Not Just Sweating for the Wedding

So ya'll, I've tried to start a blog many times.  I had a teacher/craft/life blog.  Ain't nobody got time for that.  Thoughts that go through my head about blogging are things like this:
"No one wants to read what I write."
"My blog is no different than a million other blogs out there."
"Blogging, the way I would do it, would make me vulnerable, exposed.  Who wants that?"
"Time.  Once school starts up again, will I even have the time?"
"What will my friends and family think?" (This one pops up in my head...all. the. time.)

Then I respond to those thoughts:
"Even if JUST ONE, just ONE! person reads what I write and doesn't feel alone, or feels validated, or feels loved, or considered, or anything, then isn't my writing worthwhile?"
"True, there are a million other blogs out there.  But those million other people are NOT ME.  There's only one me.  So therefore, my blog is different because it's me!"
"Again, there's the potential to help just one person.  Vulnerable and exposed can let it negative stuff, but it also opens the door for positive stuff.  And who doesn't love positive stuff?"
"I'll worry about the time thing when school starts up again.  Maybe posts will be less frequent.  Maybe not."
"What WILL they think?  Most likely they'll be proud and share my blog and tell me how much they love me even when I write silly/crazy/funny/stupid/embarrassing posts.  Because they're my tribe.  And if they don't love me in spite of the aforementioned posts, it's ok.  It doesn't change who I am."

A dear, sweet, wonderful, encouraging, adjectives-haven't-even-been-made-for-her-yet friend of mine told me to absolutely start this blog.  I asked her if writing this blog would make me seem pretentious.  Her reply was, "NO!  It will allow others to know you are there for them and they are not alone!  It will help so many people!!"  She sold me.  I have a heart for helping.  Also, the original post that inspired this blog got 87 likes on Facebook.  That's a lot of likes for little old me.  It also got 16+ comments.  For a simple Facebook post on my private page, I feel that garnered a lot of attention.  Like, maybe even people who don't struggle with their weight but have value for the human struggle in general will read this.  As one of the most incredible human beings I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting wrote, "Life is Brutiful."  (Brutal + Beautful.)  That human being is Glennon Doyle Melton, and you can read her blog +Momastery.  Just be prepared to clear your calendar.  Her writing is...breathtaking.

So this blog will be many things.  I don't want to pigeonhole it from the get-go.  I want to give it life. But the basic principle behind the comes from this original post (with a few edits), the one I talked about from Facebook:

A couple of months ago, these adorable workout pants appeared on my Facebook feed with the slogan down the side, "Sweating for the Wedding!"  "How cute!" I thought, "I need those!" (I didn't buy them.  Because hello?  Saving money for a wedding!)  But the more I thought about it, the more it kinda bugged me.  I mean, I'm all about looking amazing on my wedding day, but the reality is that I don't want to sweat for the WEDDING.  I want to sweat and get healthier for my LIFE.  So that I can live a lot longer, healthier, and happier AFTER the wedding.  Today I got up when Patrick left for work (I'm a teacher and it's summer) and restarted my Zombies, Run 5k app and then after that workout was done finished it up with about half of a mission in the regular Zombies, Run! app. All in all, about an hour's time spent moving.  Spent sweating.  Holy cannoli, Batman, was it hot, even at 8AM.  And it begins. #sweatingforlife #NOTjustsweatingforthewedding

I won't lie.  It's taken me 36 years to reach this mindset. (I like to think I was a very thoughtful child from birth, contemplating life issues from the crib.)  I still struggle with this mindset EVERY. DAY.  Everyday, people.  I want to lose weight.  I always have.  Seriously, like since 2nd grade.  It took me a long time to realize, though, that I don't want to JUST lose weight, that's secondary.  I don't want to look good for my family or friends or Patrick because I'm afraid I embarrass them - that's tertiary.  I want to FEEL good for life and live it.  That's my new goal!

If you have that same goal, welcome to my tribe.  If you don't, but you love reading about someone who is human and makes many mistakes but also has many triumphs on the way to her goal, welcome to my tribe.  If you, like me, believe that love is amazing, the only weapon we have, and never ever ever meant to be mediocre, welcome to my tribe.  If you think glitter is amazing and that God made sweat look like glitter so we can think we're fancy when we're burning calories and fat, then welcome to my tribe and...leave a little sparkle wherever you go.

XOXO