In all the excitement yesterday of throwing our arms wide to welcome in a bright and shiny 2016, and with light bulbs popping here and there, I got distracted and forgot to mention…it’s a little bit snug, but the size 22 top I’ve been lusting after since I came back from Vegas fastened with only a soupçon of persuasion! There’s no truth in the rumour that my lips turned blue from holding my breath as I tried it on, and I’m claiming it as another little goal achieved 🙂
I realise that it’s all relative…I mean there might be folk in our posse who’ve lived their entire lives as skinny string beans, and the acquisition of just a little bit of padding means they’re as unhappy with their size as I am with mine…we super-fatties don’t have the monopoly on low self esteem, right? And to those guys, the thought of being a size 22 must make them want to go have a lie down in a darkened room with a cold compress. But speaking as someone who was a size 28 just one hundred and thirty eight days ago, I’m feeling pretty awesome.
So, obviously my thoughts have now turned to what next. I like having bite sized goals – seriously, what other sort would you expect to have on a fat girl’s blog – and I like measuring it in dress sizes, because it’s tangible you know? Holding something up against yourself and stepping a little further from no chance! every time is a real motivator for me. So I think eight weeks seems a reasonable time frame to aim for the next size down…what do you think? Let’s call that out as my next mini goal…1st March, officially the first day of spring and I’m shooting for a 20.
Right, so listen, come closer…I need your help for a minute. Something rather exciting is about to happen…we’re entering a competition! Our blog’s been accepted into the running for the UK Blog Awards, and I’ve got to submit two blog posts from the archives, in preparation for the public vote which starts on Monday. OMG!!!! I feel a bit sick – me, the least competitive person you’ll ever meet, putting us out there to be judged…clearly I had a moment of insanity when I clicked on the go for it button.
To be fair, I don’t think we have a cat in hell’s chance of getting past the first round, because there are some really professional looking blogs out there and for me, this is my passion and my hobby but it’s not a commercial enterprise. So all I’m really looking to do is to raise the profile of the blog a little bit, and welcome a few more folk into the posse.
But this is where I really need your help. I’m hoping you’ll throw yourself right in and cast your vote of course, but I need to be even more demanding of you than that…which two posts do I pick? I mean, to me they’re like my babies…each one lovingly and thoughtfully crafted in order to serve you up a smile, or some reflection, or if I really hit the back of the net to help you feel less alone on this journey, like you’re not the only person who’s trying to climb out of their fat suit, you know? And of course I get all that right back at me from you guys…me, I’m just the one who stirs the pot.
I can’t choose between them! I was just going to pick the two top rated posts, but the proportion of folk in the posse who use the star rating buttons is quite small, so I’d rather throw it out there and ask you guys. You know better than me which ones you like the best. You’re the experts!
I’ve got to submit my choices on Sunday, and I’ll tell you more about it then…I’ve got some logos I need to figure out how to use, and I’ll probably spend the weekend looking confused and pressing lots of buttons in the hope that something sticks where it should, but in the meantime, which two blog posts from our archive should I lay out in all their glory to showcase the best of what we’ve got?
Over to you guys…help!
Hi Dee
Congratulations, you’ve done it! Size 20 here you come.
I’ve just retread the Ostrich post and it really resonates with me at the moment. A very hard decision to make, but I’m rooting for that one.
Keep on blogging
Bagpuss
Thanks Bagpus, I will…and you hang in there, y’hear? D x
Wow! How exciting! I only just found your blog, but it looks like you have some awesome advice here anyhow. I remember fitting into my first 22 after a LONG time! It is such a magical feeling. Here’s to 20s!
Hi Airlz, and welcome to the posse! It’s great to have you along, and yes, 22 is a good feeling…even if I’m determined to enjoy it for the shortest time possible! 🙂
The one about the troll made me laugh, i love the way you handled it!
Thanks Mimi, I’ve added it to the list 🙂
I’m no help, I like them all, but if you want help narrowing down after you choose a few, I’ll weigh (;>}) in
Hi Rory, great to meet you! And thank you, that’s great…looks like Ostrich is leading by a nose so far but I might need some help choosing the other one 🙂 I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog 🙂
So, I’m with Fluery on the “How do you really expect us to pick a favorite?” I’ve perused the archives, flipped through the ones I’ve read since I tiptoed across your blog … I really love what you write. I love how you think. I love that I can so relate to you, your trials, your struggles. I think what you’re doing here is amazing. I guess I like the Part Woman, Part Ostrich one too because you address what we all fear…that we will get bigger and bigger and no one will say anything to us. I’ve gained 11 lbs. since Thanksgiving and I am upset about it, but I have to be my own voice of reason to say, “Hey, girlfriend, cut the crap and get back on track.” There’s no way I can allow 11 lbs. to become 20, to become 30… It’s a slippery slope. I really like that post.
I also like the one when you talk about passing the sultry dessert around to your friends after your trip to Vegas. I mean, the temptation was there, you took a bite and said, “Here you go” to your friends. You really speak to the fact that we CAN enjoy ourselves when we are on a trip and we CAN eat smart at the same time.
Congratulations on your top!!! You’ll get to 20 before March 1. I know it!
Oh lord you and Fleury both had me smiling and welling up tonight! Thank you – looks like Ostrich is definitely the front runner then 🙂 Oh, and GIRLFRIEND…lets see you turn that +11 around to +9 by next weekend, y’hear? We’re watching you!!
Hi Dee,
I’m back from England and I didn’t eat all the hobnobs or sticky toffee pudding 🙂
I like the Ostrich one and I can’t remember the name of the other one but it was your guest post a few months ago, not long after you started blogging.
Congratulations on the top fitting, so proud of you. They say 10lbs down is a dress size so I think you will make your goal for March 1st . It is do-able.
Happy New Year Dee.
Jo.
Happy New Year Jo, and congratulations on your will of steel over the festivities! I hope you had a wonderful time, and welcome home 🙂 Thanks for the nominations, much appreciated 🙂
Husband just came running – well, strolling w/quizzical expression – into the room at the sound of my YELP of triumph.
& Hell, you are born to the Go For It button. Now don’t panic… although i’m instantly having little flutters of indecision about which post i love better than which other, DEE, it’s because the whole 136 days has been f**ing superb!
Darling Girl, go for it. Fleury
p.s. i just reread “Ostrich Woman” yesterday, [ hint ]
p.p.s. your “Time to make Lemonade” is readable, frank, uplifting, & features a little history of your wonderful blog, woven in. I mean it, “…And now you are practically family,” i guarantee will get any judges or interested public looking you up. ??? . F
AW bless you my friend, you make me smile every day 🙂 Thank you for the nominations, I was thinking perhaps Ostrich myself…I’m in an agony of indecision!!!
Good luck, isn’t it amazing how fast the timetable seems with something in the ether world. & just sayin’ …I went to a UK blog referenced here, and have you seen how lousy with food ads it looks? LOL
Ha I think that’s because you’re used to mine without any ads! I think our posse would be very attractive to advertisers but I’m too much of a control freak and I don’t want my blog spoiled by annoying pop-up boxes and headers!