Diminishing Orgasms, and Other sensitive Aspects of your Sex life….

Sex. You want more of it–in theory, right?  .. ..

I know it’s a touchy subject, but seriously, think about it; after being at work for 10 hours, to after-work Yoga, to picking up the kids from Daycare, to the grocery store, and home, you’re sometimes too tired to even think about sex, much less actually do the deed.  If you’re like me though, you probably enjoy it immensely, but when you’re just about ready to fall asleep, and someone starts kissing you neck, it’s hard not to pretend not to be asleep!   Which in essence is a terrible thing do, as why would you forgo the possibility of one amazing Orgasm?  *Sighs*.. Funny enough, it’s either you’re too exhausted, or he passes out even 

before you start to peel back the covers.

Am I the only one who seems to experience this scenario?  I get the feeling its common, especially with couples with kids; is there no cure?!  According to two amazing authors of a new book, it’s not necessarily an issue of sex drive. You can use simple economic principles to put a little jump kick into your sex life.

The Law of Diminishing Orgasms

As couples get busier and take on more responsibility at work and home, the “cost” of sex increases, which means the amount of sex decreases, something Paula Szuchman and Jenny Anderson, coauthors of Spousonomics: Using Economics to Master Love, Marriage, and Dirty Dishes, call it, “The Law of Diminishing Orgasms”.

Szuchman and Anderson surveyed over a thousand people in committed relationships and found that more than half wished they were having more sex. In addition, more sex is a good thing – sex is good for your physical and emotional health, and there is a major correlation between a healthy sex life and a strong relationship.

Their solutions?

Lower The “Cost” Of Sex

The more something costs in terms of time and energy expenditure, the less likely we want to do it. If your time and energy are scarce, sex can be seen as a trade off (or opportunity cost) for running errands, getting work done, or sleep. 

Lower the “cost” of sex by sacrificing quality for quantity. Instead of requiring every sexual encounter to involve candlelit dinners and massage oils, consider quickies in the morning, squeezing in one-offs during kids’ naptimes, etc. Try to create more time in your life so that sex does not have to be a trade off for other critical activities like sleeping and eating–but better yet, make sex one of those critical activities. Make sure you do it, often.

“There’s definitely something to said for quality,” admits Szuchman. “But what we’re addressing is a quantity issue. Our theory is it’s better to have a lot of quick sex than infrequent amazing sex.”

Create a Transparent Market

Another strategy is to create a transparent market, that is, one where your partner knows when you’re in the mood instead of making him or her guess. To borrow another economics term, “signaling” with a mutually understood gesture or ritual can alert your partner when you’re ready to go and avoid coordination failures.

For example, to use a couple profiled in the book, Seth had a huge libido and Monica a much more modest one. He was always initiating, she always declining–he felt rejected and frustrated, she felt guilty and anxious. While there is certainly a mismatched libido issue here, there is also coordination failure (or not “syncing up” about when to have sex). This can be costly because the initiation and rejection cycle can be emotionally draining and upsetting for both, and that makes the “cost” of sex higher.

“Signaling is a really basic economic concept,” says Szuchman. “One couple we spoke with schedules sex in their BlackBerry. Or it could be the simple signal that she’s naked when she gets into bed.” Other examples of signals can be pouring a glass of wine before bedtime, or a foot rub.

Resource Allocation

“The whole theme of Spousonomics is resource allocation,” concludes Szuchman. “A lot of the problem in marriage is resource allocation. Time and energy are already limited. The last thing you want to do is use those limited resources to argue about sex instead of having sex. Anything you can to make it more affordable is going to up the frequency.”

Now that you’ve read through the above, take my advice.. not all of this may apply to your marriage, or relationship, but it makes a heck of a lot of sense.. so why not give it a try?  If you’re like me and suffering from “not-enough-sex” (NES), then use what little insights are available, and apply them NOW!  What better 20 mins spent then to steal your Hubby from the TV in the evenings, or to sneak in that much needed quickie on a Lunch break?!  I’ve done it, so should you!

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Ever Wanted to Spring Clean Your "Diet"?

