Diets Tips That Actually Work

TRUTH! 

After being skinny, gaining weight, losing weight, gaining weight, losing weight, having a kid, losing the baby weight and more, I feel like I'm a diet expert simply through practice.

After years of trying everything: Atkins, the Zone, the grapefruit diet, Cabbage Soup diet, I could go on. There are principles that I know work: eat well, eat real food, don't overindulge, exercise most days of the week.

There are certain "diet secrets" that work better than others, though. Putting down your fork after each bite, for example, is a gamechanger. I've featured them on the blog.

Fitsugar has a few more diet secrets that are truly effective:

• Eat clean - no white food, refined carbs, sugar, alcohol, etc.
• Don't diet - think of adopting an overall, longterm approach to eating, not a temporary "diet"
• Do more cardio - ramp up the intensity to get that afterburn.
• Drink more water - hydration is huge. Drink green tea, water with lemon or fruit added, any water-based drink without extra sweetener or calories added to it. 
• Make calories in less than calories out - if you eat more than you burn, you will gain weight. I gained weight while training for marathons. Even though I was burning hundreds, sometimes thousands, of calories it didn't make up for the extra cookies I ate at lunch. 
• Eliminate extras - all the little nibbles, sips and snacks add up. 

This is such a practical approach to maintaining your weight (notice I didn't say "diet). If you're looking for a particular dietary approach to follow, try the Mediterranean diet. It's simple, easy, delicious and calls for wine and chocolate. Win!

I love this Mediterranean Diet cookbook for recipe ideas.

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How To Enjoy Napa Valley With Kids

Napa Valley with kids is a lot easier than you might think. Here's the thing: you need a good attitude about the trip. There will be pivots and, likely, cancellations. Flexibility is key to surviving Napa Valley with kids.

First, a bit of history. We've taken our daughter to Paris. Twice. The most recent trip involved wine tastings at Moët et Chandon and Tattinger in Champagne.

The Surprising Secret To Burning Fat Fast

After an indulgent trip to California, I am all about trying to burn some extra heft. While no amount of exercise will make up for a terrible diet, you can maximize your workouts so that you burn fat faster most fat possible in the time you have allotted to exercise.

What's interesting is that you don't have to kill yourself. Turns out, exercising at a perceived exertion rate of 5-7, on a scale of 1-10, is the prime fat burning zone. (Tweet this).

It's Hip To Be "All In" But Bill Parcells Was The Trendsetter For This NFL Cliché

Dallas Poker Club

It might be hip to be "all in" in the NFL but former Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells was a trendsetter when it comes to poker analogies in the NFL.

The Wall Street Journal notes that the Ravens, Raiders and Seahawks are "all in", an unofficial slogan to signify that every member of the team and coaching staff is completely committed to winning.

The article cites NFL executives who trace the genesis "of the cliché to the New York Giants, who used it in their late 2011 playoff run which ended with a Super Bowl title. Within a year, the Jacksonville Jaguars had adopted it as a marketing slogan."

It goes back further than that.

Anyone who covered the Cowboys when Bill Parcells coached the team knows that in 2006 the head coach had players wearing t-shirts with the phrase "Who's All In?" featuring a set of hands pushing a pile of pokers chips on the chest.  Blasts from the past like Terrell Owens, Mike Vanderjagt and Drew Bledsoe all sported the catchy T's.

Of course, these were the pre-Twitter & Instagram days so, natch, there's not a pic of the t-shirts to be found.

How To Buy Designer Purses And Accessories For Less

 From L to R: Hermés H Bracelet | Louis Vuitton Capucines | Chanel Jumbo 2.55  | Celine Pony Hair Luggage Bag | Gucci Jackie Bucket Bag | Dior Quilted Shoulder Bag

I rarely buy luxury designer goods brand new and at their full retail price, except when it's an item I will likely sell in the future such as my Louis Vuitton Neverfull (you can read all about that here). I am a consignment-shopping queen because it's a great way to purchase investment-quality designer pieces at a lower price.

In fact, I scout consignment stores when I travel which led to my discovery of an amazing vintage store in Paris, as well as the better-known Didier Ludot. In Montecito recently, I fell in love with Mattie and Me consignment store (and a Pucci coat that was out of my price range).

RELATED: 25 Great Bags For Work...At Every Price Point

Authentic Luxury Consignment Retailers
For those times when we're homebound, there is a treasure trove of online luxury consignment shops that sell guaranteed authentic items for less. The "guaranteed authentic" thing is a big deal. These resellers stake their reputation on authenticity and will refund your money if an item is not genuine.
Each of the following reseller's offer an authenticity guarantee. Many times the pieces are brand new.

