This blog has always been for me. I have always said that I am using the blog to keep myself accountable for the maintenance of my weight loss. I am proud to say that since May 8, the scale has bounced from 141 to 144. This morning I happened to weigh 143.0. I would say that I'm doing okay. I would have recorded my food and workouts on this blog and kept it private, however I was being asked for advice a lot, so I decided to publicize my posts and add a few advice posts centered around issues that came up during my weight loss experience. I feel like it's time for a change.
I cannot record my meals and workouts every single day for the rest of my life. And that was never the intention.
I need to try maintenance without the accountability of the blog. I will be on vacation for 10 days this month. My weight is being maintained. It seems like a good time to stop posting.
I am involved with a Blog Challenge this month. I have committed to it. I was toying with the idea of abandoning that project as well. I still struggle with the narcissism that a blog seems to bring. It makes me a bit uncomfortable. Especially because I'm a pretty opinionated person on certain issues and I feel like my writing is a bit too spicy. I'm afraid my good friends will secretly judge me behind their computer screen. Is that a normal concern? I don't know. I also really don't want to delve into my deepest personal issues. This is a public blog and it feels so strange to discuss those issues even when I tell myself that my closest friends are the only ones reading.
My friend, Randi, sent us a Facebook message today about how much she is enjoying our community blogging efforts. I just love Randi. How can I quit NOW?!
So, I just spent the last hour writing posts for the Blog Challenge that catches me up to Day 21. I enjoyed it. I just don't know if I have an audience for what I'm writing. I think I could continue blogging if I felt like I had people who cared. I do enjoy reading others' blogs myself, so I'm trying to imagine that others enjoy reading my writing too. I'm pretty undecided.
I do like the idea of sharing and discussing what is going on in my life.I am sure I still have more to say about nutrition and working out. I'm fairly sure there will be a "Phase 2" to my weight loss. Pencil that in for August. Should I blog that? I like the idea of the blog becoming a personal diary...something to look back on. Should I blog because of that? Maybe I will continue blogging past these Blog Challenge days. We shall see.
To those of you who read, thanks for caring. xo
:-)
ReplyDeleteOh, Chelsea. I hope you don't give it up. I don't find it narcissistic. Perhaps that's unrealistic...? I think it's a creative outlet. Of course you are going to write about yourself...you're you. I can honestly say I have not once secretly judged you behind my computer screen. All I have is admiration for you!
ReplyDeleteDon't stop blogging. I don't find it narcissistic at all and I always find what you post interesting and informative. People are inspired by you, seriously.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it would be hard to blog every day what you eat. Maybe by scaling it back, you'll be more apt to make this into a staying fit and being healthy in many different facets to your life. By the way, you are hilarious! I love your writing! If people are offended or don't want to read it, they won't. I, for one, have always loved your refreshing, honest view of the world.
ReplyDeleteI, for one, will haul my fat pregnant ass straight up to T-Town and beat the piss out of you if you stop. Was that a little dramatic? Too violent? Oh well. You get the point.
ReplyDeleteBiggest advice I can give for you: BLOG FOR YOURSELF!!!
If it helps you release, do it. If you feel like you help people (which you SO do), do it. If it keeps you accountable, do it. Or if it's just to write, do it. But do it because YOU want to do it. Not because of what other people say.
Yes, some will not like what you right, some will absolutely become obsessed with your words (ahem.....me). But that's them! Don't you give 2 shits what people like or dislike about your blog. It's for YOU, not them.
Write when you feel like it. Don't write when you don't feel like it.
I am HORRIBLY self conscious about my blog. I still don't think anyone reads it. Or that they enjoy it. Truly, if not for Lindsey reminding me that she loves reading it, I would just think that it's crickets out there. But, that's not why I do it, and I have to remember that. Constantly. I do it for me. And it makes me happy.
Sorry this is like a novel.
I second everything Laura says...
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