I feel like I was healthier before I started blogging. There, I said it! Now I know you’re probably thinking I’m crazy so let me explain…
Here’s a typical (M-F) day in my life:
I’m sitting or moving minimally for 14.5 hours a day!! That’s 72 hours a week, not including the weekend and that’s insane. Most of my time spent sitting is work related because I’m at a desk, on my computer for 8 hours M-F. This is a big part of my sedentary lifestyle but it’s also the one I can’t really change. I do make an effort to utilize my stand up work station, stretch throughout the day and walk around the office. These are all great, but once 5:30 comes around and I’m home for the night that’s when blogging takes over and I’m sitting, staring at the computer screen for another few hours. And, let’s be honest, this is just one piece of the puzzle.
Being caught up in wanting to post more and have great ideas, recipes, tips etc can be overwhelming. Combined with work, my Institute for Integrative coursework, clients and trying to maintain a social life and healthy relationships with my loved ones, it’s all hard to juggle! And, it’s got me a little…well, frazzled.
Sometimes I feel like I’m the multi-tasking queen, but lately I’ve noticed that doing 10 things at once isn’t very effective. Everything is getting done, but I’m not putting myself into it 100% and it shows. Staying up until 1AM to work on the blog when I need to be up in the morning at 6:30 to meet a friend at the gym before work = not ideal. I’m sacrificing quality time with Isaac and I’m not getting enough sleep to be productive the next day. Eating lunch while reading blogs, writing blog posts, responding to emails and checking twitter = not ideal. I’m not focused on what I’m eating and in turn, I’m never really “full”.
Stress, lack of sleep and being sedentary are all activities that are pretty unhealthy. Not very healthy living of me, no? I’m starting to notice the toll it’s taking and I want to start to change things. Right now, I’m not sure what that means. I feel EBF is really taking off and thanks to you all, I had the most traffic I’ve ever experienced last month. Obviously, it’s not all about the traffic, it’s about me reaching more people and helping as many people as possible but it definitely fells good to be successful. With more traffic comes more obligations and most of the time I feel behind (hello.. where’s that yogurt making tutorial I promised 2 weeks ago and why did it take you 5 days to reply to an email) Of course, I don’t want the blog to be sacrificed but I also don’t want to sacrifice my health or personal relationships.
I didn’t know whether to bring it up on the blog, but I’m sure other bloggers/readers have been in my shoes and I wanted to bring the issue to light.
Blogging really is a second job for me – one I absolutely LOVE!! It’s also my creative outlet and a way for me to share the things I’m passionate about, connect with others who are also excited about healthy living and help/motivate those that are searching for ways to improve their health.
But how can I be advocate of healthy living if I’m not living it?
Okay so right now, I’m stepping off my soap-box, getting up from this chair and going to the gym….
Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section, are you a healthy living blogger that feels like your health gets sacrificed? Are you a reader who is struggling with self-care and making sure you’re nourishing your body? What methods do you use to keep yourself healthy and sane?
Brittany Mullins, HHC
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
You have to learn to walk and read blogs on a smart phone! It’s the secret to staying up to date
Problem #1 = I don’t have a smart phone.
My opinion is if your blog is a business, you need to invest in a smart phone
Then you can work (yes, blogging is work!) whereever you need to.
Ahhh, get a smart phone!!! You will be HOOKED from day 1
That’s the other issue, I’m not sure I want to be hooked and always connected. I’m quite certain I would love it, but I also think it will be distracting.
hahah I totally agree with this. I’d say 85% of my twitter activity happens when I’m walking from building to building at work!!
I have to agree with you. I feel like I’m always plugged in, whether it’s on my computer or phone, it’s bad. I always have the computer open and it definitely takes away from my time with my husband. I’m not that sedentary because I’m a teacher, so I’m always up and moving during the day, but I can relate.
I totally agree with you. I think one of the reasons I haven’t been blogging as much is because I have also been sitting down a lot less outside of work.
Another blogging friend of mine and I have also discussed how blogging can sometimes put pressure on us when it comes to food choices too. As in, we “have” to eat a “good looking” meal or try lots of new snacks and whatnot to keep things interesting or exciting. So it’s easy to get caught up in blogging sometimes, even though it is totally fun too.
I think that the way to look at it is not from a job point of view. I think, as with exercise, you should take rest days. You shouldn’t feel obliged to blog everyday.
