My 7 Links
Morning friends! Hope you’re having a great day so far <3 Thank you so much for the kind words and congrats on our new home. Since it was a short sale, I’m still kinda shocked that it actually fell into place and worked out! I’m definitely excited to start putting it together and decorate 🙂
So there’s been a thing going around the blog world called “7 Links”. Many of my blog friends have already participated and I was so stoked when Gena and Julie “tagged” me to join in the fun.
1) Most Beautiful Post
It was one of my less-wordy posts, but many words weren’t necessary since I’m pretty sure you could feel my joy shooting through the screen. He was gone quite a lot last year before he deployed, so it was a lonely year for me, despite how busy I kept myself and having such amazing friends (virtual and physical) to support me while he was away. That first hug after such a long time apart is one of the best things ever.
We also had a lot of fun putting the video together to share with ya:
2) My Most Popular Post
I posted this one while we were on a little weekend getaway to Vegas to celebrate the good news 🙂 I had a feeling it would be an important post since it’s the biggest news I’ve ever shared on the blog, and as usual, you all were so wonderful and supportive about it. After announcing the news, I started my Family page to share our journey along the way 🙂
3) My Most Controversial Post
I don’t usually tend to stir the controversy pot very often on the blog, since I like to keep it a positive place. When I decided to post a Focus On post featuring the Tracy Anderson Method, I expect discussion to occur because let’s be real, she’s a little nutzo. There was an amazing discussion in the comments section on the blog, but I was surprised to read some readers’ responses to the post on outside message boards because they were disappointed I decided to feature it on my site.
The thing is, I want to post about as many different food and fitness options as possible so that you’ll have the information available to make to make the best decision for you, especially when they’re major trends (such as the Dukan Diet and Tracy Anderson). If I’m not too familiar with something, I’ll enlist the help of a friend to write the post who is either a certified instructor or a frequent class participant, since they’ll be able to provide the real deal. Of course, I’ll always give my two cents –you can read what I think about the Tracy Anderson method in this response– and if something is positively ridiculous and unsafe (like her diet suggestions!!!) I will clearly state so. I just like to provide as much info as possible and what works for me doesn’t always work for others, and vise versa.
4) My Most Helpful Post
I put my heart and soul into creating all of the workout plans on this little blog, but always hear the most amazing success stories and responses to the Summer Shape Up. At least twice a year (Winter Shape Up and Summer Shape Up), I post at least 4 weeks worth of full workout plans, meal suggestions and recipes to follow along if you’d like.
5) A Post Whose Success Surprised Me
When I posted the pic of my twisty bangs –usually rocked when my bangs are too long- quite a few readers left comments and emails asking how to do the twisty bangs. So I made a little video tutorial and loved getting twitter pics of fellow Fitnessistas rocking the twisty bangs 🙂 [Side note: if you ever want to see something on the blog, let me know!]
6) A Post I Didn’t Think Got the Attention it Deserved
I’m surprised more people haven’t made these.. because they’re scary good. I actually could go for one right about now 😉
7) The Post I’m Most Proud Of
I created this little gem shortly after starting the blog, three years ago. I was on a mission to create the *perfect* breakfast (with excellent nutritional stats and a balance of smart carbs, protein, good fat and staying power), and was so excited when it turned out and tasted amazing. Granted it’s not exactly a *cookie*, but it looks kind of like one (especially with chocolate chips) and is definitely something worth crawling out of bed for 🙂
In the spirit of the 7 links tradition, tagging 7 friends to join in the fun:
{Apologies if I’m tagging you and you posted this already! I’m kinda late to the party on this one and my brain is in the POD somewhere}
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awwww I really enjoyed reading your 7 links!! I re-watcher the video and cried once again!
Very fun to read about all this. I’ve read most of your posts that you highlighted, and now I am excited to check out those cookies.
