I started to read healthy living blogs in the winter of 2007. I stumbled upon Kath’s blog first and found other women with similar interests in her comments section. I was a voracious commenter (“CaitlinBo” <—even before we were engaged! Don’t tell the Husband!) and loved interacting with the bloggers and other readers.
I was good at my desk job, but I didn’t love it. Like someone else might occasionally glance at CNN.com, I used blogs to mentally escape from memos and documents. Even though I had been professionally freelancing writing since 17, majored in Creative Non-Fiction, and was employed as a technical writer, the thought never crossed my mind to start my own blog.
Then, we moved from Pittsburgh to Orlando. I kept my desk job and began to work from home. The transition was really hard for me. I had no girlfriends, my job was going downhill, and the Husband was gone for school all the time. I cried myself to sleep a lot because I was lonely. 
I just wanted some friends!
I started www.seebriderun.com in secret (which, by the way, was the most short-sighted blog name ever, although I still love it and refuse to change my e-mail address). I guess that I wasn’t sure it would last or I would like it. But after a week of taking photos of my dinner secretly in the kitchen, I broke down and told the Husband that I started a food blog. His response: “What took you so long? You’ve been reading those things forever!”
Immediately, I was hooked. I loved blogging. All of the sudden, I had hundreds of new electronic friends – and some real-life ones, too! I loved interacting with other bloggers and readers; I wasn’t lonely anymore. I loved thinking of blog posts to draw people in. I loved learning how to photograph things to make them look pretty. I loved reading other people’s recipes and trying all sorts of new foods that I would have never tasted otherwise (Green Monsters, flax, Greek yogurt, dates, homemade tofu, oatmeal…).
I threw myself into blogging with so much enthusiasm. I would joke – half-seriously – that my paying job got in the way of my blog. I thought about my blog all the time. And I wrote. I wrote like never before… in fact, over the last two years, I’ve written 2,082 posts and sent over 18,000+ blog-related emails!
In July 2009, everything changed with one simple e-mail from a literary agent (you can read more about going from blog –> book here and here). Sometimes I was overwhelmed by the proposal writing, selling, and book preparing process, but mostly I WAS READY.
Throughout this enter process, the most important lesson I have learned is this: You must give yourself room to grow in order to succeed. You must imagine the possibilities and lay the real-life foundations to allow those possibilities to become reality. When Operation Beautiful first began on HTP as a little side project, I actually told my mom that I didn’t want to “waste” $15 on the domain name if it was just going to be a flash in the pan. How ridiculous!
Not every seed you plant will flourish (trust me, I’ve had my share of weeds). But no flowers will grow without water and sunlight. Have faith in your dreams, even when they seem far-away and impossible to achieve. Keep your head down and stay focused. Give yourself the chance. YOU MUST DREAM BIG.
Today, the Operation Beautiful book is officially released in stores, and all I have left to say is… Thank you. Thank you for reading, thank you for running your own blog, thank you for commenting, thank you for writing Operation Beautiful notes and making this world a brighter place. And most of all, thank you for taking this journey with me! From reader to blogger, I have always viewed the blog world as a wonderful community, and I really appreciate every part of it.
On that note..
A blog-tastic breakfast!
Vegan Overnight Oats, based on this recipe by Angela.
In the mix: 1/4 cup oatmeal, 2 tablespoons chia seeds, 3/4 cup almond milk, 1 smashed banana, cinnamon, honey, granola, and cashews.
Vegan Overnight Oats get two thumbs up! I thought it was delicious – like Greek yogurt!
Change the Way You See, Not the Way You Look Guest Posts!
In honor of the OB Book Release, women (and men) all over America and the world are submitting guest posts describing their own experiences, struggles, and triumphs over body image issues. To learn how to participate, check out this page.
Here are today’s featured posts:
- Liz: How Cooking Changed My Relationship With Food
- Kayla: Why the Number on the Scale Does Not Define Me
- Jen: How Binge Eating Disorder Made My Life Better
- Marci: Choose Happiness and Tune Out the Outside
- Amanda: Cycling My Way To Happiness
- Olivia: Finding Something to be Proud Of
- Lauren: The Journey to Find My Voice
- Laurie: Living Healthy and Trying to Feel It All
- Gabriella: Don’t Let the Media Shape Your Health
- Laura: Stop Feeling So Embarrassed About Yourself!
- Bree: Use Your Own Filter To Get Rid of Negative Self Talk
- Meleah: Love What Your Body Can Do
- Liz: How Feelings Changed the Way I Saw Myself
- Kiersten: Saying "I Feel Fat"
- Lauren: My New Skin: Loving Your Body After Pregnancy
- Laura: Running to Find My Happy Weight
- Cynthia: How Loving Myself Helped Me Share That Love With Others
- Molly: Strong Is The New Skinny
- Elizabeth: How Shifting Perspective Gave Me a New Normal
- Amber: Today I Love My Freckles
- Catherine: How Appreciating What My Body Can Do Gave me Body Confidence
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{ 229 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations on the book! It really is an amazing accomplishment, and as someone who’s been around since the see bride run days, I can tell you that you totally deserve it. The effort you put into your blog is obvious, and much appreciated. Hope you enjoy this amazing day
Your joy is contagious. I am so excited for you.
Totally agree! Congratulations Caitlin, you rock.
Julia
http://www.britbride.com
Congrats on the book! I can’t wait to see you on the Today show! It’s been truly inspiring watching your journey from “running bride” to published book author!
Congratulations on your book! Whenever I read your blog, I always think Operation Beautiful sounds like such a wonderful project to really promote healthy self esteem. You deserve all the success that comes your way for promoting such a wonderful notion.