Take the pressure out of blogging and just enjoy it.
I’m glad you wrote this post too. I am grateful and appreciative of finding the healthy living blogging community because it has exposed me to more ideas, interesting people, and new things to try. And a great new hobby of blogging. However, I have not written about how I have gained a few unwanted lbs since starting because of the new foods and recipes I try to keep showing new and pretty things coming from my kitchen. It’s obviously my fault for either lack of self control or eating too much of good things, but it comes from reading and trying new recipes. That’s the one part I’m trying to balance now.
I agree it’s a lot of sitting and takes a lot of time, and it’s always on my mind!
I feel the same way sometimes but then again I learn so much about health from blogging so it evens out
I think many of us can relate to this. There are many positives to the screen time I spend blogging- like finding people with similar interests, being inspired in the kitchen, and spending way less time Facebook stalking- but there’s also a large about of pressure to keep up with every facet of blogging, like commenting, tweeting, etc. I’ve found that by cutting down on commenting I’m spending WAY less time on blogging. And in a weird way, posting 3x instead of 1x per day has helped as well…it’s more individual time blocks to carve out, but each post takes about 15 min, rather than the 1.5 hours I used to take writing one post. I’ve also started to remind myself that no one eats a beautiful meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner- being real and sharing more of my personality is always more interesting than food, anyway
What a great post. Thank you for sharing.
I feel a little overwhelmed too! I don’t have a smart phone either. I think for me it’s limiting the number of posts I put up and limiting how often I comment on other blogs – sadly!
I was thinking maybe I should get one of those machines/software that records your voice and types! My coworker has one and I don’t know how much they cost…. but then I could be doing chores or something and just speak my blog post! WOW.
Also, if you are doing chores in the evening that should count as physical activity. I don’t think it’s just the blog that hurts — it’s have a desk job — which I do too. If you were on your feet for 8 hours a day you would not feel so guilty about blogging.
Funny, I have been working on a similar post for my blog. It’s going to go up next week. It’s entitled “At the EXPENSE of Something Else” – wish I knew the answer, I think it’s a constant juggling act. . . although the things I’m trying to juggle are a little different than yours, it’s all about finding balance in life and it IS hard!
I hear ya!!! I felt the exact same way, which is why I had to cut blogging out of my life.
Not that I don’t still read them, though! It’s a really tough position to be in, and I hope you’re able to work it out!
This is one of the many reasons I enjoy both your blog & you as a person. You are honest, real & very much in tune with the idea that “healthy living” is so much more than working out & what you eat. The fact that you can identify that you are losing quality time with people and your own “me time” , shows your true self – which is a wonderful thing.
I love your blog, but would encourage you to do whatever feeds your soul more. So if that means blogging a little less, than so be it. I can only speak for myself, but no matter how little or much you blog, I will read. I believe some people can get so caught up in blogging, it is easy to forget their is a whole world of “stuff n’ things” out there to experience.
Take good care of yourself!!!!
I am so thankful for the past few months I’ve had off of work because it allowed me to learn the in’s and out’s of blogging, but I know with starting a new job that things will have to change. I’m just trying to keep in mind the reasons that I started the blog in the first place and that it will have to find it’s place in a “new” balanced life as my schedule gets flipped on its head
This is a tough one–obviously most of our country struggles with it! I’m really working on NOT multi-tasking as I’m realizing just how hard it’s become for me to focus deeply on any one thing. I’m starting small–stop checking email/Blackberry for 20 minutes at a time, etc. Good luck!
First off, I loved bumping into you yesterday
with your lovely voice calling my name!
Anyway, you bring up an interesting point here. I noticed how many hours sitting behind a computer was taking away from my day for awhile. But it really hit my when my laptop broke and I didn’t have a computer for about three months. Well, now I spend my time differently. At the end of the day, what matters to you most will prevail. It’s not to say that whatever you spend less time doing doesn’t have a value, and with certain things you can’t worry too much about what others may say. Take each day as it comes <3
XOXO
I definitely feel like I sometimes half-ass things because I’m focused on my blog. I spend lots of time sitting reading blogs or writing posts, when I could be doing something more active. But I think the blog does make me more creative with healthy food and more dedicated to workouts, so it’s good in that sense.
