I will be fat at FitBloggin’

Possible FitBloggin’ sponsor? Um, not:

There is a part of me that wishes I could lose 50 pounds before the FitBloggin’ conference in two weeks. I can’t deny that. I’m not as thin as I used to be, but I’m not as fat as I used to be either. I could get into all the reasons for that, blah, blah, blah, excuses, defensiveness, marshmallows. But that’s not really important. What’s important is that I’m going anyway.

One of the things I learned from my weight loss is that your body isn’t holding you back in all the ways you think it is. Most of the problems you had before you lose weight will still be there after you lose weight unless you do work on your inner self as well as your outer self. And while the fat me from 6 years ago (dear me, has it been 6 years?) probably would have been too self-conscious to attend a conference all about health and fitness, the less-fat-but-still-undeniably-fat me of today shall not only be attending, but presenting too. ( I should really start putting together my presentation, shouldn’t I?)

It’s not your fat that holds you back, it’s you. And I’m not going to hold myself back, because I’d really like to see all my friends who will be attending. Shauna is flying in from Scotland! Roni is running the whole darn thing and raising a newborn! I’ll get to meet Rebecca in person after working on her web sites for months! And all these lovely people will be there too, some who I do know and many who I don’t.

So, yes, I will be there. And there will be more of me there than there would have been two or three years ago. If you’re going to be fat at FitBloggin’ too, don’t worry. I’ve got your back, and I’ve got your back fat too. See you there!

"Smart, unflinchingly honest, and laugh-out-loud funny."– Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author of Still AliceComments are now closed on all PastaQueen entries. The blog is an archive only so I don't have to deal with spammers. For fresh discussions please visit my new blog JenFul.

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I will be fat at FitBloggin’

Possible FitBloggin’ sponsor? Um, not:

There is a part of me that wishes I could lose 50 pounds before the FitBloggin’ conference in two weeks. I can’t deny that. I’m not as thin as I used to be, but I’m not as fat as I used to be either. I could get into all the reasons for that, blah, blah, blah, excuses, defensiveness, marshmallows. But that’s not really important. What’s important is that I’m going anyway.

One of the things I learned from my weight loss is that your body isn’t holding you back in all the ways you think it is. Most of the problems you had before you lose weight will still be there after you lose weight unless you do work on your inner self as well as your outer self. And while the fat me from 6 years ago (dear me, has it been 6 years?) probably would have been too self-conscious to attend a conference all about health and fitness, the less-fat-but-still-undeniably-fat me of today shall not only be attending, but presenting too. ( I should really start putting together my presentation, shouldn’t I?)

It’s not your fat that holds you back, it’s you. And I’m not going to hold myself back, because I’d really like to see all my friends who will be attending. Shauna is flying in from Scotland! Roni is running the whole darn thing and raising a newborn! I’ll get to meet Rebecca in person after working on her web sites for months! And all these lovely people will be there too, some who I do know and many who I don’t.

So, yes, I will be there. And there will be more of me there than there would have been two or three years ago. If you’re going to be fat at FitBloggin’ too, don’t worry. I’ve got your back, and I’ve got your back fat too. See you there!

"Smart, unflinchingly honest, and laugh-out-loud funny."– Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice

No related posts.

Comments are now closed on all PastaQueen entries. The blog is an archive only so I don't have to deal with spammers. For fresh discussions please visit my new blog JenFul.

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Post FitBloggin’ Emotions and Thank Yous

This post was written with tears streaming down my face so lets just get that out of the way now.

FitBloggin’12 was nothing short of amazing. I don’t even know where to begin. The last 5 days are a complete blur.

You know what?

I can’t even recap. I just can’t. My brain is mush. I’m an emotional mess. I’m humbled and honored, overwhelmed and and even anxious, in a weird way.

For 3 days I was on the verge of tears. I want to tell you why but it’s so hard to put into words. I held myself together, allowing only my eyes to well, while watching reunions, first time in-person hugs, people going out of their comfort zones, trying new things, experiencing new things, and being truly themselves all in a supportive, welcoming, accepting environment.

And I did hold it together, for the most part. Thankfully I was distracted by all the logistics of actually running the conference! I was too busy to take it all in, until this morning.

That’s when I saw Robby holding this sign after the 5k…

(She was holding it for the Reebok photo booth but I can’t find the actual photo) :(

I lost it.

Tears flowing.

Hard to breathe.

Everything hit me in that moment.

That sign.

That message.

I feel like it’s something I’m teaching and learning all at the same time.

