I’m writing this post while in the air over central California, on my way to a conference in San Francisco. I’ll be blogging about the conference at www.inkthinkerblog.com and tweeting about it, too! Follow me for updates. We’re beginning our initial descent and we have only 123 miles to go! At 531 mph, we should be there in no time at all.
I’m a worrier. I’ve always been a worrier. I remember getting sick when I was about 10 years old and missing a week of school, and by the time I was well I had convinced myself that if I went back to school, my parents would die because I wasn’t home to make sure they were alive. For years after my brother died back in March of 2003, until recently in fact, every time two or more people I cared about were in a car together, I was convinced that they would die in a fiery crash. I see I child running and I envision him falling. I see a man eating a hot dog and I envision him choking. I worry about EVERYTHING.
So you can imagine how thrilled I was when my husband started riding motorcycles. Are you imagining it? Okay, take what you’re imagining and kick it up about a billion notches and that’s where I was the first time my husband left to go for a ride after taking a motorcycle class. I was convinced that I would never see him again. I actually had a panic attack and would have collapsed had he not grabbed me because I was hyperventilating.
Now, before I go on, I need to point out that I’m not usually that freaked out about worrying. It’s something I do all the time, so I’m used to it, as strange as that sounds. It’s kind of a downer, but I don’t generally have violent physical reactions to worry. That was decidedly an exception to the rule.
He was finally able to leave the house when we agreed that I would follow him and his riding buddy (who fortunately was a family member familiar with my, shall we say, idiosyncrasies) in the car while they took their ride. By the end, after the blood flow had returned to my hands, which were aching at that point because I was gripping the steering wheel so tightly, I was able to see how good my husband is at riding his bike, and how much he loves it. I was able to get a handle on my fear and, for the most part, let it go.
I even managed to ride with him from time to time. I learned that I like Harleys. I started watching American Chopper even when Jesse wasn’t home. But after he got his Ducati, one ride was enough to know I would never get on THAT thing again! What seemed comfortable and cool while it was on a stand in the garage was terrifying on the road. I seriously almost threw up in my helmet, I was so sure I was about to be thrown from the bike at any moment. I almost made Jesse leave me on the side of the road and come back for me with the car. So it wasn’t exactly at the top of my list of things to do to learn how to ride a motorcycle myself.
Because he thought it was really important that I confront my fear, and I reluctantly agreed, Jesse enrolled me in a motorcycle safety course at the community college. Three days, three hours of classroom time, 10 hours of ride time, and a motorcycle license if you pass the test at the end.
Well color me surprised, because after all those years of worrying, it turns out that I’m quite the little natural when it comes to riding a motorcycle! I picked it up quickly, and I was darn good. I got 100% on the written test and passed the driving test with a 92%. Who’d a thunk? And during the process, I learned a whole lot more than just how to find and label the primary and secondary controls on a standard American bike and how to perform U-turns in confined spaces. I learned a lot about myself, too.
The more water I drink, the more powerful I feel. That one sounds a little silly, but I noticed a major correlation between how much water I consumed between exercised and how strong and in-control I felt on the bike. I felt refreshed and alive, vibrant even. I downed at least two full Nalgene bottles each morning, and I have been pounding the water ever since, with a major increase in my energy level.
My body is capable of amazing things. In 30 minutes of riding around in a circle, I developed muscle memory that allowed me to stop on a time several hours later using skills I hadn’t touched since the early morning without even thinking about it. I focused on the movement, told myself I would remember it, and did, on the first try.
When I stop overthinking, my instincts kick in. Another rider stopped short in front of me and I simultaneously slowed, downshifted, and steered around the other bike without panicking. And then I stopped and I still wasn’t panicked. I was proud of myself for doing it.
The less I compare myself to others, the better I feel about what I’m doing–and the better I do it. Going into the class, My goal was to learn how to operate a bike and be able to get on, get off, and stop without dropping it. I wasn’t trying to be the best, to be the fastest, to do anything other than learn something. I just focused on myself and I ended up learning just as much from watching the other riders objectively as I did from listening to the instructors.
Things that seem scary can actually turn out to be really fun. I honestly don’t remember the last time I had more fun doing something I absolutely positively did not want to do. I didn’t sleep the whole night before because I was so freaked about it, but at the end of the first day, I didn’t want to go home. Same with the second and third days.
