Wait dance
Hey everyone! I’m sorry for all of the blog down time yesterday. The blog crashed the server, so the hosting company shut it down. My awesome web wizard was hard at work fixing the problem and making changes, and since I’m not techie at all (if I touch the blog, something catches fire and then it explodes), so all I could do was the wait dance until it was up and running again. If it ever happens in the future and you need a recipe or workout idea- tweet me: @fitnessista . I was tweeting guacamole and chocolate mug cake recipes last night 🙂
I also enjoyed dinner at Guadalajara Grill with the Pilot and Liv. It was during a monsoon storm, and the sound of rained paired with mariachis singing, catching up on our days, table-made salsa and chips made it quite a lovely evening.
Shrimp fajitas, rice, beans, guacamole and salsa for me
and the Pilot had a cauldron filled with fajita justice. I took a pic, but it was blurry :/
Some more recent eats:
Protein berry oats with an egg
I’m so glad I made a batch yesterday- the perfect portable snack.
So while the blog was down, you may have been wondering why at first it was redirecting everyone to a yoga page.
A couple of years ago, I installed a plug-in called WP BlockYou. Basically, what you do is enter an IP address, and if they try to visit your site, you can have them automatically redirected to another site of your choice.
When I first started the blog (4 years ago), I had a pretty strict comment moderation policy. I deleted disrespectful comments, but as part of the learning process that comes with blogging, I quickly realized that a blog is a conversation. Different viewpoints make blogging exciting and enables me to think more critically of situations and what I write- I think it helped me become a better blogger. Now, I love comments that don’t necessarily agree with me, especially when they’re expressed in a tasteful manner without attacking myself or other readers. I stopped deleting comments quite a while ago, let even the cruelest ones get posted, and just roll with the punches. Even so, after a while, I realized that there were a few people (I think there were 4 total over the span of a couple of years) whose comments were hateful every single time they posted. It had nothing to do with the topic or post, just an attack against myself, my husband’s job, my job, my family, etc. etc.
I figured that they could use some yoga in their life, installed the plug-in and had them directed to a site on how to begin a successful yoga program 😉
If you have a blog, what’s your comment moderation policy, if you have one?
Readers, what do you think when you see an obviously hateful comment? Do you wish it would have been deleted, or does it not really matter?
I’m off to test a couple of new recipes. Hope you have a great day!
xoxo
Gina
New Fashion post with a video from Meg!
If you’ve been wanting a LiveWell Luxx bag, they’re on promo today if you’d like to check it out
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Cool idea with the yoga thing. Always going to be those pesky haters. Love your nail polish:) what is brand & color? Love your blog:)
Unless they’re calling me a c**t (which has happened) or making fun of my friends and family (which has happened), I usually let it slide. Opposition sometimes brings insight, and I welcome conversation. I say sometimes because there are some people who will nag at anything and say something just to say something. That’s fine! As Lena Dunham’s character said in Girls, “So any mean thing someone’s gonna think of to say about me, I’ve already said it TO me ABOUT me, probably in the last half hour.” I just feel like there is NOTHING I haven’t heard or thought of or read about myself that would be new/threatening anymore.
Awesome Girls reference. And as for your blog, I feel for you because I felt that you couldn’t breathe for awhile and not get criticized for it…for whatever reason, I felt that some of your readers were extra judgmental. Personally I thought you took it like a champ and I loved that you got as annoyed as I did over the “haters gonna hate” comments haha 🙂
I have a similar policy that you do. Luckily, I haven’t had any trolls (yet) but I state that I reserve the right to remove hateful comments. I leave comments that disagree with me.
I don’t usually read comments on news stories because someone always has to blame a political party or a religious group and it just gets ugly.
haha, making the mean and nasty comments –> a yoga site on “how to start a successful yoga program in your life” = perfection. too funny.
ps – that mex food looks delish!!
I like your comment policy! And Olivia is seriously one of the cutest babies I have ever seen.
Whenever I see a really disrespectful/hateful/judgemental comment I always feel really sorry for the person who posted it because:
1. They have WAY too much time/energy on their hands that is obviously not being directed toward something they are truly passionate about.
