Excuse me, I think you have something in your eye.

Oh wait, it's just a sparkle.

You probably thought I was kidding when I said I would start each entry with a pick-up line now. 

I don't kid around with stuff like that ;).

Anyway, today has been a lot of fun.  Rolling out of bed at around 11, seeing old faces, catching up, sharing college stories, laughing until my abs hurt and I was crying (mind you, very wet and very large tears were streaming down).  The life of a college student.  Oh gotta love it!

This was me--except I was shaking and I couldn't keep my eyes open.  What a lovely mental picture, right? 

Source

[Side note: I just killed a bug by clapping onto it, like a ninja.  Totally disgusting (I just watched my hands like a bajillion times), but I feel a strange sense of accomplishment.  Interesting.  Thought I should share.]

That was me...you know the one scaling the wall.  Sorry, we can't all be as awesome :p Source

Anyway, (wow I need to start learning other transition words), I was really loving life today.   Good day.

Until.

There is always an until.

I was watching some youtube videos (not that cat one above, though) and came across this girl who makes hilarious videos who has the perfect body.  PERFECT.  So I watched the video where she talked about her exercise routines and her eating habits.  She is vegan.  I started thinking, well I can't give up meat or diary, but I could eat more veges and fruit.  I can start working out as much as her.

Then I stopped myself.

Stop right there, thank you very much!

Total hypocrite.

Here I am on this blog telling you to love yourself no matter what and the insides matter and all, and there I was, plotting how I could attain the perfect body.

Damn.

Since I hate being a hypocrite, I think it's time to change (not my body, of course, or my eating habits, or my exercise habits; okay, I just confused you.)

I'm changing my perspective.  What does having that amazing body get her?  Creeping guys writing "I want to do you" and "I think I just got a boner".


Like honestly, do I want that?


Uhh, no.  Thanks, but I am good.

Source

As my nutritionist asked me one time, is your thinness all you want to offer the world?  Is that your contribution?  Is that all you got?

Uhh, no, again.  Thanks, but I am better than that.

So, guess what?

After writing this, I feel so much better about myself.  And I hope you do, too. 

Because at the end of the day, we are who we are.  And a part of who I am is quoting Ke$ha at every opportunity I have ;)  And there is a BIG difference between who you are and what you look like.

[Side note: I am now scratching myself like crazy because I am a firm believer in karma and after killing the bug like 5 minutes ago, I'm afraid its loved ones will now eat me.  Crap.  No more ninja for me!]

Anyway (THINK OF A NEW TRANSITION WORD FOR ME),

What are your goals?  I don't mean what is your weight goal or your exercise goal.  I mean life goals.  I would love to hear what you plan on contributing to this world.

-CJ xoxo

If beauty were time,

you'd be eternity ;)

So I've decided I think I want to begin all my posts with cheesy pick-up lines; I just liked the one from yesterday ohh so much!

Today's topic for this blog is very important for me.  The other weekend, I was feeling very insecure.  Let's just say I was a mess.  My one friend kept telling me that it's okay; it's what's on the inside that matters; I have a beautiful personality; etc.

After she said all of this, I said "Yea, that's what they say to ugly people to make them feel better about themselves."

Source

Ouch! Clearly, I was feeling like a Debbie, a Debbie Downer that is.

Looking back, I am just so frustrated by this all.

I am frustrated that for a second I felt so insecure because I am not perfect.
I am frustrated that this insecurity got to me for so long that I actually complained to my friend about it (I am generally not that girl).
And I am frustrated that I believed for a second that inner beauty only applied to "ugly" outward appearances.

Such BULL.

As Damon says, "you've got to be kidding me!"

Because insides really do matter.  So I got a question; Do you want to have a summer party in my basement?  HAHA just kidding.  I have to stop quoting Ke$ha (it just fits all too perfectly, though).

Anyway, the question: After getting to know someone, do you find them more attractive?  I certainly do.  And not just with males, but also with friends.  I've come to realize that no matter what my first impression of them is, I generally find them prettier as I get to know them.  So clearly, personality does matter.

We spend so much time trying to perfect our outsides that we forget to enhance our insides.

 http://paulyna.tumblr.com/post/3713839770/i-want-to-be-perfect

Example you ask?

