Life gets in the way...

Working two jobs, going to school, maintaining and fixing a 102 year old house, writing a blog, spending time with family, cuddling my two dogs and boyfriend, trying to muster up the energy to have a social life...  that's my crazy life in a nutshell.

All of these things are seriously getting in the way of me trying to lose weight.  Fitting in exercise is not as easy as it sounds for most of us.  I am really trying to get to the gym three or four times a week, but right now it just isn't happening.  I have even started doing my readings and highlighting them while on the elliptical.  For those of you who haven't tried it- it ain't easy.  My fellow gym rats chuckle at me on a regular basis.

Take for instance THIS week.  It is midterm week. On top of the short answer/essay exam, I also have to study for a quiz.  For the same class.  Who has a professor who schedules two tests in one week??  This girl.  I have figured out that I have spent almost 18 hours studying this last week and I haven't even taken the damn exam yet.

The stress from all of this is also causing me to stress-eat and I am doing a mighty fine job of justifying it to myself.  Yes, I splurged on chicken nuggets from McDonald's.  They take me back to the good ol' days before the responsibilities of real grown-up life kicked in.

My solution to the time-crunch dilemma?  Suck it up.  Keep trying.  Things could be worse.  So off I go...  to finish working my 18-hour day.  To try and sneak in some sleep.  To drag my butt to the gym two more times this week.  I may not be losing tons of weight, but I'm keeping my head above water.  And right now, that's something to celebrate!

Christina Aguilera is FAT!?!?

In what world is Christina Aguilera fat!?!?  True, she is a curvy woman now and not stick thin.  What of it?  She is a beautiful and talented woman on a major TV show.  Yet that isn't enough?

Why is it that society is so concerned with weight?  I know I think about it every minute of every day.  Sad, but true.  I try my best not to focus on it, but let's be honest- it's a major part of our culture and that's why weight is what this blog focuses on.  I chose this topic because it seems to affect my friends and family constantly.  Usually in a negative way.  I wanted this blog to be a positive thing for people to read, and laugh about, and have a place to say what we are really thinking.

I have rolls.  Ugh.  I still can't believe I typed that.  In the vein of being honest, there is the unvarnished truth.  Now, I don't see any rolls on Christina.  She has been quoted as saying, "I told them during this Lotus recording, 'You are working with a fat girl. Know it now and get over it,'" she said. "My body can't put anyone in jeopardy of not making money anymore -- my body is just not on the table that way anymore."

How sad that it ever WAS on the table like that.  Everywhere we see people saying 'Embrace your originality and your body type' in one breath and 'Woah there, fatty. That outfit was not meant for you' in the next.

Here's what it boils down to for me.  Be yourself.  Go ahead and strive to be a better version of yourself, but don't hold yourself to Hollywood's standards, even Christina Aguilera isn't doing that anymore.  You will just be setting yourself up for disappointment.

And try to keep in mind, these 'stars' have the luxury of personal trainers, nutritionists, personal chefs and cosmetic surgery.  And that lusted-after advantage of air-brushing.  Chin up.  You rock just the way you are.  Rolls and all.