Gym, tanning, crest white strips...

Oh how I falsely live by these three things. I haven't been to the gym as much as I should be. I have two tans left at Tahiti Mi (I got them for Hawaii prep). Not to mention it has been a full year since I have whitened my teeth.

sigh*

Either you are rolling your eyes or nodding in agreement. We all want to look 'ideal' and in this society it means having a killer tan and having white enough teeth to blind people with the flash of a smile. People get to the point of staying in shape equaling unhealthy habits. All I want is to maintain a healthy medium, however, I don't know if that is even possible...

I constantly get the lecture that tanning beds are going to lead to all sorts of cancer, along with whitening your teeth will take off your enamel. Lets clear up some of these stigmas:

Tanning:
Yes, over exposure to the high voltage UV radiation in tanning beds can lead to melanoma (skin cancer). Through several studies done most women are aware of the risk they put themselves under when entering the tanning bed. However, of the women studied, majority don't go tanning more than once a week for 7-10 minutes each time. http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/019096229370274W
Listen to your body and be careful if you do go tanning, don't let yourself get addicted to it. Limit yourself and if you burn, that is bad! Now I will end this part with the argument my best friend always gives me "you are naturally suppose to be WHITE in the WINTER!"

Crest White Strips:
I have never actually finished a full 14 day whitening package. I pay attention to how white my teeth are turning and if my teeth are reacting in a sensitive way at all. I recommend the Crest Strips if your teeth can handle it, otherwise, consult your dentist. Another effective way to whiten is to avoid drinking so much coffee, tea, and soda (they stain your teeth). BRUSH REGULARLY too :)

Gym:
Everyone has their own opinion on how much you should 'work out' in a day. For girls my age (early twenties) the best recommendation I have heard is doing 40 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes with weights (alternating arms, legs, and core throughout the week). The best way to keep yourself on track is to map out your workout routine. Find someone to hold you accountable and get going! We all come up with too many excuses (sick, injured, hate sweating, etc) but it all comes down to how healthy do you want to be?

Health matters and so do you!

When one door is shut, another will open..

I went on the Disney website to start the application process for the intern program they have. Little did I know but they do not have any more e-presentations to allow until spring. I wont be a student in spring so I wont be eligible to apply. Sad news.

The more I run into these road blocks the higher my anxiety level goes up about the future and how much my life will be changing in the next few months. Onto plan B.

..::my thoughts on a few love quotes::..

"forgetting someone you love is like remembering someone you never knew"

- This quote is harshly too familiar. When you truly care about someone it is nearly impossible to forget them no matter how hard you try. Just the other day I was hanging out with a friend that still can't get over a guy that she was emotionally and physically attached to, it hurt my heart when she said she wished she had never met him. In reality it would have saved her some heart ache but I believe that you learn something very valuable from every relationship that you are in.

"It's crazy right? To love someone who hurt you. It's even crazier to think that someone who hurt you, loves you."

-This quote is unfortunately the story of my last relationship. Not that he tried to hurt me but the breakup process inevitably did. It was due to distance and he claims to still want to be with me but just "can't". I am an avid believer that if you love and care for someone, you will be with them despite the challenges, however, not everyone shares my views and I respect that. I am slowly allowing myself to move past the knowledge that my ex still gets jealous when he thinks he hears about other guys, and texts me whenever he gets the slightest excuse (which isn't very often) to talk to me. It is hard to accept that someone is still thinking about you and wishing you were a part of their life...when it was their choice to let you go. It doesn't make sense and no one deserves to be tossed back and forth.

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in God, that a man has to go through Him to find it."

-I have loved this quote since the first time I saw it written on the bathroom door freshman year of college. It is easier said then done. I feel that girls give their hearts away so freely and I am a perfect example of that. If there is anything that we should take from the bible in regards to relationships, I believe that guarding your heart is key. Again, it really is easier said then done because in order to allow yourself to get to know someone on a deeper level you have to open your heart to them. Remember that God will never leave you nor foresake you and he is the ultimate romancer...don't just believe me, look up the verses on romance and love in the index of your bible.