Posts Tagged ‘healthy living summit’

I Blog For Fun, But It Sometimes Includes Responsibilities: My Response

I just read one of the best posts that has ever crossed my Google reader from Lisa.

 

Aka my home-girl, internet soul-mate, long-lost “sister”, and one of my very best friends.

In her post, she shared her deepest thoughts on the Healthy Living Summit. She put it all out there and opened up some great discussion on blogging as a whole and the way bloggers approach their lives and blogging habits.

I read through the comments and nodded along to the wide variety of perspectives people shared. I started to type my own response in a comment there, but then realized I would overtake the comment section quickly and instead opted to post about it here.

Lisa discussed a few main things in her post:

  • feeling too caught up in blogging over experiencing the city, conference, and friends
  • the pressure of fitting into a blogger box
  • no “right” or “wrong” way to blog
  • caring about the people

Reading her post was an interesting experience for me. Why? Well, I find myself affected by all aspects of her post and the comments.

I am one of those bloggers that blog often and regularly. I did manage to blog a few times while at the Healthy Living Summit. I pull out the camera frequently and put my fair share of time into blogging. I do these things with a smile on my face. And, for the record, I never once felt bashed by Lisa. I know she knows me well.

I know myself well too. I know that I:

Live First.

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Sure, I blog often. But over the past almost two years I have gotten it down to a science. I have figured out the tools that help me blog quickly. I know the ways I can organize my posts so that I can write more effectively. I allow blogging to fit my life and my schedule…not the other way around.

The only reason I have things to blog about is because I go out, make connections, learn lessons, and share life. I simply choose to turn around and use my time to share it here with all of you as well. I appreciate that Lisa emphasized that those she knew kept up blogging (including myself) still had a blast and experienced the conference, including the fun sight-seeing her and I shared!

No “Right” or “Wrong” Way to Blog.

I blog frequently. I post 2-3 times a day. Do you know why? It’s not to fit in a box or because I think I “should”. Oh, heck no! That would send me running in the opposite direction faster than you can say “asparagus”. It’s because I love capturing life and having a place to lay out the things that inhabit my mind. Or my bra. Winking smile

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My writing style prefers the shorter posts. I get overwhelmed trying to put everything I want to share into one post. I hate bypassing moments of life because I don’t feel I have the space to include them in my blog. With Makenzie in school, I decided to take Braedon’s morning naps to blog more.

Some might disagree with that but it’s an outlet for me. It gives me the chance to talk more about things I may have otherwise put off discussing – like my mom’s MS relapse or silly moments with the kids. I will never become a blogger that shares every meal or all the tiny details of my day…and that’s okay.

And it’s also okay if I want to blog more to have more variety on FFF for people to choose what they feel like reading – a motivational, personal post or a goofy, daily life post. It’s what works for me and what I enjoy. I don’t expect readers to catch every post…but I like the idea that you all (my wonderful friends) can have options and I can write what I want. Every blogger has to find that balance for himself or herself.

Sometimes blogging carries responsibilities.

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Heather brought this up in the comments. Part of why she attended the conference was to help develop her blog and also the Healthy Living Blogs website. She needed to spend time keeping up with responsibilities related to the work of those two things. I did too.

I attended the conference first and foremost to have fun with my friends. And you bet I did!!! I don’t think anyone can argue me having a good time when you look at all I did:

However, I also attended the conference to speak, represent Love Grown and their fabulous company, and to broaden the reach of FFF. Why?

My family is number one to me. Peter & I agreed that me staying at home with our kids was very important to us. I stayed home. I fell in love with blogging. Then, only through God’s will, the blog began to grow little by little and allow me the opportunity to do something I love, while still being at home with my children, and also help support my family financially even the smallest bit. I can’t avoid what I feel called to do and know is right for my family & I. So, yes – blogging involves some responsibility and work on my part…but I wouldn’t change that for the world with what it offers me in living out a passion and supporting my family all in one.

I’m going to stop here for now. I actually already had a post in mind for next week that related to the importance and value I put on relationships with blogging. If you attended our panel discussion, it relates to my response to the question from Ashley about the numbers side of blogging. You’ll want to stay tuned for that one!

  • Share ANY thoughts you have on this discussion! I’m looking forward to reading them!

Posted by on September 2nd, 2011 55 Comments

Go Get ‘Em Tiger: Achieving Your Goals

Yet another week greets us, which means another need to play catch up with our blog friends after a busy weekend away from the computer, right? Winking smile 

How it should be. If you’re wanting to get all up to date with FFF happenings, here ya go!

Whew! That’s a link roundup right there! Now, why don’t we dive right into this morning’s post. I realized at the end of last week I never gave you part two of my Numbers Game panel recap. I figured Monday morning made the perfect time to make up for it. I’m sure we all have some goals we would like to tackle this upcoming week – so let’s do that in a healthy, balanced way! Smile 

speaking panel
The awesome panel: Lisa, Janetha, and Beth

In Part One of the Numbers Game I focused on the positive and negative ways we can use goals. Well, that’s all fine and dandy to look at but what matters is how we apply that information. In today’s post, I want to discuss how we make sure we use numbers to motivate our goals in a balanced way that helps us achieve healthy progress.

