Why aren't I healthier?

What are the biggest challenges to regular exercise and a healthy diet that you face? How are these challenges going to change for you over the next five years?

This is a question that I ask myself practically on a daily basis. The fact that I am overweight makes me think about these and other questions often. The biggest challenges that I have to exercise is that I just don't make the time to do it. I won't say that there isn't enough time because there is, I just have other priorities. I have a full time job, do PRN work, and have a 4 yr old child and husband to take care of. With the extra activities that I have with my daughter along with now being a full time student, it is difficult for me to take time to care for my house let alone exercise. I guess I could give up some of my sleep time to do it, but again priorities. Having a healthy diet is a challenge due to the same factors. Also included is the fact that my husband does help with the cooking but wouldn't know a healthy meal if it came up and kicked him in the butt. I really don't complain about what he cooks because it saves me from the work. He knows that I am unhappy with the way that I look but he is also busy and doesn't take the time to learn how to be healthier. Even though he really needs it also. I don't see these challenges changing for me over the next five years. I feel like I will probably have even more challenges as my daughter gets older and hopefully I will have more children. I do hope that as my husband advances in his career I will be able to work less and will have more time to devote to being healthier, for my whole family. I know that my daughter is learning from what she see me doing and I hope to be able to set a better example for her, but the reality is that for the time being I don't see a change happening.

Menopause

I think that the first way for societies view of menopause to change is for women to become educated. This means not only learning what the symptoms are, but also in finding ways to lessen those symptoms. I also think we need to control our reactions to what is happening to the body. The old saying forwarned is forarmed has good application here. By listening to the body and recognizing symptoms early it will be easier for women to help decrease the effects of those symptoms. Also, I think that the concept of "female problems" as an excuse to get out of things is used too much, although not as much as the media portrays. Yes, it is really a pain when a women has cramps and other symptoms related to their period or menopause symptoms, but whether you take something or not, move on. Do not perseverate on the way that you feel or the symptoms you are experiencing. Gone are the days when this would really get you out of any type of work. With the medical advancements and the medications that are available it is just ridiculous anyone would try this. That is not to say that if you have symptoms not to discuss them with your doctor and try to get relief that way. I work in a predominately female environment and I do encounter this almost on a daily basis. Because it is a medical field maybe my coworkers feel more comfortable talking about these topics, but I feel that it would be the case whether where I am or elsewhere with the same women.

being tested

What would I tell a friend in order to persuade them to be tested for a STD.

I would talk to them about why they thought that they had something. Had they "been with" someone who later told them that they had a disease. If so then the likelyhood of having the disease was very great. I would then tell them about the effects that diseases have. In general the two most important factors for me would be imminent death or infertility. In very general terms, there are some diseases that if left untreated would cause sterilization. If this friend was concerned about having children later I would emphasize this point as the consequences to decreased fertility are very great, not only physically, and financially but also emotionally. The emotional turmoil that results from infertility, whether preventable or not, is probably the hardest part to deal with. The other factor, death is probably the most feared. Instead of generalizing it I would be very specific regarding what death looks like. With HIV/AIDS the cause of death can be so different for each but if you just took pneumonia/respiratory problems associated with it, one can be very graphic regarding the consequences. The feeling of "drowning" in ones own bodily fluid should be enough to spur anyone into action. Also, I would try to point out that many diseases can be treated effectively so that none of these consequences have to be endured. The most important factor for successful treatment of disease is time. The earlier tested the easier the treatment can be. I would ask if the problem was embarrassment. If so then there are options, such as going to a different doctor, a health clinic designed for testing, and I would try to relieve the fear of judgement by medical staff. The people who work in these places are already aware of the stress that can be caused by just the thought of having a STD and they are very good at causing more undue stress. Lastly, I would offer to go with my friend and be there with them. I would also offer to be tested along with them if that would help them to go. It can be very comforting to know that someone else if going through the same process for testing and results. I would hope that if this were a real case I would do everything I could to help that person understand the importance and urgency of being tested. Not only to themselves but also to future partners.

Surrogate mothers

The video regarding surrogate mothers was very interesting. I have actually considered being a surrogate mother, but unlike the woman in the video I would choose not to have a child that was even half genetically mine. I just don't believe that I could give up my own child, but as the mother in the segment said, if one knows before hand that the child will be given up, I think that I could do it. It is really something to be able to carry a child for another couple. I believe that it would be rewarding in so many ways other than financially.

I really thought that commenting on this video would be easy but it has brought up many questions and emotions for me. My husband and I are currently researching alternate means of family enlargement so this really is close to my life at this time. I also have friends that are at different levels of the fertility process and this is probably one of the last resorts for couples and is left for those that are more financially well off as it is probably the most expensive.

I know this blog is a little all over the place and I apologize for that.

Having Children

The question of the ways that culture, beliefs and practices influence the decision to have children is easy, in every way. Culture often dictates an acceptable time in which to have children along with the place in life, jobs and such. Beliefs can include the use of contraception to prevent pregnancy or at least help control it. Practices are probably the most influencing factor since no matter what your culture or beliefs if one engages in sexual activity without taking the appropriate actions to prevent pregnancy then they have left the choice up to another power. In my own home growing up birth control/contraception was available. My mother believed that if she could not prevent me from becoming sexually active, and she couldn't have, that she could at least help me be safe from disease and pregnancy. She discussed contraception with me and was willing to assist me in going to the doctor for birth control pills. She knew that she would be better off to allow me the choice and be safe rather than try to prevent what she couldn't. As a parent, I hope that when the time comes for my daughter to be making these decisions that I will be able to be as open minded as my mother.