February 03, 2010

Cranky Fitness: It's Been a Blast, Folks


So at the end of this month, I'm afraid we're going to call it quits at Cranky Fitness.

Jo and Gigi still have very fine blogs of their own, so be sure to pop over to Chunky Monkey Mama or Head Nurse or perhaps the Wednesday Whine to see what they're up to. And don't forget to check in with our other beloved Cranky Emeritus, Merry, who blogs at Sheesh.

But as much as I've enjoyed hanging out at Cranky Fitness for the last few years, I've decided I'm ready to retire from the blogosphere.

So what's the deal with that? And what happens next? Well, since I haven't done a blog interview in a while, perhaps I'll interview myself to get some answers to these and other Frequently Asked Totally Made Up Questions.


So Crabby, why are you quitting?

Two main reasons: 1. An unexpected job opportunity came up; and 2. I'm finding it harder and harder to do a decent job of blogging anymore, which is making it less fun. There are plenty of things I can be lame at that pay actual money; blogging has to be about the Fun.

After several years of writing posts, I find I'm really struggling to say anything new. Lately I've been making the same points and the same jokes over and over. I've been putting up increasingly crappy posts that I don't enjoy reading myself. I used to be willing to take a clunky, unfunny draft and rewrite it a bunch of times until it was better--now I just say the hell with it and post it anyway.

But How Can You Just Quit? Won't You Miss Us?

Oh God Yes!!

This is the hardest thing about giving up the blog. I love this community of bloggers, readers, and commenters. (And of course my awesome cobloggers, past and present). The Cranky Community is the reason I've been hanging on to the blog for as long as I have. If you could all just write the posts for me? We'd be set.

I've always thought the best thing about Cranky Fitness was the comments. You folks are witty, honest, perceptive, deep, diplomatic, unpredictable, and sometimes you just plain blow me away. Many of you have become true friends over the years, and it's really, really hard to think of not "hearing" your thoughts and opinons every day.

Will you still be around the internet, reading our blogs and commenting and tweeting? Or are you going to turn into a hermit-crab and just disappear?

I'll probably take an internet break for a while, but I'll pop up sooner or later. I may be in lurk mode for a while before I start commenting again. And I'm not sure what I want to do about Twitter. I suspect I'll let it lapse, then come back in few months full of silly stuff to say and craving an audience. Twitter may be perfect for that. So, um, please don't Unfollow me yet!

So does this mean there won't be a "Cranky Fitness" anymore after February?

Actually, there will still be a Cranky Fitness. After a bit of a break, I plan to come back and organize things so it's less like a blog a more like a health and fitness resource. I'm also hoping to occasionally post new content, or at least let you know what I'm up to. But there won't be regular weekday blog posts anymore.

The goal will be to make Cranky Fitness more accessible by topic, because there's a crapload of information in the archives that many newer readers may have missed and older readers may have forgotten. (You know how you are.) Got a question about the nutritional benefits of pistachios, or wonder what you should do if you're caught outdoors in a thunderstorm? Well, we got answers, but right now they're pretty impossible to find.

So if you guys aren't quitting until the end of the month, why are you telling us this now? Why not just slip off gracefully in a final post? Like, are we supposed to say goodbye now? But then you'll be back posting again for a few more weeks and won't it all seem a little awkward?

Yeah, it's a little weird. But I'm lousy at keeping secrets, and I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea of a one-post goodbye, even though it makes for a classier exit. This blog has meant too much to me to just pop in one day and say "bye, it's over!"

As to when to say good bye; anytime is good! I always read comments that come in, so you can stop by now or later. Or you can even go back to a 2 year old post about fish oil and bid us farewell there.

This is one of the hardest decisions I've ever made... I will totally miss hanging with you all at this weird little blog that's come to mean so much to me.

No lie: Cranky Fitness readers are better than chocolate cake.

80 comments:

  1. How fitting that I am the first to comment (Im not sure why :) but I was pumped nonetheless) and yet I have nothing to say.