Congratulations, Caitlin! It must be so exciting and rewarding to see all of your hard work come to fruition today! Thanks for sharing your progress so openly and honestly.
Awww, I love you and I am SO happy for you!!!!!!!
It’s funny to look back at old CNC posts and see your comments. You were always one of the first!
Ahh this post made me teary-eyed. I am so happy for you! You totally show that dreams can come true! Congrats
Congratulations, Caitlin! I’ve been reading for quite a while and I have to say I am so happy for you. You are truly motivational for women and men everywhere.
Congratulations on your book! It’s amazing to read about your story and see how this all evolved. You should be so proud of yourself. I agree that operation beautiful is so motivating for others and I cannot wait to read it!
congratulations again on the book. What an amazing accomplishment to see your name on the spine of the book in a real live bookstore!
no THANK YOU for being inspiring and hard working and proving the “you can do anything” attitude is not just words
Congratulations on this amazingly huge accomplishment! We are all so proud of you! It has been fun to read your journey, even if I don’t comment all the time. Congrats!!
This is so awesome. I am happy for you and hope you are soaking all this in! You deserve it all. Every single bit!
ENJOY!
Congratulations. You seem like a really sweet, genuine person.
congratulations! I can’t wait to go buy your book after work today!
your blog is truly inspirational, so – your welcome for your thanks to us, but i’m sure i say this on behalf of all of your readers, THANK YOU! thank you for blogging for taking time out for us, for replying to emails, and for starting operation beautiful! your truly the one deserving of the Thanks! x
this is beautiful! congratulations, caitlin!! i have enjoyed reading your blog so much and you truly are inspiring! all the best
I’m so happy for you.
Congratulations! I am picking up 3 copies today! 1 for my friend who is a high school counselor, 1 for a special 13 year old girl starting high school and of course 1 for me
Thank you so much!!
Caitlin, you seriously brought tears to my eyes by reading this post, I am so happy for you and all the greatness that has come to you and it’s all doing what you love!!!! U are an inspiration and CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cant wait to watch you on The Today Show tomorrow!!
LOVE this post. You are fabulous, and I am SO excited for you! I agree with everything you said, especially “my part-time job gets in the way of blogging!”
Your book is going to be a bestseller! I know it! And I can’t wait to cheer for you on Thursday morning! Have an awesome day- you deserve it!
Yay!! Great post!! So cool that all of your hard work is paying off in the best way possible– big congrats!
Soo excited for you! What a huge accomplishment.
I definitely agree with the blogging – it has changed my life already, in such a short, 3-1/2 month span. I read them for 2 years myself before finally jumping in and doing one of my own. I can’t imagine NOT doing it now – what a great community!!
Same here Courtney! It has changed my life too.
I’m kind of in love with this post. I can’t wait to pick up a copy of your book
Oh CONGRATULATIONS Caitlin! That is amazing! You are so sweet to acknowledge your readers! I am so happy for you on this adventure! Have fun with it!
Your oats, well you just took them over the top with the cashews! Is there any better way to start the day? Have a great day Caitlin!
Congratulations on the book! I am so excited for you!
Thank you for this post, I need to hear that I need to give myself room to grow — that I need to take chances and take leaps of faith in things that I want to do. I’ll never accomplish my dreams and goals if I don’t try.
Thank you for all you do!
Congratulations again on the book Caitlin! I’ve said it before, but Operation Beautiful is fantastic and I think the book will be the same. Love this post as well.
yes, today is the day! i’m so excited for you!!!
You are an inspiration! Congrats!!!! I am sooo excited for you!
Such a brilliant post, I can relate to so much you’ve written there – blogging has made me so much happier in the last few months! Huge congratulations on your book, what an amazing achievement! xxxx
Congrats again on the book, and on everything you’ve accomplished – from the start of your first blog all the way up until now. It’s great to see how much spirit, enthusiam and love you have for what you do and it spreads to others very easily.
I’m so grateful to have DVR because I begin work at 10, but I’ll be able to record and watch you later on Thursday evening. Keep up all of your hard work, you’re truly a perfect example of what dedication and commitment can achieve.
You are one of the most encouraging bloggers out there, and there is just so much to be gained from your blog. It’s not just the self-involved “here’s what I eat” type of blog. You provide real-life encouragement and you deserve to reap the rewards.
Yayyy Caitlin! Congrats! I can’t wait to go out and pick up the book today
My friends keep saying the same thing to me.. “you’ve been reading those food blogs for years, love cooking so much, and take pictures of all your food – what are you waiting for?” What AM I waiting for?!
Congratulations Caitlin! So proud of and happy for you!!
I’m so happy to see how far you’ve come from the 11-year-old blond girl with glasses who introduced herself to me on the first day of middle school! I’ve learned a lot from reading HTP and I recommend it to many friends. Not only to you motivate me to haul myself to the gym more often, but I also love my body even if I skip a few workouts. Even the parts with cellulite! Can’t wait for your SECOND book to come out!
I love this! I feel like the blog community is one of the closest and most supportive groups I belong to, even though I haven’t met most of the bloggers! Your story is fabulous, empowering, inspiring, and so real. I love it. You make me feel like it is possible to make a career change and follow my own passions.
Congratulations! What a long and fun ride it has been! I will always remember that pb larabar you sent me so long ago
I was looking through my old emails and that email exchange between us was one of the first ones I saved!
You have got to be one of the most gracious and lovely women in blog-land. You deserve absolutely every ounce of success and happiness that is coming your way. I am thrilled for you and for the release of your book. And also, you should know, that if blogging has changed your life, your blog has also changed all of ours. Congratulations.
