Food/fitness blogs: Pressure or Motivation??
Hey everyone! Hope you’re having a great day 😀
I wanted to take a second and discuss something I’ve been thinking about for a while, and something I’ve been pondering even more since I read Jenna’s amazing post on one comparing themselves to food/fitness blogs.
If I rewound back a handful of years, I could see myself feeling so pressured and inadequate from reading food/fitness blogs. I would feel like I didn’t eat healthy enough, work out enough, run fast enough, and would probably get myself down. Before my weight loss success, I didn’t know what a flax seed was, how far a 10k was, or about the glory of almond butter. I could also see myself diving headfirst to replicate everything I saw in the blog world, and being horribly disappointed when I didn’t succeed.
Everything I know now is a huge work in process and even though I’ve become much more educated about fitness and nutrition, I still have eons more to learn. Now, I’m able to look at food/fitness blogs for motivation, ideas, and ways to improve my fitness and quality of life. When I get to the gym, sometimes just thinking about how a certain blogger might tackle their workout is enough for me to pick up the weights or press start on the treadmill, or thinking about grabbing something quick to eat may be squandered by the thought that a healthy food blogger is out there making a scrumptious homemade dinner. A big blog motivation for me was running my first half marathon (and blowing my goal time into the dust)- a feat that I’m pretty sure wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t read food blogs and know that there are girls out there, my same age and fitness level, beating goals like that all the time.
I think the most important thing to remember if you’re just getting into changing up your eating habits or starting a fitness regimen is that you need to take baby steps. Diving into anything headfirst is a surefire way to get burned out. There’s no reason to start running 20+ miles a week if you haven’t done that before, eat mostly raw if you’re body isn’t used to it, or make any drastic change without easing into the process. When I first meet with new clients, we have a plan on changes they can make each week to become healthier. For example, one client’s goal might be to not eat fried food or drink soda for one week, add in fruits and veggies one week, walk 2 miles every day the next week, change white bread to wheat, etc.
So my question is, what do you think? Do you feel food/fitness blogs cause pressure, or spark motivation? Or a mix of the two?? I can definitely see how it could be both.
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I’ve been reading your blog for a while, but I think this is the first time I’m commenting on it! I read Jenna’s post too and that it was outstanding. I’d been feeling the same way which I said on my blog, and I had to do soul searching. Thanks for posting this!
I think it helps, not hurts. I have been getting healthier food and better food options after adding your and Jenna’s blog to my favorites toolbar. I got nutrional yeast for my popcorn, I got the Vega Infusion mix and I love reading and trying to improve based on what others (you both) are doing – it is like a free version of Health Magazine! You both suggest things I didn’t know about and I am glad I try them b/c I always enjoy them. I feel so much better. I have lost about 13 lbs since I started healthy eating, reading and workouts…I love reading all the blogs out there. I’m actually jealous of all the samples you bloggers get! I might have to start my own! I have also started to consider a Nutritional/Training edu program…what are your thoughts on that? I am happiest eating, preparing food and working out- might as well make it a living right? 😉 Enjoy your day~
i say go for it!
and i’m so happy to hear that you’ve learned so much from the blog world 😀
I’m in the same boat as Lauren. I have been reading your blog for quite some time, including many others and they have really given me the push I needed to be healthy and be accountable for everything that I put in my body. Granted, not everyday is the same and some days I feel I do let myself down as a fitness/health blog reader. For the sake of accountability, I started a blog of my own but can never get around to posting in it. I do agree that while some healthy living blogs can be intimidating, they definetely make you think more and look inward and for that I am forever grateful to all your daily posts!
I am so jealous of you being at 105 Degree. I look forward to reading your posts every chance I get. Do you know if they will be releasing any of the recipes in a book? Actually when are you going to write a book so that we can get your macaroon recipe? Even though you are several years younger than I am and in much better shape, I am still motivated to try harder at eating better and going to the gym. Keep up the good work. I love reading your blog!