    Im aware that my first instinct is to shout STAY CRABBY STAY!!! and yet I also know thats a selfish first instinct.

    You are an institution.
    You were the FIRST FITNESS BLOG I ever read and I clearly recall the day I emailed you and you RESPONDED!!
    I couldnt believe Crabby McSlacker had taken the time to email *me*

    I could go on and on but this isnt my platform.

    Suffice it to so I know that when we love something we DO need to set it free----and I hope you will return to us with your words.
    Be it here or in another medium.

    Im grateful for the gift of your friendship, J.

    Carla

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  2. True story reaction: "Whaaaaaaaaaat?"

    I'm glad to have gotten to read you over the past year or so, and I wish you nothing but the best in your new adventures.

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  3. Although I've been a fan and blogger myself for a short time (relatively) I've enjoyed the goings on here at CF and am sorry to see you go.
    Best of luck in your new endeavors!

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  4. my first thought? "what the hell?!"

    I understand not wanting to do something half-assed.. but I'd love for the only fitness blog i've ever followed to hang around in some form! Maybe as an info source plus a chat board? i dunno...

    I'm gonna miss reading your blog every day, Crabby!

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  5. *sniff*
    You were one of the people who talked me into starting my blog, and you posted my guest post - the very first one I ever wrote! I'm sorry to see you stop, but I understand, I really do!

    I wish you all the best with your new job, and hope to see you around! Perhaps one day you really will take the "long way" on your cross-country odyssey, and swing by here!

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  6. You are the third blog to quit on me in the last few weeks...was it something I did?

    Seriously, I'm sad that CF will stop being "live" - I have really enjoyed this blog over the last year and a half and will miss you tremendously.

    ::sniff::

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  7. You have to do what you have to do. I, for one, will leave you in my feed reader (and follow you on twitter, how did I NOT know you were on there?) ... you know. Just in case.

    Thanks for making fitness fun for normal, non-makeup-wearing/perfect-hair/designer workout clothes folks like us. =]

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  8. 1st reaction: Awww, shit.

    2nd reaction: Can't blame you. I don't have a blog myself, because I can see how much work it is.

    I look forward to seeing your periodic input on Mizfit online and Charlotte's Great Fitness Experiment and the various other places I visit on a regular basis.

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  9. Seems like this is a little late for me to be posting my first comment to your blog, considering I've been a subscriber for so long.

    Thanks for the laughs, the advice, the little oasis of sanity - I'll miss the blog, Crabby! Hope to see you around. :) Take care and best of luck.

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  10. All good things must come to an end.

    Doesn't mean I have to like it. But I will accept it.

    I will cherish this last month. Thank you for the warning.

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  11. Crabby, the weirdest thing about this post: I have kept saying to myself for the past month that I was going to email you & ask if anything was wrong. I just felt something, I guess. BUT, I know how you hate to share real personal things & I was scared it was a family or relationship thing that might be happening & I felt it was none of my business. I really was going to e you about this! Something just felt wrong.

    I am so sorry to see you go BUT I do understand. I am struggling with it myself too since I need to get to a real job & make some money so I don't end up on the street!

    I have so enjoyed your blog. I think one of the first I started commenting on.

    Thank you & look forward to whatever the future brings from you.

    Stay well! Feel free to e if you want! After the internet break of course!

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  12. A girl never forgets her first...

    Yours, as you may remember from the Happy 101 award I passed to you, was the first blog I read and only read for a long time. It helped push me in the right direction towards my fitness journey. Thank you.

    I'm glad your site will remain.

    Are you staying in California or heading back East, again?

    Cheers to your new adventures!

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  13. Oh no, not during the *love* month...

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  14. Aw! I'll miss you guys! Cranky Fitness was one of the first blogs I started following and it is still one of my daily reads.

    At the same time, it is a lot of work so I understand. I have a hard time keeping up with mine these days and mine is just an itty bitty blog.

