self-esteem – Britt Skrabanek

A Birthday Perspective

Dang, I have a birthday looming in two days.

Nah, that’s not something I would say.

I am fortunate to celebrate another year of life in two days. There…that’s better.

Why are birthdays seen in a negative light?

Is it because we carry an unfulfilled life on our shoulders? Or perhaps it’s because each year we get that much older, unstoppably aging against our wills.

I’ve gotta say, a smattering of grey hairs and wrinkles sprouted up somewhere around the turn of a notable decade of my life.

I’m not going to lie. I was a little shaken with grey hairs at thirty. Then I realized it’s probably a common development but most women color their hair, making them oblivious to this colorless discovery.

At first I plucked them. And, to avoid further wrinkles, I attempted to not be as animated – forcing a half-smile when delighted and scolding my perky eyebrows when surprised.

But damnit…if I want to smile my ever-loving ass off, I’m gonna!

Of course it can be difficult to age, especially as women. Our society encourages eternal youth and unattainable perfection.

Yet, we all go down the same inevitable road. No matter how many expensive hair colors or night creams we entertain – we all have birthdays, we all age.

What if we look at birthdays this way…we’re not older than we were a year ago, we simply lived more.

I really like the way that sounds, don’t you?

Ah, the hell with it! I don’t care if I now have to buy two boxes of birthday candles since they usually come in packs of twenty-four.

I will not hide from this birthday or any thereafter. I am honored to be here another year, to enjoy more beauty and love.

I embrace my grey hairs because they represent incredible accomplishments and tribulations.

I embrace my wrinkles because they represent years of laughter and tears.

I embrace my birthday because it is symbolic of the joys of life – and that my dear friends is always a reason to celebrate.

The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 2

Last week, I covered dietary habits in The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 1. Be sure to scope it out if you haven’t already.

Now, let’s get physical.

In our jam-packed lives, it is best to establish a regular exercise routine, one where we get moving every single day.

We pay our bills on time to avoid penalties, but we don’t prioritize taking care of ourselves. The soaring fees for a sedentary lifestyle are hefty and damaging.

Remember that crazed personal trainer I told you about last week? Besides the satanic crash diet, there was also a boot camp workout to complete my hellish impulse purchase.

During the hill sprints, chin-ups, squats, and every other moment of torture, she watched me with her arms crossed. I loathed every expensive minute I spent with her. I debated whether I should run away and cry in a corner, or keep at it and just barf on her sneakers.

I did neither, of course. But, oh how I wanted to.

Being the food lover that I am, I balance my indulgence tendencies with regular exercise. So, I’m going to share a systematic approach to your body with 5 sensible exercise habits.

Ditch the car keys Don’t wait around for that perfect sunny day to walk or bike. If it rains, so what? It’s not acid rain, people. Walking and biking are forms of transportation, believe it or not. Use them the next time you go somewhere.
Do something you love Unless those sweaty gym machines actually tickle your fancy, don’t commit to a gym membership. Revisit something you loved when you were a kid or try something new. You won’t exercise if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, so why bother?
Get cliquey with it Socializing is something we humans crave. Being surrounded by people with the same interests makes us feel connected. Take a class for a customized environment and a consistent schedule. Or find a buddy, preferably a fitness fanatic who won’t be sidetracked when you try to convince him or her to go to the bar or grab a donut instead.
Become a teacher Teaching is a great way to commit to an exercise routine. Inspiring others keeps you motivated to give it your all. Love volleyball? Start coaching a children’s league. Love Yoga or Zumba? Get certified and get out there.
Be a spaz This is going to be different for everybody. For me it means telling stories in a dramatic fashion with lots of gestures, making up silly songs and dances for my hubby, or blasting some music and dancing around when I clean the apartment.

Trust me, boot camp mentality is completely unnecessary. Be smart and be kind to your bod…it’s the only one you’ve got!

The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 1

Let’s face it. We all have routines in our lives: brushing our teeth, making our beds, feeding our pets, working 9-5.

