Why Did I Just Pop that Zit?!?!?

#thatmomentwhen......

 

 

 



 Yeah.  Ever happen to you?  And it's always right before you're going out. WHY DO WE DO THIS!?   Funny story: In high school I played basketball.  One day right before practice I had been bothered by this massive zit (one of those that is like... painful.) so I decided to pop it.  I mean, I had to like wrestle with that sucker.  Right smack dab in the middle of my forehead.  As I was walking out of the locker room my coach runs into me and says, "Cisar - did you get hit in the head by a ball???!!!" Seriously, one of the most humiliating moments of my teenage life.
I'm not here to tell you not to pop that zit.  How could I?  My roommates can attest that I am the number one offender.  It just seems like it will be better if it's popped (it rarely is better, though).  What I can offer are some tips that have worked for me! 
To the girls who have no issues with zits - good for you. 
To the girls still in high school who are thinking that acne magically goes away after graduation - sorry to burst that bubble.

Hot Water, a Towel, and Pressure

• Turn that hot water faucet on, get towel wet, hold on problem area until a bit more manageable, then pop!

Toothpaste

• Drying out zits over night can seriously reduce their size and toothpaste can do the trick!  Rather than paying the extra monies for that extra salicylic acid treatment, your toothpaste can substitute!

Makeup Meant to Treat

• If you're a makeup wearer and have troubles with acne, consider buying a makeup with acne treatments built-in.  At the very least it makes you think something is helping

Triple Antibiotic Treatment

• Those pimples are caused by bacteria so this stuff actually helps, but it feels a little sticky..

Aveeno Products

• If you're looking for a decent mega-store product, Aveeno works wonderfully!  There are those incredibly expensive department store systems like Clinque or Mary Kay Velocity, but they also come with those department store prices.  Aveeno makes really effective, clean, and green products that are relatively well priced!

Keep in mind.... 

• It's not as noticeable as you think... We always seem to think the worst about ourselves.  Do you frequently think about another person, "Ew...they look disgusting.  I can't believe they would leave the house with that volcano on their face."  No.  I mean, unless you are a very critical person.  People are not focusing on your blemishes as much as you are.
• It will go away eventually... Seems like it won't - it will! I promise!!
• If you smile, people will just look at your pretty smile!! Plus, positivity is such an amazing powerful tool.

Until next time, friends!
-RC :)

Why Clothing Sizes Shouldn't Matter....But Always Will

It's the perfect day for blogging.  It's rainy out, I'm home sick, and my homework can wait just a little bit longer.  :)

Over the past few weeks one theme has kept coming back to me: clothing sizes.  Perhaps it's the start of the new school year so people are shopping more or the upcoming season change, but as I've head back to the shops with my friends I have had several conversations about size tags.  Some happy, some frustrating - all across the board.  So I thought maybe others out there are in the same place as me. 

For three years now I have developed a little saying that goes along the lines of, "It doesn't matter what the label says; if the clothes fit they fit."  I am a firm believer that clothing should fit, whether it is a small or 3XL.  The fact of the matter is the only person who has to see the label is YOU.  If I'm being honest, I actually tend to avoid this conversation with friends because I get tired of hearing that I am NOT a large.  Yes, yes I am.  It's always awkward afterwards because I'm not about to drop my jeans to prove that I wear a 10, nor do I feel as though it's anyone's business (although, I realize I am making it everyone's business as this is posted on the internet..).  The truth is, moving up from size to size never really bothered me.  I recognized, the 6 no longer fit, so I tried on an 8.  The 8's stopped fitting, so I pulled up the 10's.  I would rather wear clothing that I can actually live and breathe in than squeeze myself into a pair of jean in which I can hardly sit.  It's difficult, I know.  Size matters in our society.   It shouldn't, but it does.

Over the summer, Target decided to tell me that I'm not only large - I'm just a little bit EXTRA.  It wasn't the first time I had ever experienced being compared to a McDonald's meal, but it was the first time I noticed how incredibly wrong it is.  When did we decide that we should compare a Super-Sized meal to the sizes of our bodies?  For organizational sake, I do like having size labels.  I'm too Type A not to have some sort of system, but it's sad to think about what these labels can do to our self-esteems.  The power these little labels can exert over our lives is impressive.  It's something that we can either give control or that we can recognize matter very little in the grand scheme of things.  Yet, that feeling of victory of going down in size shouldn't be taken lightly either.  This is where I may begin to contradict myself.  Oh well! So, size is size.  Wear what fits - YES! But if you have been working on losing weight, putting in the time and effort and after months you realize your pants are feeling a bit too loose.  GOOD FOR YOU!  Celebrate that victory!  The true battle is a battle that takes place in the heart.  Has weight, sizes, looks, etc. become an idol?  Therein lies what the real struggle is; we cannot let the way we look consume our hearts and that is not easy! 