    Good luck and I'll be watching for you around the blogosphere/twitter/etc. :)

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  15. *sniff*

    Aw...yours was the frist fitness blog I eer came back to to read regularly. You responded to emails. You were real honest people with funny and good advice.

    I will miss my morning dose of crank and cupcakes...and stories about slankets :)

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  16. But I just found you and you're leaving me already! Seriously, it is wonderful that you have a new career opportunity (especially in this crappy economy!)

    I'll miss your sense of humor and informative posts. Best of luck in your new endeavor.

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  17. Awww... you guys are so sweet. I am SO gonna miss reading you all down here.

    And Jody, yeah, when the job thing first started seeming like a possibility, I had to get my mind around the fact it might mean shutting down the blog--which involved mentally pulling back more. So no worries here, everything's great me and the Lobster and our families!

    We're not sure on our Head East date, probably in the next couple weeks.

    And the job is a web-based, health-related writing job, but alas, a somewhat more serious one than cranky fitness.

    It's so cool too that CF was the first health blog some of you ever read! I'm just glad I didn't scare you away from the whole blog world since there are so many cool ones out there.

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  18. I will miss the quirky sense of humor but totally understand. All the best to you in all of your ventures!

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  19. Oh, no! We're still not over Merry's departure!

    Your website has been a great resource for our adventure into blogging. We were so excited when Merry added our new little blog to your blogroll list and new people started visiting.

    We will miss your support, your advice, your good information, and most of all your humor.

    Good luck, Crabby!!! Don't be gone forever. You're tremendously gifted at this.

    btw If any displaced readers form a CrankyFitness withdrawal support group, send Bunny a tweet @ShrinkingBunny. :-)

    Bye, Crabby..... :-(

    Bunny and the bunch at Shrinking Bunny's Buns

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  20. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

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  21. Aw, Crabby, I only first discovered you about 8 months ago, but even in that time, it's been a blast, indeed. This is the only fitness blog I've read regularly, so I guess I'll just go back to my non-fitness-centered reading and have a cupcake. ;)

    You will be missed. Good luck with that paying job thingy.

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  22. This is so sad. You were my first blog, too. I enjoy reading your humor every morning. Please do update us on your new Web-based health writing job so we can follow you there! Best of luck with your new endeavor!!

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  23. I have but one thing to say, and that is:
    Noooooooooooo!!!!!

    I'm mostly a lurker here at Cranky Fitness but I think my heart just broke. *sniffle*

    At any rate, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, and you can be sure that I shan't unfollow you.

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  24. I'm glad you're going to be around for a little while longer - I hate goodbyes. And you have no idea how relieved I felt when you said you weren't shutting down this blog altogether. I came across this blog maybe 6 months ago, and I've yet to read half of what's on here. It'll be great if you organise the posts.
    Good luck with your job, the rest of your life and with keeping healthy!

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  25. Awwww Crabby! We'll miss you (and Jo and Gigi)! But I sooo totally get it. So instead of begging you not to go, I'll wish you best of luck. And be sure to point us in the direction of your new gig so we can still stalk, er, I mean follow you. : )

    And I think before you go we ought to throw a party for you and order some of these:
    http://www.sharoncakes.com/gallery2/v/Cupcakes/Cupcakes/CrabCC.jpg.html

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  26. How is it that you are the first fitness blog that so many have followed? Because you're the first one I ever read as well!

    I'll really miss the crankiness over here. Some other blogs I need just don't have the same level of sarcasm or LOLcats to give my day a jumpstart. Thanks for helping to motivate me on my fitness journey and best of luck into the new changes in your life!

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  27. Have to say that I will miss your posts here, but yes, there are a ton of great things in the archives that people can read. (I still love the 'Entitlement' post best, but there's also the Flat Stomach one, or the... well, there's good stuff in them there archives :)

    You are a terrific writer -- I hope you love the new writing gig!

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  28. I'm at a loss for words. I've always enjoyed coming here for some tart humor. You will be missed. Hope you do post from time to time though. I wish all the Cranky Fitness folks a very happy and healthy life. :)

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  29. Wow. Bummer! But you gotta do what you gotta do, and although we'll miss you, we support you.
    Godspeed!

