The Blog, It Is A Changin'

Moment of Reflection - Ouzel Falls Trails

Rocky Mountain National Park - June, 2011

This is what I was looking at:

Ouzel Falls

On May 14, 2010, Gains and Losses: Life Through Sharon's Eyes began with THIS post.  I had a very definitive "plan" as to what the blog would be and where it would go.  It wasn't something I began on a whim or without lots of thought as to what I would write about.  The "plan" went something like this.  I had exactly 30 pounds to lose in order to return to the goal weight I had reached in early 2007 after having lost 65 pounds and then much to my dismay, regaining 30 of them over a period of three years.  I believed that I was ready and would lose the weight in increments of 4-5 pounds a month like I had in 2006-07.  The blog would primarily be about that for the first six months or so, but then would truly become a blog about Life Through Sharon's Eyes and would cover a whole lot more than healthy eating and losing weight.  I had (have) a journal with three pages of blog post titles about which I intended to write once the weight was gone.  The plan was carefully orchestrated because I challenged myself to stay away from those topics until I had reached goal weight in the hopes that it would be an additional incentive to get there quickly!  

And the plan was working!  For reasons I couldn't know at the time, the pounds were coming off more slowly than before, but nonetheless, they were coming off and on August 19, 2010, I had lost 16 of the 30 pounds.  But life threw a curveball and for whatever reason, all of which are only excuses, I have never recovered.  In fact, exactly one year later, I am within five pounds of the original 30 pounds I set out to lose.  As a result, the blog became solely focused on the weight loss journey and even though I enjoy many blogs in a myriad of blog communities, I have become a part of none, other than this one. 

And that may remain exactly the way it is.  I love this blog community and it provides all the care, support and encouragement I need.   It is my sincere hope that works both ways!   But my head is bursting with all these other things I want to write about that make up who I am.  I am so much more than the woman who constantly struggles with food and weight.  I want you to know that woman!   She's really pretty cool or so she's often told! 

So you will see some subtle changes and I hope that's o.k. because I sure don't want to lose any of you as readers.  I am not discontinuing my journey towards goal weight and a healthy body.  I will continue to keep you informed and updated on exactly what is happening in that area of my life. But that will only be one part of the whole that is ME!   And you may see some additions and/or subtractions to what is seen on the blog.  IOW, all the information will still be there - you might just have to dig a little deeper to find it.  Plus, there are a couple of new challenges I've been wanting to add.

I have been wanting to do this for a long time, but for some reason, have kept hesitating.  I think, in some far corner of my mind, I'm afraid that if I don't write post after post after post about losing this weight that I'll never get it done.  In fact, for me (and ONLY me - can't speak for ANYONE else!),  I think this may be the impetus that gets me going in the right direction.  The constant thought process about food and my relationship to it, coupled with so much self-criticism about not being able to get it right have been working against me for quite some time now.  I believe that turning the blog in a new direction will be just the motivation I need!

So, stick with me PLEASE.   I want and need all of you.   And there's always room for more.   I hope you like what you are about to see through my eyes.