Hey there!

I have a question for you.  Are you one of those people who gets depressed when you’re single on Valentine’s Day?  Do you go out of your way to find a man before V-Day, just so you won’t be alone?  If this sounds like you, you need to grab some scissors and cut it out!  Wallowing is never attractive and neither is the smell of desperation. Get out of that V-Day funk and do what I do when I find myself by myself on Cupid’s day.

• Who needs chocolate and roses?  I’ll pass on the empty calories and dead roses and go for something more permanent like some sexy perfume or hot shoes!  Treat yourself, don’t cheat yourself.  Yes, it’s nice to have someone tall, dark, and handsome shower you with gifts, but when he’s MIA, I make sure I keep myself feeling awesome by showering myself with a trinket or three.  Men love a woman who can take care of themselves and your confidence will be like a moth to the flame…very attractive!
• Pass the pink panties…the drink that is!  I invite my other single gal pals over for some libations, light apps, and heavy conversation.  V-Day is the perfect time to reconnect with old or new friends if you don’t want to be alone.  Friends, drinks, food, and laughter…the spice of life!
• If a group of gabbing gals sounds too overwhelming, I just pick up my bestie for some one on one girl time.   We make a reservation at our favorite restaurant and amidst all the googly eyed couples; we laugh, talk, and reminisce.  My friendships are just as important, if not more important than any relationship I will have with a man.  Why not use Valentine’s Day to celebrate your love for your friend?

And now some advice for those who do have a special person in their lives…Valentine’s Day is just a day! Don’t place too much emphasis on it   You should be showered with love every day, not just when Hallmark tells you to.   Remember, it’s only as important as you make it out to be.  And with that said, I’m off to spend some time with my new Beau.  Single or not, make sure you have a Happy Valentine’s Day!  Don’t forget to sprinkle!  Oh…I almost forgot. Andy Cohen of Bravo invited me to host a Valentine’s Day special where I will five relationship advice to fans, viewers, and even a few Bravo Reality Stars.  Tune into Bravo at 10pm, eastern/pacific time.  Want to win my SENSA Love Package complete with Berry Quench, Berry Chews, an autographed picture of yours truly, and a Red “Sprinkle Me Skinny” Decanter?  Just tell me what you love about yourself in the comments below.  The gals at SENSA will pick  one winner randomly on Wednesday, February 15 at 4pm, PST.    You can also enter on Twitter! Just post “Happy Valentines Day @sensaweightloss @pattistanger” to enter!  Good luck!

XOXO,

Patti Stanger

2012 is upon us ladies and gents! That means you have a whole new year to give up on those resolutions and go back to feeling sorry for yourself.

Want to know how you can put an end to that misery?

STOP MAKING NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS! THEY NEVER WORK!

There, it needed to be said!

I admit I used to make New Year’s Resolutions until I realized how often I failed at them. I would have such high expectations for myself, and if I didn’t meet them, I gave up altogether.

This “all or nothing” mentality we have is NOT a healthy way to look at self-improvement. This is real life, people, and you are allowed to make mistakes!

So without further ado, here’s how you can gear up for the New Year without making ANY resolutions:

1.       Turn off anything with a screen at least once a month

Don’t check your email, turn off your phone, hide the remote and face the real world! We tend to shut ourselves off these days with all our techno gadgets and it can feel overwhelming. Take a day off from it all and go for a walk, read, cook, or just sit and meditate. Sometimes you need to do nothing!

2.       Find clothes you want to look good in

Instead of setting a goal weight and stressing out over how many pounds you should be losing, why not take a different approach? Set your sights on something you wanna look hottie patottie in – a dress, your skinny jeans or even a tank top – and make THAT your goal. Screw numbers – you just want to look cute!

3.       Stop depriving yourself

You think I’m gonna go on a diet that keeps me away from chocolate? Honey, please! SENSA helped me lose 30 lbs BECAUSE I could keep eating my favorite foods. Depriving yourself is not the answer because sooner or later, you’ll purge and gain back all those pounds! With SENSA, I can eat chocolate in moderation and not feel like a diet failure!

