http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogList.asp?sort=organizer&schedule=63 Show me a person who has extra weight to lose and I'll show you someone who has extra clutter in their life. And clutter comes in all forms: physical clutter from too much stuff in our space, time management issues from over-cluttered schedules, virtual clutter from jam-packed in-boxes and more. As an author, life coach and professional organizer, working with hundreds of clients over many years, I have come to the conclusion that there is an interesting connection between holding onto clutter and holding onto pounds. I write books, magazine and newspaper columns and speak on my radio and TV segments on the subject of simplification, but I too, need the reminders in my own busy world. It appears that as my notoriety goes up, my calendar gets filled even more with lectures, guest appearances, volunteer work and more in-home organizing clients. So, to the contrary, it feels like my yearning for simplicity is in some respect, creating an even busier, more complex lifestyle to manage. As my free time lessens, so does that extra time needed to nurture my own spirit and home space. My own clutter is made up of time issues, volunteer board position files, diet books & fitness equipment, and storage bins filled with paperwork and outgrown kids stuff…while it may be neatly labeled and color coded bin clutter (hey, remember, I'm an organizer)…it is still clutter, and just like my time, my space and by body as a result need some clearing! So, lose the clutter and drop the weight! Come blog along with me each week as I journey to streamline my schedule, simplify my life, clear out the clutter…and finally lose my baby weight (okay, my baby is now 8 years old!). Read along, send in your comments and progress and let's do this together. It's going to be fun! Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:15:38 EST en-us http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1849 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1849 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:30:00 EST I did my weekly guest-spot radio show yesterday and the host of the show started complaining that summer was basically over and she was becoming depressed. I couldn't have been more on the opposing field. As much as I enjoy summer and getting off schedule a bit with my children home, by the middle of August, I am ready for Autumn! A time I begin to crave regular routines again! September to me is like a freshly cleaned slate, ready to be filled with new possibilities, new ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1398 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1398 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST Congratulations! For those of you with me since January, you've now completed the experimental 15 week Organization Diet Program. From information gathered during these trial weeks and from many testimonials from women all over the country, I will be re-formatting and tweaking the program into a shorter version. Quite simply, I'll be taking the very best of the program and streamlining it a bit for a possible new book on the market in the near future. Thank you for those of you who have ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1353 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1353 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST I've come to the conclusion that no matter how clean, tidy, organized and orderly our living space is…(and hopefully now, by week 15 on my Organization Diet, our homes have really taken shape) if we have hidden pockets of stuff crammed into storage areas…we're never really going to feel completely at ease! Follow me on this theory. It's actually quite logical in the perspective of Organizing to lose weight. As a professional organizer, I naturally strive to maintain a basic sense of ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1333 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1333 Tue, 8 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST Back from the west coast…back to old routines. There is something very comforting with the familiarity of routine. I think we don't appreciate what we have in our day to day lives sometimes, until we're away from it. Well, as we begin to wrap up our Organization Diet journey, I hope that even if you only jumped on board with us these last couple of weeks that you already feel lighter and more streamlined in your home space…and your body! Remember, as you clear the space around you, ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1263 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1263 Tue, 1 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EST As I write this, I am on my way home from California. I'm glad that when arriving home this week, Spring will really have finally sprung in the northeast! This weeks clean out project (week 13 on The Organization Diet) is suited for the nicer weather around the country: THE GARAGE! Write down the word 'garage' on your new pit stop organization card for this week and circle some time in your dayplanner to get out there and start clearing it out! To go along with our Garage clean ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1262 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1262 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST How many of you have a fruit bowl filled with washed fruits, sitting on your kitchen counter or table at this moment? Or, if not a fruit bowl, how many have an ample supply of washed and ready-to-eat fruits sitting in the refrigerator crisper drawer? And for those of you who do, I'd like you to count how many fruits are in there. Then divide that by the number of people living in your home…then divide that number by how many days that fruit supply will have to last until your next grocery ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1238 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1238 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST Welcome to week 11 on the Organization Diet! For those of you who have kept up with the program since week 1 back in January, I know you are feeling better, more in control of your home, lighter and happier because many of you have been emailing me! Congrats to you all so far! Keep the momentum going. For those new to the program, I would suggest you start with the current week and keep going until we wrap it up at about week 15 and then log onto this website and click previous blogs for The ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1196 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1196 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST This was a great week for me. I always feel better