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  30. Well, crap! You've been my "first blog of the morning" for so long I don't know where to go or what to do!

    But I wish you luck in your real job. I'll miss you, and look forward to reading whatever you're writing somewhere else.

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  31. Oh, and CONGRATS on the new gig, btw!!!!

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  32. Boo.

    But, I hear you. I'm kinda feeling the same way about blogging lately.

    Still, boo.

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  33. you will be VERY missed! but I totally get it.

    good luck and please keep us posted (no pun intended) on where you land!

    :) Lisa

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  34. Awwww...but I just found you! I definitely understand, as much as something means to you, as much as you'll miss it, you sometimes just need to move on. Good luck with your new job and I'll have to find you on twitter. :)

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  35. I will miss you like crazy.

    Still, I know what you mean about the internet eating your time, and feeling like it is work to keep posting.

    I'm glad you won't disappear entirely, though. It's nice to know someone else agrees with me that even though fitness is worth it in the long run, it's a PITA.

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  36. BUt I just found you, less than three months ago...noooooooooooooooo...

    Sigh, I understand. I'm not happy, but I understand. I have gotten some nice tips from your posts and I will peruse the archives now.

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  37. Crabby,

    I will really miss you, and I totally understand.

    I can not even comprehend the discipline it takes to post regularly on a blog (esp. without the money rolling in). And I say that as someone who really enjoys writing. But, what I want, how I want, when I want. Yeah, I'm disciplined alright!

    Anyhoo, hopefully will keep in touch over the inter-tubes.

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  38. I will totally miss you. No lie.

    I am *very* glad you will keep the site up as a resource. I'd hate to lose all that info you have compiled and presented here!

    Thank you. And please do come around sometime! You're awesome.

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  39. Lots of sadness in these comments though tons of support too. Really positive changes in the future -- Got to clear the way for all these new lessons. I read this in a fortune cookie.

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  40. Well, heck. I'll miss you, and I hope you still drop by and visit my blog(s) from time to time. I totally understand where you're coming from, though. I've been through it myself with my blogs.

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  41. This "There are plenty of things I can be lame at that pay actual money; blogging has to be about the Fun." says EVERYTHING to me. I don't see this as an end, my friend, but a beginning of bigger and better things. I love you and you will be missed but I totally 100% support you in this. Stay in touch:)

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  42. I'm selfishly grateful that you didn't post this yesterday. *sniff*...I'll miss your wonderful writing! (And what Tami said!) But as a full-time career person/parent/athelete-in-training/slack-ass once-a-week hobby blogger, I totally understand why you'd want to bow out gracefully.

    Best wishes for success in your new career path, and I hope to see you around the web!

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  43. (Whoops, forgot the ginormous THANK YOU!!! For all the out-loud laughs (and occaisional snorts, and the every-so often spontaneous nasal-cleansing-by-coffee), info, and healthy dose of common sense.)

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  44. Very sorry to hear it! Your blog name and posting persona, at the very least, made coming here a 'must'.

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  45. Sad for us, but it sounds like the right decision for you. The reason I only post a few times a week is because I don't want it to ever be "work". Take care Crabby.

    And you were my first as well. :)

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  46. You all are so sweet! I'm getting a bit verklempt over here.

    Sniff.

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  47. I saw the title, and said under my breath, "Damn!"

    I look forward to the new Cranky look and while I will miss the blog, I can totally understand your reasons for going in a different direction.

    Best of luck.

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  48. Obviously you will be missed! I've always appreciated the honesty here. It's not easy bein' fit. Or green.

    Best of luck at your new position. Don't forget about the rest of us!

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  49. I am pouting, but I understand. Your blog has meant a lot to me and I hope you know that I sincerely rank it among the top ones out there. You will be greatly missing. :(

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  50. Best of luck to you Crabby and please know that you have made a big impact on LOTS of people! We will miss you but wish you ALL the best!