I picked up the sign, found her and all the emotions of the last 3 days just. came. out.

I couldn’t hold it back any longer.

So many people have been thanking me for organizing the conference but they have it wrong.

I need to thank them.

I can’t do what I’m doing without their support or yours! I feel honored and grateful that I am able blog and bring such a community of supportive people together.

I have to admit.

I don’t feel worthy.

I’m not sure where the self-doubt and insecurity comes from. Thankfully, it’s not crippling. I no longer need to feed it by binging on obscene amounts of food just so I feel a sense of fullness instead of the self-induced loneliness.

Instead, I ignore the negative inner voice and move forward despite it. I have taken baby steps that have not only helped me to reach my own weight loss goals but have literally changed my body, my health, my relationships, my career, and my life.

It’s so overwhelming to even think about right now.

So I’m not. :)

Instead I’ll share this photo…

The Husband had an Edible Arrangement sent to the house this afternoon. The card…

How nice was that?!

I spent my Sensational Sunday playing with my kids, napping and being fed strawberries by this Little Guy…

I also added some new inspiration to my office wall…

Note: I’m note sure who wrote the "If I don’t start, I can’t finish!" banner but when I saw it I had to grab it. It captures how I felt at that very moment about the conference and, well, all my accomplishments.

I promise to share more about the conference without getting so deep or emotional. In the mean time you may want to check out these links….

I need to end this post with my expression of gratitude. As I said, so many thanked me and I need to thank so many. So here goes my Emmy’s style thank you.. :)

Thank you Mom for always being my hero. I wouldn’t be here (literally and figuratively) if it wasn’t for you. Thank you Jen for always being there for me. You support me in so many ways that I can’t even explain. Thank you Erin for the amazing work. This year would not have happened without you. Thank you Carrie for being so much more than a photographer and allowing me to take over your house for 2 months.Thank you Jimmy for allowing me not to worry about the 5k or the Swag.Thank you Carla for thinking of me when I was too busy to think of you. I’m sorry.Thank you April, Bill and Miko for just being SO AWESOME. Thank you Sammy for all the help you didn’t think you gave. Thank you Carmen for stepping up and being there for me. Oh! and dealing with my teams craziness. Thank you Bob and Terri for watching the boys during the madness. Thank you Bill for, well, everything. You always support me and I’m so thankful I have you to experience this world with. Oh! and your welcome for the 2 days off work, quiet hotel room and long mornings. ;)OMG I could do this all day! There are just so many people who have supported me and this conference. Thank you everyone who came, spoke, volunteered, and supported the conference this year (including the sponsors!) There are literally too many of you to list! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

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Im FITBLOGGIN bound!

Ive been fortunate to go to a *lot* of blogging conferences.

Big and small.

Fitness and general blogging.

There will never be a conference I adore as much as Fitbloggin.

It’s been said before (heck, IVE said it before) Fitbloggin feels like coming home.

Unlike other conferences where Ill freely admit to having the “what if no one talks to me?”  “what should I wear?!”  “what if I HIDE IN MY ROOM THE ENTIRE TIME?!” jitters Fitbloggin feels like a family reunion.

In the truest, best and most authentic sense everyone there is part of the “tribe” because we all get each other.

Whether we’ve met before or not (virtually or in real life)  we *all* start from a place of familiarity and I adore that.

All that love aside, Id not be going this year were it not for my AMAZING SPONSOR DA ACTIVE.

Yes I love their clothing, but more than that I LOVE how they appreciate and value us bloggers.

Thanks to them, if youve no idea what I look like, you will recognize me by the clothing Ill have on:

Although I PROBABLY shall only strip to my, uh, skivvies (<—can I use that in reference to a BRA?) if you’ll accompany me to the nearest secluded spot:

Annnnnnnd you will wanna grab me when Im ambling aimlessly and alone and looking like I need a partner in crime as soon as you see me as Ill have THESE CARDS to pass out:

(cue confetti shaped like D’s & A’s)

Feel free to check them out and hit me up at the conference with questions regarding FIT, SIZING etc. as Im a veritable fountain o’fit knowledge…

OOOH which fortuitously leads me to my next thought.

KNOWLEDGE.

Whether or not I had any to impart is debatable (rimshot!)—- but regardless Id chosen not to speak at the conference this year.

No presenting. 

No Miz Muscles in Minutes. 

NOTHING.

Nothing but good old fashioned mingling, chatting and LISTENING & LEARNING.

Until last week.

Things shifted around and I was given the opportunity to present on two topics about which I am truly passionate:  Freelance writing & Attracting traditional media.

