Emilia Zs Rak
Emilia Zsuzsanna Rak (aka BikiniMom) was an AFPA certified fitness professional, competitive bodybuilder and model for several years. More recently she has been a business turn-around specialist & management consultant. She holds the US TradeMark for her pen name "BikiniMom" under which she has been writing articles on the pursuit of health & wellness, business growth & development, an array of issues regarding parenting, family, dating & relationships, domestic violence, abuse and the pursuit of self-esteem both online and in print for nearly ten years. She has two books on dating and relationships to her credit as well as written and/or illustrated several picture books for children. She hails from a varied background of successful entrepreneurs from such industries as hospitality & service, fitness, fund-raising, business start-ups & turn-arounds. She is the mother of four girls, president and founder of the non-profit organization "The BikiniMom Network" whose main goal is to address an array of issues that are a related to domestic violence and abusive situations. She is also a SCORE counselor.
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Displaying Results 1 - 102 (of 102) for Yahoo! Voices
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Best Nutritional Habits to Lower CholesterolAccording to the recent onslaught of TV ads by pharmaceutical industry the general population is led to believe that the only way they can effectively reduce their cholesterol is by popping pills. Stuff & nonsense!
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Debunking the Top 10 Small Business MythsSo, you think you can own/operate your own small business? What you think you know may cost you. -
The State of New Jersey Should Get Their Priorities Straight and Start Protecting Its ChildrenJust one of the millions of untold stories around the world about how this court-sanctioned form of child abuse destroys families, one child at a time. -
Redefining Physical Beauty Does Not Promote Our Daughters' Self EsteemThe recent media blitz touted as altruistic in nature with goals to raise our daughters' self esteem is nothing more than slick sales techniques by the beauty products manufacturers and their distributors. -
Beware the Emotional VampireNothing will suck the life out of a body more quickly than an emotional vampire. These toxic people should be avoided at all costs. -
First Person: What Americans Should Learn From London RiotsCompared to previous generations and many in the rest of the world you still don't have it so bad. And those who have greater government entitlement programs are not better off than you.
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It Actually Works: Conair Infiniti Pro Spin Air Brush BuzzConair Infiniti Pro Spin Brush promises shiny, frizz-free salon professional-looking tresses at home attained with ease: a promise I'd heard many times before. Does this product deliver? -
My Husband, My HeroJust a little ditty about the man I've grown to love. I count each day I've been afforded with him by my side as a blessing so great, mere words simply can not quantify my gratitude. -
Online Dating MythsJust because you didn't use an online dating site to e-meet someone doesn't mean that you aren't online dating.
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Part 3: Understanding Your Metabolism BetterThis is the final piece of the puzzle for those who seek to understand and master their body's metabolic function. -
4 Critical Habits You Need to Get the Most Out of Your WorkoutFollow these three tips and avoid common but costly mistakes so you can function optimally during your time spent working towards your health & wellness, fitness & exercise goals. -
Online Dating is for Liars, Losers, & CreepsIt still mystifies me that in this age of the internet, e-commerce, online education and social media marketing that so many still believe this silly myth to keep them from using online dating sites. -
Do You Think You Have What it Takes to Be a Successful Certified Personal Trainer?If you think that this profession would be an easy "side job" to provide some additional income you'd better read this article first. There is nothing easy or "side job" about this line of work. -
Lack of Leadership Ability by Obama Guiding U.S. to Nowhere, FastThe irony regarding the outcomes of President Barack Obama's decisions (or lack thereof) are great and many.Also published on: -
Small Business 411: Free and Effective Ways to Increase Your Client BaseIf your small business is not utilizing the free social media marketing tools available to everyone with an Internet connection, you are quite literally throwing money out of the window. -
Fidelity Without ReligionWith all of the articles regarding religion and how it pertains to remaining faithful to one partner, one would think that it would be impossible to stay within the confines of a committed relationship without religion. -
Hungarian-American Memories of EasterMy fondest childhood Easter memories are tied to countless hours decorating Easter eggs in the traditional ways born of my Hungarian heritage. -
The First (and Last) Rock Concert I'd Ever AttendedI was a freshman in high school. My uber-strict immigrant parents felt I was old enough to go to Madison Square Garden to see my first rock concert.That night shaped a large part of how I would come to view myself, the world around me and my place in it. -
