It’s hard to believe that after all this anticipation, I’ll be getting on a plane to go to Fitbloggin this Thursday! Squeeeeee!!!!! Last year at this time, I think I barely knew what Fitbloggin was. But what a difference a year makes. I’m so beyond excited.
In the past couple of years, I’ve had the chance to have a few face-to-face meetings with bloggers I’ve come to know and love and admire. One of the first blogger I met (she was one of my very first online friends to reach out to me) in person was Shannon. I cannot describe the affection and love I have for this woman. She was my first fit-blogging friend and will always have a special place in my heart. I’ve also loved spending time with @Pubsgal, Mary, Tracey, Roni (major major star and organizer of Fitbloggin!) Kat, Deb, Hazel, and most recently, Kenlie! (traveling rock star!)
So I’ve met a few folks from my cyber community. But it will be nothing like the surreal experience of seeing hundreds of my “virtual” friends all together, IN PERSON, FACE TO FACE, in one place! There will be 300 bloggers at Fitbloggin’ and I think it’s safe to say I’ve read the blogs of half of them, and been a mad raving FAN of dozens of them. I can’t believe I’m going to actually meet:…. err….
Okay, I was just going to list all the people I am excited to get to meet and realized it would take me ALL DAY to list them all with their links, so… suffice it so say, there are LOTS of them! So many that I can’t count them all and I fear my head is going to explode.
I am excited.
Part of me is nervous though. In spite of the Free Hugs campaign that I actually helped organize (along with Alan). I can tell that my anxiety level is a bit higher than usual. I’ve been doing some, er, nervous eating. Last night I had an anxiety dream that I managed to gain 50 lbs in 4 days and that I was standing on a stage weighing more than my “before” weight. (heh. classic dream)
But I am going to be standing on a stage. Which is both the culmination of a huge dream AND a source of major nerves. I’m going to be performing for the Fitbloggin community, my solo show which is basically all about THEM. How awesome is that. But also it feels big. (I’m used to performing for nice little audiences of 30)
At any rate, I am both thrilled out of my mind and jittery. Which is normal. We’re all jittery. But I’m ready. I have my business cards. I have my Totoro hat. I have my Free Hugs shirt and buttons. I have my hugging arms and my camera. One thing I know is that two days is going to be totally insufficient for all the meeting, greeting, sharing, hugging, laughing and sweating I intend to do (including the Fitbloggin 5k run! and stuff with Ugi balls and such!).
Six months ago, I vowed to myself that I wanted to be in the Very Best Shape of my Life at Fitbloggin. Well, life had other plans and I am not exactly in the best shape of my life. I’m not in the worst either, but I’m not in any peak sort of form. But it’s okay. My arms are in fine shape for hugging, and that’s really all that matters, isn’t it?
Comment here if you are going to Fitbloggin! Or if you went last year! Or if you’re not going but wish you were!
May 14, 2011 at 4:22 pm
SOOOOOO honkin excited!!!! I didn’t have time or money to make a free hugs shirt!!!! I’ll make a poster for your show though 🙂 love love love you!
May 14, 2011 at 4:25 pm
This post made me more nervous!!! lol I’m still gonna cash in on that FREE HUG even though I know ya already! 🙂 hehe
SEE YOU NEXT THURSDAY!!! whoohooooo!
May 14, 2011 at 4:28 pm
I went last year AND I am going this year AND I am going to have the coolest roomie! 😉
I’m a little nervous too because I am also speaking, but I do know what to expect and if this year is anything like last year, you will feel the love and warmth and acceptance of everyone there!
I too expected that I would be in some sort of amazing shape come May 19. I know that I am in better shape than I was last year, but I also know that I lost a little fitness ground over the winter. It’s okay though…I am in exactly the shape I was meant to be right this minute.
I am so very much looking forward to hugging you!
May 14, 2011 at 10:10 pm
This is a fun post! Can’t wait for Thursday.
May 15, 2011 at 7:40 am
Its my first FitBloggin and I’m so excited to meet you! I can’t believe all my favorite fitbloggers will be in one room! See you Thursday!
May 15, 2011 at 11:05 am
oh man, I am so stinkin’ excited!!!
I went last year and had an absolute blast – it really is like a family reunion and I cannot wait to meet even more relatives this year!!
I wont have time to get or make a HUGS tshirt but I am definitely in on the hugginlovin!!
oh, and I am soooo not in my best shape – in fact I am about 20 lbs heavier than this time last year…I have sort of been dreading this particular fact but I am certainly not gonna let that get in the way of all the fun to be had!!
xoxoxoxox
May 15, 2011 at 2:51 pm
I’m going, and SOOOO excited! This will be my first year, only really being a part of the weight loss/health blogosphere for a few months (actively, anyway). I’m so excited to meet all of the people I have read and loved and cheered on!
I don’t have a shirt or a button, but I’m ready to give hugs to anyone who wants one! 🙂
May 17, 2011 at 3:30 am
I am looking forward to meeting you and I hope you are fully recovered after Bay to Breakers. I will not be on stage. This is my first Fitbloggin (but I will be live blogging for Roni and vlogging for myself). And I gained 12 pounds recently when I lost my milk supply and was working to get it back (I still breastfeed my infant). I am not nervous but I do need to make my FREE HUGS shirt before I fly out. This is going to be FUN! *This will also be my first non-local blog conference… I have only done professional conferences before this.
May 19, 2011 at 1:53 am
I am going. This will be my first blogging conference besides local PodCamps. Should be fun.
May 21, 2011 at 3:09 pm
next year:( just read about today