After last year’s Fitbloggin’ I knew I want was going to this year’s conference.  It’s like a high school reunion you actually enjoy.  I was so excited when I initially bought my ticket and even more so when selected to help lead a discussion group.  This was going to be the best end to summer vacation.

(Fitbloggin’ pic source: Carrie D Photography)

Then I immediately became anxious.  I’m a naturally anxious person and can usually hide it pretty well but social media anxiety is hard to hide in combination with large groups of people turns me into a wall flower.  Plus I hadn’t been blogging, on twitter, Facebook since our move in July.  I felt even more awkward than the awkward me from last year.

After a rough summer adjusting to the move: a new house, a job promotion, and trying to make new friends…I didn’t know if I could handle the anxiety of Fitbloggin’.  As much as I wanted to be there, the anxiety of preparing and thinking of putting myself out to talk to people and lead a discussion was just another anxiety.  One big anxiety sandwich.

Then I remembered the friends from last year.  I remembered the free hugs from day one.  I remembered people knowing my name and asking how I was doing, pulling me off the wall to join in conversations.  People who love me because I’m me and didn’t care about the big ball of anxiety rolling around inside.  Those people made all the work to push through the anxiety to go worth it.  Because at the end of one amazing weekend in September I was reminded I’m not strange.  Well I am…but so is my Fitbloggin’ Family.

Last Week’s Goals

• Process my thoughts. I started the process and it’s not easy as my friend Steve said…but It’s happening.  If you haven’t seen it look at my post about unburying thoughts from years ago. I’ve been journaling, talking with my counselor and have a great support system of Fitbloggin’ friends to work through similar issues.  Support is key.
• Finish my vacation.  I did my best.  But work called and Friday I spent in the office doing a million and one things.  It’s also a big source of stress right now.  I’m taking a day off later this week to make up for it just because I feel cheated. 
• Workout schedule.  I love my Zumba instructor for giving a clear schedule so it helped make this schedule.  Also I’m joining the college gym today so that will help so I can take kickboxing or another class or use the machines.  I’m excited.
• Menu making.  Uh yeah, that crazy work schedule went all the way through Sunday evening.  So no menu making or grocery shopping here.  We’ve been eating like college kids.  Healthy college kids but still.  This week it’s going to happen…probably tonight because I WANT TO COOK! 
• Organize my Social media.  I have new Twitter lists in Tweet Deck (computer) and Hootsuite (phone), purged my Google reader of the stuff I was just skipping and added the blogs I knew I could manage and added those I was really close with at Fitbloggin’ to my Facebook so I could easily keep up with them.  I even added some friends to Lose It! so I could cheer them on as we work on losing weight together.
• Rest.  It pained me…in many ways.  I skipped Zumba for two whole days post Fitbloggin’ or I may never have moved again.  I already had to navigate stairs.  But I did do a good bit of walking.  Now I’m back to working out and have even incorporated some of the moves into my regular workouts.  Air squats are a great stress reliever.

This Week’s Goals

• Day OFF!  Workaholic here.  I know what it is to work all the time and never take time off.  But I need a mental break more often.  It’s not insane to take a day off mid-week when I work all weekend.
• Major medical check.  Not the AFLAC bird but starting with new physicians is part of moving.  I prefer a DO to an MD.  Google the difference and you can ask me why.  SO today is my first appointment which means lots of checks.  All after work but before Zumba.  It’s a jam packed afternoon.
• Sweater shopping.  Who said once October 1 hit it was allowed to be 40 or below.  I need sweaters ASAP.  Internet shopping, thrifting and the good old fashioned store are going to fill some free time…ha, FREE TIME.  I at least need an idea.
• Start the budget.  Hunni and I agreed on a budget we can live with and try for now with compromise to adjust later.  So this week it begins.  A bit daunting but a lot exciting.  I miss full on budgeting instead of credit/debit living.
• Join the gym.  I’m off to college…or at least the college gym.  It has the most amenities around…and at more than 1/10 the cost of any other gym.  SO exciting.  Bonus: MY Zumba instructor teaches there for a few classes so those will be free.
• Menus & Groceries.  It’s great to eat everything before leaving on vacation so nothing rots.  It’s bad to come back to no food.  I’m correcting that this week.  We need to eat more than pasta and Attune Cereal from Fitbloggin Swag.