I'm not terribly happy that I just used a Kesha(I refuse to put a $ sign in there by the way) reference as the title to my blog post. Especially since I don't think carrying a bottle of Jack around in your handbag is the key to a healthy and youthful lifestyle.
But at any rate, part of my determination to make the most of my younger years is to really and truly get in shape. And I really mean it this time. Not my typical "I have to get ready for swim suit season" that results in a monthly round of ab exercises from April to June and then just not caring anymore. I have known for a long while now that I'm not healthy. I may be at the right weight for my height, but I am not anywhere near actually being in shape. You know how I know this is true? When I run around with the kids in the multi-purpose room I get winded VERY VERY quickly. What kind of role model am I?
So my mind is set to exercise atleast 3 times a week. We got a Kinect a month or two ago and just recently bought Your Shape. Its a great game with personal training and gym games and it keeps track of your progress and calories burned. That coupled with Dance Central and I should be on my way to being able to handle going up a single flight of stairs without feeling like I'm having a heart attack.
That's an exaggeration, but still, I always forget how good I feel after I work out. Those endorphins are no joke. And its nice to know I can get them by doing something other than eating a can of chocolate frosting. Which also brings me to my second decision to try to eat a little better. I do alright overall, especially compared to my other half, but there's always room for improvement. See frosting comment above.
I know the key to feeling young in your older years is based on how active you are. If I want to set myself up for a healthy life later on its time to take responsibility for myself and make me into the best me I can be. Corny? Maybe. But you can't deny the truth in it.
Ready? And, break!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
To breed or not to breed
That is the question. Actually, for most of my peers it really isn’t much of a question. I feel bombarded and overwhelmed with the number of people that I went to highschool with who have been having children, some since 2003. Some of these people are on to their 2nd or 3rd child. Holy. Crap. This just only continues to solidify the fact that I am nowhere near ready for a child. Yes. I understand that I am almost 26 years old. I understand that there are “child-bearing” years and the older you are when you have children the more high risk your pregnancy becomes, etc. etc.
But really now. I cannot fathom having to raise a child right now. I love babies. But parenting doesn’t stop after the first year. You’re a parent for life. They don’t go away. You can’t just stop being a parent. Children deserve all of their parents time, even though a lot of young parents seem to think otherwise. I dont want to give my time away like that. I like doing what I want, when I want to.
Recently, we have been talking about the possibility of not having children. Ever. There once was a time where the thought of 3 children sounded great. Then it got reduced to 2. Then 1. Now the possibility of 0 is inconsideration. This is surprising to some people. We’ve gotten mixed responses, some like:
“But you love children!” Yes. I do. But I dont have to take them home with me. Or worry about them constantly. Or pay for them. Or any of that other stuff that parents have to do vs a teachers responsibilities.
“You’re good people” Yes. We are. And no doubt that if Ken and I were to have a child they would be pretty awesome. But just because we’re “good” doesn’t mean we need or want to parent. Nobody should parent just because they “can.”
“It’s the point of life” Maybe once, when the world was less populated and most of your kids would get small pox and die and you’d have nobody to help tend to the crops. Life isn’t about procreation. Your life can be anything you want it to be, and populating the earth isn’t a necessity anymore.
“What about when you get old./What if one of you dies” Yes? What will having a child change? You can’t have a child as an insurance policy. Who’s to say that your child will be willing or able to care for you when you are older? What if you have a severely disabled child? You will be caring for them for their whole life. And what if one of us dies young? Would it be better to leave your partner as a single parent? How is that an improvement to circumstances?
“I want a grandchild/niece/nephew” Congratulations.
Are there certain reasons for having a child? Yes. Part of me thinks that it would be nice to have a little me running around. But is that a solid reason for having children? No. In fact its kind of selfish.
Obviously, nothing is final. We will definitely reevaluate our circumstances and goals when we reach our 30′s and see if children are something we truly want. But for now, I have a life to live. We have bigger adventures ahead of us. I want to experience the world before I’m tied down to the homestead. And I want to be able to do it without having to feel societal pressure to do otherwise.
But really now. I cannot fathom having to raise a child right now. I love babies. But parenting doesn’t stop after the first year. You’re a parent for life. They don’t go away. You can’t just stop being a parent. Children deserve all of their parents time, even though a lot of young parents seem to think otherwise. I dont want to give my time away like that. I like doing what I want, when I want to.
Recently, we have been talking about the possibility of not having children. Ever. There once was a time where the thought of 3 children sounded great. Then it got reduced to 2. Then 1. Now the possibility of 0 is inconsideration. This is surprising to some people. We’ve gotten mixed responses, some like:
“But you love children!” Yes. I do. But I dont have to take them home with me. Or worry about them constantly. Or pay for them. Or any of that other stuff that parents have to do vs a teachers responsibilities.
“You’re good people” Yes. We are. And no doubt that if Ken and I were to have a child they would be pretty awesome. But just because we’re “good” doesn’t mean we need or want to parent. Nobody should parent just because they “can.”
“It’s the point of life” Maybe once, when the world was less populated and most of your kids would get small pox and die and you’d have nobody to help tend to the crops. Life isn’t about procreation. Your life can be anything you want it to be, and populating the earth isn’t a necessity anymore.
“What about when you get old./What if one of you dies” Yes? What will having a child change? You can’t have a child as an insurance policy. Who’s to say that your child will be willing or able to care for you when you are older? What if you have a severely disabled child? You will be caring for them for their whole life. And what if one of us dies young? Would it be better to leave your partner as a single parent? How is that an improvement to circumstances?
“I want a grandchild/niece/nephew” Congratulations.
Are there certain reasons for having a child? Yes. Part of me thinks that it would be nice to have a little me running around. But is that a solid reason for having children? No. In fact its kind of selfish.
Obviously, nothing is final. We will definitely reevaluate our circumstances and goals when we reach our 30′s and see if children are something we truly want. But for now, I have a life to live. We have bigger adventures ahead of us. I want to experience the world before I’m tied down to the homestead. And I want to be able to do it without having to feel societal pressure to do otherwise.
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