Everything you have been through is just amazing. You deserve every moment of happiness from all the hard work you put in. And I love how you mention to give yourself room to grow. I have been taking that viewpoint a lot lately and can already feel positive things. Thank you for being YOU!
Caitlin, you are amazing. You inspire all of us every day and I’m so glad blogging has brought you so much happiness. You deserve to really celebrate today!
Congrats on the book!!!! I ordered it last week, can’t wait to get it in the mail!
Thank you for starting such an amazing revolution with Operation Beautiful. You are an inspiration!
Congrats on the book! It’s great to see your hardwork in the flesh.
Your blog was one of the first I started reading, and I haven’t stopped since, so THANK YOU!
Aw! That gave me chills. I have been reading for close to two years now, and I think I was as excited as you when you got the book deal! Congratulations!!! Enjoy this amazing time in your life.
I first found See Bride Run from a link on one of the posts you did on Weddingbook (the app on Facebook). I have been a loyal reader ever since
Congrats on the book release!!!!!!
Caitlin, congratulations on the release of your book! I have been thinking about starting a blog because I love reading them! I love that you’re soo grateful for your readers and hope you won’t change. I will pick up a copy of your boom and maybe I can get you to sign it one day!
Congratulations Caitlin! Sending you a big blog hug today. I’m sooooo proud of you! Cannot wait til the FedEx man drops off my OB book! The DVR is set for Thursday
You’ll rock on the Today Show!
I’ve been following you from almost the beginning (you were actually my first food blog!!). I’ve said it so many times, but I am SO happy and proud of you!! You’ve had this in you all along and it’s amazing to see it come to fruition. I pre-ordered the book – can’t wait till it arrives on my doorstep!
Congrats! I have the Today Show DVR’s for Thursday and my copy of your book is “Out For Delivery!”
What a journey Caitlin! What an exciting week for you!
I have tears in my eyes and shivers after reading this. I think this goes down as my all time favourite post of yours. I am SO proud of you!!!!! I don’t even really know how to put it into words because I just feel so many positive emotions for you right now. A huge congrats on your official release. I am so thankful that I came across your blog way back when you first started it and that we have formed a great friendship. I feel the same way about blogging as you do. I feel that it changed EVERYTHING in my life. But you are so right, we have to do the ‘yard work’!
Even though I don’t know you, I feel like you’re my friend and I’m so proud of you! It’s really inspiring to see someone realizing her dreams right in front of your eyes.
Thanks to YOU for making me want to write my own blog
Congratulations on your book release today!!!! Yours is the first blog I found when searching for reviews on 30 Day Shred. I had no idea that the world of blogs even existed, so thank you for introducing me to that!
Congrats, girl! You worked hard for this…enjoy the fruits of your labor!!!!
this makes me wanna hug you! Seriously, everything you’ve accomplished it just wow— you are something for sure!
I’d really love to come watch you on The Today Show. I’ll be up in NYC Thursday to visit my sister for a few days. Hopefully I can see you on the show and make an OB poster!!!
So Proud
If never been this excited for someone I’ve never met in real life.
Congrats! You deserve everything you have been blessed with! Keep Strong – and please don’t get too cool for us now that you’re a celebrity!
you are amazing caitlin! i love reading your story cause its so inspiring! i can’t wait to get to my local book store so i can finally see the book face to face! CONGRATULATIONS!!! you did it!
xoxoxo
Congrats on the book release you deserve ever bit of happiness this ole world brings you girl SOAK IT UP!
You’re incredible! Congratulations on all your awesome success and thank you for the reminder that anything is possible!
Congratulations on all of your success! I’ve been following your blog for quite a while, and I’m so happy for you that all of your hard work has paid off!
I read through about half of the book last night already. I’m loving it, really, the biggest congrats!
CONGRATS!!! My DVR is set to record you Thursday – you are doing to do fantastic!!! Way to inspire the rest of us! xx
And I just got teary-eyed reading this…..
Congratulations! You are so inspiring and just make me want to jump up and pursue my dream!
Big huge congrats on the release. This whole post was really inspiring.
Congrats on today being such a great day for you!
Congrats! You are amazing.
congrats……you deserve it you put a lot of hard work into it and it shows!
Congratulations, Caitlin! I’m on my way to go pick up your book right now at Barnes and Noble.
Can’t wait to read it!!! Have fun in NYC at the Today Show. I’ll be sure to watch.
Caitlin, congratulations on your book! You certainly deserve it! I can’t wait to read it! Your blog was one of the first ones I came across and just reading it made me happy! Weather you were talking about your food, your adventures, your doggies, husband, etc. It is awesome! Keep up the great work!
Happy Launch Day, Caitlin! You are a true inspiration and great role model for bloggers and readers everywhere! Hoping OB is on my doorstep when I get home!
And like Kath’s blog for you, yours was my first healthy living blog I read that then led me to others and trying to start one myself!
“see that girl over there? The one signing books? That’s my daughter!”
I can’t get out of here! I’m really HTP DAD!HELP!
What? LOL Dad are you ok?
You stated: Give yourself room to grow in order to succeed.
This statement can be applied very broadly. We have to do this both in our personal and professional lives. It also makes me think about how sometimes when we set so many specific goals, we can limit ourselves. We are capable of so much more than we think sometimes. So we have to leave room for the unexpected possibilities.
I 1st got hooked on blogging by reading EatLikeMe at Self.com and then about 6 months later I fell upon your blog and was HOOKED!
