If you do not know who Paulina is, she is one of the world's most well-known supermodels. She has had a long career, appeared in some of the biggest magazines in the world, and she continues to grow in her bad-assery. 
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I unfortunately did not know who she was until I saw her on "Beyond the Edge." "Beyond the Edge" is a reality TV competition that places celebs in a remote place in the world. These celebs undergo physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually grueling tasks in order to raise money for charity. Paulina was one of the competitors in the show's freshman season. She competed alongside the likes of former football players and held her own. Despite incredible amounts of physical pain, she showed the most heart out of anyone on that show. She did not win the competition, but she won the hearts of those who watched the show. 

​I was incredibly impressed by her heart, spirit, and strength. I needed to research this lady because I wanted to know what she was all about. Despite making a career as a supermodel, she feels that she was reduced to nothing as a human being. She has stated in interviews that she felt like an apple in a still life painting. She felt like she had no identity, and no voice. 
You are pretty much a mannequin. You cannot breathe unless told to. You can't eat unless you're told to. You can drink anything, unless you're told to. If you gain weight, even if it's half an ounce, the industry will blacklist you. You can't fucking do anything without being criticized, and in the world of social media, the entire planet is watching your every fucking move and judging the fuck out of you. 

Paulina is now using her voice in order to help women embrace who they are, as they are, regardless of age/weight/etc. She has been breaking the internet with strong and beautiful photos of her body. She is exuding confidence, sensuality, and boldness. She is showing women that you can be strong, sexual, and bold at any age. At the same time, she is telling the world that she is in charge of her own body, and she will do with it as she pleases.

Has she been getting flack online for embracing her inner and outer goddess? Yes. However, Paulina handles these jealous, negative Nancy's with grace and class. One commenter said that "old is ugly." Paulina posted the comment and the picture they commented on, and said this:
"Here’s a good follower comment- echoing a few others.
A woman of 57 is “too old” to pose in a bikini - no matter what she looks like.
Because “Old” is “Ugly”.
I get comments like these every time I post a photo of my body.
This is the ageist shaming that sets my teeth on edge.
Older men are distinguished, older women are ugly.
People who believe prettiness equals beauty do not understand beauty.
Pretty is easy on the eyes, partly because it’s a little bland, inoffensive. It’s easy to take in and easy to forget.
Not so beauty. Beauty can be sharp. It can wound you and leave a scar.
To perceive beauty you have to be able to SEE.
This is why I believe we get more beautiful with age. We have earned our beauty, we understand what it is, and we can see it so much better.
There is no such thing as ugly and old. Only shortsighted and ignorant.

#bewtweenjloandbettywhite #seasonedistasty #matureisbeautiful PS. I’m not posting this because I feel bad and need sympathy- quite on the contrary! I’m posting this because this is a pervasive sentiment that needs to be done away with. So we can be proud of aging, as we deserve to be!"

Paulina is the epitome of a strong and empowering woman. I happily follow her on social media, and I am inspired by everything she posts. As a woman who is approaching 40 this year, I am looking up to women who are in the later 40s, women who are in their 50s, 60s, etc, and hoping to be as empowered and beautiful as they are. Aging doesn't have to be a curse. It is a strength if you use it wisely. Paulina is approaching aging brilliantly, and I salute her!

#paulinaporizkova #bodypositivity #aging #strongwomen #socialmedia #twitter #facebook #instagram #tiktok #snapchat #selfesteem #selfworth #life #women #inspiration #wisdom #motivation

On Monday, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit revealed that the billionaire Kardashian was one of the magazine's 2022 cover models. MJ Day, Editor-In-Chief of the magazine, stands by her decision:
"There's so many points in her life where she could have just crawled under a rock and let the world pass her by and just live a comfortable life. But she continues to evolve herself and push on and prove everybody wrong who doesn't want to allow her that permission to be more and do more, and inevitably, she's doing more for all of us by doing that in ways. I applaud that with every ounce of my fiber."

She continued:
"She failed a bunch of times. She could have quit, but she didn't. And it was very public, her failure. When you're that famous, there's gonna be a lot of people that say a lot of things about you, but her persistence and her unwillingness to limit herself in all these other ways that doesn't necessarily get as much attention as like what she wears to the Met Gala, unfortunately. She just continues to do it, even in light of any type of negativity. I just really stand for that, like, I really applaud that."

What the actual fuck?!

How could the magazine have 3 great cover models in Ciara, Yumi Nu, and Maye Musk, and then add Kim Kardashian to the list?