I think blogs are both pressure and motivation. Sometimes when I’m reading people’s blogs and I see them running 10 or 12 miles, I feel like I should be able to do that too. But then of course, I have to take a step back to reality and remember that those people are training for marathons and live different lifestyles than I do! A lot of times too I’ll see others eating so healthy while I just had 3 cookies in the span of 5 minutes. I think it’s all about finding the perfect balance– seeing what other people do and using their meals and workouts to inspire yourself to live a better and healthier lifestyle, but for YOU. I’ve come across so many amazing food ideas from blogging and have gotten to meet so many amazing people! It’s all about finding what works for you.. not everyone is the same!
I really think it is a combination of mostly helping me with just a tinge of hurting me. I feel inspired to eat healthier meals and to push through my exercise struggles because I see others doing the same. I get new great meal ideas and I get to see positivity and sisterhood on a daily basis. These are all ways food/fitness blogs help me. The only way they hurt me is because blogs can make me feel really guilty about little unhealthy habits like the fact I drink Diet Coke a couple times a week. I have a tendency to forget that bloggers aren’t perfect and I have no reason to feel THAT guilty.
deirdre,
there are MUCH worse things you could put into your body than diet coke. and you’re totally right, no one is perfect!
I completely feel informed and inspired by your blog and the other food/fitness blogs that I read. I constantly learn new facts about fitness, find new exercises to try and learn about food choices and preparations. I had my first two “green monster” smoothies yesterday and today. I would have NEVER tried a blender full of almond milk and kale if it wasn’t for food/fitness bloggers! :-0 Keep up the great work. It is truly helping me to be the best I can be!
I def think that blog reading motivates and inspires me. I’ve learned about scads of new products that I wouldn’t normally have tried and found some pretty great recipes and workouts. I do on occasion have to give myself the gentle reminder that I’m 35, not 25 and have a family so I can’t usually just get up and do/cook what I want. It’s just where I’m at in life compared to some of the blogs that I read…
Reading healthy living blogs has changed my life! They are purely inspirational. Getting over comparing yourself to others is something that comes with maturity.
i totally agree.. it comes with being more comfortable in your own skin- something that took me a long time to develop
For me, reading blogs is motivational and inspiring. But I keep in mind my current fitness level, and time + money that I have a available.
I can definitely see where the pressure would come from for people to eat better, run faster/longer/harder etc. I think we all need to listen to our own needs and bodies and do what works best for us! And I totally agree with you that baby steps are the way to go!
I look to fitness/food blogs for inspiration and ideas but I also just like to read them because I feel like I “belong”. I have become incredibly passionate about food and healthy living and it’s nice to read other people’s passion as well!
Great post and inspiration Gina!
I feel that blogs have helped me have better eating habits. I don’t feel any pressure about that, just when I wouldn’t eat better, nothing to do with blogs though. I love the inspiration and examples that they set. Plus your’s has helped me and hubby get back to doing more raw..so thank you for that!
I think it depends on where you are in your life. I can easily see my younger self feeling the pressure to do it. But, currently, the blogs have helped me develop a more fluid thought process about health and fitness. I love getting new food ideas or recipes to try out. I’m really intrigued by eating raw. How did you get started eating raw and what are some easy ways for me to incorporate eating raw more into my diet?
I love your posts from school:) Everything looks so yummy!
hey mary,
i got started in the raw world about a year and a half ago. my friend megan introduced me and every week i tried a new raw meal (great recipe books are the raw food detox diet, everyday raw and ani’s raw food kitchen). slowly, i added more raw meals into my life (once a day and then up to eating raw until dinner and then eating 100% raw while i’m at school), and it made it much easier on my body. if you go raw too quickly the detox effect can be intense and will most likely make you sick, so the best advice is to take it very slowly. try adding one raw meal or snack into your everyday life and see what you think 😀
I can see why some people who feel pressure but I am a people watcher and I love to see what others are doing. I know I am not perfect but I try to do what is best for ME! I feel inspired to try new dishes by reading blogs but I am pretty good about doing my cardio and lifting weights so I stick with that.
i’m a total people watcher too 😀
Definitely a mix of the two. When I read certain blogs it can either make me feel incredibly motivated, or it can make me feel like I’m lacking in either the exercise or food department. No matter how many times food and fitness bloggers reiterate the fact that they are normal people, who make mistakes and indulge every once in a while it still seems like they do everything almost perfectly compared to my daily life.
However, I do love reading these blogs for more than just fitness and food. You girls are great writers, with fun lives and interesting topics!
