Controversial topic coming up….
I love blogging.
I love interacting with the healthy living blogging community.
I love the support I get from everybody.
I love how blogging has changed the way I view myself and life.
I love blogging about my day.
I love blogging about my workouts.
I love blogging about health issues.
I love blogging about new recipes I make.
I don’t love food blogging.
When I first started blogging, I tried to fit into the mold of what I saw from the popular blogs. In my eyes, these blogs were Carrots “N” Cake, Kath Eats, Oh She Glows, Peanut Butter Fingers, etc. They all photograph the majority of what they eat in a day with beautiful photographs that make food look incredibly appetizing. I saw how successful each of these blogs was and thought that “taking pictures of my food” was the way to go.
So, I did it. Want to know what happened? I gained weight. It made me anxious around food. It made me think too much about food. Food (or restricting food) ruled my life. When I blogged, I became obsessed with food for a different reason. I got anxious if I didn’t have something “pretty” to post. If I was just craving eggs and toast at night for the 2nd night in a row, I wouldn’t eat it because I didn’t want my blog to become redundant with boring food. That form of blogging became unhealthy for me.
Blogging about my food did not help me in my goal to eat intuitively. I would eat when I wasn’t hungry because I wanted to have food to blog about. I would eat things I wasn’t craving or wanting because that’s what bloggers ate and that’s how they ate. I would go home at night and binge on food that I really wanted to eat and never took pictures of any if it. No pictures, it didn’t exist? Right? Wrong.
My finances took a hit. I would find myself always going over budgets because I HAD to have crazy kitchen gadgets, only eat Ezekial (which I know only buy every once in a while), or always having to have the “IN” peanut butter all because I wanted to fit in with a blogging community that blogged about food.
I became stressed trying to always eat these beautifully cooked and prepared meals in order to have “things to blog about.”
And then it hit me. To quote Brittany from A Healthy Slice of Life, I began to feel o-blog-gated to blog. My passion wasn’t in my blog for a long time because I was doing what others did. Don’t get me wrong. I love and read every single one of those blogs everyday. It works for them. They have fantastic blogs. But, it doesn’t work for me.
My passion in blogging lies in showcasing ME. Not my food, just ME. I want to talk about my struggles, my triumphs, and allow readers to feel like I’m their friend. I want my readers to see me for who I am–and not what I eat. My blog reflects me, and not what’s going in my belly.
I realize I will never be popular because of the recipes I come up with. I won’t be popular for oats in a jar, overnight oats, breakfast cookies, sweet potatoes and almond butter, chia seeds, or green monsters.
You will hardly ever see pictures of food from restaurants. I remember reading posts recapping the Healthy Living Summit and seeing pictures of bloggers. I would see pictures showing bloggers standing over a table and all 10 of them had big ole nice cameras taking pictures of food. The image struck me as odd. I don’t want to break out a camera in a restaurant to take pictures of food I realized. I want to focus more on who is sitting beside me or in front of me, and not focus on getting pictures of my meal from 10 different angles.
Please realize, I’m not dogging ANYONE who does that. I love each and every single blogger who takes pictures of their food. I love LOOKING at their pictures because they take truly wonderful and often artistic shots. Also, I realize that JUST because they are taking pictures of their food doesn’t mean they aren’t focused on enjoying a meal with company. I imagine they are. Bloggers are some of the best people in the world and I know that every single one of them cares about relationships.
But, when I busted out my camera in a restaurant, it took away from my experience with my friend or family. BUT THAT’S ME.
The best thing in life that you can do is KNOW YOURSELF. Know what makes tick and makes you cringe. Know what will lift you up to the highest sky and know what will make you sink faster then you can imagine.
Know yourself.
Blogging has allowed me to get to know myself. And, now I know, that food blogging isn’t for me. You will never see a random picture of my sandwich or breakfast anymore (unless I deem it a beautiful meal and I want to practice photography in my kitchen).
And that’s ok.
What has blogging taught you?
If you are a reader, what has blogging taught you about yourself? What have you learned from blogs?
{ 131 comments… read them below or add one }
I tried to follow KATH’s 3x/day blogging structure at first, too. THen I realized I’d quickly go jump off a bridge if I kept that up, and am now loving 1x/day.
