Wednesday 10 June 2009

The Attack On Mac Fat

Oh, Internet. What have you done?

Not only have you unleashed millions of people onto the world with all their talent, lack of talent and quirks, but you have launched successful companies and challenged others to almost breaking point.

You are reshaping the world as we know it, and for something so remarkable you belong almost entirely in cords and frustrating devices.

I own many of these devices, and I am only just working off the damage they have caused me... or, to be more precise, the damage I have caused myself by not engaging with them appropriately.

I quit ballet, to pursue theatre, and then discovered the Internet, and then discovered 19 year old narcissism and all it's passion and fury, and then discovered "bird neck" (peering into the screen as if I was trying to fall through), and the "Mac Fat Slouch" (where one deflates as hate-comments suck your self-respect out of your body) and other such things as "WTF Eye Syndrome" (where one forgets to turn on the lights as it gets dark because they are too busy peering incredulously at someone's or ones own obnoxious tweets/videos/blogs/photos/tumblr posts etc) and "Unhappy Heart Arm" (in which one experiences terrible pain that makes them feel that they are having a heart attack, when it is really just the Text Message inducing repetitive-stress injury...thing. Ahem.)

Before I Continue: I am not trying to offend anyone with my own goals and dislike of these devices, some people are gorgeous and use the Internet more than me. It is all up to the user, this just happens to be my personal problem. But maybe you share a similar issue? Let me know.

I am now trying to train myself to sit upright, to rescue the skin from "Bird Neck".

I try to rest my eyes or exercise them as much as possible, and try to spend plenty of time away from the computer.

And the Ears! I almost forgot the "iPod Ears", from listening to music too loud, constantly, to avoid truly facing the real world/people/life at that moment in time. I no longer listen to my iPod. A fairly easy habit to break out of. Since then I see more, I bite my lip more out of awkwardness, and I can greet the people who say, "How you doing, sexy?" It is refreshing and I feel less alone.

I have developed an odd habit of listening to my music alphabetically every morning in the bathroom. I started at 'J', I am now on to 'L' and I am happy.

And then there is Mac Fat, my main issue, from almost 3 years of deflation. I no longer spend every day in a studio "pulling up" and spend most of it sitting down, which I detest, but it is necessary for the time being. So, for the last four weeks I have been working out with a trainer.

I decided I needed a trainer when I went to the gym and started pedaling and realized that I didn't know what the fuck I was doing.

So I got a trainer, and thought I was working out for an hour a week, and I thanked my trainer for always letting me off 15 minutes early, even though it was my money I was wasting (I am rather weak). However, the training sessions are actually supposed to last for half an hour and he's been working with me for 15 minutes extra. Half an hour. A week. That does almost exactly nothing for my Mac Fat.

So, on my way to Whole Foods with Brooke to get the required "brown rice and grilled chicken" (though I fried mine out of habit - argh) I realized that I had to create a new habit.

They say (They being Old Guys) that the minimum amount of time that you need to exercise for to stay healthy is 30 minutes... and my training session is for 30 minutes at 7:30pm.

So if I get into the habit of changing for training on my own every evening (when events like movies and dinners are not getting in the way, as they rightly should) and begin at 7:30pm every evening, I will start to see some improvement.

After a week or two of this, I will most likely be comfortable with going to the Yoga classes at the gym and also going to Dance classes somewhere appropriate for an ex-ballet student who hasn't worked at the 'barre' for 3 years with Mac Fat and then... and then... well, oh gee whiz golly, I'm sure I'll be healthier, leaner and happier with my appearance and therefore all I have to work on is the deflated self-confidence on the inside.

It is a long journey, but as I've said before, and I'll say again, I'm a Thursday's Child and I have far to go.

Love The Stereotypical Work Out Then Go To Whole Foods Girl and The Blind Love for Lean.

21 comments:

Brent said...

I bet you hear "How you doing, sexy?" a lot? But seriously, the technological advances you have made for yourself in the past 3 years, is absolutely astonishing!

Gone are the days of the big, old, clunky Windows PC desktop stuck in a stationary corner of your Grandparent's living room and the older-type of digital camera that took 20-second video increments and hummed noisily like a helicopter hanging outside your bedroom window! I'm glad you have found Mac technology work for you (despite the stiffer price tag), but it fits with you very, very well.

