6 months ago…

Posted: July 20, 2010 at 6:03 pm

Hi bloggies! Is Tuesday treating you nicely? Mine has been good, but then again I always consider a day good if nothing traumatic happens. Today was just a basic day. I woke up around 6:15 to head downstairs and get some Bible time followed by computer time. I love having this downtime in the morning again. It sets the tone for the day perfectly.

After consumption of a whole wheat bagel + pb & honey, the morning continued with a Power workout at the gym. Strength training holds a special place in my heart. I already have a hankering for the return of intense lifting sessions post-baby. I adore being pregnant, but can’t help to miss my regular work in the gym.

Later in the day, I spent a good chunk of time writing an article and catching up on blogs. I took a quick break to devour leftover tofu broccoli slaw.

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I needed lasting energy in the form of veggies and healthy fats to power through an afternoon at home playing with Makenzie. While decorating Dora in colors of blue, green, and yellow something occurred to me. Today is the 20th. It may not be an important date to you, but to me it symbolizes a new step in my life. On January 20th of 2010, exactly six months ago…Faith Fitness Fun was created!

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I had blogged sporadically a few months before that on a different site, but it was less of a blog and more of an online fitness competition prep journal. On January 20th, I transferred those posts over for easy access to them and then committed myself to blogging regularly and using Faith Fitness Fun as a platform to share about my passions for healthy living and enjoying life to the fullest. It wasn’t until the beginning of this little blog that things changed. And boy, did they change. A sampling of some of the discoveries I encountered over these glorious 6 months:

  • The blogging community is downright uh-maze-ING! You all are seriously fabulous and I do not know where I would be without your love and support. Every comment I receive leaves me glowing. Every chance I find to hear about your beautiful insights and personalities brings out the best in me. The friendships formed here fulfill me in so many ways and I thank you for that. I hope you all keep coming back so we can continue sharing the love and I hope to continue developing even more friendships across the blogosphere.
  • The development of new passions. I love to write. Love love love it. I never thought to combine my passion for health and fitness through the written word until the blog. The chance to write my first published article sparked a huge interest. Now, I strive to develop and hone my skills to branch out further and further into the writing world. It starts with small steps, which I love, because there is no telling where they will take me.
  • I learned SO much! Blogs are a wealth of knowledge. New recipes, workout ideas, and insights into how to handle personal issues only form the tip of the iceberg. I know I have much more growth inside of me and you fabulous ladies will be part of bringing that about.
  • And the biggest lesson of all – to love myself and trust. At the start of Faith, Fitness, Fun I struggled with adjusting to my new body image. Having to gain weight post-competition in order to conceive our second child proved to be a challenge. Even more so when that positive pregnancy test did not come near as soon as we hoped. I went from tip-top shape to average and had to cope with it over a longer time than expected. There is nothing wrong with average (in fact, it’s beautiful) and I know now I still looked pretty stinking good. The changes inevitably messed with my mind, however, and it took much prayer and personal reflection (and love from you all) to push through it. I trust God used that time for me to further understand how to honor and respect my body for the beautiful creation it is and to prove to me that He will take care of me, which He did as I sit her 3.5 months pregnant today.

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It has been a whirlwind and I wouldn’t change a moment. Thank you for sharing this time with me. A special thanks to Lisa, Naomi, Janetha, Julie, Krystal, Katie, Paige, and Mellissa who were there from my very first FFF post.

How long have you been blogging? How has it changed you?

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45 Comments to “6 months ago…”
  1. Yay for 6 months! I have been blogging for almost 10 months and it has made me rediscover my passion for writing. It has been a great thing. 🙂

  2. happy 6 months! that’s so exciting 🙂 and guess what? Heather’s Dish was born January 19! i would say that blogging has helped me to rediscover my love of writing, learn more about my love for food, and has honed my love of photography. not bad, right? 🙂

    • Tina says:

      We’re like sisters! 😉 And I can certainly see how your blog has developed your photography. You have mad skills. Love looking at all your pictures.

  3. Nicki says:

    Congrats! I just found you today so happy half year.

    I have been blogging since Nov of 2005

  4. homecookedem says:

    Happy 6 Months!! You blog like you’ve been doing it forever, you are so good at it!! 🙂 I love your blogging reflections… it certainly is such an amazing and supportive community. So many intelligent, genuine, and sweet women all rooting for one another. It’s a beautiful thing!! 🙂

    I’ve been blogging for a year and 2 months now. I am a totally renewed woman since that very first post! I have learned sooooooooooooo much about myself and I am so much happier today. I owe it all to everyone who has supported and encouraged me! 🙂

  5. Happy Blog Anniversary. I seriously would have thought you had been blogging for a lot longer! I started blogging in Oct. 09. Hard to believe so much time has passed. I can’t even begin to describe how much I’ve learned either. I never expected it to be what it has become for me. So glad you started blogging so we could “meet.”

