Let’s try not to focus on the fact that yet another weekend has reached the end of its legs and another busy, hectic week looks us in the face. Easier said than done, I know. At least I had another chill day today to refresh myself before the mile-long lists of to-dos reappeared.

This morning, I set my alarm for 6;30 am – a slight punch to the stomach for a Sunday morning. Sunday mornings are the only morning of the week which I can sleep-in, so I will stay in bed typically until 7:00 or later. The thing is, though, I usually still wake up around 6:30 am naturally, but lay around for the rest of the time. Today, I set the alarm with the mindset that if I wanted to stay in bed, I could…or if I felt rested enough, I could go ahead and get my workout done for the day.

I almost lazily hung about, but then I looked to the future and the thoughts of an afternoon with nothing on the agenda appealed far greater than an extra 30 minutes under the covers. The workout won! Cathe intervals – check! Sweaty mess – check!

Good thing I pretty up nicely.

I don’t think my church friends would have appreciated the nasty.

As every Sunday morning, we spent a large portion of our day at church with our Sunday study group and then worship service. The message from our study group’s discussion really struck me. It was just the message I needed to hear this morning and reaffirmed quite a few things for me. I love when that happens! I may have to share it later this week, since it’s a general topic we all question from time to time.

Once 12 o’clock rolled around, we made our way home for the afternoon. Finally, by 1 o’clock, the kids were fed and down for their naps and I could sit down to lunch with Peter.

I think that is the hardest thing about Sundays. I eat breakfast around 8 am and can never eat lunch until one. I want to inhale my kitchen every week after church! Instead, I make the quickest and most satisfying thing I can think to make – and it almost never includes veggies. Take today’s lunch for example -

Another grilled hummus, tomato, and cheese sandwich. An apple. An Oikos honey Greek yogurt. Not a single green in sight. It’s like this every week. I guess veggies just don’t cut my hunger and cravings when the hunger beast comes out in full force. Interesting since I know a load of veggies will fill me up real well. I don’t question my belly, I just feed it what it wants. Cravings = good. Or at least they make it easier to decide what’s for lunch. If only they could clue me in to what’s for dinner tonight too.

• What types of foods do you turn to when you reach the point of HANGRY?
• Would you rather get more sleep or get your workout out of the way?

Be sure to check out my guest post for Ellie @ Fit For The Soul!!!

Oh, goodness. I had a fun little post scheduled for tonight…but instead I feel the need to address something else. At least we had some light-hearted fun this afternoon with some good FRIENDS favorites sharing. Can I just say I love that that post is quickly becoming one of my most popular? So reflective of me and my blog.

Now, moving on to the issue at hand.

This morning I sent out the following message on Twitter:

It annoys me that a review program is discriminating against people who are open about their faith.

September 12, 2011 7:03 am via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@TinaFFF

Tina Reale

Before I go any further, I must clarify two things:

• This does NOT represent BlogHer. I adore working with them and the limitations on this review program were not from them, but the company itself.
• For confidentiality purposes, I will not disclose more of the company involved.

That tweet got a bit of a reaction. I sent it out hastily, but can now form a bit more of a thoughtful response.

When I created my blog, I battled with myself on how much of my faith I would include in it. I knew I couldn’t keep it completely out, because it is such a huge part of my life, but did consider what prevalence it would have. If you’re a regular reader, you know preaching isn’t my style. I knew it wouldn’t be something I would write about explicitly as the focus of many of my posts. I wanted to share my life and hope the expression of myself would reflect my faith.

I took the start of this blog seriously. I wanted it to accurately reflect me and the message I hoped to share – aka making the most out of life in whatever way that fulfills each individual differently. At first, I planned to call my blog simply by my tagline – More Than Diet And Workouts. But something felt missing. I tossed around other ideas – More Out Of Life, Fun and Fit Living, Fulfilled Fitness, and probably more I’m forgetting. They all felt wrong.

I had to have my faith openly visible as part of who I am and that I believe having faith in something more than ourselves can provide a higher quality of living. Enter Faith, Fitness, Fun. As soon as that name popped in my head, it was the only one I could imagine calling my blog. I transferred my old sporadic and horrible competition blog over and started Faith Fitness Fun in January of 2010 to truly begin blogging about “more than diet and workouts”.

Old FFF look!!!

I am more than thrilled with the paths and direction my blog has taken since then, but deep down I know that the faith aspect can sometimes impact my blog. I know there are people who don’t visit my space solely because they see faith in the name. Some of my favorite blog friends have openly told me they thought the same for awhile. The fact I don’t get as many readers because of having faith in my blog doesn’t bother me. I only wish those who don’t give FFF a chance knew I would never judge them for their beliefs or force my own on them.

This morning I read an email about applying to a review program…but the program requested not applying if political or religious views were a main part of a person’s blog. I understand the company wants to remain neutral in regards to these powerful and very personal viewpoints. And I am not judging them for that. I don’t frown on the company for doing so. They must have their reasons and I respect that.

source

I simply felt shocked at seeing something I feel so strongly about be viewed as a limiting factor in a possibility for my blog.

With all that being said: I am not angry and I wouldn’t change having faith in my blog for anything. I knew going into blogging that my faith could put some people or ventures off because it is such a personal thing. Every person or company has the right to feel that way.

I’m not sorry for sending the tweet, because I will not apologize for standing up for my beliefs. However, I need to acknowledge that if I wish others to be more understanding of where I’m coming from in including my faith…then I also must be understanding when others feel the need to omit faith/religion for whatever reason.

Final gist of this wordy post?

1. No hard feelings.
2. Agree to disagree.
3. I will stand up for my faith.
4. Sometimes it bothers me the faith aspect can turn people away…but that’s okay because I remain true to myself.

Well, I could have made this post a lot shorter than I did, huh?

• What is something you will stand up for no matter what?
• How did you come up with your blog’s name?