My Birthday

Hello. I turn 22 tomorrow...no big deal. I certainly will be glad to get out of the 21 category. 21 seems to mean to most that you're an alcoholic, at certain parts of the year...I think this did describe me quite well. 21 was a hard year, health-wise, emotionally, mentally. I always look at my birthday as a time of reflection/personal renewal, and a time to celebrate. How will I better myself within the next year? How can I improve my relationships, etc so that I may be a more whole individual?
I had a great time celebrating my life Saturday with a bunch of good friends. It was like a 21st birthday lots of drinks, dancing, food. I enjoyed myself greatly...however, I wasn't treating my body well. The lack of sleep, large consumption of alcohol/greasy, salty foods has left me wornout, broken out like a teenager, and unable to focus. Boy, I have really progressed this year...
It's discouraging to recognize that poisoning your body can be so much fun...it's so hard to change habits...everyone has habits...How do you feel about drinking? What are it's pros/cons? How will you change at the start of another year. I know what I need to do...

Smokey

Yes, I smell like a butt...yellow teeth, yellow nails, bad breath, bad skin, anxiety, shortened life span, increased chance of Cancer....just a few of the reasons one shouldnn't smoke. Hmm...why do I?
I have been asking myself this question since I commenced my "smoking career" about 4 years ago. It started at first as an innocent hobby that I hid from my family as a freshman in college. None of my friends smoked. I had always wanted to try...so I did. I liked it. My kid boyfriend told me it was cute. Needless to say, I was VERY innocent and smoking was rebellious and cool. I was soon hooked. I didn't care that my parents said my clothes smelled...a little extra perfume, gum in the mouth, it worked.
Now 4 years later, I am addicted. Some weeks are good, some bad. I tend to cyclically quit or close to it, then dive right back in. As much as I "hate" it and realize how gross it is hygienically and VERY detrimental to my health, what can I do to make myself want to stop?!
A workout queen can't be a butthead. It just doesn't add up.

It's too COLD!

So, with the recent turn to cold weather...workouts have been a challenge! In the quest to get that daily sweat...I have turned to doing exercise tapes in my bedroom. That's a bit of a feat to conquer because my room is tiny! I push my big red chair into the side of my bed, and make sure not to fall into my large office desk...though I can't say it hasn't happened. When moves require a large stretch of the room, I take it vertical. The pounding heard from downstairs last for about an hour, a bit of a nuisance to my parents who often work out of the home. But I happily get it done. I meditate during the cooldown, imagining that the cold breeze emitted by my open window to chill my stuffy room is really a tropical breeze in the hottest part of the summer. I am proud of my devotion.
My favorite tapes include those by Kari Anderson and Andre Houle. As of late Andre Houle has been giving me a run for the money. His captivating smile and sexy dance moves along with immense positive energy motivate me on the most wintery of days.
So yes, even if you aren't up for a standard gym workout...excuses about the weather/mood can be quickly turned out. Just push the furniture around and let off some steam!!