Louis Vuitton Insolite Wallet

• Fashionphile - probably my favorite. They also have a retail locations in Beverly Hills and San Francisco. It's a designer-lover's dream. I recently bought a Louis Vuitton Insolite wallet from them, replacing the one I had stolen. I have consigned a few items on their site, too.
• Bag Borrow or Steal - the one made famous by Sex and the City, the movie. 
• Bluefly - the online e-tailer offers some great designer handbags both vintage and brand new.
• What Goes Around Comes Around - a legendary New York consignment store.
• The Real Real - they have a great YouTube channel which educates consumers on authentic luxury brands.
• Heritage Auction House - the Dallas-based auction house has a Tuesday night luxury accessories auction with some great stuff. You will pay a hefty 25% buyer's premium. 
• Vestiaire Collective
• Luxury Designer Handbags
• Portero
• Ann's Fabulous Finds

The sites are constantly updated so there is always something new to browse. I like to call it virtual window-shopping. If you see something you adore, you should hop on it because once it's gone...it could be gone. I recently missed out on a Hermes scarf (I REALLY wanted this one, too...it was a Paris rooftop scarf) I was coveting on Fashionphile.

You can generally find a lot of bags from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci , Hermés and Celine. Certain accessories like scarves, jewelry and glasses may be tougher to find. Keep hunting, they usually turn up.

A word on ebay. You can always scout the online auction site. I have even sold some items on there. At the end of the day, especially when it comes to designer accessories, it's a beating. There is a ton of fake merchandise on there.

Watch my all my handbag reviews on YouTube - I bought this Chanel pochette from Fashionpile

If you're in the mood to pick up that investment piece for a bit less, buying on consignment from a retailer that guarantees authenticity is the way to go, in my book. These pieces generally last for decades and, if you buy at the right price, you can sometimes make money on them if you decide to consign or resell them.

Scroll Through For Some Of My Favorite Luxe For Less Finds 

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What To Wear To The PGA Championship

The PGA Championship is this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, KY. As one of golf's major championships, it's a chance to dress up just a bit more than most tournaments. 

To that end, it's still a golf tournament. It's not the Kentucky Derby or a night out. I think "Athletic Chic" is the perfect aesthetic to keep in mind if you're heading to a tournament. 

That's not a limiting concept. You can still wear stylish dresses, cute shorts and tank tops or even something more traditionally considered "golf attire". 

Golf Tournament Do's

• Bring a small bag. PGA Tour events have a restrictive purse policy. Bags must be smaller than 6"x 6".
• Wear sunscreen to protect your face, hands, neck and arms. I love Elta MD's or Skin Authority's. Learn more about Elta MD here or Skin Authority here.
• Wear a hat, if you're so inclined. Not only does it shield your face from the sun, it's also a homage to the Kentucky Derby, the home of fabulous millinery. 

Golf Tournament Don'ts

LOVE these Gucci sandals, just not for a golf tournament.

• Don't wear hoochie shoes, stilettos or strappy platform sandals with a pointy heel. They'll sink into the grass and make you look like an amateur. Go with wedge heels or a nice espadrille.
• Don't wear a fanny pack. Seriously. I don't know why I have to reiterate this but I see them repeatedly at golf tournaments. 
• Don't sport crazy, patterned shirts or things with wild logos on it. The HP Byron Nelson Championship is known for having ladies from local strip clubs walk the course with their clubs' logo emblazoned across the front. That's fine. For them. For you, go a little classier. Save the logo swag for another event. 
• It bears repeating: DON'T forget about the purse policy. I have friends who have had their bags confiscated. TIP: you can squeeze a malleable bag to get it within the 6-inch rule (about the length of a dollar bill). I have done this a few times to squeeze my Chanel Wallet-on-a-Chain into events.

Browse These PGA Tour-Approved Purses

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Rangers Dugout Reporter Emily Jones Shares Her Makeup Secrets

That brutal August heat is here. If you're heading to a Rangers game, keeping your makeup from melting is a legitimate concern (even for some guys I know). Earlier this summer, I shared my secrets for sweatproofing your makeup for Rangers games.

Emily interviewing Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish/Image via Twitter.com/Rangers

Rangers dugout reporter, Posh Play co-founder and mom to adorable Hattie and Henry, Emily Jones McCoy is a true expert. She sits in the dugout, during 100+ degree day games and manages to look camera-ready during every TV hit for Rangers games on Fox Sports Southwest. She recently shared her makeup and beauty secrets that sports-loving girl can adopt.