You inspired me to finally get to my goal of losing 100 pounds that had been trying to obtain for 4+ years……….as I loved your posts about one of my favorite things “running”.
You then inpsired me to start my own blog as a way of trying to find a healthy balance after losing the weight……………THANK YOU and you deserve all the wonderful things that have come your way!!!
Congrats Caitlin! I’ve been reading your blog over two years and it’s amazing and inspiring how much you have changed and how much you’ve made a difference in people’s lives. You are totally right when you say happiness is a choice! I’m slowly coming to realize that and am planning to make some big changes for myself soon. Your book is being shipped today and I can’t wait
CONGRATULATIONS!
This is SO exciting and I’m so happy for you!
I’m so glad you pursued your dreams. It inspires the rest of us to do the same!
Caitlin Congrats on all your accomplishments! I am so excited to get the book!
Amazing – can’t wait to get the book.
You are inspiring to me…I really hope these dreams could come true for me one day. Because right now life is not happy with my work.
Congratulations on the book release, and on all you’ve accomplished. I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now, and have appreciated all the inspiration, and ideas, and the motivation you offer up. Yay for you, and for Operation Beautiful!
Great post, Caitlin! I’m so happy for you. I have my DVR set for Thursday! Can’t wait to see it!
You changed my life
Thanks for taking me on friend. Without you I wouldn’t have started my own blog or ran so many races or met so many great people or became the strong person I am today.
You’ve worked hard and deserve this moment more than anything. Take it all in and don’t forget to take a minute to relax and enjoy. I <3 you and will continue to root you on in this new journey.
Congrats and lots of love!
hey congrats!!! i stumbled operation beautiful that time when i was really feeling down that led me to HTP that led me to other sites that led me to start my own food/fitness/wellness blog…you really deserve this success because you are beautiful
Congratulations! You are an inspiration to so many! Your blog and the 30 day shred review post in particular is what introduced me to blogs!
Congratulations on your book! The same exact thing has happened in my life this year…not the book, haha, the love of everything blogging. It started when I stumbled across one food blog and then clicked a link for another and so on. I can’t get enough of them. Not only is everyone so sweet and encouraging, it is such a good way to stay motivated. Even if all of us (readers and bloggers) never meet, we all act like a support group for each other’s health and progress in one way or another and that is such an awesome surprise.
I just started my very own blog yesterday (very bare and I am pretty much clueless haha) and it is a very exciting challenge. Thank you so much for your commitment to blogging, healthytippingpoint as well as other blogs have really changed my life and helped me get a grasp on my eating and fitness habits over the last year!
Congratulations again, you deserve it!
Congratulations Caitlin! Your blog is the first one I stumbled upon and now I’m reading all sorts of healthy living blogs. I’ve been toying with the idea of starting my own but haven’t made the plunge yet. Your journey is very inspiring.
Congratulations on the book! I can’t even imagine how excited you are this week!
Also, thanks for sharing your discover of the blog world! I too kept my food blog a secret for a while…I was self conscious about sharing myself with the whole internet. I really love reading your blogs! HTP has inspired me to branch out and try new foods and I think about Operation Beautiful every time I look in the mirror and start to pinch the fat on my belly and fat talk myself. You have such a great, inspiring message–keep on keepin’ on!
Caitlin, you are an inspiration to more women than you know! It is so wonderful to follow your journey and see you succeed. I’m looking forward to (hopefully) having a chance to meet you at the HLS in my hometown, Chicago! Going to pick up a copy of your new book very soon. . . Hooray!
Congratulations on seeing your dream come into life. Much beautiful success for your future!!
oh and I hope to meet you next week at HLS!
Caitlin, I am happy to tell you that our tiny corner bookstore in upstate New York has your book in-stock! I was so excited! I am headed out to pick up three copies as I type: one for myself, and two for my fiercest friends, two beautiful ladies (one of whom is celebrating a birthday today).
Thanks for sharing your words and time with us all! =)
Three cheers for upstate NY and you!
Happy release day!! Congratulations!! Not only for the book release (which is huge), but also for taking charge and pursuing something with such passion…something that changed your life and led you to where you want to be. The love you pour into this blog shows every single day. Although I don’t know you, I feel connected to you through this blog, and I’m so happy that things seem to be falling into place for you!! Who you are and the work you do is truly an inspiration
Best of luck this week with the release — my DVR will be set to record on Thursday morning!
so incredibly happy for you caitlin, and mcuh, MUCH deserved. enjoy every moment!
I have been following your blog for a month or two now but haven’t really commented.
I LOVE your post today. Right now, I’m not quite sure what I want out of life but I recently started blogging I have the same feelings you mentioned when you first started blogging. To see where you ended up now, all of your growth through the good and the tough times – is SO inspiring.
So thank YOU for sharing your journey. I imagine so many other people like me are feeling encouraged, motivated and inspired by your blog. Many congrats!
Congratulations! Maybe when I move south, I’ll take the same plunge you did and start a blog
You’re very inspiring and as a reader, I’m proud of you.
CONGRATS! I can’t wait to meet you this week and cheer you on at the Today Show! I found your blog when I hurt my knee running and one of my friends pointed me to your knee video…so I’m glad I hurt my knee? haha
I have been reading your blog since day one and I am so inspired by what you have created and accomplished. Congratulations Caitlin! You are epic!
Please never ever stop blogging, Caitlin, you inspire me as well as millions of other people across the planet
Big congratulations from a long-time reader, first-time commenter!
Congratulations!
Congrats on the book release! I don’t comment often but I love your blog and wish you many years of success and happiness!
You’re an amazing woman Caitlin! I may have never met you in person, but I’m PROUD of you and everything you’ve accomplished!
