Not that I am complaining...

So I was just about to write a post when I checked out my stats... What the hec?! What did I write that is suddenly so interesting?! I'm not complaining! I love that you've all found me and are checking my blog out, but how did you guys find me?! And where are you from? and what are you hoping to find here?! (That last one is the most important! I want to make sure people feel like they are getting what they were looking for!)
Any responses would be most appreciated!
So a big THANK YOU for taking the time to check this out!

xoxo - S

Can I have this dance?

I recently got roped into a "5 minute dance off"... and I love every minute of it! The basic idea is that a group of friends agree to dance at a specific time each day, no matter where they are or what they are doing (you tend to plan to ensure that you're not in the bathroom... that could be awkward!). In light of this, I challenge you ALL to find some friends to do this with. It might be co-workers, family, neighbours, heck my group is from online and we are all over the world dancing. It feels great and I think that this 5 minutes of YOU time is really beneficial. How beneficial you might ask...
Research tells us that dancing improves mood in the following ways:

1.Gives you an endorphin boost from exercise

2.Increases self confidence (isn't that convenient!)

3.Improves social skills

4.Expands your social network

5.Lifts your spirits (now who wants that?!)

6.Reduces depression

7.Laugh at yourself (you will make mistakes)

8.Keeps you in the moment.

(Dylan Broggio, LCSW-R)



Plus check out these benifits of dance

Basically there is no down side to letting yourself boogy, especially if you bust it out right after lunch (normally a low point in the work day!) or first thing in the morning to get you going.

And if you are having troubles finding something to dance to check out either myspace (they have an awesome music network) or this Chatelaine link (videos included!)

Just in case you were looking for some more "mood boosting" tips check out # 4

So who's up for the challenge?!
I can always use a new dance buddy or 2 ;)
xoxo - S

Sorry!!!

Hey guys! I just realised that I havn't posted a purpose:encouragement in like a week! My bad!
This is my GIANT sorry!
I'll get right on posting new ones!
xoxo- S

International Women's Day

March 8th is International Women's Day. (History of the day can be found @ Wikipedia and the UN info)
The UN topic for this year is Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women. There are TONS of events happening, and I encourage all of you to go out and take a look. At the very least, check the web site out. Also you can try checking out the Women's Information Network site to find out about what might be going on in your area. They also list a free teleconference for anyone who is interested. CBC has also posted a 10 women to watch article that you might find interesting (tho I will say I am not in agreement with all of them!).
While on the CBC train, my boyfriend (not really but one can dream) George Stroumboulopoulos got into the act and tweeted this link which y'all might find awesome given you are visiting my site!!! (PS, i am sorry for changing your views of 007!).
If you're interested in more reading check this blog out (keeping the love with blogger!).
Celebrate all the women in your life and show support.
xoxo - S

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

It is Eating disorder awareness week in the US this week (Canada's was Feb 6-12) and as it's an important cause, I will be blogging about it all week. This is an important cause and I hope everyone takes the time to share this information

It’s Time to Talk about It

This year the National Eating Disorders Association is stressing that it’s time to talk about eating disorders. We live in a culture saturated with unrealistic body-image messages and almost all of us know somebody struggling with an eating disorder. Because this is true, we urge you to talk about it......and do just one thing during NEDAwareness Week to 1) raise awareness that eating disorders are serious illnesses, not lifestyle choices; 2) provide accurate information to medical, educational and/or business communities, and 3) direct people to information and resources about eating disorders.

Join us, and do “Just One Thing”
You don’t need to have a lot of time, money or other resources to make a difference. Simply choose one thing you will do to help. Here are a few examples:
• Bring a NEDAwareness Week Volunteer Speaker to your school, work, or social group.
• Download and print a free copy of NEDA’s Educator Toolkit, Parent Toolkit and Coach & Athletic Trainer Toolkit to give to your local schools.
• Provide accurate information: Put NEDAwareness Week posters, pamphlets and handouts in your schools, community centers, medical offices or workplaces.
• Maximize the power of your social networking: Re-tweet a fact about eating disorders, post signs and symptoms of an eating disorder, put up a link to the NEDA website and Helpline, encourage your contacts to learn more about eating disorders and join you in doing just one thing.

