A couple of weeks ago I received an email asking if I was interested in participating in a piece for FIRST Magazine about Photo Food Blogging. They asked me a few questions and then I received this…
"I just wanted to let you know that your story has been approved for an upcoming issue of FIRST… congrats!"
Wait. What? I thought I was just "contributing." You know, a few quotes, maybe a photo or two, but this was starting to sound more serious. All of a sudden I had a phone interview with a writer and they were scheduling a photo shoot to happen at my house. My HOUSE!
I honestly I don’t know what happened. Normally I’d be super excited about this opportunity but there are a two things bugging me.
- I’m still carrying around 10lbs of pregnancy weight. WHY are all the fun opportunities happening this past year when, I dunno, I decided to get pregnant! There was the WW ice cream video and the trip to the NY where I had to pass on a makeover. Geesh people, why didn’t you call 2 years ago!
- I feel like they are making me fit their already existing story idea. I guess that’s how magazine articles work but it annoys the crap out of me. I actually had a discussion with the writer, who told me their readers wouldn’t relate to my story because I run. Well I do run, what am I suppose to do? Lie? Instead she asked me if I was comfortable with "this" and/or "that." I felt like words were being put in my mouth much like the Woman’s World story (yes I ate pasta while losing but that’s not WHY I lost.) Man they like to manipulate things, don’t they?
So I’m excited I have the opportunity to be in the magazine, but I’m worried. You really have no control over the spin they put on the story. Regardless, they are coming on Wednesday to take some photos. This should be interesting!
Anyway, besides that I don’t have much going on. I’ve mostly been spending time with this guy..
Trying to find a routine and figuring out ways to work smarter, not harder. I miss recording podcasts and having a fairly regular posting schedule here on Roni’s Weigh.
I’m also TRYING to make progress on FitBloggin’12. I can not believe how much work it is just to secure the venue for next year. I’m shooting for a weekend in late September/October. Once I secure, I’ll announce on the FitBloggin’ web site. That is unless someone wants to do it for me. Conferences are a LOT of work!
BlogToLose is on my to-do as well. My plan is to possibly offer weekly online "meetings" where I introduce challenges, give tips, and lead a discussion. I’m not making any promises but I hope to launch this by October with a more official announcement coming this week.
I did post a new, fun summer meal on GreenLiteBites today and I have another dinner idea to share. I whipped something up today that both boys LOVED. I hope to get that up tomorrow. Oh! and I’m working on a GreenLiteBites Cookbook giveaway on all my sites. I have a ton of copies just collecting dust. Why not give them away!
On a more personal note, I signed Little Bean and I up for a class (click here to learn more and see some cute pics) and next weekend we are going to Rehoboth Beach for one last summer fling before school. We found a fairly cheap hotel a couple of blocks from the beach. I’m excited! I can’t wait to get the boys back in the ocean.
Ok, That’s about all I have in me tonight. I have restarted posting my food journal on Twitter (Click here to see my food journal today) which reminds me, I have officially left Weight Watchers. I’m not counting points, I wasn’t getting much out of the meetings and the receptionists weren’t even that nice. Why am I paying them?! So I’m officially on my own to lose these last 10 pounds. I have no doubt I’ll do it. I’m just taking my time and doing it my way. :)
I’ll still be weighing in weekly and tracking on this page. I’ll just be using my own scale.
19 Responses to Wait. A Photo Shoot? WHAT Just Happened?
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
The timing of all those awesome things may be “off”, but Little Bean came just when he was supposed to :)
First of all, you’re only carrying around 7.6 lbs. of post-pregnancy weight, and you look fantastic! I’m looking forward to seeing you in FIRST magazine. I don’t think I was reading your blog when the Woman’s World magazine with you came out. It’s quite interesting to find out how they manipulate their stories! I can’t believe FIRST is telling you that their readers won’t relate to you regarding your running! Hello?!!! All of your blog readers will be getting that magazine when you are in it, and many of us relate to running, plus all readers only want the truth of what works for people who have lost weight. That magazine writer needs a reality check!
I just recently left WW too – now if I could get my stress eating under control ill be ok – like u I’ve done it before on my own!
Hey Roni! I totally agree re: the magazines. I do articles for stuff in the veterinary world and sometimes I’ll read my “story” and be like…what? I didn’t say that or I sure didn’t say it in that context. Frustrating! Hang in there and enjoy the last fling of summer :)
I just got back from a WONDERFUL week’s vacation in Rehobeth. I am jealous – enjoy your family time together!
just stick to your guns!! the reason you have such a huge following is because we relate to YOU! remember that they contacted you, not the other way around…so if something isnt going the way you want it to, say something. now, that may not change the resulting article, but you can at least know that you didn’t back down about something that may bother you later…like leaving out how much you love to run!!