My Biggest Health Mistake: Ignoring Proper NutritionI grew up a fat kid so I was teased a lot. Unfortunately my desire to get skinny outweighed my desire to achieve fitness. I literally wasted years spinning my wheels chasing skinny totally missing fitness at great cost due to ignoring proper nutrition. -
9 Must Know Tips for Traveling with ToddlersThere is a fair amount of anxiety associated with most travel. Add traveling with toddlers to the mix and every parent goes into panic mode. These 9 mom/dad-tested, kid-approved tips should help alleviate that anxiety. -
How to Achieve Small Business SuccessSCORE offers invaluable guidance on how to achieve small business success -- and it's totally free! -
Does Paying Your Children for Good Grades Provide Incentive for Them to Value Their Education?Paying children for good grades has always seemed a ridiculous notion to me because of my upbringing. -
The TV Talk Show Effect: When Lie Detector Tests Expose CheatersWhat would possess cheaters to expose their reprehensible behavior on national TV talk shows by voluntarily submitting to lie detector tests? -
Driving to Work in Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex Just Before Super Bowl Sunday XLVThe entire Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex was crippled just before the event that the area had been awaiting for years. Most would stay in doors. But those of us who needed the pay for hours worked ventured out regardless. I have a new found respect for my husband's "man skills" as he got us to and fro -
Go Green IntelligentlyAs Earth Day quickly approaches here is a simple Earth Day promise that isn't born from misleading hype which often leads to useless and destructive behavior. Just use a little common sense and you will find it easy to make every day Earth Day. -
Part 2: Understanding Your Metabolism BetterIn a previous article "Part 1: Understanding Your Metabolism Better" I discussed the basic physiology of how the human body digests the foods we eat. This article will address what it is that we are eating which is impeding our ability to become fit.
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Online Dating Just Doesn't WorkEven though online dating has become quite popular many still shy away because they choose to hold onto this outdated myth. There is substantial data that is rapidly growing which demonstrates the exact opposite to be true.
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Defining FitnessYet another stumbling block that many have when striving to attain and maintain their fitness and wellness goals is their very definition of the what it means to be fit. -
How I Paid Off My Student LoansIf I was able to repay the student loans that funded my college education, then you can do it too. These simple tips will help you implement a plan to alleviate the burden of student loan debt sooner than later. -
Online Dating is DangerousEven though online dating has become quite popular many still shy away because they choose to hold onto this outdated myth. These 8 common sense tips will help to alleviate your fears and avoid online dating danger.
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North Texas Gets Hit with "Deep Freeze Round 2" in February 2011What North Texas residents are experiencing as they shiver; the memory of last week's crippling snowstorm is still fresh in their minds. But most Texans will tell you, "If you don't like the weather..." -
Can One Conversation Change Your Life? "Just Ask Michele"There are inspirational real life people all around us who don't just talk the fitness & wellness talk, but walk that walk alongside those who choose to join them on that journey.
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Frozen - a HaikuOn 1 MAY 2006 our world changed forever as my girls and I were separated from one another. Living has been a struggle, true. But as long as we are alive there is always hope. I know I dream of the day that my children's kiss will melt this icy tomb. -
We Married on Our Third DateMany people who experience failed marriages never find the strength to take a chance on committing body and soul again. We've had our share of challenges, but what seemed like a gamble keeps paying off with a marriage that grows stronger every day.
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Career Transition Workshop at Crossroads Bible Church in Double Oak, TexasThe way recruiters/hiring managers find talent has greatly changed. If you are a resident of the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex and are job-seeking due to being unemployed/underemployed you must make time to attend this upcoming seminar.
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Why Didn't You Get the JobYou were sure you nailed this one but you didn't get the job. What are you doing wrong? The answer may shock you.
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"Heavy" Packs a Positive Wallop for Those Who Seek Physical Fitness and Emotional Wellbeing7 Reasons why "Heavy" is a program that gets two big thumbs up from this fitness professional. "Heavy" literally knocks "The Biggest Loser" down into the gutter, right where it belongs.
