Confessions of a Nailbiter
I’ve been trying very hard, for the past few days, to not bite my nails. This is a habit I’ve had since I was a little kid, and it’s a terrible one. I’ve always thought that long nails, or just having the fingers not be these grotesque little nubs, was a nice thing. A sign of positive hygiene. Despite that opinion, I’ve been cheerfully chomping away at my nails to the point of disgust. I’m not sure I have the willpower to keep going, and I catch myself doing it subconsciously at times. I’m trying to figure out if it’s a reaction to something; I know I do it when I start thinking about scenarios, maybe it’s a worry thing? I do tend to worry a lot, and get to daydreaming on different things. I’ll leave my bet on that one.
This is more or less a health post. I read a rather fact-of-the-matter article the other day explaining some basics on weight gain and loss. Basically, 3,500 calories equals a pound. Every day, a human burns a certain amount of calories (known as your BMR) based on your weight. Personally, I burn 2,344 calories every day simply by being awake and doing nothing. If I take in less calories that a short number ahead of that every day, then I will lose a pound. If I consume a significant amount more, I will put on weight. That is the very basic idea of how this shit works. You take in more than you take out, you’re left keeping the extra.
So let me take that idea and apply it to my every day life. As you know, I haven’t had soda since the beginning of the year. Take the idea of even a lone Dr. Pepper every day. Now take the idea of chugging down 3-6 of them, if you’re Austin. You may think cutting it out of my every day diet hasn’t helped, and maybe I am gaining it in other areas, but imagine how much worse off that would be. This isn’t including the empty calories, the carbs, the sugars, and the effect on your teeth that soda has. And drinking Iced Tea with Lemonade and sugar is a lousy stand-in!
In the end, exercise is the real key here. It’s much harder to commit to a change in ones eating pattern, and less fun, than committing to a day or three of exercise out of the week. Ironically, I’ve had an easier time abstaining from soda than I have exercising, but that’s an aside. One should be able to eat and drink what they like, exercise, and still feel good about themselves. Honestly, when you look at yourself in the mirror, is it really that you want to look thin or do you just want to feel good about yourself? I may not be seeing immediate results from doing what I do, but I still have a small boost of confidence each time I get done.
And that’s something you can’t turn into a Jelly Belly.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I have several horrible habits, although nail biting is not one of them. My nails grow really fast so I have to clip them like twice a week D:
When I’m nervous, I tend to tear off little bits of my skin. Isn’t that insane? I’m such a masochist. I don’t even realize that I’m doing it though, and I’ve even woken up with blood under my nails, so I do it in my sleep. My arms are covered in these little scars. Apparently it’s a pretty common habit for people coming from bad childhoods though.
Another one of my weird habits is my oral fixation. I have this complete need to have something in my mouth at all times. I used to be a nail biter, but now I’m more of a thumb sucker. I’ve recently started chewing my lip, too. It’s cool at work because I’m free to eat as many pickles as I can, but sometimes I like pickle juice since the vinegar makes my mouth tingle for a while, and that is so satisfying. Also I like these sugar free hard candies. Also I smell things before I put them in my mouth. Nail biting is an oral fixation, isn’t it? Oh, I got this bitter spray to keep pup pup from chewing, and of course my curiosity bested me and I had to taste it, and wow. WOW. Spray some of that on your nails. I think pup pup likes the taste though, stupid dog.
I’ve probably got a thousand other terrible habits, but I can hide those pretty well and most of them are just completely gross.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:56 pm
If the chewed up pencils and pens are any indication, yeah, I have an oral fixation.
I was considering green apple spray for a bit, but I am afraid of it rubbing off or whatever.
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Whoa, pens and pencils? I’d probably try to stab someones eye out if they put my pen in their mouth, I’m so protective of them.
Oh! How about nail polish remover? That has a bitter taste added into it, you can rub it on your nails and then prepare to be scarred for life when your finger next enters your mouth.
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Yeah, I am a chewer.
I dunno, I am against putting weird chemical on myself. Especially given that my fingertips may bleed around the cuticles. Yeah…
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Kristel used to chew her nails just as naturally as breathing. She didn’t even realize she did it most of the time, like you. She just got disgusted by it, like you, and decided to stop. Of course, every once in a while she complains that she ruined on nail or two, but she’s on quite a roll with it.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Speaking of kicking habits, I’m sure you’ve seen the e-cigs lately. I think that’s a neat idea and whoever thought of it is obviously a billionaire by now. I wish I could invent something crazy and innovative like that.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:47 am
Wow I wonder if my boss would try one of those. He smokes like a chimney!
September 4th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I try not to look in the mirror.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Mirror’s gonna find you. And when he does, he’s gonna stare at you, real good like.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Fuck that guy. I broke one of his buddies 6 years ago and have had shit for luck ever since. He shows his face and it’s getting a rock through it.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:07 am
“I got a rock…”
September 7th, 2008 at 10:41 am
E-cig looks cool! I kind of want one! Might get Draco one for Christmas, haha.
That bit about the mirror cracked me up XD