Remember the Ultimate Blog Party I mentioned to you on Friday? Well here’s my party post to have fun in the festivities, and it’s also a good overall view of what’s going on here at Fearless Fat Loss for all of you new, super cool subscribers. 🙂 (welcome!)
My name is JoLynn Braley and the party here at Fearless Fat Loss is all about being good to yourself now instead of waiting until that magical day when the scale reads ### and you jump for joy. I say why not jump for joy now? The present moment is all we have, why waste it on thinking about a future time – now is that future that you may have been thinking about in the past, so why not choose joy and peace in this very moment?
I’ve recently changed my outlook on life in general and this also applies to my weight loss goals – my #1 life goal is to live with joy in this moment. Yep, that’s it; so now I’m not tied to any outside circumstances to determine my inner peace and happiness.
This party is all about living your joy now instead of waiting until that future time when you’ve lost the weight, gotten the new job, bought the car, had the baby, gotten married, moved to (fill in the blank), or whatever that future goal may be. Now is the time to party, now is the time to feel your joy, your bliss. Does this mean we’re dropping all pursuits in life? No, or at least I’m not, but I am going to enjoy the journey and have fun with it right now instead of waiting to have fun when I get there. 😉
So what is Fearless Fat Loss all about? Fearless Fat Loss is about a few topics related to health, weight loss, and wellness. Here’s the core of this site:
- It’s about creating a healthy lifestyle based on whole foods and loving the self today – not only to lose weight but to have a strong, fit body (yep, that means exercise! 😉 ).
- It’s a combination of informative articles (e.g.: on crystalline fructose, the omentum, natural flavor, high fructose corn syrup, and others) that I write after researching the heck out of the topic as well as posts based on my own experience of what has worked for me (changing my lifestyle), what hasn’t worked (dieting), what I’m working on now (healing my emotional eating), as well as motivational tid-bits I come across. Right now many of my motivational posts are in the archives, however stay tuned on that because I have something coming up shortly (within the next few weeks) to resurrect inspiring, conscious, motivational thoughts for you more regularly.
- Overall, this site is about a whole body, mind, spirit solution to weight loss – that’s right, based on my own experience it’s not enough to just give an overweight person a diet and exercise plan and shuttle them off with high hopes. If that were the solution then we wouldn’t be experiencing an obesity crisis today now would we? I think not – if diet & exercise were enough, everyone who wants to lose weight would do so and keep it off – no problem.
Nope, there’s more to it than that. For some folks they could be addicted to refined sugar and flour (like I am), be emotional eaters (that’s me, too!), as well as have a habit of stinkin’ thinkin’ – thinking that “I can’t lose weight, it’s too hard, I’ll always be like this so why try”, etc. etc.. I understand all of this because I’ve been there myself, but you know what? A thought is just a thought and it can be changed.
At this time my main goal is to live with joy in each moment, meaning that I’m not waiting until I lose 30 pounds to be happy and in peace. Sure, I’m also working on my emotional eating (in fact I’m doing an emotional eating experiment for 12 weeks on myself with updates here each Wednesday) and following a healthy eating and exercise program, but I can do this and have fun with it, living in joy at the same time instead of struggling and waiting for the future to live a life filled with fun and happiness. I believe that we can all do this, and if it’s a struggle for you, you could start right now with loving yourself just a little bit more each day and doing that from now on.
Fearless Fat Loss is an evolution in process – it cannot stagnate because I’m the one behind it and I am continually becoming more aware and conscious of what is really at the root of my food and weight issues – here’s a clue, it’s not about the food, or the weight for that matter! But if you’re like me and you’ve struggled with your weight your entire life, then you already know that.
I feel that by sharing what I’ve learned and what I’m learning that if I can help even one other person out there then I’ve contributed something positive to this world. When I started this blog almost a year ago I set out with the intention that I wanted to finally heal my food and weight issues, issues I’ve struggled with since I was a kid. No, these things don’t always happen overnight but that’s OK – I’m feeling the progress and that’s what matters.
Stick around and take from me anything that resonates for you and begin your own journey of letting go of the diet mentality and creating a new, healthy lifestyle filled with a love for life, a love for yourself, a love of health and fitness, and drop that diet mentality for good!
And by the way, if you like the sounds of this, be sure to subscribe to my RSS feed either in your favorite blog reader (I like Bloglines – here’s some more information) or through email – both options are available in the upper right hand corner of this page. That way you can stay up-to-date on the happenings around here and keep your positive, joyful mojo flowing in your own life while you enjoy the process of weight loss.
Now there are lots (over 150!) of prizes that are being given away at the Ultimate Blog Party and we were asked to list our top picks to make things easier. Here’s what caught my eye:
#71 – Blog logo or header design provided by Revka & Linda of RS Designs.
#72 – Webcam provided by Liz.
#59 – $25 cash provided by Lori.
If those are already taken I’d be very grateful for the following (in order of preference), or anything that would fall into a “general” sort of category (I don’t have kids): #117, #55, #114, #135, #21, #100.
