I Didn't Realize

My coach has suddenly become very attuned to my eating habits. Or rather has recently started saying things to me about them. Before you judge...it's not what you think. She's concerned that I'm not eating enough. And she's concerned about my grades. I know to some people this may seem like common sense considering how often we are together... but that wasn't always the case for me. I didn't grow up in this gym. I grew up in one where you didn't eat during practice and the coaches didn't really care. So, needless to say, I was a little skeptical at first. Like why would she care? And is it genuine caring or just pretend?  Being me, I asked her. And she does actually care. As much as we have a love/hate relationship,  I couldn't imagine this year without her coaching me. Not only in the gym but in life. She has taught so much about myself. And I can't ever repay that. I honestly didn't realize that she actually cared until like last week and wasn't totally sure until today. She like gave me food. She never gives me food. I know she won't read this. Or probably won't. But either way, it feels really nice to have someone in my corner who pushes me harder than anyone else, in so many ways. I can do this. And I know that I have people to help me through. Thank you.

Take the time to notice the people around you and the support they want to give.

Stay Strong
xo Aria

Quest Bars

I'm sure that most of you have heard of Quest Bars. But if you haven't, they are a brand of protein bars that are "healthy" and not very calorie dense. And I will admit that some of the flavors taste okay. But what I find so interesting is that these bars are making a huge splash in the eating disorder recovery world. Everyone I know who is either in recovery or pretending to be or anything like that, has suddenly become infatuated with them. I mean if they were looking for a niche.... they found one. I had one with me at practice the other day and my coach (being the soon to be nutritionist that she is) wanted to look at it. As she read the ingredients she noted that one of them is a modified plant substance that humans cannot even break down. And after trying it, she wanted to kill me! Apparently it's more of an acquired taste than I thought. I guess my point is that there are so many better tasting bars like Nature Valley protein bars are delicious and good for you! I don't totally understand how I and my friends all fell into the same bar trap. We didn't even talk to each other about it. But I do think it could be a major problem.

Don't let "health" dictate everything.

Stay Strong
xo Aria

USY

Last night into this morning was Seaboard USY Formal and the overnight. There is something so special about this group of people. I cannot even put it into words. Just being in the same room as all these people that you love and that love you, makes all the stress melt away. I got to see people that I haven't seen since August! They are just as incredible as I remember. But most importantly, I got to spend over 12 hours with the most caring and loving people I know. Both staff and USYers. Dancing with them for three hours, talking for what seemed like whatever, watching a movie together. It was absolutely perfect. I do not know what I would do without some of these people and the events. I will admit that I am completely exhausted. Like haven't slept in 36 hours...exhausted. It's worth it. Mostly. Haha, I do like sleep. The night was fun as always but the thing I always find to be the most profound is Sunday Shacharit Live. Which is basically the morning service but with the fun USY tunes and guitars and stuff like that. People are singing and are really into it. Today, the Hebrew School kids were with us and seeing them try to follow and learning to wear Tefillin was so inspiring. They are the future of the conservative movement and USY. We all come together on a spiritual level and you can feel the energy in the room go up as it goes. As I am typing and trying to put this into words, I realize that I can't. There is no possible way to describe what USY is. USY is family, USY is fun, USY is having people care, USY is a place to get away, USY is USY. There is no place I would rather be after a week of practice and work and rehearsals than laying on the floor with my friends about things that non-USYers get confused by. I don't think I will ever be able to truly put how I feel into words. But I do know that without USY I would not be the person I am today. My sister is now joining Kadima, the middle school version, and I am so so happy for her. The future of USY is bright. And it always will be. There is nothing like it. There just isn't.

Find a group that makes you feel at home. The journey is so worth it.

Stay Strong
xo Aria