just a blog?
Posted: December 7, 2010 at 12:05 pmMorning! I feel so much better this morning. Still not great, but much better. I sadly don’t think I will feel great until after this pregnancy finally brings baby B to the outside world. It’s a long time to go not feeling like yourself. That whole aspect sure has worn me down by this point.
I used to classify myself as a healthy living blog. I loved to share tidbits on healthy eating, fun workouts, and finding the balance to fit it all into a truly fulfilling life. Then, pregnancy came. Certain habits became more difficult to upkeep at the same level.
A week ago, workouts were ripped from my life until after I recover from delivery. And last night, any semblance of healthy eating vanished.
Remember how I didn’t feel like going to the grocery store yesterday? Well, I didn’t go. When dinner time rolled around we dug into the freezer and pulled out a frozen pizza.
Remember how on Sunday night all I wanted to do was kick up my feet, watch Eclipse, and have a Blizzard treat I had been craving, but couldn’t because of the danged car Peter had to work on? He made certain my evening involved those 2 things last night.
So, healthy living blog? I can’t workout and I ate my fair share of “junk food”. I guess I’m just a blog. Or maybe not. My tagline does state “…because life is more than diet and workouts”. And I believe that. Life changes. We face different circumstances at different times. All we can do is our best for our current situation. That is healthy living in my mind. Right now my “healthy living pendulum” is swinging far left – less motivation, less fitness, less energy, less desire for vegetables, less positivity, and less confidence. That sounds right for an 8.5 months pregnant gal. I know it will eventually swing far right, though. I’m ready. I just have to hang on so I can get the chance to enjoy the ride of the upswing again.
- Do you go through phases in your healthy habits?
- How do you describe healthy living? What makes you consider a blog a “healthy living blog”?
ETA: I really am doing well today and do not feel guilty or upset with my night last night in the least. I hoped to express with this post that I understand all I can do is embrace my current state...and that I still believe its a healthy thing to do. Also, you all ROCK with the quotes you've been sharing!!
Tags: dinner, healthy eating
Good questions! I go through phases, and most of mine include the elimination then gradual reappearance of artificial sweeteners in my diet. It’s not crazy bad like it used to be, but sometimes water gets boring and I just need some Crystal Light or juice to make it better! To me, a healthy living blog is one where the writer lives a balanced lifestyle – through physical activity (not necessarily pounding it out in the gym every day), healthy eating, and overall wellbeing. In addition, we’re all human, so I think going through ups and downs based on life circumstances is totally healthy!
You are preggers! You earned a night on the couch with Eclipse and ice cream. I did that over the weekend, as well, and I definitely don’t have a baby on the way 🙂 🙂
I think anyone can classify their blog as ‘healthy living’ if you touch on subjects that make you a happier and better version of yourself! Everyone’s health journey ebbs and flows…
I love your description of a healthy living blog. It really does boil down to working towards a better version of our own selves and current situations.
What’s not healthy about pizza? Carbs from the dough, veggies from the sauce and protein from cheese! Perfect food! :-))
Everybody’s motivation passes through stages and you have a pretty good excuse. A person who is always cheerful and upbeat would seriously freak me out….
Pizza is pretty perfect, huh? It’s my favorite food!
We all go through phases in healthy habits. I know that these past few weeks, my eating habits haven’t been too great. I’ve been a lot more snacky and getting foods I don’t normally eat (sugary). I know that it was due to stress from my injury and now stress with finals, and I will get back on track, but it’s difficult sometimes!
I define a “healthy living blog” as a blog that advocates exercise and healthy eating, but also the “snack attacks” or sugary treats that we all love. It’s all about balance! 🙂
It’s definitely okay to give a little and eat junk food, and not working out is what’s best for you and the baby now. I think healthy living is more about eating right and exercising, it also means staying happy, positive, and balanced in your life. It’s hard to have a perfect diet & exercise schedule, and a balanced life is better than a perfect life.
