10 whole years
10 years ago, I hit “publish” on my very first blog post. I had no idea what I was doing, as technology has never been my friend. I sat there on the couch in pajamas, in our first real apartment, hoping that maybe this little project would connect me to people who shared similar interests. We were in a new town (Valdosta!), I hadn’t met many friends in the area, and was working as a personal trainer. When quite a few online purchases arrived on the doorstep, the Pilot urged me to do ANYTHING besides online shopping. He said, “Get a hobby.” haha. I had recently fallen in love with reading blogs, so I figured I’d give it a whirl.
I chipped at the blog a little bit each day, and somehow, here we are. A whole decade later!
Since my very first blog post, too much has happened to recap in less than 3,000 words.
But, here are some of the most notable moments:
-the Pilot deployed, and deployed again
-I met some incredible military wife friends
-We moved to Tucson, bought our first house, and Livi was born
-We traveled to some incredible places
-We hosted quite a few parties 😉
-I expanded my teaching horizons
-and created some pretty fun projects (+ a book!)
-We moved back to Valdosta
In 10 years, our family changed from this this:
to this.
(+ the pups, of course!)
And during all of the moving and changes, this blog was one of the few constants in my life. (Bella was another significant one!)
What started as a fun little hobby turned into a serious blessing, and enabled me to make friends and connect with so many incredible people all over the world.
When I read your comments, I feel like I *know* so many of you. I recognize email addresses and first names instantly, and I consider you all my virtual BFFs. I’m so thankful to those of you who have checked out the blog, and the OG readers who have been here the whole time.
When I started the blog, I had zero expectations or official goals for the future. It’s something that enabled me to share fitness knowledge while getting glimpses into all of your personal stories. Within a couple of years, the blog became my full-time job, and I feel beyond thankful to be able to work while staying home with our babies. While a LOT has changed over the past decade, the core mission has remained the same: the share everything I know and learn about fitness, nutrition, and wellness, + chat and connect with all of you lovely people.
It’s been fun to see how the blog has changed and evolved over the years. I’ll continue to work on providing solid content for you, launching the podcast (stay tuned for that! It’s ready to roll!), and dive back into video (especially follow-along workouts) since we’ll be back in Tucson for a while. (<— more on all of that to come, since this post is beefy already.)
To celebrate my 10 year blogiversary, I want to give you some presents. We have fantastic giveaways from some of my very favorite companies on the way to surprise some lucky winners! Be sure to check back each day for the next 2 weeks to enter for some seriously sweet prizes from bose, Suja, Vital Proteins, LaCroix, Betsy’s Best, Four Sigmatic, and yours truly.
Thank you so much for reading and for being here! Here’s to 10 more. 😉
xo
Gina
Blast from the past: what’s your favorite blog post ever? Anything in particular you’d like to see?
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Happy anniversary! While I wasn’t reading in the beginning, I’ve been here a long time and you are a favorite! Thank you for sharing a piece of your self, family, fitness and everything else in between with us. You were the first one to introduce me to a burpee through a shape up. I absolutely love your shape ups and your videos. You feel like an old friend even though we’ve never met. . Congrats on all your hard work on the blog. Super excited for the podcast.
Congratulations! Your blog was definitely an inspiration for me to start my own back in the day 😀
Congratulations on 10 years! I cannot believe how time can fly. You have always had such a fun way of communicating and sharing your life. I look forward to reading and learning more as the blog continues!
i started following you around 5 yrs ago. i have enjoyed so many posts, but more than that, the metamorphosis of who you are continually becoming. watching you wrestle over motherhood, moving, body issues and even the focus of this blog has kept bringing me back. this blog is so different than the others bc you share yourself with us in such a balanced way. sometimes its thru how you planned a trip, or giving us workout ideas, breaking down about P’s reflux, explaining what Keto is and if its safe, exploring fashion as a mom, etc, etc. It is so many topics wrapped up and told beautifully by a beautiful and talented person. happy blog day!
I agree with this!
Congratulations!! I’ve loved reading over the years and love the way you’re always willing to try something new! It’s not my favorite blog post ever (too hard to pick!), but the first blog post of yours I remember reading was about gray slouchy boots from victoria’s secret. I think you returned them because they were too slouchy and one side slouched more than the other 😉 So happy for the changes in your life over the past 10 years!!
Congrats Gina!! You’re such a friendly, positive, real presence online, and it’s a pleasure to stop by each day and see what’s going on. Here’s to 10 more! 🙂
Thank YOU for writing a blog that gives me inspiration and brightens my day!
So glad you took up this little hobby, Gina! You should be proud of how far you’ve taken your blog. Well done!! I’m proud to be an OG reader 🙂
Congrats on 10!!! There isn’t a single blog post that stands out to me as a fav, but I look forward to all of your posts! Thankful for all your hard work and openness over the years!
