Monday, July 15, 2013

Why Am I Still Here?

I'm going to say it:  maintenance is kind of boring.  I mean seriously, how many posts do you want to read that say "oh hi, I weigh the same" "oh hi, I ate normally" "oh hi, my clothes still fit" - and YES...after so many years of being overweight, it's exactly what I want - to be a normal-sized person day after day.  To not be feel like I'm in limbo, waiting for something, ANYTHING, to change so I'd magically lose weight.  To not wake up and see this round face in the mirror:
Circa May 2007.  You would not believe how hard my supervisor and I worked to get a shot that made me look this, um, "thin"!

But it's not that exciting to write about.  And I'm guessing, read about either.  So, what keeps you coming back?   Am I offering anything helpful anymore?  I know that this has transitioned from being a weight-loss blog to more of a maintenance blog, with hints of knitting and dog thrown in for fun, but seriously - are you reading my posts out of habit, because you enjoy what I write, or am I still a beneficial voice in this land of weight-loss and maintenance?

I've been blogging for over five years now.  I've gone from someone who was drastically overweight, to a more normal-sized person.  I've gone from someone who resisted physical activity to being a person who automatically exercises, week-in and week-out.  I've gone from someone who was a yoyo dieter for most of my adult life to actually keeping the weight off - a first for me.  I've laid a lot out here over the last five years.  Not everything, no - I'm a little more private than some bloggers, and yet little more out there than others.  But you've seen most of me, and I hope that by showing my story, I've helped some of you to believe that if I could make such a drastic change, you could as well. 

So...is this enough?  Lately I've struggled to come up with weight-related topics for my Monday posts.  I suspect part of this is due to having a lot on my figurative plate, and my mind can only handle so much (good thing I didn't want to be a doctor or lawyer - my brain probably would have exploded trying to learn everything)...a sweet friend suggested that I'm putting all of my creative thoughts toward my projects (running club, bathroom redo) and there's not a lot left for writing at the moment, and I hope she's right.  But also, maybe maintenance IS boring.  I might just have to switch up my Monday posts completely - I could concentrate on my drum-playing progress.  How about I change the name of this blog to My Journey to Rock and/or Roll Fame Mediocrity? 

66 comments:

  1. When I first started reading your blog it was because I was looking for people that lost (or were losing) weight. I also was looking for runners.

    Why do I come back? Definitely not out of habit but because I consider you my friend and this is the way we stay connected. I'm interested in life in different parts of the world and love seeing pics of it and learn about "habits" you have we don't have and vice versa.

    I enjoy your blog very much, no matter what subject you write about (although have to admit that Paco always melts my heart). As you can see I'm usually one of the first to comment on your blog on weekdays (weekend I don't read blogs) and that's because I know a new one is ready on Monday, Wednesday and Friday around noon (my time) and I always look forward to reading.

    Write what you want to write about. If you only write about your running, your knitting, your other projects, Paco and never again about weight loss/maintenance that's okay with me. We both now I'm not trying very hard to lose weight at the moment :)

    Long comment what in fact could exist of a few words: I keep coming back because I love you and your blog.

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    1. You write the best comments, Fran! And you made me tear up - thanks, friend. :)

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  2. Your blog is a lot of fun to read, Shelley! You advocate for a healthy lifestyle and encourage those who are not in maintenance by writing about life "on the other side." Even if you are just writing about knitting, you are still writing about how to live a life full of happiness and health because you are in a position where your mind is happy and your body is healthy. I agree with Fran - write about what you want to write about! : )

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    1. It's good to hear your take, Julia - I always appreciate the way you look at things!

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  3. I love reading your blog. Write about whatever suits your fancy.

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  4. I say write whats in your cranium too.
    I love your voice---on any topic.

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  5. I love your blog too, and it so happens I'm a knitter and dog person. As cgf noted, your blog is fun to read and it's now one of the few that I make a point of keeping up with on your "publish" days. But I also understand that from the writing standpoint, there can be a tired factor. I wonder if you're contemplating a change for yourself, as your life is full and vital and healthy, and has been for quite a long time. I think your readers will stay with you because we love you, your humor and your adventures. Maybe you could drop it to 2 days a week if that would feel better FOR YOU, but your fans will be happy to read you as often as or whenever you post! You're a true success story, Shelley, and a funny and totally lovable person!

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    1. Ah Leslie - you sure know how to make a girl feel good...thank you! :)

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  6. Anything that you are dealing with in the maintence area. Like having to change your workouts due to injury, weather. Weight maintence for me is about problem solving and making changes to make sure my weight stays stable across the changes that happen in life, as time goes on.

    Love the photos, too

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  7. We keep coming back because we LOVE YOU!! There are a lot of us who have yo-yo'd and the fact that you've been maintaining for so long...truly changed your life for the better...will ALWAYS be an inspiration to the rest of us. So don't go questioning your worth around here....your story is very much needed and enjoyed!! :)

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  8. I agree with everyone, there is TONS of great stuff here, and there are not all that many resources out there for maintenance! So many weight loss blogs come and go; sadly, I think because people can't sustain maintenance and end up with a yo-yo cycle they feel badly about documenting.