I think it is just as important to find what you are passionate to write about, as it is to find “your blog voice” that so many people have been talking about lately.
I like you. I like the way your write and the way you dance (still… favorite post ever… your exercise videos!). If you have food pics, I’ll read your blog. If you don’t, I’ll still read
FInd what works for you… and ROCK it
PS- thanks for the shout out
When I saw you write oh-blog-gated on Tina’s comment section, I cracked up. I loved it!! Maybe I’ll do some new “exercise videos” soon!
great post & this is, yet again, why your blog is one of my favorites. it is honestly one of the most original blogs out there. i love NOT knowing what to expect from your blog. i love that it doesn’t get lost in the crowd and i love that it’s original.
i have felt pressure from myself to post interesting food pics and when i started to let this stress me out i took a step back and reminded myself that this is my HOBBY. i am not a full-time blogger. blogging is not my job. it is something i ENJOY and i want to keep enjoying. by taking the pressure off myself and reminding myself i never actually HAVE to blog, i think i’ve managed to enjoy it a lot more.
Good for you for not trying to fit into molds. You should blog the way YOU want to blog period. I definitely noticed a change in my idea towards food when I started posting what I was eating. I felt hell bent on making a new recipe each day and that wore me out. I don’t have time for that. So I finally said forget it. I love trying new recipes, but when I have time and not because I feel like I must. So I might post repeated veggie burgers and sweet potatoes or one more taco salad bowl, but that’s how it is. That’s life. My recipes may get boring, my workouts might be the same, but from what I’ve learned from my readers (those who come back again and again and again) they aren’t there for the food and workouts, not really, they’re there because I’m me. Just like I visit your blog for you.
My recipes may get boring, my workouts might be the same, but from what I’ve learned from my readers (those who come back again and again and again) they aren’t there for the food and workouts, not really, they’re there because I’m me. Just like I visit your blog for you.
YES! agreed completely.
I’m glad you’re doing what works for you! My blog went through a lot of phases when I first started. I definitely tried to blog everything I ate in a day like many of the other food bloggers. But I wasn’t feeling it, and like you, if I had tried to do that every day, I’m sure it would have triggered food issues. Now I know what works for me. I love coming up with recipes and trying to get a good shot of them, I love having some posts that are just about me, my life, my issues with food, etc and don’t have recipes at all. And I love knowing that I don’t have to do it on a set schedule, but rather write and post when I feel inspired.
Sounds like we enjoy the exact same things about blogging!
Love, love, love this!! And it is so true. I would love to blog more about ME, unfortunately I am pretty boring. I sit at a desk all day and my husband doesn’t get home until 9 at night. I don’t have great material to blog about my life, but I would SO love to do that. I could never blog about what I eat. That just doesn’t really interest me.
I think you do a great job of blending your recipes (which are amazing) with commentary about your life or Mr. How Sweet! you always make me laugh. I also like that you make no apologizes for liking bacon and admitted to not liking veggies!
totally agree!
I tried to be a food blogger too — and I had those same thoughts. I was only eating what I thought would be “interesting” — and I would sit and think and think about what I could make that would be popular and taste great. But you know what? I don’t like to cook that much. If a recipe fails the first time I never try it again, thus never “perfecting” a recipe.
I like blogs for the bloggers, not what they do or how they do things. I get to know the person and I enjoy “seeing” whats going on. I appreciate that there are food bloggers — they give me ideas on what products to think about trying, or new recipes to think about. But thats not me.
Lisa I enjoy your blog and I like that you cover many different topics — I never know what to expect, except that I will likely enjoy it.
(Is it silly that I really liked using expect and except right next to each other? It is the small things that I enjoy)
Haha—those two words next to each makes you do a double take that’s for sure
this is seriously amazing…i felt the exact same way about recording everything i ate, which is why i changed to recipes, which is what i’m passionate about. but i will say that me doing that was perfect for me to really want to LEARN about me and what i like. there’s no way i would be here now without doing that first! and i definitely still love reading other healthy living blogs but i just don’t know if that’s for me. we should never have to do anything we feel obligated to do!