You were actually the reason I started blogging! I ran across HTB when someone mentioned one of your posts on facebook. I immediately figured how to work Google Reader & you were the first one I ever followed! After months of reading about everything you (and the other bloggers I discovered thru your site) wrote I decided it was time to start my own blog and get myself on the road to being healthy and happy!
So – THANK YOU for all you’ve done for all of us!
Oopsie – totally meant to type “HTP”…not HTB…sorry about that!
Sending you loads of love. What an inspiration you are and your accomplishments speak volumes. Soak this all in!
You must give yourself room to grow in order to succeed. – that’s a post-it!
Congratulations! I am so happy for you.
I teach a bunch of teenage girls at church on Sunday’s, plus we get together every Wednesday night for some sort of activity. I have spent a good amount of time talking to them about you and operation beautiful. I believe it has really helped a few of them, if not all. Thanks!
So happy for you Caitlin, congrats on all of your success, current and future. I’m on my way to work and am stopping by B&N on the way
Can’t wait! You deserve every bit of this!
ah I started the same way you did! I fell in love with the blogs I read, I looked forward to them everyday…they were my escape. Being a writer and a love for food and fitness, I knew I had to make one of my own. Only until recently has my blog been more public. And who knows, maybe one day Ill have my own book too
congrats! and I cant wait to watch you on Thursday!!!
Yay! I know how you feel about how when you started blogging it was this new, wonderful portal…and how you did it instead of CNN…he he…right there with you. I took a break and am getting back in b/c it always felt so good to put something out there. Congratulations on all your hard work!
Congrats! I wish I was going to be home in NYC this week because I would def stand outside the Today’s Show the day you are on! Keep on blogging, (shhh don’t tell anyone else!) but your blog is the one I “save for last” in Google Reader cause it’s my favorite
Congrats Caitlin!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations on all your success! Do you know if CNN will put the show online? Or could you post a link? I don’t have a TV…or cable.
Do you ever consider what would be interesting to put on the blog when you’re making your food choices?
you rock.
congratulations caitlin-you truly are a real life inspiration! so proud of you and your success
congrats Caitlin! i just have to say that you are truly an inspiring woman. You say that we have all changed our lives, but think of all the people’s lives you have changed. It is truly extraordinary
i’ve been reading since the new year but always been too shy to comment. i just wanted to tell you that your blog posts are the highlight of many of my days. you have made it less scary for me to try eating healthier and running more. you’re inspiring and sweet and i am so proud of you! i can’t wait to buy the book.
hi
don’t be shy!
Congratulations Caitlin! What an awesome, life-changing day for you. You had the courage to dream big and achieve your goals. Awesome!
Wow we have such similar start-up stories! (as I’m sure many others can relate to you) That’s actually what I like most about your blog – you are SO very relatable. You’re inspiring and empowering and incredible, but above all relateable, and that’s awesome:)
Gosh, I am so unhappy in life right now…and find myself falling deeper into my hole
You are inspiring.
You’re going to have to tell me when it is safe to read your blog again, because with every post this week you have me bawling! Congratulations.
Totally AWESOME post, it’s encouraged me to keep up with my blog!
Happy Book Release Day! What an amazing experience this must be for you! My OB book was shipped yesterday so I’ll have it in time for you to sign at the Summit!
I watched two author interviews on the Today show this morning and thought you would blow them out of the water. Operation Beautiful inspired the teachers at my school to do a Kudos board in our newly redecorated lounge. I posted an OB post-it in the ladies restroom around test time in May and people have been wanting to do something similar ever since. Your blog also inspired several of my colleagues to start or resume blogging and we now workout together. We’ve been running stadium stairs this summer, many have started the C25K program and in October we will run our first 5K as a group. Yes, teachers are truly going wild in Greensboro, NC.
As our school librarian I have 3 three copies of your book on order form and I plan to book talk it to our students. I know it will help many of our young ladies.
Wow them, CB. I look forward to your television debut!
Thanks for spreading the word to the students!!
A BIG congratulations!! But also, thank you! As I was reading your post I couldn’t help but thinking how you ‘then’ sounds like me ‘now’. I can only hope to be as great at this as you are. Thank your for your inspiration!
And I’m hoping to be the first to send you a pic of Operation Beautiful the book in Omaha, Nebraska (tonight!)
Wahoo!! a big thanks right back at you for being so open with the readers & adding a great blog to the community
Your blogger journey sounds a lot like mine. If I can be half as influential to the blogger world as you have been then I will count myself lucky
Also, I stayed up until 11(!) last night reading Operation Beautiful. I’m half way done and I love it! Your hard work has paid off!
Thank you for your sweet words about the book!!!
Woo hoo!!!! You are a blogging book mama!!
Enjoy the ride, so excited for you.
i’m crying now…your insight is amazing
I’m so happy for you! It’s awesome to see blogging success stories too. You’re amazing!
Wei Wei
Congrats!!!
You’ve come such a long way with your blog and you now have an awesome book.
Huge congrats!!! you are genuinely and honestly fantastic and i can’t wait to get my copy today!
thanks allie!
I don’t know you in person, but I feel like we are friends. I’ve been reading your blog since the seebriderun days and I love what it has become. I went out to Borders at 9am and purchased the book. Counting down the hours till I go home and can read it!
What a great story! There’s so much about blogging leading to bigger and better things going on lately and I LOVE IT!!!
Thanks for the post! How inspirational to keep blogging!
Congratulations Caitlin – you have inspired me in my healthy living and blogging journey and I think I went back and read your entire blog before starting my own.