I am equally impressed that you decided to use a gym trainer to coerce you in the right direction. It's like hiring a spotter, a gym-rat, work-out buddy, cheerleader and a constant nag rolled all into one!

Thank you, Caitlin, for allowing us a little glimpse of what is going on with you, right this moment.

Unknown said...

Caitlin, Youre accomplishments , you will find one day, are amazing. You are just at the beginning of such an amazing journey. Whether you acknowledge it or not, you are beautiful in so many ways.

The things you have done are impressive and its awesome to read about your life. I wish you would write more. Its ok though, youre a busy girl, Ill wait for the book to come out.

Anonymous said...

It's very interesting how technology has changed our perception in LESS THAN ONE generation.

Dating is different
Shopping is different
Sources of authority are different

I think that some of the changes are good, but am concerned of the subtle changes this is all having on our psyche and our population.

JoMiMo555 said...

Heh, a personal trainer is exactly what I need. Over the past couple weeks I've been trying to reinvent myself, doing jogging, pull ups, push ups, sit ups, and whatever else ups. However, I'm already starting to slack off :(

Anyway, yeah technology has come a long way in a very short time, and will go a lot farther in even shorter methinks. It's good that there are some people out there still trying to be aware of their health

After all, when these machines become self aware and start killing us off, it's the people afflicted with Mac Fat that will be the first to go!

Anonymous said...

Haha. I'm the type of person who listens to her music on her iPod waaaay too loud. xD

EarleWidrich said...

I know what you mean about sitting in front of the computer too much. Most of my day consists of that, like most of us. So I find that when I come home, I very often don't even turn on my computer at all. I'll just do something else for the evening.

And I guess part of all that is trying to get enough sleep. I'm pretty strict about keeping a consistent bedtime during the week or I'd be pretty useless at my job. Working out regularly can definitely help with a good sleeping pattern.

I know that you've talked a lot about your level of self-confidence in the past. Everyone has their own reasons that are both unique and private to them with regards to self-esteem. And perhaps a by-product of that would be a certain degree of modesty. A characteristic that you definitely possess, (which is a very attractive trait, by the way). Especially since most people in your situation would be anything but humble.

But I have to say that it always makes me shake my head whenever you talk about the hate-comments you get. I've read some of them too, and they're pretty disgusting. But I can promise you one thing. Those comments are all coming from a place of envy and jealousy. So please, don't let them get to you.

Keep up the workouts and make sure to get some sleep!

-Earle : )

Chris in the Studio said...

I'm sorry, what was that? Oh right, more self degradation from one of the most popular girls on the planet.
Put a sock in it sexy!
(oh by the way I'm putting a sock in a much more innapropriate comment based on recent developments. Gobble Gobble, said the turkey.) :)

funkwurm said...

You've accomplished so many things I wish I had accomplished, and you still worry about the things you haven't accomplished, just like me.

It makes me feel good that I'm not alone in worrying about that and it makes me realise that I have accomplished things in life that I take for granted. I hope it can make you feel better to realise all the things you HAVE accomplished :)

As far as the Mac Fat, food and exercise thing. See if you really like the taste of "bad" food, I found I don't really. I start my day with a sandwich with cheese and cucumber or tomato, whichever is in the house. I eat vegetarian a lot, not always, but I feel notably better ever since and I've discovered how good it can taste.

I know there's a Cosi in Manhattan, I wish they were here as well. If you haven't already, try and go there once.

Unknown said...

What you should do, to avoid all of those physical and psychological issues when using the Internet, is a) try to do two things at once, e.g. working on the internet whilst a movie is playing in the background on your TV, and 2) Not use a normal chair, use a bean bag, or sofa bed or whatever else where you can lean back and feel really relaxed

Unknown said...

Random Story time: I remember in the 5th grade our class song was "the future is now on the world wide web" and I didn't have the slightest idea what the hell that was. I literally thought we were singing about a giant spider web around planet Earth.

but now look, I am posting on a blog of someones' I discovered on the "web." funny hu?


When exercising the most important thing to do is stay consistent, work hard, and eat right. You will make your goals.

I recently started working out again, I know it will be worth it in the long run. So they say 30 min? Depends how hard you work, I wish I could see what they are making you do, I know some stuff that would really help tone!!!! Ok enough with that.

