Big Girls In The House!

           You know I'm sick of being bombarded by image after image of skinny girls. I'm also sick of being beat over the head with announcements for weight loss miracle pills, gyms, liposuction, etc. So I'm going to dedicate this post to us big girls and just share images that remind us we are naturally sexy too. :) 

  

Hairy Retaliation

     So I couldn't think of anything but my hair all of last night and today, even while studying for one of my midterms. I decided I should be fair and really examine why I wanted to cut my hair, what I would get from it and whether I really needed to cut my hair or not. 

     Well what made me seriously think about this was how long it took me to grow my hair... I'd have to wait another 5-10 years for it to get the way it is. And its so useful! I've literally used my hair as a sweater, as a whip, as shade, as a pillow, so on and so forth. I started thinking about all the times I've spent twirling in the pool pretending to be a mermaid (as lame as that sounds) and the feeling of it tickling my back when I wear a tank top and realized... And I remembered ALL the times I've gotten complimented for my hair. I mean people have stopped me before to tell me how nice my hair looks and how wonderful it smells and all these nice things. How could I not think twice about getting rid of something I love?

     A big reason why I wanted to cut it short was because I've been studying Jainism and Buddhism a lot and I was reading how attachments/aversions hinder us from reaching enlightenment and I guess I wanted to be just like these wise teachers that I got the idea in my head to cut my hair and break attachment to it. On top of that, I found a style that I really admired (the foxy lady) and thought I could live with... only... I can't live with it. I started realizing how attached I am to my hair and if I went through with cutting it how I would still be attached with my hair. Last night I made a little "farewell hair" video sharing my plans with my friends and after watching it for the hundredth time I finally registered that I wasn't happy with my decision. My eyes literally watered up at one moment and a look came across my face as if I was giving my baby up for adoption. I mean I hadn't cut my hair and already I was looking for the most potent hair-growing shampoos/conditioners to get it back.  

     So my decision: while one day I would like to get the foxy lady look and maybe later I could renounce the world and my hair... I'm just not ready to part with my lovely long locks at the moment. And yes, I have an attachment to it, but the way rid myself of the attachment is not by suddenly cutting it because then I'll just be obsessed for years about getting it back. In fact, by keeping my hair, I'll just forget about it and I can go about my business. I'm sure there will come a day in the future that I will be 110% ready to part with my hair. When the day comes, I will know, but right now I know I am 110% not ready. 

I do intend on doing something new with it. While contemplating the issue my mind turned a lot to the movie Tangled and I remembered what the little girls did to her hair to make it more manageable: they braided it. I think that by braiding my hair it'll help keep it out of my way, give me the new-hairdo feeling and most importantly, let me keep my hair. Best thing that came out of this whole little homemade drama? I know what I want to be for Halloween! ;D 

   

Hairy Situation

     Well... its been like 14 years since I've gotten a real hair cut... and I feel the time has come to finally get one. I know some of you may protest and urge me not to but here are my reasons.

1 - Split ends. If I cut my hair short I can strengthen my hair.
2 - Metamorphosis. I've been growing my hair for a long time, literally for like 14 years with a certain ideal in mind. By cutting my hair I'm shedding the girl I was so I can grow into the woman I want to be.
3 - Attachment. I absolutely love my hair, its one of the features that I'm extremely proud of... Cutting it will be sort of an experiment with truth of sorts to remind me that at the end of the day, its just hair and it doesn't matter.
4 - Comfort Zone.  I want to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. I'm used to the whimsical long-haired beauty look and I would love to grow into the fierce and foxy short-haired look.
5 - $$$ - I have to spend A LOT of money on my hair, whether it be on haircuts, hair products and just time. By cutting it I'll have less hair, less to worry about, less time spent combing it, less shampoo/conditioner, etc.
6 - Exploring beauty ideals. Long hair is like the epitome of femininity (according to some). By cutting it I can shed that image and explore other expressions of beauty. Most important, while I'm not brave enough to shave my head, I can cut my hair short and focus on the inner beauty.
7 - It grows back. Its haircut, not a tattoo. This is by no means permanent, it'll grow back if I don't like it. And these days I know what products I can turn to to help my hair grow back faster. 
8 - In the way. Whenever I went running, even if I had it in a tight bun, the weight of my hair would loosen the bun until it got to the point that it would start smacking my head with every step. When its hot and I have my hair down I start generating a lot of heat and a lot of sweat follows. Sometimes it gets tangled with my purse handles, get in my food, blows in my face, etc.

     So I'm pretty convinced and really excited because I think I know what style I want. Something that looks like this...

 

You're probably like "Cristina... that is NOT short!" Maybe not for you but just imagine that right now my hair reaches all the way down to my bum. This is extremely short for me. The only thing left is to save up money for it and find a place to cut my hair. Wish me luck!

Never Too Old For Toys

Playing with my new camera!

     So it was my birthday not too long ago and I've been doing everything except staying on the ball. I stopped running, stopped eating healthy, stopped using my money responsibly, on and on. It was pretty  bad, like Cristina-Gone-Wild sort of stuff. Whats worse is I celebrate the whole month but I was able to reign myself in and I intend on getting back on track. Which includes writing my blog!

     With the gift card my parents gave me I bought a handy-dandy (favorite modifier ever) little camera. Originally I bought it because I couldn't find my other one and I wasn't able to take pictures for my food-blog project. I also figured I would need one for future events and trips and stumbled upon one on sale that had amazing zoom and overall great customer reviews (AND came with a free 4 Gb memory). So here I am, beaming, as I coddle my new toy. I think I must have taken over 100 pictures already!

