What Eating Disorders Can Do To Your Body - A Not Beautful Side to Eating Disorders

 It's really sad that today so many girls (and even guys) turn to eating disorders as a way to make themselves feel better about their bodies. I suffer from an eating disorder. Although, now days I am healthy and happy, I still struggle with the balance in between healthy and borderline eating disorder behavior. Sure, there was once a time I could go days without eating more than say -- 200 calories, and I would be okay with that. Today, in the present, I eat between 2,000 and 5,000 calories per day and that's not including the soda I drink. And today, I'm proud to say that. I'm not saying I eat perfectly health all the time, but I do eat normally and proudly now days. 

 However, there are still plenty of days I eat something and I feel guilty because I ate too much or I feel fat because my jeans are a little snug. Hey, it happens, it's life. I have come to realize that now.
The sad part of eating disorders is that it happens early in life for most eating disorder patients or suffers. The common age for those who develop eating disorders are those between 12 to 16 years of age. These happen to be to most complicated years of everyone's life. So it's really alarming that a lot of kids think that it's totally okay to do this to their bodies and they will be okay. I wish I would have known all the side effects from having an eating disorder when I was younger. It made me a stronger and more wiser person, but I still suffer from the side effects of what I did to my body trying to achieve perfection.

The non-beautiful side of eating disorders. Common health effects that an eating disorder can bring to you.

Many teens and young women seem to think of eating disorders as just as phase in their life.  Many of those young women never admit or even realize that they have an eating disorder, let alone treat it and recover. While magazines glamorize stick thin figures, and again, bring attention to the disorder, usually the long-term affects of eating disorders are never said.

While I have not suffered some of the more serious effects of my eating disorder, I still have plenty that is a reminder for me daily. Some of the bigger side effects just make me grateful that I did heal and cope with my problem as fast as I did.
 
Heart Problems and Complications
Anorexia literally starves the body - including the heart. This makes your heart weaker than normal. Also dehydration from vomit may cause electrolyte imbalances that can lead to cardiac arrest. Most of the damage is already done and reversible once a woman reaches a normal healthy weight again.

Medication Overdose
Typical drug doses are based on people of normal weight.  Severely underweight women can overdose by accident.  This doesn't mean that a person is taking more than the average dose, this just means that the average does would be too much for an underweight person. 

Infertility
Not having enough body fat can ultimately stop ovulation and having too much can throw hormones out of whack. The good news is that for many women, fertility returns once they get healthy, and they do not suffer any long-term problems.

Tooth and Bone Loss
Women who frequently make themselves throw up suffer cavities and tooth loss, as stomach acid erodes enamel. Bone loss can develop over time from malnutrition and not getting the proper vitamins and nutrients.  This happens very slowly overtime, but can lead to serious complications later in life as your bones grow older.

Death
The worst and most unfortunate side effect is death.  Once an eating disorder has taken its toll on the body for so long, it will no longer work.  Starvation, bingeing, diet pills and other methods of eating disorder patients can cause a multitude of deadly side effects including malnutrition, cardiac arrest, and starvation leading to death.

Other side effects include:

• Loss of hair
• Distubance in menstruation cycles
• Depression
• Pale skin and/or gray skin
• Brittle teeth and nails
• Disturbance in sleep
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Drug abuse / substance abuse
• Bloating
• Digestive problems
• Changes in mood / severe mood swings

It's so important to be informed on all side effects of eating disorders, no matter how small they may seem now - it may take its toll over time. Now for the effects that I have had on my own body over time.

• I cannot eat a meal without worrying about my body fat, how many calories, how much fat/carbs that meal has in it. It's not that I count anymore. There are some meals I don't think about it, but it does happen often. I often still feel the need to stop eating because what I have on my plate might be too much. It's a mental state of mind that never goes away.
• I lost too much weight too fast, and because of that -- I have loose skin on my body. I'm not secure about my body, even now. I keep an average healthy weight now. But because of my eating disorder and the fact that I lost so much weight so quickly, I have some loose skin on my body that won't go away. I have done thousands of sit-ups, push-ups -- every exercise you can imagine and it's still there.
• I cry every time I actually get sick now. Because of my purging, I damaged my throat. Whenever I do actually get sick and get nauseated and throw up, I cry and hurt severely  I have major scar tissue in my throat. Girls, you may think throwing up will help you loose weight, but it only hurts yourself in the long run.
• I ended up giving myself eternal acid reflux. I cannot certain foods now because I have acid reflux so severely that I feel like I'm going to die. The acid burns my throat so bad because again, I have scar tissue in my throat.
• My teeth have eroded and are weaker now. I'm 23 and have weaker teeth than I should all because I made myself throw up when I was younger.

