by Barb Roose | Jun 3, 2015 | Women's Topics
I appeared on 13abc’s “Full Plate,” hosted by Rebecca Regnier to talk about my new book, Enough Already: Winning Your Ugly Struggle with Beauty. This was my first television interview related to the book and goodness, Rebecca made me feel so very confident and comfortable! I had great time! Here’s the interview – BUT keep scrolling down after the interview! Don’t miss this bonus: Rebecca graciously agreed to be interviewed for this week’s post. You can read her interview below the video. Enjoy!
Capturing a great moment with Rebecca after taping a segment for her show, “Full Plate.” She made me feel right at home and truly welcomed!
MY INTERVIEW WITH REBECCA REGNIER…As a long-time television personality and media professional, Rebecca understands the pressure and scrutiny that women face from others as well as themselves. I was thrilled when Rebecca agreed to let me interview her and share some of those thoughts with you!
Rebecca, you are public figure, so how much pressure do you feel to look or dress a certain way? How much of that pressure comes from within?
Incredible pressure, I’d say about 30 percent? It depends on the day. I am very okay with age, weight, and all that, but sometimes you just feel less than. It’s a fight to just give that up and be happy in your skin!
How do you handle situations where people make unsolicited comments about your appearance, whether positive or negative comments?
I usually feel like the comments are more about them, the negative ones I mean. I am a fairly modest dresser and I had a nasty comment once that the viewer can’t take healthy eating advice from me unless I show my body more. That’s not about me. If they’re mad at me because I’m not a stick-figure, that’s their issue. I’m a healthy, confident person – ask yourself why you have a problem with that next time you lash out at me. That said, most people are very nice.
When it’s a nice comment I have to better learn to take the compliment and not deflect. Self-deprecation is fine, funny, and can be charming, but I tend to be terrible at accepting a compliment. I’ve worked on saying “thank you” and moving on instead of tearing myself down in the name of comedy.
In 2011, you released a book called The Twitter Diet. What is your book about and how can we leverage social media to encourage and support each other as women trying to reach our goals?
The Twitter Diet is all about community and support. None of us have to be alone in whatever struggle we face whether it’s better eating, more exercise, motherhood.
The great thing is we can be supportive and get support. But keep that in mind, it is a two-way street, if you want to be lifted up you must first show people how. Be supportive and you’ll be surprised how many people are there in your time of need. And don’t forget to ask for help! I am terrible at that, I tend to “go it alone” thinking I’ll handle everything. Every single time I’m overwhelmed and reach out I am so incredibly amazed by how great people can be. They do want to help you.
Speaking of social media, there are so many messages that women absorb about beauty. How do you keep a healthy perspective about beauty as you watch articles, images and stories that flow through your newsfeed?
There is no one like me or you. Period. And while we’re bombarded by what we’re supposed to look like it is all ridiculous. Let models be models. I’m a witty, accomplished, career woman, wife, mother so are you. I know my value and what I have to offer and it does not have to do with smooth skin or size whatever.
My accomplishments and failures have zero to do with whether I was wearing skinny jeans or sweat pants that day. Zero.
As a woman, what do you think about when you look at yourself in the mirror?
Well, I think I have nice eyes that I look better when I smile, that the deep furrow in my brow was earned from being a mother of two sons and I wouldn’t erase it.
I’m less forgiving about my body, I am not a fan of some parts, I pick it apart if I catch it in a three-way mirror. I wish I had Michelle Obama or Kelly Ripa’s arms but I also remind myself that maybe if they met me they’d wish they had Rebecca Regnier-calves. I have nice calves sister. It’s all relative and we just have to appreciate all we can do. Someone said to me once that no matter who you are, ten years from now, you’ll wish you had this body/face. So, stop stressing out and enjoy the now of yourself.
On the day of the taping, I had a chance to hang out with the other guests while Rebecca’s team prepared for our interviews, yet everyone was kind and helpful – even when I accidentally got in the way while taking a few selfies…
I discovered that you are a certified fitness nutrition coach and a certified weight loss specialist. What inspired you to acquire those certifications and how do you use them?