1. Eating disorders are serious illnesses, not lifestyle choices
Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, biological and social factors. As our natural body size and shape is largely determined by genetics, fighting our natural size and shape can lead to unhealthy dieting practices, poor body image and decreased self-esteem.
While eating disorders may begin with preoccupations with food and weight, they are about much more than food. Recent research has shown that genetic factors create vulnerabilities that place individuals at risk for acting on cultural pressures and messages and triggering behaviors such as dieting or obsessive exercise.
In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 15 million more are struggling with binge eating disorder.

2. Education, early intervention, and access to care are critical
There has been a rise in incidence of anorexia in young women 15-19 years old in each decade since 1930; over one person’s lifetime, at least 50,000 individuals will die as a direct result of an eating disorder. In the United States, we are inundated with messages telling us that thinner is better, and when we “fit” our culture’s impossible beauty standards, we will be happy.
Did you know that 80% of all ten year olds are afraid of being fat? As a culture, it is time for all communities to talk about eating disorders, address their contributing factors, advocate for access to treatment and take action for early intervention. You can make a difference: do just one thing to initiate awareness, education and discussion about eating disorders in you community. If we all do something, we’ll have a tremendous impact!

3. Help is available, and recovery is possible
While eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses, there is help available and recovery really is possible. It is important for those affected to remember that they are not alone in their struggle; others have recovered and are now living healthy fulfilling lives. Let the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) be a part of your network of support.


National Eating Disorder Association (US)-NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.
                    NEDA Helpline: 1-800-931-2237                   
                    NEDAwareness Week - official page
                    Facebook                    
                    Twitter - Tweeting about NEDAwareness Week? Use this hash tag #NEDAwareness

National Eating Disorder Information Center (Canada)-NEDIC promotes healthy lifestyles, including both healthy eating and appropriate, enjoyable exercise. Being client-centred means that our staff try to give people information and guidance about every option so that our clients can make informed choices for themselves.
                NEDIC Helpline: 1-866-NEDIC-20 (1-866-633-4220)    
                Facebook


xoxo -S

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Clothing!!!

I will be the first to admit that I am a slave to shopping... especially clothing. I will also be the first to admit that sometimes it's hard to feel good about yourself when fashion is not on your side that season. But you know how you always have that piece of clothing you love.... and even when you feel down in the dumps (especially after shopping and finding nothing), wearing it makes things seem not quite so bad? You know what I am talking about... it always seems to be that sweatshirt with like 90 holes in it - cause it's comfy... Well what if the next time you were making yourself feel better, you were also sending a message - both to yourself and the world- about how you want to feel? Sending a message that: you won't be defined by a size; that you wont be limited by what others think; that you want people to not just accept things for what they are, but to really think about them. Here are 4 sites you might want to check out, if for no other reason then to get you thinking

So: Buy it, Wear it, Love it!
XOXO - S

Luved - A Canadian company who boast to only have one size clothing. Frumpy? Nope! Super cute! (I own a lot of it!)
"No matter what your size or what insecurities you may have, Luved clothing is about the similarities that let us unite as one. Unlike most labels, Luved clothing has been created by women for women. It does not discriminate against shape or size and is designed to wrap around your unique form. Luved gives you the choice, you can wear these pieces in the way that best suits you. So open up your mind, be creative, and let your personality shine through."

Self Approved 
"There's no stopping an idea whose time has come. Your time has come.

A Self Approved Tee is your shield revealing you as a soldier of Love and Light. Self Approved is an expanding tribe of people realizing authentic self-expression, not depending on what the media or other people tell them, but listening to themselves and spreading Love and Light, no matter what."
 
Blend Apparel
"Blend Apparel is a culture of connective communication. Our colorful, quirky, and self-aware t-shirts invite internal and external conversation. They are wearable question marks openly aimed at the hows and whys the world works. Our shirts encourage people to smile wider, look closer, and think broader.

Blend Apparel offers a visual means with which people can be heard. Using the privilege of business, we provide messages our customers can literally try on. We are creating, and simultaneously communicating, through a questioned-based language of iconography."

