False Reality
Written December 4th, 2007.
It's been a while since I have sat down to write what's on my mind. Maybe I have just been too busy in my knowing infatuation, or maybe it's that I am so scared of knowing truth. Of knowing reality. These words flow from the pointed top of my freshly sharpened pencil quite freely, though at the same time, I feel quite hesitant to allow these palms to carry truth accross the smooth surface of these dusty sheets I have abandoned. I've lost the feeling of knowing reality can lie upon these pages, bound together, only for myself to see. I've forgotten. And now I begin my journey in searching for that same refuge I once knew. Perhaps this pencil, carrying a world of possibility, and dreams can replace this void within me.
I remember, at one point in my life- seeming to be quite distant- I had turned a shaking hand to a series of pages consisting of a cursive hand, bearing my true self. Though now i have filled my world with lies and false reality much so that I cannot even remember when, and why I had laid down my pencil, and exchanged it for a fictional life. Although surely my reasoning could not have been worth this dreaded darkness I had walked myself into, within all contiousness. I lost track of the light guiding me through that journey- giving in to small temptations at each arm posessing oppertunity. A bleek sadness could have crossed my face though I would not have noticed, for I had become blind. A sort of blind that brought me to see a life of fiction, and worry, trouble, and tears. A blindness that you would read about in books. Though, of course it should be- For that is what became my refuge I came to need and "thrive" upon. A fictional story that I, alone, could create within my own desires, and mind, and mix within the reality that bore me, until there became no difference.
I traded in pieces of me, for pieces of that character I had felt compelled in creating. That girl who lie upon a sheet of parchment within the bounds of a book. A book I could lose myself easily to, and fall into a state of absense from this world. It was not the girl who shall stare back at me each time I dare to look upon my reflection. THAT girl was trapped. Trapped inside of that book that had once been my life. The book that I traded in, to become a fictional. I guess nothing had been good enough for me, for greed and selfishness washed over me like a sea of water, and I began to need more. More of the darkness that became my new truth.
Many oppertunities to burn these pages filled of fictional truth came to me, though I resisted the offer of light. Such an offer should have been immediately accepted by my open arms, though somehow my darkness overcame my own light. The two would clash, as they shared no similiarity, though I guess I had become head over heels with this world I created- It became my infatuation. It was a book of my very own. A staged performance. And not only was I every single actor, but also the chorus, and director, the producer, the choreographer- And the world around me, the world of reality, well, they were my audience.
Nothing else mattered, did it?
Every story has an ending. I believe that in fiction, and I believe that in truth. And this is the only truth that has made its own way through the darkened path which i have chosen to travel by. I hold onto it quite tightly, hoping that it will help me find the world of reality I had once known. For that will be my ending. My happy ending. Until that day comes, let this ending remain unwritten.
Alycia Dort
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
58lbs!!!
Hey guys!
For a while now, I have been working VERY hard to reach a very important goal of mine: Weightloss.
Health and fitness is something that hits home with me, because I've spent next to my entire life being chubby, and then overweight, and then morbidly obese. I cannot remember a time that I have been physically fit, or even happy with my body, and last August (2009), I decided I'd had enough of it.
As cliche as this may sound, I had been watching The Biggest Loser tv series online, and Tara Costa (Season 7) had opened up in one of her many video diaries. I totally understood where she was coming from, and by the end of her speal, I had tears rolling down my face!! :P
That's what drove me to get my butt to a gym, heehee!
I joined one of my local gyms, Nubody's, which is now owned by Good Life Fitness centers, with locations all across Canada. (I think they're planning to place some GoodLife clubs in the United States, too!!)
I was given a personal trainer, Josh, and 8 months later (today), I have lost a total of 58LBS!!! I am soooo happy, and super proud of myself!!
I am still categorized as being "Overweight" according to BMI charts, however I am as fit as I have ever been. I am running a 10k in May, and then a 15k in October, and a half Marathon next February!
I was inspired to write another blog today, because I wanted to reach out to everyone- Not only those who are "overweight" or "obese" but every single person out there who isn't happy with their lives. Change is gradual, but gradual change has staying power!
At the end of the day, nobody can save you but yourself. It is the first step that's the hardest, but once you're over that bump, it's a long, rewarding experience ahead of you, I promise!!
Let yourself be happy!
What have you done today to make yourself proud?
205lbs
190lbs
185lbs
160lbs
155lbs
150lbs
147lbs!
Always smile!
And remember... You CAN do it!
-Alycia :) xoxox
For a while now, I have been working VERY hard to reach a very important goal of mine: Weightloss.