Roni,
The interview is actually great but I find that the writer has a bit of a problem with challenges of stories. Running is not the problem here, but writing about it. It is a vital part of your everyday life, and a huge part of your success story. You even ran while you were pregnant, even if in a moderate way. They should adapt their story to you, not you to their story. Real people make the best role-models, not shiny stories. Maybe they have a different focus in the story, but they should not make a person out of you you are not.
And secondly, YOU HAVE NOTHING GOING ON? AND YOU STILL HAVE BABY WEIGHT??? Excuse me, madam! ;)
Read your post again and you will see how much you have going on right now, especially spending time with your baby and your little guy. Apart from tons of website projects you mentioned, and I remember that you were on a Bloggers’ conference not long ago, right?
And you look so great that all the moms here who really struggle with their surplus weight want to have your energy. I loved the posts about struggling yet getting your running gear on and feeling better afterwards! Those thoughts about “nothing going on” in your head are from a long time ago! You decided to leave WW because YOU KNOW YOU CAN DO IT ON YOUR OWN!
I know those thoughts because I have them constantly, and they’re hard to overcome. But you should definitely make that one of your next projects. You can trust yourself, and you can rely on yourself because you are doing yourself the world of good. That’s how it actually should be.
And don’t start with “yeah, but…” on me, nothings ever 100%.
Lots of love!
Nina
oh my gosh – you passed on a photo shoot?! I must have missed that. Even at my size i’d love to have a photo shoot they highlight all your great assets! Not to mention girlie – you.look.great.!!!!
There is nothing more frustrating than having your words mis-interpreted or misconstrued. We all know YOU so we’ll be able to sift through the truth.
Enjoy you’ve come so far in so many aspects of your life and we all appreciate everything you do :)
I didn’t pass! they are coming tomorrow!
He is sooo cute! Sorry for the frustration… Remember the mantra: It WILL all workout in the end!
(even if it sucks in the middle!)
oops, i read it wrong, you passed on a makeover in NY, not a photo shoot… enjoy your day and remember we’re all harder on ourselves than others are!
Roni, Congrats on the fabulous opportunity with FIRST magazine. I hope the get your words across in the article! I’m so happy for you. I’m sure you’ll tell us when we can buy a copy :)
Love the Fall plans for FitBloggin 12! I’m far away but I can help in any way let me know :)
Looking forward to the Blog to Lose events…I think I need to update my profile over there. Thanks for the reminder :)
Congrats on the article! I get ya when I was in Health, I made sure I saw the copy before it went to print, and I houded the author for the entire 7 months, it was my story no one elses! Anyhoo, enjoy the last minute Summer Fling and do FitBloggin in September, I want to go!!!
I’ve followed your blog for years now and have never felt the need to comment but your response to the magazine article on you and how people cannot relate to your running really bugged me. Your blog and weight loss journey is what inspires people, your “no bull-honest” approach is refreshing. I am a runner and proud of it. I started just like you, running a few minutes, walking much more. I have worked hard to build up my milage and speed. This is how you achieved your weight loss and have had some great races because of it. You should hold firm and let the editors know that you are not there to conform or build a new identity for their magazine. You should never have to include a disclaimer before something is written! You havent thus far, why start now?
Hi Roni, Congratulations on the upcoming feature. I can understand your nerves, and no matter how it ends up being written, please know you and a true inspiration for healthy living. I admire the way you balance all your projects and your family with your own health! I hope the article portrays that. Have a great Tues. All the best at the shoot tomorrow.
Wow, congrats on the magazine article and the photo shoot! I think they often do spin the stories in their own way. You did genuinely lose all your weight without running, but running is a part of your life now. They shouldn’t want to hide that. And you look fantastic! You don’t need to worry about those last 7 pounds.
Congrats on the photo shoot…but don’t let the article push you around. Be you and we can all see you through the editing.
I’m happy to see you say you left WW because it wasn’t working for you. It make me respect you as a blogger (all around blogger) even more for doing what you believe in instead of just what might make you money or get free things.
This isn’t related to most of your post but I just thought I’d say: I am going to get around to ordering one of your cookbooks! I just don’t have the money right now (adding in international postage, blah), but it’s on the list of “things to buy when I’m not broke” :)
Roni – first off, you look (and are!) fabulous and I have followed you on Roni’s Weigh and Greenlite for a few years now. I agree with previous comments that your honesty and just plain gutsy willingness to say it like you see it is a big part of your appeal. I really hope the article doesn’t shy away from an presenting the Roni we all know and love over some concern that running makes you less accessible and relatable. I think they are underestimating their readers- women want to support each other and see and celebrate courage and strength! I also just wanted to say that I lost quite a bit of weight with a WW at work group a few years back and kept it off. Then I lost the last 20 on my own over the last couple of years. I don’t know if I could ever go back to WW. I viewed the whole WW point change as a blatant ploy to make more money that they are attempting to pass off as a healthy eating motivated improvement. I get the move to support more fresh and less processed food- I just find the marketing machine a total turn off.