Well, for prom, I dropped five pounds, got my hair down, bought new makeup, spent over $400 on a dress, and I looked gorgeous.  Looking at the pictures, not to sound arrogant, but I looked incredible.  But regardless, I was still shy and awkward around my date.  Looking so beautiful didn't change those facts.  And I can look incredible when I go out with my friends and I may attract guys, but I have to talk with them and flirt with them once I attract them.  I can't just stand there like a beautiful statue.  And thus, personality does matter.  I was so shy at prom that I honestly haven't spoken to my prom date much since.  Thus, maybe I should have spent more time feeling confident and learning to be outgoing.

http://blog.americanfeast.com/2006/10/

It's somewhat amusing that many of my most profound moments could be concluded with a "well, duh".  But hey, I'm young, I'm trying, I'm learning!

Want another example of the importance of inner beauty?

Well, I met this guy my junior year of high school at a leadership conference.  He has been texting me quite frequently, and although he might be the best looking guy that I've texted, he is so shy.  I find he incredibly good looking, but he's just so hard to keep a conversation going with, and so I don't know if I would ever date him.

http://wehaveastory.blogspot.com/2011/03/inner-beauty.html

The point of this long post is for you guys to start embracing your inner beauty.  No, it's not because you are ugly and do not have any outer beauty, like I tried to tell my friend that one day.  It's because your outer beauty can only take you so far.  You have to love yourself and learn to be confident, because when you are feeling most confident, I find it is easiest to be outgoing and to take risks.  And that's a key aspect of life, isn't it?   To take risks, to meet new people, and enjoy it all along the way.

http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll270/prbymaci/?action=view&current=InnerBeauty_icon2.png&newest=1

You should love your outward appearance.  But don't forget about your insides.  I hear she's even more gorgeous.

Challenge!


What makes your insides beautiful?  What is one aspect that you love about your personality?  What is one aspect of your personality that you need to work on?  Tell me in the comment!

PS the whole part you need to work on, you kinda need to work on it for this challenge :)

Enjoy your Memorial Day and show the world what you are made of, cuz you were born this way, baby<3
-CJ xoxo

Do you have a map?

Cuz I'm getting lost in your eyes ;)

I just LOVE pick-up lines...so much!  They are so corny, yet so complimentary haha.  What are your thoughts on pick-up lines?  There's definitely a time and place that is perfect for them, in my opinion.

Speaking of pick-up lines, sometimes we all need a pick-me-up.  No, I don't mean a cocktail, coffee, etc.  I mean an affirmation that makes us feel good about ourselves when we are down.

The perfect example of what I mean?  Meet this cutie who teaches us all a good lesson:

So your challenge today?  I want you to make a list of everything that you love about yourself and your life, just like Jessica.  If you want to dance around in front of your bathroom, GO FOR IT!  But make sure you say them aloud; something about speaking it and hearing it makes it penetrate more.  And that's the goal after all.  I want you to live loving yourself and feeling good about what you have.

And whenever you are down, you can now go back to this list and remind yourself of all the good.  Many times we get so bogged down by the bad that we miss out on the good.  There's a great quote that I read the other day...it went like this:

If we never thank God for every smile, then why do we blame Him for every tear?  Get it together people.

Ah such wise words of Chris Tucker

 But seriously, let's start focusing on the good and feeling good about ourselves.  I think we deserve it.

What are you planning on writing on your list?  Leave a comment and tell me!

Ciao beauties<3
-CJ xoxo

What's cookin' good lookin'? ;)

Hey there!  I was stumbling this morning and came across the best picture ever!

Oh yea!  I'm talking to Y-O-U!

Anyway,
How are you all?  I hope you are all feeling great this Memorial Day weekend!

Today is not just the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.  Oh no.  It's also, National Compliment Day.  Well, no.  Not really.  I totally just made that up for the challenge I am giving you guys today.  (The official date is actually January 24th, but we missed it, so let's just do it now.  JSYK...I'm celebrating my birthday on June 16th this year with my friends because I was away at college when it was my actual birthday [my birthday is January 27th; clearly I enjoy making up reasons to celebrate and this is NOT new for me ;)]).