Health and fitness is something that hits home with me, because I've spent next to my entire life being chubby, and then overweight, and then morbidly obese. I cannot remember a time that I have been physically fit, or even happy with my body, and last August (2009), I decided I'd had enough of it.
As cliche as this may sound, I had been watching The Biggest Loser tv series online, and Tara Costa (Season 7) had opened up in one of her many video diaries. I totally understood where she was coming from, and by the end of her speal, I had tears rolling down my face!! :P
That's what drove me to get my butt to a gym, heehee!
I joined one of my local gyms, Nubody's, which is now owned by Good Life Fitness centers, with locations all across Canada. (I think they're planning to place some GoodLife clubs in the United States, too!!)
I was given a personal trainer, Josh, and 8 months later (today), I have lost a total of 58LBS!!! I am soooo happy, and super proud of myself!!
I am still categorized as being "Overweight" according to BMI charts, however I am as fit as I have ever been. I am running a 10k in May, and then a 15k in October, and a half Marathon next February!
I was inspired to write another blog today, because I wanted to reach out to everyone- Not only those who are "overweight" or "obese" but every single person out there who isn't happy with their lives. Change is gradual, but gradual change has staying power!
At the end of the day, nobody can save you but yourself. It is the first step that's the hardest, but once you're over that bump, it's a long, rewarding experience ahead of you, I promise!!
Let yourself be happy!
What have you done today to make yourself proud?
205lbs
185lbs
160lbs
155lbs
150lbs
147lbs!
Always smile!
And remember... You CAN do it!
-Alycia :) xoxox
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Best Food Forward
Article by Alycia Dort
September 17th, 2009
Today’s children are “physically illiterate” says Professor Joe MacDonald from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. According to the CIHI (Canadian Institutes of Health Information), four out of five Canadians are not active enough for positive growth and development. Youth in Canada should aim for 90 minutes of physical activity per day, however the average Canadian child spends more than double that time sitting in front of a television or computer, instead. This level of inactivity, however, is only partly to blame. Over 26 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 2 and 17 are overweight, and more than 18 per cent of these are considered clinically obese.
So what is it that is contributing to this obesity epidemic so significantly? “Two things; convenience and ignorance,” says 20 year old Nikki T from Alberta, Saskatchewan. “Most people are unaware of what is considered one portion size. They order a Big Mac meal, not thinking of just how many portions they are actually eating…”
(…continued on pg 2…)
(…Continued)
Even worse, the foods we tend to over-consume are full of saturated fats, preservatives, salts and sugars that our bodies cannot properly digest. And yet it remains far more convenient for us to bring home McDonald’s, or a few frozen dinners. But is this a matter of finances, or convenience alone?
Children who come from low income families are 50 per cent more likely to develop obesity than those who come from high income families. But this doesn’t come as a surprise to high school student, Nadia Richard. “Consider the foods that are being donated to hundreds of these families from food banks. Aside from the odd carton of milk and eggs, the majority of these foods are pre-packaged, bottled, canned, boxed, and processed. Our bodies were not designed to break down these foods, so the fats and sugars are stored as opposed to being burned. It’s the perfect recipe for obesity!”
It’s not only a lowered self-confidence and lack of mobility that our obese population is facing, however. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease and Type 11 diabetes, are looming over this epidemic. Children as young as twelve, who are suffering from obesity, are already showing signs of pre-diabetes, as well as high cholesterol and blood pressure, according to Health Canada.
"Parents need to realize that this is not just a temporary problem; This is an epidemic" says 17 year old Leslie Britt from Fredericton, New Brunswick. "In order to help save these children from a lifetime of pain, these parents must realize that it is them who need to step in. Fitness is not one choice to make, it's a lifestyle. These children need a lifestyle change."
Alycia Dort
Alycia Dort is a freelance writer in Moncton, New Brunswick.
September 17th, 2009
Today’s children are “physically illiterate” says Professor Joe MacDonald from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. According to the CIHI (Canadian Institutes of Health Information), four out of five Canadians are not active enough for positive growth and development. Youth in Canada should aim for 90 minutes of physical activity per day, however the average Canadian child spends more than double that time sitting in front of a television or computer, instead. This level of inactivity, however, is only partly to blame. Over 26 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 2 and 17 are overweight, and more than 18 per cent of these are considered clinically obese.