4.       Break the routine

Instead of take-out, try cooking at home. Go for a walk after dinner. Clean out that closet you’ve been meaning to get to. Implementing little activities into your daily routine can bring you peace of mind and burn calories! (Does buying shoes count?)

5.  And finally – forget goals and live for the NOW

OMG,  Turkey Day’s coming…and if I don’t have a hunky pilgrim on my arm when I show up at my family’s house, I’m going to have some ‘splainin’ to do. I can just see it now…

“Patti, when are you going to find a man?”

“Patti, if you’re such a successful matchmaker, why are YOU still single?”

And the dreaded, “Patti, when are you going to get married?!”

Being single on Thanksgiving is a friggin’ NIGHTMARE compared to being single on Valentine’s Day.  Why? Because on V-Day you can have a Leo movie marathon with a bowl of Haagen-Dazs BY YOURSELF.  But if you don’t have a date to show off at Thanksgiving, you’re hit with a bunch of questions about your love life from your own family. Umm…awkward!

You don't have to be holding hands with someone to be happy

That’s why I’ve developed a way to sidestep these questions without coming off as rude…even though it’s none of your aunt’s business why you’re single!

Question: Are you seeing anyone?

How You Should Answer: Whether you’ve been looking or not, just tell them you’re content with being by yourself right now. Point out examples of people who have rushed into a relationship only to have it blow up in their face. Just because someone is in a relationship doesn’t mean they’re healthy and happy. Talk about any social hobbies you have and say you’re meeting a lot of nice people that way.

Question: I know the perfect person for you! Want me to introduce you?

How You Should Answer: If a crack dealer on the street offered you a free sandwich, would you take it? The answer is no. The same way of thinking goes if your grandma tries hooking you up with a guy at church. Be nice and just say your coworker already has someone in mind for you (even if that’s not true). You don’t have any details about the person, so plausible deniability gets you off the hook for any further questioning.

Question: Why can’t you meet someone like so-and-so?

How You Should Answer: Anyone rude enough to ask doesn’t deserve an answer. You could just smile and brush it off, OR…if you want to have fun with it, you could say, “Maybe the years of condescension I’ve endured in this family have worn my self-esteem down to a nub, leaving me incapable of meeting a quality partner.” The awkward silence that follows will be your cue to grab another helping of sweet potatoes, just don’t forget to sprinkle!

Good luck with all of your family gatherings this holiday season! The only thing worse than the awkward chit-chat is putting on the pounds, so don’t forget to sprinkle your SENSA on everything you eat! Yes, even dessert!

Hey all you SENSA-fied sex pistols out there!

It’s your favorite matchmaker Patti Stanger with some fool-proof dating tips for guys. (Ladies, show this blog to your man if he’s gotten lazy in love.)

Now listen up guys…I know you probably think you’re hot stuff ever since you lost your spare tire with SENSA FOR MEN. You have a renewed sense of confidence and maybe even a few phone numbers you didn’t have before.  Let’s say you call one of those girls and ask her out.

Don’t think for one second your mission ends when she agrees to go on a date with you. That was the easy part; now you have to reel her in with charm and a fiery passion for life!  As a man, you may think you’re in the driver’s seat, but in reality, your new lady friend is the one who’s taking YOU for a test drive.

Be on top of your game with my tips for attracting and keeping a mate:

Be Clean – It’s common knowledge that women don’t want to date a slob. So why do I still hear so many women complain about their man’s messy apartment or – even worse – bad breath! Guys, clean up after yourself! It’s really not that hard. If you want to prove yourself as husband material, you have to show her you can at least pick your dirty socks off the floor.

