I think it's time we catch up!

You guys, we have so much to catch up on!

So for my anniversary, my husband bought me the fit journal that I've really wanted!

I filled out the first week, but by the end of the 2nd day I got crazy "woman" sick.  Boo hiss.

Luckily my husband is amazing, and asked me if I'd start my 12 weeks over and do them with him.  Hallelujah! The time has come!  Yay for a future fit couple!!!

So today was our first day.  

I woke up a little late because we went grocery shopping at 12:30 a.m. so I missed breakfast.  

I had a healthy lunch though.  It was 530 calories and fit within all my dietary restrictions. 

Can I just say that fruit is delicious.  One of my favorite things right now is a banana with peanut, almond, or cashew butter; and sprinkled with cinnamon, nutmeg, and/or cardamom.  It's so good!

Then it was time to workout today...

I went with Zumba Max because I wanted a good 45 minutes of cardio.  It was amazing, fun, intense, and exhausting in a great way! After my workout I tried Almond Milk Light for the first time ever in a post workout fruit & yogurt smoothie... and it was amazing!

After getting cleaned up and cleaning my house I made some homemade hummus for dinner.  It's been warm outside and I didn't want to have to cook anything today.  So I had some turkey, light string cheese, pita, and hummus (with sriracha hot sauce of course)!  It hit the spot!  And the whole meal was only 520 calories. 

I hit 10,000 steps today, 50 active minutes, and burned around 700 calories total.  It's been a great day and a perfect start to the next 12 weeks.  I really look forward to seeing where I'll be in 85 days. 

It's going to be tough sometimes, but it's going to be worth it! 

Much love my dah'lings! 

Mwah!

HealthyMychal

Monday Motivation & Inspiration Anyone... ?

Who needs a pick-me-up?

I do.  

It's Monday. Who doesn't need a little pick-me-up?

The thing about Monday's though...

I love them.

Why? 

Because it's a clean slate, a fresh start, a new beginning.

We get to set the tone for our whole week off of one day.

We get to choose if we'll let it break us, or make us.

That's AWESOME! 

This Monday is a great Monday! 

Know why?

Because I'm going to change my life again.

How?

I'm getting back to basics.

I've been so focused on my "physical" health lately... that I've lost

 track of how important it is to have well rounded health.  

Mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical.

I hadn't realized how poor my emotional, spiritual, and mental health had 

gotten until the past few days.

I genuinely took note of the fact that I felt broken.

The kind of broken I promised myself I'd never let happen again.

I let the heartache of my miscarriages and the determination to get healthy enough to try again cloud my mind to the point that I was nothing but an angry, lonely, bitter, resentful, and sad person.

I was so preoccupied taking care of other people... that I forgot to take care 

of my husband and myself.

I focused so much on berating and beating myself up physically and nutritionally... that I forgot all about nourishing ALL of me.

It's no wonder I haven't made any progress in any of my goals... I'm not working on them; 

I'm working on one.

We all have to find our balance.

No matter how long it takes.

And when we do... we can't be too hard ourselves.  

Not emotionally, not mentally, not spiritually, and not physically.

The great thing about life...

We can always change it.

We can always change ourselves.

We can always change our attitude. 

We can always change our heart.

We can always change our habits.

We can change anything we put our mind to!

All we have to do is try;

and never, never ever, give up.

I love my Powerful "P" words.

We have to be positive, patient, and persistent!

We have to have the right perspective.

Always be proud of who you are, how far you've come, and where you're going.

Persevere through anything life throws at you.

Be passionate about your life and your goals.

Be proactive and never stop progressing!

AND

learn, remember, and love your purpose.

Life is beautiful. 

Life is wonderful.

Life is full.  

Life is rich and it is decadent.

Life is meant to be tasted, to be tested, to be triumphed over.

Life is meant to be LIVED.

So live it.

Live it the way you want to. 

Live it wholly.

Live it completely.

Live it without regret.

Live it with love.

Live it with joy.

Live it because it matters.

You matter.

Your life matters.

Live your life the way it's always been meant to be lived.

A Helpful Idea

I know it's been awhile since I posted anything...

It's been an interesting few months.

March was tough on me because I struggled with my depression again.  But I overcame!

Then, in the middle of April my Grandfather passed away.  It was really difficult and both led me to some pretty stupid dietary decisions.  I guess depression and emotional trauma do that to a person.

