Tuesday January 15, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Taking care of myself
I didn’t make a conscious effort at a new year’s resolution this year. I knew that it was going to be a heavy semester, which is really an understatement considering the current demand of my class schedule, but hey, I have to graduate sometime, right? What do people do after college anyway? I can hardly fathom.
While I only told myself, “Hey, at least try really hard at school this semester,” other things began to fall into place and suddenly, it’s becoming a lot less difficult to achieve a certain wellbeing that I couldn’t reach before.
A couple weeks ago, on a whim, as I was walking down my new little neighborhood, I stopped at a nail place and got a manicure — my first since senior prom. Over the next few days, the ponytails started coming down. The semester began and I left my car in the garage. I would never do this normally, especially on days like today when hell sendeth snow, but couldn’t bring myself to rationalize buying a parking pass when I live so close to campus. And now I’m walking everywhere.
Also, I don’t buy meal plans at college. I can’t afford them, usually, even though I’ve always been fine with the food. My appetite has been minimal lately, and really, nothing was sounding good to me except fruit. Ice cold fruit. And juice. And sometimes carbs.
(For the past two years, at least, I had been grabbing fast food at least four times a week, and I was OK with that being my daily meal. I loved fast food. A lot.)
So a couple weeks have passed. I don’t know why it amazed me yesterday when I grabbed my small gray button-down shirt — a 2-year-old Christmas present that I loved but never returned even though it was two sizes too small — and it was a different experience from when I’d tried to wear it a couple months ago. Before, it would not button. Period. No reach. But I can throw it on now without fighting with it.
And on top of all that, my mood change has been unreal. I’d always been able to sleep for over 12 hours, no problem. Lately I’ve been waking up early with nothing to do, which is new to me, which in turn is helping me to get more homework done, and go more places, and stay awake during class. Have I ever said how impossible it was for me to ever enjoy class? Because I was tired, and unmotivated, and I would glare at the clock just waiting for them to end?
My classes have been flying, and I’ve been prepared for them. It’s like finally being a real student. Where I used to have trouble concentrating, even with things like basic conversation, I can feel myself focusing a lot easier.
And being more energetic. And happy.
Who would’ve known that even relative health would be good for you? Someone should’ve told me four years ago.
I didn’t make a conscious effort at a new year’s resolution this year. I knew that it was going to be a heavy semester, which is really an understatement considering the current demand of my class schedule, but hey, I have to graduate sometime, right? What do people do after college anyway? I can hardly fathom.
While I only told myself, “Hey, at least try really hard at school this semester,” other things began to fall into place and suddenly, it’s becoming a lot less difficult to achieve a certain wellbeing that I couldn’t reach before.
A couple weeks ago, on a whim, as I was walking down my new little neighborhood, I stopped at a nail place and got a manicure — my first since senior prom. Over the next few days, the ponytails started coming down. The semester began and I left my car in the garage. I would never do this normally, especially on days like today when hell sendeth snow, but couldn’t bring myself to rationalize buying a parking pass when I live so close to campus. And now I’m walking everywhere.
Also, I don’t buy meal plans at college. I can’t afford them, usually, even though I’ve always been fine with the food. My appetite has been minimal lately, and really, nothing was sounding good to me except fruit. Ice cold fruit. And juice. And sometimes carbs.
(For the past two years, at least, I had been grabbing fast food at least four times a week, and I was OK with that being my daily meal. I loved fast food. A lot.)
So a couple weeks have passed. I don’t know why it amazed me yesterday when I grabbed my small gray button-down shirt — a 2-year-old Christmas present that I loved but never returned even though it was two sizes too small — and it was a different experience from when I’d tried to wear it a couple months ago. Before, it would not button. Period. No reach. But I can throw it on now without fighting with it.
And on top of all that, my mood change has been unreal. I’d always been able to sleep for over 12 hours, no problem. Lately I’ve been waking up early with nothing to do, which is new to me, which in turn is helping me to get more homework done, and go more places, and stay awake during class. Have I ever said how impossible it was for me to ever enjoy class? Because I was tired, and unmotivated, and I would glare at the clock just waiting for them to end?