Score A Fashion Touchdown With These Looks That Are Perfect For College Football Season

If you're looking to build your fall wardrobe for college football season, NOW is the time to do it. From the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale to Tory Burch and Shopbop, there are so many crazy good sales right now. You can score some killer finds that will help you score a fashion touchdown.

When it comes to dressing for a fall football game, I like wearing branded gear but I also love building my wardrobe with team colors. That way, you can wear looks not only to a tailgate and the game but you can also wear them throughout the week at work or school.

Accessories are also a great way to support your favorite team. From these Baylor-yellow Kendra Scott earrings to a colorful Texas burnt orange Gigi New York purse, these work perfectly at any time.

Scroll through for a variety of looks that are perfect for your favorite school's season opener and beyond.

Shop TCU Looks 

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Shop North Texas Looks 

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Shop Baylor Looks 

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Remembering Robert Newhouse

Anyone who has met or talked to Robert Newhouse for more than a minute has a story about the man whose halfback option pass to Golden Richards resulted in a touchdown in Super Bowl XII. It helped the Cowboys beat the Broncos 27-10 for their second Lombardi Trophy.

He was a part of Cowboys history. But for many of us, he was so much more. He was a man we were lucky enough to call a friend.

From revisiting the fields at Cal Lutheran College and reminiscing about Cowboys training camp in the 1970's to simply chatting with him in the hallways of Valley Ranch, House (as we all called him) was always willing to answer questions or offer a kind word.

Not Wanting To Let Down Coach Landry
Hearing him describe Cowboys training camp at Cal Lutheran College remains a highlight of my professional career. For a story for Cowboys TV in the early 2000's, I along with House, the late John Chang and Chris Behm visited CLC to get his impression of the Cowboys training camp home two decades later.

We walked the path House and his teammates took day after day from the dorms to the practice fields. He admitted that the path seemed longer and hotter during those training camp days in the 1970's than it actually was. We toured the exact dorm he shared with teammates. We saw the desk where he studied his playbook.

He described the pain his body felt during camp as he tried to get back in shape for the season. It was the soreness so many of us feel after pushing ourselves. He wouldn't let that pain stop him. He didn't want to be the player who let down Coach Landry by being a step slow in practice. He reiterated that "not disappointing Coach Landry concept" a number of times during our tour of CLC.

I am not sure that matters to many players today.

One Last Visit
The last time I saw Robert Newhouse was about two years ago. He suffered a stroke in 2010. He was not the strong man with those powerful running back's thighs we all grew to love. He didn't have the strength to be that man, yet he was true to who he was: kind, warm and generous.

Understanding this could be one of our final visits, I selfishly reminded him of some of the sillier experiences we've had: a random dinner with John and Chris at El Pollo Loco, coffee with a certain Pro Football Hall of Famer at the Beverly Hills Hotel along with countless Valley Ranch visits dominated by me pestering him about aspects of the game. He has helped me understand more about the NFL than I ever deserved to know.

It's so easy to romanticize those Cowboys players of the 1970's. I have had the good fortune of meeting most of them. They're all great guys. Robert Newhouse, though, was perhaps one of the best: a genuine man who cared. A person who made an impression. An impression that lasts a lifetime.

Tory Burch X FitBit Collaboration

Tory Burch X FitBit Cuff

Users wax poetic about their FitBits. David Sedaris, anyone? The Nike FuelBand is a different story (I have one and never use it).  Now fashionable FitBit users will be waxing even more with the Tory Burch x FitBit collaboration.

The designer has produced a chic geometric cuff ($195) and pendant ($175) that can help you stay stylish while tracking your movement.

Tory Burch X FitBit Pendant/Image via ToryBurch.com

The cuff can go anywhere and will look great stacked with other bracelets on your arm while the pendant adds an elegant Art Deco look to a number of outfits. I think the gold and black contrast is beautiful.

To use these, simply snap the tracker out of a FitBit Flex bracelet and place it into the cuff or pendant. It will track your steps, distance traveled and calories burned just like the original piece of equipment. You can snap the tracker back into the FitBit Flex to track your sleep patterns.

These are available for pre-order at Tory Burch and will ship no later than 8/31, according to the website. For those people that love all things Tory, this is something that hits the right note for the Tory Burch fan who is also a fitness fanatic.

I think it's a chic way to track your daily activity. What do you think? Love it? Hate it? Will jewelry have you using your FitBit more?