Oh yeah! You finally got your wish! Good for you! And, what a sweet hubby for making it possible:)
Girl, you of all people would know what it is like going from pre-contest to competition to POST-contest eating and exercising habits. I’m going to be writing a post soon about what I call the “Aftermath”. Trying to stay balanced is HARD when you’ve deprived yourself for 4.5 months. I have an entirely new challenge during the “off season” to continue a healthy lifestyle, but also balancing a healthy diet with occasional treats and staying active. My abs were gone in a week and I felt “soft” and bloated and it really messes with your head, BUT I’m glad I have the opportunity to really get things in “check” and learn to live a b-a-l-a-n-c-e-d lifestyle, because I’ll have to do the same during pregnancy and, well, during life in general when not competing. Being healthy really is a LIFESTYLE and really there is no “off season” in living a healthy life:)
It’s a crazy juggling game..but I have no doubt you will get it figured out and have that balance when you take a longer break from competing. I bet its hard knowing you start prep again in less than a month. You want to fit in all the “fun” but don’t want to have to start over from point A again either.
My healthy living pendulum is all over the holidays. I don’t have a bun in the oven either, haa. Guilty as charged. It’s only the season once a year – I’m giving in!
I think we all go through phases, it’s just part of the pattern of life.
Healthy living is listening to your body and giving it what it needs. On Monday, your body might tell you that you need lots of veggies and a sweaty workout, but by Saturday, your system might be craving some sweatpants, a movie, and your comfort food of choice. It’s about listening to those things and responding in time.
(Though, and I’ll be fair, sometimes it’s about pushing through that hibernation instinct and getting to the workouts anyway, as has been my case lately.)
Frankly, I love it when I see a healthy-living blogger have a night like you just had. It reminds me that you’re all just as human as I am!!
And yay for getting your Eclipse night!! I’m holding out until Christmas to get it, just in case Santa brings it to me 😉 What kind of Blizzard did you have?
i think our habits DO change…it’s part of life! it’s how you roll with it and come back that makes it healthy or not. i would say that now is a time where you need to relax and LIVE as best you can 🙂
You said it perfectly in the last two paragraphs 🙂 I go through phases in my healthy living habits too – I think everyone does. We can only do what we can do at any given time.
Well your 8.5 months pregnant so you can do what you want 🙂 But… I feel like everyone has those days. Last night for instance I came home in a bad mood, skipped the gym, and ate cookies. That’s not something I usually do, but today I woke up early on my own, and headed to the gym and had a healthy breakfast. We all have days and everything balances out. Also, usually after a day of less healthy eating my body really craves healthy stuff!
Very true. It does all seem to balance out. I will have a few months here where I’m not on my A game during pregnancy. Then, I’ll be so motivated and ready to get back to the gym + eat my old favorite healthy foods I’ll finally crave again that I’ll be doing things really healthily for awhile too.
My healthy habits definitely change…right now they are kind of in the dumps with finals and school craziness!! I consider my blog a healthy living blog because I am trying to use it to attain a healthy living style. I post about my weight problems, but also about my workouts and my life in other aspects. 🙂
I think you said it best that you are 8.5 months pregnant and it’s the holidays so let your pendulum sit wherever it is comfortable for your body and the amazing thing you are preparing for with baby B. In 6 months (or 2 or 3 – who knows?), you’ll be in a very different place with your body, your eating, fitness, etc. So, enjoy the next month as much as you can! My blog is just my blog – it reflects whatever is going on in my life or consuming my thoughts. To me, your blog is all about honesty, growth, family and balance and that’s 100% healthy in my eyes! 🙂
I eat horribly sometimes, though I do try to keep the portion down. I don’t think that makes me unhealthy or in violation of whatever unspoken “blog code” there is. Blogging is about a topic you like or life in general. Your readership will select itself. You shouldn’t have to worry about things like that. 😉
Glad you enjoyed your blizzard! I think healthy living is about balance and I think the best healthy living blogs show that you can have your cake and eat it if you know what I mean – eating healthy food (however you label that) all of the time is not truely healthy in my opinion, there has to be a little balance. For me healthy living is about making time to cook healthy food and exercise but also live life at the same time, for me that includes enjoying a creme brulee coffee and buttery granola bar every so often!
