Square

At the salon, we stopped accepting credit cards because the fees were high. It's really inconvenient for clients to have to pay with either a cash or check, since most people pay with a card these days. Especially with new walk-in clients. What if they came in and expected to pay with a card, and didn't have a check or cash as an option to pay? I started using Square.

It's a little device you hook to your phone, you swipe their card, and the money goes into your bank account. They sign their signature with their finger on your phone, and you can either text or email them a receipt. It's great!!

NROL, Stage 1

I completed all 16 workouts in New Rules of Lifting for Women... I am almost done with Stage 2 now. (7 stages in all). Here's the beginning and ending weights of how much I lifted during Stage 1:

• Squats: Started with 35 lbs, ended with 90lbs


• Pushups - Started out barely being able to do these, to no problem at all


• Seated Row: Started with 20 lbs, ended with 90 lbs


• Step-ups: Started with just body weight, ended with 15 lb dumbbells in each hand


• Prone Jackknife: This was the best ab exercise I've ever done - I can't believe what a difference it has made! Anyone who doesn't know what a Prone Jackknife is, watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szyy3-K_Yz8


• Deadlift: Started with 55 lbs, ended with 105 lbs


• Dumbbell shoulder press: started with 20 lbs, ended with 25 lbs in each hand


• Wide-grip lat pulldown: started at 80lbs, ended at 90 lbs


• Lunge: Started with 15lbs, ended with 20 lbs each hand


• Swiss ball crunch: I did the required 15 reps, 2 sets. This exercise was worthless

I'll report Stage 2 when I'm done. I've been really loving this program. It has really strengthened and toned me. I lost 11.4 lbs doing this Stage, and 107lbs down to date.