    So here's to a great role model for healthy happy maintenance!

    And there must be something in the air... Miz also just wrote a great post on the un-sexyness of maintenance, and many weightloss/fitness bloggers, including yours truly, have been questioning what they have to offer as bloggers. Is global warming somehow responsible? :)

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    1. Thanks, Crabby - and it was bizarre that Miz and I posted on such a similar subject today. I promise, it wasn't planned! :)

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  9. Heh, rock and/or roll :) I'd love to hear about your progress with the drums!

    I think you have a LOT to offer, and I look at you as someone that I want to be like as I'm getting into maintenance myself. It's so hard, but you've been doing it for a good amount of time now, which I find very inspiring. But I do understand that there's not always a lot to talk about with regards to maintenance, especially since you seem to pretty much have it down at this point. Maybe you could take reader questions relating to your experiences with weight loss and maintenance and write about that?

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    1. Also, I've said it before and I'll say it again - you could post nothing but pictures of Paco, and I'd still read :)

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    2. Paco would like that! :)

      Good idea on the reader questions. And heck, I want to be like you with your workout prowess!!!

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  10. I love your blog, too. I feel like I have gotten to know you and I enjoy hearing how your life is going. And that you are continuing to successfully maintain. Just seeing that lets me know I can do it too.

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  11. The drums!!! Yes, we want to hear about the drums! And just like everybody else, I like reading whatever you choose to write about. And you still do have new stuff and little changes going on, like your land workout!

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  12. I don't think your posts are boring at all - I've gotten to know you over the years and I love the Paco photobomb pics you post and how talented you are at knitting now!

    I know I am not going to come here to find recipes for a five course meal, but I love that you haven't given up, even with your Mom's cancer scare and the great M&M consumption of 2012, you are still going strong!

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    1. I think everyone would do a double-take if I actually posted a fancy recipe here, lol! :)

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  13. I hope you'll continue to write. I love reading about your full and balanced life!

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  14. I just love the way you write. Whatever you have to say about anything is always interesting because of the way you write. :)

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  15. I second everyone's sentiments. I think maintenance is equally if not more interesting than losing weight because what keeps us motivated when there are not giant "whooshes" escapes a lot of people who regain.

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    1. I miss those giant whooshes, but this is normal living now. And it's good. :)

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  16. I think I found you by a comment you made on Kristen's (Low Fat Dressing) blog. I just like your personality. I also have older kids (one in college, one a senior in high school) and feel like I can identify with you (I'm also a Texan). Write what you want to write. I don't run, or knit, but I enjoy your stories.

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    1. Thanks, Lynn...I'm glad you commented - it's nice to "know" another Texan! :)

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  17. I love reading whatever you write about Shelley! Maintenance is a real challenge and it helps to see how others are continuing to do it. You have a great sense of humor too, I always look forward to your fun posts, they are a bright spot in my week :)

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    1. Thank you, and I always crack up when I see "Cake Shoppe has commented on your blog" in my email...instantly my mind starts thinking of yummy treats! :)

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  18. I come back because I consider us friends and I like to know what you are up to!! I love what you post about - weight related or not!

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  19. I couldn't say anything different from what everyone said above. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. I started for reasons similar to Fran (women who have lost weight, were losing weight through running) and now I come back to enjoy the sights. Keep on doing what you're doing as long as your heart's in it.

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    1. I will, and thanks, LaShaune - I still hope we connect at a big race one day soon!

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  20. What you offer now is hope that maintenance is possible - believe me, I for one need it!
    SO thanks - and keep living like a normal person, keep up the unexciting weigh ins and keep fitting in your clothes - for every one who isn't there yet!

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    1. Thanks, Chrissie - I hope you'll get there soon! :)

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  21. I read you because you make me believe that "it" is possible. "It" being the fact that you not only lost the weight, but you've kept it off, and become an active participant in life. Sometimes I forget that I can do it too, until I see that you've run yet ANOTHER 5k or done something equally cool (like the drums!). So you just keep on writing - it doesn't matter what, specifically, just keep showing that you are still an example how a life can change for the better. :)

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    1. Well, you've got that right - life did change for the better. Huh. Good topic idea! :)

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  22. Oh yes, write about what moves you. Not every moment has to be a "teaching moment". :)

    Hmm, I'm thinking we need a simulcast of you playing drums and Lori playing guitar!

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    1. You might be sorry you suggested a simulcast - not on Lori's end, but lately I've been taking the term "bang the drums" a little too literally! ;)

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  23. Just write about whatever. I don't rush here on Mondays and get disappointed if you aren't talking about weight loss! I just want to read whatever you write. I used to try some sort of posting schedule, but found it really doesn't fit my life anymore. The only thing I kept was my Friday blooming stuff.

