Lately, I've been getting 3,000-4,000 pageviews per day, so I got kind of scared when I saw those huge numbers today! I've been getting a LOT of hits from Pinterest (which I don't belong to, but I kind of maybe want to join to see what the hype is?). Anyway, when I started my blog, I liked how it was kind of my own private little place on the internet where I could share all about my life and not worry about who saw it.
With 10,000 pageviews today, I panicked for a minute, thinking about all those people that saw pictures of me in my PANTIES...
But the attention has been only positive (so far) and now I think this is actually kind of fun. I can't imagine why that many people find me interesting enough to view my blog, but hopefully I've inspired some people to make changes in their own lives.
So, I'd like to say welcome to my new readers! I don't have all the answers to weight loss (nor do I pretend to) and I still struggle constantly with my weight, but keeping this blog has been the best thing I've ever done for myself. It helps me stay accountable, and I've "met" sooo many fantastic people that inspire me and motivate me, and just make me feel good about myself--something I never used to feel before.
I hope that what I have written on my blog can help somehow--by seeing all things I've tried and failed at or succeeded at, maybe it will help in your own journey. I can't stress enough that ANYBODY can do what I did--it just takes a hell of a lot of determination and an excuse-free mindset! ;)
If you're just finding my blog, you might want to start with the FAQ's page. In short, I made up my mind that I was GOING TO lose 100+ pounds in a year (this was in August 2009); and I counted my calories diligently, weighing/measuring my food and being completely honest with myself. Over 16 months, I lost 125 pounds--with a few big hurdles along the way, like breaking my jaw, and binge eating. About halfway through my journey, I started to run for exercise--and I HATED IT at first, but I've grown to have a love/hate relationship with running, and I'm kind of hooked on it now.
I have an amazing family--my husband, who I've been with since high school; and our two boys, Noah (7), and Eli (5). We have four cats, all named from Friends characters: Chandler, Phoebe, Estelle, and Paolo.
Last month, I had the most amazing experience in that I was a guest on The Dr. Oz Show. It was so much fun! And most recently, I had a lower body lift surgery to remove excess skin from my mid-section. I've been documenting all of that info, and will compile it into one blog post soon.
So, if you're interested in following along in my life, I'd love for you to introduce yourself in a comment or e-mail :) Thanks for reading!
I have been following you on Sparkpeople for a while, and then on here. You really are an inspiration. I hope some day to find the will power you did, but with a full time job, four kids, school full time and life, I havent found a routine that works. Your Dr. Oz appearance was lovely, you looked so happy! Congrats on all your amazing accomplishments and all those to come! Jesi Gordon, Oklahoma. (Pinterest is awesome!)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to have so many new readers!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could get just an iota of that traffic Katie! I do check your blog a few times a day because I like to read the comments people leave you. It gives me something to do other than Cube Crash on FB! It's also great for procrastinating!! Paying down that debt should be a breeze now!
ReplyDeleteYay! It's because you are amazing. =) If you need a pinterest invite let me know!
ReplyDeletePinterest is a website that I use for inspiration. Pretty much you "pin" a picture and then you have these different boards with all these different pictures. Then when you want or need something, you click on the picture and it takes you to the original site and the recipe, instructions, etc...
ReplyDeleteFor your blog, someone posted a picture from the blog then said underneath something like "Runs for Cookies - inspirational blog" so when they are needing inspiration they will click it and go to your blog. Then other people see that and can pin to their own boards too.
It is lots of fun and I gets tons of recipes ideas from there and exercise motivation. But you have watch out for the delicious treats that are posted often :)
Katie,
ReplyDeleteYou are what I read every morning!! I have to let you know I had a sinilar experience with the robe from the hotel. I had a night out to a hotel and I alway avoid the robe but want to wear it and lounge but I know it won't fit me because they are one size fits all (most) but since my recent weight loss I thought it might be fun to try it on. IT FIT and had quite a bit of extra room.. I even had it on over my clothes so WOW what a great feeling. I couldn't wait to share that with someone who can relate to that experience. IT MADE MY DAY!! I am encouraged to keep going. !! Little things that make me smile :) Kathryn
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteKathryn,
That is AWESOME about the robe!! Isn't that such an amazing feeling? I can definitely relate ;)
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteInteresting!! I wondered how Pinterest worked. I can see myself getting yet another website to get hooked on though... could be dangerous! haha ;)
@Jesi Gordon
ReplyDeleteJesi,
Don't give up! Finding the routine is the hard part... once you get that routine down, there will be no stopping you!