I am So Grateful I stumbled on your blog masonry years ago while looking for fitness tips to help lose weight. But you have added much more than fitness to my life. I feel like we’re friends and I have learned so much from you – Just a few things I’ve learned from being here are:* It’s okay to be real and open about struggles, it will pass.* Find help of you need it- we all do.* Find joy in the journey of this ever changing life. Trust the process. Be positive. Be your best self -whatever that means for you ). Gina…You are beautiful in every way and I love being your “friend”. Thank you for putting soooo much into your blog. You’ve touched my life and I’m forever Thankful. Congratulations
Wow, so cool! I’m a recent follower but I love how informative your posts are and all the topics you cover! Can’t wait to check out your podcast and whatever else you come up with! 🙂
Congratulations and well done! I’ve been reading your blog for many years and I’ve enjoyed the journey. I can even remember lifting you all in prayer when P was a baby. I’ve streamlined my feed in an effort to reduce screen time, it can really be a time suck! Your blog however, has been a constant. Gina, the future holds many great things for you and your sweet family!
You guys have only gotten better looking with age!
Just started reading about a month ago and now I’m hooked especially on your Friday Faves. I’ve saved many of your older ones to read later!
Woah, 10 years, congratulations! 🙂 I’ve been reading for 5 or 6 years, though I lurked for a while before I started commenting. I found you through an old blog post that was titled something like “you know he’s deployed when…” (I think you may have archived it) back when I was dating a pilot who was deployed. We broke up but I’m really happy I found your blog! I have struggled with maintaining a fitness routine due to a shoulder injury I sustained in 2009 and I really appreciate how you encourage working within your limits and have shared your own experiences with health stuff and recovering and generally positive outlook. It has helped me a lot in being more kind to myself for what I can and can’t do. I had a second surgery on my shoulder back in February which addressed the injury but has a long healing time (no yoga for a year, wahhhh), your blog has been a nice reminder to just do what I can and then do more when that’s allowed. Thank you!
My favorite post was the boobies post 🙂 alsobyhe banana oatmeal pancake post! Boobies because – wow so life changing my honest and pancakes because – those pancakes changed my breakfast life !!! ????
Congrats on 10 years!! I started reading in grad school — 8 years ago — eek!! and have been reading since 🙂 I love your authenticity and variety of topics.
WOW …. Time is such a crazy thing. I’ve been reading for probably 7 or 8 years? Definitely since college and now I’m married with a baby! I was always so inspired by your posts about pregnancy and fitness and honoring where your body was at. I needed to hear that. I needed to learn that less is more so that I could get my fertility back and start a family. Cue all the emotions!
Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary! I’ve loved following you for many of those and look forward to many more. I love the recipes and fitness tips!
Jenn
My favorite post was the ‘what worked for me’ when you shared how you got pregnant. I read both versions too! I liked the honesty and the health aspects around fertility and family planning. I tried all those tips to get my little boy and trying them again in hopes for #2! I appreciate your blog and all the tips and recipes I’ve gotten over the years. And I just like following along with you and your family. Remember to save room for yourself as you get busier with the podcasts! I worry about you doing so much 🙂
Congrats on 10 whole years! I started reading your blog back in ’09 Glamour.com featured your breakfast cookie on their blog and have always adored your site. It’s the perfect mix of information and fun!
One time I won a giveaway for a video camera recorder, that was definitely a highlight 🙂
One of my favorite posts ever was when you and the Pilot were reunited after he was deployed. You made a sweet video with Michael Buble crooning in the background. I just remember thinking how happy you were and how in love the two of you looked.
I’ve also loved the girls birth stories and watching your family grow up.
Cheers to 10 years!
<3
that should read *back in 09 after Glamour.com featured..”
It’s been a long day 😉
I started reading when I moved to Texas, which will be 9 ago years in the fall! I remember playing catch-up and reading back to the beginning during my babies nap times. And that was on a real desk top computer and not a phone. How times have changed! Happy anniversary to you and your blog!
I’ve been a (mostly) silent follower of the blog for nearly 7 years, and just wanted to pop in to say congrats! Yours is one of the few blogs i’ve followed consistently and that’s a testament to your excellent content and relatability 🙂
Wow, congratulations, Gina! I’ve been reading your blog since 2010 and I rarely comment but I just had to say congrats and thanks for being such a role model! Your blogging style feels so honest and natural, and you are so genuine in all of your posts. I think that’s what makes you my absolute favorite blogger.
As a major flashback, I think I was reading your blog back in your Pei Wei-eating days—you may have used the term p wizzle! Haha!
Thank you for the time and effort that you put into this blog! I truly look forward to reading every single day and appreciate your openness and genuine attitude- you’re such an inspiration to so many!