I’ve been following HTP for almost 2 years now. I’ve witnessed all your life changes through your blog. And you can’t imagine how proud it makes me to read this today. It’s almost like a close friend has reached her dream. I can’t wait for my OB book to arrive!!!
You deserve it Caitlin!!! Love from Spain!!!!!
Thank you Penelope! You have the prettiest name!
Awwww!! Thanks!
Congratulations, this is certainly an epic day for you!
Thank you so much for writing this inspiring post. I can relate so much to your story. Your blog has had a positive impact on my life and I look forward to reading it every day.
Congratulations on your book release! I will be picking up a copy.
Congratulations on the book coming out today!! This was a really good post! I loved reading how you first got into blogging. I started in a similar way. Isnt’ funny that in the beggining phases of just reading it seems ridiculous to start your own? And then once you start it, it seems the most natural thing in the world! Anyway, CONGRATS on your book!! I’m looking forward to buying it today
Congrats on the book release!!! I looked for it this weekend at a couple of book stores….hoping they put it out early. No luck this weekend but now it’s official!
Congratulations, Caitlin! This is a huge day for and I’m so very happy for you.
Congrats on the book; how very exciting!!!
I am a relatively new reader, but you (and other blogs I read) have inspired me so much over the last few months that I’ve been reading. So much so, that last night I registered for my first half-marathon (in Pittsburgh too)! I have only been running since February and have yet to actually participate in a race at all.
You always manage to say just the right things on just the right day, I don’t know how you do it
I read minds
Caitlin – Congrats on the book, I’m so excited/happy for you!
Lori – I also signed up for my very first half marathon last night – the same one as you! We’re gonna rock it in May! Woohoo!
Congrats on the book! I will be looking for it!
I love all the inspiring stories you put on your blog. Thanks!
Congrats Caitlin!! I can’t believe the day is finally here that your book is released! I bet you can hardly believe it yourself!
I rarely comment, but I read EVERY day…and I catch up as quickly as I can when I’ve been away for the weekend! Your blog, as others did for you, makes me want to start my own…I’m just not quite ready yet…maybe one day!
OB lead me to HTP and HTP has lead me to so many other great blogs (OSG, P&TY and many more!). They have helped me learn more about healthy living, exercise and balance. I’m in the process of applying to be a police officer, and to tell the truth, I’m not sure I would’ve taken the ‘career change plunge’ had it not been for the healthy living blogs that came into my life almost a year ago. So, thank you! Thank you for blogging!
Now the the “UGH” part of my comment…I live in Canada…and for some reason, the Chapters/Indigo website is telling me that I can’t get the book until Aug 10th…UGHHHHH!!!!
Have a great day!! This will be a day to remember forever!
Nikki T.
Oh, Canada!
Thanks for your support Nikki!
Congratulations Sweetie! I’m so excited for you and your success. You are a shinning example of reaching for your dream and making it happen. You really make me take a look at my life and where it is now and where I want it to be. Thanks!
What an exciting day! I loved reading this post. It is so inspiring to see someone succeed in the way that you have. Thanks for being so committed to your blog and to your readers – you really are an encouragement to me everyday, and I’m so thankful to know you!
Sometimes I feel crazy for following my dreams because they seem so far off, but you make me me want to chase after them harder than ever!
Enjoy your day – you deserve it:)
Oh, and I can’t wait to meet you in person…next week!
This a such a heartfelt read. Good luck this week!
PS Got the book yesterday (Borders in NYC)! If you need anything during your NYC stay, shoot me an email.
a wonderfully inspiring post. thanks!
Big congratulations on the book release – you so deserve it
I got teary-eyed while reading this post! In the grand scheme of things I am a newer reader, but I absolutely fell in love with Operation Beautiful and this blog. I read both for great ideas, inspiring stories, and to see someone with such an amazing heart.
I got an e-mail from Amazon today that they have shipped my pre-order of your book. Now I am sitting and waiting for the day when the box will magically appear! I can’t wait.
And I have to say, I usually read books from the library before I decide whether or not to actually purchase them. But when I mentioned the book to my husband his first words were “Have you pre-ordered it yet?” He knows of my love of food blogs and he chuckles when I refer to the different bloggers I read by name.
Thank YOU for the free inspiration, stories, recipes and ideas you have shared.
Thanks Amber! You’re the best!
Oh, and I just re-read this post (for the 3rd time :p) – dream big. Love it! My ultimate dream is to live in America; sometimes it seems SO impossible without either having an American husband, or 1million dollars, but I’m going to keep on dreaming..dream enough and it’ll happen right!?
Thanks for sharing my post! We are all so proud of you! I will be on a plan when your show airs tomorrow, but you can be sure I’ll have my DVR set up to record it! Knock ‘em dead, Caitlin!!
I definitely got teary-eyed reading this. Congratulations on the book release! You are an inspiration and one of my favorite bloggers
This post touched me this morning. I do have big dream, and all you ‘celebrity bloggers’ remind me to keep pluggin’ and to not give up! CONGRATS, Caitlin =]
Truly Caitlin, you deserve every single moment of this! I feel like I’ve known you forever because I’ve been following you for over 2 years now and all I can say is how proud I am of who you’ve become, what you have accomplished, and what you will continue to do!
It’s so amazing where blogging has taken you! Some people think blogging is a silly little hobby, but I completely agree with you that it can change lives! You’ve been able to touch so many lives through this blog and I can’t wait for your message to get spread even further by your book. Congrats again!
You are the sweetest, most humble woman. Thank YOU for all you do and for your dedication!
you are incredible.