I quickly told Roni I adored her but SUCK at technology and mightcould have a meltdown if I had to do two power points last minute.

I took a moment, pondered my brand, and decided to take a different approach with my presentation:  old school handouts on colored paper selected by the Tornado.

It’s awkward to admit how excited I am by this last minute opportunity to speak.

Ive blogged forever.

Ive made every single mistake imaginable along the way.

I welcome any opportunity to share my knowledge/experiences in hopes I can save others time I wasted.

And speaking of time a’wasting—Im off to finish doing this (why yes. those ARE temporary tattoos in my suitcase. Ill be giving em away!):

Will you be at Fitbloggin this year? What are you most looking forward to?If you cant attend in person—and plan to be glued to twitter for the next couple days—what are you most hoping to learn?

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I will be fat at FitBloggin’

Possible FitBloggin’ sponsor? Um, not:

There is a part of me that wishes I could lose 50 pounds before the FitBloggin’ conference in two weeks. I can’t deny that. I’m not as thin as I used to be, but I’m not as fat as I used to be either. I could get into all the reasons for that, blah, blah, blah, excuses, defensiveness, marshmallows. But that’s not really important. What’s important is that I’m going anyway.

One of the things I learned from my weight loss is that your body isn’t holding you back in all the ways you think it is. Most of the problems you had before you lose weight will still be there after you lose weight unless you do work on your inner self as well as your outer self. And while the fat me from 6 years ago (dear me, has it been 6 years?) probably would have been too self-conscious to attend a conference all about health and fitness, the less-fat-but-still-undeniably-fat me of today shall not only be attending, but presenting too. ( I should really start putting together my presentation, shouldn’t I?)

It’s not your fat that holds you back, it’s you. And I’m not going to hold myself back, because I’d really like to see all my friends who will be attending. Shauna is flying in from Scotland! Roni is running the whole darn thing and raising a newborn! I’ll get to meet Rebecca in person after working on her web sites for months! And all these lovely people will be there too, some who I do know and many who I don’t.

So, yes, I will be there. And there will be more of me there than there would have been two or three years ago. If you’re going to be fat at FitBloggin’ too, don’t worry. I’ve got your back, and I’ve got your back fat too. See you there!

"Smart, unflinchingly honest, and laugh-out-loud funny."– Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author of Still AliceComments are now closed on all PastaQueen entries. The blog is an archive only so I don't have to deal with spammers. For fresh discussions please visit my new blog JenFul.

View the original article here

A FitBloggin’ Three Picture Thursday

Those were three of my favorite shots taking during FitBloggin and shared on Twitter. I, for the life of me, can’t remember who snapped what. I’m pretty sure MizFit took the one of The Husband and Mom. Anyone want to claim the other two??

Anyway, I’ve been wanting to share these for almost a week! That’s how far behind I am. I don’t think I have it in my to write a post like last years. With a 2 day event there’s just SO MUCH. Plus I think I’d rather you read about the conference from the attendees point of view. Not mine. All I did what run around like a chicken without a head making sure stuff started on time.

BORING!

Instead…

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Bikini Interrupted: (So I Can Show You My Fitbloggin Pics)

I’m interrupting your Bikini Monday for a special reason. But if you are extra faithful to fitting into your bikini this summer despite this post NOT being about the two-piece, please commence to doing some Couch Pilates, toe lifts or elbow aerobics – anything to burn a few calories while you gaze into the pictures, right?

When I first arrived a Fitbloggin it was time for a quick pow-wow with MizFit, NoMoreBacon, ShePosts and Prior Fat Girl (in the background) to discuss for our Hobbyist to Professional panel (read the full transcript here).

My buddy, Jen In Real Life, is a vibrant, energetic ball of fire. I love her.

And here we have the infamous Bacon (featuring pink headband), alongside my crush, Benjamin Teal.

…and here is Ben’s butt.

Then I met Cathe. Holy cow, I was geeked! You will officially be inducted into The Bad Ass Club with her workouts.

I also hung out with Run Wifey Run, Renee J. Ross and Determined To Be Fit (not pictured). Sa-weet!

I luurves me some Alan. And there’s my Fitbloggin roomie, Andrea, in the background!

I spent a lot of time in the Pop Chips lounge. Who can refuse bean bag chairs and a free, endless flow of Pop Chips? Duh! Pictured from left to right are Brandi from Diets in Review, Fit Bottomed Girl, Dubya Wife (she gave me more Ostrich Jerky), Miz Fit and Diet Girl.