You can also join in the fun with the Ultimate Blog Party if you’re a female blogger – it’s running until this Friday, March 14, and it’s a fun way to meet some other bloggers (approx. 1,000 are already involved) and at the same time bring a little more exposure to your blog!
If you’re not a blogger you can still join in but sorry guys, it’s still just for the gals (hey, I didn’t make the rules! 😉 ). Like I mentioned above they are giving away some prizes to celebrate and if you don’t have a blog you can become eligible to win one of the 150+ prizes by commenting on this post and then visiting at least 20 of the blogs on the list and leaving a comment on their “party post”; a post like mine that you’re reading now – in fact you could start right here by leaving a comment below!
That’s all there is to it, enjoy!
Great party! I enjoy reading your blog and your journey towards a healthier more joyful life. We definitely deal with similar food/eating challenges! 🙂
I’m glad to come to your party. Great blog!
Hi Susan, thank you! 🙂 Are you partying on in peace and joy right now? I hope so. It’s really cool to be detached from the “need” to lose weight in order to be happy. I did a teleseminar last week (not the Oprah event although that’s great too, but with a life coach) and I’ve made some very important shifts – very cool.
And about our food/eating challenges – I think there’s more than 2 of us out there, which is a good thing because we can all see that if one of us can heal our food/weight issues at a cellular level (complete mind/body/spirit transformation) then the rest of us can do it, too.
Here’s to the journey! 🙂
Hi Kwana, thank you! 🙂
So glad you stopped by my blog! I really needed the message from your blog! I can’t wait to spend more time reading through your blog!
Hi Emily!
Sure, np, thanks for stopping by here, too! 🙂
Glad I could pass along a positive message for you today, that’s what I aim for! 🙂
Happy Blog Party JoLynn. Isn’t it great?! I’m having a blast and I just can’t stop getting everywhere. There’s so many great finds and cool women behind these blogs.
I always enjoy reading what you write. Your approach to a healthy, lifestyle resonates with me, too. If only I can kick that refined sugar habit. One small teaspoon at a time and it’s happening.
Have fun blog hoppin’.
Love this…the fit shack! Very impressive!
Hi Stephy J., thank you, and welcome! 🙂 I’m glad you came by!
Hi Cindy!
Thanks again for posting about the Blog Party – I wouldn’t have known about it if not for you. 🙂
I’m really glad to hear your feedback on what I’ve been sharing here – and you know, I do believe that sugar addiction can be kicked….I’m actually learning that my sugar & flour addiction ties into my emotional eating more than I thought it did – more on that in my Wednesday updates. 🙂
Have fun blog hoppin’ too! I’ve only visited approx. 50 blogs so far, if that many – let’s see how long it takes me to get through the whole list – have you done that already?
Hey JoLynn!
Love your positive thinking! It’s hard staying in shape over here in Italy due to the great food and wine. But I am trying to cut down on my junk-loving ways. Will definitely check out your blog for some more pointers.
Cheers!
loving the self.
it IS all about that…and then all else will fall into place.
M.
Thanks so much for stopping by my ‘party’ post at Small Reflections and leaving the link back here. I’m a long time member of Weight Watchers and do my best to live a healthy life …(especially now that I’m retired)… but it’s always good to learn more about such things. Your blog looks like it’s filled with information and tips and I’ll definitely be back when time permits. I notice you respond to comments on your blog as I do on mine, and I hope you checked the little box to receive follow-up comments in email. Have a wonderful Wednesday, and feel free to stop by for a visit anytime!
Hugs and blessings,
Hi Cindy,
Your blog is terrific – lots of good information here and I’ve bookmarked you, too – I have also made a commitment to not focus so much on weight and start thinking healthy, again!
Thanks so much for inviting me.
Hi everyone, thanks for your wonderful comments! 🙂
@Linda, thank you! You know what you do have though, is the opportunity to walk a lot more than us Americans do – that’s one thing (among many others) that I love about Europe.
@M, hi, exactly – when you truly love yourself (not vanity but real love) you can heal any “problem” in your life.
@story, sure, np! The Blog Party is really something – so far I’ve visited approx. 70 new blogs – might not sound like much though, when you look at that list (LOL). Thanks for your kind words!
@Liz, hi! Oops, I’m JoLynn 🙂 I know – so many different blogs to visit during the Blog Party (LOL).
Thank you very much for your compliments, I really appreciate it, and most of all that’s cool that you’re taking the focus off your weight and putting it on your health – that’s what has been working for me, too.
Thanks everyone!
I am definitely an emotional eater and it’s something I REALLY need to work on. Thanks for the party!
Thank you for stopping by my blog! I think I may scare some people off by posting about miniatures! Lol! I’ll probably do it for a few days then go back to regular blogging, then post a bit more of those.
