END OBESITY...END FAT-TALK...huh?

The issue of obesity, weight loss, self-esteem, and bullying has been a complicated issue for several years. 

We have campaigns such as Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty or other's like it, preaching an end to bullying and "fat-talk" or an obsession with body image suggesting that you are above the norm and should lose weight. Anti-bullying campaigns include but are not limited to a focus on ending fat-shaming, fat-talk and persecution based on size. 

Personally, I don't see this woman as fat. She has curves and appears to have some pretty tough guns. But, this campaign is implying that some may consider her to be fat. The message is clear, however: stop fat-talk.

THIS is very clear. We are referring to the obsession with being stick thin and fit like Jillian Michaels or the Victoria's Secret models like Rosie Huntington Whitely, who...I'd love to be simply because she's dating Jason Statham and GORGEOUS. I'm 100% guilty of this. I look in the mirror and see, "I'm almost there" rather than: "I look GOOD today." I see "5 more lbs to lose" rather than, "Wow."

This mentality causes such low self-esteem we can't even take a compliment! Every time a male says I'm pretty I assume he's trying to get some action (which is USUALLY true, but sometimes they actually think you're pretty.)

THEN we have the opposite side of the coin. NYC Mayor's ban on large sodas in an effort to fight obesity. First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign to end childhood obesity. 

Obesity is a legitimate problem. We have the highest numbers for obesity and obesity-related illnesses such as Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, etc. I do not argue that this is an issue.

I love the concept of the Biggest Loser because it shows the world that it is POSSIBLE to change your life and get healthy when you are obese. However, the fact that this struggle is used more for entertainment than inspiration absolutely disgusts me. NO ONE should profit off of someone's struggle.

Then we have this lady. She suggests that if she can be fit and skinny after having 3 kids in under 3 years, then anyone can. Her message was intended to be health, what she got was a slap in the face to many moms across the world who are still struggling with baby weight; either with losing it, or an emotional struggle of changing weight and body type due to childbirth. 

DON'T FORGET PINTEREST. Pinterest is an abyss of self-loathing. You have a 1:1 ratio of fattening delicious recipes to diet and exercise pins. We have motivational posters of "fit is the new skinny" and the advent of more cases of exercise bulimia. 

Eating disorders are REAL. And if this theme on Pinterest doesn't raise a red flag: BINGING AND PURGING KILLS PEOPLE.

IT IS HIGH TIME WE START DRAWING LINES BETWEEN OBESITY, HEALTH, AND INSANITY. 

WE CANNOT EXPECT THESE CONFLICTING MESSAGES IN THE MEDIA TO "MAKE SENSE" TO PEOPLE IF THERE ARE LEGITIMATE STRUGGLES HAPPENING IN OUR WORLD. 

OBESITY IS REAL. EATING DISORDERS ARE REAL. BODY DYSMORPHIC SYNDROME IS REAL. HEALTHY LIFESTYLES ARE POSSIBLE. HAPPINESS IS POSSIBLE. START DRAWING LINES. STOP THE STRUGGLE OF FINDING IT IN THE BOTTOM OF A BOX OF COOKIES OR A SLIMFAST. 

The time has come!

Oh my goodness. So much to be excited/anxious/nervous/elated for this week!

1. FORMAL RECRUITMENT 2014. Recruitment is like Christmas to me. You love all of your sisters, but you're together for about 100 hours before it's all said and done so you can get on each other's nerves if you aren't careful, much like your blood relatives around Christmas. You get PRESENTS: new sisters! New sisters to carry on the chapter's legacy, go on retreats with, new Diamond sister relationships, new Prides! The works! It's so exciting!!

2. The first day of my last semester of undergrad. So terrifying that I will be in the real world soon, but what a blessing it is to have one more semester at home with my family and with my ADPi sisters.

I cannot wait to dive right in!

I bought school supplies to prepare for a very difficult semester. Trying something new and having a separate notebook for each class. Usually I keep one spiral, toss out anything I don't need from it and file the things I do need away in the appropriate tabs in my binder. I ALWAYS lose things though, so I am trying a new approach.
I also made a spreadsheet of my schedule, color coding each class and giving the times and locations so my mom never has to ask when I'm leaving or when I'll be home. She has so many things to remember, my schedule isn't one of them! It's also nice to have so I know where all of my classes are the morning they begin so I am neither late nor lost.
Health Communication is Pink
Math is Yellow (I hate yellow and I hate math)
Chemistry is Green
Chemistry Lab is Purple
Public Speaking is Orange

Classes start Wednesday, so my first class of the semester (and only for that day) will be Chem Lab. Yay... but then Recruitment Kick-off is FRIDAY! So excited to see what this spring will bring.