I wanted something official. I knew a lot from reading everything out there and discovering what worked for me. So the certificates were more about formalizing it. I felt confident in what I knew and advise people in my writing and on my television show but I thought it was important for others to see that I had more than just life experience. I wanted to increase the trust that people I’m encouraging or supporting have in me.
What are you dreaming of next in life?
THIS LIFE! Writing a romantic comedy novel, creating hilarious videos for my YouTube channel, stand-up paddle boarding in the Virgin Islands!
Rebecca, I’ve got one final question – perhaps the most important of them all: Milk chocolate or dark chocolate?
My fitness nutrition brain says dark! But my inner five-year old says milk chocolate, baby!
Thanks, Rebecca! We love your amazing and authentic answers as well as your encouragement to women everywhere!
Ladies, you can watch Rebecca’s show, “Full Plate”, every Sunday on 13ABC and just recently announced that she’s joined “MomsEveryday”, a show to connect moms and families that broadcasts nationwide – so cool!
Thanks for stopping by today, ladies! If you’d like to receiving weekly encouragement or inspiration from me each week, subscribe to join my mailing list on this page. It’s easy and most importantly, your email address will stay between you and me!
God bless,
by Barb Roose | May 28, 2014 | Reflections
photo credit: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000582327361/91aa81bf907abab992a495c605b4c187.png
Lifehacks are strategies or life management techniques. I love lifehacks because they expand the potential of what I am already doing so that I can do life better. So, I thought I would put together my own list of lifehacks. Now, this list won’t make you a millionaire or get you a date Friday night (well, it might…), but these can definitely make a difference in your life today. Enjoy!
1. If a task takes two minutes or less to complete, DO IT NOW.
Each day, we are inundated with dozens of small tasks that add up to lots of headaches. For instance, I didn’t want to get up and take the laundry out of the washer and put it in the dryer. Why not? Because. When I finally took care of the task, I timed it. Guess how long it took? Two minutes. I spent 20 minutes doing other stuff (watching tv) to avoid it.
In many ways, we’re only two minutes away from de-stressing our lives and being more productive. How frustration could you eliminate if you took care of two-minute tasks right now? How many arguments could you avoid? How much money could you save?
So, make the phone call, return the email, pay the bill, schedule the appointment, etc.
DO IT NOW if it takes two minutes or less.
2. Let “It” Go
If you love the song from “Frozen,” please don’t start singing. I won’t be able to hear you and everyone else is over it. Seriously, I’ve only heard the song twice and I’m okay with not hearing it again. But, I do love the message of the song.
Do you realize that the phrase “let it go” is self-explanatory? So, why do we hold onto the things we should let go of?
photo credit: http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/vWHwSWkBjnY/maxresdefault.jpg
When we’re holding onto a hope, dream or experience that is holding us back or dragging us down, it’s often because we want to acknowledge the impact that hope, dream or experience on our lives. Failed marriage…lost job… unfilled dream…What we hold onto becomes a trophy or momento that we clutch to our hearts as a symbol of the truth of the event. This is what happened to me or what I hoped for. I’m holding onto it so that myself or others cannot deny it’s importance in my life.
But, that thing we won’t let go is getting old and outdated. We’re like a three-year old clinging to her mangled stuffed dolly. It’s missing an arm and both eyes, but little Becky will scream like a crazy person if you try to take it away. Even if you try to give her something better, little Becky will clamor to hold onto what she knows.
Don’t be like little Becky. Let it go, whatever it is. Friends, something better waits for you, but you’ve got to let go so that you can grab onto what’s in the future, instead of holding onto the past, let “It” Go.
3. Laugh
“Sometimes life gets so difficult that you just need to laugh about it.”
Friends, sometimes life gets so difficult that you HAVE to laugh. Don’t settle for a smile or giggle, do yourself a favor and stalk a gut-busting, howling laugh until you find one. You’re life will be much better for it.