There were SO MANY other awesome peeps that I didn’t get to take pics with. Boo. But I’m home now so let’s get back to business. I ate a lot and enjoyed myself, so now I’m back on the grind, workin’ on my fitness. ka-BOOM!

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Fonebloggin from Fitbloggin

(The real title of this post should have been Holy Crap I’m Blogging From Bed Before I Even Have My Coffee And That Shocks Me Let Alone Anyone Who Knows Me but I thought that might be too verbose)

Yes (I’m awake *and* rolling sans Tornado AND have a whole bed to myself).

Yes (that annoys the crap out of me That is mystifying)

Yes (I love having a moment to think even though some of those thoughts are visions of a large cup of Starbucks coffee magically appearing)

Yes (I’m gonna ramble a few sentences about the conference even though—those of you reading from home—I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve avoided the entire internet from facebook to twitter during conference times because I was plainolePISSED I couldn’t attend.  I’m grown-up like that)

Most importantly this is a shoutout to the amazing LIVE BLOGGERS attenting.

If you click on over to Fitbloggin.com they’ve already uploaded LOTS of sessions. 

Transcripts of entire panels from BLOGGERS AND BRANDS to MAKING YER BLOG A HOBBY AND PAYING SOME FREAKIN BILLS WHILE HAVING FUN! (my title)

More than anything I was impressed how fast these women were and wanted to let anyone not attending know they can already enjoy the conference from home.

Or from Starbucks.

Where you’ve dashed in a mad effort to fed ex me some java to my bed (I appreciate. I appreciate).

And lastly it’s a swift shoutout to the photo above.

We all know I don’t rock the photo posts.

I just find I’m too ‘in the moment’ and it’s only after said moment I remember I forgot to photodocument.

Anything.

So the image above–of my finally meeting Shauna after *years* of friendship & working together—is merely a symbol of all the amazing fantastic strong inspiring men and women I’ve finally met this weekend.

People I’ve finally been able to talk to.
To listen to.
To hear their stories and chat about things neither of us may ever wanna blog about.
To connect in a different way and in a manner I look forward to bringing back home with me and continuing.

This post isn’t about you (the royal you) missing Fitbloggin but about getting out there UNPLUGGING and finding your finally outside your front door.

About face to face connections (with old friends with new friends with bloggers with people who don’t know twitter from a mizfit) and the tremendous vaule of that.

It’s something which is easy to forget (I’m the first to admit it) when you love the online world as all of us do.

And with that I’m unplugging.

Forgive any typos as I’m not proofreading this (ohyesIsaidit).

Send coffee as there’s a chance I may not budge for hours.

Checkout the conference transcripts if you’re so inclined.

And unplug yourself.

Get out there and see what your Saturday—outside the front door—has to offer.

xo

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fitbloggin flashback

I know.

I’ll bet you thought after this post you’d be spared my conference-muzings.

Alas.

You were incorrect.

More than anything I want to again thank my sponsor UGI.

They rock, People.

Their product is amazing.

They are smart, strong, funny, motivated woman working their collective-asses off to help us work our collective-asses off (yesIsaidit.).

ONWARD.

What I learned and re-learned over the past few days.

Bullet’ed for your reading pleasure:

The second time can, indeed, be as fab as the first. I wont lie to you or Roni Noone.  I feared. I feared. I adored the intimacy we had at Fitbloggin10.  I was happy to see with more bloggers in attendance there was the same level of kinship & unity.There is nothing like being greeted at the airport by two amazing stranger-friends. Ive known Tara & Colleen on twitter for a while & being met at the Baltimore airport by their energy launched Fitbloggin perfectly.

Somethings ARE worth the wait, exceed expectations and feel IMMEDIATELY comfy like an old shoe you’ve known each other forever. I was nervous-excited to*finally* meet the other Fit Chick (sans her microphone) and, well, I love her just as much in person as on skype.When you have a nice thought—share it. Some may call it losing my filter, but I like to think of it as spreading the love.  With a few words you can alter the course of someone’s day or entire conference. I was on the *receiving* end of this at Fitbloggin & hope my shared words made me on the giving end as well.Our tribe is warm, welcoming and MIND-BLOWINGLY supportive. I could ramble (& get choked up in the process)  instead Ill just say read this post.I really don’t workout when on vacation. Roni offered an veritable buffet of fitness activities.  I worked my mouth-muscles chatting instead.  Time with blogger-friends feels all too fleeting.The sessions I attended were so packed with information & discourse they could have spanned an entire weekend (Hello! Intuitive Eating panel).  We healthy living bloggers are a wise & talented bunch.That said, I still think I learned more outside the sessions than in. The stories shared.  The laughter.  The tears. The blogger melding of the minds & plotting of world domination. Bloggers uniting to effect national change. All of that happen in hallways or on escalators or during snack breaks or meals or late night and it inspired me.At 40+ I wont back down from peer pressure something that scares me. I ate my first oyster at Fitbloggin.  Never. Again. I dont understand the allure and have been informed some of this is the fact I gag at the mere use of the word horseradish.

