that makes you feel good.

It may be something you have planned for the weekend. It may be a memory of time spent with your partner. Or it could just be an inner knowing that you don’t have to think this way, followed by good feelings about that.

The more you can get a hold on your thoughts, the greater control you will gain over your emotions. After all, why would you choose to feel anything but joyful, elated, on top of the world, clear-minded, creative, enthusiastic, or eager? What will it be like when you can feel like that for most of your day?

3. Spring clean your belief system.

We are powerful creators of our own reality, but so many of us don’t realize our own true potential. We are all equal; not one of us is more “special” than another.

The only difference is that there are some people who have learned to shine a beam on what they really want in life and then have the belief to make that happen.

When you believe it, you feel it right through to your very core. Many people believe they have to live with the cards they have been dealt, that life is tough, or if you want something you have to fight for it.

Yet beliefs are only thoughts that we keep thinking. No belief is set in stone.

As humans we have a great capacity for sticking to false beliefs. We once believed that the world was flat until someone convinced us otherwise. I have run two marathons in the past two years. Yet if you asked me five years ago if I could run even a half marathon, I wouldn’t have believed it.

What beliefs have you got that are holding you back? If you really challenge those beliefs you will see them start to crumble, allowing you to build new, stronger, more positive beliefs.

Ask yourself “Where has this belief come from?” “What does this belief cost me on a daily basis?” “What would happen if I let go of this old belief?”

4. Get happy now!

So many times I hear people say “I’ll be happy when I lose some weight.” “I’ll be happy when I retire.” “I’ll be happy when I get a boyfriend.” “I’ll be happy when I get a place of my own.”

What about being happy now? Happiness is an emotion. If you reach for thoughts that make you feel happy, you can be happy right now! When you focus your attention on feeling happy now, the rest falls into place, and you find yourself attracting new things into your life.

5. Get into gratitude.
Be grateful for what you have in your life now. Take a few moments every day to really savor what makes you happy and give thanks for it.

It could be waking up in a warm bed, enjoying a piece of cake in a cafe while watching the world go by, walking with your dog in the fresh air, or simply being healthy.

When you create feelings of gratitude, you change the feeling in your heart. Just think what effect having a heart bursting with gratitude can have on your mind and your body!

6. Create a bliss board.

Take a large sheet of cardboard and fill it with pictures, captions, or words that you want your life to reflect. So many of us know what we don’t want, but are not clear what we do want.

Pin it to a wall in your home so that every day you are reminded of what you want in life.

7. Take a leap of faith.

To move forward and allow new experiences, new energy, and new people into your life you have to let go of whatever isn't working for you.

It does take confidence and self-belief, but this is where banishing the old beliefs and replacing your old negative thoughts with positive ones comes in. If practiced regularly, this will create the self-worth and self-reliance needed to make that leap of faith.

Take a moment now to reflect on the above and on your life. Remind yourself of just how wonderful this rich tapestry of life is, that there is a sea of opportunity ripe for the taking out there, if only we would take it. But above all, remember that no matter what is happening to any one of us, the only thing that really matters at the end of it all is that our lives were filled with joy.