On the Run: fitness made simple

+50,000 followers! Whoa, not too sure when this happened since I don’t keep track of losing/gaining followers. Thank you to everyone who’s been reading my blog and giving me the chance to share my ideas. I’ve learned so many practical ways to live healthy and actively. Here’s a special thanks to people who’ve been following me since last year and “like” a lot of my posts:

• sushiinthecan
• wallflowerish
• knightlocke 
• hanim cooks : Thanks Hanim! She’s a food editor and I believe she’s helped be get “featured tags” in the past.
• Tumblr: gigantic thank you for spotlighting me on the fitness page! (I definitely do not feel worthy next to some of names on there. Am I still even there? I always think I’m going to be kicked off soon.) 

I didn’t even know I was spotlighted on tumblr until months after the fact. Tumblr sent me an email, asking if it was okay, and I clicked “agree to terms” not really registering what I was agreeing to (dumb right?). I thought I was getting an influx of followers because I was really cool LOL. me = what’s going on??? Am I pretty??! :D :D XD >.<v ?? It kind of boggles me since I’m not a personal trainer, fitness model, nor do I even have remotely visible abs! HA!  

I really enjoy blogging about health and do it just for fun on my free time. It’s a stepping stone for me since I want to be a physician who’s involved in educating the public and maintains a wide reach (along with working in a hospital and treating patients everyday!) I try to keep this blog informative and focused on healthy habits as much as possible. However, sometimes I want to write a couple personal posts and put up photos of myself so I can say, “Hello! I’m really here, not a tumblrbot!” I think it’s important to keep a personal connection to readers (and patients in the future!), but not too much…not my style, and you don’t want to see that much of me. I apologize for the extended “blogging breaks and binges,” and I’m trying to give back to the community more through giveaways, so be on the look-out! 

Blogging has also helped me decide that I wanted to pursue an M.D. instead of an M.D.-Ph.D. I was so torn over this decision up until a couple months before I had to apply. I was deeply involved in research during college and see that science and innovation is the way to achieve a widespread impact, but what energized me the most was addressing questions from people about their own health and interacting with clinicians. I got a message on tumblr from a teenager who was battling cancer. She was taking steroids as medication for her treatment, causing her to overeat and gain weight. I felt the urgency and a strong motivation to brainstorm ideas with her that could benefit her health. Then, I compared that to when I get emails from my colleagues asking me how to do a certain research techniques…and I realized that I easily save those research and work related emails until I have free time and feel like doing it. However, questions regarding people’s health drove me to focus and make time to help someone. That’s just one little instance of how I decided to pursue a career more focused on clinical work than research. 

Sorry for the length post! Feel free to leave me feedback through tumblr, email, or facebook. I think I’m doing something right, just not sure what yet…

Love you all,

Geraldine 

P.S. Am I funny? 

Hey everyone, this is how I deal with acne/breakouts/blemishes etc. It’s something to think about and to discuss with your doctor for minor to major acne. I break-out like once a month (wonder why…) and have the occasional zit due to lack of sleep. 

1. Adapalene Gel (generic form of Differin): This generic form is really inexpensive with most insurance plans. This is a retinoid gel (Vitamin A derivative) which helps turn over new skin cells. It has both exfoliating and anti-inflammatory effects.
2. Clearasil Benzoyl Peroxide: Adapalene & benzoyl peroxide are even more effective when they work together! (Galderma, the producer of Differin, makes a name-brand drug which is adaplene + benzoyl peroxide). Benzoyl Peroxide kills bacteria, clears pores, & turns over new skin cells. 2.5-10% Benzoyl Peroxide gels are pretty much equally effective. 
3. Clindamycin: This is an antibiotic which kills anaerobic bacteria (yucky things that don’t use oxygen). Its also cheap as a generic. For the best results, apply 3-5 minutes after adapalene gel. 

The beauty of all this is that these 3 drugs work best together! Also, this retinoid isn’t as harsh on the skin as Retin-A. Using Benzoyl Peroxide at 2-5% is also easy on the skin, and clindamycin is tame. 

With any medication (over-the-counter or prescription), it’s best to use it consistently and on moisturized skin. I use my acne-fighting-regime after using a night cream. 

Skincare is so cool!!!