Everyday gets a little better and I happened across a photo on Tumblr that has helped me keep my workouts fun, fresh, and spontaneous.  I thought I'd share it just incase anyone else needed a little boost in their daily health routine.

What I did was this:

I know it doesn't look like much, but bear with me.

I wrote every workout, from every workout program I own, on a popsicle stick.  I threw in a few miscellaneous ones (for my Kangoo Jumps) and a few "Your Choice!" sticks into the mix as well.  

The idea is this:

When I don't know what workout I feel like doing, or if I don't feel like working out, I draw a popsicle stick.

There can never be the excuse of boredom, or disinterest... I draw a routine... I DO IT.  No questions. It might be 25 minutes, it might be an hour.  Regardless, I do it.  It's been awesome!

You can do this for workouts at home or workouts you have through your gym.  Just write them down! 

The sticks I bought were $1.25 at Walmart, the sharpies were on sale for $3.29... and the mason jar was FREE in my cupboard.  

My workout popsicle sticks include:

1. Insanity

2. T25

3. Hip Hop Abs

4. Zumba Exhilarate 

5. Zumba Incredible

6. Elliptical/Treadmill workouts

7. Kangoo Bouncing Shoes (run or dance)

8. Wii Zumba (2, Core, or World Party)

9. Wii Just Dance (2, 3, or 4)

If you don't have any of these... that's OKAY!  If you don't have any that's okay!  

You can list ideas like this:

1. Jog around neighborhood

2. Squats & Lunges

3. Jumping Jacks

4. Sprints

5. High Knees

6. Pushups 

And so on and so forth... (also, you may want to add a minute value to each exercise to help yourself be more accountable too!)

The best part about this is the fact that you can ALWAYS add to it!  There will always be new workout programs and routines or activities to add.

So if you need a little push or some motivation... try it!

Much love to you, my darlings!

Home Gym!

Oh my gosh.

Emotions.

So many emotions.

MY HUSBAND IS THE BEST HUSBAND IN THE HISTORY OF HUSBANDS!

Well, he is definitely the best husband for me; much like your husband/wife is the best person for you.  Funny how life works out that way?  Am I right!? *huge smile*

For a fusion of my Birthday & Valentine's Day gifts, my husband has put together the most awesome sauce gift of all time.

1. ZUMBA CLOTHES!



Love all the Zumba clothes!  I got 3 pairs of pants, 3 tops, AND a pair of shoes.

*SWOON*

Did I leave out the part where he also bought me Zumba Incredible?  Yeah, that's the new Zumba program with a step.  Yes, you read that right... A STEP people!

*SWOONING MORE*

He knows me too well.

2. He built/installed me a home gym too!  

Now I have my own workout space.  Complete with rubber flooring so the cement doesn't hurt my back.  A cabinet for my weights, bands, yoga mat, and Zumba step.  Installed a shelf for my DVD player and workout DVDs. Put my Elliptical in the corner.  Mounted a TV on the wall for me... and put an iHome out there for my music when I'm not using one of my workout DVDs.

I am literally in shock and awe.

*SWOONING AGAIN*

For a brief workout DVD recap, I now have:

• Zumba Exhilarate
• Zumba Incredible
• Insanity
• T25
• Hip Hop Abs
• Rockin' Body

I also have three Zumba and 5 various other exercise games for my Wii.  My husband also set up the TV for quick installation of my Wii if I decide to move it out there too.

I am seriously such a blessed woman.

Life is wonderful. 

I'm ecstatic!

Tomorrow my husband and I are having our first 5am Duo/Family Workout... I AM LITERALLY MORE EXCITED THAN ALL THE CAPS IN THE WORLD CAN EXPRESS!

That is all.

Much love my darlings!

XOXO

Mych

Finding the good...

2014 continues to be the bane of my existence...

Sadly, now it is leeching into my nuclear family.  Nothing about this year is looking up.  

It's been hard to feel motivated to continue with my health and fitness goals.  When you're in emotional duress it's easy to feel the desire to give up.

Between battling bouts of sans-baby blues, acclimating to my husband's new work schedule, and dealing with immense family drama (and the subsequent emotional baggage of ALL those things...) I have very nearly been ready to throw in the towel and give up. 

But it's hard to give up. 