OMG 10k!! Crazy!!! I have a pinterest account but rarely go on it! I should though!
ReplyDeleteYou are so inspiring, Katie! I think people love to read your blog because you are so down to earth and you face the same trials and tribulations that millions of women face every day...and you're coming out on top! Makes people think, "if she can do it, I can do it!". I love reading your entries, and I'm 40 pounds into my 100 lb journey. ;).
ReplyDeleteYou are so inspiring! I'm friends with you on sparkpeople & this blog. I have tried a lot of your recipes & love them! I follow some people on Tumblr & i seen a post yesterday about you! It had your before & after photos, some things that you had wrote, & people recommending this blog! Congrats on everything that you have accomplished & I just want to tell you that you look AMAZING!!
ReplyDeleteThat may be partly my fault. I've shared your blog many times. I love it. I follow daily, but never leave comments or messages. I just wish you had a place to donate without buying a glocket, as your blog is such an entertaining part of my daily routine. I'd love a way to contribute.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thank you so much for sharing my blog--I'm glad that you enjoy it! A lot of people have actually told me I should put a "donate" button on my blog, and I have thought about. I would just feel TERRIBLE taking something for nothing. But I will consider it :) Thanks for reading!!
You wouldn't be taking it. Only those wishing to donate would. And it is definitely not for nothing! I read your blog every day as I unwind or if I need motivation. Some people pay for magazines, I read your words for free. Also, your blog does much more for me than weight watchers did back in the day. I've lost 40 lbs, all while following you. When I start to regress, I go to your before and after pictures and read your very real words.
ReplyDeleteI love that you posted about your first post op run. I missed the blog from the earlier days, and am considering running. I hate it, but hope to learn to tolerate it. I love the reminiscing of your early running days in that post. It's nice to know you've been there too.
Yes i found you on pinterest (an awesome site) I have a section on fitness and I also pinned your blog, I hear ya on the love hate relationship with running, I had lost 75lbs and wanted away to keep it off and still eat! So I too began to run :-) many 5K's and 2 i/2 marathons so far, I am much older than you but find you very inspirational thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou (and Linda) have DEFINITELY helped me get back in the swing of things with weight loss.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, LOVE your blog. I have been watching your number of followers gradually creep up, but 10,000 is amazing!
Today I wanted to eat a mini-butterfingers bar from the candy jar in my classroom and I actually thought to myself, "What would Slim Katie do?" LOL.
PS I didn't eat it!
Hey there, Katie! I'm a Sparkler (I use the tracker) who found you here & I've been following you since before your surgery. I've only commented once (about your book). I don't have any weight to lose (anymore...25 years ago I was an overweight teen w/ food issues). But, I love your blog! So inspirational, so YOU. That's what makes it work. Thanks for sharing and keeping it real.
ReplyDeleteHey Katie,
ReplyDeleteI'm a Sparkie and I've been reading your blog since before your surgery and that's the first thing I do when I get up and the last thing before going to bed. You're amazing. I just love the way you're so honest about everything. Sometimes when I feel like a total failure, I come to your blog too!- Saaedah, Singapore
I have to second what everyone else has said here: your posts/pictures/everything are so honest! I found you through Pinterest and I've been addicted ever since! Your choice of before and after shots is just brilliant. You get pictures of so many moments that most people wouldn't think to capture; it's fantastic! And you look so stunning! You're such an inspiration. Thank you! Oh and I also second a donate button! Oh oh oh...and that list of a 100 differences now that you're thin...holy cow! My husband and I keep talking about them and imagining them. So cool! I'm sure this has been said a million times too, but I keep looking at your before and after photos and I feel like you went from 40 to 16. Just...wow! You are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI found you via Pinterest too, a few weeks ago, and have been following your blog ever since. It's a fun site but very addictive. I have boards for weight loss inspiration (http://pinterest.com/janinelearner/weight-loss-inspiration/), home decorating ideas, one for if I win the lottery lol, jewelry I like, food, craft ideas etc, you can "pin" just about anything.
ReplyDeleteI am telling you Katie,, you are gonna be Dr Oz,, cohost someday . Your amazing !
ReplyDeleteTammy:-)
i found you via pinterest and i am addicted to it!!! i am SO proud of you and can't wait to read your next post and catch up on your past!! Don't let your daily hits freak you out....think of how many people you are helping!!