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  51. I'm sad for us (I cannot remember how I found this place, but lucky me), and happy for your new employment. (Never would I stand over a writer with a whip crying "Write faster! Faster!" No, never.) There are other health blogs I enjoy, but they just don't have the same flavor. Just make sure you close with a bang and not a whimper.

    Crankily,
    Mary Anne in Kentucky

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  52. Regardless of the fact that I am saddened that you are going, I wanted to let you know that I have something for you on my blog anyhow! ;)

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  53. This is traumatic. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA basically expresses my feeling about it. I will miss you terribly, isn't that silly? I'm glad you're leaving the site up because there's great stuff here. You will be much missed. I really appreciate your stopping by my blog-- I was so starstruck when you commented :) I hope the new job is a thrilling one. Best of luck and do pop up now and then, okay?

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  54. Echoing everyone else, I will miss your everyday crankiness. But I also look forward to you as a resource. And to hearing what you are getting up to post daily blogging. And totally understand your decision. Thanks for the fun and great info!

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  55. I will miss reading your posts every day :( I guss well alll just have to read back posts to get our daily dose of sass!

    You have to look out for you and feel good about things. Good luck with the new job. I hope we hear from you soon in some form or fashion.

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  56. Awww Crabby.. that's a disappointment for sure. Yours was the first blog (aside from Frank's) that I began visiting even before I started blogging. It was your kind and friendly responses to everyone's comments that inspired me to do the same with mine. I will sure miss you but I'm happy for you that you've got a gig to keep you busy and employed. Best of luck to you. And I sure hope you'll drop by now and again once the lights are off and the last cupcake disappears from your blog.

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  57. I haven't been reading for very long but thank you.

    I wrote once to ask about something you'd mentioned in one of your articles and you took the time to write back. I appreciate that.

    I was ambivalent about fitness. I felt that since I wasn't a gym bunnie with a fit body and a perky 'I love fitness' attitude that I didn't deserve to be fit and that I didn't belong anywhere near a gym. Reading your blog really has helped me on my road to accepting fitness as a good thing.

    I saw the title 'Cranky Fitness' and that pretty much summed it all up!

    You will be missed.

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  58. Aw, shit, dude, srsly? But...but....your blog is what got me off my ass! And it's the least annoying fitness blog out there! What am I gonna dooooo?

    THanks for leaving it up and organized. I love reading old posts and learning new stuff. Will miss you!

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  59. aaaww crap.

    now I have cranky blog guilt.

    "I shouldn't have been such a slacker commenter..she would've staaaayed!"

    RIGHT?

    ok. maybe not.



    I'm getting a rapid onset case of the warm fuzzies. I had so. much. fun. over here...you know, back in the day...pre-four-monkey-craziness. You possess two of my favorite qualities in a blog: making me think and making me laugh.
    Thanks for sticking around as long as you did. I know a little of the joys and anguish of moving on. Good luck with your new adventure! :)


    (p.s. I can't believe you won't be here!)

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  60. You have a great blog and a great following. Best of luck to you and I am sure you will be back in some way. Send some of your millions of readers my way to:
    www.everythinghealth.net

    I'm not as funny but the info is credible!

    Best wishes to you.

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  61. {{cranky}} I'm with Carla that my first instinct is to ask you to say, but I also understand (trust me, I REALLY get it) why you're leaving. I, too, remember the day you posted a comment on one of my posts and I thought, "OMG! Cranky reads my blog!" and I got all nervous and stuff. Best of luck to you with the new (paying!) job. I will miss you.

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  62. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Say it isn't so!!! The internets will not be the same without Cranky Fitness. I will miss you guys. Ok, I'm very cranky now. ;(

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  63. I am gutted that I won't get to read your wonderful writing! but can soooo soooo understand your reasons. Hope to see you around the traps and best of luck and all good wishes with the job opportunity and whatever comes next. Thank you also again for your help with the book tour thingy last year :)

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  64. Well you know I can TOTALLY relate to you on EVERY single point. I retired Back in Skinny Jeans for many of the same reasons. Blog burnout is a challenging thing coupled with wanting to write about different things. I totally laughed when you said that you were starting to post things even you wouldn't want to read. lol! I've done that so many times too.