Congratulations on the book release, Caitlin! What an amazing accomplishment! I have been reading both HTP and Operation Beautiful for about 6 months now, and you are such an inspiring and deserving person.
Congratulations! It has been inspiring to read about your journey from start to finish. I can’t wait to read the Operation Beautiful book and good luck on Today on Thursday! It’s such an exciting time – be proud of your hardwork, bask in it and enjoy every moment! You’ve earned it and you deserve it! Beth (aka Readerbean on twitter!)
I really needed to read this today. Thank you so much for posting about your journey. I’ve been going back and forth about starting my own food blog. I’ve bought the domain and everything. But I’ve been so afraid. I look up to you and all the other food bloggers so much that I just assumed that I could never live up to that.
But I can! And you are the proof of that. Congratulations on all the you have achieved, you are truly inspirational.
Do it!! Blogging rules.
You are so inspiring! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now, and I’ve finally started my own blog, and making comments on other peoples blogs. Sometimes I wonder why I bother (and not just with the blog, but with trying to live healthy in general) but your post today has shown me that anything is possible, I just have to keep my focus. Thank you for being such an inspiration, and congratulations!
Congratulations on how far you have come and how far you will go! You should be proud!!
My book is on the way and I can’t wait!
I just bought a copy of your book at lunch today. It looks great! I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations!!!!
Congrats on your big day!!!
I am so excited for you and your accomplishments. It gives a lot of us inspiration and hope that we can take control of our present and future.
Best of luck in the future – I can’t wait to see (and read!) many more great things from you!!
-Alison
You made the world a more beautiful place! Now I’m off to go buy your book! I have a list of people that are getting it as a gift too!
YAY! Ob makes a beautiful gift.
So happy for you!
I received your book yesterday and stayed up for a very long time last night reading it. Love it!
I’m going to go by the book store tonight and pick up copies of your book for my bridesmaids! And my copy is being delivered to my house sometime this week
Congratulations, Caitlin! I can’t wait to pick up your book at lunchtime!
You’re an inspiration and I can’t wait to see what new adventures life brings you. Keep on bloggin’!
Congrats again on your book! I can’t wait to buy it. I haven’t pre-ordered it because I want to buy it in person. I’ve been reading your blog for a year or so now and I have to say it’s one of my absolutely FAVOURITE blogs.
I started blogging for very similar reasons – I’d just moved HOURS from home and had no friends and was incredibly lonely. Now some of my BEST friends are ones I’ve met through blogging
Many, many kudos on the incredible accomplishment of your book release and overall success of your blog. I couldn’t agree with you more that the food blog community is so positive and supportive. Since reading blogs and eventually starting my own, I’ve broadened my dietary and fitness horizons immensely. It’s really proven to be such a positive, inspirational, and creative outlet. I love your blog and admire you so much for “Operation Beautiful!”
This post is so incredibly inspiring. I know you have no time because you are running around on the TODAY SHOW…butttt i just started this blog and was wondering if you might have a look. You are such an inspiration and I can only hope that I can be as healthy, fit and happy as you are!
I’m so so so happy for you!! Congrats! I feel like I’m living your former life… but it’s okay because I know if I keep at it, things will improve and only I can stop myself from living the life I truly want.
P.S. Will be buying the book as soon as I get paid again
Thank you for sharing some background on how you got started with all this and for sharing such inspirational words! I love reading something that makes you sigh and nod your head feeling a sense of comfort from the words on a computer screen.
I am away from friends and family and have used my blog to tap into a world of interaction and support that I couldn’t find in my day to day surroundings – I am glad to hear that it is ok to gain that support through the blog community because at first I worried that through blogging I would only make the lack of friends situation worse.
Congratulations!! I like to point women in the direction of this blog when I’m trying to promote the positvity viewpoint. I’ve learned a lot from here – from great sayings, to food ideas, to exercise tips and it’s helped develop my positive feelings about food and my body. Thank you for it all!
I always joke that the blog gets in my way of making more money (through freelancing jobs), or even finding a FT job. I really think it does because I put so much time into it. But how can I deny something that makes me so happy? I’m going to keep doing it…unless I’m about to be kicked out on the street, that is! Congrats again!
I’m always joking about my full time job getting in the way. But I love it and would never stop either.
I’m ridiculously happy for you because we’ve been along this journey with you. Congrats on accomplishing just the start of your dreams
Congratulations and happy book release day, Caitlin! Your story is a beautiful one, makes my heart melt! Blogging is definitely a wonderful way to connect with other people, it’s why I started one as well. Plus it has the added bonus of being able to do so simply by sharing recipes and being inspired to take photos which is one of my ultimate passions in life. So happy for you today!!
awesome!
MANY MANY MANY CONGRATS to you
congrats caitlin!!!!! i couldn’t be happier for you, and i just received my copy in the mail today
Wow. Thanks for posting this. Look at how far you have come from crying yourself to sleep bc you were lonely while your hubby was away at school. Now you are helping all these women!
I am going to buy your book today! You worked hard and deserve this day. I can’t wait to read it!
CONGRATULATIONS CAITLIN! you deserve all the happiness and what an amazing thing you started!!
So I’ve been a lurker for a longggg time (we’re talking at least 6 months here), but I felt like I needed to come out of the woodwork to say congratulations! I can’t imagine how excited and proud you must be – going from reading blogs to publishing a book is an incredible feat. I absolutely love your blog and can’t wait to go out and get your book!
We love you Caitlin. Congratulations on the big day! Way to dream big. Can’t wait to go get my copy.
I just read this post on the train and got teary! Way to make my mascara run.
I am so happy and excited for you! I love your blogs and you truly deserve this. Enjoy your week!