when I get a chance to chip away at some of my own household clutter. You know, finally dumping all those little clutter items taking up space in our household drawers. It really is empowering and energizing for us when we open up those little spaces within our home and actually find what we're looking for. I have a lightweight folding banquet table that I store out in the garage. On occasion, throughout the year, such as a craft project or ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1170 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1170 Tue, 4 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST Doesn't it feel good to be de-cluttering our lives and watch the pounds shed away right along side the clutter?! Well, I'm down another pound and a half this week, how 'bout you? Did you make an effort to get rid of all those straggling laundry baskets…especially those with dirty or clean clothes just sitting in them? Remember to only tackle laundry from now on when you have ample time to complete the process from beginning to end…meaning putting the clothes away! ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1134 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1134 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:30:00 EST Well, I'm finally back home from sunny Florida. I got back just hours before the northeast was hit with a big snowstorm! Two full weeks within a small month feels like I was gone forever! And, I will admit to you, as I have in the past during other travel trips, it is always a challenge to keep on a healthy diet when you consistently eat out at restaurants! One interesting thing that I told you I was going to try this year when we got to Disneyworld in our second week away was the ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1039 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1039 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:30:00 EST I'm still here in sunny Florida . I'm realizing one thing. That well into my second week down here, I'm really not the relaxing type. I've dragged books to read and writing projects to work on, and of course my mind always strays to yet another entrepreneurial project I just have to start when I get home! This is how I've always been. I can't seem to really just relax, although I am enjoying the fact that I have the opportunity to. It's nice being off of a ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1038 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1038 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:30:00 EST I'm writing to you this week (and next week) from sunny Florida . Traveling is always a true test for testing out a diet program that well in real life, meaning you can take it anywhere! Now, since I'm writing from our hotel/condo at Walt Disney World and visiting the in-laws often (my husband's side of the family resides in the central Florida area) 'organizing rooms' in my home back in Connecticut is obviously out of the question…. but I think I still need to lean on ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1032 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1032 Tue, 5 Feb 2008 12:30:00 EST I'm so excited after hearing from many of you who are starting to really 'feel' the de-cluttering/diet connection! Many have emailed me to tell me they can't stop clearing the clutter, now that they can start seeing a cleaner, clearer home! Many have begun losing weight as a direct result! A few people even emailed to inform me they just happened to 'stumble' upon my organization diet blog by accident and they jumped right onto the program with excitement! ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=974 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=974 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST Well, how do you feel?? Did you manage to get all those clutter hot spot fires out in your home this past week? Don't worry if you still have more piles or clutter bins that need sorting…review your calendar and pick a day this week to continue working on them. When you finally look into that clean and empty corner of the room where the stack of boxes or bins used to be you will feel energized, trust me! We all need to learn to let go of things. We keep way too much 'stuff' in our ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=930 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=930 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST If you've been participating in my Organization Diet ® program, you are now about to begin week #3! You should already be feeling lighter…in the space around you as well as your body image! I have come to find and many studies have now proven that there is a direct link between cluttered home space, cluttered schedules and virtual clutter (overflowing computer in-box) to extra pounds on our bodies! So, if you've got some weight to lose, chances are, the help you need to lose it ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=888 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=888 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST Congratulations! You've completed your first week on my organization diet program! Jump on the scale today and let me know how you did! I did hear from several of you partaking on the program. The one question many of you had asked was which cards are to be done daily and which ones are to be done during the course of the week. Let me clarify: Once you have written out all your diet and exercise cards, they are to be used every day throughout the program, which is six weeks long (however I ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=850 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=850 Tue, 8 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST The Organization Diet is here! Lose the Clutter, Drop the Weight! Okay everyone, the moment of truth is here! If you are going to partake in this on-line version of my 'becoming very popular' Organization Diet © program, I would love to hear from you (are you enjoying the program, struggling with issues, having success, etc.). Please contact me and/or other participants reading this weekly blog by posting a comment and/or emailing me directly at LisaLelas@aol.com . As I mentioned ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=771 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=771 Tue, 1 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST Happy New Year! I'm on my home from my Vermont house...enthusiastic, motivated and ready to make some healthy changes in my life this year. This year will be about taking care of #1 (me, myself and I). I hope you will join me on my journey toward organization and weight loss. As noted in previous blogs, I have developed a unique