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Updated: Feb 24, 2021 76 Comments · by

Coffee Break: Blue Geometric Print Wool Silk Wrap

Fashion

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Ooooh — I've wanted something Pucci for a while, and today may be the day: this gorgeous wrap (and a few others) are on sale today at Bluefly (take an extra 15% off cold weather sale).

Love the blues and pinks, that little fringe, and the versatility of a wrap — gorgeous. Was $420, marked to $285 today.

(It's also available in a red/beige and a black/white.) Pucci blue geometric print wool-silk wrap

Sales of note for 9.16.24

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And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

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Comments

  1. Lawgirl

    Georgous, but so pricey for what it is! Wonder if Pucci has copyrighted this print? (the IP lawyer in me, thinking about legit knockoffs…).

    • Anonymous

      They don’t have to expressly copyright it for it to be copy protected. Copyright automatically covers any work fixed in a tangible medium.

        • Lynnet

          I think the print would still be copyrighted, but the design of clothing is not, because the utilitarian and creative aspects are too deeply intertwined. There are some laws specifically targeted at fashion design, but I’m not sure how far they go in protecting utilitarian designs.

      • In House Mouse

        Unless covered by a design patent (like Crocs are), bags like this may be legally knocked off. Counterfeiters usually get busted for using trademarks (logo-prints or labels) or copyright (fabric print) rather than the design itself.

  3. Laura

    *Quick threadjack*

    I applied to a job almost two months ago (non-law, FWIW), never heard back, but am still interested in the job and the position hasn’t been filled. I know someone at the organization–not especially well, but we’ve worked together on a project and are friendly–and am thinking about contacting her to try and get my foot in the door.

    Is it worth it to contact her, and if so, how should I frame it? For some reason, it feels a little bit more awkward to contact her if I’ve already applied for the job (admittedly, I should have contacted her at the outset). Should I take it as a sign that I wasn’t qualified in the first place? I am in the midst of a career shift, and while I think I could do the job well, I know there would be a learning curve involved. Thoughts?

    • anon in NYC

      contact her – why not? I’d ask her if she knows the person making the hiring decision and would feel comfortable putting in a good word for you.

      • Jess

        Absolutely contact her! Just make it casual – that you had applied before, saw it was still an open position and did she know the scoop? She may be able to give you the insider view on what’s going on — at least that will give you peace of mind.

    • MHU

      I’ll pass on some advice I was given. Tell her you’re interested in the job, think you could write a more targeted cover letter and ask if it’s worth reapplying.

  4. Threadjack: Question about Biglaw Hiring

    Recent law grad, currently on fellowship. I have a hiring/organizational question. (It’s about a biglaw firm, so I’m assuming people in biglaw may be the best to answer it, but perhaps I am wrong and the same rules apply across the industry or across all industries.)

    This summer, I had a few back-channel, head-partner-only interviews at the midwest office of a big firm. I didn’t get an offer, although I’m not sure anyone did. (The position was never advertised, and the firm’s website doesn’t reflect any new hires in this area, this office.) Now, one of their east coast offices is advertising to hire someone for the same exact position (first-year associate in a niche department).

    Can I apply for this, or was my initial rejection a permanent blackball? If I apply, should I mention that I had interviewed at a different office? Should I never apply again at this firm? If I apply and it turns out to be a faux pas, will my name be passed around to other firms, or am I paranoid?

    • SF Bay Associate

      You should mention that you interviewed in another office. At least in my biglaw, all candidates are entered into a database and every time the candidate is “touched” by someone in the firm, it gets entered in. Not mentioning you interviewed is not going to help you because they are going to figure it out anyway, and the first thing they will do is talk to head partner in the midwest office. That is, if your resume makes it past the initial screen at all.

      A million people will apply for this job. One way to get a leg up is to reach out to midwest head partner and see if he’s willing to do an internal referral. At the least, you should tell him something along the lines of, in more professional language, “Thanks again for taking the time to speak with me last month. I love your firm was hopeful to join Midwest Office. I’m excited to now see there’s an opening in Other Office. I plan to apply for this position and hope I’ll be able to join your firm in another office.” I’m writing this on the fly; other Corporettes will word it better. That way, when East Coast contacts Midwest Partner, s/he knows what East Coast is talking about, and may be more inclined to say something nice.