Of course, I also think that Jimmy Fallon is always a great go-to for laughs! photo credit: http://splitsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Tonight-Show-Jimmy-Fallon-Poster-Crop.jpg
Not only does laughter force our bodies to relax, but the act of laughter makes us draw in extra oxygen and clears our mind. When they say laughter is good for you, they mean it! Don’t underestimate the power of laughter to help you cope on tough days.
By the way, my favorite go-to for laughs is watching classic television comedies. My favorite? The episode of “Friends” where Rachel and Monica lose their apartment to Joey and Chandler during the Quiz Bowl Game. What’s Joey’s favorite food? Sandwiches!
(And that quote was from Katy Perry. Don’t judge.)
4. Stop Complaining on Facebook
I just made some of you mad. (Feel free to post about it on Facebook.)
Here’s the thing: People don’t care about your bad day as much has you do. Yes, that’s harsh, but here’s the reason why: Many of your Facebook friends are having a bad day, too. They care about their bad day much more than they care about yours.
Let’s face it, all of our cars break down at inconvenient moments. We all get diarrhea at the wrong times. (Some of us have had those two things happen at the same time, right?) Every toddler pulls an angry all-nighter and we all wish we had more money at some point or another. So, in many ways, we’re all in the same boat.
Friends, it’s okay thing to share the ups and downs about your day or make a specific ask for help, but reconsider posting just to complain or mining for sympathy. (I’m assuming that we all know the difference…)
Here’s why you might reconsider those “Woe-is-me” posts: What your social media “friends” won’t tell you is that they don’t know what to do when they see your Tragedy-Ann status updates or tweets. Your “real” friends will give you a call or text to check on you, but the for the rest of us (aka “Facebook friends”), those posts are straight-up awkward for us. Why? We’re not sure what you want from us. Most of us are decent folk. We care about you and we’ll help if you ask us. Otherwise, your “oh-no-not-again” updates leave us feeling uneasy. Of course that’s TOTALLY NOT your intention, but unfortunately, it’s the result. Yes, you just want to vent about your day. Okay, so, you’ll feel better, but you risk making others feel a bit weird.
What should you do? Great question! If you’re having a bad day, inbox specific friends and tell them what’s up and ask them to pray for you. Then, when the situation resolves itself, share the situation and resolution on Facebook so that people can cheer the answered prayer and/or your perseverance through a tough time.
By the way, it’s perfectly okay to be on Facebook and Twitter and not tell people everything that is going on in your life. You’re not being fake, rather, you’re just being wise.
5. Do Something for Someone Else TODAY
If your life is boring or uninspired, you need to strike out and do something for someone else TODAY! Right now if you have the time! This will totally change your day (and give you something much more interesting to post about other than feeding your cat or telling us you are going to bed.)
One of the reasons that “Random Acts of Kindness” or “Pay-It-Forward” moments catch on is because people have an immediate opportunity to make a difference in simple ways. If you’ve ever been the recipient of a “Random Act of Kindness,” you know how wonderfully surreal it feels to be blessed by someone you don’t know, but appreciate. Now, imagine just how much cooler it is to be the person actually doing the act of kindness.
Some of you NEED to do this today. Why? Because you are drowning in yourself. But, if you want the direction of your life to rocket upward, then you need to start today. Goodness, opportunities are everywhere! Just do something, such as: anonymously pick up someone’s tab at a restaurant (and leave a great tip!), buy someone’s coffee in the car behind you, plant flowers in your neighbors yard, make a meal for your friends and drop it off – the opportunities are nearly endless. But, if you are struggling, here’s a link that you can use for more ideas: http://loveistheword.org/101-random-acts-of-kindness/ (Yes, some of them are a little cheesy, so if you can do better, go for it!)
So, this is my list of lifehacks that you can use today. Tell me what you think. Any other life hacks that should have made my life? Tell me your thoughts!
Thanks for reading (and if you think others might like this post, feel free to share it!)
Speaking of social media, there are so many messages that women absorb about beauty. How do you keep a healthy perspective about beauty as you watch articles, images and stories that flow through your newsfeed?
