I am six. Or twelve.

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remember when we did this?!

remember when we did this?!

This month MizFit turns six.

This year marks twelve years since I started blogging.

(I began, in 2001, as a blogger for hire for Roger Applewhite.  He no longer blogs, but hes TRULY the O.G. of fitness blogging. Roger posted daily pics of himself back in 1999 when NO ONE thought this “online writing” thing would last.)

Id not planned to “pause for applause” (the Tornados new fave saying. love. ) and acknowledge either of these facts.

Until yesterday.

The Tornado & I went to our new park, with new friends, wearing new winter duds in our new neighborhood.

As I watched her play I reflected on the fact she was in *diapers* when I launched MizFit.

She’s learned to walk, talk, pee in proper places, moved houses twice, gotten stitches, made friends, moved away from friends, demonstrated great kindness, talked back to her mama, given charity, received tremendous kindnesses, had headlice, and plain ole GROWN UP over the past six years.

 

before and AFTER.

before and AFTER.

My initial thought was:

Wow. So much change happens over six years when youre young!

And then I paused (not for applause) and considered all Id done, experienced, given, mourned, received and celebrated over the past six years.

I was amazed at how I, too, have changed.

 

before and after?

before and after?

 

I launched MizFit as a vehicle to giveaway all the fitness knowledge Id accrued over time.

The Tornado was TINY & I couldnt quite volunteer in the way I’d had before she was born.

Blogging seemed a GREAT WAY to find a community & give back.

I never imagined I’d still be MizFit’ing now & *never imagined* how much I’d RECEIVE from blogging, either.

Which brings me back to the fact Id not planned to PAUSE FOR APPLAUSE (seriously. it kills me every time she says this) on this none-too-momentous occasion.

  • I urge you to join me in celebrating LIFE today.

Stop.

Make time.

Add in some play.

As I reflected it dawned on me the biggest lesson Id learned was we grown-up types don’t get enough play.

Far more than a time-waster or procrastination technique the Tornado has taught me play has myriad powers.

Yes for fitness, but also to eradicate life-frazzle, recharge our HOPE-batteries, change our perspective and and spark creativity.

Ive decided to CELEBRATE SIX and live TODAY with the backdrop of that playful notion.

I invite you to join me.  Laugh. Be silly. Be childish. Play.

And feel free to pause for applause.

 

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Comments

  1. Happy Blogiversary!! 6 yrs is amazing! I’m so glad to have found you and your blog – it’s become a staple of my day!!
    Perfect time to talk about making time to “play”…I had a mini-meltdown this weekend with my husband about how I’m stressed out, incredibly busy…and feel like there’s no end in sight with a just-turned-2 y/o and 5 month old. Life is going to get harder before it gets easier. This post makes me see the light at the end of the (long) tunnel. Thank you for this today! xo

  9. Hurray! Happy 6th and 12th bloggy birthday. You’re so right that adults are still changing, too. As a reader of your blog, I know that your approach to play and self-reflection are what make you stand out from the pack, and I am so thankful you’ve been such a prominent force in the fit-blogging community at the time I started. Inspiration! Thanks for doin what you’re doin. (Applause!!!)

  12. Here’s a playful snippet from Now We Are Six:

    What’s become of John boy?
    Nothing at all,
    He played with his skipping rope,
    He played with his ball.
    He ran after butterflies,
    Blue ones and red;
    He did a hundred happy things–
    And then he went to bed.

    So, here’s to doing a hundred happy things today!

  15. Happy MizFit birthday! So glad I found your blog 3 years ago. It has helped me so much. More than you could know. And thank you for always reminding me that being healthy requires some playouts! I need that 🙂

    Cheers Miz! To many, many more!

  20. I can’t even begin to imagine how many lives you have impacted and helped during the last 6 (12) years of blogging!!!
    I love Tornado’s phrase – you should definitely “pause for applause!”

  23. The world has changed more in the last six years than it had in the previous six. I expect it will change as much in the next three. As this exponential rate of change increases, we evolve with those changes. It’s been fun watching yours. #anightmarekeepingupwithmyown

  24. Wow! 6 years is a significant amount of time; congrats! Fun to see how you’ve grown and changed – and your readers along with you. You’ve got a new reader for the next 6+ years if that’s where your blog takes you! 😀 Love the content, the encouragement and YOU!

  27. Oh happy blog birthday. I’m 4 this year on my fitness site, but I’ve been doing “blogs” or “online journals” since the dawn of internet. OK not really, but I’d say since I was 12/14 ish. So at least half my life. I think we all tend to see childrena s going through more than we do, but when you stop to think about it, adults have just as many dynamics to our days. Maybe because we don’t change jobs as much, I don’t know. For me it’s easier to see the changes since within those 4 years I completed grad school, moved and went in and out of relationships. I’m glad you let us share your life with you. Have a great day!