My mother raised me to be a fighter.

And I've developed a taste for fighting.  I've developed a desire to work for & attain my goals.

I've developed a voice.  I will stand up for myself and for the people I love; and I'll do it, even if it means it may hurt other people.  

I am tired of allowing myself to be drowned in other people's misery.  I am tired of standing on a sinking ship while I feverishly try to get everyone in their life jackets.  Sometimes you have to save yourself before you can save others.  There is a reason YOU have to put on your oxygen mask first when the airplane gets gnarly.  You can't help others if you haven't helped yourself first.  You can't protect others if you haven't protected yourself. 

So what life lessons have I learned in the past week?  How have I grown amidst the drama, heartache, and grief? I've accepted a few hard truths...

1. Life can be disappointing. 
2. People will hurt you. 
3. You will struggle. You will grieve.
4. And life will go on.

BUT, even with all the heartache, the sadness, and the confusion there is always something good.  There is always something positive. With God all things are possible. We are never too lost to be found. We are never broken beyond mending. We are never unloved. We are never alone. He is always there, He is always waiting. We need only to reach out, to ask, and to allow Him to lift and carry us. He loves us. He wants us to be happy, to succeed, and to be whole and at peace. He is a loving Heavenly Father who fills our lives with blessings too numerous to count. Life is such a wonderful blessing. How grateful I am to be a child of God. You are stronger and more remarkable than you give yourself credit for. Your spirit can never be broken. Never lose hope. Do not despair. Trial and tribulation last only a small moment of this miracle we call life. Your existence is too important to be bogged down by grief. Your journey is too valuable to halt for sorrow. Hold your head high, keep your heart strong, and never stop moving forward.

Keep your chin up.

It'll all workout. 

Keep moving forward.

Love,

Mych

A Friendly Monday Reminder

Okay dah'lings,

It's Monday!  So we get to start fresh again!  Who doesn't love a good week's restart?

Probably everyone, because no one likes Monday.

I'm writing a blog post right now because I'm feeling overwhelmed this morning already.

I have been sick and lethargic all weekend; as such I haven't had the gumption to clean my house or catch up on laundry.  My house is a mess.  If you haven't heard yet... I'm OCD.  So it's kind of melting my face off.

The problem is, I can't exercise until I clean my house.

Why?

First, I like to workout in a clean and organized environment.  I was really picky when I was picking gyms in Utah.  I like things to be clean and organized.

Second, I can't relax and exert full attention and effort to my workout until I clean my house.  I like to put my all into my workouts so I feel like I'm really pushing and changing my body.  Having a messy house will leer in the back of my mind and drive me crazy.  No bueno.

Thirdly, a messy house STRESSES ME THE EFF OUT!  I exercise to release tension.  If I exercise before... I'll be stressed afterward because I'll still have to clean.

So today I'm prioritizing based on my emotional and physical needs, not just my physical needs.  And that's okay!

Sometimes you have to do what's best for your mind, heart, and soul first; and sometimes those things will be different than what your body physically needs.

Have balance in your life.  I've found that's what makes me happy.  Take care of your physical body, take care of your heart, mind, and soul.  They're all linked and they all deserve to be taken care of.

So take care of yourself today my loves!

Relax, workout, be happy, smile, hug someone, accomplish something, be amazing, have a glass of your favorite drink.  Whatever you do, just make sure you're doing it for yourself.

You deserve it today.

You deserve to love your life.  Make it so.

Love,
Mychal

It's Only Been 5 Days...

BUT -

I'm trying to establish a habit and routine, so I apologize for all the blog posts and the obnoxious updates.  My goal is 2-3 posts a week, so hopefully when there are two more days in the week it won't feel like I'm force-feeding you Blog Posts.

On the off chance you don't follow my Facebook Page (Changing My Life Today) I'll update everyone about "The Plan" (duhn duhn DUHN!)

The Plan

• Eat 1,500 calories a day (can be augmented as more will be earned with exercise)
• Eat between 120 & 150 carbs
• Exercise vigorously 30 minutes a day
• Be active as much as possible (always find reasons to get up and boogie!)
• Enjoy life, enjoy food, enjoy the journey
• Don't be too critical if you can't live The Plan everyday... (you're only human!)
• Oh, and Weigh-in Days are Saturday

The end.

Ish.

