Wednesday, August 24, 2011

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. 

18 comments:

  1. You know I'll still be here, reading. Enjoying getting to know you even better. We had briefly talked about the future of blogging. I've wondered that for myself for sometime. I still have a whole long page of topics that I could write about related to weight and healthy living, but not sure I have the creative mindset to go there all the time when I write. And, I've actually toyed with changing my blog name! Anyhoo... I have always espoused that we should blog for ourselves and because we get something out of it. For each of us that could be something very different. It might be connections or motivation or accountability or enjoyment in a creative process or the knowledge of impacting others in a positive way or.... for some... money. I applaud you for thinking about yourself with your blog and for taking the step to have it be you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I will be here and with you wherever you take us. But please don't lose focus on your health, and if weight loss is a large portion of that, then let's get the pounds off.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I enjoy your blog, regardless of what you write! Thanks for sharing, and congrats on your weight loss!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think it's wonderful that you're going to write about some different things. Honestly, I'm tired of reading about the same old food, weight, craving, triggers, blah blah blah all the time. It makes me wonder if people don't ever think about anything else. There's SO MUCH MORE to our lives than the food and the weight.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hmm... I didn't mean that you write that blah blah blah stuff all the time. I just mean blogs in general... hope that didn't come across wrong.

    P.S. I'm having a very bad few days. So take everything I say with a grain of salt.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very nice photos! Feel free to visit my site for a variety of ideas on the ups and downs of the weight loss journey.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Sharon! Well, the bottom line at the end of the day is that *you* like what your blog represents about yourself. I'm naturally curious, so I definitely would like to know other aspects about you. I like who *you* are, so I'll like your blog no matter what.

    :-) Marion

    ReplyDelete
  8. You're not getting rid of me that easily.

    But, nice try! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I will still be here enjoying your photos and reflections!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh you know I fully approve of blog posts on topics other than weight loss/maintenance LOL! And I will REALLY be looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the future!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I will be reading no matter what changes you make. I value what you have to say whether about weight loss, getting healthy or other topics!

    You know I have another blog. That other blog has been my vehicle to post other ruminations beyond weight loss. But my weight loss blog will be on for a long time. I have at least a full year to realize my healthiest life.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's interesting to me that I never did consider what you wrote as being "only" about weight loss. You included lots of other things, little peeks at your "real" life. So, it sounds like we will be simply getting more of those little peeks... yay!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your blog needs to be what works for you. I enjoy seeing your adventures, and hearing how you are doing with your weight. I often toy with making my blog more of a "lifestyle" blog.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Blogs evolve over time. If you feel constrained, then it isn't fun to do any more. Make the blog whatever you want/need it to be!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Friend ~ I'm with you!! You are awesome just as you are!! Can't wait to see what you have for us!

    Keep focused!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sharon,
    I found your blog while blog hopping a year or so ago and often hop ove to see what is going on. While weight loss is a journey I am on I post on my blog about all things just so I can remember I have a life out side of this healthy lifestyle journey I am on. Will love reading and getting to know you beyond the weight loss journey! Hugs! Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  17. Definitely won't stop reading. I hope to be retired from my present job next summer and look forward to more travel, solo and with friends. Lots of places on my list. Meet you in Annapolis?

    ReplyDelete