As many of you have noticed, I've shed a bit of weight over the last several months. I've actually lost 50 pounds. Yes. 50. I am pretty happy about that. It certainly hasn't been easy.
I am doing it the hard way. And by that, I mean the right way. I am eating much healthier and exercising a bunch. Water is my most consumed beverage and I find myself inside a gym about 8-10 times a week. I hardly ever find myself at fast food establishments. I have goals and I am determined to reach them.
My brother Thomas asked me tonight, "why now?". Several months ago someone looked me in the eyes and told me how she was worried about my health. I looked her back in her eyes as she tried holding back her tears. It was incredibly tough for both of us. There was a lot of emotions going through me at that time. I was embarrassed and felt uneasy but mostly I felt loved. In all my life I don't think I have ever had someone actually care for me that way. I can't thank her enough for that. What she did was incredibly tough. After that conversation I became very serious about my health goals. Unfortunately things didn't work out for us. The gym ended up being a great distraction for my heartache, and sadly, it still is.
There are a few more people that deserve many thanks. A lot of my friends have noticed and cheer me on, none more than my roommates. Both of them are "gym rats" and I am glad to now consider myself one. Elijah is insane. He will go to the gym with me any hour of the day which makes it that much easier. He thinks I'm crazy too for going to the gym literally every day. If I don't make it before work, I go after work, even if it is at 3am. And sometimes I'll go before and after work. He is always willing to join me. Sometimes it is fun. But, obviously this is very tiring.
It's also annoying that clothes I've recently bought are too big now and I don't want to purchase new clothing because I don't plan on fitting in them very long. I'm pretty sure I'm ok with this! I've got a bit to go but it feels good knowing I am heading the right direction. I currently weigh less than I did in High School. Hell, I weigh less than I have in over a decade!
So there you have it. My first health post. I'd write a bit more... but there's a gym calling out to me!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Government/Politics Part 1.
Disclaimer:
I should state a few facts before I get into some opinions. Some of these facts include that I am not American. That is pretty well known. I can't vote, therefore I don't. Having said that, I do consider myself closest to a Democrat. I contribute financially and volunteer my time for the party.
For the last three years I've watched this country change. I remember when people would disagree with policies, politics, ideas and not just a person. When you stood for an idea and you stood by it. It didn't matter who agreed with you or who came up with the idea if someone said something and you liked it you let it be known. Now it seems that people don't disagree with ideas, they disagree with people. Ironically enough "change" was the platform that my "hopeful" president ran under. I don't, however, feel this is the change he had in mind. I think he had a vision and a goal to make this country great again. To change the politics game and to make Americans proud to call themselves Americans when traveling abroad. But mostly I think he wanted to make sure everyone was happy, healthy, and safe.
The biggest example I could use is health care. Most of America agreed with presidential candidate Obama's ideas and platform. He excited a country with his speeches that sparked the idea of brotherhood, hard work, determination, and general kindness in people. The American people were excited. He had a charisma that had others' looking inside themselves and asking, "can I be a better person and make this a better country?" and the people responded, "yes we can". When Obama won the 2008 Presidential Election he didn't just make history, he inspired generations and he will continue to inspire for generations after his term has ended. Shortly after being elected Obama passed his health care reform. I thought it was fantastic. It meant more health insurance and medicine for more people. I thought to myself, how could I, or anyone, be against this. Laws were passed to protect Americans from getting dropped when they needed insurance the most and to make it easier for the poor to afford insurance. And yet, this "Christian Nation" decided to fight tooth and nail against one of their basic principles. To look out for their neighbors. Instead everyone decided they would rather look out for their wallets and bank accounts.
Folks, I'm a 28 year old male who gets by just fine in my life. I'm not rich and far from wealthy but I make enough to pay my bills and have some fun on my days off. But I've come from humble beginnings and had, at times, a rough childhood. I was raised by a single mother (for the most part) who didn't even have a U.S. High School diploma and had to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. I was thankful for any assistance the government provided. I've come to a point in my life where now I can give to those that need more than I do. And frankly I am embarrassed that so many people are against the idea of "communist medicine". I have health insurance and I hardly ever used it. Honestly, in my 10+ years of my "adult health insurance having life" I've used it twice. But I'm happy it is there. I would gladly pay a little more out of my pocket in taxes to know that some poor family who can't afford medicine can get the treatment they need. I don't think health care should be a luxury of the rich but a right to every person living. That's just my opinion.
Where is all this going? Back to opposing people, not ideas. When I listen to people spew hatred for Obama it saddens me. Sure, I disagreed with the policies of the Bush administration on several occasions but it was the ideas I didn't like, not the person. I can say that knowing it is the truth. When I witness with my own eyes blatantly obvious thinly veiled racism in the media, government, and even amongst friends and people I know it makes me sad. This is not the change I was hoping for. If you didn't have any problem raising the debt ceiling a dozen times why all the sudden is it the worst possible thing to do for this country?
