I have decided I want to be healthier.

I recently read this book that basically reiterated what I already know :

1. Eat natural/organic foods whenever possible.

2. Load up on fruits and veggies.

3. Avoid processed foods at all costs.

4. Exercise.

Seems easy right? Except the reality is:

1. Natural/organic = expensive (which is crazy because things that are natural/organic usually have WAY fewer ingredients than “normal” food).

2. Fruits and veggies? Simple enough except I don’t like tomatoes, onions, peppers, beets, olives, cabbage, broccoli, eggplant, radishes, cauliflower, bananas or grapefruit.

3. Avoiding processed foods is nearly impossible unless you only eat fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. Plus some processed food tastes good. For example: Oreos.

4. Yeah, yeah we should all exercise but it is neither fun nor an effective use of my time.

I wish I had the money to shop at Whole Foods, the willpower and time to read packages to avoid processed foods and the interest to exercise. The truth is, I really do want to become healthier but I know it’s not going to be a cakewalk. Sure, I am not thrilled when I look in the mirror and I know that with a lot of diligence and hard work, I could do a heck of a lot better. I know I am to blame for my lack of motivation but it’s hard to be motivated when time after time you’ve tried and you don’t get results. Unfortunately, I am the way I am because of years of medication with a lovely side affect – weight gain. I didn’t eat my way to my weight. In fact, I often eat salads, drink water over pop 90% of the time and only treat myself occasionally to stuff I know is really bad. I do love food. I am definitely not a eat-to-live kind of girl. I love to bake, I love comfort food and I would do just about anything for some Slow’s BBQ but I don’t ever really feel like I overdo it. My exercise includes cleaning the house (don’t laugh, I sweat since our air conditioner is broken) plus I was on a kickball team (but our season ended), I was walking every day at the beginning of the summer (but it got boring). I do need a new exercise regime…something that will keep my interest and something that I will want to do. I have yet to find it. I love to dance and I occasionally will succumb to the world of Richard Simmons and sweat to the oldies but that gets oldie after a time or two. I would love to ride my bike to and from work everyday (beneficial to my body and the environment) but do I really want to shower and get ready for work only to work up a sweat in 5 minutes as I’m pedaling away? Not to mention I’d have to get up a whole 20 minutes earlier and that is sooooo not happening.

So what now? I am determined to become healthier. I am slowly but surely replacing things in my kitchen…organic peanut butter for store brand, all natural juices for the artificial crap, whole grain bread instead of honey wheat, more fruits and veggies, etc… but will it be enough? Honestly, I am not concerned about what size I am or what the scale says, I just want to feel better overall. I want more energy, I want better skin, I don’t want to constantly feel like crap. I feel like it’s really more of a lifestyle change than a “diet” and I really feel like I need to do it. What better time than now? I know it’s going to take time and effort and I think it will be a lot better to go at it with baby steps. I thought I would start yesterday. I really had good intentions. I went to Kroger, bought some organic produce and felt like I was well on my way. It was 8:00 and I hadn’t eaten dinner yet and the magic glow of the golden arches somehow persuaded me into their drive-thru line. So while I indulged in arguably one of the best Big Macs I’ve ever had (minus the healthy pickles and onions of course), I couldn’t help but think…there’s always tomorrow.

Take last night for example…

My Mom, Dad and I decided to go out to dinner at the Olive Garden (Mom’s choice…). We were seated in a row of booths. The particular booth we were sitting in just so happened to back up to another booth with 2 children and a Mom on one side and a Dad, more kids and a baby on the other. My Mom and I took that side of the booth with the Mom and 2 kids. Well by the end of the meal, we were both ready to go to the chiropractor. The kids did not stay seated the whole meal, kicked the crap out of the booth, stood up and hit the divider of the booth and so on…while the parents looked on and didn’t do anything about it. Now I understand going out to dinner with young children is difficult and I can certainly tolerate a few kicks and jabs however…when it lasts an entire meal and the family does absolutely nothing about it…then I get pissed. And honestly, what can you do in that situation? My Mom and I were uncomfortable through the whole meal and if we said anything, we know it would turn into a much bigger deal than it was and wouldn’t be worth it. I say this because I could tell the Dad was kind of a jerk and wasn’t reasonable with the waitress so why would he be with us?