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Happiness - HaikuNo one else can bring us or make us happy. We must first find it within ourselves. Then we must try and pass it on freely every chance that finds us. -
IvyAs a woman enters her 40's, she enters a new stage in her life. She realizes just how important the connection to her past as well as her future become to her present. -
Considering Proposing on Valentine's Day?10+ years of life experience have taught me that it is the intent behind the behavior that determines the success of proposing on Valentine's Day, not the act itself. -
Too Fat to Get a Job?The number of unemployed and underemployed people at is at an all time high in the United States. But it may shock most to know what may be keeping them from getting hired and/or promoted regardless of skill set and qualifications. -
Fitness for Road WarriorsWith these easy 5 common sense tips even the most hard-core road warrior can maintain their commitment to fitness.
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My Arms AcheAny parent that has suffered the loss of a child whether to death or pathological alienation syndrome (PAS) or any other form of tragedy can relate. I dare say that every parent can empathize with this short poem born of this mother's pain. -
How to Choose a Gym That's Right for YouChoosing a gym that's right for you is an integral part of successfully getting fit, losing weight and getting into shape. These 6 tips will simplify the process. -
My First Christmas as a Single ParentThe devastation of divorce had caused the end of my family life as I had come to know it for nearly 13 years. But the true spirit of Christmas helped put me back onto the path of happiness. -
I Am Not a Racist Just Because I Question the Policies of the Obama AdministrationWhat does the color of a person's skin have to do with their ability (or in this case their inability) to properly perform the duties of an elected office?
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PAS Families: "You Are Not Alone."There are many people around the world who suffer personal tragedy while feeling alone. But thanks to online support groups comfort, support and helpful information is accessible to all especially because of the anonymity afforded by the web.
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Taking Back Our EconomyPerhaps someone should forward a copy of this to President Barack Obama because he's been having such a hard time since he took office 2 years ago. -
How to Make Easy Eggnog Bread PuddingUnless you are an eggnog fiend chances are that you will have some left-over. This simple winter weather dessert recipe is just one way you can make a quick treat that everyone will love. -
My First Gym MentorEvery year many of us join the gym with the best of intentions only to quit shortly thereafter. If it weren't for the time that Mike Clemente took to help me I would have never been able to stay in the gym. -
Did BikiniMom Win a Spot on Oprah Winfrey Network's New Reality TV Program "Your Own Show"?Oprah's search for the next TV talk show star of "Your Own Show" Reality TV show competition is set to premier January 2011 during the premier of the Oprah Winfrey Network. Will BikiniMom be in the lineup? -
My Worst Exercise MishapAfter 26+ years in the gym I've had my fair share of exercise mishaps. But none compares to what happened during my "work-out" date with the very gorgeous Mr Rutgers, Adam Eismann. -
Lame Duck Congress 2010 or Just Plain Lame?Apparently Senator Harry Reid suffers from the same disorder that is plaguing President Barack Obama.
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Why Doesn't He Understand Me?With 5 teen daughters on social networking sites, I've seen and heard this question dozens of times. I wish they would remember I was a teen girl too. Teen boys are not all that difficult to understand, -
How to Make an Eggnog CheesecakeThis simple recipe will produce a wonderfully creamy winter holiday desert. -
How to Make the Perfect Cheesecake Every Single TimeRegardless of the ingredients or whether you are baking cheesecakes in ramekins or a 9" pan, this list of must have tips will insure cheesecake-making success every single time. -
How to Make an Eggnog MartiniThis simple holiday inspired martini drink is easy to make and sure to please. -
6 Personal Gym Tips from This Fitness GuruThe gym has been a constant in my life for the past 26 years. Allow me to pass on these simple tips I learned along the way to help you reach your fitness goals. -
How I Stimulated Growth for My Small BusinessFrom working in my parents' tavern to owning a consulting company, life has taught me how to separate which business practices would stimulate growth for my small business and which ones could send me one step closer to the unemployment line.
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Cold Weather Fitness Not for You? 9 Reasons to Check Out AquaticsSome people love outdoor cold weather activities but what options do those who don't like the cold have other than lifting weights and walking on the treadmill? Aquatics could be the perfect way to end indoor gym boredom and get back into the gym. -
How to Make the Best Ever EggnogThis simple eggnog recipe has few ingredients, is practically idiot-proof and yields an adult holiday beverage that everyone will love. -
The Best Ever Eggnog RecipeThis simple eggnog recipe has few ingredients, is practically idiot-proof and yields an adult holiday beverage that everyone will love.