Browse The Tory Burch x FitBit Collaboration

Motivation Monday: How to get your diet back on track After an Indulgent Weekend

This WILL be happening today.

I hope you had a great July 4th weekend. I was supposed to be on a Mediterranean cruise right now but had to postpone it to a later date. Instead I spent a relaxing weekend at a friend's lake house. It was a weekend of indulgence for which I am trying to balance out today with diet and exercise.

I had a green smoothie for breakfast the last two days made of simply kale, a banana, fresh peaches from Ham's Orchard, water and a splash of coconut water. It's delicious. Here are more smoothie recipes. I like to eat fiber-rich foods like watermelon or cauliflower after an indulgent weekend. It's filling without providing too many calories. Try this Buffalo Cauliflower Bites recipe from Mind Over Munch. Amazeballs!

Here's some diet and fitness news to help kickstart your week and get you back on track if you overdid it this weekend.

 Diet And Fitness News You Need To Know 
If you ate or drank too much this weekend don't worry. Eat a produce-heavy diet, drink plenty of water and exercise the next few days. Consume too much salt? Again, load up on water. Drink too much booze? Drink coconut water, Emergen-C (I love both of these) or some other electrolyte replacement beverage and eat a potassium-rich food like a banana. Here are more ways to help you fix bad diet decisions.

It's scientifically proven that exercise improves your life. It sharpens your memory, speeds your metabolism, helps you sleep better and reduces stress. Need more evidence? Read the rest from a recent study by Cleveland State University here.

Heading to the beach this summer? A) Don't forget sunscreen! B) Take a few minutes to exercise. From sand lunges and beach crawling to simple jogging or skipping, here are the best exercises to do at the beach.

SO, it turns there is such a thing as a negative calorie food. Sorta. It's ice. Think about it. Ice requires heat from your body AKA calories to warm it and burn it. Of course, there's a diet book to go with this.

You should drink coffee before you workout. It improves circulation and increases muscle fuel. Find out the other reasons why coffee is the BOMB here.

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Monday Motivation: When In Doubt Work Out

TRUTH!

I hope you had a great weekend and are looking forward to enjoying a long holiday weekend. I found this "When In Doubt Work Out" pillow and couldn't help but smile. It's pretty solid advice. 

Think of exercise as a reward, not punishment. That approach will change your life. 

Here's some healthy living news to help you win your week:

• Looking for a quickie? Workout that is. Here is a slew of 15-minute workouts that burn fat, featuring yours truly. 
• Even if you exercise, sitting all day can still kill you. Well that's a Debbie Downer. 
• So if you're stuck at your desk, here are exercises you can do at your desk featuring a heavy dose of squats, chair crunches, calf raises, desk pushups, tricep dips and bicep curls. 
• Check out these diet myths that can hurt your weight loss efforts. For example, calories don't matter if it's a healthy food. Or you can eat whatever your want if you exercise. Both of these are WRONG. You can't outrun the fork. I gained weight when I was training for marathons because I would eat that extra cookie. Or six. 

Make it a great week!

Update Your Workout Game With 1 Of These Great Pieces

Outline The Sky Dallas T-Shirt AKA My Gym Uniform Tuesday Night

Wearing cute workout wear can sometimes be motivation to get you in the mood to fight through your exercise session. At least it did that for me Tuesday night.

Stylish activewear is having a moment. Like team-inspired gear for women, this segment is growing.

Don't believe me? Tory Burch is launching its Tory Burch Sport line in 2015 with yoga, golf, tennis and other athletic fashions. This speaks to the behavior of so many real women like me who wear workout clothes to the gym and throughout the rest of the day.

Here are some stylish, activewear looks that work both in and out of the gym:

1 (only $15!) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 (great for July 4th)

The great thing about these pieces is that they can generally found at a nice price point.  Each of them can work in the gym and for errands or even a casual lunch afterwards. Simply throw on a light jacket or sweater if you're worried about being too cold.

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Mickey & Miller's Cowboys Hour, Episode 12

Me, Mickey Spagnola and Cowboys first round draft pick Zack Martin

Mickey Spagnola and I are back for Mickey & Miller's Cowboys Hour TODAY at 1pm.

We're wrapping up the Cowboys offseason workouts, looking ahead to training camp and taking your questions.

How do you join us? Easy!

Watch here.

Or simply hang out and watch in the video box below.

