Start Losing Weight Without Trying Too Hard

I don't know anyone who enjoys feeling like they are going to explode (from eating too much food).

My cousin and I are going to France in six months. That should be enough time to get in shape, right? We decided we would rather not want to visit Paris looking like the obvious, stereotypical, obese Americans. However, talk is just talk until you actually do something about it.

Instead of continuing our argument over who's going to gain the most weight I have made a few suggestions to jump start our healthier lifestyles. (Notice: these are not rules. Constricting yourself to what you can and cannot do/eat may make a person feel deprived. The point is to subtly change your habits.) Here are a few things to consider:

1. Try not to eat anything at least two hours before you go to bed!
Your body needs to digest the food you eat. By laying down you are disrupting the process which, in return, may reduce your metabolism.
2. After you clean your teeth be lazy!
I don't know about you but for me I tend to not want to eat anything after I brush up. I'm guessing being lazy can contribute to this. So floss, brush, and rinse your teeth and most importantly: be lazy! (This is a win-win suggestion since you would also be promoting pearly whites.)
3. Occupy yourself!
A habit that I have is eating when I am bored. Instead of reaching for some munchies try 20 jump n' jacks, 10 pushups, or holding a plank position for 30 seconds. If all of a sudden you realize you have something better to do then do that! The goal is to not eat something merely because it is in front of you. Now if you're in public and you don't want to embarass yourself it should give you all the more reason to control your boredom eating!
4. Stay hydrated!
For each time you think you are hungry drink a glass of water. Oftentimes we mistake hunger for thirst. Try drinking water then waiting 5-10 minutes. If you are still hungry afterwards go ahead and eat!
5. Try controling your portions!
In America several restaurants offer giant portions. It can be difficult to eat just what you need. Try to imagine your body as a car. Cars do not benefit from too much gas nor does it benefit from running on nothing. Fuel your body right and pay attentiont to how it runs. Try eating smaller portions (as many times as you want) to the point where you are satisfied but not full. Before you know it your rusted body will turn into a smart car! In other words: your body won't need to consume as much food to carry you throughout the day.
6. Sneak in mini excersices!
The gym can sound dreadful to some (most) so why not try moves while doing everyday activites? For instance: when you are sitting in the car, suck in your gut (this will train your muscles), straighten your back, and lift slightly so your back does not touch the seat. Remember to breathe. It will take a little getting used to but in the end you will strengthen your core muscles a little and perfect your posture.

...Have any other suggestions? I'd love to hear them! Feel free to leave a comment!

College Decisions

College is the place you go to after high school.

College is the place that you pour your money into for a better education.

College is the place where you turn that education into a career.

College is what students constantly ponder about because it unleashes a list of questions.

College is stressful.

College is exciting.

College is where I want to go.

Unfortunately for me, I am one of the most indecisive people you will ever meet. The instant I visited the College of Charleston in SC I knew I wanted to go there. But then I visited Northeastern in Boston. I changed my mind. At that moment I knew that I didn't want to go anywhere else. I knew that wherever I went I wanted to be somewhere- anywhere Boston. I over exhausted myself and I instantly applied to Bay State (a private college in Boston). It was the first and only place I applied to. I immediately got accepted. The only thing I had to do from then on was save up for the $30,000 difference of what I already had and what my goal was- which would only cover freshman year.

I was driven. I attempted all I could to make the decision happen. There was no stopping me. The last thing I wanted to do was move down South with my family to attend a college in an area of no familiarity. I had lived in the Northeast my entire life. I did not care that it was cheaper. It did not matter that my parents had bribed me with a car. It was not going to happen.

As time passed I became overwhelmed. My drive sloped into a negative attitude. Loans, scholarships, and financial aid couldn't help my clouded mind.

Then one day my cousin asked me if I wanted to go to France. I immediately responded, "YES!" However, when she mentioned the airfare price I told her I had other priorities. Not even a once in a lifetime trip could dissuade me from my goal.

As more time passed my stress level increased.

Finally I asked myself, "Why have I been ignoring everyone and every opportunity with this irrational goal?" Not only did I not have a stable idea of where I was headed for, I was also spending my time and effort on something I had no idea would even satisfy me. I was bitten by what felt like an unreasonable dream. I imagined my life in Boston beautiful, exciting, different, and new. But what dawned on me was that Boston isn't a way of living. When all the hype was gone it was merely a location. Sure Boston may be breathtaking but what I did was confine myself to that one area.

But why? Why did I blind myself from all other options? Why couldn't any other place be just as beneficial?...

Oftentimes we all need to realize that no matter where we go or how we get there it all boils down to what you make of it. Pricey colleges are probably expensive because of the people that made something out of their education there. They gave the power to the college's name. By no means does that mean we cannot do simmilarly. Make something of what you have and I can assure you that when you look back on it all, you will realize you made the right decision. A life without regrets is the best life to live, isn't it?

And so after a few months I decided I would go to France. I would live a little. I would learn to love a lot. I would make the most of that trip (because let's face it: after college years when you have a job and your time is restricted, when will you actually have the time to go on a trip again?) I would be able to afford all years of my tuition without help from loans or my parents. (Who wants to leave school with massive amounts of debt anyways?) To say the least I would start off my first years as a legal adult with a life to be proud of. On top of it all, my parents would get to have the two extra years with their beloved first-born. (In other words I would have to endure more time with my annoying family. Just kidding... sort of.)

The lessons I learned overall was to simply live a life worth living and that large dollar signs don't have to control your happiness...

Up next: My first challenge proposed by a dear friend of mine- to bake a 6 layer cake!