I eat unhealthy sometimes (someone just brought in easy toffee candy at work and I love Christmas cookies! And chips … and salsa … and con queso … and pizza … and pasta …) but I think it makes me HUMAN and not unhealthy. I think a healthy balance is important and keeping those portion sizes down! It’s so hard when others are eating things that aren’t that great for them. Hard to look at my plate of veggies the same. I hope you enjoyed every bite of that pizza and oh my heavens! A blizzard. I’ve wanted a mini one for a couple of months and have yet to get one. Eat some for me!
I like how you term it as human instead of unhealthy. That’s a great way to look at it!
I think “healthy living” means we do go through phases… just like the seasons. Things ebb and flow. Healthy living is about finding a balance between nutrition and indulgence.
I genuinely believe that healthy living is NOT being healthy 100% of the time. Because when I am this way, I tend to be obsessive and I don’t allow myself little pleasures such as a hot chocolate, cookies, etc. Healthy living is about finding your own balance, about living and eating intuitively without a strict schedule, without have to work out x amount of times per week while eating x amount of calories. Life is about living in a way that makes your mind and body strive.
Unfortunately, so many of us yearn for some type of control, and our habits and lifestyles are a very easy thing to exert that control over. But some days (hopefuly lots of days) you gotta just let go. Let yourself be. I guarantee you that you felt amazing eating your blizzard and indulging in a good (questionable) movie!
I agree 100%!! I know when I was probably the “healthiest” with limiting sugary or processed foods and working out without fail, I was not healthy mentally. We have to have spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical wellness to have complete health.
Girl. You know as well as I do that life isn’t life without being able to enjoy these things 🙂
I think healthy living is all about balance. You are pregnant and doing what is right for your body right now. That is just as important to share as any other healthy living habit. Hormones play a huge part in your health and you are giving your body what it needs right now. Your body knows what it is doing right now even if you don’t. Just go with it and understand that you will be back to your “new old self” in no time.
I so get this. You know how down-and-out I was with morning sickness (not that it’s gone away), but I’m finally feeling more like myself. I grocery shopped and actually WANTED healthy food. I went to a yoga class. I feel a bit like ME…for now. You’ve nailed it with describing healthy living as a pendulum. Keep on riding!!!
I go through phases in my ‘healthy living’. I find that the fewer days I’m ‘not healthy’, the easier it is to get back in to the swing of things.
I think healthy living is having a balance in all areas of your life. I think a healthy living blog is one that tackles all areas of life, is realistic, and shows that every once in a while, it’s okay to have a down moment. Noone is perfect.
Me? Go though phases?? Never…well, ok, YES! I think that it is even more than a phase..striking that whole balance thing. You are in a unique situation at this time though– pregnancy…a whole new world or balance! You are at the end (almost), you’re tired, sore, exhausted etc. I remember eating BK and Hot tamales a lot more during “the end” and feeling guilty about it, but not for too long! I knew that in the long run I was not harming myself or the baby, but I also needed some time to chillax and just do what I wanted (w/in reason!)
Hang in there Tina. 🙂
Sometimes pizza, ice cream, and a movie is just what the doctor ordered. I’m coming off a week of being horribly sick and all I really want is Kraft macaroni and cheese. It happens to all of us…as long as it’s not a habit, I don’t think it’s a big deal 🙂
TOTALLY agree with you – your blog IS a healthy living blog, because it is TRULY about a balanced approach to all things in life, food, fitness and fun included. Don’t ever question that, you epitomize a healthy living blogger in my mind. Without a doubt.
Thats why your blog is so great. Its realistic and honest!