Flirt Slowly – Don’t let the alpha male in you take control of the date. Flirting is supposed to be a fun way to interact, not a competitive sport. Body language plays a big role in flirting. No, don’t grab her hand and stare at her like a creep. Laugh, listen, make eye contact and smile with your eyes. And PLEASE don’t be over-complimentary. It can feel invasive and border on sexual harassment. Complimenting does not equal flirting.

Real men know how to cook.

Learn How to Cook – There’s nothing sexier than a man who knows his way around the kitchen. What more can I say? Guys, if you can cook a special meal for your gal, she might even be able to overlook the dirty socks on the floor. Not to mention cooking at home is cheaper and helps you lose weight through portion control.

Have a Skill or Hobby You Are Passionate About – Ever notice how rock stars are surrounded by women even when they’re unattractive? It’s because they possess a skill that they’re passionate about….and being rich doesn’t hurt either.  When you’re good at something, it adds depth and just the right amount of mystery  and shows you’re confident in yourself– women eat that up!

Be a Nice Guy – Nice guys have a reputation for being wimps. Sure, nice guys may not go home with some skank on their arm every night. But quality women looking for a long-term partner want a nice guy. Don’t become a D-bag for the sake of getting the girl. Open doors for her, send her flowers at work, show kindness to those around you. I’ve had dates that treat the waiter like a lapdog. Personally, I’d rather date a cute waiter than a rich jerk.

Grow Up-You’re not in high school anymore guys. It’s time to step up to the plate and get the girl of your dreams before someone else does!

Let me know how you like my tips fellas!  Ladies, if your guy steps it up a notch because of this, let me know.  Until next time….

XO,

Patti Stanger

Hey Sweeties!

It’s been a while since I checked in with you guys…we have some catching up to do!  Well, since the last time you heard from me, I’ve lost even more weight with SENSA!!  I’ve lost 30 lbs and proud to say I’m now a size 2…that’s right, you heard me…couture don’t lie!

I’ve had so much fun with my new SENSAtional body this summer with all the the parties, award shows, and dating I’ve been doing. I’m really excited Matchmaker 5 is premiering tonight (Monday, August 15th) on Bravo. I’m back in L.A., single and ready to mingle, so make sure you tune in.

In the meantime, I wanted to give you some advice on communication and listening.  Being a matchmaker, I’ve learned that communication is a key ingredient for any successful relationship. I always tell my clients that in order to be a good communicator, you need to be a good LISTENER.  How many times have you found yourself racking your brain for something interesting to say while your date is talking?  Guess what? That means you’re not listening to your date!  When that happens, the conversation turns into an awkward interview and your chances of a second date are flushed down the proverbial toilet. Guys are stereotyped for being bad listeners, and I don’t think that’s fair because I’ve seen women who are just as bad about not being present with their partner.

If you really want to turn that first date into true love, you’re going to have to open your ears and your mind – NOT your wallet or your legs.

Avoid Thinking About What You’re Going to Say Next – I touched on this earlier, but I cannot stress how important this step is. Do not force yourself to come up with something witty or clever to say. Just because you’re on a first date and trying to make a good impression doesn’t mean everything you say has to sound brilliant. You need to be on the same page as your date, so get rid of whatever baggage you have cluttering your head and LISTEN!

Focus on Inviting Body Language – Are your arms crossed? Did you just text your friend? These are all signs you’re not listening. Now I’ve been on some boring dates before, but at least give them the courtesy of listening. If you listen and you’re still bored, then at least you know you tried. P.S. Turn off your phone.

Ask for Clarification – We have this annoying habit of smiling and nodding our head even when we have no idea what the other person is saying. You can do this when you’re old and deaf, but in the meantime you need to prove yourself to be a worthy partner. Asking questions reinforces the fact that you’re listening and takes some of the pressure off the person speaking. After all, communication is a two-way street.

Don’t Gossip – If you gossip about other people, it means you don’t find yourself interesting enough to carry on a conversation. Not to mention this kind of behavior is immature and a huge red flag in my book. If you’re with someone that does this, chances are they’re Tweeting about the date as it’s happening.