” but i will say that me doing that was perfect for me to really want to LEARN about me and what i like. there’s no way i would be here now without doing that first”
YES!! you live and learn and you never know if it is right or wrong until you try
Wow. This was totally me almost a year ago. I started food blogging for the same reasons you did, and stopped not long after because of the pressure I felt. I felt like I always had to cdome up with witty commentary to go along with my pictures, I left like I had to photograph everything, and God forbid I have the same meal 2 days in a row. Blogging actually made me gain weight too. I mean, the blogging itself didn’t make me, but the pressures of it caused my eating habits to go out of whack. I’d photograph everything I’d eat in a day, then after I was done eating and photographing my meals at the end of the day, I’d binge on the foods I really wanted. The food I was actually consuming wasn’t really what I wanted, it’s just what I though I should eat to make things more interesting. Also, not having the pressure to take a picture of what I was eating was freeing. Sneak a cookie and some ice cream in at the end of the day and not have to whipe out my camera? Sounds good. Not only that, but I felt like if I didn’t take a picture of it, it didn’t happen. That binge on cookies last night never happened…because I have nothing to show for it (other than an empty box of cookies). I litterally gained 20 pounds from the start of my blog to the finish. I only had my food blog for a little over 6 months. That’s a lot of fcuking weight to gain in 6 months.
Honestly, the “this is what I ate 3x day” blogs are boring. I like to hear about people lives, not what they had as an afternoon snack. This is why your blog is awesome. You and Melissanibbles are my fave “healthy living” bloggers because you keep it 100% real and honest all of the time. Your blog blows the popular blogs out of the water. You do you and you do it well!
Thank you so much for telling your story and your thoughts now. I gained around 10 lbs and experienced all of the things you did.
“I’d photograph everything I’d eat in a day, then after I was done eating and photographing my meals at the end of the day, I’d binge on the foods I really wanted. The food I was actually consuming wasn’t really what I wanted, it’s just what I though I should eat to make things more interesting”
I can’t tell how many times I did that. It took a long time for me to become an “intuitive eater” but there was no way I could it until I QUIT blogging every damn thing that I ate—because I was never eating what I TRULY wanted! I was eating what I thought I should be eating and what I thought was “cool” and what I thought would attract people in the blogworld.
Thank you for your awesome words at the end. Tooooo sweet. I feel honored to be in the same category as Melissa–her wit and uniqueness and “THIS IS ME” attitude always motivates me and makes me smile.
Oh. My. God. I love you for writing this…holy crap. I’m going to print it out.
Lisa – you don’t know what this means to me…seriously…you may have just started a change in my life.
I am the exact same way – struggling with binging now – worse than ever – and I think it’s because of blogs. Yes, these big “healthy living blogs” – because they make me feel anxious and guilty for their perfect meals – or their photos and only eating 3 meals or a “bite” of dessert or all these expensive nut butters and vita-mixes and juicers, etc…honestly – what happened to simplicity??? What happened to just eating? And enjoying it?? But then living?!
It’s obsessive. I can’t imagine pulling out a camera and photographing everything to show people! It’s just not normal…but yet, others don’t see it like that? If I were to do that – my family would say I have an eating disorder or OCD!
I don’t know…I don’t get it.
But you just gave me much to think about…
I love you for loving it. Blogs were bad news for me at first. I started in the internet world in a fitness forum and I became obsessed with fitness and eating. Then, I moved to blogs and found it much more positive, but it brought out other bad obsessions.
And yes–simplicity and just eating is great. I used to eat simply eggs all the time, because I loved them and they were filling. But then I read blogs and quit doing that b/c it was “boring.” Silly.
I rarely blog about food anymore. it’s much more freeing.
yes, but what did you EAT today???
totally kidding… I love this. It’s totally why I love your blog… you are so very honest and real.
Refreshing.
HAHAHHA! I cracked up when I saw it. If you must know, lunch was damn boring just the way I wanted it.
Black beans, cheese, mixed in wit hot sauce! haha
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Thank you so much for this post!
I’m a new blogger and I think I’ve been feeling the similar pressures about blogging. I’m also not comfortable taking out my camera at restaurants and I’m really glad to know that I’m not a “bad blogger” for thinking that.