The worst thing for me is hearing people cry about how Obama is caving in to Republicans and leaning more and more to the right. You mean he is trying to make everyone happy? Isn't that the point? The Republicans, in my opinion, have made it very clear that their number one goal is making Obama a one term president, no matter what the cost. It is so clear that Republicans can't even pick a good candidate to run against Obama, but all they do is try to discredit him. Is that good for the American people? Why don't we make your number one goal to work together and fix the problems this nation is facing?
The tea party. The saddest and funniest thing I've seen in a while. "We don't want change! We like the country the way it is! ... Our president hasn't done SHIT! He hasn't done anything for anyone! sooooo.... We're good then right? You guys should be happy? One second you cry about how this country has fallen to pieces and the second someone agrees with you you cry, "this is the greatest country ever don't you ever say anything unkind about ahmurka!
You have given birth to "birthers" and countless other ideas to try and discredit the president. It is quite sad.
To end this, and believe me, I really could go on for days and welcome any discussion to follow, I will state that I have high hopes for this country. Though I do believe that Obama has brought out the worst in a lot of people I also believe he is bringing out the good in a lot of people. I commend the president for his efforts and will continue to support him.
I should state a few facts before I get into some opinions. Some of these facts include that I am not American. That is pretty well known. I can't vote, therefore I don't. Having said that, I do consider myself closest to a Democrat. I contribute financially and volunteer my time for the party.
For the last three years I've watched this country change. I remember when people would disagree with policies, politics, ideas and not just a person. When you stood for an idea and you stood by it. It didn't matter who agreed with you or who came up with the idea if someone said something and you liked it you let it be known. Now it seems that people don't disagree with ideas, they disagree with people. Ironically enough "change" was the platform that my "hopeful" president ran under. I don't, however, feel this is the change he had in mind. I think he had a vision and a goal to make this country great again. To change the politics game and to make Americans proud to call themselves Americans when traveling abroad. But mostly I think he wanted to make sure everyone was happy, healthy, and safe.
The biggest example I could use is health care. Most of America agreed with presidential candidate Obama's ideas and platform. He excited a country with his speeches that sparked the idea of brotherhood, hard work, determination, and general kindness in people. The American people were excited. He had a charisma that had others' looking inside themselves and asking, "can I be a better person and make this a better country?" and the people responded, "yes we can". When Obama won the 2008 Presidential Election he didn't just make history, he inspired generations and he will continue to inspire for generations after his term has ended. Shortly after being elected Obama passed his health care reform. I thought it was fantastic. It meant more health insurance and medicine for more people. I thought to myself, how could I, or anyone, be against this. Laws were passed to protect Americans from getting dropped when they needed insurance the most and to make it easier for the poor to afford insurance. And yet, this "Christian Nation" decided to fight tooth and nail against one of their basic principles. To look out for their neighbors. Instead everyone decided they would rather look out for their wallets and bank accounts.
Folks, I'm a 28 year old male who gets by just fine in my life. I'm not rich and far from wealthy but I make enough to pay my bills and have some fun on my days off. But I've come from humble beginnings and had, at times, a rough childhood. I was raised by a single mother (for the most part) who didn't even have a U.S. High School diploma and had to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. I was thankful for any assistance the government provided. I've come to a point in my life where now I can give to those that need more than I do. And frankly I am embarrassed that so many people are against the idea of "communist medicine". I have health insurance and I hardly ever used it. Honestly, in my 10+ years of my "adult health insurance having life" I've used it twice. But I'm happy it is there. I would gladly pay a little more out of my pocket in taxes to know that some poor family who can't afford medicine can get the treatment they need. I don't think health care should be a luxury of the rich but a right to every person living. That's just my opinion.
Where is all this going? Back to opposing people, not ideas. When I listen to people spew hatred for Obama it saddens me. Sure, I disagreed with the policies of the Bush administration on several occasions but it was the ideas I didn't like, not the person. I can say that knowing it is the truth. When I witness with my own eyes blatantly obvious thinly veiled racism in the media, government, and even amongst friends and people I know it makes me sad. This is not the change I was hoping for. If you didn't have any problem raising the debt ceiling a dozen times why all the sudden is it the worst possible thing to do for this country?
The worst thing for me is hearing people cry about how Obama is caving in to Republicans and leaning more and more to the right. You mean he is trying to make everyone happy? Isn't that the point? The Republicans, in my opinion, have made it very clear that their number one goal is making Obama a one term president, no matter what the cost. It is so clear that Republicans can't even pick a good candidate to run against Obama, but all they do is try to discredit him. Is that good for the American people? Why don't we make your number one goal to work together and fix the problems this nation is facing?
The tea party. The saddest and funniest thing I've seen in a while. "We don't want change! We like the country the way it is! ... Our president hasn't done SHIT! He hasn't done anything for anyone! sooooo.... We're good then right? You guys should be happy? One second you cry about how this country has fallen to pieces and the second someone agrees with you you cry, "this is the greatest country ever don't you ever say anything unkind about ahmurka!
You have given birth to "birthers" and countless other ideas to try and discredit the president. It is quite sad.
To end this, and believe me, I really could go on for days and welcome any discussion to follow, I will state that I have high hopes for this country. Though I do believe that Obama has brought out the worst in a lot of people I also believe he is bringing out the good in a lot of people. I commend the president for his efforts and will continue to support him.
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