Often we associate routine as being stuck in a rut. However, we can greatly benefit from the power of regulation when it comes to our health, where we often fly by the seat of our pants, and make poor decisions.

For those who don’t know, I am a self-proclaimed Dessertaholic. Check out Sweets Without Grief if you missed it.

Diets make me cringe.

Two months before I got married I had the absurd idea to get a personal trainer who encouraged me hand over fist to go on a crash diet.

Let’s just say I ditched that militaristic plan when I realized I was becoming hostile in the break room. I feared one of the neighboring employees would steal my food. Needless to say, I got a little loopy.

I am one of food’s biggest fans, but I try to find a healthy balance. So, I’m going to share a systematic approach to your body with 5 sensible eating habits.

Eat in, not out Guess what? When you’re not making the food yourself, you have no idea what’s in it. Take control by knowing exactly what you’re eating. Eat a good breakfast before you leave, bring your lunch, and eat dinner at home. Bonus…you’ll save money.
Carrots are the new chips I just made that up, but I think I’m on to something here. We love crunchy snacks, don’t we? I always keep a bag of miniature carrots around. When I’m in between meals, I chomp away. You can eat as many of these bad boys as you want–they’re awesome for you.
Go nuts I never leave the house without nuts. The moment you get hungry, have a few. This will keep you from making bad choices while you’re out and about. Almonds and walnuts are my favorite. Add a little dried fruit to change it up.
Cherish each meal Eating while working or watching television will leave you dissatisfied. Food is beautiful and important; we should respect it and savor every bite. Take your time and give it all of your attention. After all, food gives you energy and keeps you alive.
Water is your best friend See that water bottle I’m hugging down there? I refill it several times a day. A lot of times we mistake dehydration for hunger. Next time your tummy talks, try drinking some water before you eat. To jazz it up, add lime, lemon or cucumber if you’re not a fan of plain. Most importantly, the first thing you should do when you get up is drink a full glass of water. Then, proceed with your day.

Trust me, crash diet mentality is completely unnecessary. Be smart and be kind to your bod…it’s the only one you’ve got!

Join me next week for The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 2 to chat about exercise habits.

Sweets Without Grief…Indulge a Little!

Hi, my name is Britt and I’m a Dessertaholic.

My sweet tooth is stubborn, demanding, and tireless, transforming my will into humble pie. I devour it, yearning for seconds.

And, you know what? That’s OK!

Indulgence can be a beautiful thing, making life that much sweeter. With a balanced, healthy diet and regular exercise…why not? Why feel guilty?

In our enhanced, photoshopped world, it’s easy to feel inadequate, craving a physical perfection, which does not exist. Women are especially affected by this preposterous stigma, instructed to seek a flawless, ageless mirage–disowning sugar, embracing tummy tucks.

I believe in choosing sanity over artificiality–brownies over Botox, crème brûlée over crash diets.

Celebrate the finer things in life—don’t shun them. When it comes to dessert, find a tasty balance by counteracting and satisfying. Here are some ways to treat yourself without the grief.

Do it right If you’re going to do it “wrong”, do it right! Don’t bother with sugar-free, fat-free or light. It doesn’t taste good, it doesn’t satisfy.
Forget the straw Avoid sugary-infested drinks in the form of coffee, soda, juice, etc. Save your calories for a real dessert.
Have it backwards Eat dessert early in the day, so your body has time to burn it off before bedtime. Don’t make it your first meal of the day, just any time before dinner.
Go on a mission Keep dessert out of your house. This way you have to exercise to and from your delicious treat. Walk or bike for bonus calorie-burning points.
Walk it off Literally. Get up and move, even if that means doing the dishes. Lazing around after that big cookie doesn’t allow your body to digest properly.
Explore a healthy side-kick These usually do the trick for me! Greek yogurt with honey and fresh fruit; almond milk smoothie with cinnamon, spinach, banana, and berries; a small piece of antioxidant-friendly dark chocolate (go for the mini size if you’re tempted to eat the whole bar in one sitting.)
Ditch the scale You don’t need it!

Indulge a little…it’s a piece of cake!