Also, could you give an update on your IIN classes? I’m super interested in enrolling but would like to hear how it is first hand!
I need to put a timer up on my computer that will go off every 15 minutes signaling me to get up and do something else! I absolutely sit too much due to blogging, something I need to work on.
I think a lot of bloggers can relate to this. I know I personally think about blogs and blogging a lot and even just thinking about it can take up so much time! I have to consciously remind myself though that I enjoy it as a hobby now. It’s not my career. When it starts to feel more like work or something I HAVE to do, I know I need to take a step back. Health is all about balance and moderation anyway, right?
Totally agree. Being active outside of gym time is important too, but it’s hard with classes and homework all day. I try to walk to all my classes and the gym instead of taking the easy way – the bus. It takes longer, but I’m staying active and it feels awesome, especially if it’s a nice day out.
this is a really interesting post. I’ve often thought about this, but never charted out my day like you have. I try to be active as much as possible, but my day looks very similar to yours! I wish I had a stand up work space like you do, but it’s not possible at my office. I don’t think it’s hypocritical to be a healthy lifestyle blogger while following a schedule like this because you do take steps to live healthfully. The ugly truth is, even with so many sedentary hours, it’s still less than many people and you work hard to eat healthfully, too.
I totally understand and I think so many others can relate. Having a full time job and blogging on the side is much work. I often feel like there is SOOO much I want to do with my blog and so much more time I would like to invest into it, but I just don’t have the time. I really only have an hour-two hour window each night. If I didn’t work full time, it would be different but I make do with what I can. It works!
I know we’ve chatted a lot about this and it makes me happy to see you writing about it so candidly. Your last line, “But how can I be advocate of healthy living if I’m not living it?” is spot on – and I think it really comes down to whether you want it to be a blog you treat as a second “business” (like Kath says) or it’s more of something you do for pleasure. Whatever you ultimately decide, taking the time to think about things like this is just one of the reasons why I love ya.
Jenn, I completely agree. I need to decide whether this is a hobby or a business. Right now, it’s somewhere in between.
“Of course, I don’t want the blog to be sacrificed but I also don’t want to sacrifice my health or personal relationships.”
That pretty much says it all and it’s what I think the majority of bloggers struggle with…we want our blogs to be successful but not at the expense of our personal lives. It’s finding the balance.
Some days/weeks I am way better at this, and other times, the blog takes over. And not that I don’t love it…I do! But I feel like, will I look back in 10 years and remember writing that one post? No! Would i have remembered doing something “real” in my real life more so? Possibly. It’s just hard to find the balance but thank you for blogging about it!
This is a very good point. I think the real question is would you want your readers to be sitting and reading a new blog post everyday or out doing something else? I think blogs who post daily are a bit much, not only is it hard to keep up, but in a way they encourage people to be sitting on the internet. I think quality posts versus quantity are much more appreciated, at least in my opinion.
I know what you mean! I’m a knit blogger and knitwear designer, so I sit and knit a lot. I sit and blog a lot! My business depends on me sitting a lot! I just make myself be active where I can, like a lot of people need to do that sit at work all day.
And yes, I have a smart phone, but I’d still be sitting somewhere and blogging from my smart phone. It’s not like I can run and blog! Or run and knit for that matter.
You do what you love and you have to find time to still be active. Everyone makes the choice to be active whether they sit for their job or not.
i am right there with you lady! it doesn’t help that i live in a very small town so there’s not much to do and I spend too much time on the couch reading blogs as the alternate activity.
Most of my time is spent reading blogs and not so much maintaining my blog (oops) so i’m trying to step away from that and encourage myself to go outside every once in a while!
mmm hmm. i understand.i don’t even blog often, maybe 2-3 x a week..and it’s taking a toll. it’s crazy. i feel like if i only post…i’m not learning and looking at friends blogs..if i’m not posting i’m not expressing myself. and right now i’m SITTING more..like i was when i was doing my homework and at SCHOOL ALL day long. i think i should not blog as much.
Hey, great discussion. My two cents is. . . we’re all doing this for different reasons. Think about why you started EBF in the first place. Are you achieving the objectives you set out to, and have your goals changed? What are you willing to sacrifice to meet those goals, and what do you refuse to give up for the sake of EBF?