The other thing that these sizes have the power to do that just amazes me is the way it can cause one group of women (or men) to shame another different group.  Fat-Shaming, Skinny-Shaming. IT IS ALL SHAMING.  People saying things like: "When did being curvy stop being sexy?" "She must be anorexic - just look at her." "Maybe you shouldn't wear a two-piece swim suit." The list goes on and on, my friends.  I wish I could say I've never done or said anything like this, but I'm sure I have.  I have also been a recipient of a shaming comment.  It's a vicious circle.  Our bodies shouldn't be shamed - we are the way are for good reason!  We need to treat each other with more respect.  The Golden Rule across nearly every popular religion is to treat others as you would like to be treated.  We need to bring back to human element to the way we treat one another.  Furthermore, every size and shape is sexy and deserves to revelled.  Do not be ashamed of the way your body looks and never accept the notion that you deserve to be shamed.  If you would like to see a really neat project that is fighting body shaming in general check out Bodies Aren't Ugly. Bullying Is.  One photo from this project is particularly touching - see below:

True, he's a handsome man, but this speaks into the issue and crosses the gender gap.  Shaming and body image issues are not unique to women.  Let's STOP making this a competition and recognize that we are all people.

Until next time, friends!
-Renèe :)

Why I Run...

If you've met me within the past year and half, you know that running is a major part of my life. Since I was a wee tyke I embraced competition and sports.  In college, though, sports become a job rather than a pass time so I left the sports world behind and (eventually) chose another passion.  One that is far less team orientated and more individual.  My running started off as both an effort to lose weight and to connect with my residents, all of whom thought I was crazy and annoying.  Over the past year and a half I have gotten several comments about my running - both positive and negative.  Ironically, I would not classify  myself as a dedicated runner, as I know several people who run 6-7 days a week.  I get in maybe 2-3 solids runs each week.  My motivations have since changed, as I'm no longer wishing to impress my freshman residents. 

Here is a list of why I run:

Upcoming STL Rock 'n Roll Half

To be completely honest, one of the major reasons I have been so diligent about my running as of late is because October 19th is creeping closer every single day.  On that day I'll be expected to run 13.1 miles...and I paid a LOT of money to voluntarily run, so I run.

I have an amazing "Coach"

My coach (aka running buddy aka Jen) happens to be one of those residents I was hoping to impress when I began running.  I guess it worked because we've been running together since (excluding summer and holiday breaks).  She's much faster than myself, but never once has she made me feel like I'm slowing her down or a burden.  She's up for a quiet run when we need it or a (as we like to call it) "rant run" when it's necessary.  She pushes me and keeps me focused.  I am so incredibly thankful for Jen, as both a friend and a coach!

For my sanity!

I think and think and think... I worry WAY too much.  Although running is not the first thing I go to for comfort, it is easily the most physically noticeable change in my mental state.  My 78 year old neighbor said to me recently that one of the reasons he loved to run was because of "the loneliness it brought."  Solo runs with or without music provide time for me to just be.  I have no responsibilities to anyone or anything when my feet are pounding against the pavement.  As an extrovert with severe introvert tendencies, running serves as a really useful tool to get some "me time" without giving up time I want to dedicate to going out with my friends.

To stay fit

Staying fit does not equate weight loss every time.  For instance, my mother - who is a teeny tiny lady - isn't all that fit.  I would actually argue that running, although it has certainly helped tone my body, doesn't actually make me feel thin.  Those hills that I force myself to run have made my legs solid and keep my butt up.  It's helped my breathing, too!  When I go a couple days without a good, solid run I feel sluggish, lazy, and blehhh.  Even with just a two mile run I can feel the endorphins kick in with that extra boost of energy!  It is one of the best feelings in the world, but not quite better than......

The flying feeling

The big hill - you can run up it for the ultimate burning sensation in your upper thighs OR you can run down it.  The Jackson Park hill is one that I ALWAYS opt for the latter option.  It's just enough of a downhill grade that my legs start to move more quickly than I can control and it almost seems like I'm leaving the ground.  I shake my arms out, raise them above my head, and flap them up and down like a bird.  It's incredible and makes the previous 6 or 7 miles totally worth it.

I Run 4 Family & Rachel

I am a team member of the I Run 4 Family.  It is an organization that matches runners with buddies who are not able to run themselves.  Last spring, through this organization, I was matched with one incredibly lady.  Rachel is such an inspiration, and over the past couple months she helped push me through the hills, the extra miles, and the days where the couch looks much better than my tennis shoes.  I wouldn't be the runner I am today without her and the community I have found with the IR4 group. 

If you're a first time runner or an experienced one and interested in joining, I encourage you to visit their page for more information: http://www.whoirun4.com 

Well, there it is folks!  That is why it seems like "I'm always working out."  I love it and at this point need it.  I'm too poor for therapy, but this is therapeutic.  So run, don't run - do what you love!  If it's sitting on the couch, sit on the couch; if it's yoga, be a yogi!  If you are a crossfit fanatic, go crazy, my friend.  Find your niche and do it!

Until next time, friends!

-RC :)

Just a bit of humor (that rings all too true...)