Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Ripped Out & Toned Up

Photo by: DJCodrin
When you’re on a workout program the best thing you can possibly hear is a compliment on how you look. It fills you with bright and shiny feelings and maybe all those hours you spent dripping buckets of sweat and guzzling gallons of water were actually worth it. On Saturday all of those bright and shiny I’m-a-fitness-rockstar feelings were all mine thanks to my semi-dedicated attendance at LA Boxing.

Saturday night I ended up club hopping with a few old college buddies who had decided to pop into town for a little girlfriend time. By the second bar, we were finally warm enough to shed our almost parka like coats (Colorado in March can be so cruel). That’s when one of them noticed my stomach, or apparent lack thereof, thanks to the skin clinging tank top I’d opted to wear. I’ve never had much of a tummy so I hadn’t really noticed that it had changed that much, but apparently it had enough to get some attention.

Miss Jen has never been shy so she quickly proceeded to poke my abs with a little “Damn, that’s solid!” thrown in. That was queue for the others to poke away and for me to shamelessly start grinning. And yes, thanks to two dirty martini’s and my lack of an inhibition, I was soon pulling up my shirt for a firsthand look at the abs, as well as taking everyone in the vicinity to the gun show.  Those bright and shiny feelings were working overtime.

Over the years I’ve jumped into numerous workout programs only to find myself shamelessly straying within a few weeks. It’s not that I don’t like to work out, I’m big on fitness. I just have a very limited attention span and I get bored easy. I can’t do the same routine day in and day out. I can’t have a perky instructor bouncing around me in circles encouraging me. I need variety. I need someone to push me. And I need results. Lucky for me I recently found that at LA Boxing.

LA Boxing is a gym that totes its workout generates 800-1000 calorie burn in one hour. That sounded awesome to me, as well as a just a little intimidating. I know how much a generally burn in an hour of working out so I had an idea of how hard I was going to be pushed to hit even 800.

But that wasn’t the only thing that drove me to try it. The instructors at the gym I go to are actual fighters. Some are retired pros and others are amateur. But during each of the classes I hit up, I’m working with someone who actually knows what they’re doing. You’re not only punching a bag, you’re learning form and that actually makes a huge difference. Throw in some ass kicking cardio, muscle ripping ab exercises and a different setup and routine each class and I’m definitely hooked!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Overbooked or Living?

I over book. Chronically. No, not in my work life. Somehow I can prioritize that to perfection. But my personal life is a polar opposite.  I’m afraid I’m going to miss out on something that I will later wish I hadn’t. So I overbook.

Honestly, I think it originally stems from parents that were often over controlling and required at least 48 hours notice before I could go do something. No spur of the moment slumber parties for me growing up and deciding I wanted to go to a football game two hours before was definitely out. When I got to college I wanted to experience everything. No one could tell me no so I embraced it all. House party at 11 pm on a Tuesday or Random road trip to Vegas? Bring it on!

So you think after the college years I would have gotten over it. Nope, I still continue to overbook now. Being home before 11 only one or two nights a week is okay with me. The down side? I keep myself running to point that I forget to take some “me” time. I also tend to forget to make “us” time with the man. But, I’m happiest when I’m embracing the possibility of enjoying myself.

Then a day like Wednesday hits. It dumps so much snow the little kids down the block are seriously trying to build snow caves in their front yard. And I hit a wall. I get tired. Not the take-a-30-minute-power-nap tired, but the kind when my brain has powered down, I’m sputtering nonsense, and I feel like my butt is dragging on the ground. But it’s only mid-week and slipping in a PTO day isn’t an option (I refuse to use one unless I’m really sick or doing something fun). So I grab a case of diet coke (literally), vow to spend a weekend filled with “me” and “us” time, and strike out on another day.

Fast forward two days to today and what do you see? Have I slowed down like I promised? Nope. I’ve done it again. I’ve booked myself solid. That wall dissipates as usual, but not through resting and doing nothing. That wall dissolves with every laugh that escapes my lips, every smile that reaches my eyes, and all of the little moments I’ve embraced. For me, those are what life is about.

Monday, March 22, 2010

To reform or not reform – that is the question

With the passing in the House last night I felt the need to discuss the topic that has been on Americans’ minds at one point or another over the last year. And if you are like most Americans (myself included) your confused on what it’s all about. Sure we’ve heard what the most highly debated area of the reform is - abortion always sparks aggressive political and religious debates. But want about the rest? Why is one party so aggressively for it while the other will do anything to squash it? And yes, the most important questions to most of us “What does it mean for me?”

