Week 22 Summary - Operation Get Fit No Excuses

Week 22 has not been that eventful for me. I’ve been keeping up with my exercise and diet, but mostly concentrating on finding the right combination of food that will satisfy Padrone but fit into his diet restrictions also. I can definitely tell with the changing weather and warmer temperatures that I need to exercise first thing every morning because I don’t do well in very hot weather.

A couple of days ago it got up to about 90° and I decided to do my exercise about 1 pm. We don’t have air conditioning. I had fan set on high,  but after 10 minutes, I had to stop because I literally couldn’t keep going. The heat, even with the fan, just drained me. I definitely have to be careful and mindful of how my body responds to exercise during the summer.

If you are exercising during the summer, which I hope you are, listen to your body and try to exercise during the cooler parts of the day or evening. Stay hydrated with water and possibly use an electrolyte based drink if you need the boost.

I may have to limit my time to 30 minutes a day, depending on my endurance level. We shall see as time passes. I’ve only been active during cold or cool weather, so hopefully, my body can adapt to the warmer temperatures as the summer season comes.

As I mentioned above and in previous blogs, Padrone has struggled to find the right balance and combination of food that will satisfy both his needs and fit within his diet restrictions. I decided we needed to try a pre-made food delivery service for him. After much research, I found a couple that are not cheap, but not cost prohibitive either. The nutritional values are well within the range of what Padrone needs and the quality and variety of dishes makes him happy. So, I am calling it a win all around!

Padrone himself has lost 8 kg (17 pounds) so far and is continuing to lose more at a steady rate. While he has been slacking off on the exercise part for a few weeks, I’m hoping that having resolved his food dilemma will inspire him to get back to a daily exercise program. I’m so proud of him and his progress! He has also been smoke free for 3 months now!

Thank you for continuing to follow our journey to getting fit and living a healthier lifestyle. We are proof that it’s never too late to make the necessary changes to life a healthier lifestyle.

Be Proud of Who You Are, But Don't Fear Change

Hi! My name is Tina Michelle and I have Epilepsy. You thought I was going to say something about alcohol, didn't you? At least, I got your attention! If you have ever read my previous posts or my other blog, bdsmunveiled.com, my Epilepsy will not come as a surprise to you. If you have never read my blogs and have no idea who I am, now you do!

I always try to look at the positive and bright side of things, even with my condition. I have had many really bad weeks with my Epilepsy, but always have tried to stay on the positive side. My partner, Marco, usually is with me the entire time and helps me laugh, feel safe and loved and sees me through all the symptoms that come up. At times, I become almost completely immobile for a couple of hours, until my body decided to restart again. He makes that very scary time, a place that could have easily been a black, dreary period, much more brighter.

When someone is completely helpless, defenseless, unable to move or speak, and barely able to think, that is a very scary position to be in. Many who have Epilepsy and other illnesses know this. Tonight's post is about being proud of who you are, no matter what conditions you have, what you look like, your personality, or anything else that is you. Just Be Proud of YOU!

I know that I have Epilepsy and that many people are either scared or weirded out by that fact. I know I am short. I know I am not a skinny woman. I know I am 42. I know I tell silly jokes and also have the wonder of a child when I watch cartoons (and yes I really do). But you know what? I am very proud of every facet of myself and my personality.

There are things that have changed in my thinking and beliefs over time because of experiences I've had and just because of life.  Change can be a good thing. Change does not mean that you are not proud of who and what you are, it just means that you are growing in a new way, a new phase of your life.

Many things have changed for me over the past few years. I moved from California to Italy. I became a blogger and realized a life-long dream of becoming a published author. I am living with the best man I have ever known, who has a very good heart and endless love for those close to him. I have grown more confident with myself and am utilizing skills I almost forgot I had. I have rediscovered myself.

The list I just mentioned are the biggest changes I've undergone. There are many small ones that I have made and continue to make in an effort to try and improve my knowledge of the world around me and to take better care of my health. I am experimenting with cooking and different genres of writing. I am constantly learning more Italian. I keep up with the latest technology as well as any new treatments that are published about Epilepsy. Am I bragging? Not at all. I am merely letting you know of how proud I am of my accomplishments.

Many of you may think you are very proud of yourselves as you are. But, do you ever think to yourself, 'Man, I hate my thighs. I hate how my ass looks. I hate how fat or skinny I am. I wish I were smarter. I wish I were....'

