Forward Fit and Well with Michelle

I learned some amazing information during this conference today. Young onset Colorectal Cancer is on the rise. Small changes in your daily habits could make a big difference!
-more exercise
-less sugar
-less red meat and processed foods
-more vegetables and fruit

Here I am today, no filters. I'm tired, but I'm here. And here is my my important message, as part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness month:

GET SCREENED!

If I had gotten screened when I was supposed to, I might have avoided all the needle pokes, all the IVs, all the CTs and PET scans and MRIs, the surgeries, the CHEMO! 👎

Colorectal cancer doesn't discriminate. It can happen to anyone. A year before my diagnosis, Chadwick Boseman - the Black Panther - a literal superhero, passed away at age 43 from colon cancer.

I am one of the lucky ones. I was diagnosed with Early Onset, Stage 4 Colon Cancer with metastasis to the ovaries, in July 2021. It is insane how much my life has changed. Next week, I go in for my 28th cycle of chemotherapy. I continue to fight and to survive with the support of so many people. And I don't wish this on anyone.

So I encourage all of you to get screened as soon as you quality. For most people, that will be at age 45. If you have a family history of colon cancer, colon polyps or other gastrointestinal diseases, you may qualify to get screened even earlier. And listen to your body. Don't ignore those strange symptoms. Get tested. Get screened!

I’m so excited to be working on a presentation again. Especially something that could help someone else avoid all the crap I’ve been through/going through.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness month is coming but always GET SCREENED, people!

So it's a new year! I am feeling extremely blessed to make it to see another year.

All of these "New Year New Me" messaging got me thinking. "New Me" happened to me back in July 2021 when I was diagnosed with colon cancer. And for most of this year, it's been working to get past the surviving and back to LIVING. Even though I am still going through chemotherapy, I am working to be more present and keep moving forward. And that includes coming to terms with this body of mine.

With multiple procedures and surgeries, and the chemo treatments and accompanying meds - I sometimes don't quite recognize myself. I'm missing a few parts now. Between the treatments and the steroids and the much lower activity levels, the weight has come on. And sometimes it's really hard not to get down on myself. But I remind myself that this body was strong enough to tolerate a rather aggressive treatment regimen and is still strong enough to keep going. And this body was able to learn two new things this year - snowskiing and paddleboarding. And I was super proud and happy to be able to join my 8 year old during the holidays, to climb 84 steps to the top to see the mountains, and to be able to follow her (albeit more slowly) on obstacle courses and a rope bridge tree top walk.

I'm going to get back to what feels good to me - lifting weights! I started back up again a couple of months ago with light weights and I'm ready to get back to some heavy lifting! It feels good to feel strong and I know it's helping my body to get through all the side effects.

So this year, I don't really have resolutions - rather just continuing on this journey. And learning to give myself a bit more grace and to ask for help when I need it.

Cheers to y'all!

I still occasionally grief over what was before. What I looked like, my career, dancing, my strength…

But my cancer diagnosis has taught me to slow down and re-prioritize. It’s been almost a year and a half since all this started. I’m still on chemo although a different schedule and regimen than before. I’m starting to get my strength back. I’m even starting to train again. I’m taking more appreciation for the little things and for my blessings. I’ve accepted that I may never get back to where I was before appearance wise but I’m so grateful to be able to move and do things with my daughter and my family and friends. Taking in new experiences is more important now. I’m finding different ways to face me fears and level up for the future.

At the Harris County Wicked Fitness Expo this morning. Not teaching this morning but it’s great to see people that I haven’t seen in awhile. And I line danced too! Remembered how much I missed dancing!

Feeling good to be building my strength back up while still going thru chemotherapy. I’m so blessed and grateful to be able to do this. Slowly but surely, I’m getting back to it.

A change in my chemotherapy schedule means I might be able to finally figure out a workout routine! I’ve missed my kettlebells. Let’s see if I remember how these work.

It’s been almost 2 full months since surgery and I’ve completed 3 cycles of chemo. Trying to find a new routine for movement and exercise. I’m starting with walking! I’m trying to get in daily walks whenever I feel up to it.

Hi everyone-

Due to an emergency medical issue, I will be on hiatus with all my classes until further notice. I’m so sorry it’s so sudden.

Be well and I hope to be doing burpees with y’all again soon!

Just finished a workout with my class, and repping with my new gear!