2. They are probably really insecure about their own life/life choices, so they feel the need to put down someone else to make themselves feel better.
3. Maybe they didn’t have the opportunity to go to preschool, where they teach you “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”. Sad, because what I remember of preschool was really fun!!
What she said 🙂
Honestly, I just feel bad that they are so unhappy with their lives that they have to express themselves so negatively. But that’s still what it is: Expressing themselves. And they have a right to do so. While this is your blog, their feedback is still feedback, just like everyone else who completely loves everything you post (like me!). So I don’t believe their comments should be deleted. C’est la vie.
Like you said, blogs are for conversation and I can see how it can almost be refreshing when someone challenges you and disagrees with you. But there is definitely a way to do it. People who come and read your blog just to be mean and deliberately slam you, can definitely be deleted.
I just started my blog and I haven’t even thought about a comment moderation policy. I guess I haven’t thought that far, since I haven’t had too many comments. I am definitely going to think about this and put something together. Thanks for posting this!
Gina, I cannot stop laughing, rerouting the haters to a yoga site is awesome! You are too cute & funny. I love that you take the high road with everything. Btw, I don’t know how anyone can be mean to you, you are such a wonderful person & sooooo giving. I know you will be blessed with many, many great things in your life.
Xoxo,
Jill
When I see hateful comments I usually feel vague irritation at the person who posted it, sympathy for the person recieving it (no matter how strong you are, it’s never nice to have that happen to you) and at times I tend to follow up with a positive comment of my own – try and balance the argument as it were. In the past those comments really annoyed me, but now I feel like everyone has an opinion and just let it wash over. However, for someone just starting on a journey, fitness or anything self-motivating, these comments can be quite detrimental, demotivating and upsetting. I think the best thing to do is reply with a ‘thanks for your comment however…’ and then if they continue, then delete and block as necessary. I love reading your blog and think it’s wonderful how supportive and involved your family is. No matter how many ‘trolls’ there are out there, there are so many people thankful for what you do! <3
I’m really enjoying your blog! Last week I commented to a blogger that I love reading her posts, but was not liking that she was posting things with the word “mother ——” in them. Mind you, this is a much read and popular blogger and she immediately removed my comment. It was a respectful remark and explained that I have small children that can read and that word just jumps off a computer screen. She clearly does not like anything but accolades for her crossfit abilities…ahem. So, thank you for being openminded and respectful of us readers!! I will remain a loyal reader, keep up the good work!
I have a relaxed attitude to commenters, and commenters have a relaxed attitude to me. I have what I think is quite a lot of readers but most are silent. I have my hardcore commenters though and love them to BITS. I have to moderate, not because of the occasional hurtful comment (my other commenters sort that person out) but because of goddamn comment spam! What a pain that is.
I had one anonymous commenter that would insist on making nasty comments about my man’s nose: ‘can’t he afford a nose job?” and so on, every time I posted a pic of my spunky guy. That’s probably the only one I moderated out of existence, cos’ I didn’t want Jase to see that b**sh*t.
I’ll let them get published and respond the first time if they have some sense to their argument. But I’m not interested in getting involved in a super long debate or argument over comments, so they say their piece and I say mine and great. My blog isn’t big enough yet to have attracted the true haters so I’ll have to see how I react when that happens…!
I truly laughed out loud when I read about haters “needing yoga in their life.” What a fab idea! The hateful comments bother me so much. I don’t like to read blogs like eonline.com because of the cruel comments that people make; it’s one of the reasons that I’m hesitant to start a blog myself, even though it’s something I’ve wanted to do for years. I just don’t understand it… if you don’t like what a person has to say, keep it polite. Or don’t read the blog!
And, to end on a positive note, you look simply beautiful with your gorgeous daughter! Wonderful photo. 🙂
I don’t have a moderation policy, per se. However, I do agree with you. Any comments that have nothing to do with the conversation and are a personal attack on me, I delete.
I love that yoga idea – converting negative energy to positive energy. 🙂
Personally, I always feel bad for the blogger when I see rude or mean comments (not just disagreeing with content but just plain ol’ being nasty), and wonder why the heck that reader even stopped by the blog and spent time writing a comment in the first place.