ReplyDeleteHello, looking forward to reading your blog. I to am in the middle of my 89lb weight loss journey, with about 59lbs to go.
ReplyDeleteWOW--that is amazing. You are FAMOUS! Well, you were already famous from Dr. Oz, but it must be so satisfying to see how many people are reading your blog. But I'm not surprised. You write so well and are so motivational, inspirational, and just FUN to read, it's was just a matter of time before people discovered SLIM KATIE! I know I look forward to reading your posts every day!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. I too have just decided to take up running and WALKED my first 5k a couple of weeks ago. You blog is very inspiring and well written. I'm a little older (37) but love to see the things you have encountered are similar to mine. Slowly but surely I will be RUNNING the full 5k and soon after longer runs. I'm also glad you posted pictures because it puts it into a REAL perspective of what hard work gets you. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
ReplyDelete10,000- awesome! I've been following you from Sparkpeople. Katie- you've done something that thousands- probably millions of people are trying to do and you've succeeded and continue to succeed! Of course people are interested in you. They want to know HOW you did it and how you keep going- day after day. You are an inspiration to so many and I love reading your blog everyday. I subscribed, but I find that I always read your posts before I get notified by email because I check back several times a day.
ReplyDeleteI am close to your same age and height and can't remember where I found your site, but I've been reading for a couple of months. I love how honest you are and how you seem to live a really normal life that proves that ANYONE can lose weight, regardless of income of where they are at in life. I am a runner too and while I haven't lost a significant amount of weight (I went from 155 to 125 lbs 6 yrs ago, but have been fluctuating between 135-145 for the past couple yrs.) I identify with your daily struggle. I have that too! Thank you for writing!
ReplyDeleteKatie, I'm thrilled for your blogging success! I'm one of those that subscribed and loved reading your sparkpage back before this blog. I'm still over there and plugging away, but now I subscribe to you via google reader. Also, I was the one that gave you the heads up on teddywedgers in Madison ;)
ReplyDeleteI haven't pinned you at all, but I do have to share my love for pinterest. I have one tip that I'd like to share that made the world of difference for me. I had pinterest for quite a while before I started using it because it was kind of hassle to add things, let alone remember to use it even. It took me a while to realize there is a button you can add to your toolbar. Now, whenever I'm doing my regular internet browsing and I see something that I like, whether it be a beautiful image, something I want to buy, or a recipe I need to try out, I pin it to the appropriate board. I love it and use it so much more now. My pinterest is:
http://pinterest.com/robayre/
I came over from Pinterest (which is soo addicting btw!!) and I have visited daily since... You are very inspirational and REAL. Thank you for being so honest with the ups and downs of weight loss!
ReplyDeleteI went to high school with Jerry, and we are friends on facebook. When he posted the utube video of your weight loss, I checked out your blog and now I read it everyday for inspiration. I decided on November 10, 2011, that I was tired of being fat. In one month I have lost 18 pounds, and down 2 pant sizes. I have used almost all your recipes and made a few of my own. My goal is to loss 100+ pounds. When I get in a rut I sit down and read through your blog and I feel strong again.
ReplyDelete@Tasha
ReplyDeleteTasha, I used to work with you at Bob Evans (waaaay back in the day)! CONGRATS on the weight loss--two pants sizes in a month is AMAZING!
I am in Australia, your blog was mentioned on another aussie blog of her favourite blogs.
ReplyDeletefound your blog about 1 month ago. i myself have lost about 50kgs it has taken me 3+ years and trust me you are right, IT'S THE HARDEST THING TO DO!!!!!! you have done a GREAT job.
I must admit that I found you on Pintrest. I love it for the crafty ideas but most recently I have started a weight loss competition with my family I weighed in at 177 and my target goal is 135.I have had a lot of trouble finding motivation to do this so I began reading your blog and I must say you are a great inspiration. And don't stress about turning 30! I will be there next month and I keep telling everyone 30 is the new 20 :) Keep up the great work!!!
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteI also found your blog on Pinterest, I have been reading some of the back entries and I am inspired! I decided this would be the year I am going to lose 102 pounds, (this gets me into the healthy category BMI wise). I also am from S.E. Michigan, a mom of 2 little girls. I decided to change my life to be here for them. I love that you are so open and honest about your journey and have inspired me to get busy and lose the weight! Thanks for blogging, I will be a faithful follower!
Amy