Loved all the posts you mentioned!! Need to get working on 7 links myself! Congrats on the house…so super exciting!! 🙂
The baby post was a shoe-in . . . but you have so many excellent posts, I don’t know how you could choose. Maybe it’s easier for the blogger than the blog reader? Your new house is beautiful and the rooms look like they are nice and big with great windows for sunshine – I can’t wait to see how you decorate. Just don’t forget yourself and lift too heavy – if you’re anything like me, I think I am superwoman sometimes and forget my stature! You guys take care and enjoy that new house.
I have to say, that I love your Breakfast Cookie post — I eat them at least 1-2x per week and they are my pre-long-run fuel of choice. Jason loves them too!
I love your seven links especially the video!
I really like this 7 links thing, it’s so great to catch up on posts I’ve missed! It’s also interesting to see how bloggers view their posts.
I’ve been making the vegan chocolate chip cookies ever since I first saw the post. They are delicious!!
I love reading your old posts, and the deployment post gave me goosebumps just like when I first read it!
I really love your 7 links… my favorite was definitely when the pilot came home. I remember tearing up at work and then thinking to myself “get it together Leanne!”….what can I say, I love Love!
i love love, too 🙂
These were all wonderful posts. 🙂 Thanks for the journey back in time Gina! I remember tearing up when I read the one about the Pilot coming home <3
Oh Gina, I just can’t get enough of that video 🙂 – makes me sob every time. I simply can’t imagine being away from my husband for that long. <3!!!
Your pilot-comes-home video was probably one of the most beautiful videos i’ve ever seen – it made me cry!!! Great 7 links Gina. I’m actually going back to read the deployment post now!
going to make those cookies this week and I actually never had a breakfast cookie before. this will have to me remedied. 🙂
i 100 percent agree with your “most beautiful” post! LOVE.
<3
I agree your past about deployment and the video you two made was absolutley breathtaking!!!!!
thank you!
Thanks beautiful friend for tagging me !
I am so with you on the most beautiful post, that was the first post that popped in my head when I thought about the beautiful post for you, that video, is the BEST!!!
Most popular, ha! Love it! I thought maybe the amazeballs post would of won that ; )
Have a great day girl! I bet it feels good to be in your new house!!
xoxo <3
Love the posts! I really enjoy your blog and absolutely love the summer and winter shape-ups!
LOVED the twisty bangs. 🙂 I tried it and got many compliments. 🙂
that’s awesome!! people always comment on them and love them- it’s funny because i’m thinking to myself, ugh my hair is dirty and this is my way of hiding it haha
Aw, you got me again. That video totally had me spillin’ tears this morning.
After being a bit of a blog junkie, I have to say this is my very, very favorite blog…and your 7 links post helped me realize why. You don’t try too hard. You’re just you. And I absolutely love following along on your journey. Thanks for being “real”.
Congrats on the new place!
wow, that is such a beautiful compliment- thank you for reading and hanging out with me 🙂
I love reading your 7 links…I’ve been reading for a long time so I remember all these posts, but it’s awesome to look back on them! 🙂 xyx
You did it again! The video of the pilot coming home makes me cry, it can’t be helped.
I still love that video you and the pilot made. that was the first post I had ever seen of yours, and I’ve been a dedicated reader ever since. 🙂
I also re-watched the video and am currently drying the tears and sniffing away. 🙂 Absolutely beautiful.
I’m really liking these 7 links post, they’re fun! And you get to learn lots about the person who writes them…
Don’t worry!!! That chocolate chip cookie recipe gets PLENTY of attention in our household. They’re AMAZING! In fact, since we’re raw 99% of the time, it’s pretty much one of the three only recipe I’ve used when I bake for potlucks and stuff because it’s SO amazing.
aww i’m glad you like them! i need to break in my new oven and make a batch 🙂
I just made vegan chocolate chip cookies the other day from my Babycakes recipe book and they were soooo good! I’m going to attempt to make vegan/GF peanut butter cookies this weekend! We’ll see how that goes.
I love these 7 links and I love that I had already read all of them!