Congratulations 🙂
I’ve been reading since you moved to Tucson – and reading this post and the memories made me reflect on so much as well (like reading about that move from my office job desk that I hated, and left since then). My most memorable moment is when you posted the receipt of the letters you purchased for Olivia’s room when you were keeping name a secret! I was worried and stressed for you as if you were a real life best friend !! Congrats on 10 years 🙂
Happy anniversary! Yours is the 1st blog I check every day. I’ve been reading since before you moved to Tucson pre-babies. I’d be really hard-pressed to name my fave post, but I love that you are so open & genuine & willing to share your life w/ us. I’ve loved watching the girls grow up. Your Livism posts are def some of my faves. <3
Congratulations on 10 years! I have been a reader for quite a few years now, and I have really enjoyed reading about all your adventures!
Cheers to another great 10 years!
I seriously can’t believe it’s been 10 years! I’m happy that the blog is still going strong!
Ten years!!!! That’s amazing. Congratulations. I found your blog through a friend. I had just recently found out I was pregnant and was feeling really sick. My friend recommended your blog as a way of getting healthy advice because you were also pregnant (with Liv) and were more on the holistic side which was what I was looking for and loved. I’ve been hooked ever since. I love all of your knowledge and just all the shenanigans. I love the recipes and workouts and mamma advice. And we share a passion for Italy. just all the things. Your blog has been my go to – Thanks for putting so much heart into your work, it has blessed my life. ??
Congrats on the 10 year blog anniversary!! I’ve been reading since 2009 when the breakfast cookie made daily appearances in Valdosta! Hard to believe that it’s been so long already! Time sure has flown by and I’ve loved following along your journey!
Congrats! My fav posts are the day in your life/vacation recaps/real-life/kid posts (mom confessions!) WIAW, Friday favs…
I remember Indian food Wednesday’s LOL. I’ve been meaning to try ever since! We have so many good Indian restaurants in Vancouver, but we are butter chicken & ahloo Gobi enthusiasts!
My kids are about a year behind yours, so I love seeing a glimpse into the future! We transition to Kindergarten in September
Some of my fave posts were your the candid ones after P’s birth – you shared a really private side of the crazy things you don’t think of happening during l&d and it made me feel not so alone! I also love the recipes – nearly all of them are wins for me! Congrats on 10 yrs!
I feel like I could be President of the Fitnessista Fan Club! You have inspired me so much for 10 years now – yep – follower from maybe 4-5 months after you started the blog. I love the way you share your life with all of us Gina, it’s honest, sweet, and so relatable. thank you for being so incredibly wonderful. Congratulations!!!
I have been following your blog for about four years now. Your balanced approach to nutrition and exercise; challenging yet attainable and sustainable is very much appreciated. New workouts, recipes, family life and fashion, I enjoy the variety in your posts. Congratulations on 10 years!
Congrats on 10 years!
10 yrs…woohoo! You & I have shared so many virtual glasses of bubbly…and I’m sending you another!
Congrats on 10 yrs of blogging, gifting people with awesome fitness workouts/ideas, kind words of encouragement, & providing many of your readers with the ability to disconnect from everything for a few moments each day as they enjoy your posts.
Get it girl!!!
Love you, Gina! And I’m so happy to see you are thriving and doing so well for so long in the blog world through so many changes in your life! You are such a sweet person and that totally comes through in your blog. You are one of the first bloggers I ever read, so I’m even more happy we’ve become friends IRL! See you soon, lady! 🙂
I came upon your blog in 2009, I think, Gina and you’ve been a huge motivator in the healthy living aspect of my life! So I can’t thank you enough for that. And I was so excited to run out and get your book when it first came out! You have a beautiful family now and I hope you keep blogging for another 10, 20, 30 years!!
Happy decade to your blog! That’s a major accomplishment! I’ve been here for probably 7 or 8 years… whoa, I didn’t realize that you’d been a part of my daily life for that long until I thought about it 😀 I don’t have one blog post that stands out, but you are truly one of my favorite blogs to read – the way you write makes me feel like we are sitting on the couch chatting, and you’ve found the perfect balance between life and fitness and food posts that always have me excited to read the next one! So, here is to 3,650 more days!
Congratulations on 10 years! I’ve loved following your blog over the years and have gotten so many great ideas and inspiration from you??????
Happy 10 years! I love this blog, and I love all the free content you offer.
I’m not sure I’ve ever told you but your blog was the first health blog I ever discovered and it inspired me to start my blog! I had a family/friends blog (teri-hutcheon.blogspot ha!) but started from scratch with A Foodie Stays Fit because I resonated with your content so much. I guess this THANK YOU is long overdue!!!! So grateful I found your blog and for your friendship throughout the years!! xo