      If you’re blackballed, you’re already blackballed, and it doesn’t make you “more” blackballed to apply again. I can hardly imagine our partners ever passing a name of a candidate to other firms. Unless you did something really bizarre/horrifying in an interview, you are really not that important. We see a lot of candidates when a position is open, and because of that, have trouble remembering most of the candidates at all.

    • AE

      I’m with DOJ, not biglaw, but I can’t see why it would hurt you to let them know that you applied before. It sounds like the midwest position probably never materialized. Applying to the east coast position after interviewing with the mid-west branch shows a persistent interest in the firm and the practice area.

      I had this happen to me when I applied to the government. I applied to the DOJ HP as a 3L, interviewed with a component and did not get an offer. I applied again two years later as a lawclerk, and interviewed with the same component. They said “Welcome back!” in the interview and told me someone vetting the candidates had remembered me from when I interviewed before, and they eventually hired me. At the time I did not know whether it was a good thing to be remembered, because I did not get the job the first time around, but it definitely ended up helping me.

      Good luck!

    • Clerky

      Mention it. I applied to a firm my 1L summer and did not get an interview, but ended up getting an offer my 2L summer from the same firm. I wasn’t sure whether to mention that I applied before in the interview, but my interviewer made things easy for me by pointing out that fact out! It was no big deal. Firms have different needs at different times, particularly in different offices.

      • anon

        One more for ‘mention it’. Unless they specifically provided a reason for why you weren’t hired (and it doesn’t sound like they did), there is no reason to think that they would not want you to reapply. And, in the time that has passed, you may have gained more skills, experience, etc. which would be a great thing to highlight in an interview, if you have the opportunity.

        Not law, but currently interviewing with a Big 4 consulting firm. Interviewed with them a few years back, received an offer but the job fell through. Reapplied, interviewed with the exact same partner, and was welcomed back and told that there were some internal issues that precluded any hiring before, but that they had no question that I had the skills and they wanted me there. That certainly can make the process less anxiety-filled!

  5. JJ

    Another threadjack:
    What type of pantyhose do you guys recommend? I had one pair, of which I splurged and bought a pair of Spanx pantyhose, and today getting ready for Court I put a huge run in them (this also being the second time I was going to wear them).

    I’m 6′ tall, just want run-of-the-mill nude (I know, I know) pantyhose to wear with skirt suits to court, and I don’t want to cry when I inevitably ruin a pair the first/second/third time I wear them.

    • TQBH

      I just get cheap three-packs from Target, or whatever’s cheapest at Walgreens, etc. When they tear I don’t feel bad about replacing them because they didn’t cost much and I didn’t have great expectations for them. (And when I go on interviews, I usually bring a second pair in a plastic bag in my purse in case there is a really obvious run…although I did get a summer offer from a firm when I had a huge run in my stocking that I didn’t notice until I was at home and changing back into sweats.)

      I remember that when I was growing up, my local news once did a “study” of which stockings were best, and they concluded that you might as well buy the cheapest ones because they all tear after a few wears. I don’t know how scientific that is, but it matches with what I’ve experienced.

      • Laura

        Slate did a pantyhose review back in 2005 and it’s clear from the reviews that pantyhose quality in general leaves a lot to be desired: http://www.slate.com/id/2133365/fr/rss/

        Apparently Victoria’s Secret is the way to go, but I’m not sure how much the quality has changed since the article was published.

    • Cat

      IMO, I get a lot better cost per wear out of the drugstore brands than the department stores when it comes to nude pantyhose (spend the money on tights). With material that thin, no matter how nice of quality it is, the stuff is just plain snag prone. Mine usually last ~15 wears (I machine wash in a mesh bag and line dry) and I buy the total cheapo CVS generic brand.

      Maybe try a size bigger than the package indicates? Hose are usually tight enough that a little extra fabric won’t show in the form of wrinkles/saggy areas, but the slight decrease in tension can really help a quick snag have room to give before a run is created.

    • AnonInAtlanta

      I love Hanes silk reflections, but I’m short. I don’t know how they fit tall people, I just know they’re very soft and last at least 5-7 wears.

      • Anonymous

        Hanes only last one wear for me, but they look pretty so I buy them when I really want to look nice. It helps that I only go to court once a month or so. If I were stilly going every day, I would buy cheap.

    • P

      I buy whatever is at Century 21, Ross, Marshalls, etc. that doesn’t look too junky and is in my size/shade (ghostly pale). They’re always cheap because they’re at a discount store, but sometimes they are designer brands. From these adventures I’ve grown to like Calvin Klein but I wouldn’t pay full price for them. I had a super pricey pair of Wolford stockings that I got at a Saks sale that ran after about 5 wears. It just doesn’t seem worth it to pay $$$.