We Are Proud -At its heart,WeAreProud® is a movement.

"In 2010, WAP introduced a high end label dubbed “Body Politic" which embodies the idea of clothing with a higher purpose. Each product is meticulously chosen for it's fabric quality and keeps the company's policy of being hand printed but adds to this authenticity by also being CUSTOM TAILORED. All done by people in the local community. These authentic products represent the craftmanship & compassion of local artisans in the fashion industry. The term "Body Politic" is used to describe the group of individuals that have come together to make a positive impact on our future."

Yet Another Reason...

Just in case you needed a reason today to change how you see yourself and how the world sees you...

Women subject to objectifying gazes show decreased math ability


ScienceDaily (Feb. 4, 2011) — Women who are looked at as sexual objects not only react as sexual objects, they also exhibit less proficiency with math, according to a new study published in the March 2011 issue of the journal Psychology of Women Quarterly.
The study examined the effect of the objectifying gaze (the visual inspection of one's body by another person) on undergraduates' math performance. Motivation to interact with the objectifying person in the future was also measured as well as body image outcomes, including body surveillance, body shame, and body dissatisfaction.
One hundred and fifty undergraduates (67 women and 83 men) from a large U.S. Midwestern university participated in the study.
Researchers found that the objectifying gaze lowered women's math performance, but not men's. The objectifying gaze also increased women's, but not men's, motivation to have further interactions with their partner. Finally, the research found that an objectifying gaze did not influence body surveillance, body shame, or body dissatisfaction for women or men.
"The objectifying gaze is particularly problematic for women," write authors Sarah J. Gervais, Theresa K. Vescio, and Jill Allen. "And it may lead to a vicious cycle in which women are first objectified and, as a result, underperform, confirming the notion that women's looks are more important than what they can do."

My favorite part is the ...research found that an objectifying gaze did not influence ... body shame, or body dissatisfaction for women or men. I see... I would love to know if they were planning on looking at the long term effects of these "gazes". I am thinking thiat if Gervais, Vescio and Allen are correct, then these gazes are most certainly going to have long term body image impact.
So what d we do about it? There is no easy answer... The good part is, this was a small sample of university students so maybe it a/ isn't valid and b/does not apply to the general population (let's be honest, undergrads ALL think about sex!).

Best advice, prove them wrong and show them that a woman CAN have it all - looks and brains- and give whatever you do 100%.

xoxo - S

... much more...

My Heart

... Yes, it's RED
I encourage you to go to Go Red and learn about women'd cardiac health.

Encouragement...

I have decided I want to add something a little different to my posts. I am going to try to post a new image everyday promoting positive body image and healthy self-esteem to hopefully motivate and inspire you. This little experiment is called Purpose:Encouragement. I hope you will send me pictures, quotes or stories that you have found to be encouraging.  I will try to make sure they are as cheese-less as possible, but if they make me cry, oh you BET they are getting added.
So check back for a little batch of encouragement each day!
xoxo - S

PS- I am in no way taking credit for the works I post... I am simply the vessel by which they are getting shared with the world!

Yes you are!!!

Just as a reminder, you are amazing! Also, keep this in mind for the operation beautiful chanllenge

XOXO - S

Spread Some Smiles(it's ok, it's free!)

I have a way that you right now can make a difference in a woman's life... and it won't cost you a thing. How many times do we as women actually tell each other how beautiful we are? I mean really... think about it for a second and really ask yourself when the last time you complimented a female in your life. Not for something she had, or was wearing but for who she is?
I'll give you a few minutes... It took me a while too...
The worst part of women's self image issues seems to be that we do it to ourselves. We always want that something "more" (though like the old adage "more is less" what we strive for is to be less - less weight, less like a woman and more like a man, less of who we are...). Maybe the first step to improving self image is to see the beauty in everyone, including ourselves.
So I said that you can make a difference right now for free. Operation Beautiful concept by which we can impact each other as women simply by showing support. How they do it is through random post it notes left in public places - think public bathrooms, transit stations/shelters, coffee shop tables etc.- telling women they are amazing. It can be as simple as "Smile, you're beautiful" to something more esoteric "Choose a strong soul over a strong body". Post many, post often! What does it cost you? A post it! If you want to get in on the operation beautiful movement, include the URL afterwards to people can find out more. Even better, there's a book if you want more (not less!) Operation Beautiful: Transforming the Way You See Yourself One Post-it Note at a Time. (BTW, if you want to be really 007 about your notes, go to the grocery store or book store and slip them into women's magazines like cosmo, vanity fair and women's health!)
Maybe you're not ready to commit to the purchase of post its right now, why not go to your social network site of choice (be it facebook, twitter, flickr, bebo or whatever the kids are using today) and post something to the world. Maybe it's to smile and like who you are, maybe it's to remember they are beautiful WHATEVER... it doesn't mater... The point is to get the message out there.
So go get some coloured sharpies and some post its ( word is they even have fun shapes now!!!) and get spreading some smiles.
xoxo - S