Yesterday was the first Saturday of the New Year, so that meant it was a Weigh-in Day!

I weighed in and was 5.5 lbs lighter than I was on January 1st, 2014.

Now, don't get too excited... I tried not to be.  That weight was mostly water weight and the bloating alleviating as my body was becoming accustomed to less carbohydrates. 

The additional updates to the New Year, it's goals, and my health status are as follows:

1. I have worked out everyday for a hour (excluding Sunday's which are my rest days... Hey, even God needed a rest day. Just sayin').
2. I have managed to live within my calorie and carb goals.
3. I've found some fun new music to dance to while I clean my house.
4. My medications for Insulin Resistance are working (I think) but now, I've noticed that my throat is especially tender these days.  My throat feels tight when I swallow, and the side of my neck that is home to the extra long part of my thyroid is much more noticeable these days.  I'm looking forward to going to see my endocrinologist next month.

But overall, I feel pretty awesome.  My energy level has picked back up now that my body is used to the birth control medication.  I've also noticed that working out has really helped my stress and tension levels; along with helping me sleep better at night.

So life is good. 

I feel good. 

So now I want to know... how're you guys doing?!

How are you and your New Year Goals panning out? Is there anything I can do to help? 

I'm realizing more and more that an uplifting and supportive community is a critical foundation to lifestyle change. 

I posted this little diddy on my Facebook, Instagram, and Happier accounts... but I thought I'd share it with you guys today as well.

You're incredible, amazing, remarkable, valued, & loved. Whoever you are - where ever you may be on your journey - please know that you ARE important.

I hope you guys really know and understand how important you are to me.  Have a wonderful day, because you are wonderful and you deserve it.

Much love,

Mychal

Pick Me Up

Every once and a while we all need a 'pick me up', yeah?  Yeah.  

I've needed one for a few days.  It would appear that no matter how hard I prayed, how many things I cleaned, how much music I listened to, how many tears I shed while watching the movie 'UP', or how many random hugs I received... nothing was fulfilling my need for a 'pick me up".  

I hate going to that place where I'm the typical female who needs men to validate my existence by objectifying me... but unfortunately that's where I was for the past week or so.  

LAME SAUCE.

And then, through the medium of literary and imaginary magnificence... I got slapped in the face.  Or perhaps, I got knocked back onto my ass.  I think my tailbone is bruised, as is my ego.  

This lovely little passage was in a book I'm reading...

"Do not be defined by the man you love; do not lose who you are in the love of another.  We can only love the way we were created to if we are first whole in ourselves.  If you drown in your feelings for someone, it will turn to obsession and it will cloud your mind to reality.  What you're feeling is part of who you are.  You are a strong, beautiful, intelligent, loving woman.  In you, there is more than you can imagine.  You don't need a man to love you to make you special.  You are special because you are you.  Don't you see?  See and believe you are one of God's children; that is what makes you special."

Bam.  Clear as day.  My 'pick me up, smack me in the face, get your sh*t together, pick me up'.  

It's like that passage of the book, that lesson, was written for me - to me.   

We are not quantified, defined, or our value measured by our physical appearance.  

Being happy and healthy is more important than being skinny and sexy.  

Being healthy and happy is a life style.  I may not have the physique a model and I may not be gorgeous, but I am vibrant, fun, alive, real, intelligent and funny. Those things make me beautiful, and that beauty cannot fade over time.

When we as women see the beauty in those around us, and more importantly, see our own innate beauty that is when we are empowered and do not need to rely on the objectification of men to establish our worth.  

Men worth loving, men worth giving our hearts too... won't be the chauvinist, shallow, and immature men that we think we want to notice us, to value us, to be attracted to us. Men worth loving won't view us as trophies or objects, rather as companions, counterparts, friends, and lovers.

As much as men need to mature and alter their perceptions of women, so do women need to reevaluate and believe that we are more than objects and we deserve to be treated as more.

Being a woman is a delicate balance between independence and dependence, strength and softness, outspokenness and meekness, firmness and compassion... 

When we focus on ourselves, when we learn to see our own value, when we love who we are - then others can truly love us in return.

Awesome.

Feminist rant now over.  

Thanks mah'loves. 

~Mychal

"Fitspiration"

Hello My Lovelies!

As many of you know, I'm an advocate of the "Beauty Redefined" movement.