There are many other personal side effects I discovered from my eating disorder. I can candid and open about it now only because I have learned to live with what I did to myself and accept who I am and that it doesn't define who I am today. It did define how I became the person I am today. There is a difference. I only hope that one day I can reach a few people to help them heal and become healthy once again.

Tips for Taking a Break From Writing -- Still Earn While Taking a Break From Writing

I know more than anyone else that once writing online became a part of my life, so did the income I got from it. Not only have I racked my brain for hours coming up with an article idea, I have also been frustrated and blocked when it came to writing. Even while I was earning money I had this problem. Now days, since eHow dumped me, I have even worse writer's block and even more trouble trying to earn money with writing online. Sure, you can do upfront gigs for writing and receive a few bucks - it's a good thing. However, I was/am still used to those passive income payments of not having to write anything and still earn the money. I got spoiled rotten. Now days, I've learned that making money online may come but with much harder work. However, everyone needs that little vacation from the keyboard.

Take a vacation from writing!

For just about any writer juggling a busy schedule, it really is unavoidable which existence will get chaotic occasionally. It is a sensitive formulation to figure out for keeping a healthy balance in between perform as well as lifestyle - it would be great to know that you could action away from composing your Facebook, Fb and also websites for a whole month Without having anybody knowing? You are able to! Here are some tips on how to have a 30 days away, without having experience the actual influence:

Tips for taking a break from writing and still get paid!

Compose extra content now, then publish date these throughout the month: You can hands them to an online assistant to write (as well as assign this with a responsible teen). Routine posting your own improvements on your own work schedule as well as usually that you simply moment away from every day. Or join a free or perhaps low-cost streaming program such as socialoomph.org or perhaps Twuffer.org that lets you set up posts, post-date them and then completed the whole process of posting live for a person. Timetable 2 hours in the firstly the particular 30 days to take a seat as well as strength away 60 twitter posts, or even Twelve Myspace articles or perhaps ten blog items, and so on. It is possible!

Discover guest writers: Get in touch with co-workers, associates, individuals you have dealt with or even faithful clients. Inquire further should they would like to get their time in the actual limelight being a visitor author on your weblog, web site or perhaps social media marketing. Keep these things give you their particular posts, and you will agree, publish (and also publish day) because essential. It is a great concept to reveal your potential customers to be able to brand new individuals and also resources that can help these as well as your value will certainly rise as well to them with regard to offering different and also top quality info they could use.

Reuse and Reuse: Outdated content (printed at least a year back) may be used since the foundation for first time articles. Revise existing events, refresh this content based on your present point of view and even link back to the existing articles. A fun concept would be to have a "time capsule" article in which you emphasize earlier composing, even past predictions after which find out if they came accurate or perhaps comment on how everything has altered in present times.

Change company products directly into fresh content articles: Have a virtual assistant, or even oneself, go through your existing business duplicate for example item descriptions, guides or even literature, or even e-books. Often entire articles can be influenced through content material you already have -- and you will educate the future prospect much more completely on what you offer too.

Recommendations: You already have content articles in your possession and don't understand it. When you have a small business, look no further than testimonials regarding ideas plus a approach to setup fast content articles beforehand. A person or perhaps an associate also can do that. Publishing the testimonial plus a outline of one's work together and just how an individual assisted solved your customers issues. This can be a great way to discuss individuals useful testimonies regarding your business, as well as show what you do and how you do it for training.

