We are just a few weeks away from packing up Dusty and heading back to the states for the much anticipated Fitbloggin12. It’s hard to believe it’s been close to a year and a half since the last time we were all converging onto Baltimore for what I would like to call “The biggest Hugfest/HighFiveFest” the world of fitness/healthy living/weight loss community had ever seen.

This year will be no different.

Except that I’ll be going as a return participant (and a much nervous co-facilitator of the “when you have a lot to lose“) and Meegan will be coming with me as a first time participant (and the other much nervous co-facilitator). I remember as I was getting ready in April 2011 I had no idea what to expect and more often than not wondered if I should even be going…did I belong at a conference where the focus was blogging about fitness…

This year I’m reading with anticipation all the tweets, and Facebook status updates on those that will be coming for the first time and I see myself in so many of them. Wondering if they belong because after all “I haven’t lost a lot of weight”, ” I’m not even close to goal weight”, ” I don’t have that many blog followers”, “I can’t run a 5k”, ” I’m not as popular as (insert your favorite blogger here)”, ” I am still overweight, obese, morbidly obese”, “I’ve gained some of the weight I’ve lost”….

Do you belong at Fitbloggin?

HELL YES!

You’ve made the plans. Booked the flight, the hotel and found some roommates you are hoping will tolerate you for three days. You’ve looked at the schedule and pretty much ear marked everything you want to see and do (hopefully including our discussion on Saturday) but there’s so much more to Fitbloggin than just wanting to know how to build a better blog or a better YouTube channel.

This conference is about getting personal.

When I went last year I only had one thing on my “to-do” list and that was to thank the bloggers that had influenced me in one way or another while I was losing weight. I spent most of my time in awe of being in the same room conference with the very people I had gotten to know in 140 characters, through my own blog or through Facebook. If you were anywhere on my twitter feed and not attending fitbloggin11 then you’ll remember all of my videos that I posted as I was meeting people face to face for the first time.

The title of this blog post suggests a guide of some sorts. It’s not about what session to attend or what workout you should try to get in. It’s much more personal. It’s about what to expect when you first arrive and not sure what to do with yourself or how to approach someone that has influenced you in whatever way.

It’s the personal guide to Fitbloggin…

Fitbloggin will bring such an array of people in the fitness/healthy living/weight loss it can be a little overwhelming for the first timers. You’ll meet people that are there purely on a professional basis to either promote themselves, their blogs or a particular product. You’ll notice right away that a lot of people will be taking pictures of their food (it threw me off a little) or carrying around their laptops/ipads for those daily blog posts that they just couldn’t walk away from for a few days. You’ll meet people that are there purely for the fitness portion of the conference. Literally bouncing around from one work out to the other, changing into different outfits for the clothing line that is currently sponsoring them.

For the most part however, we’re all just coming together to meet face to face.

The best piece of advice I can give you is this: Don’t be afraid. If you want to meet someone that you’ve been dying to meet face to face, go up to them and let them know. Remember we’ve been looking at each other through 100 x 100 profile icons so recognition may not be immediate (or in some cases at all) so make sure to give them your twitter handle as you strike up a conversation. I only know some people by their twitter name and will feel really bad if I don’t recognize you without some help.

Funny story: I had been wanting to meet YumYucky for the longest time and looked forward to crossing her name off of my “hey I just want to say Thanks” list but when we finally met she had to introduce herself to me because I didn’t recognize her without a pumpkin on her head…true story!

Don’t be afraid to spend some quality time alone with people when the opportunity arises. Two of the most significant moments at Fitbloggin11 was the impromptu movie date with Cynthia Crowsen after just meeting. We both were feeling overwhelmed and needed some decompression time. We knew nothing of each other but left the conference with some pretty fantastic memories after watching Bridesmaids together. The other moment? Dinner/coffee date with the ever beautiful Susan Ito. I was so star struck meeting Susan I had no idea she would even want to spend time with me. I arrived in awe of her and left with a friendship solidified (don’t get me wrong I’m still in awe of her!).

Don’t be surprised if you are one of those people that other bloggers want to meet. I was so focused on who I was wanting to meet, I had no idea that there were actually people that wanted to meet me. It took me by surprise when someone approached me and said “Tara, you are on my “Thank you” list”…It’s very humbling.

Most important thing to remember about Fitbloggin is that for most of us it’s a very emotional experience. For me personally, this is one of the very few times when I am in a room full of people and feel like “they get me”.  We get you. No matter where you are on your life changing journey we get you.

Stop asking yourself whether you belong…

I have a hug with your name on it.

And just because I think it’s important here’s a few things to know about me if we do get the chance to meet. I have Aspergers. For me it manifests itself in a variety of ways:

• I sometimes make noises. If I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed or having anxiety about something you might hear a little grunt or moan come from me. It’s a way of staying focused. Almost like a finger snap but different. I won’t realize I’m doing it so if you hear me making noises don’t be alarmed (in fact feel free to join in on the grunting if you so wish).

• I move a lot. If I’m standing still having a conversation you might notice me sway back and forth or brush my bangs off to the side a lot. It will especially happen in one on one conversations. You may also find me rocking back and forth while sitting. I won’t notice it so if you do just go ahead and strike up a conversation with me and it should stop.

• You might see me wearing a panda hat or something else that seems a little “out of place”. It helps the anxiety when in social interactions.

• My attention span is pretty much nil. We might be in the middle of a conversation and all of a sudden I’ll start talking about a totally different subject. Be prepared to talk about Unicorns…

• I have a hard time looking people in the eye. If you are talking to me I might look off to the side. Trust me I am still paying attention. I have to use internal clues (mean I need to remind myself to participate) to keep a conversation going. You might ask me how I’m doing and I’ll tell you but then forget that I should then ask you how you are…please don’t think I’m not interested in what you’re saying. I need cues and I rely on other people for them.