This is Part II of My Story. Read My Story : Height of Disaster here.
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Good things started happening

You know that saying A watched pot never boils? Wow, truer words were never spoken. I had spent my whole life trying to manage everything; trying to hide my feelings, talents, and scars. At the same time, I wanted my life to flourish. I didn’t understand why nothing good was ever happening. It wasn’t until I changed my attitude and started letting go that it started bubbling over with joy. Boy, did it ever boil!

That summer, I was kicking butt. I was in the gym every day, writing meaningful work, and starting to truly believe in myself. It was at that moment, and only that moment, that the universe rewarded me. I bumped into an old friend one day. Adam opened with the line, “Hey! I’m single.” Now almost four years later, I guess I can say that was the right phrase. I suddenly found myself falling in love with him, and in turn, myself.

Flash to two years later. Adam and I had been through our ups and downs, and so had my waist-line. I was stuck in a rut yet again, after reaching my adult low (217) and then gaining right back up to 240. I was procrastinating on a new semester’s work one afternoon when I opened google and typed in “weight loss stories and blogs.”

It was then that I found Blog to Lose

I was fascinated. I slowly started poking around the site, soaking in people’s stories and blogs. They were young, old, morbidly obese, just needing to lose a few pounds, insecure, confident; a whole myriad of journeys lay at my fingertips. I immediately felt inspired and comforted that there was a place like this, a place where I could belong.

Then I found Roni, the creator of Blog to Lose.

I read about her life. I scanned through her blog archives. I gasped at her tummy-tuck story. I admired her beauty and her amazing confidence. Oh, and the recipes! Forget about it. Let’s just say, I had to buy more recipe cards. I felt the fire in me ignite. If she could do it, if all these people on BTL could do it, why couldn’t I? Maybe blogging my journey was the missing piece in the puzzle? I remember approaching Adam with uncertainty about starting to blog. I was afraid no one would like me, no one would comment, no one would care. Sound familiar? Adam thought so to He gently reminded me not to dwell on the negative and self-doubt that I was working so hard to get away from.  After some coaching from him, I jumped in to the world of blogging.

 

Blog to Lose, and Roni, changed my life. Never before was I able to work through the issues I needed to with support from people going through the same thing. It made me step outside of my own life and have empathy for other’s struggles. I learned to run because of Roni. I upped my game eating well because of Roni. Hell, I even learned a lot about relationships and raising children from Roni. She’s been a true inspiration to me, even though I’ve never met her.

And in two days, I will meet Roni.
(squeeee!)

Attending Fitbloggin isn’t my “I’ve made it!” moment, but rather my “I’m SO doing this” moment. I’m here! I’m putting myself out there – the real me – and with love and hope in my heart. That is priceless, and a huge change from the person I was 4+ years ago. Giving credit where credit is due … I did a lot of hard work But Roni and Blog to Lose were the turning point for me. I’ve never felt so loved and supported as I did at BTL. FitandFreeWithEmily would simply not exist, had I not stumbled across her site that day. I’m actually getting a tad emotional as I type this part. To me, Fitbloggin is a lot more than a networking opportunity. It’s symbolic of my journey as a “loser.” I’ve gone from being alone and isolated because of my weight, to a part of an amazing community. I’ve gone from the girl who never thought anything good was coming, to the girl who makes good things happen. Roni and her site taught me how to love myself, flaws and all.

Roni, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for creating a space for all of us. Thank you for embracing everyone with open arms and an open heart. I carry that self-love with me every day now, and I’m a better “loser,” a better mother, and a better ME because of it! Thank you for your hard work to put this conference on. It means so much to SO many of us.  I am beyond excited for Fitbloggin, and the monumental change it represents for me.

Get ready world, because I’m only going up from here.

Nothing but blue skies, from now on!!

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Will return this evening with my 2nd sponsorship announcement! Don’t miss it