You know that in order to lose weight you must eat healthy and exercise. However, I have a little secret for all of you! Recent studies have shown that there are actually 2 other proven methods that (when combined with eating healthy and exercising) increase weight loss.

Did I mention they have nothing to do with food or entering a gym?

That’s right. Keeping a journal of what you eat as well as betting friendly wagers against other dieters has been shown to help people who couldn’t seem to lose weight any other way.

Let’s break these two down to figure out how you can use these techniques to shed those pounds and get in shape.

Money gets results

According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, people who have financial incentives to lose weight have much higher rates of success at dieting than those who do not. Instead of losing weight for vanity or health, the newest incentive is cash and it’s working wonders for motivating previously unsuccessful dieters. It starts as a bet against someone (a friend, coworker, or family member) that you will lose more weight. Whoever comes up short loses their money to the bigger loser. Somewhere between a competitive personality and greed, weight is successfully lost with enthusiasm.

This trend started out as grass roots after a few studies proved it a success. Its methods are now being duplicated on the internet on sites like StickK.com, fatbet.net and makemoneylosingweight.com. To learn more about online weight loss bets, check out this New York Times article. Read More »

Such a sweet and talented boy (who loves puppies!) and how he’s in the clink.

Blink 182 is back together again!

Congratulations to new daddy, Tiger Woods.

Workout balls are dangergous.

Sure the music was great, but what about the Grammy hair?

2 UCLA students are on their way to the top thanks to Coca Cola.

The best lip balm ever?

An online support group for those of us with parents on Facebook.

Christian Bale takes kid to the dentist.

The Craigslist Free section is all you’ll ever need.

Of all the award shows (what are there, 74?), the Grammys is my absolute fave. Unlike the Emmy Awards or the Oscars that get really boring after awhile, the Grammys are chock full of awesome performances from the best artists of the year. It’s like my dream concert made better by the fact that I get to watch the whole thing on my couch… with a tube of cookie dough.

And last night was no disappointment. Well, maybe the whole Chris Brown/Rihanna sitch – lord knows I would have loved to see her performing. Coldplay and Jay-Z? Katy Perry? Al Green and Justin Timberlake? Our homegirl, Jennifer Hudson?

I was dancin’ in my living room. Yes, cookie dough in hand.

And the red carpet wasn’t too shabby, either. It definitely kept me on my toes. I don’t know what it is about this particular award show, but people really like to think outside the box with their fashion choices. I saw way too many origami-inspired dresses, not to mention the weird thing that Paris Hilton decided to sport. And the guys weren’t much better. I mean, I know Coldplay was performing but did they have to wear those costumes all night? You didn’t see Katy Perry rocking the sparkley Chiquita Banana outfit on the Red Carpet…

Below are some of the more….er….interesting fashion statements from the Grammys. I mean, who really thinks a giant bow should be placed directly over your lady parts?

I don’t know, friends; I just don’t know. At least it made for some exciting TV, though. (Click on the picture to get a glance at the whole weird-lookin’ ensemble.) Read More »

[Every week, CC and John bring you some of the weirdest, funniest, saddest things he hears on his college campus. Join the Overheard revolution!

Leave your own overheard convos in the comments.]

A man and woman are speaking. The man gets down on one knee:

“I’m not your father,” he says.

“… so then Grandpa just started breaking all the furniture!”

“Yeah, this is why we can’t have a dog.”

“Going to Dunkin’ Donuts. You want anything?”

“Yeah, get me some Dunkaroos.”

“Dude? Really?”

Furious 12-year old girl: “Seriously, the reason critics didn’t like the Twilight movie was because it wasn’t true to the book!”

“Becky got Snorlaxed last night.”

“What?”

“Her roommate sat on her while she was sleeping.”

“Oh.”

“You flip omelettes so gracefully.”

“Shut up, you big vagina-nuts!” Read More »

Have you met our new BFFs over at What’s Haute? We love popping over there to do some “window shopping” of all the designer bags and accessories that we would have to work for life and beyond to afford. Still, we can’t stop. Well, our friends know how we feel and now they are bringing us some cheaper (yet still beautiful) alternatives, right here on CollegeCandy. To see more couture goodness, visit What’s Haute.

If there’s any supermodel whose style is worth imitating, it’s Kate Moss. The former Calvin Klein model turned supermodel has such a laid-back carefree casual uniform, usually consisting of distressed skinny jeans, a top and leather blazer, or a barely there minidress and ballet flats. And of course there’s her enviable collection of Mulberry handbags.

She was recently spotted out and about with her black Mulberry Bayswater Tote, that retails for $995 at NET-A-PORTER and ShopBop. The tote has a signature turn-lock closure, double rolled handles and gunmetal hardware with padlock and keys included. Measuring at 10″H x 14″L x 6″D with a 6″ strap drop, it features an interior zip pocket and buckled strap detail. The Bayswater is a must-have, but if you don’t really have $995 to spare, the ASOS Patent Twist Lock Bag is a great alternative at around $32.00.