A brief synopsis, Beauty Redefined was founded by Lexi and Lindsay Kite, PhD Communication students at the University of Utah. Beauty Redefined's purpose is simple, poignant, and IMPORTANT; "Beauty Redefined is dedicated to counteracting harmful media messages about women's bodies and worth. Through our website, http://www.beautyredefined.net, ... we work to help all people recognize and reject distorted ideas about beauty, health and happiness. Join us in the fight to take back beauty for girls and women everywhere!"

Their message has profoundly impacted Changing My Life Today. More aptly, it has profoundly impacted me. Their message reached me at a critical moment in my physical, emotional, and mental transformation. Their message aided me in changing my personal perception of myself. Their work, their research, their openness, honesty, and dedication to exposing the harmful messages in the media solidified my change from the need to be "skinny" and "hot" to being "healthy" and "happy."

A recent trend, labeled "fitspiration", has become an obsession of mine. It has also come under close scrutiny by women and men participating in the social movement that encourages healthy living as opposed to fat-shaming or skinny-shaming. Often, images of incredibly toned, sweaty, and scantily clad women in athletic apparel are the background for a motivational and inspirational saying.

Beauty Redefined recently posted a wonderful post in regards to this topic. You can read it here: http://www.beautyredefined.net/why-fitspiration-isnt-so-inspirational/

Let me insert a few excerpts here, passages that hit especially close to home.

"Ever heard of a thing called “thinspo” or “thinspiration?” It’s an online world of thousands – even millions – of females who share and collect pictures of very thin women as inspiration to keep up their eating disorders... Beauty Redefined is here to reveal truth – to speak about things as they really are – and we echo Charlotte over on The Great Fitness Experiment: “Fitspo may be thinspo in a sports bra.” 


Be very aware of any “fitspiration” that is advertising something... Pay attention to the advertising so often being done in these “fitness inspiration” messages and you will see what is really being sold here. Is it a message of real health and fitness or a message asking you to commodify yourself by buying sports bras, yoga pants, the latest fitness DVD, etc. to appear a certain way. 


Next time you see one of these “fitspiration” messages, please ask yourself how it makes you feel. If these images and texts motivate you to respect your body as something that can do so much good, make and reach fitness goals, and maintain health that will keep you happy and able, then they are appropriate for you. If they motivate you to worry about being looked at or to improve parts of your body to meet a beauty ideal you see in media, you must be aware of this. 


[A fitspiration photo] It has effectively chopped a woman into just a part of her – without a head as is so often done in objectifying but totally normal and harmless-looking media. This part of her also happens to be sexually alluring to men, which is so often the case in this same objectifying but totally normal and harmless-looking media. Her hand is placed in her pants in a way that looks very reminiscent of a woman about to pull down her pants in a sexually alluring way. Her hip bones, navel, and cleavage are highlighted by the lighting of the shot, which say nothing of fitness or whatever the “it” is spoken of in the text. Nike leaves this ad open for interpretation so the “it” can be a well-meaning physical fitness goal, but the image would lead one to assume it is a look – a vision of oneself – that is the goal. A sexually appealing, “to be looked at” goal that leaves little room for worrying about internal indicators of health or meeting a fitness goal like hiking to the top of that peak or finishing that race or getting your heart rate up every day. 


If these images and messages categorized as “fitness inspiration” actually inspire body shame – you feel ashamed of the beauty ideals you cannot reach and want to hide or judge your body or covet other women’s bodies – then these messages are not inspirational at all. They trigger you to feel anxiety, hopelessness, and ask you to resort to extremes to get somewhere largely unattainable for healthy people. 


We borrow from the fantastic Virginia Sole-Smith again for our last very important point: “Any motivational statement that has to diss another type of body in order to make you feel good about your body? Not. Helping. Anyone.” You’ve seen those photos of Marilyn Monroe vs. Nicole Richie with the words: “When did this become hotter than this?” or some variation. Ugh. When we pit female against female, we get nowhere fast. We continue minimizing each other to our bodies EVERY TIME we judge each others’ bodies, comment on them, even compliment each other. 


You are capable of much more than being looked at. When you believe that, you break free from the prison walls that keep you confined to your body, pitted against every other woman/prisoner in her own individual cell, always monitored by a gaze that controls your beliefs about yourself and your actions. Beauty Redefined is here to shine a light in on that lonely prison cell and remind you what you are capable of in a world so badly in need of you – not a vision of you – but all of you. Thank you for joining the fight!" 

