The Gift of Fat: Year in Review

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Did You Know. . .

That today is http://www.giftoffat.com's/ birthday!

To celebrate, I will eat a cupcake and let someone take a photo of me smashing it in my face.

I originally concieved of The Gift of Fat as a book. A New York Times Bestselling book.

My book will explore a fat girl's life. (yeah -- that's never been done before. *snort*).

I have been fat all of my life. A lot of people think that they are fat. In many cases, it's more of a self-perception than a concrete reality. Not that the fat feelings are any less significant, it's just that . . .well, it's different. In my case, everyone else knew I was fat too. How. . . .validating.

My book will be original because I will explain how I came to realize -- in my 30's -- that while being fat really really sucks, there are gifts associated with being fat. No one ever talks about the gifts.

Gifts like devloping a quick sense of humor. Developing a strong sense of justice. A powerful work ethic and a thirst to prove that I can do anything a thin person can do. Gifts like realizing that I stand out -- and if I wasn't fat, I would look just like everybody else. Friendships. Experiences. Revelations. Advocacy. The book will cover all of those things.

I started the blog to begin chapters of my book. I thought I could just tie up all the blog posts in a shiny package and sell it to Penguin Books, who would publish it with great fanfare and retail it at $29.99 hardcover, $9.99 on Kindle.

Turns out, the blog is not the book.

Not that there won't be a book. There will be. I think. The blog serves different, but important purposes.

I am a sucker for being the center of attention, and I love to make people laugh. Much of this blog has been trying to make you laugh, which guarantees me a spot in the center of attention for a few minutes.

The blog is also about my journey. My journey into fitness. . .and my newfound passion for working out. I never expected to love excercise. In fact, did I just write that I love excercise? WTF?

I don't consider myself a "mommy-blogger", but I am a mom. . . so I write about it.

I never expected the blog to be relational. Who knew you could make friends with people you've never met? Turns out -- I have made cyber friends. Nikki, Lex, Andi, Annabelle, plus my wonderful commenters (Hi Diane!).

Mostly, the blog helps me find my "voice". Writing the blog has been a great experience. I plan to continue.

For at least another year.