My classes have been flying, and I’ve been prepared for them. It’s like finally being a real student. Where I used to have trouble concentrating, even with things like basic conversation, I can feel myself focusing a lot easier.
And being more energetic. And happy.
Who would’ve known that even relative health would be good for you? Someone should’ve told me four years ago.
Have you ever seen Fast Food Nation? That probably would’ve done it for you a while ago.
But so happy to hear you’re happy. :) Missed you!
Yay! Go you!
tiff – Yes. Twice actually. It takes a lot for me to get grossed out. Unfortunately, it didn’t slow me down.
“What to people do after college, anyway?”
Um, in my case, I basically just wished I was back in school. Not because of partying or friends or whatever the typical response might be, but because I went out of my everloving mind. The job search was awful, and I suddenly found myself with copious amounts of free time that I wasn’t used to. I ended up blowing off the summer [playing lots of video games, getting a tan and learning to use my camera in the process] and then picking up a bartending gig in September so that I had something to do with myself.
Then again, maybe your major is more useful than mine…
Glad to hear it!
Wow, that’s pretty amazing.
Hey,
I came across your website from the bloggies, where I was chosen as a random panelist, and just wanted to let you know that I really liked the site and chose it as one in 5 out of 20-30 entries for the Best Kept Secret Blog.
Good luck!
Annie-Kate
good for you, that’s so awesome.
and your little puppy-boy is too cute for words.
Congrats! Isn’t it a great feeling!?!?! I so wish I could walk to school but there is no way that is possible. Also wish I could lose my appetite some. You’re inspiring me chica.
Losing weight always boosts my spirit and I need a lift right now! Just be sure to eat right and stay healthy, missy.
I always feel better and happier when I am exercising. Doesn’t mean I do it though :)
Glad you are feeling so great.
Good for you.
I feel the same. Since Sept I have been walking 4 miles a day (just places I would previously have gone to in the car) and I feel jollier, am more productive and have lost stacks of weight.
What do people do after College? haha – as little as possible, I should say. Maybe you could get involved with some programme for schools – getting children fit through walking etc. If you brought along your little dog, they’d love it.
I also find the doing something in the morning to stimulate my mind before work helps me a lot. Like reading the newspaper or a trade journal. Whereas if I do something like play video games (PSP on the bus) or read something fiction my mind is not set in the real world when I arrive.
I also say everything in moderation.
This is so inspiring, and I’m glad you’re feeling so great!
Oh, and I totally *heart* your dog! :)
Congratulations! Walking is really good for you.
Very inspiring post, awesome news, and Bello – cute as ever.
Wow that’s awesome! I have no idea what happens college. Please fill me in.
i know, everyone always says that being healthy truly does give you more energy, but you dont believe it till you experience it! good for you! thats sucha good feeling when something small fits. thats whats nice about college, all teh walking. i have a car with me, but i never use it. i feel so silly considering its such a small town.
This is more than a little inspiring… (after I finish way too much gouda, of course!)
Good for you! It’s so exciting to get healthy when you had no plans to do it.
it’s amazing, huh?? What you do to your body affects your SOUL. It amazed me too to see the big difference it can make
Aww what a cute puppy!:) That’s great that your living a healthier lifestyle and I envy your abundance of sleep. I’ve been living purely off caffeine and sugar for the past week!:P
Take your time…and take it easy…I hurriedly finish my college…and you’re right, what do peeople do after college anyway? Get a Masters? :P Get stress at work? ;)
Beautiful picture of the pup!
I never ever get meal plans at school. They cost way too much.
I kicked most of the sugar out of my diet and started waking up early all the time, regardless of the day.
I get a shitload done.
As soon as I left the mealplan at my undergrad, it was all good. I used to eat the same thing every. single. day.
Isn’t it interesting when something as simple as saving money on a parking pass can turn into a complete change in lifestyle? :) I hope you continue feeling well, body and mind.
Yay for better and healthier living!
This past year I’ve had a similar experience of exercising more, and the benefits have been amazing. Keep at it!
What do you do after college? Well, duh, generally people are expected to get a JOB.