I have to give a big kudos to media outlets that have picked up on this and started pushing out various information on the pros and cons of healthcare reform. However I’ve noticed pretty quickly that like all things media it definitely isn’t a bipartisan view. So after all of the research I’ve done today here are my thoughts on the pros and cons I see:

Pros
1. No more pre-existing conditions or discrimination! I come from a family filled with all sorts of issues from knee problems to diabetes to high blood pressure. In April of last year I damaged my knee while on vacation. The orthopedist diagnosed me with a severe sprain and partial tears in my lateral and medial ligaments. But what if he missed something? Under the new government plan, the insurance couldn’t call it a pre-existing condition if I every hurt it again! Also, no more discrimination over if a procedure is covered or if it is too experimental.

2. Healthcare will be available to the 33 million Americans without coverage!  Hurrah! As a poor college student who was conveniently removed from my parent’s health insurance, I remember praying that I wouldn’t get sick. After all I couldn’t afford any medical bills. At that rate even student health would be too expensive for me. I couldn’t afford to buy a prescription. Circumstances didn’t change much in the first few years out of college either. On the flip side, it may be more affordable and realistic for poorer, health Americans to simply page the $695 fine for not having insurance rather than $2,500 for government insurance.  That said the tax credit for having the insurance better make it worth it.

Cons
1. I have health insure through work and a pretty damn good plan. However there is the distinct possibility that companies will shift away from private healthcare plans to the government healthcare plan in the near future. That means the killer coverage I’m receiving now for fairly cheap could very easily go away leaving me with the standard government care. My next two points are the areas I find issue with on the government plan.

2. What about the freedom to choose my doctor? I’ll say it. I’ve had a crappy doctor before. You know the one, that primary care physician you’ve been seeing regularly for years and yet every visit is like the first time. Yes, sir. We’ve already had this conversation before. Maybe you should actually look at my chart or maybe you need to learn to take better notes. I trust you with my health and you aren’t taking the time to be informed about me, so I’ll just find a doc who will. But under the Medical Home plan that won’t be an option. You can’t just quit your doc and find a new one. He doesn’t think you need that test or to see that specialist. Too bad! We are a country founded on freedom and our right to choose. How can it possibly benefit us to remove that right?

3. Why the hell have I bothered with a healthy life style? I’m going to pay the same premium as the 26-year-old bar fly who drinks 5 nights a week, smokes a pack a day, leaves her panties in at least 2 new guys apartment a week, snorts coke on a daily basis, and lives off of cold pizza and fruit pies. Sure, she’d be able to rehab for free and so could I, but why should I have to pay for the same plan as her? Maybe I don’t need rehab, but I’m still paying for that service. I don’t smoke. I’m less likely to have health issues. I live healthy so why should I have to pay $2,500 or more in premium costs when I only cost $800 a year to insure?

I don’t mind that those with a significant income will pay a 1% tax increase to pay for the plan. I believe that the wealth should take care of their less fortunate majority. However, I’m a believer in having government working in the background rather than on the forefront controlling healthcare.

So where am I? I’m still riding the fence. I still need answers to bigger questions. Will universal healthcare jeopardize the quality of healthcare we receive? Will we lose our ability to receive speedy healthcare? Will we become like Canada and the countless other nations that have a waiting list to receive care? Will government run healthcare be worth it in the long run?

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Friday, March 19, 2010

So What’s the F&*#@^ Plan?

Photo from freedigitalphoto.net
From the time we are can talk and toddle around we start making plans. We plan what we want to be when we grow up (the policeman and ballerina occupations never looked so good). We plan where we are going to live (I’m going to live with Mommy forever!). We plan and we plan and we plan. Then we grow a little bit and those plans change. And that’s okay (being a Mommy clinging ballerina isn’t that healthy anyway).

Throughout our lives we make plans and then we change them. Why? Because we, as people, are constantly changing. So why is it that when we reach adulthood we are supposed to have it all figured out and have set our master plan?

At the ripe age of 26 I can honestly say that I don’t have the master plan laid out. And you know what I’m okay with that, I’m even happy about it. Eight years ago I had my life laid out if the perfect plan. I was going to be a vet. I was going to get my doctorate at CSU and practice medicine on horses for the rest of my days. Then college happened and my life and goals completely changed.