I’ve been doing better about managing my blog and not stressing over it too much. I guess everyone needs to find out what works the best for them
No blogger is a bad blogger because ever blogger is different–but I felt like If I didn’t do certain things that I was being a bad blogger.
I never felt comfortable taking it out at restaurants. I would stress about doing it and then rush it and it just made for awkward time for me adn then just threw the rest of dinner off.
Different strokes for different folks right
That’s the beauty of blogging! I feel like my blogging style has changed quite a bit since I started…and it’s constantly evolving. I used to post 95% of everything I find that I am more excited about blogging when I give myself the room to be creative. I am one of those people who likes to photograph food from every angle….but that’s more because I’m interested in food photography and I see it as ‘practice.’
Different strokes for different folks
Thanks for being honest!
Yes! Exactly–different strokes for different folks. I see absolutely nothing wrong with photographing food from a million angles. I like reading and seeing people’s passions and it’s evident that you really enjoy doing it–and you do it well! Like I said, just knowing yourself is key. And you do
Lisa I have felt this way too and totally get what you are saying. Though i may be a relatively new reader I lile your blog for you and quite honestly like your personal style
Thanks for posting this. Like you, I thought the “way to blog” was to be a cookie-cutter mold like the super popular bloggers. But in the end that wasn’t me. My story was different. My story was about losing half of my body. And keeping it off!
I blog about some of the food I eat–usually dinner–because that’s the one that my boyfriend and I take the time to do right. I think my blog will always have a food aspect to it because my blog is more about “how I keep off the 110 pounds I lost”. Maintaining weight loss is often harder than losing it.
OK as a first time reader I don’t think I could have stumbled upon a better post. WOW, Lisa, this is AMAZING. Thank you for being bold enough to put this out there – it took some strength! I have never been someone to blog about what I eat. Although those were the blogs that got me interested in this community in the first place, it’s just not my thing. As so many others have said here, I find it interesting to find something different to fill up my Reader with. I’d rather have a short post a few times a week about different topics and quirky everyday life than one every day about breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Kudos to you, once again. Beautiful post.
Could not have said it better myself. When I started blogging, I posted very often and then found myself buying unnecessary groceries just to make “fun” recipes just to be able to post on the blog. That was crazy, now that I look back. So, then I pretty much just stoppped posting for a while. I think I have gone back and forth. Ultimately, stepping back a bit has been for the best.
Do what’s right for you! I don’t blog, but I do read a lot of blogs. I have gone through the anxiety about food thing, especially since reading healthy living blogs. I would love it if bloggers were more honest about what they eat. They say they do eat the occasional slice of pizza or dessert, but they never post this stuff. When people who are sensitive about food look at the edited versions of what people eat, or see that bloggers work out three hours a day, they develop issues. I like blogs like The Fitnessista and Healthy Tipping Point, but sometimes feel bad about myself because I’m not as “perfect” as they seem to be. That’s not THEIR problem – it’s definitely my own insecurity – but it’s something I need to be careful with when reading blogs.
Anyway, thanks for your honesty and for being true to yourself. I will definitely keep reading.
Awesome post. I also started out by posting all of my food 3 times a day just because that’s what the popular bloggers did. I realized I was getting to obsessive about food and that my posts were incredibly boring! Now I post 4 to 5 times a week and try to stay away from the typical food journal style. It is so freeing to go somewhere for the weekend and not take any pictures of food! Love where you are going with your blog.
I just started reading your blog about 3 weeks ago and I love it. Owning it was awesome. I loved leaning more about you, and I love to find that you aren’t ashamed to admit things that others might not see as “good”. Loved it!
this is a GREAT post! I feel the same way and had the same experience with why and how I started blogging. then I realized I was becoming far too obsessed with food and that these “big bloggers” (you know who I mean) really suffer from a weird sort of disordered eating when it comes to taking 8 pictures of a SALAD. I still take pictures of my food but only if it is a recipe I’ve developed, a spectacular meal at a restaurant I want to talk about, or has some meaningful way to tie into my post. I don’t want my blog to read like: “Hello! Funny quibble! Here’s breakfast! More stories about life and exercise! Here’s lunch! More boring stuff no one cares about! Oh, dinner too!” I love your attitude and where you’re going with the whole nonfood blog thing. Cheers to you, keep it up and make your own mark in the blogging community!
