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| via pinterest |
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| via pinterest |
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| via pinterest |
Lights will guide you home
and ignite your bones.
-Coldplay
Almost home!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Quack Quack
Do you ever have one of these weeks when you're learning something in class and you start to notice it everywhere? I am. We're in the final stretch of classes and my fitness and exercise teacher has been lecturing about what he calls "quack" diets and workouts. It's a fun topic and definitely more engaging than our typical content. We've looked at a ton of ads (which I'm always doing for journalism...) and I've started realizing how much misleading advertising we're bombarded on a daily basis. That's actually not the point of this post, but it is a huge problem because so much isn't regulated by anyone, especially in the diet and exercise industry.
Anyway, I don't think it's a secret that I'm obsessed with Pinterest. I have seen so many negative weight loss tips on Pinterest lately. One pin was especially bad. It suggested punching yourself in the stomach to stop feeling hungry. It also suggested making yourself a snack, throwing it away and then leaving the dishes out for your parents to clean up so they think you ate. Seriously?
Then, I read an interview with Eve Mendez about her diet. She tries to stay away from dairy. Hellooooo, we need dairy for our bones. Ever heard of osteoporosis?
THEN, the VS fashion show was this week and everyone started hating themselves. I read a couple things about some of the models' diets and workouts. No solid foods for ten days before? No liquids for two days before the show? Hours at the gym a day? How can people live like that?
Full disclosure: I am thin. On the whole, I'm a pretty healthy eater and I do try and work out regularly. I certainly don't claim to be an expert on being healthy. I don't just make healthy choices to maintain my weight, I make them because I'm a human with needs. I know I need some source of protein at every meal to get the energy I need for the day. I know I want some vegetables on my plate because they are good for me and I actually like the way they taste. I love watermelon and strawberries and mango. But, I can't live without sour candy, I eat Nutella for breakfast every day, I love caramel lattes and I indulge in garlic cheese breadsticks from Rollins on Thursday nights. I'm ok with all of that. I'm not perfect.
Everyone, myself included, has experienced moments when they don't feel great in their own skin. (Do you know how long it took me to feel comfortable wearing leggings? I hate my thighs.) We've promised ourselves we'll eat nothing but fruits and vegetables and burn 500 calories tomorrow at the gym. That's not realistic. I don't know about you, but if I ate nothing but fruits and vegetables all day, I'd be a mess, not have the energy to even walk to the gym and would ditch that plan immediately. It's frustrating to be unhappy with the way you look, but you have to think of fitness as a process, not a product. (Learned that in class. I know, you're shocked I don't have an "A" in this class. I am too.) It's sad to me that so many people are misinformed, not just about weight loss, but about healthy lifestyles in general.
I'm lucky because my mom is a dietitian and has taught me pretty good eating habits. And by pretty good eating habits I don't mean low cal, low carb, low flavor. She's taught me about protein and not filling up on junk food with no nutritional value because it'll lead to a meltdown later (she's had too many experiences with me and french toast on saturday mornings. yep, she's a dietitian and she makes us french toast. the good kind too.) and for God sake, to not order the grande at Starbucks because it's going to make my heart race. She's taught me not to deny myself and about moderation.
When I work out, I do it for me. It makes me feel good and keeps me sane. When I eat, I do it for nourishment. It keeps my body functioning and healthy. I'm stepping off my soapbox now, I just wanted to voice my opinion on some of the ridiculous things I've seen lately.
Sorry for the lack of graphics, I couldn't find anything to illustrate my point.
Peace, love, moderation,
Caroline
Anyway, I don't think it's a secret that I'm obsessed with Pinterest. I have seen so many negative weight loss tips on Pinterest lately. One pin was especially bad. It suggested punching yourself in the stomach to stop feeling hungry. It also suggested making yourself a snack, throwing it away and then leaving the dishes out for your parents to clean up so they think you ate. Seriously?
Then, I read an interview with Eve Mendez about her diet. She tries to stay away from dairy. Hellooooo, we need dairy for our bones. Ever heard of osteoporosis?
THEN, the VS fashion show was this week and everyone started hating themselves. I read a couple things about some of the models' diets and workouts. No solid foods for ten days before? No liquids for two days before the show? Hours at the gym a day? How can people live like that?
Full disclosure: I am thin. On the whole, I'm a pretty healthy eater and I do try and work out regularly. I certainly don't claim to be an expert on being healthy. I don't just make healthy choices to maintain my weight, I make them because I'm a human with needs. I know I need some source of protein at every meal to get the energy I need for the day. I know I want some vegetables on my plate because they are good for me and I actually like the way they taste. I love watermelon and strawberries and mango. But, I can't live without sour candy, I eat Nutella for breakfast every day, I love caramel lattes and I indulge in garlic cheese breadsticks from Rollins on Thursday nights. I'm ok with all of that. I'm not perfect.