So what is it that is contributing to this obesity epidemic so significantly? “Two things; convenience and ignorance,” says 20 year old Nikki T from Alberta, Saskatchewan. “Most people are unaware of what is considered one portion size. They order a Big Mac meal, not thinking of just how many portions they are actually eating…”
(…continued on pg 2…)
(…Continued)
Even worse, the foods we tend to over-consume are full of saturated fats, preservatives, salts and sugars that our bodies cannot properly digest. And yet it remains far more convenient for us to bring home McDonald’s, or a few frozen dinners. But is this a matter of finances, or convenience alone?
Children who come from low income families are 50 per cent more likely to develop obesity than those who come from high income families. But this doesn’t come as a surprise to high school student, Nadia Richard. “Consider the foods that are being donated to hundreds of these families from food banks. Aside from the odd carton of milk and eggs, the majority of these foods are pre-packaged, bottled, canned, boxed, and processed. Our bodies were not designed to break down these foods, so the fats and sugars are stored as opposed to being burned. It’s the perfect recipe for obesity!”
It’s not only a lowered self-confidence and lack of mobility that our obese population is facing, however. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease and Type 11 diabetes, are looming over this epidemic. Children as young as twelve, who are suffering from obesity, are already showing signs of pre-diabetes, as well as high cholesterol and blood pressure, according to Health Canada.
"Parents need to realize that this is not just a temporary problem; This is an epidemic" says 17 year old Leslie Britt from Fredericton, New Brunswick. "In order to help save these children from a lifetime of pain, these parents must realize that it is them who need to step in. Fitness is not one choice to make, it's a lifestyle. These children need a lifestyle change."
Alycia Dort
Alycia Dort is a freelance writer in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Consumer Crazy?
I have to admit, I'm a tad on the consumer side. Pretty colors, and intricate designs make for a more interested me. And let's all admit it; We're all a little crazy when it comes to appearance. If it looks pretty these days, we're more apt to buy it. Why?
Because it's different. That pink zebra print straightener appeals more to us than that solid black one, because it's unique. And it's super cute!
But have we gone consumer crazy?
A large portion of our population today will dump that 1st Generation iPod for the 4th, when in reality, they basically work the same. I understand the features are more advanced in each new generation, however who needs 2000 songs on their iPod? Do we really listen to our iPods enough to have them playing for 667 hours straight?
But it's not just iPods we splurge on. Cosmetics, Food, Clothing, and so much more are coming out with new items to appeal to our consumerism. I can go to Smart Set and find a pretty blue blouse for 29$, and find virtually the same blouse at a designer store for up to 200$. The sad thing about it, is that if we can afford it, we're more likely to purchase the latter.
On the other side of the spectrum, we have a consumer food epidemic that needs to be addressed.
I'm sure we are all aware of what healthy eating entails. Of course it's alright to eat out once in a while, but many people, who we will call "Diet Obsessed", seem to look past the obvious. And low and behold, we have the Take Out. The fast, easy meal that's cheap, and tastes great.
And now, since about 26% of our population is obese, Take Out restaurants are trying their hardest to appeal to the diet crazed consumer. Almost all of them have taken the time to carefully choose many different food/meal options for their Smart Choice menues. And they're all extremely healthy for you, right? Wrong.
Of course, you all knew that, though. So why are we still eating there? If we could just take the time to realize how unhealthy these food items are for us, would this be such a widespread problem?
Just something to think about.
Because it's different. That pink zebra print straightener appeals more to us than that solid black one, because it's unique. And it's super cute!
But have we gone consumer crazy?
A large portion of our population today will dump that 1st Generation iPod for the 4th, when in reality, they basically work the same. I understand the features are more advanced in each new generation, however who needs 2000 songs on their iPod? Do we really listen to our iPods enough to have them playing for 667 hours straight?
But it's not just iPods we splurge on. Cosmetics, Food, Clothing, and so much more are coming out with new items to appeal to our consumerism. I can go to Smart Set and find a pretty blue blouse for 29$, and find virtually the same blouse at a designer store for up to 200$. The sad thing about it, is that if we can afford it, we're more likely to purchase the latter.
On the other side of the spectrum, we have a consumer food epidemic that needs to be addressed.
I'm sure we are all aware of what healthy eating entails. Of course it's alright to eat out once in a while, but many people, who we will call "Diet Obsessed", seem to look past the obvious. And low and behold, we have the Take Out. The fast, easy meal that's cheap, and tastes great.
And now, since about 26% of our population is obese, Take Out restaurants are trying their hardest to appeal to the diet crazed consumer. Almost all of them have taken the time to carefully choose many different food/meal options for their Smart Choice menues. And they're all extremely healthy for you, right? Wrong.
Of course, you all knew that, though. So why are we still eating there? If we could just take the time to realize how unhealthy these food items are for us, would this be such a widespread problem?
Just something to think about.
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