FMM: All About the Blog

Happy Monday! In an effort to write on this blog more than once a week, and since I find myself with a bit of time on my hands this afternoon, I thought I’d participate in this week’s FMM.

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: All About the Blog

1. How long have you been blogging? I started my original blog, Bella’s Bold Brilliant Blog, back in February of 2007. Then I began this blog in 2008, and managing two different blogs was too time consuming, so I made the decision to forgo my other blog and keep this one. Plus, the main focus of my thoughts/actions/free time for the past 6+ years has been weight loss, so it made sense to focus on Bella on the Beach. I can’t believe I’ve been blogging for almost 10 years.

2. What is the overwhelming theme of your blog? Weight loss, health, and fitness.

3. Have you connected with people in person after meeting them through blogging? I haven’t met anyone in person, but I’ve connected with several people through this blog. Because we live across the country from one another, we’ve kept our contacts to emails/texts/phone calls/FB. But I feel closer to some of my blogging buddies than I do to some of my real life friends.

4. What do you enjoy most about blogging? It’s such a creative outlet for me. I’m able to express my thoughts, frustrations, plans, and triumphs. I don’t know what I’d do without this blog.

5. How often do you blog? I used to write almost everyday, but this school year has gotten so busy that I’ve only been blogging once or twice a week, on average. I really want to try to write more frequently.

6. Share one thing that you don’t like about blogging. I really dislike the “trolls” who think they know everything about my life because they’ve read a few blog entries. They hide behind the anonymity of the internet to say mean and hateful things. Then again, all I have to do is click “delete” and “block,” and I never really have to worry about them again.

7. Do you talk about your blog in everyday life? Select friends and family know about my blog, but it’s not something I share openly with everyone.

8. What is the coolest and most unexpected thing that has happened to you as a result of blogging? I’ve made some amazing friendships, as I mentioned already. I’ve also had some really unique opportunities, like being asked to join the Sweat Pink Ambassadors.

9. Are there topics that are off-limits on your blog? If so, name a few…Nothing is off-limits per se, but I do try to be respectful of others’ privacy.

10. If you could accomplish one thing through your blog before the end of this year, what would you want to accomplish? I’d love to inspire someone reading my blog to make a positive change in their health through weight loss.
Now it’s your turn to answer the questions!   And also be sure to go back to Kenlie’s blog and leave a link to your FMM post in the comments!  I really encourage you to comment on as many people’s posts as you can – I’ve met some fantastic people through FMM.  You never know who you’ll meet today.

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#30DaysofThanks, Day 26: My Blog

This month I’m participating in 30 Days of Thanks (#30DaysofThanks) by writing a blog post about 30 things I’m thankful for. To join in, go to the link above. The best part is, you don’t need to have a blog or even be on social media to take part in the project; you just need to be thankful. I can’t wait to see how my life might change by spending the 30 days in November giving thanks for things in my life — every single day.

Can you believe I went 25 days without mentioning my blog?! 

Each day of these 30 Days of Thanks I’ve been trying to write a blog post about something that happened that day that I was grateful for.  I’ve written about so many meaningful things that I’m glad I have in my life, and today it’s finally time to write about my blog.

I started blogging on Bella’s Bold Brilliant Blog way back in February of 2007.  Wow, I’ve been blogging for 5 years.  In some ways it feels like I’ve never been without a blog, but in other ways it’s still so fresh.  When I first started the other blog, I concentrated on writing about things that were going on in my daily life, and a lot of posts were dedicated to dating mishaps.  It was fun, and I wrote freely.  My blog was a great creative outlet for me.

Then in November of 2007, I decided it would be a good idea to create this blog, Bella on the Beach, as I attempted the South Beach Diet.  (Originally a couple of co-workers started the diet with me, and we were all going to blog together.  I can’t remember what that original blog was called, but it doesn’t matter, because the group diet was short lived, as was the blog).  At the time I thought I should separate my weight loss life from my real life, so two blogs fit the bill.  But as time went on I was writing on the life blog less and less.  Weight loss became a driving force in my life, and I found myself much more interested in writing about it than anything else.  Writing about my struggles and triumphs helped me get to know myself – both my strengths and weaknesses.  Even though I’m not yet at my goal weight 5 years later, I am so much more self-aware than when I typed my first dieting woe on this blog.  Progress takes time.