    We do need to create a female band with our instruments! Do you do 80s tunes?

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  24. I think it's awesome that you have accomplished so much...not many people can say the same! Keep on writing and inspiring! :0)

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  25. Your blog gives me hope as another forty something. (Same birth year as you, so ima just keep saying forty something only a bit longer--as long as I can!)

    It is wonderful to hear abt your maintenance. I'm so proud of you; & I love seeing that it CAN be done.

    If other areas of life are demanding right now, just come here to say hi 2x per week instead of 3 maybe? And by hi I mean whatevs you (& Paco) want to discuss. I do not qualify as a runner, but I read what you post & I have learned so much! I'm not a knitter either; my Mother was. I love seeing your creations & seeing them on the dorbs baby models!

    Yeah so please feel free to write about whatever is on your heart because you have a great way of writing. I would really like for your sake if there were no more injuries or floods to write about tho! :(

    I feel like you are a bloggie friend. I wonder if that is weird. Happiest of Tuesdays to you!
    Love, Chrissy

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    1. Not weird at all - we go way back as bloggie friends and I appreciate you staying along for the ride all these years! :)

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  26. Honestly I stumbled a crossed your blog. I am a 40 something that is trying to lose weight , maintain and keep a good attitude about it. What I LOVE about your blog is that you seem to be so "normal". Someone that is trying to be come the healthiest you can and maintain and be REAL about it. When I look at so many other weight loss blogs I read them and wonder are they trying to lose weight or become super models. So I have been going backwards and checking out your story. I think it's amazing :)

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    1. Thank you, Kel - and I'm glad you're reading my archives, as it does show my struggles and success with dieting...and that it CAN be done. Plus, I'm in reality over here - definitely not going for supermodel status, lol!

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  27. I read your blog to catch up with whatever interesting things you are into next. I started reading because I was a beginning runner - also over 40 - and trying to lose weight. And I have continued to read - sometimes yours is the only running blog I'll check - because I like your attitude toward embracing life. You inspired me to run my first half marathon last April. As others have said, I'll read whatever you write about. I'll be an empty nester soon, and I enjoy reading about how you handle that part of your life too.

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    1. I'm honored to be behind your first half marathon - wow! Congratulations...that put a big smile on my face. :)

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  28. I love reading your blog Shelley. Not so much for the weight discussions, but because you just seem like a fantastic woman with a healthy balanced life, and I think we'd be friends in real life. I love your humour, and I also am pretty smitten with Paco, Henry and Kip. (not so much your son's rat, but I could learn to love it if I ever let myself get close to it. :) ) I also would sooooo love to follow your journey to Rock N Roll fame!!! Rock on!!!

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    1. Thanks Roz - and one of these days, I'd love to hang out with you in person! :)

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  29. WOW...I needed to read this. My commitment to myself this week was to read the current AIM posts. Long theory but for me, I felt I needed to read about maintenance to support me in following through with my healthy lifestyle pursuit.....
    Your post made it CLICK....Maintenance is boring. Isn't that an unspoken fear of losing weight for some of us....we long to be "normal" yet normal may look boring or routine or mundane.
    But honestly....it gives me a HUGE swirl of inspiration...Yes..that is exactly what I want. Normal without the control of the weight!

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  30. Hope. You offer me hope that this can be done.

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  31. I'm kinda late to the punch on this one, but I LOVE your blog. It shows me that it IS possible to maintain. It shows me that there is LAWL (Life after Weight Loss) because you know as well as I do that weight loss kinda overtakes your life. :-) You do what YOU need to do...but I'd miss you if you stopped. (and I'd miss the animals....and your knitting projects...and your fun running group...and your awesome race posts!)

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  32. I love reading your posts, Shelley, because you are a real person. When you slip-up and recover, it makes me less worried that I can't recover from my own slip-ups. When you have success at something, be it a work-out, a run, a kitting project or whatever, it makes me confident that I will have success in my own endeavors. Because of your inspiration, I bought my first bike as an adult - her name is Sally, because I ride, Sally, ride. You also gave me the courage to try box jumps, and yes, I hate them just about as much as you.

    I love your sense of humor, and Paco's funny comments, too :-) It's a treat to myself in the morning on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to stop by your blog and see what's going on in your world. If you write it, I will read!

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    1. Thanks, Emmaclaire (what a pretty name!) - and I also love the name you gave your bike! Kudos for trying the box jumps - they ARE scary, I know. Glad to not be doing them anymore, that's for sure...but I'm equally glad I worked up the nerve to do them.

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  33. Ive been away for almost TWO weeks from the blog scene, my reader crashed and was getting confused as to how to find people) Its finally back up, and the first thing I did was go to my AIM folder and catch up with you! IM not a dog lover, or a knitter (altho I love to see your creations!!)I love your sense of humor, your race reports, reading about your water mishaps. Youre so real and human! You could probably write about a cup of water an make it sound interesting!!

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