Even the worst case scenario isn’t that bad most of the time, and chances are, I can handle it. The worst thing that could possibly have happened during the class was crashing or dropping the bike. And although I didn’t crash, I did stall going up a hill, and in my efforts to push the bike out of the path of oncoming traffic after I couldn’t get it to restart, it crashed to the ground. Despite my best efforts, it was just too heavy for me to pick it back up. Emotionally, I was crushed. But one of the instructors came over and showed me what to do, restarted it (with some effort, to my relief–it wasn’t just me), and after making sure I wasn’t hurt, sent me on my way. I was shaken, but…
Picking yourself back up after a failure means it’s not really a failure. After a few more exercises, I had my confidence back and I reconquered that same stall-inducing challenge later in the day. I felt like I could conquer the world. And I was also relieved to know what to do if my bike ever fell over. :)
All in all, taking that motorcycle class is one of the best things I think I have ever done. Although my husband did come at the end of the last day to take some video of me, which I will upload once I get back from San Francisco, I went alone and didn’t know anyone in the class. I did it. I did it myself. And I have never, ever been so proud of myself. I conquered my fear, and I’m even excited about riding now. With gas prices the way they are, we might pick up a used bike for me to use for small errands and local meetings and the like instead of firing up the Honda Pilot.
And plus, I read an article in National Geographic Explorer at the doctor’s office the other day that said that learning new things, particularly challenging things that use strategic and problem-solving skills develop new areas of your brain and improve your survival abilities and stress-management skills, so that’s an added bonus.
Weight: Couldn’t tell ya Goal Weight: 121 lbs. Workout: Running through the airport today, chasing the dogs to give them flea and tick treatment this morning Meals: Luna Bar, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus and Veggies with Pita
The Stupid Cancer Show: The Voice of Young Adults With Cancer July 14, 9 pm ET/6 pm PT Listen/Register
FEM-TASTIC CHEMOTACULAR
Christine Baze Young Adult Survivor, Cervical Cancer Singer/Songwriter – [website] Contributing Artist, I’m Too Young For This! CD Vol.1 Founder, Executive Director The Yellow Umbrella Organization – [website]
Tamika Felder Young Adult Survivor, Cervical Cancer Founder, CEO Tamika & Friends – [website]
Maimah Karmo Young Adult Survivor, Breast Cancer Founder, Executive Director Tigerlily Foundation– [website]
If you’re thinking about starting a family, and especially if you’re currently pregnant, NOW is the time to be taking a prenatal vitamin. Did you hear that? Even if you’re thinking about becoming pregnant, start taking prenatal vitamins. If you’re already pregnant, you need to start taking one immediately if you’re not at the moment.
One of my favorite bloggers, Marijke from Womb Within and Help My Hurt, has a great post about prenatal vitamins along with a lovely giveaway, and you have until July 22 to enter. Here’s a taste of the article along with a link to enter!
There are a few pieces of advice that pregnant women hear again and again when they’re planning on becoming pregnant and while they are pregnant. One of those bits of advice is very important, and that is that they need to take prenatal vitamins faithfully, and the earlier they start (meaning before pregnancy), the better.
Prenatal vitamins are different from the regular multivitamins you may be used to taking and that’s because there is a large emphasis on certain vitamins in the prenatal versions.
For example, folic acid is a very important because it helps reduce the chances of developing neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. You can get good amounts of folic acid from foods, such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, and citrus fruits, but many people don’t get the right amounts, even if they are eating well. Read More and Enter! >>>
These jeans make you look and feel one size smaller.
Look no further, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans® are here to flatten your tummy, lift your butt and allow you to wear one size smaller.
Women with real curves everywhere are discovering that these three little things are just the ticket to look and feel their best. Not Your Daughter’s Jeans® challenges women to try them on and not look and feel their personal best.*
Where to Get It
Major bricks and mortar retailers and their websites, including Nordstrom, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Lord Taylor, and others in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Check your local availability and enter to win a free pair on the NYDJ website.
Kristen’s Opinion
The only reason I can’t say that I love these jeans without an ounce of reservation is that the pair I got to try was a little too big, so I had to fake it a little to emulate the right fit. However, I liked them so much that I plan to keep this pair and to buy another pair in my right size. They were incredibly comfortable and cut to fit real women instead of cutting me in weird place and giving me a muffin top like so many of the jeans in the stores right now. The material was sooo soft and really supportive, and frankly, they made my butt look great.
Who Will Love This Product
Any woman who’s ready to find jeans that fit and look wonderful will fall hard for these jeans. If nothing else, try them on next time you’re shopping. I think you’ll find your true love.