I know that at times we can really get bored with the same humdrum eating plan, but it doesn't have to be this way!  Creativity in with your eating habits is just as important as mixing up your Fitness Routine, it keeps you engaged and on track! Yes, there is such a thing as Spring Cleaning Your "Diet".. although I hate to call it that...  let's call it instead Eating Habits or Nutrition Routine.  I say this because “Diets” are usually unhealthy fads that end up destroying your metabolism and can lead to significant health problems in the future!

That being said, the weather is finally getting warmer…. It’s time to lighten up and brighten up your kitchen – and your cooking…  I'm serious, everyone will love you for it, including your  partner!

Here’s How to Start Fresh:

1. Clean out your cupboards
Turns out canned goods do expire.  I was rummaging through a few of my non-perishables yesterday and actually realized that I had a few things that had passed their expiry a few eons ago.   Taking the time to go through all the jars and cans not only freed up space, but got me thinking of what to replace them with!  I went out and got some fresh-cut-salsa (half a cup counts as a serving of veggies!).  Another area to also focus on should be the freezer, dump out anything discolored or covered in ice, especially if you haven’t followed the “first in, first out” rule. Refresh your spices — they lose their zip after three years. To avoid waste, buy small quantities in bulk and store them in labeled, airtight containers.  I’m finding that containers are seriously the only way to go, a great place to buy at the moment is IKEA, they have a range of smaller containers for about $8.00!

2. Dress up your plate
With me, and this may be with you as well, if something doesn’t look all that great, I’m a little more hesitant to try it.  So much of eating is visual, and what’s the harm in adding a little Garnish or taking time to plate your food nicely?  For Garnish you can use a slice of grapefruit, a wedge of watermelon or sprigs of parsley, cilantro or watercress. They’re free of fat and sodium and contain virtually no calories.

Bonus: A study in the British Journal of Nutrition found watercress combats breast cancer by suppressing cancer-cell growth.

3. Go for seasonal foliage
A while back we talked about eating local, and in season.  There’s a lot of health benefits to this method, it also ties you into the Community by getting to know Local Vendors and supporting infrastructure, and keeps you eating a variety of foods all year round.  Think pea sprouts, rhubarb and lettuce greens to start, along with lots of other fresh local produce. Why not go for a serving of asparagus? It’s low in calories (fewer than four per spear) and contains folic acid, potassium, fiber and vitamins A, B6 and C. (Store it up to five days in the fridge by wrapping ends in damp paper towel covered with plastic wrap.) Another healthy seasonal treat? Strawberries. They’re a great source of vitamin C, packing as much as oranges, bite for bite, and they also contain fiber.

4. Power up with probiotics
This flu season has seriously been a killer.  I think after about three times of being hit with a different flu, and/or seeing my kids, friends and family affected by the bug, it’s time to load up on probiotics.  Let’s face it if winter colds wreaked havoc on your health, antibiotics may have depleted your body’s good bacteria; you should chat to a doctor about probiotic pills as well, and stock up on yogurt with “live active cultures.”

Make it a habit: Have plain yogurt with fresh berries for dessert every Sunday night.

5. Eat more fresh fish
Yesterday my 4-yaer old dragged me around Superstore as he pointed out all the amazing things he could take home and eat.  Surprisingly we found ourselves in the Seafood section, and he haphazardly grabbed a massive fish out of one of the bins and threw it in the Cart.  “it’s good for me Mommy, Right?”…. Right!  Spring signals the start of fish season, so forgo the red meat in favor of this firm, mild-tasting fish, which is a good source of lean protein and B vitamins, magnesium and omega-3s.

6. Cleanse & detoxify
Detoxifying can be an easy way to kick-start healthy choices, but trendy plans can be harmful, so make sure you’re going about this the healthy way. Choose an old wives remedy, or Naturopathic method that fosters smart habits.  I myself enjoy the lemon, cayenne and maple syrup cleanse, but everyone’s different…. 


Try just following the three Fs if you’re not quite sure:

Fiber: Women need 25 grams of fiber a day to maintain a healthy digestive system. Read food labels (anything over 2 g counts as a source of fiber) and enjoy a diet high in fruit, veggies, whole grains, nuts and seeds to guarantee you’re getting your daily dose; we just stocked up yesterday!

