Big Bootie Girl

Before puberty I was always the smallest. I was short (ok, I still am) and pretty skinny. Then BAM! My boobs, my hips and my butt started to grow... I was super excited to get boobs. But they sorta stopped, but the bum and hips didn't. Since then I've always really disliked my lower body. It's taken YEARS of crash dieting and extremely poor body image for me to finally come to grips with things. THIS is my body. This is my body shape and it doesn't matter how much I work out or how little I eat or anything - THIS is the body I got. As round and unporportional as it is. I've just got to deal with it.
Now that isn't a complete "get out of jail free" card. Just because I'm aware that my body will never be super model skinny or have "hips like a boy" (which is something I've always really wanted), doesn't mean I should stop working towards healthy. I may be pear shaped... but I'm not healthy pear shaped right now. I'm still overweight. I'm lumpy. I'm jiggley. But under all that are some pretty great CURVES, that I've been ashamed of for so many years. Well I'm sorry curves!
This is my new goal; LOVE who I am, curves and weird hair and wonky eyes and stretch marks and ALL. I will break out of my fat, self imposed, prison and flaunt my beautiful curves again.

Water

I should drink more water but....
        "I hate the taste."
        "then I'm going to the bathroom every 5 minutes."
        "buying bottled water gets so expensive."
        "I just prefer [juice, coffee, tea, pop]."
        "I heard you can get water-drunk if you drink too much!"

It seems like getting your full water intake, seems to be a struggle for a lot of people. It's one of those things that can quickly be forgotten about, or replaced by a "more important" health goal. But drinking water should be one of our most important health goals.

• Water helps flush your system of the by product of fat breakdown and other toxins in the body
• water helps replenish skin and tissue and increases skins elasticity
• water keeps your muscles and joints well lubricated so you are less likely to hurt yourself
• your brain is made up of so much water, it's no wonder that drinking more water can help you become more alert
• water helps with your metabolism and aids in digestion

So we know that drinking water is good. So HOW do we start drinking more? I polled some of my facebook friends and these are some of their tips and trips to guzzling down the water.

1. Mark your water bottle with times you need to have a certain amount drank by
2. download an app that makes water sounds throughout the day to remind you to drink, or set an alarm on your phone
3. Fill a jug with just the right amount of water for you to keep in the fridge or on the counter
4. Find a water bottle/jug with a straw - lots of people say they drink more out of a straw.
5. Drink water at room temperature - it's easier to down it.
6. Flavor your water - infuse with fresh fruit or mint
7. Make a tally of each glass of water you drink where you can see it and it reminds you to keep drinking.
8. Make yourself drink water before you do something, ie, I have to drink my full water bottle before I get my morning coffee
9. Always carry your water bottle with you, if you've got it, you'll probably drink it.
10. Drink a full glass of water before every meal and snack.