Everyone, myself included, has experienced moments when they don't feel great in their own skin. (Do you know how long it took me to feel comfortable wearing leggings? I hate my thighs.) We've promised ourselves we'll eat nothing but fruits and vegetables and burn 500 calories tomorrow at the gym. That's not realistic. I don't know about you, but if I ate nothing but fruits and vegetables all day, I'd be a mess, not have the energy to even walk to the gym and would ditch that plan immediately. It's frustrating to be unhappy with the way you look, but you have to think of fitness as a process, not a product. (Learned that in class. I know, you're shocked I don't have an "A" in this class. I am too.) It's sad to me that so many people are misinformed, not just about weight loss, but about healthy lifestyles in general.
I'm lucky because my mom is a dietitian and has taught me pretty good eating habits. And by pretty good eating habits I don't mean low cal, low carb, low flavor. She's taught me about protein and not filling up on junk food with no nutritional value because it'll lead to a meltdown later (she's had too many experiences with me and french toast on saturday mornings. yep, she's a dietitian and she makes us french toast. the good kind too.) and for God sake, to not order the grande at Starbucks because it's going to make my heart race. She's taught me not to deny myself and about moderation.
When I work out, I do it for me. It makes me feel good and keeps me sane. When I eat, I do it for nourishment. It keeps my body functioning and healthy. I'm stepping off my soapbox now, I just wanted to voice my opinion on some of the ridiculous things I've seen lately.
Sorry for the lack of graphics, I couldn't find anything to illustrate my point.
Peace, love, moderation,
Caroline
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sappy Post
Warning: some sappiness ahead.
The beginning of the year was rough. I wanted to leave journalism and Mizzou behind. I struggled immediately with the workload and my job. I hated all the high achieving, outspoken journalism students around me. I took on too much and couldn't handle of it. In short, I just felt inadequate. But then something changed. I don't even know what it was. All I knew is that I had to make a choice about my future in journalism. All or nothing. I went all in. I joined Magazine Club and felt excited about my major again. I joined HerCampus Mizzou and felt confident in my writing again. I spoke up at work and told them I couldn't handle all the hours I had been given. I suddenly felt like I could take on the world. I wish I could better describe the feeling to you. I was thrown into situations with people I've never met before and emerged friends with them. I reconnected with old friends. I learned a lot of my fellow classmates were questioning their futures too and I didn't feel so alone. I always say one of the most beautiful things about the j-school is that everyone is the same boat. We're all pulling our hair out, doubting ourselves and ready to cry at the drop of a newsboy's cap (hat) so it's easy to make friends. That's really poetic, I know. But it's the truth. I honestly don't go more than two hours without seeing someone on campus I'm genuinely excited to see. I have been so lucky this semester to add some really great people to my already great wolf pack.
I'm not going to be modest, I've worked my butt off this semester. I've had many late nights, many early mornings, and many days when I wanted to quit. I couldn't have persevered without the support of my family, Ryan, my roomies, friends, old and new. Much love and many thanks.
The beginning of the year was rough. I wanted to leave journalism and Mizzou behind. I struggled immediately with the workload and my job. I hated all the high achieving, outspoken journalism students around me. I took on too much and couldn't handle of it. In short, I just felt inadequate. But then something changed. I don't even know what it was. All I knew is that I had to make a choice about my future in journalism. All or nothing. I went all in. I joined Magazine Club and felt excited about my major again. I joined HerCampus Mizzou and felt confident in my writing again. I spoke up at work and told them I couldn't handle all the hours I had been given. I suddenly felt like I could take on the world. I wish I could better describe the feeling to you. I was thrown into situations with people I've never met before and emerged friends with them. I reconnected with old friends. I learned a lot of my fellow classmates were questioning their futures too and I didn't feel so alone. I always say one of the most beautiful things about the j-school is that everyone is the same boat. We're all pulling our hair out, doubting ourselves and ready to cry at the drop of a newsboy's cap (hat) so it's easy to make friends. That's really poetic, I know. But it's the truth. I honestly don't go more than two hours without seeing someone on campus I'm genuinely excited to see. I have been so lucky this semester to add some really great people to my already great wolf pack.
I'm not going to be modest, I've worked my butt off this semester. I've had many late nights, many early mornings, and many days when I wanted to quit. I couldn't have persevered without the support of my family, Ryan, my roomies, friends, old and new. Much love and many thanks.
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| via pinterest |
Monday, November 28, 2011
Buster
I have a beagle and this story made me want to adopt all of the dogs. We got Buster when I was in third grade. I was actually scared of dogs. Like really, really scared. But I still begged and begged for a dog.
On December 23rd, My mom woke me and said we had an early present from Santa, so naturally Mike and I ran downstairs and my dad set a beagle puppy, no bigger than a baseball glove on the floor. I ran upstairs and jumped on my bed because I was so afraid. I slowly got over my fear in the next few weeks and was able to pick him up without worrying he would bite me. He was so little he slept inside my dad's button down flannel shirt the first few weeks with us. Over the years he's become a true member of our family, we even celebrate his birthday. My mom even sings about him sometimes.
These dogs have never seen the sunlight, or roll around in the grass, or been cuddled by a human. I can't imagine Buster not being able to run around our backyard or never interacting with anyone. I hope all these dogs can find a loving home and bring someone the joy Buster has brought us.
Peace. Love. Beagles.
Peace. Love. Beagles.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
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