#TBT: tanning

{I would like to preface this post by saying that I do not encourage or condone tanning, unless you're one of those crazy people who can effectively use the self-tanning bronzer lotion. There have been a million studies done on the cancerous effects of tanning beds and being in the sun without sunscreen, so I know y'all know better. That being said, here is my story.}

So. I was formerly a member of that infamous gym with a $20 per month membership fee that included unlimited tanning. I had never gone tanning before, but wanted a bit of a glow on my wedding day, so I decided to try it once, about a month before the big day. I usually tan really well outside and rarely burn, so I didn't think I would have a problem. The people at the gym recommended the upright tanning bed, so I thought I'd give it a shot. They said the timer was set for 8 minutes and to come out when I was done. 

Okay, first off, this entire tanning bed was filled with lights brighter than the sun. I think I could actually feel my retinas burning just from being in the room. But the instructions were on the inside of the bed so I attempted to read them with one eye open. Didn't work. So I just started pressing buttons with my eyes closed until it said it was starting. 

Everything went fine for about the first 4 minutes. Then I started to feel really, uncomfortably warm. I don't sweat easily, but I was absolutely dripping. Genius me, I decided to keep going. 6 1/2 minutes into it, I felt like I was actually going to pass out. I burst out of the door at 7 minutes - one full minute shy of the recommended "beginner" time. I actually laid on the floor for about 10 minutes taking deep breaths so I could actually walk, then drank about a gallon of water. I texted my then-fiance two words: NEVER. AGAIN.

I felt horrendously sick for the next 24 hours. Weak, dizzy, and dehydrated. And here was the physical result:

I mean. Luckily, my sunburns never last long, and it was gone within two days. It makes me feel sick just thinking about it!

Moral of the story? Tanning is just as bad as they say. And then some.