Blog #9 Regular Exercise Schedule

The biggest challenge for my exercise schedule and habits is my daily schedule itself. I realize that this sounds funny but my life, just as many women I know, is very hectic. Not only do I have a full-time student but I work a full time job as well. At my job I coordinate and run a coffee/ice cream bar. For the most part I have a relatively easy job, but it also includes extremely demanding responsibilities. I stress over work just as much as I worry about my school work. I have worked with the same company for 6 years and take my job seriously. I do get some moderate exercise at work which includes, lifting, brisk walking, moving frequently, etc. I usually walk about 3-4 miles just at work in one day. Besides work and school, I have a son and a boyfriend that demand my time as well. I enjoy both dearly and love my social life, but this also includes daily work. I clean, cook and wash for the majority of the time. I do have help from my boyfriend and family, but I usually like to do most of the work myself. I feel that if I do something then I know that it is done the way that I like it to be done (or expect it to be done).

With all that said I find it hard to find the extra time to join a gym or even do small exercises at home. The small amount of time I have, besides cleaning, cooking, doing school work, going to school (I drive 50 minutes there and back), working, washing, social life, etc, I like to spend my free time with my son, boyfriend and family members. I often feel bad about not getting the proper exercise. At the same time I do realize that with a young child and moderate working conditions, I do get enough exercise that makes me happy.

In five years, I feel that things will be completely different. I should by that time have my degree and a 9-5 job. My son will also be older and in school himself. This should free more time for me to schedule in time to join a gym or do my own exercise at home. I am satisfied for the most part with the exercise that I receive today, but also realize that more would benefit me.

Blog #8 Getting Older

My feelings about getting older are not too different from most people I believe. Plenty of people are scared or afraid or aging. That’s not to say all people feel this way. My main concern is not the mental aging so much as the physical aging. Many women and men for that matter, in family seem to develop illnesses/diseases in late adulthood. As a result of these complications they usually live a short life. I suppose I’m worried about the idea of having illnesses when I get older. Even though my old age is quite a ways away, I’m afraid of developing them just as my family members have.

My grandmother (paternal) has lupus, diabetes and kidney failure. Her lupus causes all her joints to swell to the point that she is unable to do every day things. Diabetes makes her need to take insulin and causes her to have to monitor her blood sugar level extremely closely. When she was only 60 her kidneys start to breakdown. She now only has 10% use of kidneys. She has to go to dialysis 3 times a week. It takes a role on her body where she can hardly even stand after each treatment. Recently she was hospitalized because she acquired an infection in her blood. My mother also has lupus and diabetes. Most of the people in my family also struggle with overweight/obesity and high blood pressure.

On the other hand I am excited about aging. Even though I have been forced to age more quickly than normal due to life experiences, I am still young. I think the only way to learn is to live life to its fullest. As you age you learn new things and new experiences that only age can bring you. Now that I have my son, aging would mean that I can see him grow into his own person and develop his own life. I cannot wait to see him, walk, talk, go to school, graduate, get married, etc. That’s the one good thing I can see from aging.

Blog #7 STD Testing

Most people I know are afraid of contracting a STD. One person I know in particular had unsafe sex with a guy from a bar. She met him that night and decided to go home with him. It actually worked out for them in the end, because they started a relationship. However at the beginning she was afraid because not only did she sleep with him that night but she claimed they rushed in so quickly that they did not use a condom. I guess she was not positive that she had a STD based on symptoms but the fact that she was not sure “who” he had been with. I told her about a brochure I read. It stated that for every sexual partner you have you are sleeping with all their past partners and their past partners. Of course, she started stressing over the whole situation. I told her the best thing to do would be to get tested at the doctor’s office. Beyond my belief she was afraid to go to the doctor, stating that she did not want to be judged by the health professionals their. I proceeded to tell her that they may judge but it’s not their job to do so. Reluctantly she visited the office and everything thankfully turned out fine. I find it sad that people are afraid to go to the doctor because of fear of persecution. I hope that someday, somewhere doctor’s offices explain to people that they are not working there to judge people but provided medical and health assistance.