I hadn’t seen Colleen Moore’s castle before but I just looked at some of it online. Fun! 🙂
Great outlook on life and one we should all strive for! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
I definitely have to sit down when I have a bit more time and search thru your blog, sounds like you have great tips and such to help us live every day to the fullest extent. I too am an emotional eater, and totally addicted to carbs.. I ‘m still doing weight watchers but my hubby is helping me be aware of just how many carbs that I don’t even think are carbs I am really inhaling, it’s scarey once you start reading food labels. I used to t peruse them for fat grams and fiber, now I’m also looking at the total carb vs sugar thing. WOW, its scaring the bejeebies out of me a bit.
After I have gone thru your blog, since I already like what I see, I may share the address with my weight watchers group.
ttyl, have a great day!
MaBunny
Hey! What a great blog you got here! Lots of good stuff to read! Unfortunately I am a sugar addict myself, and I guess you could say carb addict 🙂
I see you want to win a blog make over from us. Good luck, I’d be happy to help you! 🙂 Have a nice party!
Hi you guys, isn’t this blog party fun?! 🙂 Thanks for all of your comments!
@Christina, yep, me too. I’m working on my emotional eating right now – that along with food addiction (mainly to refined sugar & flour) have been my main roadblocks to weight loss and maintenance.
@Melissa, I really love dollhouses and miniatures! I just am not putting any time in my schedule for that right now, but I think it’s really a lot of fun – I love the detail.
If you ever get a chance to go to Chicago and see Colleen Moore’s fairy tale castle at the Museum of Science and Industry, I bet you’d really enjoy it. It’s cool to see online but you’ll see what I mean if you get a chance to see it up close – it’s really something.
@Monica, thanks! Yeah, that’s my main goal now – to live in joy no matter where I’m at at the time – means that if I don’t like what I’m doing then I’m finding a way to make it fun! 🙂
@MaBunny, sure, np! I’m enjoying meeting each of you through the Blog Party. I’ll see if I can get through the entire list, it’s a looooong one!
I know a gal who really likes Weight Watchers and some of the people who call Richard Simmons on Sirius are on WW, too. I prefer the 6-week body makeover program because it eliminates refined sugar and flour, the 2 main ingredients that I’m addicted to. I do eat carbs though, just whole carbs – like oatmeal, brown rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, those kinds of carbs. I don’t have carbs at every meal but they are vital for the body.
I’m not sure how WW handles them, but I don’t think of myself as being a “low-carber”. That’s what my experience is though, and you just need to find what works for you, what makes your body sing and gives you tons of clean eating energy. 🙂
That would be great if you want to recommend my blog to your friends, way cool! 🙂
Hi Linda, thank you! 🙂
Yes, I’m interested in a custom logo – I am considering putting my header image back up that I was using before (my original theme stopped working – another story 😉 ) but I would like some kind of logo – at the very least something I could use with Entrecard…..we’ll see if I win your prize! 🙂
On the sugar addiction…..girl, you’re not alone, that’s for sure! There’s a lot of us here who are in the same boat, and that along with my emotional eating is what I’m working on currently. Not so much focused on the scale (although I’m happy I’m maintaining the 12+ pounds I lost since January) but on healing the underlying issues that motivate me to turn to the addictive foods.
Thanks a lot for stopping by Linda!
Thanks for visiting my party, your blog is very interesting. I plan to come back later to read more of your “informative articles.” I desire to fed myself and my family healthy foods that are good for you. One of my boys (4) is a very picky eater, any suggestions for that?
Really great blog! Thanks for stopping by mine. I’m a fitness buff and am working on my own personal transformation so I will definitely be back!
Enjoy the party! Smiles!
@Tricia, hi! I’m still thinking about your question for your 4yo, I’ll be back with more on that! 😉
@Wifey, hi, that’s cool! We’re both putting the positive transformation on ourselves then, sounds good to me! 🙂
Hey JoLynn! Thanks for the invite to your fabulous party! Thought I’d return the favor since you were gracious enough to visit mine. Have a great party!
Consider me a new bloggy sister!
Party til ya drop!
Jill
http://tonsofsons.wordpress.com/
Hope you’re having fun at the party!
Thanks for stopping by my place!:)
Thanks for the invite to your party…so many people to meet here! I love it!! Your blog is full of great insight and I love you ourlook on life…to live for the joy at this moment. WORDS TO LIVE BY for sure.
Enjoy the party!!
xoxo
Hi Tricia,
I said I’d be back with some tips for your little guy who’s a picky eater and I ended up writing a post about it – you can check it out here.
Thanks for asking such a great question. 🙂
Hi everyone, thanks for all of your wonderful comments! This blog party is just massive, it’s amazing that there are already over 1400 of us in the party, wow!
@Kate, thanks! Yes, this is a blast!
@Jill, hi, thanks for stopping by!
@winey, thanks, I’m glad that you came by here, too!
@Heather, thank you! I need to remind myself sometimes but that is my #1 goal – to live in joy every moment – I just aim to have fun with whatever I’m doing. 🙂
Thanks for visiting! The massive tree in the picture is actually the “Tree of Life” at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom.
Hi Butterbean, thank you! I didn’t know if my eyes were playing tricks on me until I enlarged your photo and saw all of the carvings – geez, way cool!! 🙂