What I Wish More People Knew About Me

One of my favorite bloggers that I read for business/professional development is Amber Naslund. About a month ago, she wrote a post titled “What I Wish More People Knew About Me.” As transparent as many bloggers are, there are often things that people don’t see or don’t know, and this is a chance to share those.

Several fitness bloggers have done this in recent weeks, and I just LOVE it. It’s so interesting to see what lies beneath the daily words. Check out a few here: Ryan, Roni, Karen, Christie. If you’ve written one of these posts, please link it in the comments – I would love to read it.

Some of this is silly and some of it is serious. Hate it or love it, it’s all me.

There are times when I think I’m just destined to be obese forever. If it were in the cards for me to be somewhat “normal” sized, it would have happened already when I was back in the 1200 calories and 4 hours of exercise a day zone in the late 90′s and early 2000s. I’ve come to realize, quite recently, that even if I am still obese, my body feels incredible with this lifestyle and activity. I’m trying to learn to embrace what I am, right in this moment, while continuing down this path.

Whenever someone calls me an inspiration, I think they’ve lost their minds. Of course, that’s very nice to say, but it also makes me worried for what the reaction would be if I failed.

I am tired of being a yes-person.  I’ve always tried to be the best at everything because I was so bad at being “normal-sized.” I had to be the hardest-working student. Or the one who volunteers the most. The person who takes on lots of projects and is super-organized. The one who would do everyone else’s work in addition to their own. I’ve been a “yes” person for way too long- the consummate people-pleaser, and it’s really worn me out. Right now, I say “yes” to myself.

There are days when I feel like the ugliest, most disgusting person on the planet. I shut down and cry in the dark. There are other days where I feel really, really pretty and just want to twirl around in a whirly skirt with happiness.

I have lots of dreams. I want to be an author of multiple books, including a non-fiction memoir and a semi-biographical young adult series about fat camp. An avid lover of chick lit, I also would love to write fiction. I also want to write for a magazine. I want to do more public speaking on health/fitness/self-esteem as well as marketing/social media/blogging. I don’t think I’ve ever shared these publicly. I’ve said them privately to a select few friends, but never aloud as I feared it was setting myself up for failure. Lately though, I’m realizing life is too short to keep your dreams a secret.

I do not answer calls if I don’t know the number: If you need to talk to me, leave a message. Same goes with missed calls. If I miss a call from someone I know and they don’t leave a message, I usually won’t call back because I’m assuming the caller didn’t need anything important.

I don’t plan on having children. I love kids, I think I’m good with kids, and all moms are awesome. It’s just nothing I’ve ever desired. I thought as I approached my 30s, my mind might change, but it hasn’t. I could never live up to the wonderful standard my mom set, and I frankly feel too selfish to have a child. Never say never, but it’s not on the table right now. So nosy people, stop asking when my husband and I are having babies! At least now, if you need a sitter, you know who to ask

When I get really tickled about something, I laugh like a hyena and can’t catch my breath. I turn purple in the face and get wheezy. Not a chuckle or a laugh, it’s a full-on-gut-buster. It’s quite a sight, and often at the most ridiculous things. It’s kind of contagious, and I embrace it.

I am a loud hiccupper. It makes people laugh, but to me it’s annoying. It sounds like a frog croaking!

I have not ever seen Star Wars, Star Trek, Rocky, Indiana Jones or any mobster movies (Goodfellas, The Godfather, etc). Apparently, this is weird.

Some of you may know this, but my maiden last name is Ho (I’m half-Chinese, or Whasian as Gretchen likes to say). I didn’t know the alternative meaning to “ho” until a little after Naughty by Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray” came out. Tough thing to learn for a 12 year old. And no, I can’t speak Chinese, although I desperately wish I did.

Have you written one of these posts? If so, please share below. I would love to hear something about YOU!