      • JJ

        Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I knew it was stupid to spend money on “nice” hose, especially since I don’t think I’ve ever owned a pair for more than three wears.

        This is another can of worms, but what does everyone think of wearing tights to court? I didn’t today because my suit was black, my shoes are black, my only clean tights were black. In general though, appropriate?

        • Anon

          I wear black tights to court, if it’s appropriate with the suit & styling. I do not like the look of black tights with a formal suit (think more interview-ish) and a button down shirt. I will wear black or brown tights with other skirt suits and turtlenecks or more casual shirts. FWIW, I should mention I’m in court a fair bit and do not always dress like I’m going to an interview when I’m there. I find bare legs inappropriate though and if I can’t muster the energy to wear tights or hose, I wear pants suits.

        • Lyssa

          I saw it quite a lot in the winter while I was a clerk, usually on younger (say, under 40) attorneys, often with matching boots.

          That said, I clerked for a state, trial-level court, and things were pretty casual- I very often saw things that I thought were less than “court-approporiate.” Personally, I think tights are probably fine for court, but I wouldn’t wear them if I were doing something really important (like a big oral argument or a trial). I think that they tend to look a little too young and trendy for the big deal things, but that’s just my opinion.

    • D

      If you have a Nordstrom Rack near you, their pantyhose are good and not to expensive. I always have a black and nude pair in my office drawer in case of a run.

    • Eponine

      Hue makes great pantyhose. My favorite is their no-waistband but I also like the polished sheer or so silky. It lasts me 4 or 5 wears.

      I got Spanx pantyhose a few times and always got runs. Never again.

    • rg

      Like other posters, I usually buy from discount stores like Nordstrom Rack or Ross. But generally, I find that DKNY works well for me. I’ve also had some luck with Hue brand (which can often be bought on sale from Macy’s).

    • anon-ny

      I like Victoria’s Secret and DKNY. They seem to be the sturdiest. Don’t know your location but I try to buy most my tights and hose at Century 21 in NYC because the prices are significantly less so I just stock up all at once.

        • eyes

          I find that I can wear pantyhose daily for many weeks if I buy good ones. I go through shapings.com and generally use the filodoro (Italian) brand … wear like iron, sheer 15dn, and about $7/usd. I’m not related to the store, just a long time customer. I find their selection of tights is also good.

  6. Lyssa

    Threadjack: Hairstyle help?

    The discussion we had the other day about the girl who wanted to stop appearing so young got me thinking about my need to change up my hairstyle, but I’m stuck on how.

    Background: lawyer mostly working at home for a tiny firm (which is super-casual, but I’m in court and with clients regularly). Thirty years old, but constantly told I look younger. Slim, average height, flat chested, long neck. Natural redhead, mostly straight with a little wave hair, which I usually wear down.

    Now, I have it fairly long (around the bra band), with a lot of layers, particularly around the face (the look I’ve always been going for was- well, think Jennifer Aniston during the last bit of Friends- when she had it long and straight). On a “look-nice” kind of day, I straighten it with a blow-dryer and round brush, although it’s reached a length where that’s getting difficult, and it only comes out like I want about half the time. I’d prefer to use as little as possible as far as heat and products go.

    I’ve tried to find a stylist that I can just let come up with something, but haven’t found one (they usually just throw it back to me, and I wind up pretty much sticking with what I have, because I don’t know anything else). I’m thinking that I’d like to go a little bit shorter, around shoulder length, but not much shorter. I’ve been thinking about getting rid of the layers, but I’m worried that will look boring or younger, when I’m trying for more polished. I’ve been looking at pics on line, but none of them seem to say (cool, young, put together) “lawyer” to me. I’m also worried about getting something that only looks good professionally styled (something I’m less than good at)- I need to be able to wash and towel dry on casual days, without worrying that I’ll look like crap if I run into a client or judge at the grocerty store or something.

    Suggestions?

    • Anon

      Jumping from hairstylist to hairstylist isn’t going to get you to a new look. They will be nervous about suggesting something to a new client and having the client hate it.

      Ask friends for suggestions. I have super fine straight hair, so I don’t know what to do with wavy hair. At least for me, bangs help me look polished even when I pull my hair back in a ponytail or messy bun. It looks like I have a hair style that way.