How To Sweatproof Your Makeup For Summer Baseball Games

Doing a Rangers pre-game show with Mark McLemore & Blue Man Group

With the weather warming up, if you're heading to a game at Globe Life Park or any baseball stadium sometime soon, there's a good chance you'll leave drenched. And I'm not talking Emily Jones drenched. I mean drenched in sweat from the heat.

If you're a fellow sports girl, that doesn't mean your makeup has to melt and fade as the temperatures approach triple digits.

I have spent 12-hour days in August heat in Arlington and had to go on TV at the END of the work day. Despite sweating my ass off, my makeup was still somewhat fresh. Yours can be, too, by incorporating a few simple tricks. 

Click HERE for Rangers dugout reporter Emily Jones makeup tips. 

Prime Your Face

You should be wearing primer on most occasions. It's an outstanding way to help your makeup last. I don't go full-face-makeup without three primers I refer to as my secret weapons:

• L'Oreal Paris Miracle Blur - an award-winning face primer with SPF 30 that truly works and helps your makeup last.
• MAC Prep + Prime Lip - a lip primer that goes on clear and keeps your lipstick from feathering into the fine lines around your mouth.
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - the best primer I have found to keep eyeshadow from creasing in your lids.

Protect Your Face and Body

Wear sunscreen on your face and body. That goes without saying but there are certain sunscreens that just work better than others for your face. I like Elta MD's UV Daily with SPF 40 or L'Oreal Revitalift with SPF 30. If I'm going to wear simply a BB cream or tinted moisturizer, Hydroxatone BB Cream with SPF 40 is my personal favorite. Laura Mercier also does an outstanding one with SPF 20. 

Wear Less Makeup

This is the biggest thing. In the oppressive summer heat, less is more. Don't wear a ton of heavy products. Use a BB cream instead of foundation and perhaps a nice lip gloss instead of thick lipstick. 

MAC Fluidline

Also, don't wear eyeliner on your lower lid. It is guaranteed to run and give you raccoon face. If you need eyeliner, use a gel liner like MAC's Fluidline or Lancome's Long Wear Gel Liner. 

In fact, go a step further and forgo mascara on the lower lash line, too. I went on TV all the time without eyeliner and mascara on the lower lash line. It's fine, no one will notice. 

MAC Blot Powder

Also, don't reapply powder with a sponge. Instead use a retractable brush with a hint of translucent powder (I love MAC Blot Powder) and simply run that over your face when your feeling oily. Even better, use blotting paper. A number of TV personalities, both male and female, use these to control oil and shine. 

Get The Secret Weapons Featured In This Story

15 Weird Diet Tricks That Work

Earlier this year, we shared the 25 best diet tips of all time.  I stumbled across an article recently detailing weird weight loss tricks that work from Allure.

I found  this t-shirt online and couldn't help but smile.

There are some of the usual suspects like eat off small plates (a proven weight loss winner) and give up the guilt. The latter is a diet gamechanger. Turns out the stress induced by the guilt of overeating can cause you to eat more. Just enjoy an indulgent meal and move on. That has saved me in more ways than one.

Some of the other suggestions are fascinating and smart:

• When eating out, sit at the end of a table away from the center where the bread and chips are normally placed. Easy, simple and genius. 
• Sleeping in a chilly bedroom can help rev up your metabolism. It forces your body to heat itself up and, in turn, you will burn calories keeping yourself warm. 
• Researchers have found that drinking one to two glasses of wine a day helps keep your weight down. Why? Well researchers can't exactly explain but they have found that women tend to eat fewer calories when drinking wine and burn more calories after drinking than men do. The key? It's moderate wine consumption.
• Check your allergy meds, these can be a sneaky cause of unexplained weight gain because H1-type antihistamines like Claritin or Allegra block the histamine's in the immune which play a role in appetite and metabolizing fat. 

Read the rest here.

One More

I would add perhaps my most effective one: put your fork down between bites. It forces you to eat slower which allows your brain to signal your stomach you're full. It works. Promise.

Stylish, Patriotic And Somewhat Sexy World Cup Soccer Gear

Cue the cliché alert: I have World Cup fever. My TV is on all day while I am working with the games going on in the background. I found myself with a rooting interest in Brazil/Mexico and cannot wait until Sunday's USA/Portugal match.

I am not alone. The ratings for the USA/Ghana match were insane: a 6.3 household rating and 11,093,000 viewers, making it the most-viewed soccer match ever on ESPN.

If you're going to a bar, watching party or just want to show your spirit there is so much great gear to help you support your favorite team.

Scroll through to browse

US & World Cup Soccer gear:

Are you into the World Cup? Do you plan on watching USA/Portugal?  Donde?