Don’t Interrupt or Impose Your “Solutions” – You’re there to listen, not give them advice on what to do with their life. Be polite and let them finish talking. If they want your opinion, they’ll ask for it.

When you listen, you’re building a relationship based on truth and mutual respect for one another. With a strong foundation like that, you can build that first date into a full-fledged romance!  Good luck out there!

Catch the Season 5 premiere of “The Millionaire Matchmaker” Aug. 15 at 9/8c. Click here for more information about the new season!   Here’s a sneak peak of what’s to come…

25 Lbs Down & Feeling Fierce!

Lately, one of the questions I get asked most isn’t about matchmaking – it’s about my weight loss! So it’s time to get the record straight… As most of you know, last fall, I lost 20 pounds with the help of SENSA®.  Since then, not only did I keep the weight off, but I’ve lost an extra 5 pounds. Not too shabby, huh? I must confess –I’m feeling too hot to trot!

Now, I’ve gotta say, I’m pretty proud of myself for losing those extra pounds in the midst of my uber busy schedule. Between running my own business, shooting “Millionaire Matchmaker: Season 5” and hitting the town with my girls, I am a busy bee, to say the least! So how do I keep the weight off – and better yet, keep losing – amongst all the madness? That’s where SENSA® comes in.

It really doesn’t get any easier than SENSA®.   All I do is sprinkle it on everything I eat, and I’m good to go. Hello, if it was hard work, do you think I’d do it?!  And the beauty of SENSA® is that it’s helped me get my eating under control.  Back in the day when I was more of a humpty-dumpty, I couldn’t stop myself from gorging everything in sight – sushi, chocolate, wasabi flavored almonds, you name it.  Nowadays, I eat less, and I’m a happy camper!  Plus, my eating habits have gotten healthier to boot. I always try to take apple slices or carrots with me, so I can just say no to all the junk food that’s always floating around my office.  Another tip to keep the weight off is drinking tons of water!   I’m all about the H20! My SENSA® 24 Oz. Water Bottle stays attached to my hip…it goes wherever I go!

And last but not least, there’s exercise (sigh)… OK, so I’m not exactly a triathlete, but I do get my Elliptical on whenever I can. Since I’m Type A to the tee, I like to multi-task and catch up on my favorite shows when I’m on it, but I’m trying to make sure I focused while I work out from now on…easier said than done.   Truth be told, I work out mainly for the energy and confidence.  There’s nothing sexier than feeling good!

So there you have it! Those are my tried and true secrets to keeping the weight off. Now, do tell – what are yours?

Please also visit Sensa on Facebook!

xo,
Patti

Happy Spring, everyone!

‘Tis the perfect time to gather your girls, jet off to a tropical destination, and soak up some rays.  You deserve it!  No matter where I’m going, SENSA® is my travel must-have.  With all of the traveling I do both for work and for play, how else could I possibly keep the weight off? I’m all about trying different cuisines, and SENSA® lets me do that, without any of the guilt.   Especially the SENSA SLIMS!  These on-the-go packets help keep me on track while I’m jet-setting and getting my tan on.  Now that’s what I call stress-free traveling!  I just throw a few into my purse, instead of carrying around my shaker, and voila!  Instant appetite control!  SENSA SLIMS will help you stay on the program so you can rock that bikini and turn heads on the beach.  Are you ready to show off your new SENSA body?  Check out my top 5 picks for a sexy spring getaway.

1. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – The party doesn’t stop in Cabo. Here, you’ll find everything from multi-level clubs to low-key cantinas. And the beautiful beaches are ideal for getting some R&R after a wild night.

2. South Beach, FL – South Beach is where all the beautiful people flock.  It has a sizzling nightlife scene, plus trendy boutiques and chic restaurants galore. Ocean Drive is the place to see and be seen. Be prepared to flaunt what you’ve got!

