Welcome to 2011! I have to say I'm so excited for the new year. I don't specifically know why, but I have a lot of energy and excitement about new adventures and opportunities this year. 2010 was so good to me, and I just feel very good about the direction I'm headed in.
You may notice a new header on my blog. The last one bugged me from the very first day. I wanted something new and threw that one together very quickly. I liked the type and colors, but needed something a little cleaner and focused on my blog goals. So here it is. A photo of me from my Wear it Well Fall 2010 ecourse, a photo of my favorite meal, and a photo of my first 5k bib. Food, Fashion and Fitness.
I've also updated my "About" page, which I hope you will check out. It was lonnng overdue. I think I last updated it two years ago. I needed a new mission statement of sorts because I feel like I've finally figured out what I want this blog to be and where I want it to take me. I wanted it to explain who I am and where I stand with my health and weight loss efforts as of today. My biggest blogging struggle came from comments expecting me to be like other healthy living bloggers.
And I don't see myself in that category, at all. I see myself as someone still on this journey. A lot of the healthful lifestyle bloggers are about women who gained some weight during college and then lost it. They also blog about everything they eat. I admire their discipline and hard work and am not at all knocking what they do, but that is not who I am. If you're looking for those bloggers check out my "inspirational blogs" list and you will find many. They inspire me and I aspire to be more disciplined.
I'm someone who needs to lose 150 lbs to be considered "average weight", I have been overweight or obese my whole life, I struggle with food addiction and binge eating disorder. I also enjoy a whole range of foods, I enjoy cooking, shopping locally and organically. AND I love pizza, indian food, mexican food and a whole host of other food items that just aren't traditional "diet" fare. My goal in the coming year is moderation, not elimination (except for sugar). And I will get there, this is just my journey. I'm not an advocate for anyone or any way of living.
My deepest wish for my blog is that I can inspire other women more like me, who have a lot of weight to lose, who have pain (emotional and physical) when they exercise, who deal with binge eating, who are afraid of who they have become, who fear what they could become. That we can do this, that it is hard, that we can have a wonderful life in the meantime, and that we can love and nurture ourselves the way we truly deserve.
I also wanted to mention that I now have a Facebook (centered around this blog) for anyone that wants to be friends and communicate that way. And I can be found on twitter: @lorriefenn.
And finally, thank you for reading. Thank you for being here for the past four years, commenting and emailing. Sharing your stories with me and rooting me on through this journey. Your kindness and time here are not lost on me and the effort I put into my blog. I hope to bring more of myself to this space this year and am very excited to share with you.
Oooh, I love the new header
I was watching the backstage show for Oprah’s last year on regular TV and realized this is a woman who has the best cooks, best make up people, best personal trainers, seems to exercise quite frequently and has weight/eating issues. It doesn’t make my scale go any lower, but knowing being “strong” doesn’t fix my bingeing/food issues makes me feel like I’m doing what I can, when I can. If I lose 50 pounds, great. But if I can just focus on putting better food in my belly I’ll feel I’m doing SOMETHING.
Best of luck in 2011!!
I “liked” your facebook page. I have one, too.
Good for you for keeping it real. I love the new header!
As for your deepest wish, you have already achieved it. I also have over 100lbs to lose, and I love your blog. I really identify with a lot of what you say. thank you so very much for being here. you help me stay motivated and inspired. <3
Hi, I just wanted to say that I’ve just recently discovered your blog and I love it. I’ve just started my own weight loss blog and I’m definately gonna need support and when I see how you inspire people with your blog it inspires me so I jsut wanted to say thanks. I hope I can get your support in my weight loss journey
Mavz xx
I’m new to your blog and I’m loving everything I’ve read. I’m now following you on twitter and can’t wait to start reading more in the upcoming year.
fashiontherapist.blogspot.com
I too have a lot of weight to lose, a little less than 100, but it’s still a lot, and it still seems out of reach, but I agree with you..
Thank you for writing this blog, it’s very inspiring!
m.
I completely understand where you are coming from. I too am trying to lose a large amount of weight (186 pounds total to get to 140). I was browsing the blogs and ran across yours and it seems we may have a lot in common. Good luck in all your efforts and hope we both succeed in our efforts.
I’m also hoping to loose weight this year, your blog is very inspirational and i wish you the best of luck in the year to come!
B
X
I love all the updates and look forward to what you have coming up in 2011! Happy New Year.
I love this blog! I have been a quiet follower for a few months now, but have gone back and read several of your older posts as well. I just began my journey with blogging (yesterday as a matter of fact) and you serve as an inspiration.
What a great outlook for 2011. Do it your way and use what works for you. I have a lot to lose as well, and my goal for the year is to just get moving more consistently. I think that will work for me. Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing your posts!
Hi I was looking up sites for weightloss support blogs and I came across your blog…I too am hoping to make 2011 a better year…
I’m on day 2 of making changes with my diet/lifestyle etc…so I too know what a struggle it is..every year I make the same resolution and by the 10th ive failed so i just give up…
I hope we can keep in touch…good luck with your changes!
To echo Elizabeth’s comment, you have already inspired me in so many more ways than weightloss. I used to feel like I shouldn’t have cute hair, or cute clothes, or jewelry or anything that made me feel better about myself until I lost a lot of weight. You know how it goes…”when I’m thin I’ll start (fill in the blank). But because of your blog as well as QuestionsForDessert and FatBridesmaid, I’ve started putting more effort into my appearance and because of all of you I now feel like hey, I can have a cute hair-do NOW. I can wear pretty jewelry NOW, I can buy special things for myself NOW etc. And you’ve all inspired me to start my own blog. http://www.wellsissy.blogspot.com.
Love your blog so much, keep up the great work!
I am always amazed at the moments I see so clearly that as much as women can seem so different, how much they are actually the same. I know that although I have grown immensely in the area of self esteem and productivity since I lost 70 pounds, I will always relate to the struggle of addiction, fear, and emptiness, no matter what weight I am, and no matter what the weight of the woman I am relating to. “Comparing” was a major destructive force in my life, and letting go of the tendency to compare was a pivotal point in overhauling my life. Your goals are very inspiring, and I wish you the best of luck in this 2011 chapter of your journey.
I love your new mission for the blog.
I too follow and gain inspiration from the healthy lifestyle blogs. I have tried to be part of the healthy lifestyle blog community a few times, but it is hard for me to fit in with that group as I weigh twice as much as most of them.
I wish you lots of luck in 2011
I loved this blog. Very lovely and candid I am so happy to have come across you!
http://littlefatgirl.blogspot.com/
http://eschelle-mumfection.blogspot.com/
Hi Lorrie. Glad to find you. I’ve just started (Dec.) my weight loss/healthy living journey and very first blog ever. I too feel different, or have different goals, than other weight loss bloggers. I have dis-abilities that make it more challenging. But, I also argue that everyone has at least one dis-abiity when it comes to weight loss. I like your style and gumption. I’m off to subscribe!
Colleen
I just recently came across your blog & was very excited. I have quite a bit of weight to shed & need inspiration. I think I may have found it!