Monday, May 18, 2015

Year Seven

I can't believe I've been blogging for seven years now.  My gosh - I honestly just started this blog so that I would be able to look back and be reminded of how hard I was working to get the weight off, in hopes that I wouldn't end up doing my usual complete regain.  I never imagined I'd still be here, seven years later, not only blogging, but also connecting with so many of you.

I could talk numbers, but it's no longer important to me what size I am, or what I weigh.  I am so relieved to be free of that - I tell you, it was quite the eye-opening day when I realized that not only did the numbers police not exist, but also that no one really cared about the exact number on my scale or on the label in my clothes.  Being at a healthy weight is one thing; obsessing over a specific number is another.  I let go of all that several years ago and have never felt better about myself. 

Do I have the body I envisioned I'd have?  Nope.  Am I disappointed?  Eh, not anymore.  I will say, I was pretty surprised when, after I'd lost 100 pounds, I did not look like a model.  My arms were flabby and I had way more loose skin than I thought possible, my stomach never got flat, and my thighs were still pretty hefty.  I discovered that weight loss in your 40s gives a different result than weight loss in your 20s - that, and the fact that by the time I started my last diet, I'd spent a couple decades being overweight, so my body didn't rebound like it used to.

I have come to terms with how I look now.  It's 100% better than May of 2008, I can tell you that!  And really, I have a strong, healthy body that pretty much allows me to run and jump and do crazy things, plus I have the energy to go along with all of that, so I'm grateful that I made the effort to lose weight.  I've done a hell of a lot of living in the last seven years, experiencing things that at one time I just thought were for other people.  Nope - turns out, I was one of those people.  Seven years ago, I started out on what I thought was simply a weight-loss journey; I had no idea how much more it would develop into.  Thanks for coming along on the ride with me!

26 comments:

  1. and I still start here each morning.
    <3

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  2. Jinx with Carla. This is how I begin my M, W, F morning. Thanks for letting me come along on the ride.

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  3. Congrats on seven years of blogging! Like the others I start here M, W, F. I didn't find weight loss/maintence blog world until 2010 but I'm so glad I did. I love the connections I have made and the things I have learned. Thanks for sharing your life with us:)

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  4. Congrats on your blogging anniversary.

    I had to look up when our long distance internet friendship started and it's 6 years this July :) I found the post I first responded too

    http://www.myjourneytofit.com/2009/07/num-num-num-nectarines.html#comment-form

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    1. OMG, that was a blast from the past! Love it. :)

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  5. Wow, 7 years! I hope I can be as lucky to maintain the blog for that long. Thank you for always keeping it real. I enjoy following your journey!

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  6. Thank *you* Shelley. You are very much an inspiration to me with your attitude and your dedication.

    Bravo.

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  7. You are a shining star to so many - those who have 30 pounds to lose and those who have 130 pounds to lose. You prove, over and over again, that waiting for perfection is not worth it but that living your life to the fullest right this very minute is so worth it. Thank you for that!

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  8. Love Fran's comment. I tried to find when I met you, but couldn't. I did enjoy reading some of your old blogs though :) Yeah, just recently I've been trying to remember when I started blogging, pretty sure it was in May, just don't know what year. Anyway, I love reading your blog, I love that you have the discipline to write so regularly, so that all of us can be sure what day of the week it is!

    I still remember when you posted that you were "done with dieting." That was such a revelation to me. Its something I'm still working on, I think (being done with it.) So glad we've had the opportunity to meet in person and have that connection!

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    1. Thank you - I love hearing that a particular post struck you. That means a lot...I never know if what I'm writing will make sense to anyone but me sometimes.

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  9. Congrats! I've only recently started reading your blog, but thank you for your kind words and for being such an inspiration.

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  10. Shelley, I had to go back on my comments and see how long we've "known" each other - here was your first comment on my blog on January 1, 2009!!

    My goal for January is to have a roasted vegetable meal once each week – I keep reading about roasting cauliflower, brussels sprouts, etc – now to try!

    And please, add me to your blog roll – I’ll add you to mine!

    Glad that we have gotten to know each other over all these years - hugs!

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    1. Hey, I finally started eating those roasted vegetables regularly this year!

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  11. Holy cow, it's been 7 years already??? I've SO enjoyed reading your blog all these years, and I hope there are many more years to come!

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  12. Happy Bloggiversary! Thanks for pointing out the number means nothing to anyone else. It really IS about having a strong, healthy body and the energy to enjoy life.

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  13. Happy Anniversary, Shelley. I have so much admiration for you for being able to shake off the "diet" mentality. Life is much more happy when one is just focused on health instead of weight. 7 years is a long time - good for you for keeping up blogging all these years. I enjoy your blog very much!

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  14. And thank you for your kind words about my grandfather's death. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.

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  15. This is wonderful! 7 years of inspiring and being inspired by others! Congratulations :)

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  16. Oooh, 7 years, congratulations! Your discipline in blogging is amazing. But I admire your sane and sensible approach the most. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. You have been such an inspiration to me since I found your blog 3 years ago. I went back and read your archives and I read you regularly now. I don't know why you speak so well to what I need hear, but you do. And I thank you for that!!

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  18. You have been such an inspiration to me since I found your blog 3 years ago. I went back and read your archives and I read you regularly now. I don't know why you speak so well to what I need hear, but you do. And I thank you for that!!

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  19. I have to say that yours is not the first blog I read M, W & F, because I like to save it for my blog dessert. It's such a treat to read because I relate to much of what you talk about, especially being a not-very-fast mid-50s runner who works hard to avoid injury AND get all matchy-matchy with the duds :-) I am so glad you continue to inspire, amuse and get cranky for us readers!

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  20. Happy 7th Blogiversary! I'm so glad I found you....and that we've become virtual friends! Looking forward to the next 7 years...and beyond!

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  21. Happy blogiversary! And what a post it is! I think everyone needs to read this!!! Awesome reflections!!!!

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  22. Happy anniversary! Truly, truly, truly thanks so much for sharing! You have been a huge role model for me in finding a sane way to maintain weight loss and activity and healthier habits. We need more voices like yours!

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