Why I'm going to quit:

I found some more info on smoking and stress. While smoking may alleviate the symptoms of stress at first, it compounds them and returns them with interest. Smoking increases your cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone. (studies are inconclusive, but both deprive your brain of oxygen which directly leads to your decreased intellectual capabilities.

Fun New Exercise

I just discovered a fun new exercise and I wanted to share it with you all. Find your 5 year old, any child really will do. Get them to sit on the floor. My favorite method is to turn on a TV show. Take your shoes off. Stand next to them and simply put your foot on top of their head and keep it there without hurting them for five minutes. This proved to be a great workout for both me and my son. Switch sides and repeat. Happy workouts!

Power Chairs

Last night my husband and I were at the grocery store and we watched a little old man, who was parked in a handicapped spot, walk out to his car assisted by store personnel, and painstakingly get into his car with his cane and the small bag that held what he had purchased. The whole process took about five minutes. Earlier in the store, the manager had rushed to help him because she remarked "he usually doesn't come this late". My husband made the comment that this is who those motor-powered wheelchairs are for, the truly disabled who can not do for themselves, not for excessively large people who decide they can't be bothered to walk anymore. I think he hit the nail right on the head. We are making a mock of our healthcare system, eating too much, failing to educate ourselves on nutrition, and just generally indulging ourselves in unhealthy habits. I think it is disrespectful because it takes resources away from those who suffer from conditions they can't prevent. My heart goes out to this man and those who suffer like him. It certainly can be a tough world, and if some of us aren't healthy enough to help, who will help us?