TBTN - Body/Image

If you're in Calgary, I encourage you to try and take in this art show. It will be running for the month of February. It's focus is on positive female self-image in an attempt to project the image past the physical body. It will look at both the power and struggles that women face and the importance of feminism in the 21st century.
Heads up it is an 18+ event, just so no one is shocked by the images they may see.
Check out the event at either Take back The Night or Facebook
xoxo - S

Goal # 2...

So, I turned 30 yesterday and figured I should try and list a new goal each month. They will be things I hope to achieve in the remainder of the year. As I am sure you saw my first goal of the year is to run in at least one race this year. You can follow all of my running hi-jinx at Running With A Dream.
For goal #2, I have my boyfriend to thank. This weekend we were talking about what we want to do this summer and were talking about what I want to achieve with my personal fitness goals. I explained to him that I want to be able to keep up with him better and do more hiking this summer. Knowing that I need a goal to meet, he has challenged me to complete 10 summits this summer. We have not picked which ones yet, but I promise to keep you posted as the summer goes as to how it is going. Any suggestions to summits with great payoffs (read: amazing views), please let me know. I in turn challenged him to start the adventure blog that he keeps talking about starting. We will just have to wait and see who gets their goal met first ;) I have a feeling that we will both be helping each other out with meeting them.
So wish me luck (and send lots of O2 my way!!!)
xoxo - S

First goal for 2011...

I'm going to run.
Yes you read that right... STOP LAUGHING.
I am committing to all of you that I am going to register for the Forzani Mother's Day Run. It's May 8th this year, giving me about 3.5 months to train and get read for the run. I haven't decided if I want to do the 5 or 10 k yet, but we will see soon (in my heart, I want to do the 10k... but god only knows if I will be ready.) I have already recruited a friend to the challenge with me.
Which leads me to y'all. I am challenging everyone to get up and make a physical goal this year. Pick whatever it is you like, but make it something with an end point (don't pick "to be more active" pick " do a physical activity 3 times a week"!). Let people know what it is, be proud of the goal and own it! Maybe it will be to pick up a new activity or return to one you once loved. Maybe it's a competition, or maybe it's just to compete against yourself. I also hope that you will want to share your challenge and progress with me along your journey, but if not that's ok too I just want everyone to try.
If you want to join my running journey, Chatelaine has a how to start running guide. If you're not quite ready to run, they also have a Walk Fit program listed.
Now before I get all of these comments that I am perpetuating image issues, let me point out that I am doing this as a challenge to myself, NOT for looks. I want the cardiovascular endurance so I can go hiking and backpacking with the end goal being doing both the West Coast Trail and East Coast Trails VERY soon. To be truthful, I am really hoping that by training for a run, I will be more focused on the cardio work that I so desperately need.
We will have our very own blog dedicated to our training, our runs, our hits and misses coming VERY soon! I will try and keep you posted about this as best I can!
and now, we run (I hope someone out there gets this reference!)
XOXO - S


IT'S HERE!!!
The running blog is now up and ready to be loved!!!
http://www.runningwithadream.blogspot.com/

What is sexy?