​Is Kim Kardashian a success? Yes (in society's eyes). However, her success stems from a lot of infamy.

Let's talk about Ciara, Maye, and Yumi, whose beginnings are humbler than Kim's:

• Ciara is famous for her beautiful voice and stage presence.
• Maye Musk is a famous model, and the mother of the richest person on Earth, Elon Musk.
• Yumi Nu is a body-positive model, songwriter, and the creator of a plus-size clothing line.

None of these women achieved their fame from infamy. They achieved fame from having God-given talent, strong work ethic, and heart. 

Kim Kardashian's fame began when she was Paris Hilton's assistant/stylist. Then, she did a sex tape with Ray J. Several years after that, she got KUWTK, which catapulted not just her career, but her family's career, to the top. The entire family earned their riches from being overly dramatic, going to any lengths necessary in order to achieve the perfect body, linking up with the hottest entertainers at that time, and talking lots of shit about each other.  
If Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue wants to inspire women, they picked the wrong cover model in Kim Kardashian. As a woman, I don't feel inspired by Kim Kardashian. I feel sad. Sad that she stands by her success, and that she believes she is a positive role model for women. 

Here's another reason why they missed the mark in picking Kardashian: Met Gala.
This year, Kim went on a CRASH DIET in order to fit into an authentic Marilyn Monroe dress. She lost 18 pounds in 3 weeks, which is incredibly unhealthy and dangerous. Yes, Kim seems okay after her diet, but that's because she is a billionaire and can afford a round-the-clock medical team. If the average person tried that diet, we'd end up in the hospital or in the ground. 

By Sports Illustrated Swimsuit picking Kim Kardashian for their issue, they are telling the world that crash diets, eating disorders and such, are sexy and acceptable: "If you want to be a swimsuit cover model like Kim Kardashian, you need to lose 20lbs in 3 weeks...by any means necessary. No exceptions. Even if you die, if you want to be a model, you need to do this. We don't care." 

Sports Illustrated Swimsuits magazine, here's what I think about your Kardashian-worship:

Kim Kardashian is not a role model. She is completely damaged. So are the people who applaud everything she says and does. 

Do better, society. 

The Met Gala was chock full of serious head-turners. Once again, Kim Kardashian steals another Met Gala with a showstopper gown. The gown was an authentic Marilyn Monroe gown that Monroe wore when she sang "Happy Birthday" to John F. Kennedy in 1962. It is widely known that the dress had to be sewn while Monroe was in it because it was meant to be extremely form-fitting. 

Kim Kardashian gushed about wearing the iconic gown, saying she "crash dieted" in order to fit into it. She lost 16lbs in 3 weeks, by cutting out sugar and all carbs.

Dieticians are having a field day with Kim's strict dieting. In order to have healthy and successful weight loss, you should lose 1-2lbs a week. Experts state that cutting carbs and sugar the way Kim Kardashian did can result in WATER weight loss, and not fat loss. 

Dietician Nichola Ludlam-Raine spoke out about Kim's diet, saying that Kim's extreme diet could be triggering for vulnerable people, and result in eating disorders. Ludlam-Raine recommends that slower weight loss will result in "sustainable weight loss."

Kim's diet isn't the only thing making people talk. It's how she lost the weight physically. The billionaire Kardashian said that she ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. 
Ludlam-Raine said that the diet and exercise regimen Kim created can dehydrate the body substantially: 
"When carbs and sugars are cut from the diet, the body loses water and glycogen (carb) stores from the liver and muscles, which fill back up fast as soon as you start eating normally again. For every one gram of carbs we eat, our body holds on to three to four grams of water (unlike with protein and fats), which means that no-carb diets often make people think they've lost fat, but it's actually mainly water."

Folks, carbs are 100% needed in order to stay healthy (the complex carbs, anyway). Healthy carbs provide fiber, energy, phytochemicals, and nutrients in order for our bodies to be healthy, and to fight off illness. Our bodies NEED fuel from healthy carbs.

Healthy weight loss consists of a proper lifestyle change, losing 1-2lbs per week, and trying to eat in a gentle calorie deficit of 500 calories a day (for women, women should net at least 1200 calories per day. Men should net at least 1700 calories per day). Lose weight slowly and keep it off longer. 

If you need a reputable site to track your food intake, myfitnesspal is the most popular site around. It's free, and you can also track your workouts. 
Speaking of workouts, while fitness is important, what we put in our bodies is more important.  