Fluids: Aim for six to eight cups of hydrating fluids a day (including water, 100 percent real fruit juice, tea, milk and watery fruits and vegetables). Not sure you’re getting enough? If you have to visit the loo every one to two hours, that’s a good sign!

Fitness: Exercise is key when it comes to bowel regularity. Keep things moving with a minimum of about 20 minutes of exercise a day, for a total of 150 minutes per week.

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Get out Of Bed, and Get to the Gym!

How's everyone feeling today??  Ready to get up, get dressed, set some goals, overcome some obstacles and tackle your day!??!  I haven’t worked out for two weeks, but I’ve got a really good excuse (Coughs**). This excuse involves being overworked, two sick maniac kids, the "Blah", and lots of Kleenex and orange juice, and I’m pretty sure that’s all you want to read. (This is not an excuse - I'm serious...)… I did workout last night though; my exercise being a series of high-intensity core and weight rotations, and let me tell you, the sweat was literally dripping off my face, pits and butt (not that you need to know that, but you know what I mean!).

Anyways, back to excuses… when it comes to working out, many of us make up far less legitimate excuses like not having enough time, not having clean workout clothes, being too tired, being in a bad mood etc. Here are eight practical tips you can employ that help make those excuses even less valid, so you can fit more exercise into your life: 

1. Do it first thing 
Dr. Barbara Brehm is a professor of exercise and sport studies at Smith College in Massachusetts and the author of Successful Fitness Motivation Strategies. In her book, Brehm explains that first thing in the morning you are at your lowest point of stress in the day because nothing has happened yet to put you in a bad mood. People who exercise first thing in the morning have the highest adherence rates because they haven’t had the chance to make a bunch of excuses not to.  That being said, the majority of us have kids or early morning responsibilities, so don't kick yourself if this isn't quite achievable in your routine (yet).

2. Set the alarm
On the above note, if you’re going to exercise first thing in the morning, make sure you set the alarm early enough to allow time for exercise before work. I know that when the alarm goes off, you’re going to be tempted to reset it and sleep a little longer (I did this morning and it was not cool), but realize that the extra bit of sleep you get is going to be lousy because:

a) You have to waken yourself to reset the alarm.

b) The alarm jarred you out of sleep in the first place, and it’s always hard getting back into a deep sleep after that.

c) You might feel a sense of guilt for going back to sleep instead of exercising.

So, when the alarm goes off, make a point of just heading straight to the bathroom and flicking that bright light on. Then you’ll be awake and have nothing better to do but workout. 

3. Always have your stuff ready
On days that I workout at night, I leave my gear sitting on the floor right next to my side of the bed.  Always plan for having the proper gear ready and at hand. Place your gym bag in the car or in the front foyer so you never forget it, and have your personal hygiene routine down so that you can efficiently make yourself look and smell good if you need to go to work after your workout.

4. Get Enough Sleep
Do you really need to stay up late to find out who is getting a rose on The Bachelor? If you’re tired, then you won’t want to exercise, especially if it’s an early morning workout. Instead of TV, get into a good book and take it to bed. Get horizontal and comfortable, read a few pages, then zonk out.

5. Do it with a friend
Workout partners can be very motivating because they expect you to show up. They are an external pressure that makes you accountable. If they’re expecting you to be there for a run, a class, or just to be on the elliptical next to them at the gym, then you better go, or you better come up with a great excuse. One of the many reasons to join 90Days2Life, as everyone of the ladies in this group has an accountability partner, someone there to pick them up or remind them of their commitment to themselves! 

6. Sign up for classes
Things like yoga, Pilates, and boot camp classes are awesome, many of the ladies in the group participate in Bikrams, Tantra, IDance....  and I think a big part of its value comes from the motivation factor—for a lot of people these classes are totally worth it for this reason alone. If you’ve paid for a bunch of classes and the instructor and other attendees are going to wonder about you if you’re not there, then this pushes you to go. Also, it becomes part of your schedule. It’s factored in to all the other stuff you have to do in a day and you see it there in your calendar, so it’s serving as a reminder that today is a day to exercise.

