Don’t Be Tanorexic #ChooseSkinHealth

Tanorexic – is that even a word? That’s what we used to refer to it in college throughout our sorority house. We were all addicted to it – literally going every. single. day. We would see each other more as we passed by swapping in and out of the tanning booths than we did walking to class. We had to be tan. Really tan. (Can you really get addicted to tanning? Yes. See this latest article in Scientific American).

I remember my infatuation with tanning began sometime in high school. It just seemed like the “cool” thing to do – spend thirty minutes laying down to get a nice bronze to go with that Homecoming dress or to have perfectly golden legs in the kickline on the football field during halftime. Admittedly, this passion carried on long into the years I lived in Pittsburgh. In fact, I remember having to CANCEL my unlimited monthly membership when I moved to NYC. I had to pay a cancelation fee even though I was moving miles and miles away. I joked with them – what if I had gotten skin cancer? Would I still have to pay a fee to get out of my yearly membership? They didn’t even flinch as they said yes.

Luckily, New Yorkers aren’t as keen on tanning. You won’t find them on every corner like you will Starbucks, and as I was approaching 30, tanning also didn’t seem as cool anymore, allowing me to phase out of one of the most deadliest addictions of my life. While I did get up tanning beds, I am still guilty of a beach tan, as many of us are.

FACT: Despite all we know about sun protection, skin cancer continues to be a health epidemic – melanoma rates in New York are on the rise and have increased 26% in the past 10 years. 

As a teenager, these numbers would have meant nothing to me. As a mother – I realize that we really need to be more proactive, and this cancer is one of the most PREVENTABLE forms there is – just by using sunscreen. Studies have shown that kids are more likely to adopt healthy habits, like applying sunscreen, if they see their moms applying on themselves. Think – how many times do your kids copy what you do? Max loves to be like mom. 

So, for May we decided to join forces with Neutrogena and the MLS for Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Its a good reminder to the best of us, how many times have you attended a sporting event and gotten burnt because you forgot to put on sunscreen? Those games can be hours long – and NOTE! Stadiums allow sunscreen.

Along with it being my birthday month and getting older, I want to be able to stick around and be strong and healthy for Max as long as possible. While I may have made bad choices in my past (who hasn’t), there is nothing like a new day to turn things around and be a positive influence for our children.

This summer, make it your mission to join us by making daily sunscreen application second nature. A quick spritz and rub as you rush out the door each day. Just don’t forget to put it on YOURSELF, too. 

GIVEAWAY

Even easier, you can enter here to win a sunscreen pack that will last you and the family all summer long. Think sprays, sticks and lotions of the full Neutrogena line including Neutrogena® CoolDry Sport Sunscreen for moms and dads and Neutrogena® Pure & Free® Baby Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 60+ for the kids.

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This post was sponsored on behalf of Neutrogena via One2One Network. All opinions stated are my own. Thanks for supporting Football Food and Motherhood!