My Official Fitness Everdeen Disclaimer

Lately, I've been feeling a little like Katniss Everdeen.

-Not in that I'm being forced to fight to the death in the arena, but more in that I'm simply a survivalist who's finding herself suddenly surrounded by people looking for a banner to rally behind. Making my journey public has caused people who are suffering under the "weight" of an oppressive fat regime to  look to me for direction. 

Everything I've done, I did because I was truly on a path to self destruction and my life and my future were in jeopardy because of my weight and bad health habits. Even the act of writing the blog began selfishly. I knew it would keep me accountable if people knew what I was up to. I posted photos and a few milestones on my social networking feeds because I knew having them out there would encourage me to keep going and prevent backsliding. 

I didn't realize I was holding poison berries. I didn't realize that my journey would become a symbol or even a source of inspiration for so many people.

I'm constantly amazed and moved by all the messages I receive from readers about how my weight loss quest and this blog have affected and inspired them. Some are from family or friends, others are from co-workers or former classmates, but more and more are coming to me from beyond those circles; complete strangers who stumbled upon my story and my writing and who want to let me know they're working on living healthier and being truer to themselves because of witnessing what I've done or reading something I've written.

It blows my mind because I never would have seen it coming. You see, my fellow stat-changing-fat-slayers, I'm just getting by on whatever "achievement unlocked" endorphins I can release each day. Sure, there are days when I reach a milestone and I feel amazing about what I'm doing, but there are SO many days where I make mistakes or realize that something I've done was wrong or ill-informed. Yes,  even I, Fitness Everdeen: the Mockingjay of Project Reroll, have binged on home made cookies and ice-cream or skipped a workout because I felt lazy. I've had one more cocktail than I should have. I've looked in the mirror and despite all my success, seen only the remaining flaws. I'm telling you this because it's important to me that you all realize I question myself all the time- not so much my conviction, but my methods.

Am I doing this right? 
Could I be going about this in a healthier way? 
What's the best advice I can give so that my readers can find success?
Wait, who the hell am I to dispense health advice or product reviews?

The rising success of this blog has really caused me to think critically about those questions and to consider not just my health, but the wellness of my readers. I am absolutely over the moon about all of the new folks who have been discovering the site and so excited about how many of you are leaving comments or joining in the Walk to Mordor. I'm touched by your messages and I'm honored that you spend your time here on the site reading about what I've learned. I want to make sure you get good information and I want to make sure you understand who you're getting it from.

So here it is.

My Official "Fitness Everdeen" Disclaimer

I'm not a nutritionist. I'm not a doctor. I'm not a personal trainer. I'm not a guru. I'm just your average geek trying her best to get healthier who has picked up a few new attribute stats, magical items, and life experience points along the way. Naturally, I want to share any gathered materials or discovered knowledge with my party. 

Thusly, I have a responsibility to all of you to be honest, open, and accurate to the best of my ability. I may not have intended to create a banner that people could rally behind, but that's what happened. Challenge Accepted. I'm proud of myself and my quest for better health. If reading about it has empowered you to reach your own goals, then I am incredibly honored to have shared in your success!

My dear readers, I will be your "Mockingjay" if you'll accept that I'm teaching from experience and not expertise. If you know something I've said is incorrect, I encourage you to post your conflicting information. I'd love to have a dialogue about it in the comments. 

This is a place for a community of like minded people to fight their way to a healthier existence.

May the scales be ever in your favor.