No F-15 For Me!

            I learned something of some importance this past week. An epiphany or sorts I guess you could say. Health and Fitness is always a touchy subject, especially if you’re an 18 year old woman, who lives in a society where it’s wrong to be any larger that a size 2, and has the “freshman 15” hanging over her head like an ax. Being a size 14 and having real curves, not the curves that they talk about in the new Levi commercials, but actual curves, hasn’t been easy to handle. When I was in 7^th grade, I started going to the gym, I was putting my foot down against being the “big girl” the one that no one wanted to talk to, the girl that was the butt of every fat joke in the book. So, I did something about it; and I know that I’m in better physical health now than I would have been if I didn’t start to exercise regularly. However, that doesn’t change the fact that my self-esteem probably isn’t in the best shape it could be, and I still struggle with my body image.

            Since coming to WSU, I have taken full advantage of their Integrated Wellness Complex; they strongly endorse a healthy mind and a healthy body. The complex houses counseling services, medical assistance, and the gym is gigantic. The first floor holds the weight room, with at least 20 benches and 8 weight stations; the guys almost always occupy this floor. Head up two flights of stairs and you’ll find the 2 full basketball courts and approximately; 13 ellipticals, 15 treadmills, 6 stair steppers, 3 bikes, 2 rowing machines, a set of free weights, and 8 different weight machines. Lastly, up another 2 flights of stairs and you find the track. In addition to the equipment, they also offer fitness classes from Zumba, to yoga and all these services, as well as the class, are free to students. So, needless to say, the excuse “I have nowhere to work out” is no longer valid. I utilize the 2^nd floor as well as yoga, palliates and Butt and Gut; and I work out 11 hours a week, with four 2 hour work outs.

            Well, about that epiphany, I was in my palliates class last week and while we were doing some side work, I realized something. Lying on our sides, with our hips stacked, and legs straight out in at a 45 degree angle, we were moving our leg in a bicycle motion. Bending the leg and pulling the leg all the way to the chest, you then extend your leg out so the your thigh is at your nose, then pointing the toe, move the leg all the way behind you where you bend your leg there and bring it back to your chest. It kills your butt like no other. But I happened to notice that some of the other girls in the class were having trouble keeping their hips motionless, and extending their leg completely. What caught me by surprise was that they were at least 4 sizes smaller than I was and I had no issues whatsoever staying still and extending my leg. I began to think; maybe size really doesn’t matter. Here I was, bigger than these petite girls and I had more control over my larger framed body as well as more flexibility. That led to thinking that it was more important to be healthy and have a strong center and flexibility than being a size 2. I have noticed than since starting yoga and palliates, I have a stronger core, my balance is a little bit sturdier and I am significantly more flexible. I’ve also noticed that my overall body (aside from my tummy which I’m still trying to work on) is in better shape, I may not have lost weight, but possibly inches from toning my body. I don’t mean to brag but this is by far the best my legs have ever looked.

            Most of my inspiration comes from the sheer determination of not gaining that pesky Freshman 15, but also from knowing that I am only bettering my body and the harder I work, the happier and more comfortable I will be in my own skin. (And even though it seems shallow, and goes against all Feminist beliefs, having a boyfriend acts as a little fire under my butt too.)

            So there you have it, all in all, I have now found that size indeed does not matter and being healthy is what is important. Maybe this isn’t new to the world, but it definitely is for me, and I’m glad to have noticed it now. I was pleased to find that earlier today, I slipped easily into my jeans even after they had been washed AND dried. All things are possible through Him who gives me strength <><

First Weekend Home

I finally got to go home this weekend! The school suggests that students stay on campus for the first 6 weeks and I managed to make it through 5. I couldn’t wait anymore; I needed to get home and quickly. After getting all packed and dragging my many bags along with my laundry down to the lobby, I waited for my mom to finally come and get me; the seconds ticking by like a drop of water hitting a piece of metal. Then I saw her black car come down the street and I was out the door before my mom could even find a parking spot. I was happy to see my aunt Lori really did make the trip down, too, and after giving hugs and kisses and a quick bathroom break, I was relieved to when we started on the road home.

After a side splitting adventure back, my mom and I pulled into the driveway. Grabbing my bags to walk into the house felt like an odd gesture, I lived here after all, this is where I grew up, it’s where I had my birthday parties, where I split my chin open, where I had countless sleep overs with Dev and many chocolate chip pancake breakfasts; stepping inside into the kitchen felt so familiar but so strange. I was an outsider now, sure this was still my home, but I didn’t truly live here anymore, my new home was my small, cozy dorm room back in Winona. Opening the door to my room was even more odd, having been away from home so long. It was a comfort to see that my things had been left just the way I had left them, and my books still sat silent up on my shelves.

It was quiet for a few moments…and then we heard a car door slam. My sister had finally gotten over here with my nephews. They came in and I felt so happy. Kaden looked so big, already seeming to loose his innocent toddler hands and growing up right before me. Then I got to bear hug my little Ryan, or as we all call him, Boomer.  (He even calls himself Boomer, he won’t answer to Ryan anymore) His sweet little pudgy face was just as I remembered it, only now he could count to five and say, “cheetah pizza” and “Starbucks”. Then there’s Ashely. We feel comfortably into our roles as 6 year olds and jumped on each other, sat on each other and poked each other constantly, and just acting like sisters until we were both laughing so hard we cried.

