I have always journaled my life and have always been private about it. But decided to try this online journal thing so many years ago simply because I would have access to my journal at work, at home, on vacation...anywhere I had internet! That sounded easier than dragging around a weight loss journal....another notebook. (I still do write in a personal journal...old fashioned pen and paper...it is cathartic for me!). It worked perfectly and I was happy as a lark. I was writing for myself only and as a means to remember and learn as I embarked upon the task of losing over 100 pounds.
Sure I knew that people could stumble upon it and read it....but what were the odds. And never my family...I was sure! Well...imagine my surprise when low and behold people started commenting. And by the time my family stumbles upon it...well I was fine with sharing! Come one...come all!
I kept writing. I still wrote for myself, but the comments helped. It was a bit of accountability. But while I still wrote for myself (and still do) this site has evolved over the years. There was a major name change. It went from ‘a new start’ to ‘belief in myself’. I have gone through periods where I barely post to periods where I post every day to now-a-day’s where I post regularly and on a schedule. (Seriously, the schedule helps me stay super accountable for everything!) Lots of alterations in my handling of this site and in my health, fitness and healthy lifestyle beliefs have occured over the last 13.5 years since I started writing my thoughts here.
I am going through another change. It’s a biggie! I will still be posting on here and writing everything out....because that is my ‘safe place’...writing is my way to process my struggles and victories. Probably the only thing that will change here is that I will be posting my weigh in results on Monday’s ....and talking about my weekends on Wednesday’s. No big changes. The big change is that I plan on starting to share a weekly vlog about my progress. Yes, I am nervous about this...pictures are bad enough...but video? Yikes! The vlog will be my baby....I have been part of the weight loss journey community for so long that I needed to do this. But I will have two babies. The other baby? We plan on doing short videos of this mountain biking experience....sharing the ups and downs (oh dear heavens let there be no more meltdowns on the trial of tears once the cameras are rolling....or even worse...don’t let me rip my pants so badly again...also on the trial of tears...because I know I will show it ......cuz seriously, I wrote about it ...but how embarrassing!!!). We are doing it for a few reasons. Mainly because we want a video that shows our progression as I learn to mountain bike in my upper 40’s....and as an overweight woman...in a male dominated sport. Seeing the progression is huge ..because honestly I say I can see progression sometimes but it is so hard to recognize it...most days while riding I feel as if I am still doing as poorly as I did the first time we went out. But we are also doing this because we want people to see....if you want something, follow your dreams...no excuses. Will this be a long term thing? Maybe...maybe not. We may hate the time and effort it takes and we may end up with tons of clips stored in a folder for our own viewing pleasure and you may only see one or two crazy videos but who knows. Let’s try!
So I will still be writing everything here....but stay tuned for some videos also. (Weight loss vlog first, most likely....trail stories shortly thereafter). Be patient as I learn and adjust and by all means, enjoy this ride of a lifetime with me!