Oh, and GO FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES! This Florida girl is so proud to call her favorite state school the NCAA Champs for 2014. Fear the Spear!

COLOR ME RAD

(This post is a day late...ooops) #slackerstatus

Today I signed up for Color Me Rad 5k for the Newport News, Virginia event on April 26. I am SO excited to be running my first ever organized race! I will be training until then to be prepared for the race and in the best shape of my life! 

Thanks to my wonderful friend Abby, who also runs 5k's on the regular, I found a great app to help me get there. 

It is really easy, and basically idiot proof. I bought a iPhone armband thingy for running and listening to music, so I'm 100% prepared to get started!

FIND THE COLOR ME RAD EVENT NEAREST YOU HERE!

Total makeover

Every so often, you need a makeover day. Think back to middle or high school when you first saw Clueless with Alicia Silverstone and thought..."I want to do a makeover on someone!"
Well, the someone could easily be yourself!
I've been talking about "reinventing" and "finding" myself so I decided it was time for some primping and self-esteem boosting. 
1. Back to blonde. I was rockin the in-between ombre and balyage...aka I needed to get my roots fixed reeeeaaaaally badly.

2. Eyebrow threading. It looks/sounds painful but it is really the best my brows have ever looked. I always get breakouts and ingrown hairs from waxing, so I tried threading last time I was in Charlotte and I LOVED it. It hurt about the same as waxing but without the nasty side effects. The redness went down after just a few minutes and I had no reaction when I put makeup on. It HURT getting my lip threaded though. (I am not ashamed to admit that I have to do that.) 

3. Proactiv! I've had major acne issues lately, either from stress or environment. My local mall has a Proactiv VENDING MACHINE. So crazy. I want clear skin for those recruitment photos!

4. Makeup splurge! I went to the MAC counter to get some new foundation because I have been tanning and I needed a shade darker and I learned to contour and highlight so that I look ravishing in those recruitment pics.

5. New vitamins! My previous vitamins were expired...ooops. Talk about lack of dedication.

I always say that if the outside feels good the inside will feel better. 

I was too sore to exercise today. It is a myth that you should push through the pain and keep going. You can actually damage your muscles that way and be in even more pain! Take a day to rest. It won't make a difference in your diet plans if you wait ONE day to let your muscles heal. 

Operation get healthy and happy!

I am by no means overweight. I realize that when I tell people close to me that I am dieting and exercising that it comes across more vain than health-conscious because of the world we live in. In a world in which obesity is a disease and weight loss makes money, people are easily offended regarding weight.
Reasons why you should ALWAYS get in shape:
1. Weight means very little. I have a friend who is right at 100lbs but eats terribly and never exercises. I have another friend who is 150lbs and is in the best shape I've ever seen. It has little to do with numbers on a scale and everything to do with habits. If you eat well, exercise, and take vitamins you are [theoretically] healthier than your lighter weight counterpart that does not do those things.
2. There is no one who is "perfectly healthy." We can always improve.
3. We don't want to die of some awful disease we could prevent. You can't pick your genes. You can't always pick your environment. But if diet, exercise and supplements make a difference then there should be no question!!

So on Day 2 of my Transformation process I am taking a multivitamin, biotin, and raspberry ketones. Drinking a cleansing tonic of lemon, lime, mint, and cranberry infused water.
Tanning for vitamin D and improved mood. The complexion boost doesn't hurt :)
Doing yoga for my mind, pilates for my body, and trying to relax more often.
Going to bed earlier.
Pursuing new hobbies, and reconnecting with old friends.

New and improved and ready for 2014

It is no secret that I'm not very good at remembering to post or keeping up with my posts. Just like I'm not very good at keeping a journal. So I am resolving to keep up with posts! It is not important if anyone reads them (although I would love that) it is about actually seeing through one of my crazy ideas.
We all have those projects or hobbies that we invested a few afternoons in and in some cases money, only to leave it by the wayside because of other, more pressing tasks. I have a craft corner that is perfectly outfitted and organized, but has not been touched in weeks. I have a violin from middle school that has neither been repaired nor played in years. I have six or seven journals I simply stopped writing in, then wanted a "fresh start" and bought a new one. 
2014 is the year of conservation, not waste, for me. 
I will be budgeting and sharing that journey, as well as tips and tricks I have found. 
I will be eating much more healthy and taking supplements. 
I will be exercising to maintain a healthy stress level.
I will attempt to keep a clean car and clean home as consistently as possible. 
And I will give more time to my hobbies such as writing or travelling. 
This is the year I graduate from college, start graduate school, and move out of my childhood home. Lots of exciting things are coming, and it is important to keep these things in perspective by prioritizing.
YOU time is crucial to mental health and balance in your life.