I think the concept of the SorbayPC Lozenge is great, but I have to confess that I wasn’t wild about the texture or the flavor. The cool thing is that the lozenge is actually kind of granular, so when you roll it around in your mouth, it really does feel like it’s cleaning your tongue — which although effective, kind of weirded me out. I really prefer a smooth candy. Also, I tend to be kind of a traditionalist when it comes to things like toothpastes, mouthwashes, and breath fresheners, so the flavor of the SorbayPC Lozenge didn’t really sit well with me. The closest way I can think to describe it is a cross between orange and vanilla. Does it work? Absolutely. Will it use it again? Nope!
Who Will Love This Product
If you like toothpaste flavors like orange creme and green tea, and if you aren’t weirded out by unexpected textures in your mouth, the SorbayPC lozenge is for you.
This week at Lively Women, I’m going to dig through my giant backlog of products to review and give you at least one new review per day. In the pipeline for this week, in no particular order:
Sorbay PC Lozenges
NYDJ Tummy Tuck Jeans
Hansen’s Naturals
Hansen’s Organic Junior Water
Y.E.S. Young Essential Skincare Anti-Aging Serum
Y.E.S. Young Essential Skincare Rejuvenating Moisture Cream
SmartShield Serious Sun Protection Eco-Friendly Gel
I know you know that sex needs to be safe at any age and monogamy never goes out of style, but this is a pretty harsh reminder that there’s no age cutoff for STIs and STDs. Think you’re too old to buy condoms?
You’d better get over it, and fast. Here’s why:
As a follow-up to Thursday’s shocking report of the crazy prevalence of genital herpes in the Big Apple, an article in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections states that folks over 45 have seen a major increase in STIs in an 8-year period, particularly genital warts, which comprised 45% of cases, and genital herpes, which comprised 19% of cases.
Researchers monitored the numbers of sexually transmitted infections (STI) diagnosed in 19 sexual health clinics and reported to the Health Protection Agency’s Regional Surveillance Unit in the West Midlands.
The period of analysis spanned eight years between 1996 and 2003 inclusive. In total, 4445 STI episodes were identified among people aged 45 and older during that time. Most of these were in straight men and women.
The most commonly diagnosed infection among the over 45s was genital warts, accounting for almost half (45%) of the episodes. Herpes was the next most common, accounting for almost one in five (19%).
Men and those between the ages of 55 and 59 were significantly more likely to have an STI than anyone else.
Among women, rates were highest among those aged 45 to 54; among men, rates were highest among those aged 55 to 60 plus.
Cases of Chlamydia, herpes, warts, gonorrhoea and syphilis all rose sharply. And the cumulative rate of infections more than doubled from 16.7 per 100, 000 of the population in 1996 to 36.3 per 100,000 of the population in 2003. Read More >>>
A study released last month revealed that more than 25% of adult New Yorkers have genital herpes, which is caused by the herpes simplex virus-2. That means that more than one in four people in New York City over the age of 18 is infected with herpes. Is that insane, or what? It’s seven percentage points over the national average of fewer than one in five adults.
Obesity is such an important issue because it is about so much more than just being overweight. Obesity brings an onslaught of a multitude of health problems. Some problems obesity brings include, but are not limited to:
sleeplessness
restlessness
high blood pressure
chest pains
heart attacks
asthma
sleep apnea
liver disease
With these health risks (and so many more not even listed here), you can begin to understand why obesity is harmful to your health and well-being.
What to Do if You Are Obese
If you have calculated your BMI and find yourself in the obese category (as I do at the time of this writing), you are not alone. The most important thing for you to know is that there is no shame in being obese. The only shame is in not doing anything about it to help yourself.
Take small steps first. Try some of these small steps to get your health back on the right track:
Change your diet.
Eat smaller portions.
Walk a few minutes every day, building yourself up to a longer walking time.
Join a weight loss support group.
Visit your doctor for a full physical and make a healthy weight loss plan with him/her.
Remember, obesity is something you have control over. It does not have to control you.
***
Hope Wilbanks is on a mission to end her own obesity. You can read about and follow her healthy weight loss journey at WeightingLine.com.
Type I diabetic and Olympic skier Kris Freeman offers a great set of tips to help people with diabetes prepare for emergencies and natural disasters. Check it out!
The latest news and information on science and health with personality and perspective. Improve your everyday life guided by passionately opinionated writers who care about you!
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