When you find a getaway emerging inside your future, or possibly you've just made a decision which you are worthy of an escape, you can use any of these tips to rapidly construct strong, high quality posts that can be saved and also published later on automatically to ensure you have the ability to take a rest, yet your articles carry on working hard for the achievement.

How To Deal With Difficult People - Lessons I've Learned

I have a lot of anger from working in retail, a lot of it has to do with stupid people. I'm not saying I'm an angel but some people simply do not have manners, at all. While working in retail I have had to deal with many different types of people whether it be the customers or my co-workers, I think I have some valuable info to share here. So let's begin!


Let's face it. In this world, there are plenty of difficult people that we have to deal with on a daily basis. It can be a challenge to hold your tongue and ignore the problem. Whether your dealing with a difficult and unreasonable person at work, at home, or even school - there are ways to deal and cope with the ever-so lasting problem.

First of all, you should never take a negative person to heart. People who always have a problem with something or somebody will always have something to say. It's important to realize that they have the problem, NOT you. So, never take it personal. These type of people want others to be miserable because they cannot find their own happiness in life. Don't beat yourself up and loose sleep over a problem someone else has with you.

Don't antagonize the person. Yes, our egos can get in the way and it can be difficult to hold yourself back from speaking your mind. If your going to confront the person - be calm, graceful and polite. Make your voice heard, but don't fuel the fire.

Negative people can and will start arguments and fusses to get attention from you. Don't give them what they want. Handle it with grace and integrity. As the saying goes, "Kill them with kindness". Never let them drag you down with them.

Try to let it clear your mind. It may be hard to leave your problems and let go, but you really should. Negative people will create negative energy around you and make you feel just as bad. Talking about the problem all day long will not get you anywhere. Put it out of your mind and let it stay that way.

Communication is a huge part of dealing with difficult people. Especially if you work with a difficult person. You have to be around them, and you might as well make the best of a bad situation. While you should never be put in an environment which makes you feel uncomfortable, you should try to communicate as best as possible without negativity. You can try talking about the issue, or simply put it aside and be polite through your day.

Look at the situation as a learning experience for yourself. Whatever has happened between you and that person - let yourself learn and live from it. Take a long look at the problem, try to find the positive side. You may be so proud of yourself for standing up for what you believe in, or just that you had enough grace to not stoop to their level. You will feel accomplished knowing you didn't let someone else's bad day ruin yours.

• Never fight, argue, or fuss just because you can with that person. Try to let it slide.
• Try smiling and walking away without ranting out in a rage.

Being an adult can make you immature - My reason for Christmas stress

I really do enjoy Christmas and New Years, but I have to say - Christmas time has always stressed me out just a bit. This blog post is a bit more personal than usual for me. I think that most of my Holiday stress is related to the fact that my parents are divorced. My parents divorced since I was 4 or 5 years old. I must say that I'm not bitter or angry that my parents got divorced. I understand that some relationships just do not work out. I didn't always understand this concept as a child, but now, as an adult, I do. And even now, I'm still stressed about this time of the year.

I'm not sure why I still feel like I'm 7 years old simply because I'm an adult now -- and being an adult means that childhood stress and worries should go away and you grow up and get over it, right? Wrong. The same feelings as a child come back around this time of year. I'm always torn. I love both sides of my family. I adore my mom and my dad equally. I may be closer to my mother because I lived with her instead of my father, but I have the same amount of admiration for both of them. I enjoy every moment I get to spend with each of them. Even more now that I'm an adult because I have grown and understand both of them better now days. And because of this, I always feel torn. It's not my parents fault. My parents are not and have never been the parents that fight, bicker or made me feel guilty over who gets to see who more. It's just simply I don't want to disappoint or hurt either one of them or the family from each side. 

Now, I'm a grown up.  I have a boyfriend, and we've been together 5 years, so now I also have to consider his feelings as well. Rob, my boyfriend/fiance/non-married husband (we both choose not to marry by choice so far) left his family in Ohio to be with me. Rob's family is not in South Carolina, they are in Ohio. I recently just met them this past year, and I ADORE THEM! I have to say balancing life and relationships with loved ones can be a challenge. I'm sure someone else out there goes through this same situation. Honestly, being in a relationship has taught me more about life and why I feel the way I feel than I could ever imagine. It's opened my eyes to life, in general. Having to consider another person daily does change your life. Rob is supportive and will honestly agree with whatever I feel at the moment, but he will also tell me when I'm being ridiculous and insane with my constant worry.