I think it depends on where you’re at, personally, in terms of healthy living and eating. I didn’t discover the world of food blogs until a few months ago. And, at that point, I’d already developed my own passions and habits for healthy eating. Food blogs stimulated and fed into my curiosity about food and wellness. I’ve learned a lot and been inspired to try new things–but I never felt any pressure to replicate someone else’s healthy living patterns. I’m definitely a work-in-progress. On my blog, I reveal all facets of my eats, the unhealthy stuff highlighted just as much as my standard whole foods eating, because I don’t want anyone to become disillusioned about my approach to healthy eating.
jenna’s post was really great!
i agree with her to do something you love and not to jump into things head first at 100% because you will defs get burnt! it really does take lots of baby steps!
great post as well gina 🙂
jenna
I def think it’s a mix of both, and many other things. I sometimes feel pressure about the things I eat and think since I’m recovering from an eating disorder and that many things i say would make me look like a hypocrite. but i love writing about this stuff, so i try to make it balance out!
i would never think you’re a hypocrite. i think the fact that you overcame your sickness and can live such a healthy lifestyle now is freaking amazing, and i adore you to pieces 😀
How food & fitness blogs effect someone, really comes down to the person. I see such blogs as another way to learn. I know that everything someone does or eats, is not for me, but very much works for them. We all are different in what we need, how we thrive (both body, mind and spiritually)and what works best for us.
I must say, as a super duper new blogger, I have found that I am ALWAYS comparing myself with others. Even before I start documenting my meals etc, I always thought wow, my food doesn’t look as good as ____. Or man, I wish I could run as far as _____. Honestly though, I do find that blogging gives me motivation to become more creative in my cooking and to really sit back and think about what I am putting in my body! I know where Jenna is coming from, but I hope both her and you keep up the excellent work 🙂
I get motivation from reading health blogs. They never make me discouraged because I know the full potential my body can handle at the moment. I think it so exciting to read about people experiences on running and doing marathons. That inspires me to do that one day and to make my own goals. Like you said it all about baby steps and I’ve already done that with running. I jog lightly to build up my endurance. There no way I can run a fast pace and not getting tired!
As for food, I always get bored of what I’m eating so to find new ideas to make in the kitchen is always exciting. In just a month I’ve learned so much from your blog and other health blogs by incorporating more veggies even if they aren’t fully raw and building up my running endurance. Thank you!
hey fallon,
that’s so good to hear! and you’re right, you’ve gotta start somewhere. it’s all downhill from here 😀
I’ve been lurking on your blog for a few months now. I also read about 5 or 6 other food/fitness blogs and I love all of you! I think it’s motivation for sure! In the last 6 months I’ve lost about 35lbs and have another 25 or so to go until I reach my goal. I feel amazing! These blogs help me keep motivated, give me new food ideas and I love reading about your healthy lifestyle because I really believe it isn’t a “diet” it is a lifestyle change and it’s great to see you living it. I don’t find the amount of running or exercising that you guys all do pressures me either. I do my 30 minutes a day walking/jogging on the treadmill and I do ball and weight exercises and I really love the fresh exercise ideas you have on your blog as well 🙂 I look forward to reading you everyday!
wow thank you so much! i love having you here 😀
Wow great post. Real food for though (excuse the pun!). I’ve mainly found blogs inspiring, and there are foods I would not have in my daily eats if it wasn’t for the blogs I read introducing them to me. I can see the point about how they can put on pressure – I guess I’ve felt that before, perhaps if I’m not feeling the gym, or I’ve pigged out a bit at a weekend, but its a good pressure as it usually motivates me to kick my own butt and sort it out!
I think blogs have a lot to do with my losing 14lb (and maintaining so far!) and that can only be a good thing?
edna,
that’s awesome! loved the pun too 😀
I think they’re mostly motivating….but there is a little pressure mixed in there, especially when I see someone write something like, “I ran today and my pace per mile was only 9 minutes a mile, I am so slow, etc” and I’m thinking that sounds pretty good! LOL
i think it’s a mix of both! and i believe that it can be both good and bad just as you had described it…but for me it’s mostly motivation and new ideas!
thanks for posting this!
AWESOME POST!
I really think food/fitness/healthy lifestyle blogs are what you make them.