From the lovely experience at the Olive Garden, we headed to the movies. I usually don’t have problems at the movies and I avoid theatres where I do (for example, The Palladium where kids just get dropped off to “hang out” and talk on their cell phones through the whole movie). However the last few times have been an exception. Last night at the theatre, there were a group of teens sitting in front of us and to the left that literally repeated or commented on EVERY line in the movie. Seriously? We can hear what they are saying in the movie. If I wanted a running commentary, I would’ve waited until the movie came out on DVD. Then there was the couple that chose to sit directly in front of me, (even though there were plenty of other seats available) that decided it would be a good idea to kiss each others neck’s through half the movie and crinkle candy wrappers for the other half. I have nothing against PDA but these were possibly the loudest lip smacking kisses I have ever heard. Seriously…STAY HOME if you want to make out. You are 30 years old! And while I’m on the subject of movies, Brian, Rocky and I recently went to see The Hangover and also had a craptastic experience. #1.There was some kind of family reunion in the theatre. #2. They had young children and a BABY. Come on. #3. A tall heavy-set man choose to sit right in front of Brian (even though there were a hundred other seats) and sat down so hard that the chair came all the way back and cracked Brian in the knees. And do you think he even thought to turn around and apologize?

I was at Meijer a few weeks ago driving around the parking lot looking for a spot. My knee was bugging me that day so I wanted to park close if I could. Anyway, I see someone leaving (I think it was the second spot) and make my way down the aisle with my blinker on to wait for the spot. I am sitting there for a little while and see a man eyeing me. He is sitting in the lane that runs in front of the store facing west. I am sitting facing east halfway in a lane waiting for the spot. The car pulls out and I inch my way towards the spot while the man sitting in the COMPLETE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, does a u-turn in front of other cars, at 90 miles an hour and takes the spot! I just sat there in front of his car, absolutely shocked, waiting for him to look up or get out but he wouldn’t. He knew he did wrong and he didn’t care. Apparently he was entitled to that spot. GIVE ME A FRICKIN’ BREAK.

I mean seriously, what the hell is wrong with society today? Nobody has any kind of manners or cares about anyone but themselves. I am shocked when people hold the door for me or say thank you when I hold the door for them. I am astounded when I actually get a wave or a thank you in traffic when I let someone go. I am amazed when I actually get good customer service, a good waitress or good help in a store. Seriously, these are things that should be second nature and shouldn’t be surprising when they happen.

I always make sure to be nice everyone I encounter on a daily basis. And I do it because that’s just who I am. But living in a society like this has given me many, many, MANY reasons not to be.

My brother always says “you can never leave your house”…I’m starting to see why.

The social pressure to drink is immense, especially for someone who doesn’t drink. It’s funny to me that people think they can solve problems with alcohol. Lost your job? Drown your sorrows at the bar. Is your back sore? Do a couple shots, you won’t feel it anymore. Don’t like the taste of what you’re drinking? Keep drinking, it will get easier. Need to get through a uneasy situation? Have a drink, it will loosen you up. I personally don’t like how drinking changes the way people act, whether for the better or worse and I don’t like the fact that people use it to mask reality. When did it become a good thing to mask everything we are supposed to feel? Feelings are called feelings because they are meant to be felt. I can’t believe that we’ve come to a place that drinking is completely socially acceptable and almost expected and not drinking is considered like un-American. I mean seriously, wikihow.com has articles about “how to drink responsibly” and “how to pretend to drink alcohol” (for if you are in a situation where drinking is expected and you don’t want to tell people you don’t drink). Did you know ginger ale in a pint glass can easily be mistaken for a beer? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?

I can’t believe people in their late 20′s and on to their 30′s are still doing beer bongs, playing drinking games, drinking until they puke and suffering through countless hangovers. Are you serious? And people look at me like I’m the one that’s got the problem because I DON’T do that? What is it with our society that it seems like to have a good time, you must be drinking? To me, any sporting event or concert would be so much more enjoyable if there weren’t groupings of drunk idiots no matter where you sit. I’ve been to more events where I’ve had beer spilled on me, watched people pass out or puke next to me, or be thrown out for disorderly conduct. AND THESE PEOPLE ARE GROWN ADULTS! Not to mention that said drunk idiots will also be getting into cars and driving home. Don’t even get me started on drunk driving. I have absolutely no tolerance for anyone that gets behind a wheel after they have been drinking. How unbelievably selfish (and dumb) can you be?

I am not here to judge.To be honest, I occasionally have a glass of wine or a drink here or there but I’ve only been drunk maybe twice in my life. I understand that people feel the need to celebrate a holiday or relax after a tough day at work, but I certainly don’t understand the appeal of drinking until you are incoherent. At this point, I am unconvinced of alcohol’s usefulness. I have only seen it’s negative affects and I for one have no desire to use something so meaningless.

I’m not exactly sure what I’ll be blogging about but I always have things come to mind that I would like to share. This shall be my platform to do just that.

Stay tuned.