I was on My Fitness Pal the other day and was reading the forum and ran across a post that a 33 year old guy posted with the subject header "What is sexy". Here is what he wrote:

"I see so many people on here and in everyday life saying they want to lose weight so they can be sexy. Its always funny because many of you/them are already considered by many sexy, even ifyou have a lb or two to lose, or even if you have a lot to lose. On the other hand there are many people not considered sexy that are at "perfect" weights. I suppose then that "sexy" is very subjective, i know for me its really an intangible quality, it has alot to do with attitude even more so than appearance. The way some women carry themselves, their attitudes, etc to me make them sexy. I love a woman who is confident in herself but not conceited, who has a sense of humor, and a sense of humor about herself. A big help is just being nice, there have been many times when a woman was just nice that it overrode any physical "deficiency" she may have had. on the other hand many "gorgeous" women have not been nice and it made them ugly. what do you all consider sexy "

Interesting... since I have NOT seen the same type of topic started by any of the women on the site. Most of the topics relate to health and wellness, but this one really stuck out to me becuse it went beyond the surface to really ask about HOW we are defining ourselves.

So, what do you define sexy as? Is it looking like a magazine? Or is it something from within? Is it a combination of both? Are people going to judge sexy as the same thing?

...things to think about

xoxo -S

... Just a little help for my friends...

So after thinking about the whole "resolution" thing, I decided that maybe a little support for people out there might be in order. With that in mind, I set out to find work sheets, web sites, support groups, whatever I found that I thought could be of help to both me and other people in reaching their goal (hopefully the goal is self acceptance cause that's what I went looking for!). So no, I do not have miracle weight loss cures or money trees or any of that stuff. I am also not trying to sell you anything! I just wanted to share what I found with all of you!

Stress and Anger Relief - I know for me, I get frustrated and angry especially when looking at things I want to change about myself. Figured that if nothing else, it's something to keep in mind
Let's Get Real - It's important that when looking at changes, we know why we want them as well as can make a plan to get there. It's great to want a million dollars, but why do you want it and how are you going to get there.
The Resolution Sheet - past this up maybe everywhere in your house. The more you see it, the more likely you are to stick to it... and odds are Friends will see it and ask about it making for a built in support team!
Resolution Worksheet - WARNING they are trying to sell you stuff... SORRY. But I like the idea of associating an image/colour/word with your resolution so I included it!


This all brings me to something that I want to try starting today. It's called Attitude of Gratitude and it looks at bringing ourselves happiness through really appreciating what we already have. I hope to follow the program and write about it everyday (we will see how that goes since I can't seem to get on here very much!)

Hope to post more soon!!!

xoxo - S

New Year, new...???

...almost a new me? Every year people set out to change themselves with new years resolutions. We set new levels that we want to achieve in the next year. Bad habits, new habits, goals- they are all things we want to change about ourselves. So the question then becomes... why do we do it? Are our resolutions due to something we truly want or is it something that we have been groomed to "want"?
For example, how many people want to lose 10 lbs this year? How many set that same resolution every year? I know I have. But why do I want to lose the 10 lbs? For me this year I realized it's less about the weight and more about other things I want from the loss. I want to do more hiking and I want to be able to do the active things that my boyfriend wants to do. So really, it has nothing to do with the weight. More accurately, I want to be more healthy this year. So then why have I made the resolution to lose weight?
Maybe it has somethign to do with what the media keeps telling me... "Lose that 10lbs of Holiday weight" "Bikini ready in just 6 weeks" and "This year keep those resolutions with this... (fill in the blank with the "great" product here)". Well damn, apparently I am good for nothing if I don't get on this train. Sign me up for it all!
... IT'S GOING TO COST ME HOW MUCH TO CHANGE?!
Well eff that... Maybe it's time to focus more on liking who I am rather than spending all this time changing for other people. I am not saying that I am perfect and do not have things that need to be changed. I am saying that I need to make those changes because I WANT them, not because I am suppose to be a certain way.
Really bringing me back to why I want to "lose weight" this year. I don't, well not really. I want to be able to do things that I used to do. And if as a result to getting prepared (re:in shape) to do those activities I lose weight, then bonus.
My New Years Resolution for 2011 is:
I refuse to let other people tell me what I need to do to be happy. I resolve to find that out for my self!
xoxo - S

Nike Women

This might make me ONLY buy nike products... BRILLIANT marketing and self esteem boosting.