Farewell Fatso! Celebrates 4 Years

July 2010: I began penning my lifetime battle with obesity in a blog, Farewell Fatso! I never imagined all the places blogging would take me. Nor the doors of opportunity that would be opened for me because of my willingness to share my story and take chances on myself. To all of you who have supported, encouraged, and followed me  -- this one's for you!



My journey of health, fitness, and weight loss began four years ago. After a battle with depression and an awful period of self-loathing. One afternoon, I was abruptly awakened from one of my sleeping pill induced comas by a nagging voice that loudly told me, “Go outside and take a walk!” I grudgingly followed the order.

The first walks were foggy, but I soon found the walks to be cathartic and began enjoying and looking forward to them. The walks were a time I could think clearly, breathe fresh air, and begin working on my inner and outer self.

At the time, I wrote about my walks on my Facebook page. Many of you would comment on these postings saying, I was “encouraging” and “inspirational.” Your comments encouraged me too. I’ve always loved to write so I decided I would pen my battle with obesity — openly and honestly in a blog, “Farewell Fatso!” It was/is my way of further sharing my story with you and much needed therapy for me.

Oh my, here we are four years later. What a bumpy, amazing road we’ve traveled. I’ve learned so much about myself through this process. I’ve learned so much about the process. Most importantly, the course is not linear. There is no straight, clear path to the finish line. There is no finish line. I take two steps forward and three steps back. Such as life!

I could go on about my failures and successes, but no need — most of you have been here every step of the way with me. I want to take this time to say: THANK YOU for traveling this road with me. THANK YOU for encouraging me. THANK YOU for celebrating me. I’ll even pause to say THANK YOU to those who haven’t celebrated me. THANK YOU to those who have put road blocks in my way. You strengthen me too!

Last, but in no way least, thank God for giving me the strength, courage, and tenacity to fight this battle. It’s long from over, but I know that with His continued guidance I can do anything. I’ll close by saying, this journey has not been about what I’ve LOST, but about EVERYTHING I’ve GAINED.

Much love,

Chrisetta

Happy 3rd blog day!

Three years ago I had this crazy notion to write this blog as a way to share my journey of weight loss and self-discovery and to chronicle my ongoing battle with obesity.  Little did I know this blog what be the beginning of something magical, something Outside of the Box.

After losing my Marketing Assistant position in 2009, my lifelong friend, Carmen (Rest In Peace) told me that maybe I wasn't supposed to work a 9-5 and that maybe there was something else for me. She went on to tell me to write down everything I liked to do and wanted to do no matter how unrealistic it seemed. At the time, I was in such a bad space I couldn't have ever imagined that all the things I wanted to do and liked to do could become what I would do. But, here I am three years later doing ALL the things I love!

Thank you all for reading, attending my events, buying my cookbooks, and for the ongoing support, encouragement, and love. Since no birthday is complete without gifts, through the end of July, I'm offering 10% off my cookbook, Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box. Click here to order through PayPal (the 10% discount already applied).

Highlights from my past "Outside of the Box" year:

- 142 blog posts 
- Authored Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box
- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box becomes a required textbook for Clark College Health 100: Food and Your Health students
- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box hits the shelves of Clark College Bookstore
- Book signings at Clark College Bookstore, Vancouver and Cascade Park Library, Tully's Coffee, and DiTazza Coffee
- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box gets a Dewey Decimal number (641.563 MOSLEY)
- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box on the shelves at Fort Vancouver Regional Library,
Multnomah County Library, and Clark College Library- Invited as a guest lecturer for Clark College's Health 100, 104, 258 classes
- Keynote speaker for for Clark College's Biggest Loser competition
- Appeared on KBOO 90.7 FM Wednesday Morning Talk Radio - September and March
- Appeared on KBOO 90.7 FM Black Book Talk
- Article on front page of LiveWell in The Columbian and numerous blog features- Article in The Independent
- Founded “5 or 50” Women’s Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group meets
  monthly
- Offering shop.prep.cook Services and prep.cook.eat Parties
- Food & Wellness consultant for Nautropath

Healthy Food Presentations
- Clark College Health 100: “Food and Your Health” – February, March, and May 2013
- Clark College Health 104: “Weight and Your Health” – February 2013
- Cascade Park Community Library - October, February, and April 2013
- Fruit Valley Foundation – February and March 2013                                                   
- Northwest Personal Training – November 2012

Cooking Classes
-Chuck’s Produce & Street Market – September 2011 – April 2013
-Clark College Health 100: “Food and Your Health” at Chuck's Produce & Street Market – November 2012

Public Speaking
- "Eat to Live" Panel - February 2013
- Camas & Washougal on a Diet – March 2013
- Lacamas Swim & Sport Silver Sneakers – March 2013
- Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) – December 2012
- Professional Connections – November 2012
- Vancouver Community Library - October 2012
- Multnomah County Library – September 2012
- Women in Networking (WIN) – August 2012

I’m not sharing my highlights to boast, but rather to remind you that you can do anything if you tap into yourself and are willing to step OUTSIDE of the Box. As Carmen said, write it down even if it seems unrealistic!