You might be wondering what makes me an expert on all of this. I used to be a certified personal trainer. I'm not one now due to a spinal injury. However, I feel it is my duty to speak out when I see stories like this. Not only does my expertise come from my education, but it also comes from a lifetime of weight issues. I used to have eating disorders, and it is devastating to realize that young girls are looking at Kim Kardashian and thinking that they could drop 16lbs in 3 weeks just like she did. 

Her diet was more than just fitting into an iconic dress. She wanted to be the center of attention. She wanted the adoration, the admiration, and to be the hottest woman at the Met Gala. The Kardashian-Jenner women are always trying to "one-up" each other in the "perfect body" department. Khloe is getting all of the attention because of her body. Kylie is getting a shit ton of attention for dropping the baby weight so quickly (let's face it folks, she dropped it fast because she's young. If she were 40 like me, it wouldn't be as easy). Kendall is a popular supermodel, so she is always on point. Kourtney has always looked good, and now she has extra shine because she has found her "forever love." Kim wanted to shine brighter than everyone else.
As a public figure, she has a responsibility to be a better role model than this. 

Readers, please do not follow Kim Kardashian's crash diet. It is dangerous, especially if you have health issues. Also, if you are on certain medications like Lithium, the loss of water weight could cause your Lithium levels to go to dangerous levels. This can be life-threatening. I know this because I'm on Lithium and I have to drink a ton of water. Whatever I sweat, I have to replace x2. 
If you want to make a lifestyle change, do it the right way. Consult your doctor, use myfitnesspal, and lose 1-2lbs of weight per week. 

I'd like to add that making a food lifestyle change is one thing. In order to have long-term success, you have to be 100% in. This means accepting yourself as you are on the inside and wanting to treat yourself right inside and out. It's about respecting yourself: mind, body, and spirit. It's about listening to your body and staying away from every type of toxin (food, drink, people, situations, etc). Choose YOU and celebrate YOU. Don't do it for clout like the Kim K's of the world do (FUCK CLOUT). Do it for YOU. Do it because you want to be the best version of who you are at soul level. Don't do it if you are wanting to fit in with society, be like a celebrity, snag that man/woman, or to be "hot."
Your journey needs to start from an authentic place. When you start, take it slow. You are not in any hurry. Slow and steady wins the race. Crash diets will make you crash. You want to enjoy all your hard work. You can't do that if you crash and burn. 
Treat your body, mind, and spirit with respect, and you will not be disappointed. 

In a previous blog, I mentioned that I was following a Pesco-Pollotarian lifestyle. Initially, I wasn't setting out to become a Pesco-Pollotarian. I had given up eating pork and red meat as a way to become healthier. In doing that, I have lost over 6lbs since June. I briefly went over my new way of life in the blog post, but I wanted to go more into detail about this diet.


What is Pollotarianism?
Pollotarianism consists of adhering to a poultry (and sometimes seafood) diet. 
Back in the 1980s, it was known as pollo-vegetarianism, or semi-vegetarianism. A historian described pollotarians as those who refrain from eating mammals, but eat birds (and sometimes fish). 

Pollotarians refrain from eating red meat and pork products. Those who include fish and seafood in their lifestyle are called Pesco (Pescatarian)-Pollotarians.

What is Pescatarianism?
Pescatarianism is the practice of eating seafood as the only meat source. 

Are their any benefits to this diet?
While the research on this specific lifestyle is limited, the elimination of red and processed meats provide a ton of benefits:

• Possible decreased risk of Heart Disease.
• Possible decreased risk of certain types of Cancers
• Possible decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
• Could help with weight loss.

Along with these amazing benefits, this diet is also great for the environment. It helps decrease irrigation water, and is more sustainable than animal products. 

There are some risks associated with this lifestyle:

• Decreased iron and zinc intake.
• Decreased intake of B12.
• Decreased calcium.
• Decreased intake of omega-3 fatty acids (if you adhere to a Pesco-Pollotarian lifestyle, you don't have to worry about this as much). 

What can you eat on a Pesco-Pollotarian diet?

• Fish and Seafood.
• Whole grain and grain products.
• Veggies
• Fruits
• Legumes
• Nuts, seeds, nut butters.
• Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck).
• Plant-based Protein (tofu, pea protein, seitan, etc).
• Healthy fats (avocado coconut, olive oil, etc).
• Non-dairy products (almond and coconut milk, coconut yogurt, etc).

Some Pesco-Pollotarians do incorporate eggs and dairy products. I do, but only once in a while. I've transition from regular eggs to Just Egg products. It's a plant-based non-egg egg product. You can read my review of the product here.

When a bathroom floor challenges you to a trust fall, don't accept the challenge!! Heed this advice if you have hardware in your spine.