I love the Yoga forward idea! Subtle encouragement 🙂 Your little girl is so cute and growing up!
So far no negative comments yet – but my traffic on my blog isn’t too high yet. Most of the commenters are my ‘blog-friends’/people I know.
I like that plug-in though – genius idea
had a question to ask you about L…..and now I’ve forgotten…silly mommy-brain!
I’m a smaller blogger so I haven’t had a negative comment yet but I know it’s coming someday. I’m so nervous for when it does. 🙁 I think the way you handle it is perfect, it seems very grown up and mature.
I must be confused with someone else, as everytime I try to comment on your blog it sends me to that yoga page 🙁
Oh wow! I can comment! lol! I’ve tried several times in the past and was always sent to that page… just wanted to say I love your blog – I’ve been reading it every day for a few years now x
that comment went to moderation- i’m not sure why! i saved you 🙂
LOL, I love that you do that. Really negative, hurtful comments should be deleted or redirected. I used to get bad phone calls and I call forwarded them to the Local Police Station. A few times and then they stopped calling. Good conversation if great. I love discussing and sometimes you have to agree to disagree.
I think that a blog is an extension of a persons life, so just do what you would do in your own life. Me personally, there are certain behaviors I wouldn’t tolerate from ANYONE in my life, so the same would extend to my blog.
what a great idea! I get so mad and protective of the amazing blog authors that I like to see disrespectful comments taken down. No one is making those hate-filled people search out the blogs, and like my mom always says “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all!” I love your blog, Gina, and I look forward to reading it every day. 🙂
thank you so much, erin <3
Hi Gina,
I just wanted to say how much I LOVE your blog. I found you through a mention on Iowa Girl Eats. You are now one of my daily reads! I love your honesty and positivity, and I also enjoy your stories about your adorable little fam. Your views on health and wellness are similar to my own! Your blog actually inspired me to start my own:) My site is http://www.swinnyinthecity.com if you want to check it out. I look forward to more of your posts!
Ciao!
Sarah
thank you so much sarah- it’s nice to meet you!
xoxo
haha…brilliant!
I agree with several of the posts that people who leave hurtful or disrespectful comments are very unhappy with themselves and I think extremely cowardly. It’s sad that they use a fun uplifting place like your blog to say hurtful things behind the shield of their computers. So many people love and appreciate the blog so thank you from all of us!
I always find hateful comments really confusing. But constructive and interesting differences of opinion are definitely interesting to read!
Your blog is a great inspiring and fun corner of the internet, so it’s easy to stay upbeat and move past the hateful comments.
I think forwarding someone to a yoga site because you don’t like what they had to say is super passive agressive and immature. Just delete the comment and move on. I would never call someone names on a site but I do disagree and yes, it’s fair game if you put it on your blog. Whether you or any follower likes it or not. When you disagree or don’t like comments I’ve made or others have made on here, you call them “friend” which is another passive aggressive action, and a b!tchy one at that. Note – I’m not calling you a b!tch, so no need to get bent out of shape, because I don’t think you’re one. However some of your actions are truly a young girl’s.
I don’t have a blog so I haven’t really thought about the nasty comments you must get…what a thing to deal with. I personally think your yoga redirect is a way to make things a little more lighthearted and deal with the problem commenter in a good way.
I’m continually amazed at how much you and other bloggers put into your work…all with a job and a family. I’m just starting college and have debated on starting a blog for a long time but have been scared off by the time commitment. I’ve read your blog every day for a few years and rarely comment- but I thought I’d delurk for this one 🙂 please continue doing what you’re doing regardless of what some “negative nancy” has to say. For every one of her there’s hundreds more of people whose lives you’re influencing in a positive way, mine included. Thank you for being such a positive, (physically and, especially, mentally) healthy role model for me and many others! I hope you know what your blog means to so many of us “lurkers.” It is truly invaluable and I’m continually shocked that it is all free, haha 🙂
(sorry for the rambling comment-I know you’ve got tons to read all the time!)