      • Lyssa

        I can appreciate that, but how can I find a hairstylist that I like without jumping (until I find the right one)?

        I’ll add that I live in an area that doesn’t have a lot in the way of “independent” type shops- I’ve gone to a few, and solicited suggestions, but I’ve actually been just as happy at my local Fantastic Sams as I am with the higher-end places, although I find that I’m less able to work with one particular stylist over and over again.

        I’m more looking for suggestions on what to ask for, beyond “layers” or “take off 3 inches.”

        • AT

          I was in your shoes, and I used Yelp to find a highly rated salon and just took the plunge. I found a picture (of a blogger, look at every picture you can!) with longish bangs and a cut that laid nicely and took that with me. Told her my problems and she ran with it. Whether it was luck or not, I love what she did.

    • Anonymous

      You sounds like me, so I’ll second the plea. Especially for any suggestions that refer to actual people or photos that I can then suggest to my stylist.

      Thanks!

    • Arachna

      I had a similar problem, I couldn’t find a picture of something I loved, I didn’t know what I wanted and I ended up with various lenghts of non descript. I solved it by finally finding the right hair stylist on my third drastic cut and plan to cling to him with a vise like grip. :) By that point my hair was so short (at the jaw in front and shorter in the back) that he had a hard time figuring out what he could do with what was left but he took half an hour to figure out what my hair is like and gave me exactly what I wanted – which was a haircut that looks like a style, has structure (apprently this has to do with cutting so the weight of the hair is on the same line – the opposite of layers) stays in place, looks professional but fun. I do have to blow dry every three days but it takes ten minutes so anyone not as impatient as I am probably wouldn’t be bothered by it.

      Unless you’re in NYC I probably can’t help directly – but those hairstylist that can work with you and be creative and helpful and are incredibly knowledgable do exist! It’s just really hard to find them.

    • Shana

      I know you don’t want to go short, but I would suggest you try it. Since you have a long neck, I think a stacked bob or similarly short (chin length or above) haircut might be stunning on you. In my experience, medium length cuts are usally kinda blah and make you look even younger.

      Bobs do require some maintenance if you want the “bump” in the back but for the most part they are pretty versatile if you have wavy hair. I personally have a bob and I can wash it and go, straighten it, or blow dry it with a diffuser and wear it curly, depending on how much time I have.

      I personally like Keira Knightley’s bob: http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2010/10/05/keira-knightley-cuts-hair-bob/

    • Jen L

      I’m a fan of going to a new stylist for a consultation. I’ve never been charged and it gives you a chance to get to know them a bit and discuss what you like or don’t like, what your typical styling is, and what you are looking for. You can also get a feel for whether the stylist will listen to you and have good ideas.

      • anonnow

        I just changed stylists – second appt was tonight – and I am really happy w/results of making change. It gets too easy to just say “same old, same old” with minor variation and stylist gets complacent, then all of a sudden five years goes by and your hair is five years ago. A new ‘take’ from a new perspective can be just what you need. You can start a little slow – “I don’t want to go to pixie, I am willing to get rid of 4 inches/layers – what do you suggest” and see how things go…

        I think you are in Nashville or Knoxville – if you are in either of those cities, I have sisters in both (and SIL in Chattanooga, if that’s where you are) – and could get you some stylist recs if you are willing to id your city….

        • Anon

          Not the OP, but would love any Nashville recommendations if you’ve got them. I still miss my home stylist and because of the one time I cheated on her (during law school) and lived to regret it, I haven’t had a haircut since March of ’09. EEK.

          • Megan

            I used to live in Nashville, and I went to James at Streets Salon. It’s an Aveda salon just off Broadway. I ADORED him, and oddly enough, I had just thought about him earlier today. He’s really great. I have longish, thick blonde hair with a slight natural wave, and he was always great about suggesting things when I walked in and was like “I need a change!” I really can’t recommend him highly enough.

        • Lyssa

          That’s awesome, I was just thinking “Oh, I don’t live in any of the “Corporette” type places.” I live in Chattanooga (for the rest of you, TN, about 100 miles North of Atlanta). I’m definitely open to suggestions. Thanks!