It's been about 3 years since I've been active in my sport and I miss it, I am also going to try to get back into it as soon as I can as you are with ballet!

The internet has consumed thousands of hours of my life, wish I could take some of it back but hey, that's life. I am really busy right now so I probably spend 2 hours a day on the internet. When at college probably 5 hours haha.

Once upon a time there was someone on youtube who made me love the internet.... and I still love it.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I'm in the exact same lack-of-dance predicament as you are. And.. I know where you should take classes! Try the Peridance Center.. currently on 19th and Broadway (890 Broadway) but they're opening a new studio soon closer to 13th street? Ballet of all levels, very friendly and open.

Anonymous said...

I think you look great =) You have a lot going for you. You're smart, attractive, can i say hhhrph sexy? ;) =D Well, anyways, thats my opinion. and Im not trying to patronize you.

Bah, I used to go raving and dancing all night but dont anymore. I used to do it as it made me forget about problems when I danced. Those days are over though.

I have the same 'all out' personality and used to stay on the internerd all night. So I cancelled it, it was so bad. I even cancelled my cellphone because I thought it was a distraction. Ive been on this killer project for 6 months havent been able to do anything towards my personal life and have gotten very little sleep. Soon I hope to save some money any finally take some time off to do things I need to do in my life.

Hope you are happy with the things you find yourself doing in your life too. All the best.

Unknown said...

Wrist sock FTW! (Er, with regards to RSI wrists.)

I used to get this all the damn time back when I played Unreal Tournament far more than was really healthy.

I recommend this puppy: Extensor 1 (not 2) Wrist Support. It has a leatherish bit underneath and it keeps your wrist from moving while holding it comfortably.

Carol said...

it's been a month, you should drop by.

Ουφφφφφ ! said...

Technology alone sucks.
It requires responsible people to use it correctly.

And, actually, I don't think that iPods have anything to do with technology. They seem to be more related to the "we need a way to take your money for nothing" business strategy.

My advice:
NO yoga classes !
Stay away from that.
That's not gymnastics. That's human reprogramming for the worse.
And get married.

You look great in this black outfit !

ADB said...

It's good to see that you are moving in a new direction, and making some positive changes along the way.

I spend alot (currently most) of my time infront of the computer at home and at work. At work it a necessity, but at home it's partly thanks to the internet and my other big passion, programming. For me, programming for retro computers (e.g. the Amiga) has been a great experience, it has taught me alot and allowed me to get closer to the hardware. I aim to understand how the electronics (hardware) side of things work and once I get my own place (pfft... house prices in most of the UK are ridiculous) I will work on my fitness more, aswell as buying more retro computers!

Most importantly though, life is about having fun and enjoying it. If you can help others along the way, it's a bonus :)

Wishing you all the best, and have a great summer.

&eB
(kinglonewolf104 on YouTube)

Ουφφφφφ ! said...

Technology & modern civilization:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fCsWml5ZkY&feature=player_embedded

Bilby P. Dalgyte said...

After spending the past 3 and a half days in the middle of nowhere in a place 10 minutes drive from the town that takes two minutes to drive from end to the other in and seeing nothing but beautiful nature (such as trees, rocks, the magic thing known as lichen and tons of kangaroos and emus) I have returned to my precious computer and internet and haven't really gotten off in the past 4 hours...

I may have WTF Eye Syndrome (WTFES? WTFES! That sounds cool) in a few hours when the sun goes down.

I spent a few days in nature to relax away from technology and now I have twitter... I don't know how that works. I think computers are trying to take over the world.

Yay for personal trainers! Have fun with your fitness training :)

Have a nice day

Anonymous said...

hello... hapi blogging... have a nice day! just visiting here....

re said...

So... this might be a little odd but I've been following you on youtube pretty much since LG15 (I know-!!) and I just realized you have a blogspot, which is exciting for me, sadly. Anyway, I thought it was funny that you mentioned the stereotypical fit-girls-going-to-whole-foods-post-workout because I recently discovered that I actually fit that cliche too. Oh well. And I hope you did end up going to yoga because it's awesome- stereotype or not.

Anonymous said...

That last video was hilarious.

I think all girls should cry while they are doing their workouts! Its so hot and funny at the same time!

Totals