organizing diet program that I will share with you starting with next week's blog. So take a deep breath, think positive thoughts, get your dayplanners or ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=728 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=728 Tue, 25 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST Best wishes for a very merry Christmas and New Year's celebration! Enjoy this time with good friends and family. I've got my extended family coming to visit on Christmas day at my house, here in Guilford, on the Connecticut Shoreline. I'll be ringing in the New Year at our lake house in Vermont... without the internet ...so, it'll really be an 'unplugged' week to relax with my husband, John and my girls, Lindsay and Lexy. Hopefully we'll get some skiing in, and I ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=721 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=721 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST Here in the northeast, we've already had our share of winter snow and ice (and it's not even officially winter yet!), which really has been unusual for us. Over the past 10 years, we've barely gotten a snowflake before Christmas! On Thursday, I had to drive down to New Hope, Pennsyvannia, for the taping of some TV Holiday specials for Comcast Cable's CN-8 Channels across the country. While I enjoyed being part of a couple of the "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle's" holiday ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=627 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=627 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=550 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=550 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST Hope your Thanksgiving was a memorable one. I personally really love Thanksgiving Day because it earmarks a day that honors the idea of extending thanks and gratitude. Something that we actually should be doing everyday throughout the year. This week also marks the start of the holiday season. Did you know the average American gains 7-9 pounds from Thanksgiving to New Years Day?! Well, we do NOT have to be included in those statistics this year! I simply refuse. Much of the ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=502 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=502 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST Well, I'm back from the Bahamas, ready…well maybe not so ready…to face the daily grind again. Okay, the scale was waiting for me. My moment of truth. Do cruises really have to put weight on you? Well, I'm content to report to you that, even though I didn't actually lose weight (which was my personal challenge), I stayed the same. At least I didn't gain weight over the week. The food was great on the Disney cruise ship, as with most cruises. I did bring my sneakers, however, ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=333 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=333 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST Turquoise waters, warm breezes, palm trees and warm sunshine. Autumn in New England? No. As you are reading this I am probably sitting on the lido deck by the pool aboard our Disney cruise ship family vacation (no doubt, buried in a good book and hiding under a big bathing suit cover-up!) I'm out to prove this week that one can actually maintain…or even lose weight while cruising! If my organizing-diet theory of clean, open spaces and relaxing schedules having a direct impact on ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=332 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=332 Tue, 6 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST Last week was Halloween. No one ever really talks about organizing that holiday. So here it is… Organizing Halloween 101: For fun, safety…and dieting ! Over the past several years, I've really learned to get a good grip on the season of pumpkins, since my daughter, Lexy was born a couple of days before Halloween. It seemed natural to wrap many of her party themes around that. To keep kids healthy, nix the idea of apple bobbing at a party. One year Lexy did a retro Halloween ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=270 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=270 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:30:00 EST My sister-in-law, Kim is visiting this week from Florida. We all love it when she comes up, since we don't get to see her that often, but why is it that our diet sometimes takes a backburner to houseguests? Perhaps we feel pressed to stock the fridge, have snacks available throughout the day, fill up the days with extra little 'things to do' (like our life isn't busy enough!) and so on. Actually overnight guests offer a welcome 'break' from our regular routine life, but ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=192 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=192 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:30:00 EST Ever notice when week-end events steer your normal routines off course…your home space tidiness goes overboard, right along with your diet? Well, this is exactly the premise behind the development of my organization diet. I've come to the realization that our home environment deeply reflects our eating habits. Are we eating quick packaged foods to find an easy escape from the clutter around us or are we consciously working to chip away at the mess and it's stress to eat more wholesome ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=120 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=120 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:30:00 EST Many psycho-therapists believe that energy is shifted to things that are focused on. Well, I have this new theory, as a result: If I actually begin to focus on myself, good energy will be drawn, allowing for positive changes to occur. I really believe this. To demonstrate my point, there's a fun exercise that's really mind-boggling to try. Close your eyes for 30 seconds while concentrating on an object. Any object. Imagine yourself touching it, holding it, seeing it, feeling ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=24 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=24 Tue, 9 Oct 2007 12:30:00 EST This week I started a hip hop dance class. My first dance class since I was a teen ager. Problem is, I'm not still that same young and spry dancer anymore. I feel like I am at times but got a wake-up call during the 45 minute class session simply by looking at myself in the dance studio wall mirrors. "Yikes! Who is that?" I thought. Huffing, puffing, bouncing to the music (and trust me, a lot more of me is 'bouncing' these days!). Okay, you're probably wondering why I ...