I remember CaitlinBo =) Congratulations!!!
There were four copies at my local Borders today. I posted an Operation Beautiful note on one of them and bought one for my sister for her birthday! I’ve been reading it over and it looks GREAT!!!
Out of all the blogs I’ve been reading for years on and off, yours is one of the few I’ve stuck with because you are so real, your content varies, you are supportive and interact with your readers, and you take risks, you’re a dedicated athlete but not a borderline elite which makes you relatable, you have guts, but you show your fears too, the list goes on. CONGRATULATIONS on your book release!
And after reading this post, it sparked to mind a Jewel quote that speaks very much about what you share on your blog, finding balance with yourself and your life…
“If you water only the roses, all you’ll have is roses and all the other flowers will wither and die. If you want a big varied garden you’ve got to water everything and spend time with what matters.”
I just found your blog through Kerf. It has such a nice feel to it, I will definitely be back. I began blogging this past January without ever reading or following a blog prior. I still have so much to learn, but I have to say, I absolutely enjoy blogging
Congratulations Caitlin! I’v been following you for a couple of years now (wow it’s been that long!) and enjoyed the little escape to your blog for that entire time. Thank you for the effort, the entertainment and the example that you put forth every day! I’m stopping in at the Devon, PA Barnes and Noble after I leave work in a few minutes and grabbing a copy of your book!!! Yay! Diann
Congrats, Caitlin! You are truly awe-inspiring! It’s a pleasure to visit your blog.
Jenn
Congratulations on the book release! I ordered a copy from amazon last week and it’s on the way. I love reading your blog and many of the others that are similar and I’m working on my own idea for one. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing with us!
What an absolutely great post. You’re an inspiration Caitlin! I can relate to your blogging story even though I am quite new to the blogging world. It really is such a great place. Congrats on the book release!!!
Woo hoo! Congratulations! You deserve it, girl. I will be picking up the book this weekend for sho’.
Blogging changed your life and now you get to help change the lives of others through your writing and now your book. How amazing. You deserve all of this like none other. Congrats girl!
You are awesome! You remind me to dream big! You go girl!
Congratulations Caitlin! You truly deserve all this success. Everything you do comes from such a genuine, personal place that people cannot help but be touched by it and that is how you achieve true success. You really are an inspiration. Enjoy every moment.
Caitlin you are beautiful and you deserve all of this success. Thank you for touching my life and inspiring me to keep blogging
you. are. amazing.
YAY!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! I love both your blog & the fact that you respond to my emails!! Thanks, you worked hard & deserve this moment and then some=)
Caitlin-
After following your blog for a few months and reading this post I had a question. When you first started “secretly” photographing your food and confessed to your man that you started a blog, did you let him read it right away? I’m in a new relationship (2 months) and though my boyfriend knows I have a blog, I have yet to let him read it.
heheh yup! i think you should let him read – if its stuff you would tell him anyway
Congrats again on the book – such an amazing accomplishment!
I couldn’t help but giggle when I was reading this post… that’s exactly how I feel about my blog! Though I don’t have the opportunity to blog every day, I think about it constantly! I’d much rather be blogging and keeping up with Twitter than sitting at my desk job all day. (That’s why I have to take breaks here and there to stay in the loop)! I’m newer to blogging (a little less than a year) and am amazed at the community and how everyone is connected… it’s really something special. The idea of getting to do what you love every day (and be rewarded for it!) is awesome – congrats again!
this post gave me chills! I’m so so happy for you!!!
This post had me grinning from ear to ear, as I remember all of the events that have unfolded for you over the past couple years!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m so so proud of you Caitlin. It’s amazing to be able to witness this entire process of OB with you, I am so excited for you and your future. You are doing a wonderful thing, and lots of lives will benefit from it.
And I can totally relate your feelings on blogging. It has changed my life too. In the best way possible.
Kudos to you!!! and keep inspiring us!
I love this post, it is very encouraging! I just started my blog and I’m wondering how to find my own voice (and readership.)
Congrats on your book too. I live in Finland, perhaps I should do my share and post a couple of those notes somewhere.
I just bought your book! LLLOOOVVEE IT! It is so inspiring! It really makes me want to get involved more. I put a post-it pack and pen in my purse, so I am prepared.
thank you SO much. email me your notes!
Many congrats on your successes! I’m so happy for you and think the work you are doing for women is excellent. I actually was in China this summer doing some women’s rights work and meant to contact you about posting an Operation Beautiful post-it note in Chinese- but I forgot! Total fail. Next year, I promise!
Caitlyn, I just started following you on twitter, and then just read ” logging changed my life” and I”m almost in tears. I have enjoyed writing for years but have not done much with it, I write for work, procedures, processes, etc, but seeing your blog gives me a little ray of hope. I also identify with being lonely. I need some interaction!!! I think finding your blog was designed by God. Thank you for being true to the journey and who you are inside and out – and by the way, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!
Caitlin, congratulations on all that you have accomplished! Your blog has been a huge inspiration for me in the past few months. I used to enjoy writing and getting lost with my camera in the city (i’m a pittsburgh girl too!), but I got tangled up in a cycle of work, cleaning, and the chaos of life. Once I began to read your blog -and realized there are so many bloggers out there who support healthier living- I have been motivated to eat well and start running again. Its only been a few months, but I already feel like a much stronger, happier person. Thank you for being brave enough to share a huge part of your life with the blog world. : )
What an amazing story. So fitting all this worked out when you pursued something you loved. It sure is a great lesson and reminds me that can create our own life if we aren’t afraid to put ourselves out there. Thanks for sharing.
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