For example, when I’m feeling down on myself and I start playing the comparing game, then blogs become a source of pressure. But if I’m in a good place with myself, feeling healthy and strong, then they are an amazing source of motivation! Not to mention that the food blog world is SO supportive of one another! Sometimes I can just feel the positivity flowing through the internet and I love it.
So my question is, what do you think? Do you feel food/fitness blogs cause pressure, or spark motivation? Or a mix of the two?? I can definitely see how it could be both.
I think that it really depends what kind of person you are. I’m sure some people would see a certain blog post as motivational while another person might feel pressured by it.
For me, it’s a mix of the two. Generally I am inspired and motivated by reading food/fitness blogs. However, sometimes, I will look at someones exercise routine or eats for the day and feel inadequate. But sometimes you can’t help it! You just have to remember that everyone is different and what works for some people doesn’t work for others.
And if you see someone in the blogworld has just posted that they ran 20 miles… well why not, instead of feeling inadequate, lace up those sneakers and hit the pavement even if you only go for 2 miles.
That person who just ran 20 miles had to start somewhere.
can i get an amen?? 😀
I am a big fan of your blog but other food.fitness blogs as well. I know that I am in no way near the level that you all are at but it is so motivating and inspiring to me read and follow along. I am inspired everyday to push myself and try something new. From the recipes to the workouts I am, in baby steps, on my way to a better lifestyle.
I do have a lot of weight to lose but without these resources and more importantly, your blog I would not know where to start and would probably jump in to a big bowl of ice cream instead. I don’t have money for nutritionist or trainers (Not that I don’t see their value and in heartbeat pay a million dollars for their services) I just don’t have the funds) and your blogs allows me to take matters into my own hands.
I have some medical issue that don’t allow me to eat dairy, limit sugar and some foods, which on its own forces me to eat more of a whole foods lifestyle. Since finding your blog I am able to be inspired and have created a good mix or raw/veganish lifestyle. I of course still eat meat but am now finding creative uses for vegetables that I never thought possible!! I think some comparing is good, it provides some motivation and challenging but beyond that people need to take responsibility for their own lives and use these blogs as resources, information, ideas, inspiration and motivation.
Thank you for all the time and love you put into your blog!!! I can’t wait to see what your going to write next!!!
I have to admit I don’t read fitness blogs or sites anymore, because it was counterproductive for me. The few blogs I read, I skip over the exercise details. I was a little OCD about it for years and wound up totally burned out. Now if I get in a walk, I’m happy. And if not, I’m happy, too!
I enjoy getting new food ideas, and I try to direct my OCD tendencies down healthy avenues, but I know it’s a fine line with that, too. I know I couldn’t photograph or even journal my own foods without it turning into something mentally unhealthy. So I’m glad others share their ideas and habits because it’s really helpful and educational and fun for me. It being about health and not looks makes it a lot safer to make it a hobby. For me.
Thank you for posting this! This is something I think all girls should read before jumping into the world of healthy living blogs. It can be a great thing, but can also be very intimidating. I think there is a lot of pressure that comes from comparing yourself… I finally had to get real with myself and say “I kind of hate salad.” Some people may be happy eating salad for lunch every day, and I love vegetables, but I was trying to make myself eat salad because I thought it was what’s right. What’s right for some is not right for all. I realized that we all have very different relationships with food so you have to apply what you read to your own life. Find inspiration in other blogs, but don’t model yourself after them.
Your blog is very approachable for people who are just starting to get into “healthy living.” I have learned a lot from reading it, even things as simple as healthy food and exercise don’t have to be boring.
I think they are motivating – especially reading other peoples. They give meal/snack ideas, and most DO relate that the blogger is not perfect everyday. I think they are great!
I definately think they are mostly motivators. I like to read others blogs for quick, healthy recipe ideas. I recently came across your blog and have really been enjoying it. I don’t really feel pressure or guilt. I think most people that are on these blogs are into health and fitness so they know to not follow a blog and feel they have to be that way exactly. I see that you like raw food, which is something that i would love to try, but i know not to completely switch my diet.
I think overall it helps, not hurts. I do have to remind myself sometimes that what works for others is not necessarily for me and that that’s ok! Usually though I just get so excited from all the inspiration and ideas that I glean from following food/health blogs. It’s such a fantastic community!!