The beef jerky I currently consume *stinks* and many of you love me enough to sit near me in sessions anyway.

I leave town & the Tornado gets snazzy new boots (!).

I possess the ability to commit to & indeed execute wearing nothing but toddler clothing jumpsuits for 4 days in a row (save your applause).An impressive number of you fancy ladies own and use flat irons on a regular basis.  Im in awe.

When asked by people, as I have been frequently since Sunday morning, what did I miss at Fitbloggin?! my answer is this:

Absolutely nothing (as thanks to Roni the sessions were all live blogged), LOTS (hugs, love-fests, first time meeting shrieks of joy & shared moments which defy words) and please to come next year.

I’ve attended many conferences where I return tired, depleted and a wee bit regretting I took the time away from my family.

I returned from Fitbloggin feeling more CONNECTED than I had in a while.  To know me virtually or in real life is to know that is something this misfit really, really needed.

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Help me design the FitBloggin “Design 101″ session

Tell someone about Jennette’s latest book, Chocolate & Vicodin and you could win an iPod Shuffle or a gift card from Amazon or iTunes. Learn more.

I’ll be hangin’ in Baltimore between May 20-May 21 at the second annual FitBloggin’ conference. I’ve been asked to lead a session called “Design 101: Simple tips to Build a Better Blog” because of the web design work I do over at Make My Blog Pretty. I would like my session to be free of snoring and people sneaking out, so I wanted to know what any FitBloggin’ attendees out there are interested in learning. You can comment either on this post or on this post at the FitBloggin’ web site.

I’m most interested in knowing how general or specific you’d like the session to be. Are you interested in learning some general principles of design? Or would you prefer specific instructions on how to change your header in WordPress or to use the Blogger template designer? Lemme’ know!

Oh, and if you’re not attending FitBloggin’, I still think you are a precious, unique snowflake, but since you’re not actually going to be at the session please let me know that in your comment. I’m still interested in what other bloggers and blog readers want to know about design, but I’d like to make sure the people actually at the session get the most out of it.

"Smart, unflinchingly honest, and laugh-out-loud funny."– Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice

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Winner of the Fitbloggin ticket:

Kenz @ All The Weigh

Email me (MizFit08 at yahoo dot com) and I shall hook you up with your PRIZE!!

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Ive got a ticket to FITBLOGGIN! (tix giveaway)

Yes, People.

You read that correctly.

I have a ticket to Fitbloggin‘ to give away.

While May feels eons off  it blows my everlovingMisfitmind that the conference is just two months away.

(& given the fact I dont have a plane ticket for you I suddenly realized you might need a *heads up* & time to buy that thing in advance so Id best get to posting)

Suffice it to say Im excited for the conference.

Way.

I’m key-noting, other paneling, ice-breaker exercise leading AND fitness demo’ing with the amazing UGI.

Which brings me back to the point of this post:

I have a free ticket to give away.

And the fact that as soon as Roni told me I could host this give what I immediately thought was:

There will be strings attached, People.

Assistant-type strings.

You see, I’ll be doing a fitness demonstration with the UGIFIT:

I’ll be chatting & doing a few exercises (& inviting you up to do the same!):

(The pic below is for no other reason than I hope I clean the house before I go & *pick up* those pink shorts from the floor.  nice huh?)

The thought of doing this all sans someone to giggle with sidekick made me feel like this:

Sure, this one thinks shes coming to help, but I believe Ren Man has other plans for her that weekend.

Which leads me back to you.

Fraught with excitement and hoping you’re as giddy as am I.

I have a free ticket for you to Fitbloggin *and* whoever wins can come (pleaseplease?) and hang with me as I do my Ugi-demo too.

You can help me keep things rolling & assist in getting the lone listener teeming masses to pay rapt attention.

You can be entered to win for the low low price of a comment below:

If you were to win the ticket whats the FIRST thing you’d do upon arrival at Fitbloggin 11?

Be honest. Be silly. Be sentimental. Be snarky.  Be you.

winner announced 3.28.11

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