After she left, I thought the assault of laughing and the day’s events were over. But then, of course, Dev crept into our house and scared the living right out of my mom. I loved seeing Dev; we have that friendship where we could not talk to each other for days at a time, or I could be away for 5 weeks, but then when we decide to hang out, we still fall back into step as loud, obnoxious, profanity screaming friends. After catching up on recent gossip, laughing even more and saying our goodbyes, “Night bi*ch!” “Night skank! See ya later!” I collapsed into bed saying goodnight to my momma who couldn’t be happier I was home.

The rest of my weekend consisted of seeing Lion King in 3D, which was one of the coolest things I have ever seen, they didn’t overdo the 3D but it emphasized so much detail that I never noticed before watching at home. My mom and I curled up and watched Brides Maids and nearly died laughing at the ridiculousness, I saw Dev again and we too, couldn’t contain ourselves, laughing at the most random things that weren’t remotely funny to anyone else. I went and watched the Rosemount High School marching band take first at Irondale (winning every AAA caption award) and nearly lost my toes in the process from the cold. I saw Sweeney Todd, one of the most gruesome and addicting musicals ever created and got to drink a Diet Coke. Yes, I do realize it’s pop, but I come from a Pepsi campus and so have been living on Dr.Pepper; a suitable substitute for only so long, Diet Coke is hard to get without a trek to the sketchy gas station up the road. I trip I am not willing to take, seeing as I value my life and do not with to jeopardize it.

But one of the best parts was seeing Josh.  After being broke up for 3 weeks and having not seen each other for 6, we decided to get together and talk. I went over and got to see my other family, which was wonderful. His little sisters are 11 and had many things to show me, from drawings to their gun safety targets to glow in the dark pajamas. His younger brother and I poked fun at one another and I got to hear all about his younger sister’s first few weeks of her junior year at high school. Then I got to see him. Neither of us really knew what to say at first, but then we did. A torrent of words and questions came pouring out of my mouth and heart, flooding the small space between us threatening to drown me if I didn’t quickly shut up and let him answer. After tears and hugs, we decided to get back together but take it slow, almost starting our friendship over, trying again. The relief that came from the weight being lifted off my shoulder was overpowering. Calming down and talking with the rest of his family, they headed off to the football game and Josh and I went to Chipotle. Oh Chipotle, it was so amazingly delicious. (just remembering is making my mouth water) I had it at least twice a month when I loved at home and I hadn’t had a burrito since the beginning of August, and the nearest one here is an hour away; but with no money or means of getting there I’m left SOL, so I need my fix stat, and it was perfect. Friday night was perfect.

Sadly, the weekend came and went and suddenly it was a sunny Sunday morning, we packed up the car once more (I learned my lesson after this trip home. I over packed drastically) and we went to breakfast at my favorite restaurant, Old Country Buffet. We all overate, but of course we did, it’s some good food, and therefor we all tried to not slip into a food coma.  Arriving back at Winona wasn’t as much of a shock or as emotional this time around. Last time my mom dropped me off, it was after she stayed down here for Labor Day weekend and a broken heart left me a tangled, sobbing, emotional mess. This time, it went smoothly. After getting home, I feel like I’ve gotten that need out of the way, I have satisfied that hunger and now I’m set for a few more weeks. Waving goodbye to momma, I went back up stairs to face the music that had become my pile homework and sat down at my desk with a grimace. But now, I felt rested, rejuvenated, recharged after a weekend of all laughs. I honestly believe it’s true; laughter really is the best medicine.

And here we go...

Hello, my name is Sara and I'm a freshman here at Winona State University, now in my 5th week of class, studying cell and molecular biology. Don't worry, it's really not as sophisticated and complex as one would think, I'm only majoring in this field because I plan on counting teeth the rest of my life by being a dentist, so I'm pulling out all the stops to get there. I decided to start blogging not because I think hundreds of people will follow me as I blog my way through this portion of my life but because I figured it would be a way for my nosy mother to keep in touch with my life without feeling the need to call me every five minutes (Not that I particularly mind, I love my mom, she's just trying to let go of her "Bear" so I'm giving her a little leeway by finding a way to keep in touch even when I can't always call) Plus, I need something to do in the few moments I find for myself.

Right now, the only thing I'm struggling with here at school, is how to deal with a broken heart. My boyfriend dumped me two weeks after I left for school and You'd think after 14 months together a two hour time distance wouldn't be a a huge issue, but I guess not. So, moving on is incredibly difficult and having a roommate makes expressing emotions nearly impossible without sounding like a cry baby; so for now, I'm trudging through the day just waiting until I can crawl up into my 6 foot high bed, curl into a ball and let the emotions pour out of me like a broken faucet. 

Aside from men being the root of nearly all that is evil (I do believe women play a small role into it, unfortunately), classes are easier to manage than I was expecting. I have a full weekly schedule including chemistry, biology, chemistry lab, biology lab, math, public speaking, orientation, MAC lab, and the gym, to which I dedicate myself to everyday for an hour and 2 hours on Saturdays and Sundays. I am determined to keep the Freshman 15 from getting me, but between gym time, a healthy assortment at the cafeteria and walking up steps at least half of my day, this doesn't seem to be too difficult; although, I will not let my guard down. Must be strong.

So, I suppose that's it for now, I still have plenty of homework to get done, so I better get going on it. Well, here's to an awesome school year and journey of life lessons. 

"I can do all things through him who gives me strength"<><