          • govvie girl

            Finding a good hairstylist for me is essentially two parts of one question: does she get me AND my hair. That boils down to the image I want to project (adjectives required/lifestyle), and style/products that flatter my hair, face shape and overall appearance. That takes discussion and probably some images to reference. My current stylist is awesome, and does the cutting and highlighting with those in mind. That means I get high and lowlights to both flatter my skintone/hair, and (try to) project a natural, classic image. BTW, I almost always have had luck w/Aveda salons, and current stylist is no exception. I’m sure there’s an Aveda place in your city, if you choose. When I got several inches cut off months ago, I got compliments- from male colleagues, in a collegial, “you look sharp” way. That’s all on her.

          • Eponine

            I’ve also always had luck with Aveda salons. I also think it’s worth it to drive 100+ miles for a great haircut, and you’ll have more options in Atlanta.

            ps – I love Chattanooga. We used to vacation there when I was a kid and we stayed at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

          • Lyssa

            Eponine,
            I’ve thought about driving to Atlanta, but I’m not sure that’s for me. I’ll think about it, though.

            Chattanooga’s great, isn’t it? I had my wedding reception at the Choo-Choo; it was lovely!

    • Anonymous

      If you see a woman with a fab short cut, ask her wear she goes. I did that and found out that half the court house went to the same stylist and she was really good.

  7. Lucy

    Random request:
    Anyone have a coupon code for LL Bean?? I know they have free shipping now, but I really need to knock some more off my holiday shopping! Thanks :)

    • Eponine

      They almost never – maybe never ever – have coupon codes or discounts beyond what’s shown on their site. Pity, because they’re one of my favorites.

    • Cat

      if you can get your hands on a catalog, they have $10 off $50 coupon in there

  8. anonnow

    Threadjack/need encouragement!

    Regular commenter here, different moniker. This is embarrassing. After nearly 10 years of post 3 babies getting and keeping my large framed self (read: tall, long waist/short legs, big hips, decent waist, not ‘busty’, look good in a 10, great in an 8, 12 starts to be ‘chunky’), over the last year or so, I have gained 20 lbs and am busting out of the 12’s – on a major work treadmill, trying to keep up with 3 preteens, do right in a fairly new marriage/step family sitch, I have just tossed all workout and eat right to the wind, repeatedly, oh and there is that imminent – dare I say it – menopause thing. So, I really want to regroup and try to get back into a workout routine and eating salads for lunch (instead of subs and chips), and not tossing back a few hundred extra liquid calories at night under the heading of stress relief. But I am not getting very far, and am in fact backsliding.

    Anybody have any experience/suggestions/kind words/toughlove? I feel like I am teetering on the brink of “who cares, I will just wear tents from now on” and I don’t think I really like me like that, but I am having a very hard time mustering the gumption to walk away from it. TIA :).

    • MHU

      Hang in there! I used sparkpeople.com to lose weight a few years ago. Basically, it allowed me to count calories easily. I also set small goals and had little rewards for each goal. It’s a lot easier to think about losing 5 lb than 20 lb. When motivation flagged (which it did) I read online success stories – I know they’re there just to sell weight loss products, but they helped somehow.

      Don’t beat yourself up. I don’t think anyone is at their optimum weight their entire life. We all go through times when health and appearance take a back seat to other priorities.

      • anonnow

        Thanks!! I just checked out the site – it looks like a really good start. And thanks also for the ‘longview’ comment, perspective IS important :). I feel better already – little steps, not a marathon overnight. I heart my Corporette friends for just these reasons!

      • kz

        there are also some apps for ipod/iphones that make it fairly easy to count calories. I tried one once and kept forgetting because I just have an ipod touch, not an iphone, and therefore don’t always have it with me. However, one of my friends with an iphone used the same app regularly, and I think it was a lot easier for her since her phone was always with her. I think she lost about 15 pounds, so it seemed to work for her. I think the app I had was my fitnesspal, though there are a bunch of similar ones.

      • Lyssa

        Hang in there, you know you’ve got great support here!

        Anyhow, I’m a big fan of a fellow on the FoodNetwork named Alton Brown- he’s the host of “Good Eats” and “Iron Chef America.” Last January he did a show about how he had lost weight, and I thought that it had some really good advice. He’s a tall guy, and didn’t look “fat” before, but you could see a huge difference (He said it was 50 lbs, and I would say that he actually looks a little too skinny now, if anything.)