    Enjoy your break! Seriously, it is wonderful although you will experience some withdrawl symptoms like the blogger shakes. "must write..must post...oh no stop."

    I think we'll be seeing you back on the interwebs full swing one day because a writer has to write and the blogosphere is full of so many delicious connections {wink:}

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  65. In the immortal words of my late grandmother . . .

    "That is unacceptable, young lady!"

    Ok, my grandma never said that. BUT SHE WOULD IF SHE READ THIS POST. (Lucky for you she's dead.)

    Ok, ok. I understand. And I really want you to do what's best for you. I just happen to ALSO want what's best for you to also be what *I* would PREFER. What's that? No dice?

    Damn.

    Sending you internet hugs anyway. Because I just. Can't. Help it.

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  66. Ah crap! I'll miss you so much. Thank you and all the best.

    cammi99

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  67. Oh man, that sucks!
    But, I understand. Still, it sucks!

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  68. Ati! (E African expression of shock, surprise, dismay) No more Cranky Fitness So, does this mean I now have to be cranky and unfit? You'll be missed.

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  69. There are so many things I want say. Like others, yours was the first fitness blog I kept reading. I love the humorously delivered advice and info (and comments), which is why I kept coming back for more. I'm going to miss you.

    The first thing I though when I read your post sum it all up succinctly though. Ah crap!

    Good luck.

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  70. OK I guess my timing really sucks. Can you believe that THIS is my first visit to your blog!!?? I guess it's better for me not to know what wonders I've been missing or I'd be kicking and screaming like the rest of the commenters :-)

    No, seriously, I'm glad that you gave a few weeks' notice so that at least I can catch you on your swan song. And I love love love the idea of organizing the blog for reference because I'd be so all over that!

    I'm hope that this won't be the last to be seen of you in the blogosphere- from what everyone says you have far too much to offer to stay completely away forever! :-)

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  71. Waah!

    Okay, I'm happy for you, but CF is the only fitness blog that I regularly read, and the only fitness blog that I have *ever* commented at, and the only blog of any kind where I've won something just for commenting. All this in spite of the fact that in real life I'm a fitness junkie.

    So I'm sad to see Cranky Fitness go. I'm particularly sad because all those other fitness blogs just take themselves so frickin' seriously.

    poop

    We'll miss you, Crabby (and Jo and Gigi, and yes, even Merry Sunshine who we already miss), and Cranky Fitness every day. Be well, and I hope we'll hear from you again someday.

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  72. AREYOUKIDDINGME?!
    You're leaving. OMG. I leave my computer for one week and the blogosphere goes to hell. WTH?
    First off, I never thanked you for giving me a major shout out all over the internet about my earbuds post. The readers I've gotten from that show up every single day. I was afraid I would have to get a PR person it was so fantastical.
    Secondly, you really do operate the only "fitness" blog I read or care about. And I have always been impressed with the detail and information you have on all your posts. Not dull at all.
    Lastly, I really do hope you post every once in a while, just to let us know there is still funniness in the health/fitness world.

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  73. Nooo! Not when I was just starting to enjoy myself. O.o

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  74. That is really sad news! I've always enjoyed your blog. All the best with the new job.

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  75. Cranky, I will really miss the Cranky Fitness blog!! You have been my role model, truly. Though I'm a relatively new reader, yours is one of my favorite blogs in cyberspace and you guys have always made me laugh. I want to thank you, though, for inspiring me. I just wish I'd discovered your blog earlier.
    Peace, love and rock & roll.

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  76. I'm just catching up this month, only to find out you are leaving! Yours was my 'first' too and I will miss you terribly.

    Best of luck in your new job and like Sis, next time round, make a detour up north.

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  77. Ack. I slack off for several weeks and come back to THIS. But what Carla Mizfit said.

    *sob*

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