  28. Happy blog anniversary for 6 & 12!! Hard to believe that long!! So much learning & I am sure tons more to do – I know I have lots more to do yet have learned a lot as well. You perspective is so unique to you! I have enjoyed the ride & plan to enjoy it as long as you stick around! 🙂

  29. When we judge the passing of time from how children change, there is a HUGE obvious evolution happening. And since we don’t think how much we change (and since we often don’t look that much different) we think we haven’t changed.

    Yet, when you take the time to reflect upon it, we are all always growing and changing. (Change or Die!) It seems remarkable that I’ve known you now almost 6 years, yet I have.

    How I HAVE changed! And you too.

    Happy, let’s reflect on those changes and celebrate our growth day!

  30. You are a pioneer on so many levels! I love it. And today marks my son’s 12th birthday, so this is a big day of reflection for me, too. Time FLIES.

  34. YES! That sounds like just the thing for today. (Incidentally, a bit of a milestone birthday for me as well, which makes me all kinds of maybe-too-introspective.) On Sunday I had an awesome play-out for the first time in…far too long. I’d been moaning about how awful the weather was and how I couldn’t be outside because it was too cold, too icy, too snowy, too whatever. And then I finally went out all bundled up with my fiance and we sneaker-skated all around on that ice, and climbed up on big piles of snow, and had the best time. I’d been missing out while I was so busy whining about “non-ideal” conditions. 🙂 Have a great day, Miz! You and the Tornado both inspire me to grow.

  36. Congratulations! I think you’ve been wildly successful at meeting your initial goal! You’re the most kind, generous, giver of information and experience I know!
    Here’s to another 6 (or 12) years, in whatever direction blogging takes you!
    xo

  38. TADA!!!! You are incredible and a huge inspiration to… basically everyone! 6 years ago I was 18 and making all kinds of bad decisions lol!! Here’s to way more than 6 wonderful years of blogging!!!

  41. I started reading your blog about four years ago, and so much of your message/reminders/encouragement has become part of me. Thank you!

    And thanks for the play reminder. I am home with the kid, who is sick, today. When hubby left without him, he turned to me and said: “Isn’t it great that I am home with you today so that you can play with me.”

    I’m getting off the computer and will do exactly that… 🙂

  42. Happy anniversary! Your influence on the ‘net is palpable, but for me, personally, none more so than in how I think of myself as a blogger/mom/womanwithfitnessissues. I’m so very glad you’re 6 and 12 and 40-something 😉

  44. Happy Blog-iversary to one of my faves! (not just your blog, YOU are one of my favorite online blog friends!) May you continue to inspire, motivate and amuse for MANY more years! Hug!

  45. I am at WORK-but luckily I am working with pre-school kids with disabilities, so the uninformed lay person MIGHT call it “play”.

    That’s exactly why I quit blogging….posting pix of oneself all over the internet just not my thing….

  49. This makes me so happy on a million levels.

    (Side note: why are 5 year olds so smart? My friend’s just-turned-five year old told me a while back, “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.” That has stuck with me and I think about how right she is almost every day!)

    I thought of you today while shooting a video with a 70+ year old guy whose motto is “never leave the playground.” I won’t spam you with a link, but he’s quite the character. The original video we did with him has nearly 500K views…and he has a really similar message to you (different delivery, for sure…but same mission!).

    • WE say that at our preschool…I bet that’s where the 5 year old learned it. Where we learn most things…at school!
      I will be 60 this year and still love playing on the playground (and in the mountains, oceans, desert, etc…_

  54. Happy 6! and 12! and here’s to 1200 more! It’s amazing how time flies and we change so much but don’t even realize it day to day. Applause!

  55. Happy Happy HAPPY! You were one of the very first people I “met” on Twitter and one of the very first blogs I ever read, and I will never forget how I felt as a result of those first interactions.

    Can you believe that I didn’t read ANY blogs before 2009? I can’t…

    Anyway, thank you for being a bright shining example in so many ways. I heart you.

  63. Congrats! 6 years is definitely a long long time and 12 years even longer (d-oh!) But as you say, much has happened over that time.

    I found a diary from three years ago this morning and was reading it and quite shocked at some of the stuff I’d put in there. I briefly added to it in 2012 and it was funny how the tone was different each time. Wonder what I’ll think when I read this year’s contributions in a year or two!

    Deb

  72. Time does goes by fast. I am coming up on a year myself and shocked because I am pretty sure I started yesterday.
    I will be playing like crazy tomorrow for you. My girls and I have a standing once a month dinner date – time to eat, talk, and laugh to loudly, I’ll probably snort. It’ll be great!

  75. I often find myself thinking about the idea of when I’ll actually grow up? I hope I never stop playing or being silly. Just because of the number of years we lived doesn’t mean we have to “grow up” does it? I think laughing until your belly hurts and playing is the most fun you can have at any point in your life. Your daughter is seriously beautiful!

  76. Congratulations! You’re a true inspiration to others who are committed to living healthier, happier lives. I love how authentic and transparent you are in your blog.

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