Is Skinny Worth It?

Okay. Also I can say is that being "skinny" is great and all. But it seems to me that being health is way more important. With half of the Hollywood women grossly underweight, it is really that amazing to think that we have such a huge problem in this country with eating disorders?

About six years ago, I lost a lot of weight due to the fact that I was sick all the time for about two years. I couldn't keep anything down. I didn't intentionally get sick but I was sick all the same. I can't imagine making myself go through that again. I was miserable, depressed, and exhausted. Why would someone intentionally put their body through that?

Bulimia Nervosa according to the National Eating Disorder Association has three main symptoms: "Regular intake of large amounts of food accompanied by a sense of loss of control over eating behavior. Regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting, and/or obsessive or compulsive exercise. Extreme concern with body weight and shape." So if the symptoms aren't bad enough on their own the health consequences are even worse. The NEDA website states that the health complications of bulimia nervosa include: "Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death. Electrolyte imbalance is caused by dehydration and loss of potassium and sodium from the body as a result of purging behaviors. Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus from frequent vomiting. Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids released during frequent vomiting. Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation as a result of laxative abuse."

The warning signs of Anorexia Nervosa include "Dramatic weight loss. Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting. Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restrictions against whole categories of food e.g. no carbohydrates, etc.). Frequent comments about feeling “fat” or overweight despite weight loss. Anxiety about gaining weight or being “fat.” Denial of hunger. Development of food rituals (e.g. eating foods in certain orders, excessive chewing, rearranging food on a plate). Consistent excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food. Excessive, rigid exercise regimen--despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury--the need to “burn off” calories taken in. Withdrawal from usual friends and activities. In general, behaviors and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns." The health complications/consequences of anorexia nervosa are "Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is changing. The risk for heart failure rises as heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower. Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones. Muscle loss and weakness. Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure. Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness. Dry hair and skin, hair loss is common. Growth of a downy layer of hair called lanugo all over the body, including the face, in an effort to keep the body warm."

Although I understand that sometimes it's hard to be happy with yourself and what you look like, but the complications of these disorders are just plain scary. Can you imagine? Cardiac arrest at 19? It is just not worth it. I'd rather be alive and happy than skinny and miserable. So many young women lose themselves in these disorders.

Okay, I know. I probably went a little overboard on the info and could have probably just inserted the links, but I really want people to understand the dangers of these disorders. It is really important to improve the body image that girls and young women have.

Where the smart people are.....

So sometimes i look around myself and think "Gee, everyone around here looks half retarded". A wise man I met once told me that they look half retarded because they are. just think about it. Think of the most average person you know.......now that you have that person in mind, think half of the world is dumber than that. Astounding isn't it?

At the same time you must consider that half of the world is also smarter than that average joe. So my question: Where are all these "smart" people?

After lots of hours of trying to prove the thesis "smart people do not exist" i have finally been able to reject the null hypothesis, with the following data:

1) They are not at pizza hut, because my order is always wrong.
2) They are not at Wal-mart, because they can't figure out how to take off my coupon.
3) They are not at the pharmacy, because they cannot figure out my insurance card.
4) They are not at McDonalds, because they think that "a lot" of honey means 3.
5) They are not patients at the ER, because they shoot themselves with BB guns.

I know, I know....the suspense is killing you.....where are they???? Well, now that you have the point i will leave out the other places they are not......


Drum Roll please......................................

.....................................................................

They ARE at the Puffs Plus Tissue (I had kleenex there, but then i realized that kleenex is a brand....therefore i have begun to act like the dumb people) factory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After dealing with the people at the ER, where once again, they are not...I have gotten the worst cold, sinus infection, and ear infection which was horrible. But looking on the bright side of things as i always do, this has brought me to discover the new Puffs Plus with Vick's Tissues.