Picture this: it's Monday morning. You are barely awake. You enter the bathroom with the intention of relieving your bladder from a night of pent up urine, and showering thereafter. After voiding, you prepare for your shower. You are expediting the effort so you can have everything ready before your kid wakes up. During that rush, you lose your footing and crash to the floor. During your fall, you bang your arm hard on the bathtub. While you are in seething pain from injuring your arm, you panic because of your ongoing back issues. Initially, the back pain was very minimal. You go on and prepare for the day. 
An hour later, the back pain starts, and it's horrible. 
​
This happened over 2 weeks ago. I've been in horrible pain and discomfort ever since. 
​
Back story: I've been dealing with a spinal injury since 2013. When the pain first started, it was so agonizing and debilitating, I couldn't walk for a period of time. In 2014, I had my first spinal fusion. That surgery failed, and I developed a complication. I tried to live with it for a few years, and then things got tough again. In 2017, I had a spinal fusion revision. That surgery provided me with a few months of pain-free days. During that time, I went back into the workforce, moved out of my family home, and was completely independent. I was the happiest I had been in years. I was even talking to an ex of mine. In September of 2017, I found out I was pregnant. I wasn't happy about it because I was still healing from my spinal fusion (it takes a year to fully heal). I kept the pregnancy, and I never fully healed from the spinal revision. 
My back held up well during childbirth and post-partum life. I was doing great..... up until this year. 

Last week I had an MRI, and on Monday, I followed up with my Neurosurgeon's office. 
She told me that one of the screws in my back is touching something it shouldn't, and if it goes even further, I could be in even more pain than I'm in now. I also have narrowing throughout the lower part of my spine, along with bulging discs. I'm having a CT Scan in a few weeks, and then I'm following up with the surgeon who operated on me. Usually when I see him, we end up talking about surgery. 

                                                                    That's not all..

If you are a woman in today's society, society expects you to be flawless.

• You can't be pale
• You can't show your freckles.
• You can't have a muffin top.
• Your body cannot show how old you really are (in pics, you have to edit out every nook and cranny, so you can look like you're in your 20s). 
• You have to have the latest hairstyle.
• You have to have the best fashions.
• You have to have a tiny waist, big ass, thick thighs, and fill a C cup nicely. 
• You have to be tall.

When you don't fit any of those requirements, you either have to cough up the dough to a reputable surgeon, or invest money in decent photoshop software. Some women do both. Most rely on the magics of Snapchat, Insta-story filters, and Facebook filters. 
​
If you are in the public eye, you have more of a target on your back. Enter Khloe Kardashian. 

The pic was taken by her grandmother, and shared by an assistant to the family. Khloe had a meltdown.
"How dare someone share a pic that shows the true image of Khloe, without it being heavily edited and photoshopped first? The nerve!"
She looks perfectly fine. She isn't overly tanned and her stomach is flat. She has the body of a fit 36 year old woman, who had a baby 3 years ago. All of us mamas would love to look like unedited Khloe. 
Regardless of the praise she received for the unedited photo, she is still massively pissed and embarrassed that everyone now knows what she truly looks like.
​Her perfect image (in her head) has been tarnished, and now she is....well, human (who knew). 

​Every single photo that we've seen of Khloe in the last several years has been heavily altered. Add in some plastic surgery, and we have a false representation of Khloe Kardashian. She is deeply reliant on photoshop, because she is terrified of becoming who she used to be. She thinks that if she stays perfect, then she can escape the person she once was. Sadly, she is only running away from herself. Khloe has been running for years. She needs to stop running, stop using photoshop, stop using filters, and appreciate the natural beauty that she is (she really is one of the most beautiful women in the world. Based on how she looked season 1 of KUWTK, and how she looked in the recent unedited pic, she is the most beautiful Kar-Jenner sister). 

One of my exes would actually hack my account on a quarterly basis. A few times, he would send messages to people from my account, causing all kinds of drama (he actually ended one of my relationships doing this).I was also the victim of a ton of online bullying. People would DM me saying that I was fugly and that my kid is ugly. I had enough. 
I did make a new account because this website's FB page needed a host profile. I only added close friends and family on this new profile. I don't share anything personal at all. 

It is possible to avoid the online hate if you have to be online. Don't make personal stuff public, and never overshare your life. Never give people ammo that they can use against you. What ever you DO post, be prepared for any type of response. Honestly, the best response is no response/report user/block user. Don't lash out. If you have an online business, lashing out at a hater is one way you can ruin your own reputation, and your business's reputation. ​