BLOG#9 (Chapter 9, Module 9)

• What are the biggest challenges to regular exercise and a healthy diet that you face? How are these challenges going to change for you over the next five years?

The biggest challenges to regular exercise and a healthy diet that I face is a lack of time. I have no other excuse…I just do not have enough time in the day to devote to going to the gym. In spurts, I do prepare healthy food or choose healthy food items from the cafeteria. I have membership fees deducted directly from my checking account, but I have not been to the gym in over 6 months. Over the next five years I must manage my time more efficiently to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Hopefully, after completion of school I will have more time to exercise on a consistent basis. I plan to incorporate more intentional alternative exercise regimens into my daily schedule such as taking the stairs opposed to taking the elevators…parking at the far end of the parking lot, etc. I’m open for other suggestions!

BLOG#8 (Chapter 8, Module 8)

• Why do we try to stay "looking young" for as long as possible? Why are we so concerned with the signs of ageing: getting grey hair, wrinkles, loose skin, etc?

I believe we ‘fear’ ageing because of the negative stigma society has placed on beauty. Firstly, we have a misconception as it relates to beauty. One is deemed beautiful if they remain physically fit and portray the image of a runway model 24-hours a day. Secondly, as women, we over consume ourselves with worry about getting grey hair, wrinkles, loose skin and such because we have chose to delay marriage until we have achieved ‘success’ status in our career. So we have our hair dyed every six weeks, have regular botox injections, contemplate tummy tucks, breast lifts and liposuction, not only for self-gratification, but to appear attractive to others. Lastly, some of us are just VAIN! Our latter years of life should be a time when we can sit back, reflect, enjoy and share with our loved ones about our life experiences…not a time regretting all the wasted attempts to delay the natural ageing process.

The common practice of keeping up appearances
with society is a mere selfish struggle of the vain with the vain.
John Ruskin