Everything they say about Exercising is really true!
Dammit.
Jajaja! No, it's really true everything they say about it. Like, I never believed the whole after a workout you feel great, you'll find you have more energy. I always felt tired for the rest of the day after exercising, and then sore! I always thought it was a load of crap. But, once you get over the first initial weeks of being sore, or tired feeling, you actually find you have more energy. You will randomly find yourself dancing around the house, or jumping off the bus early because you think it would be fun to walk a little ways, or whatever you normally wouldn't find yourself doing, and thus actually burning more calories. And yes, feeling very accomplished and satisfied after completing a challenging day of a run, which boosts your self-esteem, which then makes you feel good, thus the dancing around, feeling more positive. And relieving pent up stress! And seeing results is really fun, too!
It's true, nothing changes for the first month, you might start to notice differences in the second month, but other people start noticing that you've been working out in the third month. One aspect of Paraguayan culture, that can be negative, is that they just love stating the obvious when it comes to physical appearances. There is no shame to say, "You know my friend, Janice, you know she's really fat and has bad skin, well, she....". Or even to your face, Paraguayans will say, "What's that? That's so ugly! Oh, it's a zit! Gross." Or, "My, you've put on some weight latley, haven't you?" It all sounds so mean and offensive to us, but really, they are just a country full of Captain Obviouses, and it's not that they are trying to be mean, it's just a cultural habit. And putting on weight is also related to happiness, so sometimes, you might not have gained a pound but a Senora might tell you you're chubbier, just becasue you've been acting happier, like you're starting to get used to living here, and you're getting along better. They don't mean it to be offensive. Just like your physical appearance, it just is what it is. But, the great thing about this habit is just about EVERY Paraguayan I know keeps telling me "Que flaca estas!" "How skinny you are now!" I mean, people I hardly talk to, and actually a few people I don't even know, but know me, by staring at me as I walk by their house, have stopped me on the street, and just been like, "Look at you! You are so skinny!" I am still not what I would define as "skinny" but it's awesome to hear with such frecuency that the workouts are well, working!
In comparison, only 2 of my American friends have mentioned that I am looking better lately. When you're losing weight, the Paraguayan custom rocks!! It's when you're gaining weight (as a lot of volunteers do when you switch to the fatty, oily, fried foods of this country) that its hard to hear!
I make sure to tell every Paraguayan I am only eating more fruits and vegetables and exercising. A lot of people want to believe in pills, special diets, girdles, and massages that make fat "disappear", but it's just not so.
I am doing well, but getting better at running is slow. Especially when I keep getting diahearrea about once a week, once every two weeks, that makes me sooo weak that it knocks me off schedule for a day or two, which is really frusturating. Sorry, to tell you all about my stomach issues, but sadly this is pretty common for volunteers, and well, we're all kind of known for not being shy for talking about such things, when you live in a country of worms, gardia, parasites and contaminated water, diaherrea and other intestinal problems just become a part of daily conversation. I hope to talk to the doctor about rehydration today. I feel like no matter how much water I drink I can't get rehydrated, and keep having pains, I believe I from being dehydrated (because I run in the am with nothing on my stomach, and it's not a stitch kind of pain, just a dull pain, my friend says it dehydration) And I wake up every morning thirsty. If you're thirsty, you're already a few ounces under what you should be. I should be drinking gatorade or something after a run, but at almost 6000 Guaranis a tiny bottle, that would be a 40000 a week habit! I am going to buy the powder in the States. If you have any adivice on this, holler! Because it's the one thing I think holding me back from advancing a little faster! I am still at maximum 35 minutes. This week my schedule calls for a 40 minute run, and I am scared I am not going to make it!!! We will see and I will let ya'll know!
Hablamos!