I'm guilty of more than I'd like to be after reading that article. But, as they always do, the delightful Beauty Redefined Duo has me thinking, changing, evolving, growing, and understanding the various problems with my infatuation with "fitspiration".

I expressed my opinion earlier on Facebook openly as this:

• I find the objectification of the human form repugnant. Being healthy & happy is what is important, not being skinny. If there is one thing I cannot tolerate it is the relentless hounding we receive via media to be a certain size, a specific weight, look a specific way. The judgement of our physical body that so prevalently permeates our society causes irreparable psychological and emotional damage to people. I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS. Hence the disclaimer on my [fitspiration] album. May I reemphasize the fact that we do NOT have to look like the people in these photos (in all honesty they don't even look like that). Our value and worth is not dependent on our physical aesthetic. We are more than our physical bodies. The culmination of our being is what defines us. Our humor, our intelligence, our passion, our charity, our devotion, our loyalty, our spirituality, and our health identify us, set us apart, and dictate our humanity. We have an obligation to exercise each and every component of our being. This includes the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual entities of our being. We are remarkable creations and as such it is our responsibility to live up to our potential.  

The disclaimer on my "fitspiration" album reads as this:

• This is NOT an album promoting "thinspiration". These are sayings that I find motivational and encouraging in helping me achieve a healthy lifestyle. I understand that the images have been altered, photoshopped, edited, and manipulated to sell a lifestyle and/or brand. I understand that they are objectifying of the female form. So please, don't think that you, OR I have to look like this. And guys... please don't post comments endorsing the objectification of the women in the pictures... rather the endorse the motivational force in the pursuit of health and happiness.

I maintain the statements said above. I will also admit that in several instances I've had male friends comment on the "pictures" and not the motivational statement attached. Those comments instilled in me a seed of anxiety which takes root and grows more every time a man comments on them in an objectifying manner (whether he does so knowingly or not).

I've realized that I'm perpetuating an ideal I do not endorse. So I make an apology and a promise to myself, to my Twitter followers, to my Pinterest followers, to my blog followers, to my Facebook followers, to my fellow women, to the young family members who are my friends on Facebook, to any person striving to live a healthy and happy lifestyle...

• I am sorry for spamming your feeds with objectifying, potentially harmful, and counter-productive images under the pretense of "fitspiration". 

• I promise to henceforth edit what I put up to encourage and motivate myself and others to live a healthy lifestyle. I do find the messages motivational and inspirational in my continued fitness journey. But I see the harm in utilizing unrealistic physical ideals to promote fitness. 

I will re-create these motivational saying and phrases with more appropriate photos and backgrounds. In no way do I discredit, not appreciate, or undervalue the dedication and time that the women in the photos have put into their physical bodies... I simply do not want to endorse the objectifying manner in which the women are being portrayed.

As human beings, we are more than our weight, our clothes, or any other variable of our physical appearance. We are a unique combination of brains, beauty, and brawn and all of these most elemental aspects of ourselves should be revered and appreciated. We are also responsible to continue to develop those human attributes. We do this by living a lifestyle where in we care for our bodies in every facet imaginable. We utilize and strengthen it physically, nutritionally, mentally, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. That is one of the many keys to a happy life. A healthy lifestyle promotes unity, understanding, charity, love, compassion, support in our families, friendships, relationships, social circles, and communities. Healthy lifestyles foster positivity, optimism and happiness and thusly aids in negating and dissuading the harmful messages of the media and the critical and hurtful social standards of judgement.

So thank you Lexi & Lindsay Kite. Thank you for Beauty Redefined. Thank you for again helping me further understand, solidify, and verbalize my opinion on myself, my lifestyle, and how I want to help others understand themselves.

Love it.

Love them.

Love YOU my dah'ling network of support.

You're wonderful.

 ~ Mychal

Need some Monday Inspiration & Motivation?

A lil' Inspiration

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Monday Inspiration

Monday Inspiration

It's Monday, be inspired!

Monday Inspiration

Speechless

Words cannot describe the past 24 hours of my life.

A few weeks ago I was driving to Utah for a job interview.  On the drive to and from, I became an avid Cosmo Radio fan.  I'm especially partial to the Cocktails with Patrick show.