So in conclusion, since only a real genius could have invented Puffs Plus with Vicks, I am rejecting the null hypothesis that there are no smart people in the world. Therefore, smart people can be found at the Puffs Plus Tissue factory :)

Dead Car

My car died. It was a slow, painful death. Okay maybe not died exactly. But it definitely stopped working. One of the many reasons why dead cars suck is that I know absolutely nothing about cars. Maybe I should buy another "for Dummies" book... or maybe not. The only words that I understood from the mechanic were "car", "engine", and "will take a while to fix."

Random Pet Peeves

Something that annoys the hell out of me is when people don't respond to emails, voicemails, or text messages especially when a question is asked. I understand that they may be upset or just don't want to answer the question, but is it really that difficult to respond saying just that. Really?

Okay, another pet peeve is when in response to a yes or no question, someone answers with a ten minute dissertation that still fails to answer the original question. So I am forced to ask the question again at which point in time the person repeats the ten minute lecture and again fails to answer my question.

Dummies

So I bought my first "for Dummies" book yesterday. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about buying a book specifically listed "for Dummies" since I consider myself rather intelligent. I swore to myself that I would never, I repeat, never buy one. Okay. So now I've bought one. Maybe my IQ is lower at the ancient age of 25 than it was then ten years ago. Who knows? Whatever the reason for this phenomenon, I have definitely bought one.

The book is called Building a Website for Dummies. I am hoping to be able to, at least slightly, improve the look of this blog. The problem with buying a book about creating a website, is that one has to find not only the motivation to read it but also the time. So I will dedicate my life err.. I mean I will decidate some free time to making this blog a little better.

For those of you who are not familiar with the books, please visit: http://www.dummies.com/.

Astrology

I've never been a big fan of astrology. But I have to admit I am every bit a Leo. According to http://www.psychicsconnect.com/astrology, this is the definition of a Leo:

The symbol for Leo is the lion's mane, drawing attention to its majestic head.
'I WILL' is the motto for Leo. You like to get your own way and are a born leader. You also like to be the centre of attention and bask in the admiration of others. You are a good organiser and command respect.
You have a strong sense of pride and dignity and will defend both to the hilt. However you are magnanimous to those less fortunate than yourself.
You are loyal, honest and warm. It's very important to you to be yourself and to do something that you can put your heart into. You are also dramatic and playful and love nothing better than to have a good time with your friends.
You can also be arrogant and overbearing and sometimes your self-assurance can turn to boasting.
You are the performers of the zodiac.

Well at least I now have something for my About Me section.

Personality Tests

So I was staring at the blank About Me section, expecting the words to come easily. I discovered that I apparently do not know myself. So how better to learn about myself than to take an online personality test? Apparently I am ENFJ (Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging ).... which happens to be (according to http://www.personalitytest.net:

Outstanding leader of groups. Can be aggressive at helping others to be the best that they can be. 5% of the total population.

The ENFJs optimistic outlook toward social relationships is a burden to them at times. When external conflicts affect a group, the ENFJ is likely to assume responsibility. Their ability to empathize then turns into a liability. ENFJs, when over-identifying with the pain of others, will loose sight of their own concerns and interests. Their idealism can also be the cause of some distress when their assumptions are unable to weather the winds of reality. Fantasized relationships rarely translate into reality and even the best charismatic leader encounters unexpected resistance.

Like all NFs, ENFJs will disassociate themselves from stressful situations in an effort to protect their sense of well-being and togetherness. The ENFJ, however, will repress the unpleasant side of life only to have to face it later in an intensified form when it explodes from its hiding place. It can manifest itself as fits of anger, sudden outbursts, or emotional explosions. Often the ENFJ's body will reflect pent-up stress by manifesting various physical symptoms that will erupt unexpectedly.

I prefer the definition listed here: http://www.personalitypage.com/ENFJ.html

But that's me in a nutshell. Amazingly enough, it is a very good general description. Kind of scary, actually. But I still don't have anything for my About Me section. So I will continue to scour the internet to find out about myself.