I had this revelation on the final morning of FitBloggin’ ….
No one tried to save me, or sell themselves to me.
For those who just met me at FitBloggin’ that is a GOOD thing. A very good thing. And a rather refreshing feeling as compared to what I typically experience at least once at other conferences. This is not a negative reflection on the other conferences I attend. I very much enjoy attending and support the work of the organizations. Sadly, it’s the few attendees who are fellow weight loss surgery patients who have good intentions but cannot seem to accept that I accept myself and my weight that put a slight damper on the overall experience.
This being my first FitBloggin’ and not having interacted with many attendees prior to the weekend I wasn’t sure how I would “fit” in at FibBloggin’. I had met my roommate, Nikki from Bariatric Foodie, at a conference last year and communicated often online. This was her third FitBloggin’ so I knew I would make connections via her. I also easily made connections on my own and found a very warm and welcoming group of new friends.
There were people at various stages of their journey, various levels of fitness, and of various types of fitness and nutrition regiments. The refreshing part was the sense that despite the differences everyone was comfortable with themselves at where they were and supporting each other in making changes they wanted.
The focus was fitness and health, not weight. People were focused on achieving goals as a priority and for those who also had a goal to lose weight, they weren’t waiting for some magic number on the scale to appear in order to consider themselves successful, or to achieve what they set out to accomplish.
My Diet Mt. Dew was not referred to as contraband and I was never asked “oh can you eat that?” I never felt as if what I was doing (being myself) was “bad” and the only time I explained myself or my weight was during my Ignite Fitness presentation, which the purpose was to spread awareness about Lipedema and Lymphedema. When I got off the stage after my Ignite, my Twitter feed blew up with comments from fellow attendees, it was an awesome warm and fuzzy moment.
Even more awesome was Roni mentioning the possibility of me leading a water aerobics class next year in Denver! Of course, that requires me achieving my current goal of becoming a certified water fitness instructor, already confirmed the hotel has a pool, last but not least…I have to make sure my graduation from graduate school doesn’t occur that same weekend!
Roni Selfie
I absolutely LOVED your ignite presentation. I will be first in line, if you teach a water aerobics class in Denver! 🙂
Wow! I have been trying to put my finger on what made this event the bomb.com. You just did it!! This was also my first FitBloggin and I. CAN’T. WAIT!! for Denver!!! Water aerobics???? I’m all over that!!
Just a thought, like hmmm wonder if we can make it work…hope we can, whether with me or someone else. Nothing official. Spring school calendar isn’t posted, I’m going to e-mail someone and find out when graduation will take place.
We didn’t really get a chance to chat, but I loved your ignite presentation.
Would love to do a water aerobics class with you teaching.
See you next year 🙂
My only regret of the weekend was not being out and about as much as I would have liked, resting the knee and foot…it’s finally feeling better. Had a massage today and didn’t kick the therapist.
A great recap and so right. I too was surprised (in a good way) of the lack of judgment and overwhelming support I witnessed at fitbloggin.
Your Ignite was one of my favorites that evening and it would be SO COOL if you got to lead a water aerobics class in Denver! I would definitely attend 🙂
I’m so thankful for the chats we got to have! I hope your foot is on the way to recovery and I would LOVE to see a water aerobics session in Denver.
It’s one of my goals to become certified at some point as well.
Maybe next year we will get to chat even more! Seems we have a great deal in common 🙂 I’m glad you had a good time. (My coke-zero contraband was a worry I had last year too)
Can’t wait to see what you can do in the next year!
The person who called it contraband was joking, as he drank diet soda also, but was also asked about why he was drinking it…ugh….but others hid their soda in insulted mugs and the looks I got from many when I cracked open a can, perhaps it’s because it was during breakfast. It was kinda a silent understanding “that’s not allowed”..but it is…although I think many wanted a sip. LOL
Hi Sarah- I also wish we had had a chance to connect. I see you on a mural friend’s (Beth) feed all the time. I’d be all about a water aerobics class as well… My bum knee had me in ER all day Saturday of FitBloggin’. So glad you came! Wish there was more mingling between those who’ve had WLS and those who haven’t. We are all people afterall working towards the same goal. How we get there is irrelevant.
I would love to take a water aerobics class from you! So glad to have met you, wish we could have chatted more!
I am so glad I got to meet you, and to hear your Ignite presentation. I hope so much that you teach a water aerobics class in Denver – I’ll be there with bells on!
Just be sure they are not heavy bells. 🙂