    • Tina says:

      I know. Expectations have far been exceeded with blogging. And yes, being able to meet and make friends with people like you is the biggest benefit. One of these days we will have to meet in person. Maybe I won’t be pregnant or nursing for the next Cathe Road Trip. 😉 😀

  6. This post makes me so happy! I’m SO glad that you decided to start blogging. I couldn’t agree with you more about the wonderful aspects of blogging – especially how amazing the community is. Here’s to another 6 months (hopefully more!) 😀

  7. Mellissa says:

    Isn’t it crazy how fast 6 months can go and how much can change?

    I love blogging and I love all the great internet friends can be!

  8. Happy blog-versary! 🙂

    I’ve been doing it since March of ’09, but I didn’t really find my direction until the end of November (and took a long break in there as well)- so I’m doing the year celebration then… 🙂

  9. Kelly says:

    I’ve been blogging since Oct. ’09 and I think blogging and reading blogs has really opened up my palate and my use of different types of food. Somewhere along the way I’ve also found a better balance between indulgences, health, fitness, and rest. I feel so much more healthier and excited to be apart of such an “uh-maze-ing” community. 🙂

    • Tina says:

      I have experienced the same changes and it feels so good. I had reached a better mindset about balance when getting pregnant with my first child, but we are all works in progress and the blog certainly kept that progress coming from the wonderful folks involved in blogging. Thanks so much for visiting!

  10. Ameena says:

    Happy 6 months Tina! Your blog is great and I feel like it’s been around much longer than that!

    I’ve been blogging for 9 months now and I think it has done wonders for my confidence. People are so supportive and I love it.

  11. Tina,

    I’m tearing up. Seriously, tears are welling up in my eyes. I can’t believe it’s only been 6 months. You have meant more to me than you could ever know. I know you have been praying for me for months and I feel that love from you every single day. You have taught me, trhough example, of what faith can do. My mom is even grateful for the role you have played in my life. My mom always comments to me how beautiful I look and that I’m glowing and happy and have a light in my eyes–and I know that has to do with accepting myself, learning to relax about food and my body, and my renewed faith. And you have been t here every step of the way. A day does not go by where I don’t think of you (and not just b/c an Aerosmith song comes on the radio ;).

    You posted either on your blog or in your Oxygen journal one day about how you prayed to God every morning to help you treat your body with respect and asking for him to trust yourself and love and accept yourself bc He made you and He made you exactly the way you were supposed to be.

    That post was the changing moment for me. It got me thinking–it took me probably a year after reading that to finally get it and practice it and truly believe that I’m worth it and that I’m beautiful no matter what I am–but that statement from you started it all.

    Anyways, I LOVE YOU DEARLY and I hope we get to meet very soon.

    • Tina says:

      You’re going to make me cry!!! I think God brought us together to mold and shape each other. As much as you say I have helped you, you have helped me. I think we were able to be strong during each other’s weaker moments so neither of us could let the other drop back into a negative place. Thank you for being such a dear friend and get Sean down here to visit his friends! LOL 😉

  12. woohoo!! i started my blog about a week before you did. I love how the blog community is like a mini family

  13. Jessica Lee says:

    you’ve only been blogging for 6 months? your blog is awesome!! i’ve been blogging since december 2009 and i love it. you’re right, the community is great and supportive and i have learned so many new things. it’s a great platform to feed off of each other’s ideas/thoughts/motivation.

  14. Mimi says:

    I totally agree that blogging is good for the mind, body and soul. I’ve only been at it regularly for a few months now, but it has truly been one of the best ways for me to deal with challenges in my life.

  15. Shannon says:

    Amazing how much can happen in six months! Congratulations! I look forward ton reading about your life and days with Miss M everyday 🙂

  16. Congrats on 6 months! I recently had my 6 month birthday as well. I started blogging because I read so many and I wanted my own, but I never imagined I would meet so many amazing people! Here’s to another 6…or 600 🙂

  17. Nichole says:

    Happy anniversary!! I enjoyed reading more about why you love writing so much.

    I’m still in the honeymoon phase, but I already have learned so much more than I ever thought from other amazing, blessed people like yourself.

    I’ve also learned that we should love OUR bodies, and He will give us strength, even at our worst.

  18. Jennifer says:

    You’re amazing, and we’re so lucky to have you share your insights with us.