December 2009 I made the decision to “close” BellasBoldBrilliantBlog and turn this blog into my all-in-one, and I’m so glad I did.  BellaontheBeach is about my life – weight loss, sure, but also about everything else that I find important.  It’s my little corner of the world.  I foresee writing on this blog long after my goal weight is achieved.  The beach and the ocean hold such a special place in my life, so as far as I’m concerned, Bella on the Beach will always be relevant.

I’ve made incredible friends through this blog, whose support has kept me going even in times when I have doubted myself. My blog has inspired me (and hopefully others), it has motivated me, and it has encouraged me to strive for more than I would have otherwise.  My blog has kept me sane in times of turmoil.  My blog has allowed me to celebrate my successes.  If I go too long without finding the time to write on this blog, I’m lost.  My blog is a huge part of my life.

I am grateful for the ability to put my thoughts into words and share them with people.  It is not overstating to say that my life truly wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t have this blog.  It means the world to me.

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People Are Noticing

You know how some days you pour your heart and soul into a blog post and no one comments? So you tell yourself that people read it and just didn’t have time to respond. Or that it doesn’t matter, because you write this blog for you and nobody else but you (boo, boopy, do!)

Well this isn’t one of those days! I’m thrilled to let you know that recently I’ve been contacted by two separate entities with two great opportunities. One is a one-time deal which is exciting nonetheless, and the other is a long term thing that has me bursting to tell you all about it! But, I can’t. Not yet, anyway, but soon, I promise.

I wish I didn’t have to be so vague, and normally I wouldn’t mention anything until I could mention something, but I really wanted to recognize that interesting and amazing things can happen when you least expect them. And those chances are what keep dreams alive and what fill me with hope for all of the future possibilities that life has to offer. We just have to be willing to put in the effort and keep up the good fight.

I’m feeling really happy and grateful tonight, and I wanted to remind myself of all the blessings I have in my life, even when other areas are less than (or far less than) perfect.

Once again, amazing artwork and message by Aimee Dolich.

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What’s in a Name?

Everything, if you ask me!  And I need your help to figure out what I should call this blog.

You might ask why I’m thinking of changing it.  Well, the answer is simple, I’m not sure which weight loss surgery I’m going to have.  I thought I was 100% for lap band, but lately I’ve been having my doubts.  And then ScaleWarfare shared her thoughts with me, and I’ve been re-evaluating.  Not to mention the fact that my surgeon wasn’t in favor of doing the lap band surgery.  He highly recommended either the VSG (Verticle Sleeve Gastronomy) or the Gastric Bypass.  So I’m in the process of researching, reading, watching, and listening in order to figure out which surgery is the best one for me.

Besides that, my domain name is about to expire, and before I pay the money for another year, I want to go with a new name.

I want to avoid tying the name with the surgery type.  BellainLapBandLand is very limiting.  I can’t even think of a good one for VSG.  So I’d like to go with something that’s more about the journey or the destination, rather than the method.  I could go back to Bella on the Beach, making it a reference to my ultimate goal of wanting to wear a bathing suit at the beach and feel comfortable while doing so.  Or I could go with something completely new.

That’s where you come in.  From now until July 6th at 9pm, Pacific Time, please leave your suggestions and ideas in the comments to this post.  The person with the winning title will get a prize.  I’m not sure what to offer, so give me some ideas for that, too.  I’m thinking an Amazon/Starbucks/iTunes gift card, but if you have something else in mind, please let me know.

The Rules:

• The title should have “Bella” in it somewhere.
• I like alliteration, although it’s not a must.
• I’d love it to incorporate the idea of “Do Life,” but it’s not a deal breaker.
• Wittiness is always a good thing.