3. Newport Beach – It’s no wonder that “The O.C.” took place here.  Newport Beach can’t be beat for its gorge beaches and laidback vibe, not to mention its hot surfer dudes. Fashion Island is a shopaholic’s dream come true!

4. Destin, Florida – What’s not to love about the Emerald Coast? The white-sand beaches are the perfect place to get your tan on. Crab Island is where you can party hop from boat to boat with fellow singletons. For those who prefer to be more active, there’s plenty of fishing, golf and paddle boarding.

5. 3-Day Baja, Mexico Cruise- If money’s tight, you won’t want to miss out on Carnival’s 3-day cruises to Mexico, flying out of Long Beach. Starting at just $259, it’s a total steal! So you can party it up in Ensenda without having to stress about your bank account.

Now get ready to have some fun in the sun – and maybe even a spring fling!  Where ever your destination, remember to sprinkle!

Bon Voyage, all! Stay fabulous!

xo,

Patti

I can’t believe the holidays are here already!!  It seems like it was summer yesterday.  There is always so much to do  and so little time.  Presents, parties, travel, work and oh let’s not forget all of the amazing food that is constantly put in front of you.  From work parties to gift baskets, I am always shoving something chocolaty and delicious in my mouth without even thinking about it.  And before I know it, I look like a frumpy dumpty in my New Years Eve dress.

Well,  I am putting my foot DOWN!  Not this year… I am going to keep this weight off thanks to SENSA®!  It’s crazy how my cravings have changed since I started on SENSA®, and without any effort.  I don’t find myself going for the cookies, the French fries or any of the other items that were on the top of my Fatty Patti, no-no list.  I don’t feel deprived, I don’t feel like I’m starving.   I feel like I’m enjoying and living my life to the fullest now.

So I am telling you ladies and gentlemen if you want to stay fit and still enjoy your holidays – make it a SENSA® Holiday and sprinkle yourself to a slimmer, healthier, and happier you.  Plus you can continue to eat what you love…you will just eat less.   I’m not lying!   Just add SENSA® and let it do its magic.   And guess who will be looking too hot to trot on New Years…YEP that  will be me – the new, fitter, slimmer Patti  – Single and ready to Mingle!!

As a thank you for being so awesome, use the promo code NY75 to purchase a 6 month supply* of SENSA® and you too can be SENSAtional!

Happy Holidays!

Patti

There are a million reasons why I love fall.  For starters, the 4^th season of my show, “Patti Stanger – The Millionaire Matchmaker” starts October 19^th (shameless plug)!  There is also something really comforting about the crisp air, bringing out the fall wardrobe and my favorite part, the amazing seasonal cuisine (pumpkin ravioli anyone?).  After a summer of vacations and sun , it may seem hard to get back into the swing of things, but I have a lot to look forward to.

This fall is the start of many new beginnings for me; the new season of my show, taking my matchmaking business to NYC and kicking off my own personal dating detox followed by looking for my own love.  With all this newness, perhaps I should give this season a boost and call it “fall fabulous!”  Everyone gets so excited for the new year or summer fun – but I think fall is the new “it” season.  I have my sexy body back, work is in full swing and I am single and ready to mingle!  So who’s with me?? Whether you are back to the grindstone at work or driving carpool again for the new school year – fall will always keep us busy, but busy is good!  And after a long day at work, helping the world find love, I get to appreciate the quiet times alone or with my friends with a delicious homemade meal (sprinkled with a little “you know what”) and a bottle of wine.  That’s right – Patti Stanger is a “Susie homemaker” in her spare time!

So here’s to all the ladies (and gentlemen too) who are ready to feel “fall fabulous”! Oh, and did I mention the new season of my show starts on October 19^th on Bravo? 

Xo,

Patti

PS! I have a signed copy of my new book “Become Your Own Matchmaker: 8 Easy Steps for Attracting Your Perfect Mate” to give away. Post the best love/romance tip you have received to enter to win by end of day Friday October 1st 5:00 PM PST! The winner will be selected at random!