Thank You!

As another year comes to an end, I’m incredibly grateful for the life I get to lead – I get to do work that people tell me makes a difference in their lives.

I got my annual report from WordPress.  This year my blog got 1,446,384 views (which is up 11% from last year and up over 35,000% from 2009 when I started the blog.)

The blog hit a total of 13,042 followers and got 34,030 comments (the top five commenters this year are Helena Handbasket, Mich, Twistie, Lady Rhaptorne and Isstrout, thanks y’all!) I had views from all 7 continents and every country in the world except Turkmenistan, North Korea, Chad, and Niger.  I gave talks all over the United States to groups including colleges, healthcare providers,  corporations, conferences, and more.

I co-founded the Fat Activism Conference (and we’ll be back again, bigger and better, in 2015!), the Fit Fatties Forum continued to grow including the addition of the Flying Rhinos! And an anthology that I edited was published by Praeger, an imprint of ABC/Clio.  A screenplay that was written by David Fried about my life as a dancer is now in active development.

I’d like to take a moment to say thank you.

Thank you to my partner Julianne, to my Best Friend Kelrick and Kenny, his husband, my mom Michele – I have an amazing and supportive family and I really appreciate you!  Thanks to Jeanette Depatie, my partner on so many fun ventures!

Thank you to my blog readers, and everyone who supports my work whether it’s by becoming a member, sharing a post on social media, getting involved in one of my projects, or sending me an encouraging message or thank you. Thanks to the people who send me research, and articles, and questions that help me find things to blog about.  Thanks to the people who let me know about my typos. Thanks to everyone who makes the comment section of this blog a place that’s full of thoughtful discussion. Thanks to all of the other amazing Size Acceptance and Health at Every Size bloggers who inspire me everyday.  Thanks to everyone who came before me who created the movement that I am honored to be a part of.

I’m super excited about the year to come and I have lots of things to tell you about in the coming weeks.  Today, though, the only thing I want to tell you is Thanks!

~Ragen

Like this blog?  Here’s more cool stuff:

If you’re looking for fun fitness stuff to do in the New Year without any diet talk, weight loss talk, or body shaming, but with lots of fun, flexibility, and body positivity, check out the Fit Fatties Forum Virtual Event Challenge!

Become a Member For ten bucks a month you can support size diversity activism, help keep the blog ad free, and get deals from size positive businesses as a thank you.  Click here for details

Buy the book:  Fat:  The Owner’s Manual  The E-Book is Name Your Own Price! Click here for details

Book Me!  I’d love to speak to your organization. You can get more information on topics, previous engagements and reviews here or just e-mail me at ragen at danceswithfat dot org!

Dance Classes:  Buy the Dance Class DVDs or download individual classes – Every Body Dance Now! Click here for details 

I’m training for an IRONMAN! You can follow my journey at www.IronFat.com

A movie about my time as a dancer is in active development (casting, finding investors etc.).  Follow the progress on Facebook!

If you are uncomfortable with my offering things for sale on this site, you are invited to check out this post.