Honestly, I appreciate the time & energy that people (you!) put into their blogs and I wouldn’t continue reading them if they were making me feel bad about myself. Sometimes it freaks me out that I think I “know” certain bloggers (I can only imagine how it makes you feel that people “know” you and you don’t know them!), but really, I just love getting recipes, new workouts & healthy inspiration from them.
I can definitely see how people would get too involved in the way someone else is living, but I agree that it’s important to do what’s best for you!
For me personally, they are a mix of pressure and motivation. It is all good though! I learn new recipes, new things that are healthy, find healthy alternatives to something I do and just read them for entertainment! I LOVE my foodie bloggers and wouldn’t have it any other way! Your blog, for example, while I’m sure I’ll never be 100% raw, has helped me find a restaurant in Orlando we HAVE to try when we go back down there! Thank you for that!
is it 118 degrees?!?
Yes! And I can’t wait to go!
Thanks for this always important discussion, Gina. I have found great inspiration and friendship from so many blogs and for those that I felt were having a negative influence on me: I just don’t read them anymore! (after leaving 237 anonymous negative comments) TOTALLY KIDDING!
Gina,
Your blog has sparked a profound interest in maintaining a healthy and thriving lifestyle (via food and workout). If I can’t keep up, I can at least keep reading–because I remember that it’s possible to do.
Your delicious recipes are inspiring to read about–especially with a struggling environmentalist who tends to stray from dairy and meat industries.
I can’t wait to try out some of your recipes :). Keep on posting y’all.
p.s. I keep telling my friends about 105degrees. I really want to make a trip out there just to try it out!
-Tarek
Ahh! I wrote a related post yesterday…not exactly the same, but close.
Some food/health blogs motivate me, but I realized recently that some I had been reading for a while were making me sad and jealous instead of inspiring me! I removed them from my reader so I couldn’t compare myself to girl’s whose situations are sooo different from mine. It’s natural to! 🙂
For me I think it’s both. Sometimes simultaneously, sometimes just one or the other. It also depends on the blogger and how closely they resemble my ideal. Does that make sense?
Your blog is adorable, btw. I’m addicted!
totes makes sense 😀
I think its definitely motivation. I have picked up some great ideas from your blog and my pantry proves it! I tried ezekiel bread again which I haven’t had in years and am loving it. It’s always great to learn new things and be inspired. I eat well, but seeing all of the vegan/raw things that you put up on your site has sparked an interest.
I have been reading your blog as well as a few other food/fitness blogs for a couple of months now. (Thanks for all your great posts!) It has been a huge help in my efforts to live a healthier life! I grew up with a mom who was always into “health food,” and as a child/teenager, I would continuously refuse to eat what she was eating.
But now I am ready to take control of my health and have discovered that all it really takes is an open mind and time. Yesterday, I had a Larabar, and over the weekend, I bought almond butter. I would have never tried these things before reading blogs! Now I look forward to trying new things. You are completely right when you say that it takes baby steps. I do not feel pressured from blogs; instead, I am motivated and encouraged by all of our efforts to be healthy!
ALMOND BUTTER!!! enjoy it my friend, and i’m so glad you’re getting some good ideas from the blogworld 😀
It is complete motivation and ideas for me fitness and eating wise–my pressure cooker is to participate in blogland! I want to find new blogs all the time AND keep my reader at zero, I want to write my own blog, I want to take pictures of my food too, I want to come up with witty things to say 3 times a day; but in reality it just isn’t a priority for me and it doesn’t happen. That’s ok, but it’s hard to swallow sometimes.
I love food blogs etc..I love seeing different ways to change up my fitness if I want to. I’m also comfortable in my own skin and i’m not going to change who I am because so and so can eat chocolate and not gain weight. Hooray for those who can but I know I can’t. It may come with age?
I eat healthy and eat pretty bland most of the time so it’s like food porn for me 🙂
Great question! I think it definitely is both. To keep it short and sweet, from my perspective and experience..
I wouldn’t have tried yoga or really gotten into running as a hobby if it weren’t for reading Jenna, Jenny, Caitlin and Meghann’s blogs for instance. I think for the most part, many of the food bloggers don’t compare themselves too much in this category.