        Anyway, instead of a diet, he had certain “lists” that he stuck to. I’m going from memory, here (I’m sure that you could find it with some googling), but I think they were

        1) Things to Eat Everyday: Greens, Carrots, Fruit, Green Tea, Nuts, Whole Grain

        2) Things to Eat At Least 3 Times a Week: Yogurt, Sweet Potatoes, Avocado, (some kind of) Fish

        3) Things to Eat No More Than 1 Time Week (I think): Pasta, Red Meat, Dessert, Alcohol

        4) Things to Eat 0 Times a Week: Fast Food, “Diet Anything”, Canned Soup (because of the sodium), Soda

        I’m not trying to lose, so I haven’t tried it, but it sounds like a really good idea. Just in order to maintain/be healthier, I’ve been trying to work in the everyday foods, and it’s pretty easy (whole grain cereal for breakfast, carrots for snacks, frozen spinach or greens with lunch and/or dinner, fruit and nuts somewhere in there, green tea for an after lunch slight caffine pick-up). I would have a really hard time with the once a week-list, but I think that the point is to set some solid rules that you can stick to. And I would definitely try to get rid of almost all caloric drinks (except for special occassions)- try to replace them with tea and water.

        Good luck!

        • govvie girl

          Hey, that’s awesome. I’m going to have to find that and print that handy little list out! Better than translating the USDA pyramid…

    • P

      If only motivation always came easily, right? :)

      Here’s the tough love: the longer you wait and the more weight you have to lose, the harder it will be. Let’s not even get into health benefits. Having said that…

      Kinder words: I think that taking care of your body is a way of showing you care about yourself. For better or for worse, I definitely notice that my confidence takes a hit if I feel like I’m getting more out of shape. Maybe I shouldn’t be self conscious about it, but I am.

      Random thoughts: Every little bit counts. I know I sound like a broken record saying this, but ten minutes of walking is better than none, and chances are you’ll feel better after doing it. I had a period in time where I couldn’t drag myself to the gym, so instead I would walk for 15 minutes before work and once I was home, I’d spend the first 15 minutes out of my car taking a quick walk before heading inside. Didn’t change into workout clothes or anything because I knew if I went inside, I’d be happier just to stay there. Not the best workout in the world, I know, but it was something and I was happier having done it.

      It sounds like you already have more than enough on your plate, so I know another thing to read may not fit into your schedule. If you do have time, I highly recommend the book Intuitive Eating. It’s an anti-diet, listen-to-your-body approach to eating that I’ve found helpful (I know that sounds really new-agey but it’s really changed my attitude towards food in a very positive way).

      Last thing I would say is be kind to yourself. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now and it’s always hard finding time when you feel like 24 hours in a day isn’t enough.

      • a lawyer

        Having spent almost every night this week past midnight working on briefs, Ican sympathize. I second the thought that every little bit helps. People get depressed b/c they don’t have time to work out, but when this happens to me, I think, well 1 mile is better than none (I am a distance runner and have been for 35 years). Don’t beat yourself up over not getting to the gym or not walking 3 miles. Nike really has the right mantra–Just do it! But on the other hand, everyone has glitches in their lives and working out should relax you, not give you something more to get stressed about.
        Small steps–more good advice. Focus on one mile or 5 pounds, and you will have a greater chance of success.

      • mbs

        Very good advice. I also find that some days, when I’m convinced I can’t do even 5 minutes on the treadmill, if I just get started I end up getting a lot of energy and doing a full workout. Or occasionally I quit after 5 minutes, but more often I get the energy. Just try to get started, you might surprise yourself.

    • rg

      Does it fit your budget and schedule to hire a personal trainer? I had debilitating RSI after graduate school, and went from being very active to practically bedridden and gained a lot of weight. When I started to recover, I felt overwhelmed by the thought of losing the weight and getting back into shape. But the trainer was the best investment I could have made. Not only did paying for it motivate me, but he taught me how to work out efficiently, even on a tihgt schedule. It’s been a few years and I recently, in a different city, hired a trainer for about a month. I told her I wanted to get a manageable routine that I could do with minimal equipment on a regular basis even from home, and she totally delivered.

    • ADB_BWG

      A few things I’ve learned.

      First – the hard one. To make time for something new (fixing salads, exercising for even 15 minutes) … ready … YOU HAVE TO STOP DOING SOMETHING ELSE. Ahem. Sorry for the caps, but this was my downfall last year. I tried to add three things to my nightime wind-down, but forgot that I had to change when I got ready for bed to make time. And then I wondered why I couldn’t incorporate those changes. So, IMHO, the first step for change is to figure out where/when/how you can carve out time.