Sometimes pizza and ice cream are exactly what a person needs. And considering you are 8.5 months pregnant I absolutely think you deserve it!
I don’t know what makes up a HLB – I read blogs that claim to HLB’s but I think they border on obsessive! I’ve had to stop reading so many and instead enjoy reading blogs like yours that cover many different topics.
I really hope you don’t feel guilty for the way things are in relation to what you’ve been posting here. You are being honest with us and you’re pregnant, in pain, raising a family already, and honestly if I were in your position I would be doing the same. Like you said about your title: life is more than workouts and dieting. Life is always changing and soon enough you’ll have two little ones to look after and be back in amazing shape. I think this is the best time for you to do exactly what your body needs: rest and eat what you feel like eating!
its all about balance, right?! Life is too short not eat ice cream and snuggle by the TV. Your whole outlook on life is healthy and thats why i read your blog. Glad you are feeling better today!
LC
I think healthy living IS being flexible depending on your situation.
I know that, for me, there are those few days a month were I just say, “Hell, if I want to eat 5 cookies, I am going to eat 5 cookies!” Healthy living is all about having a balance and never depriving yourself of your cravings!
I consider your blog a healthy living blog BECAUSE you allow yourself to indulge and don’t get worked up about it. Healthy living means having a healthy mental attitude as well. If I only saw someone eat 100% healthy 100% of the time, I would worry that they’re a little OCD. So I say embrace those Blizzards and frozen pizza, because occasionally, that IS healthy living in the real world. 🙂
I love how you said our blog changes as we change. Thats certainly true!
And now all I want is a blizzard 🙂
The Reindeer Bits (blizzard of the month) is good. That’s what I had. It has chocolate, coconut, caramel, and pie crust pieces. Yummy.
I don’t know what kind of blog I am anymore – I started as healthy living, shifted to anecdotes about my life with the husband, and share recipes sometimes. I don’t know!
I totally go through ups and downs … most recently, a down six months. I think things are finally looking up, though.
For me, a healthy living blog is one that leaves room for balance — not all exercise and eating restrictions, but real life. Yours definitely fills the bill.
Good for you! Looks healthy to me: gains, dairy, and veggies… right?!
And OMG I love Blizzards. Almost as much as I love Zesto Artic Blasts (have you had one???).
That Dr. Seuss quote from yesterday’s post is one of my favs. 🙂
U know what girl…this IS a healthy living blog. Here’s why…
Healthy to me used to be very strict. Only fruits, veggies, lean meats, whole wheat grains. That was IT! Healthy to me also meant skinny, thin, lean, slender. Healthy meant perfect.
But now…oh how my definition has changed!
Healthy living is doing what YOU ARE DOING! It is learning from and respecting your body. It’s honoring what it wants and darnit that includes blizzards, oreos, pizza and everything under the sun! Junk food no longer means anything to me if I’m healthy.
Healthy is loving me, just as you are loving you.
Under the above definition I too have a healthy living blog! Peppermint bark and all!!! 🙂
I’m just going to agree with what everyone is saying instead of launching into my own plight–you still are a healthy living blog! I read your posts and am continually inspired by what you have to write. I’m in the “baby making process” of sorts and I know I’ll have your experiences to relate to when that time does come. Thanks!
Thanks for the encouragement Caitlin!
I eat pizza and beer for dinner some nights. I feel like these dinners are absolutely a part of healthy living as long as I don’t make it a regular thing, and more importantly, I don’t beat myself up about it for eating it! Sometimes the stress you cause yourself for eating “bad foods” is worse for your health than the food itself. Enjoy your pizza, cuz if you don’t get to enjoy it why even eat it!
I used to adore Heath Blizzards. YUM. And pizza is a staple in my diet 😉 I think healthy living is being able to let yourself enjoy and indulge once in a while without guilt. Girl, you deserve it sometimes. It’s not like you eat that way every single day. And I know you know all that. You work so hard and do so much for so many people. Pampering yourself with a blizzard and movie sounds like what the doc ordered.