I've spent the last 4 ½ years exploring a few various marketing communication jobs trying to figure out where I fit, what was my niche, where would I be the most happy. One I even loved! Then the economy bottomed out, the unemployment line came beckoning. And what have I learned from that? That no matter how much you plan, everything can change in the blink of an eye. And you know what? That’s okay too. It’s not the end of the world. It’s an opportunity to learn more about yourself and who you are.

I’ve had the “What am I doing with my life?”, “Where am I going?”, and “What’s my plan?” conversation with many close girlfriends and several random people too.  And guess what? A good number of us aren’t really sure. We may not be where we thought we would be 2, 3 or 4 years ago. We aren’t working in the job or industry we had planned. We have found that our dream job wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.  We haven’t found that love of our life yet. Some of us have and still aren’t ready to make the family step yet (after all we’re in our 20s – what’s the rush?).

So here I sit at 26 - and yes, I’m employed again and have a great job. Is it what I want to do with the rest of my life? No. Do I know what I want to do? Maybe. And you know what? I’m okay with that. I’m perfectly happy not having everything planned. This is my life. It’s my one time to live and be me. And if it doesn’t all work out the way it was “planned” I’m going to continue being okay with that.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Happy Feelings & Protest Signs

Image by Ian Kahn
Recently I felt the philanthropic call ringing in my head again. It's been a while since I've answered it so I felt the need to pick up the receiver and get back in touch. A few years ago when I was residing in the remote state of WYO, I volunteered at the local Planned Parenthood working on education and outreach. Since Planned Parenthood is an organization that's mission is very close to my heart I felt that volunteering with PPRM would be the perfect way to get back in touch with my sense of community giving. 


After contacting the organization I was scheduled for an informal interview to make sure I was volunteer material. As I headed to headquarters on the day of my interview I fully expected to encounter some protesters. After all, it's a well known fact that where there are abortion services the nay sayers won't be far behind. I was even prepared for signs with more controversial imagery. What I was prepared for was the overly aggressive verbal messages that were hollered my way.


The facility does an excellent job with security. Visitors enter through the gate and protesters are kept behind an 8 foot fence, though the unwelcoming committee does make use of ladders so they peek over the trees and fence to hurl comments at visitors. The protesters seem to ignore the blinding fact that the majority of patrons are there to take advantage of the numerous other services that the facility offers, instead opting to insult me, my mother, my intelligence and my soul.


As a strong supporter, and often horn tooter myself, I support everyone's right to free speech, even if their opinion is opposite my own. I  welcome intelligent and thought provoking arguments on any topic. However, I fail to see how anyone can think that yelling derogatory comments at other people will make them change their minds about anything. I fail to see how that will make me think twice about anything. 


In fact I found that the words spoken by the protesters had the opposite effect than what they intended. Was I ashamed to be there? No. I was even more proud of the work the organization does even when faced with such open hostility and opposition. In the end as I smiled and silently walked toward the building I felt a even greater pride on being on the other side of that fence.  

Monday, March 1, 2010

Breathing a Sigh of Relief

I often wonder how it has become such a norm to hear that a business is downsizing yet again and to see yet another business go under. Last year it seemed as if another one bit the dust every night only to leave behind an empty office space or shop window and ex-employees nervously trying to figure out where their next paycheck was coming from. We all know at least one person who fell into this category (and yes that did include myself).

In the beginning when we heard a close friend or mere acquaintance had been let go due to company restraints we rushed to tell them it would be okay. We are here for you. We'll let you know if we hear of an opening. But as time went by the shear number of people we know found themselves set out of the daily grind, our sympathy seemed to be less and less needed or even expected.

I for one always tried to keep an upbeat response to the whole situation. If you did some freelance work like I did then you weren't unemployed, just "underemployed". Or if the contract work wasn't there then you were "practicing for retirement" or "working toward your trophy wife (or husband) certification."

As time wears on and various industry's continue to be hit by ripple after ripple of our economic downturn, I've seen a different mentality being adopted by numerous people who find themselves taking a hiatus from their employment. Oddly enough, anxiety seems to be giving away to sighs of relief. As more companies siphon off a few employees here and a few there, people spend their mornings dreading the coming hours of the work day and their days developing ulcers and worrying "Will I be next?" or "what can I do to save my job?". When that ax comes down to severe their employment cord it's accompanied by a whoosh of air as victims finally gain some sense of certainty.

To me, it's a strange and slightly unsettling new norm. Will we continue to find relief in unemployment and what does that mean for our job market?
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