This blog post began with a misunderstanding. I'm watching The Biggest Loser which is one of those reality TV indulgences I take advantage of when the hubby is gone. And I saw an ad for a new ABC Family show called "Huge." It appeared to be about a group of overweight teenagers learning to love themselves, despite their weight.
I got all worked up. Then, ready to blog about it, I googled it and discovered it is about a group of overweight teenagers going to weight-loss camp. I'm significantly more behind that.
All those things said, my huge soapbox is still getting written because it's my blog and now I'm all worked up about it.
I think kids, teens, adults, whomever should feel good about themselves. I think life is too short to eat only broccoli. I think people should be judged on their character and abilities, not their appearance. However (you knew one was coming) I also think we should encourage ourselves and those around us to be healthy.
I often hear about programs encouraging kids to love themselves no matter what. I think the intent here is good. I also think that sometimes it goes too far, that kids are encouraged, or think they are encouraged, to accept negativity. A child should never be encouraged to embrace their failing grades or their dangerously obese weight. A child should know they are more than a grade or a weight but should always always always be encouraged to excel to the best of their abilities and to live a healthy life.
When it comes to weight, we often focus on too fat or too skinny. I read a recent article in
Redbook that put it best: aim to be pretty healthy. No reason to stress yourself out over having a glass of white wine when red is healthier. It's ok to have that glass of chardonnay. But it's also a good idea to take the stairs, not the elevator.
To overuse a cliche, it's all about moderation and balance. Walking two miles to the ice cream shop. Limiting Starbucks to only once a week instead of every day.
I've kinda gone off on a tangent but what I was trying to say is this: I value living a healthy, active life. I hope we teach our kids that value and give them the tools they need to eat right, exercise and maintain that lifestyle no matter what.
Bam! Xeriscaped to perfection!
Today he did all his chores. I know this doesn't sound super romantic and many of us ladies are probably thinking "what the hell? I do all my chores every weekend." But Ross had serious chores this weekend. He bought us a new mower, mowed the front and the back and edged both. Then, from some source unknown, he found the ambition to organize the garage from top to bottom. I have never seen so much of my garage! (Lexi helped, Ross swears. Hence the Lexi-pie photo.) And then, as if that wasn't enough, he changed the oil in my car and checked the air filter. Now please take into consideration that due to the physical agility tests, the man could barely change from sitting to standing position or vice versa yesterday. It becomes even more impressive.