      Second, re weight loss. My brother is a physical therapist, and years ago he gave me these suggestions (which worked). I plan to get back to them myself.

      1. Eat no more than 30 grams of fat per day (may need to adjust for your own situation). This is the only “counting” you do.

      2. Don’t let yourself get hungry. Or thirsty. (if you watch the fat grams, this translates to lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, etc., which keep you full).

      3. Drink water – plain, seltzer, with lemon, in tea, whatever it takes.

      4. Move. If you can’t excercise for 30 minutes, do 10. Or 5. Walk when you can. Stretch while you sit.

      5. Get enough rest — and rest is not sitting on your butt in front of the tv or the computer.

      Good luck!

      • AIMS

        I think this is solid advice. Just making a conscious effort to eat less/better & move more helps a lot!

        This is a small step but when I start to feel my clothes get too tight I make it a point to move more (even if it just means I walk over to recycle every random scrap down the hall as opposed to letting a pile build up, or I get up to put things away more quickly [bonus: a much cleaner house]).

        I also try to just make small, healthful choices. Eat a soup or salad before dinner; eat off a smaller dinner plate; if I am eating out, to order the thing that is slightly healthier than the my first choice, etc. It all adds up!

        In terms of encouragement: I find visualization works. Picture small changes & the impact they’ll have. E.g., how fabulous you’ll look in that dress you no longer wear that you loved; or, how sexy you’ll look on vacation next year… Even, how much more energy you’ll have to do the things you love. And, I agree with the comment above that it’s only gets tougher to lose weight the more it hangs around, so remind yourself of that. Better to need to to go down 1-2 sizes, than waiting to do this when you need to go down 3-4.

    • Fiona

      I read an article in this month’s Women’s Health magazine, where they said that working out even 2-3 days a week improves your performance at work on a number of different measures (focus, memory, energy, motivation). Taking the time to exercise doesn’t have to mean taking time out of work – it can actually help you be better at work.

      Three ways that I’ve found to fit exercise into a tight schedule:
      (1) Work out first thing the the morning. No interruptions, only have to shower once for the day, gets the day off to a great start.

      (2) Work out at lunch time. My building has a gym downstairs, although my favorite thing to do is to go outside for a run (my city has a great river that you can run along). Fresh air, sunshine, a mental break from the office – it’s amazing how much better you feel when you get back from even a short run.

      (3) Schedule work outs with friends. Combining exercise with socializing is the best. You get to catch up with a friend and having something “booked” makes you more likely to do it.

      Hang in there, and just do what you can!

    • ANON

      I’ll be anon for this too, cuz I’m a little embarrassed as well. Have you ever tried weight watchers? I had never tried it out before and I have to say, showing up to the meetings and tracking what I eat has made a tremendous difference. I eat whatever is available to me but I have to hold myself accountable, especially when I weigh in. I lost 11 lbs in 6 weeks – I’m at a weight I don’t ever remember being at. My mom is informally following along with me (she’s 51) and she’s lost 5 lbs in 6 weeks. It really does work, as will anything else you’re consistent with.

      • TQBH

        My borderline-obese cousin (in her mid-20s) started Weight Watchers in August and has lost 20-30 pounds. She swears by it. It’s the only thing that’s ever worked for her, and she’s been trying to lose weight for the past decade or so.

    • Taylor

      Look, you may just be at your menopausal weight so maybe you should love your successful mother, I have a poochy belly self! Eat healthy, excercise, and buy clothes that flatter your new body. Maybe get a new haircut. Accept who you are and realize that you have had three babies and a career and the really good bod is NOT THAT IMPORTANT. You have three kids who need you to spend time with them and not at the gym. Seriously, tents for a size 12? That is not necessary at all.

  9. s-p-s

    Look, you may just be at your menopausal weight so maybe you should love your successful mother, I have a poochy belly self! Eat healthy, excercise, and buy clothes that flatter your new body. Maybe get a new haircut. Accept who you are and realize that you have had three babies and a career and the really good bod is NOT THAT IMPORTANT. You have three kids who need you to spend time with them and not at the gym. Seriously, tents for a size 12? That is not necessary at all.

  11. anonnow

    Thanks all my wonderful Corporette friends for your advice and inspiration. Just hearing the support and *motivation* makes me feel, well, less ‘down in it.’ So glad and appreciative of my ‘community’ – and off for a quick 15 min walk with the dog :). Thanks again, I heart you all.

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