I love the video 🙂 great posts! I can definitely see how the TA post could be controversial.
i could definitely go for some of those cookies right now.. wow!
I would love to see more Family posts! Maybe a weekly belly shot? SO cute and exciting!
The deployment post and video still makes me cry!
Gina I love your linkbacks and thoughts.
I remember each and every post. Some of them like they were yesterday!
I remember the Tracy post, the controversy; the beauty of you seeing Pilot again after he came home…so beautiful! And I remember thinking when you posted about having a baby the weekend you went to Vegas…I remember thinking, wow, she just caused her iphone/email to be blowing up all weekend when she’s supposed to be off having a nice little getaway…haha 🙂
I just posted my 7 links today and was going to tag you but saw that Gena already did.
I loved doing my own links; it was a trip down memory lane and forced me to think about my posts, my past, and where I’ve come.
And I used to eat a breakfast cookie EVERY.DAY in about 2009 and 2010 🙂
xo
Yay! Congrats on the house. It looks B-E-A-UTIFUL! Also, I am loving these 7 links 🙂
Your breakfast cookie has become quite the popular recipe 😉 I’ve seen it on plenty of blogs all over the blog world!
I don’t know what I was expecting, but watching your homecoming video I totally forgot I was at work and was surprised when a co-worker approached my desk with concern asking why I was crying. Ha! So beautiful that you caught that moment on video. I’ve been reading your blog for a couple months now and your passion for life is incredible. Keep doing what you do and best wishes for a happy, healthy pregnancy.
aww!!! thank you 🙂
The deployment post was one of my favorites that you’ve ever written—I cried like a baby. And the breakfast cookie was how I actually FOUND your blog! It was highlighted on another website (Shape or Self? Maybe?). I’ve been a reader ever since : )
that is so awesome!!
Great post! I love going back and looking at some of the old posts that I’ve forgotten about….like I could forget about chocolate chip cookies 😉
Perfect choice for your most beautiful post! 😀
I’ve been reading your blog for 1.5 years now, and I still haven’t made your bfast cookie… oops! I have to get on that!
if you do try it, let me know what you think 🙂
I have been wondering for a while- when did you decide to go gluten-free and determine that was the right choice for you? I’ve tried searching your blog to see if you’ve posted this before but can’t seem to find it. I’ve considered going gluten-free, however it scares me that I will gain weight/become unhealthier because of all the ‘gluten-free’ (but really unhealthy) food products. Can you write about going gluten-free and who should do it? Thanks, love your blog!!!
here ya go:
http://fitnessista.com/2011/06/readers-request-gluten-freedom/
This made my eyes tear! LOL I guess the pilot coming home combined with the baby post- so much emotion there! I love your blog so much!
Great collection of great posts! I especially loved your post when the pilot came home.
me toooooo 🙂
Wonderful post! I noticed that you use a flip video camera? I’d like to maybe get my fiance a mini camcorder for his birthday coming up and was wondering how you like yours? Thanks!
LOVE the flip. they have it at costco now, too!
Gina, thank you for sharing such a well put post. I truly enjoy reading!
thank you! 🙂
Totally agree with your most beautiful post – it’s a tear jerker for sure.
And thank you for tagging me!! xoxo
I loved this post. So cool to go back and look at all you have been through, no?
I just took the first batch of “Toll who?” cookies out of the oven….ahhh-mazing! So happy you re-posted that link 🙂
Aw, my face is the color of your blog right now. 🙂 Thanks so much for the tag. With my delinquent blogging style, lately I feel like I wouldn’t have anything to contribute to a 7 Links post of my own, but maybe I should look at it another way and say Gina gave me a kick in the heiney to dig through some much older posts for hidden gems–always a good idea.
BTW I think you chose very well for your own links!
xo
What a fun post!! I never saw the video before of you and the hubby, so it was sweet to see 🙂
xxoo
Wonderful round up, of course! I actually just watched and loved Twisty Bangs.
congrats on the babe!!! anndddd I’m trying the vegan cookies today 🙂