Week 26 Summary: Operation Get Fit No Excuses

Week 26 of Operation Get Fit No Excuses is complete! This means I am halfway through my one-year transformation. Now, let me to clarify something real quick. I have not set a one year goal, just like I have not set a weight or measurement goal. But, I think it’s really cool that I am literally 26 weeks into my get fit regimen. I’m very proud of myself and a little astonished that I’ve stuck with it like I have.
         
I want to start out this week by telling you a little story. Obviously after losing 19 kg, which is around 42 pounds, most of my clothes are way too big. Therefore, I had to buy new clothes, and of course, I hate shopping. But, out of necessity, I ordered and received new clothes.

Here is the funny part: when I opened the package and saw how small they looked, in my mind the first thing I thought was “they’re not gonna fit”. Then I said OK, let me try them on just to see how bad a mistake I made in the sizing. I tried them on and they fit perfectly. What does this say about me? Even though I’ve lost so much weight, in my head, in my own mind, I still see myself and my body, as 200+ pounds. When in reality, I’m at 160 pounds, which is about 72.5 kg.

What I want to convey with this little short story is that no matter how much we change our bodies, we have to change our minds as well. Our mental and emotional states are completely connected with our bodies whether we realize it or not. I was happy with the way I look. I honestly never really looked at myself so closely and just said “Eww, my 200 pound body is nasty”. I thought I looked good.

Now that I am a lot smaller, I still think I look good. But, I have to reconcile my brain to recognize hey, I’m not that big and yes these tiny looking little shorts or tiny looking little shirts will fit me and are my correct size now. And that’s something that I’m still working on. I don’t know if you would call it body image issues or if it’s just that I was so big for so long that in my mind I still am that person. This is definitely one thing I’m going to continuously have to work on and get used to.

As far is this past week has gone, I’ve had a lot of epilepsy related issues pop up. I don’t know if it’s the heat and humidity that we have now here in Tuscany, or if it’s just because my epilepsy decided it wanted to screw with me so it did. With the type of epilepsy I have, I never know when it’s going to happen, where it’s going to happen, and usually why it happens. It just does. But despite the annoying setbacks, I have continued to exercise pretty much every day in some form or fashion. I’ve gotten at least 30 minutes per day every day except for one I think, and I was too messed up that day to be able to do anything. So I’m actually pretty happy and proud of that accomplishment as well.
         
Ok now, a word of caution. I covered it last week but I wanna make sure I cover it again, because this is really affecting my workouts. I try to get outside every morning when it’s crisp and nice around 6:30 AM or 7 AM to do my work out, but life happens and I don’t always get there. When I don’t and I have to work out in the afternoon when it’s hotter, especially in the house and not having air conditioning, I always make sure to pay attention to my body and what it’s telling me.

Drink plenty of water and have a fan pointed directly at you on high to help keep you cool. Have a towel to wipe the sweat off because if you’re anything like me, you will sweat. If you can exercise in an air-conditioned facility, or your house, do it! Just remember, sweat does not mean weight loss. Sweat means your body is hot and it’s trying to cool itself down. It’s a huge misconception that when you sweat you automatically lose weight. You might be losing water weight, but not much.

Padrone is progressing with his own weight loss journey. He had a minor setback last week and gained a couple pounds back because he cheated too many times, but is back on track this week and I’m happy to say he’s lost the weight he gained. So he will continue on his journey to getting healthier and losing weight as well and I will report next week on how he’s doing.

Thank you all so much for your continued words, support, and good thoughts. I hope we see you back here next week reading week 27 summary blog.

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!

Really Living Life - Not Just Existing

You all know I have Epilepsy and have been pretty open with the sometimes daily struggles that I deal with because of it. Well, this past week has been, for lack of better terminology, a bitch! I have suffered from many different side affects of my Epilepsy and have not been able to perform many of my normal functions. That's one reason the blog posts have not been as frequent as they were in the beginning.

I will be doing well, then boom! My speech gets slurred, my arm starts jerking and off I go into another attack! Now, of course, I get frustrated and annoyed, but what can I do? Not a darn thing. I just have to wait it out. Padrone tells me to don't worry, clear my mind and to not get frustrated. He held me for a long time until my seizure subsided and I fell asleep. Now, this is not a cure, but it helps tremendously. Obviously, there is no cure currently for Epilepsy and the weird type I have doesn't respond to any medicines currently on the market.

While I do hate having Epilepsy and dealing with attacks and side affects, it has given me a different perspective and appreciation for life. I know the value of family and true friendships. I love to be held and feel protected and not judged by Padrone. I know the value of seeing the sun rise again and the moon set. I appreciate the nature I see around me and the seasons of change that I keep experiencing. I love the sound of birds chirping in the morning, dogs playing, and children laughing. I love seeing elderly people walking and talking in the park or seeing families having breakfast together at a coffee bar. I simply appreciate Life and all it has to offer.

Now you might be thinking I sound like some kind of New Age Hippie or just a weirdo. I am neither. I am just a simple person that has experienced many things in my life that has shaped who I am and changed my beliefs over time. I know most of you are telling yourselves that you appreciate life and things around you also. That you already like the simple things in your own lives. But have you really slowed down to appreciate it? When was the last time you stopped to watch the sun set or rise? When was the last time you stepped outside to stare at the moon and gaze at the stars? When was the last time you stopped whatever you were doing, even if just for a few minutes, on a warm, windy day just to feel the wind brush against your skin and clothes? When was the last time you were out and came across flowers that were so beautiful and colorful that you had to stop and sniff or snap a picture with your cell phone? When was the last time you just took a couple of hours for yourself or yourself and loved ones to sit in a park and appreciate the nature around you or watch the people and animals teaming with life? This is what I mean when I say appreciate the simpler things life has to offer.

Most of us are to busy trying to keep up with our neighbors, buy the newest gadget, make deadlines for work or school, keep up with family projects and chores, and so many other things that are too many to name. We are too busy to realize that we have complicated our lives so much, with living them daily and running to keep up with the rat race that we don't slow down to appreciate what is around us, the very basis of life, the simple things. We let life run us and then before you know it, a week, month and perhaps a year has passed right before our eyes. All while we have been so busy with 'living' but not really living.

How can we say we are living our lives to the fullest if we are not grateful for every sunrise and sunset? How are we able to say that we appreciate life if we don't stop every now and then to just be; to just sit still, take a break from the fast paced, daily grind of life and just think nothing? I know it's hard to find time because we all have many things we do, almost 24 hours a day. We all have commitments, work, families, friends, school, etc etc etc.... Do you see a pattern to this yet? If you don't force yourself to take even 5 minutes a day, out of your crazy busy schedule, how can you say you really appreciate what life has to offer you because you are too busy living it?

So, I encourage and challenge each one of you to slow down once during the day and just sit for 5 minutes gazing out of the window. Take a walk through the park at lunch. If its rainy, cold, icky, or you just don't like outdoors, go to a mall or cafeteria and people watch. Enjoy the laughter around you. Just try to enjoy life and not to just live it. There is so much more to life than that.

Always remember to love deeply and truly, live fully and take risks. You never know what path your life could take.