How the Obamas influenced my Life!

After 6 short months in office, President Obama and First Lady Michelle have made a big difference in my life that is actually as profound as anyone could have ever made; they have inspired me to take better care of myself and my health.

For you see, in the eight long years prior to January 20th, I'll be honest to say that I went from good health to not so good health, and thinking about it just now, it is quite shocking. Certainly aging has had something to do with it, but it was way more than just that. George Bush being selected by the Supreme Court to become President did something to my mental state that in a long run really did harm me personally from the age of 42 till I turned 50. That was a mighty big chunk of my life, and unfortunately for me, time that I can't ever get back.

As we all know, stress is not good for one's health, and my knowing that our SCOTUS could decide the outcome of a Presidential election was very disturbing to my sanity. Learning that the corporate media leans totally to the Right, no matter how hard they try not to be obvious about it was also very unsettling. I had already been pissed about the whole Clinton impeachment thingie, but pissed was more of a choice than a mandate. Being stressed and afraid, which is what I was after the SCOTUS Bush v. Gore ruling; now that was pretty much unavoidable for someone like me.

That's how I became an activist, on-line more than anything initially, although I did participate in a March against Pres. Bush in SF shortly after he was selected and installed into my White House. There were only about 300 of us or so, and I can now imagine how the teabaggers must feel; alone and unwanted (good!)

So I must reveal, in looking back, that on-line activism was not the healthiest thing I have ever chosen to do. Not only did I sit on my ass in front of a computer for hours at a time, and smoked while doing it, but when not in front of a computer, I was in my bed tossing and turning because I couldn't sleep. I would then turn on the television, or read an article I had printed out, get totally angered by the right leaning Corporate media (CNN, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, FOX, NBC, and many newspapers)...enough so, that I would feel compeled to get back to my computer to write blistering letters to those media tools at....say, 4 o'clock in the morning (not good).

I am self employed, and work in my home office, so it was easy for me to get away with doing this 24/7 political Internet activism. Yes, I was one of the many who took time out of my day to post comments to articles I didn't like on-line at the site of such.

Of course, since I was too busy Saving the World to cook oftentimes, I'd end up eating some fast food shit that was totally unhealthy.

So yes, I will admit that for those 8 long ass years, I really didn't take care of myself the way that would have been good for me. Sure, there were times when I tried to counter this, and would start excercise programs, cook more often, watch a lot of HG television and do home decorating projects, get involved in church charities, and just try to shut out the political craziness happening around me by concentrating on my family. Also true that during the run up to election 2004, I did do political canvassing (which got me out of the house and walking around a bit)But always after a very short while, Saving the World via the Internet came back to the fore of what my passion really was dictating that I should do.

Fast forward to about 4 months ago, and since this President has been in the White House. Since I know feel that my country is in much. much better hands (not perfect hands mind you), thus far, I have accomplished the following in renewing my intent to become a healthier person.

Volunteerism: The Obama has compeled me to get off of my ass and away from the computer and to "do something" that makes a difference in the lives of ordinary Americans. I now work, as a volunteer, 3 days a week, 4 hours a day at a pre-school Center which cares for predominantly minority children (mostly African-American and Asians). I am teaching pre-schoolers French, and doing a lot of decorating projects at the center that is making the place look like a wonderful place folks would want to take their kids.

Gardening: I recently located a perfect location at my house to grow my own veggies, as well as at the Pre-school (we are just in the planning stages there, as there were a lot of other things that came before and not a lot of money). Michelle Obama inspired this in me, and for that, I am grateful.
Gardening is the perfect way to let off steam, to be encouraged to cook, to eat healthier, and to save money doing it.

Excercising: I now have arms that could rival Michelle's arms (well, ok....almost). I have to admit that after 4 months of consistently excercising 5-6 days a week, and not sitting in front of the computer as a bad habit, I have lost 15 pounds, and have toned up tremendously. This of course has made me healthier, and to be honest, it makes me feel better-looking and sexier.....which in turn has bettered my relations with my hubby, not to mention what this has done to my health and my wardrobe! BTW, hubby is to be given a star for putting up with me during those long ass 8 years. He was the trooper in all of this. I didn't see it then, as much as I see it now.

Nearly Stopped Smoking: I say nearly, because I have gone down from a nearly 1 pack of day cigarette habit (and more when I was really stressing) to about 6 cigarettes a day on the high end. For me, this is major, as I have smoked ever since I picked up the habit when I was 15 years old. I guess I haven't stopped altogether, because the POTUS hasn't stopped altogether (yeah...let me blame him...LOL!) I figured, since I was excercising, and revising my eating habits, that this would be a great time to stop....but I haven't stopped totally yet. Keep in mind, I have done this without any drugs, classes, hypnotism or gum!

Dealing posively with my stress: By walking away from my computer for days at a time has worked wonders on my spyche. I no longer feel as vested in attempts to influence others in believing that life has changed, and we are now in safe hands. They will find this out on their own as time goes by, and if they don't, then it is their problem that they will be politically miserable forever (far as I'm concerned). Also, I watch less television (cause I'm out in the real world much more), and do more office work than I frankly used to.

In addition, because of my healthier lifestyle, I have more energy, and therefore have become much more productive in every facet of my life. I sleep more soundly and have a more positive attitude throughout the day, but more than that, I accomplish a whole lot more than I ever did in those 8 long ass Bush years.

So it is thoroughly satisfying for me to say that the Obama's have helped me "Change" in meaningful ways.....and please know, that this is part of the "Change I can Believe in" that I worked for and voted for in the last election. So this election wasn't just about a change in policies....it was about experiencing enough peace of mind to make major changes in my life that would matter to me. In looking at this now, these changes have impacted my life in a way that may be more important and potent than policy changes ever might.

PS: Please note that this OP serves as my testimonial as to the power of the Presidency, and whether or not it might be seen as odd, the truth is that the Obamas inspired me in their own way, and so in fact, I must give them a lot of credit, because I believe that they deserve it.

But at the end of the day, anything that causes us to make personal changes for the better is a good thing. Whether it be the first black president, religion, watching someone we know experience something unfortunate etc.

When it comes to politics, I think that too many people have too much emotional investment in it. I see some of the comments on DU and they sound like something the street preachers in rags holding up cardboard signs about the impending apocalypse would say. Just f*cking RAVING. Politics and policy are important (believe me, I know!) but they are not worth your mental or physical health.

I don't love Obama (if I loved either of the Obamas, it would be Michelle) and I don't hate Dick Cheney. I think I can say that I am very proud of Obama and happy with some things he's done so far, and not happy about others. I think I can also say I can't stand Dick Cheney and am thoroughly unhappy with far too many policies he helped create and implement.

And even though I've sent e-mails and gotten involved in both administrations in the only ways allowed to us mere citizens, including using our most powerful voice -- VOTING, I don't have very much emotional investment in either of them. Personally, I think it's healthier that way.

I work at home too and yeah, that can pack on some pounds. I'm remembering my once great arms and abs that I've taken for granted. Thanks to your tips, I'm going to start a regime.
I Like this trickle down effect. Thanks!

but the last time was over 20 years ago.

If you can cut down to 6, you can cut down to none gradually. I did it exactly this way, and spent a couple months just having one cigarette a day. What it did is that the level of nicotine in my system was so reduced that when I did finally quit I had no cravings at all. Within two weeks I forgot I was a smoker, ever.

I kept an unopened pack in a drawer in case I changed my mind. I threw it away about a year later.

If Obama can get you to quit smoking, he is a very powerful president indeed!