7. Get out of the house
People who exercise alone at home have the lowest adherence rates. I think this is because it’s so easy to quit. You jump on a treadmill for five minutes and there is nothing external pushing you to keep going, and there are a lot of distractions like phones, doorbells, kids, televisions, computers and refrigerators tempting you away. Conversely, if you got on a treadmill at a gym and quit after five minutes you’d feel foolish, so instead you keep going. 

8. Just get dressed
This trick will get anyone out the door to run on days that you don't really want to. On days when you're at the computer working on a deadline, or when the house could use some cleaning, or you're not feeling energetic, or a host of other garbage excuses.  Just get dressed into your gear. It takes two minutes. Then, you’re in your sweat suit, you go back to the computer or empty the dishwasher or do whatever non-running task and you feel strange. Something about having your workout clothes on makes you feel like you should be working out, instead of sending out another email or checking Facebook. Sometimes it takes an hour before you reach the turning point; but finally you'll get out the door!

One final bit of advice is to write down the excuses you use to not exercise and then work out your own strategies in advance on how to deal with it.  I wrote mine down, maybe we can share at a later date? Now get out there today, kick butt, do your REX, make it happen.. And remember, you have a goal – attain it!

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Coconut Oil, Amazing Stuff!

Coconut oil is currently one of nutrition's most controversial topics —  People often ask how a saturated fat could ever be healthy. The media and medical community once warned that coconut oil is fattening and damaging to the arteries, but I'm here to tell you that this approach doesn't consider the full picture of this food.

Coconut oil is extracted from the meat — the white lining inside the shell — of mature coconuts. The coconut oil that we do need to avoid is the hydrogenated version found in processed foods. That coconut oil is definitely unhealthy, because the hydrogenation process changes the delicate nature of virgin coconut oil into trans fats, which are linked to high cholesterol and artery hardening.

The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) found in unprocessed coconut oil, on the other hand, actually aids digestion, protects against infection, and boosts energy levels and metabolism. One study in the journal Diabeteslinked coconut oil to protection against insulin resistance, which is tied to adult-onset diabetes.

Coconut oil does contain saturated fat, but plant-based saturated fats are different from animal-based ones that have cholesterol, which is tied to heart disease. The saturated fats from animals are long-chain fatty acids, which are harder for our bodies to break down, so we are more likely to store them as fat. However, the fatty acids in coconut oil are shorter and more easily broken down for energy. I recommend reading the book The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife for more research and further information.

Five unexpected facts about coconut oil:
1. Coconut milk, meat and oil contain lauric acid, which is naturally antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-fungal. Lauric acid is also associated with the production of HDL — or "healthy" — cholesterol.

2. Coconuts are great for your skin, which is why so many moisturizers and cosmetics use their byproducts as a base.

3. Coconut oil provides a nutritional jolt and boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.

4. Coconut oil helps to balance blood sugar, improves digestion and aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

5. Coconut oil has no cholesterol and its energy can be burned efficiently by the body because its fat content is more likely to be burned as energy — and therefore not stored — than other types of fat molecules.

The bottom line is that you shouldn’t be afraid of this wonderful,delicious fruit; use it whole, or use its water, butter or shell. There are endless possibilities! I make wonderful recipes with coconut oil and it is one of my favourite ingredients because it's free of dairy or gluten but full of delicious flavour. Coconut can also be heated to high temperatures in baking, used for stir-frying, or mixed raw into smoothies and desserts. You can even drink the water straight from the coconut and use it as an energy drink before, during or after exercise!

I will leave you with a recipe for shortbread-like jam dot cookies. Coconut oil is the perfect replacement for butter in these delightful little treats.