On one show in particular they had an extensive conversation about a guy named Taylor.  At first, I thought his story was a total fluke.  Go on air, talk about how you never want to get married.  Go home.  Boom, girlfriend.  But the more I listened to Patrick talk, the more I really saw the validity in his insight.  And thus, the seed of curiosity was planted.

On a whim I wrote an email to the Cocktails with Patrick show.

It went a little something like this:

Patrick,

I was listening to you a few days ago talk to & about Taylor.  The whole situation made me laugh.  Then, the more I listened, the more I began to see the validity in your insight.  So, I'm going to go out on a limb and see if you have ANY helpful advice for a soon-to-be 23 year old noob to the dating scene.  First of all, I'm a noob to the dating scene because last year I was... a fat-ass.  I've worked hard and lost 76 lbs since May.  Now that I'm quasi attractive, much more confident, and somewhat witty I thought it'd be fun to delve into the world of men; alas I'm really quite terrible at the whole thing.  I've nary a clue what I'm doing.

Help?

Any insight, advice, or tips are appreciated.

Cheers,

Mychal

I've written to places, companies, and people before.  I've never received replies, I've never been listened to, I've never been... cared about?  I expected no less from Patrick's show; yet to my astonishment, the next day I received an email from Lea, the other host of the show.  She informed me that they wanted to interview me... on their show.  Say whaaa???  I was shocked  and giddy with anticipation.  Someone actually wants to help me with dating!?  Praise Jesus.

So, I was interviewed.  It was amazing.  I can't describe how incredibly kind Patrick & Lea were.  How much I valued their insight, their encouragement, and their advice.

And their listeners... their listeners are phenomenal!  Absolutely, totally, and completely incredible.

I'd like to consider myself a rather eloquent person, but the remarkable amount of support that has been pouring in via Twitter, my blog, and my blog's Facebook Page is inspiring, uplifting, and is leaps and bounds beyond what I could ever deserve and is thus leaving me speechless.

Cosmo Radio Blogspot wrote an lovely bit about me that moved me to tears.  Countless individuals who have tweeted me encouragement and salutations have also moved me to tears.  How is it that strangers can care so much about me?

The more I've been able to ponder the events of the past few hours the more I've come to realize that for some strange reason, the outpouring of encouragement from these complete strangers has touched me in a way I never imagined it could have.  While I love, respect, and am most grateful for a supportive network of family & friends, the outside and unbiased view points of the Cocktails with Patrick and Cosmo Radio community has truly helped me take a gigantic leap forward in believing in myself and seeing the beauty I possess in a physical and nonphysical sense.

I'm going to live.  I'm going to have fun.  I'm going to be confident.  There is no need to hide behind a veil of insecurity anymore.  That was part of the old Mychal.  The Mychal I never want to be again.  There isn't any weight to hide behind anymore.  Life was meant to be lived.  I was meant to be this person.  I may be loud, obnoxious, and inappropriate; but I'm happy.  And I want every single person to feel as happy as I do.  Being dismal, being bleak, being desolate... it's a burden!  And it's a weight that we were not meant to bear.

I truly hope that I can be the vibrant, fun, beautiful, and uplifting person that people see me as; more than that, I hope I can help others be the person they want to be.

If you want people to look at you differently... if you want you to look at yourself differently; make them.  Make it happen.  Stop waiting for life to happen, make life happen.

I've added a few more affirmations & mantras to my daily life perspective goals:

(Dear Patrick, Lea, & everyone who has sent kind thoughts in my direction... You've made a difference in my life.  Thank you.)

I hope that I'm evolving into the type of person that can make others happy, or at least smile; no matter how awful their day has been; no matter how tough their life is; no matter how much their heart hurts.

We choose how we react to situations.  We choose how we live our lives.  We choose to be happy.  We choose to love life.  We choose to make it amazing.  

I look forward to utilizing the comments, the advice, the encouragement, and the enlightenment I've received the past few hours.  I'm excited to continue to share my progress with you.  I might not know you individually, personally, or even in a cyber sense; but I love you.  I appreciate you.  My life is infinitely better because you exist.  True story.

I hope that I can be as much a strength, support, and motivational force for good as you all are to me.

Much love my dah'lings.

More than you can fathom.

~Mychal

Monday Inspiration