Where it gets tricky is the eats. I get a lot of great meal ideas and new food ideas from fellow bloggers. I can definitely see how people would compare themselves, what they eat, how much they eat, etc., and get caught up in that. I have luckily learned how to balance it all out. Everybody has their different calorie needs, and as a blogging community, we all need to be smart enough to realize that.
I could keep going and going, but I’ll spare you!
I am just beginning my journey to health and the food/health blogs are a great inspiration! I’ve outgrown feeling pressure to be like someone so I can just glean from blogs and apply what I learn in baby steps. Keep up the great work!
I can understand how they would be intimidating and I’ll be honest, I lurk for a long time before posting and I suppose that’s my “Intimidation time”. Mostly, it’s just WANTING to have the lifestyle that you do and getting to the point where I can mentally get on with the small changes to head that way.
Like others, I read food/fitness blogs for inspiration, to see how people do in the “real” world and to find ideas. Iv’e started eating more open faced salads, more nuts and dips/spreads, more AB and DEFINITELY more sludges. It was intimidating at first to try and get the balance right where I didn’t have to choke down the greens supplement to the smoothie, but now that I’m getting a better idea – I LOVE them!
I’m finding more energy, better moods, and I’m looking into other things etc. I’d like to know more about Maca now that I’m thinking of it. ANYWAY – they can be intimidating but honestly? I take what I can from them, and don’t do what isn’t working for me at the time. Life is about a bit from a, a bit from b to make c and that’s how I work!
I *love* your blog Gina, and I’m not even sure how I came across it but you’ve really inspired me to eat more raw foods and just in general to keep pushing myself!
So thanks! 😀 <3
I don’t have a food or fitness blog, but I just recently set a goal to get back in shape and lose a couple pounds, so I’ve been reading blogs and articles for tips and ideas.
I’m at a point in my life where I’m pretty confident in myself and don’t feel any pressure to be or act in a certain way. I know that I’m on a different path than everyone else, so I perfectly fine with where I am and where I’m going.
Best wishes to you!!
Great post Gina! I completely agree that blogging can be helpful or hurtful. 95% of me is motivated in a postive way by healthy lifestyle blogs but there is always that slight part of me that feels pressure, comparison and guilt that I am not enough. I won’t lie, I sometimes compare myself to other bloggers and feel that I am not up to par, however, I then remind myself I am totally different than anyone else and my mind, body and soul does not operate the same way as others may.
One thing is for sure though, I could never discourage the amount of the love and support I have found from fellow bloggers. I feel that I have made some substansial friendships and met some of the most amazing and inpsiration ladies by this.
Thanks for sharing and of course, your honesty. 🙂
I think they SHOULD spark motivation. Unfortunately, I think that some blogs tread dangerously triggering waters. As bloggers, I think it’s important for us to remember that we are putting ourselves in the position of being role models. If we can’t do that responsibly, we shouldn’t be blogging, because there are just too many people out there who are trying to overcome their eating disorders and/or self-esteem issues. They are turning to our blogs to learn how to eat healthier and how to make positive behavior changes. Why do they need to read about how bad we feel when we don’t run 10 miles today? How is that supposed to make someone feel who has finally accomplished 1/2 mile? Why do they need to read what we weigh or how many calories we eat? We’re all different, and I don’t think it’s helpful to include any possibly triggering information. Food for thought: Why use numbers at all? Is there really any need to post the number we weigh or the number of miles we ran? How about, instead, we post about how we motivated ourselves, or how we picked ourselves up out of a slump, or how we made a positive behavior change? There are some blogs that are beautifully helpful and inspiring, and that’s what brought me to this “blog world” in the first place. As soon as a blog becomes even potentially triggering, I stop reading it.
that’s an excellent point. i also get extremely frustrated when bloggers without sufficient credentials try to give others “work out plans” or advice on nutrition. we have responsibilities to our readers and soliciting advice without proper education can be extremely dangerous.
I think they spark motivation – for sure!! I eat very different from lots of bloggers but am slowly incorporating their ideas into my ST routines and meal plans – it’s fun! But yes, not over night… at ALL! I’m all for breaking down goals and starting slow so that I don’t get sad when I don’t meet my goals! 🙂 GREAT POINT though and I can see how it could be pressure… and I hate that side of it and that it has the potential to be that way.