I wish I knew more people with my situation, so that someone could understand exactly how challenging it is to please and consider everyone's feelings. I can understand that my boyfriend does not want to be around my family for every holiday when he cannot be with his, I would not either. At the same time he does understand that I am near my family so I should be. It's really strange how that perspective can change your own feelings. It makes me appreciate my family even more and I'm thankful that I have them at a moment's notice while at the same time, I feel like I need to be there for him as well, because Rob and I are also family.

So....yeah, this time of the year really stresses me out. It has before I was ever in a relationship and I was 10 years old.  I thought this would go away after I became an adult but yet it's almost worse now. I usually tend to spread myself too thin during the Holidays and never get to do what I FEEL I want to do. Keep in mind, I still have to work - in retail.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being around my family - my mom and my dad. I love every minute, but at the same time I'm stressing over others, if you can understand that. I'm doing what I feel everyone else wants me to do. Not that they tell me, I just assume how they might feel and worry about my family's feelings before my own. Now, see why I get stressed?

So with that being said, this year I have decided that I'm not going to continue this habit in the future. I know it's unhealthy and I'm trying to make my life more zen and peaceful. I have pondered and thought through every detail of what my brain and my heart;  I am and will continue to say to myself -- "Stop worrying, it's going to be okay, breathe! Christen, snap out of it!". I have anxiety which adds to the problem, I assume way too much when it's not needed. Just like this post, no one really cares how anxious Christmas makes me. Only I care, because I make it a bigger deal than it should be, just as a child.

I need to stop, breathe and think.  I'm sure my family understands, or would if I told them the real reasons for my anxiety why I might want a minute to myself. I know my mom and dad would both understand if I would just sat down and spelled it out - but I never want to rock the boat. I'm such a people pleaser that I don't ever sit down and think that everyone is human and that they might just understand after all. So I guess you really never grow up after all, you just learn to deal with situations differently, or in my case - avoid them.  I hope that this reaches someone out there and if not, I might just be a bit nuts. See how being an adult can make you immature?!

And by the way, I'll probably laugh at myself a week from now. Moral to the story, give yourself a break. I need to just as you need to. Worrying does no good. And now, I've just given myself a therapy session. Cheers and goodnight!

Why you Shouldn't Wear Leggings As Pants, Ladies!

Okay, so everybody has seen this trend of wearing leggings as pants, I'm sure. It's annoying and it really needs to stop, ladies. It's just plain wrong. Leggings were not ever intended to be worn as pants. They were made to wear under longer tunic tops and dresses. Leggings with a short tee -shirt is not fashionable, at all. Yes, I know -- Leggings are warm and cozy and fit your body perfectly no matter what BUT it's got to end. It's crazy! It's madness!

 

This is Kim K, and it's not flattering on her either.

So besides the fact that some ladies still insist on wearing these leggings as pants, they don't know how unflattering it truly is for them. I just couldn't hold this rant in any longer. So, before I get started on my rant, I just want to say that there is NOTHING wrong with wearing leggings and a longer top and/or a mini-dress and/or a real dress. That's fine, I'm talking about the chicks that think a short shirt and leggings is their entire outfit for the day. Let's begin!

Why You Should Never Wear Leggings As Pants:

Wearing leggings as pants only shows off your entire bottom half with a clingy skin-tight material such as spandex. While some people have flawless bodies, like models -- most average women do not. That's fine and it's normal! (Duh, I'm a lady with cellulite, too.) However, when you don't cover your backside and let the world see every dent, dimple and formation of your body -- it's a little too personal to the public.



Leggings as pants just looks lazy. Now girls, I know we have those days when we don't feel like putting together an actual outfit and that's fine! Be lazy and throw on jeans and a graphic tee. I know bloating happens and jeans are always fitting as they should but just because leggings fit you no matter what doesn't mean you should wear them as pants.  It's the same equivalent to wearing Spongebob PJs to the store, just sayin'.