It all can be a little overwhelming and I recently took a break from blogging and it really helped me recharge and refocus. Hope you figure it all out soon so you can start living YOUR life in the healthiest and happiest way possible for YOU.
I read your blog daily as well as about 15 others and I have to admit what keeps me coming back are those that post at least 5 times a week. If you go to less, I sadly may switch my favorites. I am not being mean, I think your blog is fantastic, I just like blogs to look forward to everyday and you are one of the best out there. Please don’t reduce your posts!
This is something Chrissy and I have struggled with too. It’s really unfortunate that we can’t make a good living JUST blogging. It’s so much more fun than our 8-5 jobs! And our pictures would be so much prettier in natural lighting but the sun is already down after we get back from work. Sitting too much is also an issue, but think of the time you spend standing in the kitchen cooking before you blog as a work out too
At least that’s how I try and justify it!
Britt, I completely relate. I feel like ever free moment is devoted to reading blogs, writing posts, working on my site, etc. It’s hard for me to read blogs of people who don’t work an office 9-5 (even though their jobs are still important!) because they have much more intermittent free time than I do. I can’t take a gym class at 10am. I can’t go for a hike at noon. I leave the house at 7:45 am and don’t get home until 7:15pm after work and gym. Steve has brought it up before that I’m stretched too thin and don’t spend enough time with him and that makes me sad. I don’t really have any insight for you, but I just thought I would share that I’m in the same boat!!!!
Hi! I wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your blog. In fact, you are the only blog I follow on my yahoo home page. I’ve read others; but signed up for yours since you keep it real and are not at all pretentious. I don’t know how to solve your dilemma about your blog making you unhealthy. I think everyone struggles with trying to “fit it all in” and “being the best they can be” and having a well-balanced life. I know I do! One thing I do sometimes is set my timer for how long I want to spend on a project-whether it be cleaning, computer time, studying, etc. I get as much done as I can in that amount of time and then call it quits. It helps me remember that there’s more to life than the task at hand. Good luck! Beth
Beth, thank you so much for your comment and for the tip about using a timer. I’ve definitely thought about doing that before but haven’t actually tried it yet!
My mother and I were just talking about how important it is to stay mobile during the day, even when we exercise in the morning or night! I stay active by ensuring that I get some form of movement (even if it is just a walk around the office) every hour. When it gets warmer, I’ll start taking a small walk at lunchtime – just to get the blood flowing!
1) If EBF is taking off, make plans to leave your sedantery job and make the blog part of your new career. Wish I knew how to implement that advice myself.
2) I’m writing a similar post titled My Blog is Making Me Fat. To hustle is to embrace dysfunction (for a time).
3) I’m writing this on my new iPhone while laying on my toddler’s floor, waiting for him to fall asleep.
Oh, honey…I think we all struggle with finding a healthy balance, so you’re not alone. I know for myself, writing out a daily to-do list helps a lot, and I also schedule in down time. For example, I write several posts for the week ahead on Sunday — I don’t post on Sunday but I use that time to get ahead.
Great idea to write some posts ahead of time. I think I might try that!
thankyou for this post, I FEEL THE SAME WAY! My little blog has taken a beating lately while i sort my life out and i feel bad for not being 100% true to it, although i blog everyday i am unable to commit what i would like to it. I also struggle to make time to read and comment on others,
for me its priotities thatt have to take place, my blog is high up there but not before my studies and definately not before my friendship and family lives.
YOU ARE A PERSON FIRST, A BLOGGER SECOND
XOXO
i totally agree with you.. i find that for me.. its hard to balance my life with blogging.. i mean. i would much rather blog than do schoolwork right? ahha. so i almost feel like blogging becomes like schoolwork and i NEED to get it done.. like each day is a deadline
I agree with kath you need a smart phone! Not that my blog is big or read even 1/100th as much as yours but I do most of my posts right on my iPhone! It allows ms to add a photo and some text. Maybe if you were doing that you could do a few short posts throughout the day (even from the gym?) idk I just would hate to see you be stressed
As a fellow health coach, I can definitely relate. I started to find myself attached to my computer for hours in the evenings, trying to cram in blogging while responding to client emails and planning sessions and group programs. I thought I was being a good multitasker, but then suddenly it would be time for bed and I’d feel like I hadn’t accomplished anything. Frustrating! At the same time, I’d be agreeing to snuggle in for a movie with my boyfriend…with my computer on my lap. It drove him crazy.
