Dear Blue – Our Advice Column for Readers: Prom Funds, 3rd Quarter Blues, and Being Healthy

Dear+Blue+-+Our+Advice+Column+for+Readers%3A+Prom+Funds%2C+3rd+Quarter+Blues%2C+and+Being+Healthy

Dear readers,
DEAR BLUE (a pseudonym for our advice columnist) is an advice column to advise people on how to best deal with their concerns and issues. I try my best to ensure that you will make the best decisions to help you move forward in positive ways. I hope you will write to me, in confidence, seeking my guidance. Just a reminder: I will not disclose any information sent to me. What you write will always remain anonymous. I encourage you to be creative with your usernames and send feedback so that this column will be successful in helping those who seek advice. You can email me at [email protected]. Thanks!
I look forward to reading your letters.
Sincerely,
Blue

Hey Blue-
Prom is coming up and I really want to go – really badly. But I just don’t have the funds to pay for everything I need to go looking good. Do you have any advice?
Desperate for the Dance

Dear Desperate,
There are many ways to go to prom without spending hundreds of dollars. The ticket is pretty costly, but after that, you can do a bunch of things to lower the cost. Whether you’re buying a dress, a tux, or something in between, you can meet your budget and keep your spending around $200. Remember, you’re wearing the piece just that one night.

Try visiting stores like Savers or Goodwill for slightly worn items that are still in great condition. They will be extraordinarily cheaper than other dresses/suits that are brand new. Bring a friend (or your mom) and try on everything, you’ll be surprised by what you can find and by how inexpensive the clothing is. And both stores are close by in Danbury, CT, which is a fifteen minute drive.

If you’re not interested in looking for something already worn, try stores like Windsor which has great dresses starting at $30 and heels for an affordable low price. We all know Primark has super cheap t-shirts and bathing suits (you can tell they’re cheap because of the material). What you probably didn’t know is that Primark has a variety of pretty great suit jackets, slacks, button-downs, ties, shoes, and dress socks for the big night. You can try on different options right there in the store and figure out what works best for your body type, and what will create the look you’re going for.

See what your friends can contribute to the night’s wardrobe: hand-me-downs are already broken in and cozy. And how many people keep their shoes on all night, anyway? Good luck.

Dear Blue,
It’s almost 4th quarter and I’m so tired and not motivated to do any of my school work. I think I’m just going to give up and take the L.
Tired of it all

Dear Tired,

I wouldn’t (and can’t) recommend you take the L when it comes to school.

Doing well in high school will give you opportunities for the rest of your life. Think about the future, at least a little bit, in order to work towards something. There’s no motivation to keep working if you’re only thinking immediately or about what you’re doing over the weekend or even having for dinner.

Build a routine to follow and force yourself to follow it every day. Factor in homework time, study time for specific classes, as well as breaks and relaxation time. Reward yourself – even something as small as your favorite candy or something you’ve had your eye on for some time. Consider giving yourself a day off after doing well on a big test. You have basically two months left of this year until a summer of no academic responsibilities. Try to see your teachers not as the enemies or the bad guys but as people who mostly work hard every day so that YOU can succeed. Try to work on your attitude and remember, the third quarter slump is real – and it’s almost over.

Dear Blue,
I want to lose weight for summer, but I haven’t played a sport since middle school and haven’t actually worked out since then. I don’t want to do anything crazy, just lose a few pounds before summer. Any thoughts?
Fluffy in Brewster

Dear Fluffy,

First, don’t worry too much about losing weight. You should focus instead on being healthy. If you’re healthy, you already have what you need – feel good and be good to yourself about that. Being good to yourself – less critical – will make you feel a whole lot better about yourself, too.

But if you need to drop a few pounds to get healthier, consider a few tips. Swap out CBR pizza for a grilled chicken wrap. Instead of chips, have some fruit – strawberries are in season and are pretty good snacking. Eat as much “real food” as you can – plan ahead so you don’t find yourself grabbing those “to go” snacks that are loaded with empty calories.

You’ve probably heard a lot of these tips, but there’s a reason for that – it’s sound advice. Cutting out processed food will automatically reduce your intake of sugar, salt, and simple carbs (like white flour). You should also be drinking half your body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, if you’re 140 lbs., you should drink 70 ounces of water a day. Carry a reusable water bottle and drink it while you’re doing other things – this will distract you from worrying about reaching your quota.

If you want to lose some body fat, cardio is the way to go. Get yourself sweating and moving around (to raise your pulse). If you’re not into running laps, try some of these activities:

  • Try YouTube workouts from your house
  • Go on short ten-minute walks a few times a day (keep up the pace)
  • Re-learn the jump rope challenges we did in CV Starr and practice until perfect
  • Do ten push-ups/sit-ups everyday. It sounds simple, but you’ll see incredible results.
  • Get a few friends and go to Castle Park or Markel Park to play soccer, kickball, tag, etc.
  • Get a gym membership. Get over the fact that there are people you know there. Everyone looks gross at the gym, and you’re all there for the same reason. Congratulate yourself for getting there!
    [World Gym (near Value Village) is where most BHS kids go to work out. World Gym costs $105 for 3 months, or better deals are available for 6 month and year-long memberships. They are open 24/7. ]
    [New York Sports Club (near Tops) is overrun with kids from Carmel, and more than a few old people, but nothing crazy. They charge by the month and even with the one time yearly fee averaged in, it comes to about $24 per month. While it is a much better deal economically, know that it closes at 10pm on weekdays and 5pm on weekends.]

Weigh your options (no pun intended), and think about what you’re ready to commit to. Good luck!

Queridos leyentes,
ESTIMADO BLUE es una columna de consejos para asesorar a las personas sobre cómo tratar mejor sus preocupaciones y problemas.​ Yo hago mi mejor esfuerzo para asegurarme que tu tomes la decicion correcta, ayudarte a avanzar de manera positiva. Yo espero que tu me escribas con confidencia, pidiendo mi ayuda. Un recordatorio, yo no voy a revelar ninguna información que me envies. Lo que tu escribas siempre va a ser anónimo. Te animo a que seas creativo con tus nombres de usuario y envíes comentarios para que esta columna sea exitosa para ayudar a quienes buscan consejos. Gracias! Espero sus cartas.
Sinceramente,
Blue

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