Leggings as pants don't leave anything to the imagination, ladies. Yes, they are warm and cozy. (I established this fact, when I took my own personal poll at work -- I asked every lady who bought leggings why they like them so much? Survey says, leggings are warm!) You ladies also forget that there are creepy men staring at all your goodies. When I say goodies, trust me, I have witnessed this first hand. Leggings show your crack and your camel toe when worn as pants. Especially if you get them smaller than you need to. Hint, hint.

If you wear leggings as pants, they is a good chance you look like your are straight out of a Jane Fonda workout tape. It's spandex, people!! Spandex and workout tapes were popular back in 1986. Not today. You might as well stick a headband on and pretend you are in the "Let's get physical" music video by Olivia Newton John.

Bottom line, leggings that are worn as pants is tacky. There is no other way to describe it and I want to make it stop for all women of the world. It's a bad trend that truly in unflattering to every women no matter if they are stick thin or curvy. At least wear them with class, girls. I cannot take one more camel toed, ass-cracked view in plain sight. At least wear a shirt that covers that area. And all, that is all for tonight. Cheers!

Things I need to stop doing and things I need to work on.

Hello all and a good day to you too!

Well, November was a big bust for me, in more ways than one. First off, let's start by stating that my last post about demoting myself, well that was much needed. Let's just say -- it got a lot worse at my day job.Without getting myself fired....because HR (Higher Ranked people in this so-called 'company') like to Google Stalk everyone, I cannot mention certain things but yeah - let's just say everyone took a sick day at the same damn time. It got worse. So, demoting myself come January sounds like a plan. Besides that little factor, November just plain out sucked.


I had goals for November as far as my writing and my fitness went, but that all went out the window as soon as everyone at my job decided to have a pissing contest for who was sicker. Yes, that's exactly how it happened. One person calls off to say "I'm sick, and I can't get out of bed." AND THEN, The next person calls off and says, "I'm sick and I just passed out in my bathroom floor twice, I can't come in". Which happens to leave me, myself and I doing THREE different people's shift (including my own) for 7 days straight. So I can proudly state that I DID NOT put anything off. I was exhausted.

With that being said, I've started to realize, all too well, that my blog has become a rant about my job. And that's totally NOT what I wanted. So why am I still bitching? Well, hopefully, because my readers can relate. If reader cannot relate, well -- I'm sure it's entertaining. In order to maintain the blog, I must write whatever I think to keep it maintained at this point. So here's my plan. The plan is outlined below, and yes, I really am outlining my blogging plan. It's happening, right now.

You may want to call this my New Year Resolutions in advance.

1. Stop talking about work. I need to stop. It's annoying, and I hate that damn place. Yet, that place is the only topic of conversation for me lately. That's not good. I need to stop. I keep repeating this in my head. 
2. Stop talking and thinking about writing online and just do it. I feel like I really NEED to be in a Nike's commercial. I need to just do it already. Damn, I've only been telling myself this for 5 months.
3. Stop waiting to make a blog post. I do tend to put off making a blog post very often. Mainly because I'm lazy and don't feel like sitting up late blogging about myself. But yet, I wish I was blogging when I'm watching TV. Which leads me to #4.
4. Stop watching so much TV. I watch entirely too much Law and Order: SVU and Storage Wars. I need to stop watching fictional shows. Yes, everyone loves Benson and Stabler -- but I'm obsessed. I can watch an entire 11 hours marathon (if I'm lucky to be off for that day) and never move a muscle. I get sucked in like some sort of trance.
5. Stop talking about negatives things. I do this a lot. Which, I'm not negative but I tend to dwell on whats wrong instead of what could be. Gossip, gossip about work, talking about work...etc. This all drags me down. So I need to stop. I have so much to be thankful and grateful for, I need to be better than bitching about everything I hate. 

These are all things I need to work on. Hopefully, I will focus on these things and work on them. My goal for the next month is to change and direct my thoughts and my actions to reflect my real 'thoughts' in my brain. I just hope that being my own critic can help me become a better person and a better writer.