I finally realized (through working with a peer health coach, actually) that I wasn’t happy with how I was managing my time, and that I felt that all of my evenings were wasted since I didn’t get as much work done as I wanted AND I didn’t get quality time with loved ones in.
So, that rambling is really just to say that yes, I can relate! I made the decision to prioritize a bit better. Some nights I pick a project and settle in to work on it, and other nights I realize that a couple of hours of bad TV with the boyfriend is really what will make me feel most happy and fulfilled. Good luck figuring out what balance works best for you!
Small steps (literally steps), and we have talked about this at the office, let’s get a group (if only you and me) to do a power walk for 30 minutes sometime during our work day.
I know that it will be difficult for me to keep up with your normal walking pace, but I am game to try.
Steve
This is something I’ve been struggling with as well, and I’m very new to the blogging world. I think it’s great and very important that you brought it up! Food bloggers who work full-time have the time to post 2-3x per day, but I just can’t even fathom how some of these ladies do that on TOP of a full-time job!
I’ll admit that there are days when I have a sub-par post because instead of staring at a computer screen after doing it all day at work, I want to spend my time at home relaxing or doing something active/fun. Sometimes I feel like between work, preparing healthy meals, the gym, friends and sleep, my life is on autopilot.
Wish we could figure out a way to have it all AND have the time to enjoy it all
i totally know what you mean! there are nights when i sit and work on my blog for hours…now that the weather is getting nicer i’m going to make it a priority to get up and MOVE…i still come before the blog!
I can relate…I think so many of us can! I know that as much as I love my blog, I’ve cut back on how much time I spend on it each week. I’m working two jobs, going to school full time, and trying to deepen my relationship with so many people. However, I do think that you set a good example for many of us out here. You go the gym, which is something that many people don’t do. Getting daily exercise is important, and you don’t need to feel like you need to be running around 8 hours everyday (which isn’t healthy either). I would try cutting back on posts…maybe just cut back one or two a week…and don’t feel obligated to comment on everyone’s blogs. You will grow crazy doing that! But thank you for sharing so openly sweet woman. Your words and lifestyle do inspire many!
I feel the same way sometimes! I LOVE it, but at the same time, I DON’T always want to be connected. I want time at night to read a book or practice piano or listen to music and not have a computer on.
I don’t have a smart phone and, while I think I would love it, I KNOW I would be even more connected and I’m not sure if I want that distraction all the time.
It’s nice to know that you’re not the only one that feels this way
My post I have scheduled for today is about the same thing. I have been feeling so frazzled with it lately too. I have to bring it back in perspective.
I’m so glad you brought this up. After sharing healthy food/exercise/etc tips with family and friends I decided to start a blog. I’m very new to it, but I’ve realized that it does require me to sit at the computer longer than I normally would. My day looks a lot like yours (almost identical, except I get up at 5:30am and go to sleep around 10pm) and I sit at a computer almost all day for my job. My new solution has just been a strict cutoff time. I finish my post first, then use any extra time to peruse around the web. I’m hoping this takes care of the problem for me, but I totally understand where you’re coming from.
I feel like everyone can relate to this! I’ve been trying to just close my computer and take a break more often lately. All the NOISE… twitter, blogs, facebook, emails, GAH!!! just gets to me sometimes and I need to disconnect. I have a smart phone, but sometimes it’s a bit much and I have to ignore that, too. I think not always being connected is a good thing
Like Katy said above, taking a day (or both days) off on the weekend and writing posts ahead of time for the week helps, too.
xo
I have the same issue, but am also taking on grad school and fitness instructing =/ it’s overwhelming, but I LOVE my blog and feel like it’s something that really makes me HAPPY!
It’s reassuring to hear that so many other people share the same issue, though. Thanks for writing this!
I can totally relate. I think there is this constant battle that goes on between doing something that you are passionate about and trying to figure out how to balance that with everything else in your life. I have 3 little ones and they are the priority during the day so I blog when they are sleeping. It would be pointless for me to write at night because I am so exhausted so I wake up before my kids in the morning to write. That is when it is quiet and I am more creative. I really like the suggestion above to do some blog posts ahead of time so that you don’t feel like you have to create a new post every day. Thanks for bringing this up!