I used to do that exact same thing. I have learned over the past couple of years that I am the way I am and I am who I am and I really like who I am and what I look like. Of course, I am like every other female and question my partner with things like 'How does this look on me' and 'Do I really look that' kind of questions. I am lucky because he loves me as I am. He tells me if I want to change something, then change it. If not, be proud of what I look like and who I am. I have taken that lesson to heart and am now living it each and every day. This is one lesson that has made my life less complicated and even more enjoyable to live.

Remember, we are only on Earth for a short time and have only this one life to live. Don't live it with regrets, not loving yourself, always questioning your beliefs and changing yourself because you are trying to fit in with the current, most popular belief system.

Think your own original thoughts. Wear whatever style of fashion makes you feel good. Eat what you like. Be proud of every roll you have, every scar you bear, every rib that may show. If it bothers you, then exercise to take off some weight, eat more to cover up those ribs, or go to a dermatologist to get rid of the scars. But do not, I repeat, DO NOT put yourself down and hate who you are. Those kind of negative feelings will only hold you back from enjoying the good things in life.

Being proud of your self and your accomplishments does not mean you have an inflated ego nor does it mean you go around bragging. It just means that no matter what anyone says, you like what you see and who you are. We are always growing and changing throughout our lives, and you should be proud of that. Knowledge and change are the flavors of life. If we don't grow and change with time and knowledge, then we will forever be stuck in a circle instead of following the many beautiful paths that life has to offer.

Always remember, look in that mirror every morning and tell yourself, 'I love me. I am beautiful. I am proud of me.' If you need to, say it all day every day until you start to believe it. Because you are a good person. You are worthy. You are smart. You are beautiful. You are the only you, so you are wonderful and unique.

ENJOY YOUR LIFE AND LIVE IT PROUDLY!

Confidence - Within and Without

Sometimes our own minds are our worst enemies. They makes us think things that are just not true. Stuff like we aren't sexy, beautiful, or feminine enough. That we are too fat, too short, too ugly. That we are not smart, good or useful.

Our minds and the media will screw our self esteem and heads many times over. And all of the above statements are total bullshit. I have the same self doubts on things just as many of you do. I do feel that I am not feminine enough a lot of times for my Padrone. I do wish at times that I were sexier, or at least knew how to be sexier, dress sexier, without all of my body parts hanging out; act sexier, but not in a slutty way. Though, there is a time and place for that. I like short hair. It's easier to maintain. But on me, I think long hair is better and I have been told that it does by several people, strangers and friends alike. Am I confident enough to pull off the short and the long? Yes.

I am confident in how I look with my hair and I am pretty confident with my body. Do I want to loose more weight? Of course. What woman that isn't thin, do you know that would not like to loose even 5 pounds? But I refuse to do anything stupid, like some weird diet or exercise until I drop. And I definitely refuse to give up foods I like to eat. Life is short and about enjoyment. We should eat, laugh and love as much as we can. All in moderation, obviously, but you get my drift. Now, I have cut out a lot of sugar for health reasons, but am addicted to Italian pastries and chocolate. I have seen many changes, in not only my body, but my health, emotional and mental well being since moving almost four years ago.

There are little things in daily life that I do, and am starting to do, to make changes or improvements to me. But these are not things that anyone or my Padrone has said 'I want you to...'. These are change I have chosen to make, and luckily have been well supported by my very loving fiance, Marco. One change is that I wear makeup a lot more than I have in the past 10 years. It takes no time to put on and I don't do all the products to look like a clown. A very light color, little lipstick and eyeliner and bam! Makes a big difference and I know that I look good. See, what I am finding is that when I absolutely think and know within myself that I look good, it makes me feel good and no matter what anyone thinks or says, I know that I love me as I am and as I look.

Another change that I've made is by wearing a dress every more often. They are not as practical as pants, but they do make me feel and look a lot great and are a huge confidence booster. I have started wearing clothes that are more form fitting, versus wearing ones that are very baggy. I got into the whole trap, that if you are a big girl, you need to hide all your body parts. That is simply not true. Women of all shapes and sizes can look beautiful and classy, or sexy dressed in form fitting clothes. They will not only give you a confidence boost, but also might get you some nice looks from others, that will in turn help boost your confidence. I am not saying to go out with your boobies or butts hanging out. Not at all! Just sexy, but classy. I actually don't show much skin, because, for one its winter. And two, I don't like to. Why show cleavage when I can wear a form fitting shirt that shows my shape without actually giving away the goods?

I hope you find the confidence that I have. With confidence in yourself and your abilities, you have no limits to what you can accomplish! Start now by implementing little things that will help you see yourself in a more positive light. Stay Comfortable and true to yourself, but learn that change is good and many times, can bring about amazing results.