Blog 9

The biggest challenge to regular exercise and a healthy diet that I face are lack of time and consistency. As a full time student, working a full time job and carrying for 3 young children, it is very difficult at times to find time to work out. I tend to have to eaither have to wake up extremely early or go after work. I make many attempts to eat healthy but there are so many days when we have such much going on that grabbing fast food tends to be the quickest thing to eat. It can be so stressful at times because I know the important of exercise and diet but at the same time I just feel I don't have the time. I want to be a good role model for my children. I want them to view exercise and health as an important part of life. My plans are to make sacrifices so that I can have the time to work out and feel good about myself. I want to work on healthier eating habits. Within the next five years I hope to accomplish many of my goals by balancing family, work, and my personal wellness. I want to involve my children in making healthy food decisions. I hope to make it a fun and learning experience for them. As a family I feel we will be able to work together so that these goals can be met.

Blog #8

After reading the article entitiled One Size Fits All, I realized just how big a problem we have at hand. Many women face the problem of being what they think as over weight, and feeling the need that they need to lose weight. The bigger problem is that society portrays women as being 120 lbs. This is really sad because the majority of people this is affecting is our teen population. Teens want to be thin like the models the see or the singers they listen to and watch on videos. Many teens will do whatever it takes to become that thin even becoming bulimic and anorexia. They don't have the knowledge on these two diseases to know how damaging it can be to there health. I feel that society needs to focus on women of all sizes and the beauty that each one has. Women need to build on there self esteem. If they choose to lose weight it's for themselves and not for any other reason. I really am glad to start seeing fashion models that are full figured. To me, they are the most beautiful! I hope that teens will start viewing these models as role models and realize that not everyone needs to be thin.

Blog #7

If a loved one were to confide in me about having a STD, I would first sit her down and have her talk to me about whats going on. I would then talk to her about the importance of getting tested. I would give her information on the consequences of not getting treated such as symptoms worsening and more severe symptoms such as infertility. We would also discuss the importance of telling her sexual partner so that he as well can get treated. We will talk about condoms and how important it is to protect herself in the future. I would reassure her that everything would be okay. I would then assist her in making an appointment and will accompany her to the doctors office so that she is not alone.

I have actually had a love one confide in me and this is exactly how I handled it. It went really well. Its amazing how many people there are that are just not knowledgeable on STD's and protection. STD's are serious and harmful diseases. It is so important to be informed and make good decisions. The key is education. I feel that by educating my loved one, I made a difference in her life. I hope to do the same to many others.

Blog #6

I have chosen to interview my sisters on their thoughts of having children. I have 4 sisters and 1 brother. I have 2 older sisters and 2 younger, so I am right in the middle. My oldest sister is 39. She has always wanted children. She is great with her nieces and nephews, but unfortunately her significant other is not all for having kids. I think this is a very sad situation because she would be an excellent mother. She is on birth control faithfully. My second sister is 37 years old. She has been married for 13 years and have been with him for 18 years. They both want children. Unfortunately, they are having a difficult time conceiving. They have tried artificial insemination and it didn't take. They are continuing to try and I hope one day they will be blessed with a miracle baby. I have even told her I would be her surrogate mother. My sister right under me is 25 and she definitely doesn't need one. She is irresponsible and is not able to take care of herself at this time. She lives with my father and is looking for a job. She wants a child and thinks that if she had a baby that may straighten her up. I think she's crazy. The last thing she needs is a child. My youngest sister is 23 and she has a daughter that is one. She would love to have another child. She is a single mother and works her butt off to take care of her responsibilities. She hopes one day to fall in love and have another child. Now for me, I am 28 and have 3 children ages 7,6 and 1. I got pregnant with my first child when I was 20. It was difficult. I was working, in college, and trying to be independent. I don't believe in abortions, so I knew I had to do what I had to do. I knew I always wanted children. My oldest daughter was only 6 months when I got pregnant again with another girl. I was scared but I knew I could do it. My husband and I decided to get married at this point and raise our children has a happy married couple. For 5 years I had an IUD. I didn't want anymore children at that time. But then I wanted to try for a boy. In April 2008, I found out I was pregnant. In Sept 2008 I found out it was a boy. I think my husband and I cried with joy for hours. Now with 3 children, I think I am done! My children are the world to me!