I love Fit blog chats on Twitter…that’s no joke #fitblog. I’ve participated since the start because I love the community and finding others dealing with the same things. Commiserating on injuries, dealing with allergies, crazy work schedules and not being a morning exerciser no matter who says it’s best.
The chat on October 25th was full of questions I loved but my schedule didn’t give me a chance to participate. So here…a few weeks later…I’m answering the questions.
What the Blog Are We Doing?
Q1) If someone asks you WHY you blog (or read blogs) – what do you say? Share some of the positive things you get out of your hard work.
I blog as an outlet from my day-to-day life. My job is focused on others and my blog is a place to focus on me.
I love cooking and finding new things to eat, especially with my allergy limitations. And workouts are a blast but I’m more accountable to them when blogging. I read blogs for the same reasons.
Q2) What do you think non-bloggers should know about the good, bad and ugly of blogging? Would you encourage others to start?
The good: You’ll learn more about yourself and your passions when you put them to paper…uh screen. Also blogging is a great way to meet friends…some only a short distance away.
The bad: The Guilt. When I first started blogging I thought I had to be like “all the others.” Post 3 times a day, all my food and run large races. Then I realized there is so much more to blogging and even outside Healthy Living Blogs. Enjoying blogging for me involved working though guilt…and sometimes it still does.
The ugly: No one likes it but the jealousy and cliquey feeling is there. It’s like high school trying to find where you fit in and dealing with feelings when you aren’t the same as others or don’t feel welcomed into a group. It happens and it’s not fun…something to work around.
Q3) What has been the biggest surprise — positive or negative — about blogging (or reading blogs). How has it changed what you do or how you do it?
Having others read and enjoy what I write enough to share with others. I was talking with my friend the other day about how strange it is to write something and have people comment or share it. When Daiya posted my Vegan Crockpot Lasagna on their Facebook page or when I spoke people at Whole Foods for a response on the mislabeling of produce I was shocked.
This boosted my confidence and almost hurt my head when I jumped up and down. 
I realized blogging is for me but when I’m honest and me others enjoy it. I’ve become more “me” in real life, opening up instead of hiding in my shell.
Q4) Money aside (assume you could make full-time income), would you consider blogging full time? Why or why not?
NO! NO! NO! I love my job. I love working with my community, preaching the word of God and having my blog as something for fun. I left a good career as a teacher to go into ministry and don’t want to give that up.
Besides I already place enough stress on myself to create content, write well, take photos and participate in social media. I wouldn’t want the stress of having to be on all the time for a paycheck. But making a little bit of extra money on the side is nice. 
Check out #fitblog on Twitter Tuesdays at 9PM Eastern Standard Time.
It’s a fast ride of healthy living fun. I may even be the moderator. 
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I’ve been missing fitblog a lot because I have class on Tuesday nights (FOOEY!) … luckily I got on a day time chat last week because it was just the motivation I needed
Morgan @ Life After Bagels recently wrote about..The Bird Dude Named Brad
I hear ya Morgan. My work schedule has been crazy and I’ve still been working some nights at 9PM or spending time with Hunni.
I’m hoping to catch one or two but I probably be back after Christmas.
In planning blogger meetups, I struggle with managing those blog cliques. I wish people would bust out of their comfort zones and get to know others. Isn’t that the beautiful thing about us all being different – we can learn more along the way?
Alicia from Poise in Parma recently wrote about..coming clean: when anxiety & depression come back
The clique thing is hard because it’s part of life in general. I see it at work and at the gym and everywhere.
I don’t think it’s meant to exclude others usually but it is a comfort zone thing. People enjoy certain types of people. It’s hard to be the newbie but pushing forward to say HI (which I have a horrible time doing) is a great start.
Hey Cynthia, I “celebrated” my blog’s year anniversary this week and this post crystallizes a lot of my thoughts well. I was sort of surprised to feel similar feelings of rejection online as can happen in real life, which maybe shouldn’t have surprised me but it did. All you can do is keep on going and reaching out and see what happens, at least that’s what I tell myself.
I haven’t “been to” Fitblog in awhile. It’s so overwhelming to see the tweets fly by so fast!
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I’ve been missing all the #fitblog chats, but this one sounds like a great one!
Fit Chick in the City recently wrote about..Say it, Do it! {Building a New Routine}
I made this particular chat and was surprised that the vast majority of people said they would love to blog full time. I’m with you, though. Part of what makes blogging fun is that it is for fun.
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