Hey everyone! It’s Michele from what used to be www.afitandfabulousmichele.com and www.notastandard.com. I’m here with a brand new website for you guys to explore, but why the change?
It was time.
It was time to stop holding myself back. And it was time to get comfortable doing the uncomfortable. It was time to do what I’ve always set out to do since day one of starting my Instagram. And it was time to use all of my experiences in order to help whomever I can. Because years back, I could have truly used the help when I was struggling.
But now, I’m getting ahead of myself for those who don’t know me and my journey. So let me re-introduce myself and then share how this site will be different than my other page.
So hi, I’m Michele. I’m the girl that’s always smiling on Instagram. On paper, I’m a graduate of the University of Vermont with a premedical background that graduated with a BA in Biology and Nutrition. Everything looks great, but if anyone were to dig deeper they would see that it wasn’t always the case. When I was five years old, my brother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Following this period of time, I established unhealthy patterns of eating.
What I had learned was healthy was my brother’s healthy with Type 1 Diabetes…not my healthy.
So after growing up this way, you can imagine what my life looked like. I wasn’t that of a typical 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 year old. I was skipping snacks at school, choosing sugar-free foods, and doing all exercises possible to “get skinny” and stay healthy. At just 8 years old, I was feeling horrible about the way that I looked.
And as time went on, my issues seemed to get worse. I would get into food jags where I ate the same foods day by day. I exercised every single day and in 6th grade in particular lost a lot of weight. These issues were only made worse in senior year of high school where I not only learned of my dad’s affair, but dealt as a referee in their separation as well.
Things got worse before they got better. Between 2009 and today, I ended up in an inpatient facility for anorexia (twice), have been issued a restraining order from someone else, have been turned down from receiving help due to hospital guidelines and health insurance, and so on-and-so forth. My life wasn’t simple and yet here I am smiling today.
And that’s just why I started this new page.
This is a new site. It contains all the support and tools that have helped me. Back then, I just remember that I couldn’t access any kind of support as it was so limited…
Nutrition counseling outside of the hospital and without insurance was too pricey and support groups in the area were limited (i once was told I was too old to be in an anorexia support group without any other options offered to go). I oftentimes I felt like I was so alone in the battle, and I would have died had I chosen not to give up on myself.
And I don’t want that for you or anyone else.
So What’s Michele Christine Weinstein Contain?
This site is unlike any other site. It contains three parts…
1.) My Personal Blog (FREE)
Here’s where I share what I’m wearing, what I’m making, and what I’m eating because I want to be real and raw with you. I want to showcase what life could look like if you choose not to give up and maybe inspire you to live your life too! I also want to show a variety of topics as I know that when I was deep in my struggle I was super-focused on just food and fitness. Life is so much more, so use this resource to find your balance. Find a new DIY to do, decorate your house using my tips and home decor, try a new recipe that I share, or just learn something new that you haven’t heard before.
2.) Not a Standard
A community where ALL are welcome. It’s a place that I wish I had years ago. A place where you can share your story to inspire others to keep going when times are tough, a place where you can connect with others whom you can help or that need your help, and a place where you can educate others on a struggle of yours and/or be educated. It’s basically a free support group for everyone!
3.) Coaching**
(Based on Your Request!)
Need more help with just staying motivated or help with your health journey?
I’ve been there and done that… did I mention that not only have I picked myself up after a ten year struggle with anorexia when all other systems left me to fail, but also grew up with both a T1D and someone with food allergies (to corn, bananas, avocado, etc.) . Did I mention that I was also premedical before starting my blog and that I stay up to date with research? I’m definitely a health nerd at heart and I care about YOU.
So check them out and take part in any of interest. I’m not pushy at all (can you tell?), but I know that this site has all the resources.
So that’s all I have to say, besides one quote that I had to share… and that’s this one: “if it’s still in your mind that it’s worth taking the risk.” Why share? Because no matter whether you hear from me again I want to leave you off with this saying.
**Just remember…
Oftentimes the best things come from the smallest ideas, and sometimes it takes a bit longer than one would hope to bring it to light and bring it to fruition. Sometimes you need to take a step back, re-analyze what you want and what you are currently doing in order to get the life you deserve. And sometimes you just got to pull it together and just take it day by day one foot in front of the other.