So in honor of this holiday, I challenge you to give at least 3 compliments today.  At least, people; it shouldn't be too hard.  I know, as a female, I am such a sucker for any compliment.  They literally make my day.  So why not make someone else's?  And in the process of making someone else feel great, many times you also feel great yourself.  So everyone wins :D

For these compliments, you must be sincere.  No Regina George-like compliments please.

Pic Source

Regina: Oh my God, I love your skirt! Where did you get it?
Lea Edwards: It was my mom's in the '80s.
Regina: Vintage, so adorable.
Lea Edwards: Thanks.
Regina: [after girl walks away] That is the ugliest f-ing skirt I've ever seen.

Gotta love Mean Girl quotes

But seriously, none of that.  Please, genuine compliments.  For example: I love your hair.  I adore your outfit.  I like your beard.

Okay, I completely gave away my age.  First, stumbling, then Mean Girl quotes, then a Ke$ha quote.  Yup, I'm 19 years old if you didn't already figure that one out.

But regardless of what you decide to say, mean it and watch how they respond.

And when I say at least 3 today, I never said you can't give yourself a compliment.  Heyyy, I think YOU deserve one, too!

I want to now hear from you!
What is the best compliment you have ever received?  When I was still very sick with anorexia and in the mist of all my restricting behaviors anything that indicated I was thin made me feel alive.  Now?  My favorite compliment was when my friend told me that my inner calmness/happiness makes others around me happy...like it's impossible to be upset around me.  Ahh, I feel so good just thinking about it ;)

ALSO,
I want to hear the [at least] 3 compliments you give today (to whom, where, when, all the dirty deets ;)) and how the person you complimented reacted.  I love reactions!  Favorite part!


That's all for today folks! Stay strong today and have fun with your compliments, beautiful<3

-CJ xoxo

Why hello there ;)

 Bienvenida! Aloha! Benvenuto! Cead Mile Failte! And all of the other beautiful languages that I do not want to leave out...."welcome!"

Where do I begin?

I guess I could explain to you that I have an eating disorder (anorexia I suppose would best describe it).  I'm in recovery and doing really well (at this particular moment).  I guess I could describe to you why I [I think] I developed this awful disease, why restricting and starving felt good, why I thought I lost all control in my life.  I guess I could explicate why I sought recovery, what has helped me, what I have learned.  I guess I could share with you the details of my mundane existence, which is overtly laced with eating thoughts and restrictive behavior.

But I'm not.

Because this isn't about me.

No sir!

It's really about this:

42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner (Collins, 1991).

81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat (Mellin et al., 1991).

The average American woman is 5’4" tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5’11" tall and weighs 117 pounds.

Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women (Smolak, 1996).

51% of 9 and 10 year-old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet (Mellin et al., 1991).

46% of 9-11 year-olds are "sometimes" or "very often" on diets, and

82% of their families are "sometimes" or "very often" on diets (Gustafson-Larson & Terry, 1992).

91% of women recently surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting, 22% dieted "often" or "always" (Kurth et al., 1995).

95% of all dieters will regain their lost weight in 1-5 years (Grodstein, 1996).

35% of "normal dieters" progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25% progress to partial or full-syndrome eating disorders (Shisslak & Crago, 1995).

25% of American men and 45% of American women are on a diet on any given day (Smolak, 1996).

Americans spend over $40 billion on dieting and diet-related products each year (Smolak, 1996).

Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself! (<--That's my source!  No plagiarism intended here!)

This blog is about how these terrifying statistics relate to your friends, your peers, your sisters, your cousins, your children, your students, your future.  Yup, your future. 

I realize I'm certainly not the first to post these stats.  And I wholeheartedly hope I am not the last.  Something needs to be done.

THIS.IS.NOT.OKAY.

So, what am I doing here on blogger?  Or, better question, what are you doing here reading it?

I found this beauty here!

Any-who,
We are starting a change.
We are not accepting these statistics.
Through motivational sayings, resources, my own personal experiences, and whatever else I find pertinent, we will see a change.

You, me, your friends, your peers, your sisters, your cousins, your children, your students, all of us together.

So stick around my blog, I need YOUR help.

xoxo
CJ [<--for privacy purposes, that's me ;)]