I think we all have days/weeks/months where we indulge more than usual. To me that’s totally normal! I think it would be unhealthy to be “on” all day every day forever!
I can sometimes let things slip for a few days & then it hits me that I’m feeling sluggish and tired and I realize that I haven’t been eating the way my body is used to! And if you ask me, you totally DESERVE some time to kick back, eat pizza and icecream and RELAX! You’ve got a lot going on girly! You’re in inspiration to those of us that want to have children someday & maintain our active & healthy lifestyles throughout a pregnancy!
I think healthy living is as much about the days when you overindulge as the days that you don’t! I think balance is the key- having days where you eat too much is great now and again! I know I’ve done it, and will be doing it in the following few weeks…! 😛
And I love your socks by the way! 😀
Everyone has those days when they just want pizza, ice cream and to curl up on the couch watching a movie (we watched Eclipse yesterday too, SOOO good)! If we didn’t have these type of days, we wouldn’t be human!
Life is all about balance! Sometimes I have days where I eat junk food, but then I balance it with healthy days later! I’m glad you didn’t beat yourself up over it 🙂
I’m definitely on the far left side of the pendulum as well. I’ve had LOADS of junk food/movie nights/no workouts going on lately.
I’m going to be a bride in t-minus 10 months so I know I’ll have the motivation again very soon!
I’m experiencing a lack of energy/motivation for working out lately- the first time this has ever happened to me. I have been keeping up with exercising, for the most part, but my heart is not in it right now. At least you have the excuse of being pregnant 🙂 I think the desire to be healthy and discover health one day at a time is enough to call yourself a healthy living blogger 🙂
Yay for watching Twilight!! Your hubby sounds like a nice guy and that blizzard looks amazing 🙂 Everyone thinks they have to eat perfectly all the time and life just isn’t that way.
I’ll always consider your blog a healthy blog though because you are not only physically healthy but MENTALLY healthy, I LOVE, loove your positive attitude and the fact that you can just step back from a situation and really see how you are feeling and why. M and baby B have an awesome mom 🙂
You are a healthy living blog in every sense of the word. Since you are being honest here about your eating habits, I want to be honest about my opinions: I get bored with blogs where all they eat are salads, oatmeal, roasted veggies, you know the drill. I like to read blogs about people who are similar to me and eat like I do. I occasionally have ice cream and pizza because life is short and its not healthy to deprive yourself. Thanks for keeping it real 🙂
I think healthy is balance and intuitiveness to what your body wants and needs. Would it be healthy to go through your pregnancy pushing the pedal to the metal with all things health and fitness? No! It’s exhausting! You have your mind on what’s important and that’s being in the best position mentally, emotionally, and physically for your baby. I think this makes you only more “real” and relatable.
I love how real you are on your blog. My biggest fear is trying to blog through my next (God willing) pregnancy. It is SO hard to maintain your regular standard of “healthy living” during pregnancy. Besides, pizza and ice cream can be good for your soul! 🙂
I remember my sister’s friend coming over to spend a couple weeks one summer with her when I was in college and living at home. It’s when I was VERY anal about healthy eating and my family kind of adapted to it with very little junk food in the house since many were trying to get in better shape at the time themselves. My sister’s friend wanted Poptarts for breakfast and when she found out we had none like we used to she turned to us and said…”But!!! Junk food is good for the SOUL!!!!” in the most serious voice. It cracked us up. You just reminded me of that memory. 🙂
So glad you commented on my baby blog (it’s so young.. only three weeks old!) and made me stumble to yours. 🙂
Healthy living and ONLY healthy living gets repetitive. I’d say continue putting in those cravings and indulgences. I like reading about the same kind of cravings I always have!
PLUS… isn’t pregnancy all about those cravings, anyway? I can’t wait to head to DQ when I’m expecting!
Blizzard = hollaaaa!