Lessons learned: Start a blog & read other blogs
If you're new here, you may want to get my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! I couldn't do this without the help of my commenters!
As you know I’ve lost 100 pounds now and am sharing some of the lessons I’ve learnt. If you’d like to see all the posts in the series so far click here.
Today’s lesson is start a blog and share your journey! I think starting this blog has really helped me in so many ways.
I know that when I first started running there were times that I wanted to give up and it was all too hard but I didn’t want to report failure to my readers so I gutted it out. I always find that knowing I’m going to be reporting in to my readers incredibly motivating. It has given me a sense of accountability in a way. I’ve always been accountable to myself but knowing that there are other people out there who will be looking in at what I’m doing really helps to keep me going.
It’s also good being able to share when things don’t go according to plan. Like this weekend when I’ve eaten way too many cookies and not done enough push-ups. It really helps when you get great support when things aren’t going exactly the way you would like them to.
It’s funny how the support network just appears when you start a blog. It’s rather humbling that so many great people regularly visit my blog to cheer me on, offer advice and support. You are all a great source of inspiration and I credit a lot of my success so far to you.
The other part of this lesson is that you should also read other people’s blogs. I find so many of you inspirational and amazing. And one thing I’ve learnt is that we are all in this together. Some of our journeys are going well, some not so well but we are all taking action. That has to be a good thing!
Just as an aside: The weather forecast for my race tomorrow is thunder and lightning!
“One thing I’ve learnt is that we are all in this together. ”
In this together for better for worse, for richer for poorer, for thunder for lightning…!
AndrewE
reply on June 21st, 2008 8:30 pm:
The race might be an electrifying experience!
Thunder and Lightning! That’ll be interesting. As my 3.5 year old son might say “cool!”. Good luck to you too!
Seems to be quite a few people running tomorrow morning. I have a work colleague running in the Wellington Harbour Half.
You are spot on about getting support from blog readers. Helps to be accountable for sure. I find reading blogs from people who run further and/or faster than inspiring. Everyone starts at the same point so to speak some have just started a bit earlier.
Also nothing wrong with a few cookies occasionally (I had an oversized apple doughnut today from Wild Wheat (www.wildwheat.co.nz) - it was very very nice).
I couldn’t agree with you more - as a support network - the blog-o-sphere is tops!
The support I’ve found since starting my blog is incredible! And as you mentioned, the accountability of blogging is a real motivator.
Just be careful with the weather for the race - we don’t want to be reading about “fried Andrew”!
You’re so right… having a blog and being a part of this “community” is an amazing resource for which I am very, very thankful. I still have many, many sticks of butter to go, but I know I wouldn’t have come even this far without the totally unexpected support I’ve gotten from our little corner of blogland.
All the best, Mr. Hundred Pound Loser.
j
I couldn’t agree more about reading other blogs. I read about the 100 pushups challenge on yours.
Good luck running between the raindrops!
It sure is funny how the support just “pops” up. Somehow people find you and the support system just automatically forms as we are all in it for a common goal.
I like the picture. You should be fine running in that — there’s room between the bolts to get through w/out taking a direct hit. (LOL)
Congratulations on your weight loss. Blogging definitely helps me stay on track.
Andrew, I have been blogging in one form or another since about 2001, and never had it crossed my mind to start a weight loss blog until I realized it might be a great tool in holding me accountable. I’ve read your blog a lot and it is very inspiring…I commend you on all that you’ve done, and look forward to reading of many more successes.
I just started my weight loss blog and I hope it helps me!
I’m just beginning my journey but finding the support network very beneficial …. wouldn’t mind a few more male readers now and then.
[...] have done anything more than small gains each time with the value of doing the exercise regularly. Andrew over at “Andrew is Getting Fit” has written a good post about the value of blogging [...]
Andrew, so true. I am pleasantly surprised how accountable I feel to you and the rest of the crew. Good luck on your race. I’ll look forward to hearing your results. Don’t forget your push ups!
Bill Wallaces last blog post..Day 76 - Perth City to Surf (Well, Almost!)
aMEN to that, Andrew! I am constantly amazed at the incredible people (like you) that I meet through blogging. Loved reading your race experience - way to pull out the final sprint!!
I couldn’t agree more. It’s all about the community and support…………………:)
Good luck on race day, and try not to get wet.
Lisa Newtons last blog post..Skinny Guy left a comment for Lisa Newton
You guys are nuts that sounds like a hard hard race. But WD on the time regardless of the conditions - and hurrah for getting on to the 10kms next!
As Lisa said….I couldn’t agree more. It has been a HUGE factor for me. I’m down 26 lbs on the year, which is not as much as I would like, but I’m getting back on top of things.
Thank you for the inspiration, friend. You really are doing a good thing here.
Metroknow - Almostfit.coms last blog post..The Garden of Eating - The New Cradle of Civilization
I am totally indebted to my “blog buddies” as I call them. One of the best things is that it’s not a race. There is no first place or last place. We can all finish the race together.
Well said!