"Goodnight Tweetheart" Book Review

I only knew two things when I picked this book up – it was about Twitter and it was a love story – that’s all I needed to know!

This was such a quick read. Even if it wasn't easy to fly through on its own, the fact that I really liked it would have still made me read it in only a few hours (which I did).

“Goodnight Tweetheart” is a love story in 140 characters or less.

If “140 characters” means NOTHING to you…we need to talk after you get out from under your rock!

Okay, it’s actually the limit Twitter gives you to make a tweet, or tell others “What’s happening?”. It’s similar to a Facebook status but much shorter and brighter. The book is told in tweet form, one of the reasons it’s so fast to read.

It’s a story (or conversation) about two strangers who chat on Twitter, and it’s not creepy (which you might have thought like I did before reading it), instead it’s really cute! I'd also say its funny & flirtatious.

In my opinion, this couple is hilarious, extremely witty and two smartasses who know a lot about pop culture. The woman is an author trying to write her second novel, which has to compete with her first novel that made it to Oprah’s book club. Her agent makes her a Twitter account and BAM the magic starts...or maybe it takes time & Tweetdeck. The man is extremely mysterious, never revealing his location. It's a book that will lift you up and touch your heart, maybe even make you shed a tear!

Now go read the book!

And of course you can follow me on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/caterina88

Goodnight Tweethearts! <3

What Could Ruin Your Relationships?

An excerpt from "Who You Are When No One's Looking" by Bill Hybels:

Most people have no idea how much their physical condition undermines their attempts to love other people. They fail to realize that it takes physical energy to listen, to serve, to confront and to encourage people who need help sorting out life. Not only are physically run-down people short on energy; they also tend to be easily irritated, critical, short-fused, defensive and negative. (Any names coming to mind?) It is hard for them to love others, and it is equally hard for others to love them.

You and I both know the three rules for staying fit: eat right, sleep enough and exercise. Most Americans eat far too much sugar and fat; consequently, many are overweight. It is also why people suffer from sugar highs and lows, and it has a lot to do with the high rate of heart disease. It is impossible to maintain good physical reserves on a junk-food diet.

In addition, some people add insult to injury by being careless about sleep. If you don't wake up reasonably refreshed, you're probably not spending enough time in bed. Or maybe the time you spend there is less than refreshing because the coffee you drank all day or the greasy slice of pizza you ate at midnight is keeping you awake.

But the real kicker is exercise. Here's a good clue: If your only form of physical activity on a typical day involves walking down the hall to the next meeting, you're missing the exercise boat. I know, I know, there's not enough time to exercise. Trust me, either take the time to workout or you'll be spending all of your time cleaing up the relational messes you make because you're always wiped out.


I know when I think of exercise I think in terms of health conditions, maintaining a certain weight, looking my best, etc. but this page really jumped out at me of why so many people might be so darn crabby. They aren't moving enough!

I've seen it happen in my own life. I remember a point last school year when I took about a week off to write papers, study for exams and make sure everything was turned in. That week was HELL! I remember thinking to myself, "Why the heck are you SNAPPING at EVERYBODY!?" Omg I was a bitch.

And I didn't realize I missed working out until I did it. I decided one night that I would wait to write the paper and go do a 45 minute workout dvd, I felt SO much better!

But there are so many people who have never tried to exercise - meaning they don't know what they are missing out on. I've personally seen it, someone's personality will do a 360 once they start working out. The crabbiest person can transform into the one with the most spirit! That person becomes the one attracting people instead of pushing others out with their off-personality.

Don't let something like exercise ruin your relationships with others. You never know who you could be sending the wrong message out to!

How To Make A YouTube Video

I’ve gotten many messages lately about creating Youtube videos. I figured I might as well put the information I knew into some place handy!

First off, if you haven’t made a Youtube video before, TRY IT. It’s actually a lot of fun (and kind of addicting)!

Here we go...

1. Record yourself! Just about everything can record a video now-a-days, from your cell phone, digital camera, webcam, computer, flip camera, etc.
Since you’re going to ask, I’ll let you know, I started with my basic Sony Cyberspot digital camera (in pink!!) to make my videos & I’m still using it! One day I’ll upgrade but it hasn’t steered me wrong yet! You can get cameras that will record in HD & do all kinds of fancy stuff for you – do your research & you’ll find one!



^^I'm not saying run out & get this one - I'm saying to use whatever you've got handy!