Ingredients:
1 cup almonds, ground to a fine meal
1 cup spelt flour (or whole-wheat flour)
1 cup rolled oats, ground to a fine meal (or oat flour)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup melted pure coconut oil
½ cup maple syrup
Pinch of sea salt
Strawberry or raspberry jam (fruit sweetened or no sugar added)

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine almonds, flour, oats and cinnamon. Mix well to combine.
3. In a separate bowl, blend oil, maple syrup and sea salt. Add to nut mixture and stir to combine.
4. Roll mixture into walnut-sized balls, place on baking sheet, and press down with thumb.
5. Fill indentation with jam and bake for 15-20 minutes — until bottoms are golden brown.
6. Remove from oven, cool on a cooling rack, and enjoy!

- Chatelaine

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Perfection by "Single Dad Laughing" www.danoah.com

This is an incredibly powerful post that everyone can learn from. Thank you to Dan from Single Dad Laughing for giving us permission to post this here.

As a warning, the following post was written in complete desperation. I have recently learned some very sobering truths from people that I love dearly. These truths have set in motion a quest within me to do whatever I can to make a change. Today is not geared at funny. Today is geared at something greater. Read it to the very end. I promise you will be affected in a way you have always needed to be. I spent more than twelve hours writing this post because its message is that important to me.

I wonder. Am I the only one aware that there is an infectious mental disease laying siege on us right now? There is a serious pandemic of "Perfection" spreading, and it needs to stop. Hear me out because this is something for which I am passionately and constantly hurting. It's a sickness that I've been trying to put into words for years without much success. It's a sickness that I have personally struggled with. It's a sickness that at times has left me hiding in dark corners and hating myself.

And chances are it's hit you too.

What is the disease called "Perfection"? Perhaps a list of its real-life symptoms will help you better understand it. We live in communities where people feel unconquerable amounts of pressure to always appear perfectly happy, perfectly functional, and perfectly figured. "Perfection" is much different than perfectionism. The following examples of "Perfection" are all real examples that I have collected from experiences in my own life, from confidential sources, or from my circle of loved ones and friends. If you actually stop to think about some of these, you will cry as I did while writing it. If you don't, maybe you're infected with way too much of this "Perfection" infection.

"Perfection" is a wife who feels trapped in a marriage to a lazy, angry, small man, but at soccer practice tells the other wives how wonderful her husband always is. "Perfection" keeps people from telling the truth, even to themselves. My husband is adorable. He called me a whore this week because I smiled at a stranger. When I started crying, he said he had a game to go watch. I love him so much.

"Perfection" is a husband who is belittled, unappreciated, and abused by his wife, yet works endlessly to make his marriage appear incredible to those around him. "Perfection" really does keep people from being real about the truth.  You would have laughed, guys. She said that I suck at my job and will never go anywhere in life. Then she insinuated that I was a fat, rotting pile of crap. Isn't she the best?

"Perfection" is a daughter with an eating disorder that keeps it hidden for years because she doesn't want to be the first among her family and friends to be imperfect. She would give anything to confront it, but she can't because then the "Perfect" people would hate her as much as she hates herself for it.

"Perfection" is when a son has a forbidden addiction, and despises himself for it. "Perfection" makes us believe that nobody else could understand what it is like to be weak and fall prey to the pressures of the world.

"Perfection" is a man who loathes himself for feeling unwanted attraction toward other men.

"Perfection" is a couple drowning in debt, but who still agree to that cruise with their friends because the words "we don't have the money" are impossible ones to push across their lips.

"Perfection" is a mom hating herself because she only sees that every other mom around her is the perfect mother, the perfect wife, and the perfect neighbor. I'd give anything to be Mrs. Jones. Today she ran 34 miles, cooked six complete meals, participated in a two-hour activity with each of her seven children, hosted a marriage class with her husband, and still had time to show up for Bunco. What this mom doesn't know is that Mrs. Jones is also at home crying right now because the pressure to be "Perfect" never lets up.

"Perfection" is a dad hating himself because he can't give the same thing to his kids that other dads do, and then hates himself further because he takes his self-loathing out on his kids behind closed doors. You know what would have been nice? If you were never born. Do you realize how much money I'd have right now? Now come give Daddy a hug because I can force you to give me validation.

"Perfection" is a child hating herself because the boys at school call her fat, and when she goes home she tells her mom that school was fine. Her mom never stops to question why her daughter doesn't have any friends, becaue her mom doesn't want to think that anything might be less than "Perfect".