Be creative and have fun!!

I reserve the right to use any combination of titles submitted in the comments to create my final blog title. 

Update, June 29th: I’ve decided to go back to my original, Bella on the Beach.  So the contest is cancelled, but I appreciate the entries and the ideas.  Some of them were very close to being chosen, but none felt as authentic as my original title.  I’m not going to pay for self-hosting (so the url will have .wordpress in it), but instead, I’m going to pay Meghan Murphy for some new graphic design work for the header and another surprise.  Stay tuned for the updated look.

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Meet Bellina!

As you guys may have noticed, there have been some significant changes around the blog today. It’s been in the works for a while now, and I’ve been dying to unveil them to you.

Once I “got serious” about blogging and paid for my own domain name, I knew that soon enough I would want to create a custom-made mascot for the blog, too. The only problem was, I have zero graphic design skill. I’m great with coming up with the ideas, but not so great in executing them.

And then I saw Skinny Emmie’s blog. I loved her mascot and header, and I asked her who made it for her. She put me in touch with the graphic artist she used and the rest, as they say, is history.

So, meet Bellina, my alter ego. (Bellina means “little Bella” in Italian, or at least in my version of it). She’s feisty, sassy, and knows what she wants out of life, just like me. She’s multi-layered and complex, so she required more than one static image.

Everyday Bellina, who will be the face of my weight loss journey.

Girl About Town Bellina, with Little Lulu (you knew I wasn’t going to forget her) who will tell you about her latest food finds, cooking experiments, and shopping sprees.

Super Bellina, a fitness superhero who battles the bulge in Zumba class, while weight training, on the elliptical machine, and in unknown Adventures in Fitness still to be discovered.

And last, but by no means least…

Weigh-in Wednesday Bellina, who always approaches the scale with a hopeful heart and a positive attitude.

Bellina came on the perfect day – I lost 10 pounds!! She’s a great motivator for me, and a really nice little weight loss reward, too. I have lots of ideas for future Bellinas, so now I have something else to inspire me to drop these pounds.

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I can’t recommend Meghan Murphy, my graphic artist, enough! Her artwork is fantastic (don’t you agree?!), and she was so patient with me. She didn’t care if I asked her to add dimples, change the beauty mark, or add painted toenails to the images. She captured me in cartoon form, which I never thought would happen. She even got my curls and eyebrows right! And not only that, but she’s so affordable. Thank you, Meghan, for a terrific job.

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Where the heck is Bella?

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve written a post!  It feels so unnatural not to write often, and I have to say, I hate it.

I have so much to update all of you on.  One of the reasons it’s taken me so long to post is that the longer I waited, the more there was to write, and the whole task seemed so daunting that I kept putting it off.  There has been quite a bit going on, and so I’m about to start a post-writing frenzy.  I’m going to break the posts up so that they’re written chronologically.

After that, I’m planning on catching up on everyone’s posts.

Sorry for the long absence, and I promise not to stay away this long again.

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Decorating the Blog

I’ve decided as part of my holiday decorating, I wanted to spruce up the blog a bit.  I wanted to find a picture that still had to do with the beach, but also had a bit of a Christmas feel to it.

I went to iStock Photo and found quite a few great images.  Unfortunately, WordPress allows such a small horizontal header, that many of the pictures I really liked simply wouldn’t fit.

Here are a few of the “rejects”: (Since I paid for them, I might as well get some use out of them, right?)

Both of these images are whimsical and fun, but unfortunately, didn’t look really good once I cropped them in the header.  So, I’m left with the current header pic you see.  I’m not loving it, but I guess it’ll do.

What do you think?

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Now the gang’s all here!

CCLuv finally got on the wordpress account!!! So, now all of us can write about our journey on SBD. I can’t wait to read what each of us has to say. I’m sure we’re going to find some great advice, encouragement, and hopefully quite a few whoo hooos as we lose weight!!!

Keep those posts coming, ladies!

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