2. Make your video! Keep it under 5 minutes, ideally under 3 works best! Remember, most people aren’t just focused on one thing and you want to make sure you hold their attention. At this moment, I have Microsoft Word open along with 4 web browsers.

“Nobody wants to watch long videos, so keep it short, simple and to the point. I follow the two-minute rule. You should come up with a similar rule for yourself. If you have to create a longer video, consider dividing it into parts that make it easier for your viewers to digest.”
Ryan Paugh, co-founder of Brazen Careerist

When you are making the video, remember to look into the camera! Pretend your talking to your best friend or your mom.

3. Edit! Many computers come with their own editing system. If yours doesn’t have one, Youtube has a basic one in place for you! Windows offers “Windows Movie Maker” and Mac has “iMovie.” Also, many cameras come with a program you can use to edit your photos & pictures, check to see if you have one!

When you are editing, that’s the time you can add music (make sure it’s ROYALY FREE MUSIC), text, pictures to spice it up! You can also edit to trim down your video or cut out any distractions.




4. Upload. Head over to Youtube.com (or a website that will upload your video to MULTIPLE sites: facebook, youtube, twitter, myspace) and click “Upload.”




Make sure to give your video a title, description and tags.

After UPLOADING - you can pick between 3 thumbnails to be the photo that viewers will see when your video comes up. To learn how to do that go here. If you're looking to beat the YouTube system & pick any picture you want...go somewhere else!


5. Share!! Best step of all! Post your video on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, emails to friends, where ever your heart desires!

And I'll leave you with my YouTube channel that I'd love for you to subscribe too!
http://www.youtube.com/coachcaterina

I'll subscribe back!

I'll Be Your Accountability

Working out with a friend is truly a great tool for losing weight. I read an article that said when you workout with someone else you are 3 times more likely to stick to the program.

Now, you might be thinking, “but I don’t have anyone to workout with!”

Let’s change that!

Losing weight is about accountability – to YOURSELF and to OTHERS.

If you told me that you were going to workout 5 days this week but never had to tell me if you actually did it… would you? My guess is probably not (depending on the kind of person you).

If you told me that you were going to workout 5 days a week but at the end of each week you had to report back to me – would you get your workouts done?

My guess… you would.

Why?

I’ve noticed that when I have to report in to others (personal trainer, business advisors, professors) that I don’t want to let anyone down…including myself!

So let me help you!

I want to create an accountability group. What this includes is SIMPLE and will take 5 seconds out of your day, just once a week.

I’m willing to collect emails (or do this through facebook) where whoever wants to report in how they are doing on their fitness program – whether it’s a DVD program like P90X or you are hitting the gym – can easily contact me!

We come up with what’s the best day for you to “report in,” figure out your workout goals and then start right up! Along the way there will be recognition & motivational prizes. :)

Think of me as your online accountability buddy!

My hand is reaching out to whoever wants it! Just send me an email or a facebook message & let's get started.

Yours in health,
Caterina
xoxo

What Can We Learn From Victoria's Secret?

Last night was the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show. During, immediately after and still today there’s an explosion of talk about the models. Twitter freaked out and of course it was a treading topic.

There were the expected comments that the models are too thin, they don’t workout, they’re anorexic, whatever. You can have whatever opinion that your heart desires. But that’s not the point of this blog post.

What I did notice during the brief hour the show was on TV, many real-life women & girls started talking about their own bodies. “Thanks a lot VS, now I’m just going to starve myself” – what WAIT?!

Watching tall, beautiful women strut their stuff in only lingerie will make the most confident person feel inferior. But that’s also not the point of this blog.

So what’s the point?

The point is… if you watched and wanted to make a change (an HONEST change), what’s stopping you?

There’s a few options when watching something like that… either use that new “motivation” you found, forget you ever watched it (Victoria who?) or continue to hate on your body.

Why hate on yourself? The way you treat yourself is the way other people will treat you.

Maybe you’ve hit the “enough is enough” point in your life and now you’re ready to do something about it. Let’s GET MOVING. Don't sit and hate on them or yourself - instead put in the work. Hit the gym, sign up for a race, press play on the workout dvd, do something!

This isn’t about Victoria’s Secret, models, bikinis, Katy Perry, whatever. It’s about YOU being the BEST version of yourself.

If I can help you do that, let me know. I'm happy to help!

Yours in health,
Caterina
xoxo