"Perfection" is a man feeling like a smaller man because his neighbor just pulled in with a new boat.

"Perfection" is a woman who is so overwhelmed that she thinks about killing herself daily. "Perfection" makes it so that she never will because of the things people will think if she does. How could I make my suicide look like an accident? If I kill myself, I don't want anybody knowing that I ever had any problems. She never stops to look at why she wants to do it, because healing means admitting imperfection.

"Perfection" is a man who everybody heralds as perfect, and inside he is screaming to be seen as the faulty human being that he always has been. Because to no longer be "the perfect one", that would be freeing.

"Perfection" is a woman having an affair because she's too afraid to confront the imperfection in her marriage.

"Perfection" is a twelve-year-old boy killing himself because he is ashamed that he can't stop masturbating.

Stop, and read that one again.

There is a twelve-year-old boy buried 20 miles from where I sit because the "Perfection" that has infected the people around him infected him to the point that he deemed his own life worthless. "Perfection" pushed him to take his own life over something most of us would consider negligible in the life of any teenage boy.

"Perfection" is my friend's cousin swallowing hundreds of pills because she just got the news that she was pregnant, out of wedlock, and the shame was too much to bear. She was only attempting to cause a miscarriage. 24 hours later, she closed her eyes and never opened them again. She is dead because of the "Perfection" infecting those around her. We'd rather you die than shame this family. Thanks for taking care of that, honey. By the way, we'll do the right thing and make ourselves out to be the victims now. We have to. We're infected with "Perfection".

I could go on. This is all a small sampling of the disease called "Perfection". You have brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, extended family members, neighbors, friends, and children who are ALL these things, yet none of us will ever know. "Perfection" is a hideous monster with a really beautiful face. And chances are you're infected. The good news is, there is a cure.

Be real.

Embrace that you have weakness. Because everybody does. Embrace that your body is not perfect. Because nobody's is. Embrace that you have things you can't control. We all have a list of them.

Here's your wake-up call:

You aren't the only one who feels worthless sometimes.

You aren't the only one who took your frustrations out on your children today.

You aren't the only one who isn't making enough money to support your lifestyle.

You aren't the only one who has questions and doubts about your religion.

You aren't the only one who sometimes says things that really hurt other people.

You aren't the only one who feels trapped in your marriage.

You aren't the only one who gets down and hates yourself and you can't figure out why.

You aren't the only one that questions your sexual orientation.

You aren't the only one who hates your body.

You aren't the only one that can't control yourself around food.

Your husband is not the only husband who's addiction sends him online for his sexual fulfillment instead of to you.

Your wife is not the only wife that is mean and vindictive and makes you hate yourself.

Why didn't somebody, anybody, put their arm around that 12-year old boy and let him know that they loved him and would always love him? What was he being told and taught that he would end his own life over something that almost no teenager can control? Maybe that beautiful and wonderful boy would still be alive if even one person had broken down the "Perfection" that completely controlled all those in his life from whom he desperately craved validation.

Why didn't somebody, anybody, tell a beautiful pregnant girl that there was nothing so big in life that it couldn't be made right. Maybe that incredible young woman would still be alive. Maybe her now one-year-old child would be learning to walk or say "Mommy" right now. Maybe.

Maybe.

The cure is so simple.

Be real.

Be bold about your weaknesses and you will change people's lives. Be honest about who you actually are, and others will begin to be their actual selves around you. Once you cure yourself of the disease, others will come to you, asking if they can just "talk". People are desperate to talk. Some of the most "perfect" people around you will tell you of some of the greatest struggles going on. Some of the most "perfect" people around you will break down in tears as they tell you how difficult life is for them. Turns out some of the most "perfect" people around us are human beings after all, and are dying to talk to another human being about it.

You'll love them for it. And you'll love yourself even more.

Let's not forget this quote: "I went out to find a friend and could not find one there. I went out to be a friend, and friends were everywhere." Somebody who is being a friend doesn't spread "Perfection". Somebody who is being a friend spreads "Real". Then, and only then, can we all grow together.