     Lastly, I have a new project inspired by the movie Yes Man - running photography! Not only can I take pictures while running, I can also take pictures while riding bike or walking! It'll be evidence that I'm going through with the running/cycling thing and might yield some good snaps. I'd just love to work on taking pictures because I've never been any good at it and I've always admired a good photo. Why not cultivate the skill myself?

W1.5D1 // Progress Feels So GOOD

     I beat the clouds yet again! But today I didn't have time to eat a snack and digest before my run so I opted for running with an empty stomach (better than cramps or feeling bloated). Did I feel tired? A little bit but I think it was due to the resting period all weekend and it being the 1st day back on schedule. What I noticed most was that I was finally able to complete all 60 seconds of the running period for week 1's program. I couldn't believe it! I won't lie and say it was a breeze, I definitely was going slow, and heaving a bit but I just concentrated on completing the time and it didn't seem so bad. For next time I definitely will keep track of my feet and how they fall on the pavement to see if I can work on distance and style.
     I'm also really happy because I found my old 8 Gb mp3 player! As much as I appreciate the little 1 Gb mp3 player, it just isn't the same. Now I have all my new music, I can scroll through a list to see what will play and I have even more room to keep filling up with hours of party-inducing jams! I'm so happy! This also means that I don't need to worry about picking a new mp3 player an I can start looking around for tablets for my end-of-the-program gift to myself.
     I think this week I will skip ahead into week 2 instead of do nothing Saturday and Sunday... Can't wait for my next run!!!

W1D3 // Compromise

   

    Week 1 is officially complete but I decided that I would repeat it until I can complete the sessions comfortably. Today was really good because I completed nearly all the 60 second running periods but I was still fighting for breath at the end of each. I figure by next week I will be more comfortable completing the sessions and then I can increase the times I spend running. 

     I noticed that I'm starting to develop a running style, whereas before I had no idea how far to move my feet or how to land on them. I'm also not as concerned about other people in the park, I concentrate on the sky or the path, which helps me. Another thing is that I made the realization that the first time I tried running I was really self-conscious about how I was puffing and wheezing and would suppress myself, which meant I was getting less oxygen than my body needed; now, I switched the way I looked at it, I control my breathing so I can get as much oxygen as possible... Sure, I breathe heavily and I don't sound like the athlete I want to be, but everyone has to start somewhere and I'm sure they (at one point) sounded like me. 

     Last thing I wanted to mention is the inner struggle I'm having these days. Lately, mp3 players caught my attention and my consumerist side is convinced that if I buy a nice mp3 (not the 1 Gb cheap-o that I have) I'll turn into a marathon runner. Of course, that is not true, the only way I can turn into a marathon runner is by training, says my rational side. So I came up with a solution to satisfy my cravings and my better judgement: complete the Couch-to-5K program and then buy myself whatever I want, which would be either a tablet or an mp3. Its the perfect motivation to complete the program and will give me time to save up for whatever I may choose to buy. I'm a firm believer in the reward system and if you are doing this program with me, or some other challenge, definitely consider doing something like that. 

W1D2 // Creepers

     

Before anything else I'd like to apologize for not linking the source of the Couch-To-5K Plan earlier. If you're interested please visit the site and I should also note that I'm using Robert Ullrey's podcasts and they're wonderful. I believe the program is available in various languages and the podcasts are free. Check it out!

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     It seems to be that time of year that its always raining down in Florida. I almost wasn't going to be able to run today but the rain finally eased up enough for me to take care of business and... I made the mistake of wearing a windbreaker (thinking it could protect me from the sprinkle) but I didn't count on the humidity and heat after the rain turning the inside of my windbreaker into a sauna. It was horrible. I didn't last 2 minutes with it on. Immediately I decided it would be best to leave it on one of the park benches, hope no one took it, and simply pick it up on my way back. After that, running was a lot easier. After researching it seems the general rule of thumb is to never overdress because body heat will warm you up about 15 degrees during your workout, according to Luff. 

     I wasn't able to finish the 60 second running intervals completely this time, I don't know if it was because I was still sore from Day 1 or if maybe I need to tweak my diet, but I did what I could and I am definitely a lot happier that I did something. I kept a general positive outlook and concentrated on my arms, footwork, and breathing. I tinkered with different breathing patterns and maybe that affected my running.... I'm not sure. What I forgot to check was my posture, and I noticed I spent more energy on raising my legs a little higher than Day 1, which might have contributed to my tiredness. 

     Overall, I feel I did well. I might have to repeat week one because I want to be at the point where I finish the 60-sec.-running/90-sec.-walking completely; right now I'd say I'm doing 30/120. I definitely think I should incorporate a 30-min. walk during my resting days in order to rejuvenate my muscles and not miss a work-out. Yesterday, my rest day, I didn't do any exercise except a light 5 minute stretch in the morning and the evening. 

     Last note: saw the biggest wild spider I have ever seen in my life!!! Its body was maybe an inch bigger than my thumb with really long legs. So as not to disturb it (or it disturb me), I've decided to head to the other side of the park from now on.  Don't get me wrong, I think spiders are great because they catch mosquitoes and other pesky bugs....but at the end of the day...they're creepers. Another rule people should live by: Avoid Creepers.