We each had different experiences to share and key points to take away. Some of my other members have each done a great job giving their points of view on their own blogs:

Now, it’s time for another one of mine. (with some fun outtakes again along the way)

3 WAYS TO KEEP A HEALTHY APPROACH TO GOALS AND TRACKING PROGRESS

Step One: Break It Down. Think about your goal. What does the big picture of your goal look like? Running a half marathon? Writing a book? Doing ten push-ups on your toes? Holding a challenging yoga position a full minute? Developing your blog? Achieving a healthy weight? Saving money? Reading more books? Picking your nose less? (checking you’re paying attention) What IS your goal?

Now…list out everything you can actively do to work towards that goal. Be specific. List out the many actions you can take that can help you achieve your goals.

Step Two: Focus On What You CAN Control. If you have a weight loss goal, you may find yourself frustrated when the scale doesn’t reflect your efforts. If you have a blogging related you goal, you may get discouraged should the growth you anticipated not happen. However, those numbers relate to outside sources (hormones and water weight or people clicking your site). You can’t fully control them.

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Go back to that list of things you can do to work towards your goals. Those are where your focus should lie. You want to PR in a race? Make your focus getting in adequate training runs and speed work. Want to achieve a healthy weight? Focus on the number of nutritious meals you eat in a day/week/month and the number of workouts you accomplish? Want to increase blog readership? Focus on producing quality content, getting involved in the community, seeking guest post opportunities, etc.

Checking off what you CAN control and putting effort into those practices regularly WILL lead to results with time. Consider every small act you take towards achieving your goals an accomplishment and don’t forget them along the way. Setbacks will undoubtedly happen at times – boy do I know that from my overcoming binge eating goals – but you have to stay focused on the positive and believe in yourself to continue moving forward.

Step Three: Re-evaluate Often. Step back and look at your progress and ask yourself tons of questions to make sure you are still on a healthy path.

  1. Have your goals changed? How do you need to adapt your actions for them?
  2. Have you achieved your original goal but it doesn’t feel good enough? Why do you feel the need to do more?
  3. Have you tried everything but aren’t seeing results? What ways can you alter your current choices to kick start things again? Seek advice if necessary.
  4. Are you feeling unmotivated suddenly? Remember why you originally pursued the goal and determine if you still feel as strongly. If you do, focus on the why of your goal. If you don’t, consider adjusting your goal or finding new inspirational tools.
  5. Are you going crazy? Do you feel overwhelmed or stressed? Take a close look at what triggers those emotions and resolve those issues. Perhaps you will need to give up counting calories or reading particular blogs or using certain tracking tools.

Stay aware of your needs and your happiness. It will make achieving your goals that much more possible.

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There’s the gist of my main points for this topic. I do have about ten million more things I could delve into and talk about. Obviously I feel quite strongly about this topic. I want people to achieve their goals. I want people to dream BIG. I want everyone out there to do exactly the things they hope to do and achieve their wildest hopes and dreams. I think we all have the potential to do so…and to do so in a healthy and happy way. Go get ‘em tiger.

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  • Do any numbers “set you off” in a bad way with blogging or health/fitness?What things motivate you in a positive way?
  • Which of the points above stick out to you the most or do you try to focus on in your own personal progress?

Posted by on August 29th, 2011 21 Comments

 

 
Catch Up With Recent Posts

Announcement Time

Posted: November 23, 2011 at 7:47 am

Well, I have had a whirlwind of a few weeks over here. I missed all of you so much! I can’t express enough gratitude for your patience while I got some important things sorted out. Some scary things. Are you ready for the announcement? Here goes! I will no longer be blogging at Faith Fitness […]

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Self-Love Reflection: The Road Not Taken

Posted: November 20, 2011 at 11:47 am

Hello FFF readers! Nice to meet ya! My name is Carissa and my husband and I blog at Fit2Flex.  Well, I blog…he consults! We are both certified personal trainers with a passion for healthy, active living and clean eating.  I am also studying to become a registered dietitian, a race announcer, and a runner.  Stop […]

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Healthier Eating For Kids

Posted: November 19, 2011 at 10:56 am

Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about tips for baby feeding magic. What if you let baby choose what’s for dinner? Check out their cute "Quest for Yum!" video and see what happens! As parents, we want the best for our children. We help them to feel loved. We strive to teach them […]

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Announcement

Posted: November 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Hey, everyone! I wanted to pop in and say I am working on some new and exciting changes.  As a result,I may not be posting as much during the coming week.  Please stay tuned for the big announcement! Love you all! And still feel free to find me on Twitter and Facebook for the time […]

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Where The Change Happens

Posted: November 16, 2011 at 7:54 am

It’s kind of funny. I become a certified personal trainer and the first workouts I turn to this week come from someone else. The book came in for me at the library last week and, after flipping through it, I couldn’t wait to give the circuits a go. Making The Cut includes a lot of […]

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From Beginning To End

Posted: November 15, 2011 at 11:53 am

Good morning! First off, thanks for the many congrats yesterday. Love you all bunches for the tons of support you have given me in so many things this year. I hope I can return a little bit of that love through this here blog as well. So yesterday I had my first parent-teacher “conference” for […]

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