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The Biggest Winner: Angela EssamAs TV's "The Biggest Loser" glamorizes radical unsafe weight loss read one woman's story of how she overcame that media pressure to get skinny at all costs. Here is how Angie is winning the race with her slow and steady approach to health and fitness. -
How to Make the Most of Your Gym Time when Limited by Holiday ObligationsAll of the additional obligations of the impending holiday season may limit your time in the gym. Circuit training will help you make the most the time you have to work out.
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Matthew's GiftBeing a rejected parent is particularly difficult when other families are celebrating. Don't let the despair of Pathological Alienation Syndrome rob you of your ability to extend yourself and accept the love of others. -
You Don't Have to Run in Order to Get the Most out of a TreadmillPeople mistakenly think running is the only way to get a high-intensity cardiovascular workout from a treadmill. Interval training shatters this commonly held fitness myth.
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Circuit training 1Circuit training is an excellent way to optimize your time in the gym especially during the holiday season when a body's to do list is generally overwhelming, -
Why is Everyone so Afraid of Gaining Weight Just Because it is "the Holiday Season?"It is mystifying why everyone dreads the holiday season just because there seems to be an unwritten rule somewhere that everyone must gain weight. Stop making excuses and stay in the gym! -
Governor Perry Will Not Debate Democratic Challenger Bill WhiteWithheld income tax returns from the early 1990's or one of the strongest state economies in America despite one of the worst downturns in recent history? Texans will have to decide which actions speak louder than words come November. -
Investors in a Holding Pattern Until November ElectionsBarack Obama having a hard time facing the music. -
Should You Use a Backpack with a Safety Leash on Your Child?With back-to-school quickly approaching parents are faced with the task of shopping for school supplies. Backpacks equipped with safety leashes are amongst the newest innovations but who should use such advanced technology?
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How to Increase Your Grip StrengthDoes the use of wrist straps increase or decrease grip strength. The answer may surprise you.
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"Forgiveness: A Targeted Parent's Life Lesson About Unconditional Love"As targeted parents our children lash out and reject us because they are forced to hate us. This causes many of us parents to react in such a way that is understandable, however very counterproductive. But it does not have to be this way. -
How to Get the Most from Your Personal TrainerYou've done your homework and hired a good personal trainer to assist you with your fitness goals but are you really poised to gain the most you possibly can from the experience? These simple guidelines should help. -
How to Choose a Personal TrainerYou've decided to get in shape but you don't have any idea where you should start. A personal trainer should help guide you but with all the hype and misinformation how do you choose a suitable personal trainer?
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How a Stress Test May Benefit Your Fitness Regimen in the Long RunToo many people make the mistake of substituting physical beauty for physical fitness. An exercise stress test is a simple tool that you can utilize to better gauge your true level of fitness and map a better path for long-term fitness success.
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Part 1: Understanding Your Metabolism BetterBetter understanding of how the digestive system functions will allow an individual to make better choices regarding a healthy diet. Understanding how your body works you will help you hit the mark regarding your fat loss and fitness goals.