After a recent production with a free love hippie who was supposedly sleeping sexily only in my bed, I have some questions.

This boy, god bless is heart, is an intimacy ninja. While he swears to every god under the sun, as well as the sun, that he has only been pairing his goodies with my goodies, he also has a couple of female friends with whom he cuddles. As in wraps his arms and legs around in a loving way.

And it is nothing more than a feel-good display of affection.

Upon announcing this to my girlfriends, the reactions varied, but all in the same direction:

“He CUDDLES with other girls? WHAAAAAAT?”

Upon announcing the news break to my male friends, the reactions were pretty humiliating:

“You’re an idiot, he is totally f*cking these girls.”

I’d reckon you might be feeling one of these two things right now, too. But let’s break it down. Read More »

[I like to think of myself as a pretty easy going gal, and try not to sweat the small stuff. But sometimes (ok, maybe slightly more often) the general cluelessness, carelessness and overall stupidity of some things and or/people really gets to me. I find that venting is the most efficient way to rid myself of the stress that idiots, wrong meal orders, lack of cell phone etiquette and cheese flavored products (that don’t even contain any freaking cheese!) induce.

So, in an attempt to avoid an ulcer or an unfortunate road rage incident, I vent to you, dear reader. Please feel free to join in and comment about anything–really, anything–that pissed. you. off. this week. Let it all hang out. I feel you.]

Cell phone companies: Lately, all these upbeat and happy-go-lucky cell phone company commercials (in addition to the fact that my phone has, miraculously, not been stolen for a few years) led me to lower my guard towards the vicious corporate cell conglomerates. Until yesterday.

I practically skipped out of the store getting sticky fingerprints alllll ovah my new Vu. I had barely blinked when I signed away on the $264 transaction and sold my cell-soul for another two years (I like to pretend I’m really rich when I buy expensive things that are necessary purchases…it makes parting with my very small funds a lil bit easier). Then my boyfriend called; he had dutifully been doing some comparison shopping, as he’s well aware of my tendency to impulse buy. He had found the same phone, same deal for $135… before the rebate. Naturally, I went to return my phone and buy take the cheaper deal, only to find that, no, the company could not reverse the contract they JUST processed. And, no, I could not return my phone because apparently they examine it for microscopic scratches and cite a $75 “re-stocking” fee. So it was either keep my phone, or pay to return it. After my contract expires, I’m switching to carrier pigeon. Read More »

Ok, so your best friend doesn’t have a boyfriend and is in need of some MAJOR hugging and telling her everything will be fine and that the world is not ending just because she’s alone this Valentine’s Day. Why not give her a cute gift along with all those X’s and O’s?

This Valentine’s Day, it’s all about lovin’…

Presents, that is.

For:

The Frugal One – Not only are brownies yummy to eat, they’re cheap and easy to make, too! And if you’ve always saved the crust for last (since, obviously, it’s the best part), now you can make your entire brownie batch edge-y in this super cool pan.

The Sweet One – Nothing says “I Love You” like toilet paper. Really. Nothing.

The Artsy One -  Chances are, her wall is full of paintings but is missing one of these. Fish are so much easier to talk to than guys, anyway.

The Crazy One – Need to get back at an ex? Well, now you can take a stab at him. Violence is definitely the answer in this case. A very cute, useful answer.

The Forever-A-Kid One – Gum isn’t just for chewing anymore, people. It provides hours of entertainment to stop you from thinking about guys and relationships. Who needs a man when you can make art? Read More »

[Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!]

With Valentine’s Day only a week away, we have found that the best gifts for this romantic holiday are those that make us not only feel great, but look it, too. Don’t get us wrong, we do enjoy our chocolate just as much as the next gal, but with so many chocolate-themed beauty goodies out there, we’ll sacrifice our sweet tooth (at least for a time) for these calorie-free treats instead.

Read More »

By mid-February, the winter weather will have taken its toll on millions of hands across the country. Whether you suffer from brittle nails that are constantly breaking or hands that feel like sandpaper (and may even crack and bleed, they’re so dry- gross!), there’s no reason you should let Jack Frost win. Winter storms may be harsh, but with a little extra effort, you can keep your soft, delicate hands year round!

1. Drink enough water.

You’re giving the weather a head start if you don’t properly hydrate yourself. Just because you’re not sweating from the summer heat doesn’t mean you can cut down on your h20 intake. Continue to drink plenty of water, and limit your fizzy soft drinks and alcohol, which will dehydrate you faster than you can say “blizzard.”

2. Invite skin care into the shower.

One thing’s inevitable: you have to shower, right? So purchase soaps and body wash that won’t dry you out. According to About.com, bar soaps are more likely to dry out your skin, whereas emollient-rich cleansers will actually battle the effects of dry skin. Try Dove Delicate Cream Body Wash, or look for the word “butter,” as in “Shea Butter,” “Cocoa Butter,” or just plain “Body Butter” when you’re selecting your next lather. Your hands feel the cleansers you use the most, since they are slathering the stuff all over your bod. Read More »