  19. Happy 6 months! FFF is one of my favorite blogs I can’t imagine it not being around! haha! 🙂

  20. What a wonderful post- happy anniversary 😉

    I am still a relatively newbie (2-3 months in), but have completely fallen in love with the blog community you talk about. I love seeing everyone’s personalities shine through their writing… and I have learned so much: new foods, recipes, trick n tips, exercise ideas, and that it’s ok to have a healthy balance.

    I’m so excited that I’ve come across your blog and look forward to reading it for many many many more months to come! 🙂

  21. Happy 6 months of blogging! I’ve been actively blogging for over a year – I just checked! I’ve developed a love of so many foods because of blogging.

  22. Lindsay says:

    Happy Six Months girlie! Your blog rocks. I look forward to reading it everyday even if I don’t have time to comment! Thanks for the pic of your sweet baby bump. 🙂 I’ve been blogging for four months and it really has changed me. Not only have I leared a lot about myself as a person, I’ve met a lot of awesome friends.

  23. Holly says:

    Congrats on your 6th month mark 😀
    SO much has happened to you in 6 months, huh?! And now you have a baby on the way- SOOOO exciting!!!!
    I have learned a ton from blogging as well- & I love it.
    I started back in March of this year.

  24. Emily says:

    Congratulations on your six months of blogging. I can so relate to so many of the things you are thankful for – wonderful friends/community, a wealth of information, positive body (and mind) image, and the chance to write and share a passion for food and wellness. Yay for that!! 🙂

    Have a great Wednesday!

  25. Kait says:

    Congratulations on 6 months of blogging success, thats so exciting!! My anniversary is quickly approaching at the beginning of next month and I can’t even believe it 🙂

  26. Therese says:

    I’m so glad you decided to start a blog 6 months ago!!! I have learned so much from you on the intuitive eating front and really do see you as a wonderful example!

  27. Sarah says:

    Tina, thank you for your sweet comment on my last blog post. I’m really okay, but I did feel the need to share just which weeds I’ve been pulling from my life recently. Your words are encouraging and comforting to me. Sometimes I feel like I should have arrived by now, that I should have worked through this junk and be stronger. You know, sometimes I am, but it’s only when I’m leaning on the One who can hold everything that’s weighing me down (and not depending on myself!).
    …Blogging has helped me be much more honest, vulnerable. It has helped be live better, and I’ve really enjoyed meeting some incredible women in the process!

  28. Blond Duck says:

    I’m so glad to hear about your struggles with going from super fit to average. Well, I’m not glad you struggled, but it makes me feel better. I’ve got some mental hurdles to cross about my own working out and body image, and it’s nice to know I’m not alone. I don’t do compeitions, but I’ve been eating clean and gotten my body fat down super low (I think a little too low) and it can get hard when you have fitness minded people saying one thing and non-fitness minded people saying another! I’m trying to find the balance!

    • Tina says:

      It is a fine balance. I decided giving up the scale and other numerical measurements was the way to go. Now I workout and eat balanced because of how it makes me feel and it is so much more rewarding.

  29. Maura says:

    So, I have only been blogging for 2 weeks! I’ve been reading healthy living blogs for over a year and finally on July 8th decided it was about time I got my act together and started my own. I totally agree with you that each comment leaves me glowing (btw- thanks for your comment, Tina!) and smiling from ear to ear. The blog community has definitely inspired me to exercise and eat healthy for my HEALTH not my weight & I am so much more happy in life because of it. Thanks for such a great post Tina 🙂 Happy blogging!

  30. Happy 6-month blog anniversary!!! Your blog has been such an inspiration to me, and I am so thankful that we have become “blog buddies,” if you will. 🙂

  31. Erica says:

    Awwwwwwwwwwwww! Happy Blog Birthday! Hooray! Glad things are going well and that you’re enjoying your days. Strength training is fabulous. I can’t believe there was a point in my life where I was a cardio maniac and barely did any strength training! You are looking so fabulous. Keep it up!

  32. Erica says:

    whoops- btw been blogging for over two years!

  33. I’ve been blogging since April and it has helped me feel less lonely in adjusting to a new city!

    It is a great opportunity to connect with people I would have otherwise never known!

  34. Katie says:

    Happy 6 month blog anny!!!!!! I agree the blog world is amazing and full of amazing people like you : )

    U are so cute, beautiful pregnant little belly! Love it! I hope you have a wonderful week! Thanks for the comment, my son is a heartbreaker!

  35. Maya says:

    Congratulations on both the blog anniversary and your pregnancy! I agree, the blogging community is awesome. I’m glad you’ve gotten so much support out of it!

  36. happy 6th months on the blog!

  37. Mandy says:

    Congratulations girl! You know I don’t do much on my personal blog anymore, but I am a follower of yours and keep up with my photography blog as much as I can!

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