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"Let's Move" with Michele ObamaDid First Lady Michele Obama offer any helpful insights when address our nation's raging epidemic of childhood obesity in a press conference on June 23, 2010 or was it just more of the same tired political rhetoric? You decide. -
Which is Better, Cardio or Lifting Weights?There has always been a lot of confusion and controversy regarding the question about cardio vs lifting weights. Many disagree about which activity is king when it comes to getting fit and losing weight. -
Misguided Frustration Over BP Oil LeakThe BP oil leak has prompted a public outcry. People keep asking what Obama is doing about the oil leak, as they should. But the public's constant whining over gasoline consumption is about as useful as a hand-brake on a jet-liner. -
Cookie for Breakfast?You've heard it a million times, "I don't have time to eat until I get to work." I say, "Have a cookie." ...No seriously, I do. -
Why Do We Love to Hate Fat People so Much?From the popularity of programs like "The Biggest Loser" and "Losing it With Jillian" it's easy to see that it's acceptable to hate and ridicule fat people. Jillian Michaels' recent appearance on "Dog Whisperer" makes this even more obvious. -
Biggest Loser Contestants Dying to Be Thin?CBS Early Show interview with former "Biggest Loser" finalist Kai Hibbard reveals what competent, concerned fitness professionals have known all along. The American public is being lied to just to keep them fat. -
Why the Biggest Loser Gets a Big Thumbs DownI am so sick and tired of TV shows like "The Biggest Loser" which are reality TV shows about extreme weight loss that are anything but real. -
AC Contributor BikiniMom (Emilia Rak) in the RunningThe Oprah Winfrey Network has launched their search for the next TV Talk Show personality with the "My Own Show" contest. AC Contributor BikiniMom (Emilia Rak) takes the leap of faith. -
A Young Woman's Guide To Working Out at The GymIt isn't easy for a teen girl to enter the gym. Here are a few steps that you can take to make sure you keep walking once you are headed in the right direction: facing fitness and turning your back on the scale. -
90 Days After ObamaCareIn a press conference on June 22, 2010 President touted all "the positive changes" his Health Care Reform bill has provided for all American citizens. It must be true because I heard it on the TV, though I am living a different reality altogether. -
Which Should You Do First: Lift Weights or Cardio?Should you focus your efforts on doing your cardio first? Or should you hit the weights hard saving cardio for the finale? This simple article will break it down for you.
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Why You Should Think About Your Bikini BodyNow that summer is here the initial panic brought on by the approach of warm weather is over. Maybe it's time to shift our priorities to year-round health as opposed to merely how we'll look in a bathing suit for a few months. -
Peter's Pizzeria Delivers Great Food Every Single TimeNothing beats consistently delicious Italian cuisine served up fresh daily in a little pizzeria that has a heart as big as the state of Texas. -
What's All the Hype About Core Strength?What's the shape of your core? Is it taught, firm and solid? Or is it flabby and weak; an injury waiting to happen? Find out about this latest fitness catch phrase and how it could make or break your state of fitness and well-being. -
Proper Execution of a Weighted Stability Ball CrunchBikiniMom and Tracey Gerald Boot Camp demonstrate the proper execution of a stability ball crunch using a medicine ball. -
How to Choose the Best Post Workout Drinks to Reach Your GoalsWhat are the best post workout drinks? You ask 10 ten different people and you will get as many answers. First identify your specific fitness/weight loss goals. You will then be able to make the best decisions regarding the best workout drinks.
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The Spectrum Diet - Four Meals Ideas from Group OneDr Dean Ornish's Spectrum Diet isn't actually a diet but rather a lifestyle change that an individual can tailor to suit their specific needs. This range includes anything from weight loss and disease reversal to increasing one's overall well-being.
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So You Want to Be Your Own Boss? Four Ways to Determine If You're Up to the TaskMore and more Americans have either they have lost their jobs, have failed to find jobs in their chosen field or they've experienced company cut-backs that have increased their responsibilities without pay that is reflective of the situation.
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4 Dating Don'tsEven though you may be perfectly mentally balanced and have no negative intentions, if you pursue a little too much you will actually push a sane person away while unwittingly attracting a person who may be a few cards shy of a full deck. -
The Best Advice I've Ever ReceivedWhen I hit a bump in the road of life my struggles are lessened as I recall a woman that never knew I existed. She was ignored by the rest of the world. I will never forget her though, as it was she that gave me the best advice I'd ever received. -
Give Dad the Gift of Fitness for Father's DayHey Fitness Mommies, what better way to celebrate and honor the daddy in your life (both the father of your child and your own father) than to inspire them to get back on the path to better health and fitness? -
BikiniMom: pursuing strength, living fitFitness, weight loss, pursuit of better health and wellness for all is what I am here to promote. Join me on my journey. I'd like to inspire, empower and encourage you. There's no sprint to the finish line here. We are all works in progress. -
15 Things Every Guy Should Do Before He Settles DownThis is coming straight from the horse's mouth, a guy who's dated on every continent except Antarctica. He didn't truly settle down until he married his last wife at 55 years young. This is his list of things guys should do before they settle down. -
Protein Shake ReviewFind out whether you should risk your money or your taste buds and if the product labeling is deceptive or lives up to its marketing blurbs. -
The Biggest WinnerThis will be a continuing series of articles about moms designed to motivate and inspire us all to reach beyond our limitations.