I am not perfect, nor do I want anybody to think of me as such. Here's my dose of real:

I once stole a box of money that was meant for a child with cancer. There was more than $150 inside. That was 12 years ago, and I still hate the person in me that did that.

I believe in God, but not religion. It took me 30 years to find the courage to say that. It took me 30 years to believe that I could be a good man and still believe that.

I once got so angry at my wife that I hit the wall. The dent is still there, haunting me every time I see it because I never thought that was something I would do.

I once sat in my bedroom crying uncontrollably because I felt like everybody thought I was fat and ugly. I was a full grown man.

There are some people I avoid bumping into in public because I feel like I'm not as good as them.

I judge people harshly who share the same features that I hate about myself.

Sometimes I'm sad. Sometimes I'm not funny. Sometimes I just want to be alone. Sometimes I stay at home on a weekend because I just don't want to see the "Perfection" going on around me. Sometimes I want to drop-kick a perfect person's head across the room.

"Perfection" infects every corner of society. It infects our schools. It infects neighborhoods. It infects our workplaces. This is not to say that there aren't a lot of genuinely, happy people. I am one of those people. Most of the time. There is nothing more beautiful than a person finding true happiness in who they are and what they believe. No, this is not me trying to diminish the happiness in others. This is merely me pathetically attempting to put a face on a problem that I see everywhere but few people ever notice.

This is me, weeping as I write, asking the good people of the world to find somebody to put their arm around and be "real". This is me, wishing that people would realize how beautiful they are, even with all of their imperfections. This is me, sad and desperate for the girls in this world to love themselves. This is me, a very imperfect man, trying to help others feel a little more perfect by asking you to act a little less perfect.

Will you help me spread "Real"? Tell us below just how perfect you aren't. You never know who might be alive tomorrow because you were real today. You never know who needs to feel like they aren't alone in their inability to be perfect. Even if you comment as an anonymous guest, please comment. Tell us what you struggle with. Tell a sad or dark secret. Get vulnerable. Get real. Let's see if we can get 1,000 people showing the world that we're not defined by perfection

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Surfs Up! Anyone wanna Catch the Stoke?

Summer’s around the corner and the Ladies here at 90Days2Life are gearing up for a real adventure.  We’ve also got Yanick onboard with her Team at ShapeFitness, so this is sure to be one sweet ride!  So what are we doing? 

Well, as part of our need to master new kills, broaden our horizons, and challenge our fitness levels, we’ve decided to go Surfing!  Yup, that’s right!  We’re getting ready to catch our first Stoke, and Surf Sisters of Tofino have lined us up with one kick-ass deal!  I for one am so excited, as this will be the third time I’ve had an opportunity to ride, and cannot wait for the other ladies to get on some boards and ride.

A few amazing Health Facts about Surfing:

-          Paddling increases aerobic and cardio fitness.

-          Paddling also builds strength and muscle in the upper back and arms.

-          Springing to your feet and holding your line on the board strengthens the legs (thighs and calves) and lower back.

-          Turning and twisting your surfboard to catch waves stretches and strengthens the back.

-          Catching and riding a wave greatly improves balance and gross motor skills and builds long lean muscle that helps resist future injury.

-          Lastly, surfing brings together the mind and body and nature. Saltwater cleans the sinuses; sunshine helps the body create vitamin D, and riding a wave makes you feel gooooood. Surfing is without a doubt a healthy habit.

You know, as someone who has only been a couple times, and enjoys snowboarding in the winters, I can totally attest to the above.  The appeal is more than simply the “cool” factor. Surfing can be empowering, a killer workout and a welcome chance to leave your concerns behind. You’re not thinking about bills or meetings or anything other than your wave.  It’s especially great for the spirit, you have to be forgiving, patient with yourself, and willing to let go. And again, the fitness benefits of taking up surfing are super. It helps develop upper and lower body strength, flexibility and balance, and constant paddling provides a great cardio workout; just what we’re looking for right?!

If anyone is interested in joining us on this new expedition, please get in touch through our Contact Us Page.  

 

We will update you on accommodations and the package information with Surf Sisters. 

Be sure to also checkout their website at:  http://surfsister.com/

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