What a great post! I’m really proud of you for finding your own blogging voice. We all have one, and I think that it makes people better bloggers when they find their own path rather than follow the formula that works for someone else. I started off as a food blogger as well, and decided fairly early on that it just wasn’t for me. Too much food, not enough life.
Amen to this post!! Good for you for realizing that emulating other bloggers isn’t always healthy and that living your life for you and not for your blog is the healthiest thing of all!
Wonderful post!!! I could not agree more. A blog that has some backbone is alot more interesting to read than a blog with just food. There’s a spot for all of us so keep doing what makes you happy and it’ll shine through in your posts.
You have support!
I’m with you on taking pictures of food. If i try a new product that I actually love I don’t mind sharing it, picture and all, or if I try a new recipe. I tend to eat a lot of the same things, though, and documenting each little thing i put in my mouth would not only be boring but a dangerous road for me to go down. I used to write down everything i ate. I used to count every single calorie and obsess over the difference between what I ate and what I burned that day. I thankfully have left that behind me, but the documentation of every meal on the blog has the potential to start me down that path again. I don’t want to go there. There is so much more to life, to me, and to being healthy than just what I eat. I also agree that it works for some poeple and that I love to read their sites and look at their pictures. I get great ideas from some of those posts. It’s just not good for me.
I love taking pictures of new recipes or something new I try. but my cinnamon toast for breakfast? Bleh.
What works for some, doesnt work for others. Cant believe it took me that long to figure it out.
I cant blog 3 times a day and even daily can be stressful. I dont blog about what i eat because I know many girls in recovery from eating disorders read my blog and are easily influenced. I dont want them to think what I eat is something THEY should be eating and I dont want them to think they have to eat more or less than me. its so easy for people with those histories to latch on to what others are eating and its a slippery slope back to the eating disorder. I love that you posted this, and to be honest, I dont read many “food blogs” anymore. I might sound mean to say it, but I just dont care what you had for dinner or that 1/3 cup of perfectly portioned oatmeal. I love your blog because you are so genuine and human. Personally, I love blogging because I feel like I can express myself freely. Holding stuff in leads to stress, which leads to anger, etc….so i let it out on my blog and I find its like therapy for me. And for some reason, people like reading it and they encourage me and tell me I’m funny or whatever (I dont really believe them….but I’ll take it as a compliment!). I feel like your someone I would totally be friends with…..in a non creppy way of course.
I think that’s why I love your blog. You let it all out. You are you and it’s obvious. I love when I see strong personalities shine through. People who aren’t afraid to be them, regardless of judgement.
I wish you’d believe it–it IS true
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Holy crap! I had the same realization just last night. The thing is, I don’t even consider these types of blogs to be true food blogs – more like dietary journals. I know the difference is fine, but its important. I feel like food blogs are those that post about recipes and restaurants, with little regard to health. Really about the act of eating and enjoying food.
But no matter what you call it, that style of blogging doesn’t work for me. I tried to post all of my meals, but I’m slowly breaking out of the habit. Just like you, I gained weight, became obsessed with food and dealt with major feelings of guilt. Guilt that I wasn’t making new healthy recipes each night, guilt because I ate the same meal twice in a row, guilt that I wasn’t going to live up to others expectations. I tried going vegetarian for all the wrong reasons.
My more recent posts have talked about travel – something I love, restaurant reviews – love, love, love (I was a big yelper before blogging), and a more general view of health.
I love that you put this out there for others – hearing some one else come forward and say what isn’t working for them makes me feel like I can too, and do it guilt-free.
GREAT distinction! I wont lie–I truly enjoy reading the food blogs you talk about! I love seeing decadent food that people eat.
Hopefully this post will do just that–let others realize it’s not to try to fit into that style if that’s not who they are what they want to do.
I’m glad you realized it.—I like your blog much better with your recent posts–Im saving that travel post for all my future travels. loved it.
Man, again I just love how/what you write. I always in my head am saying, ‘me too!’ when I read your posts. Very honest and well said as always. I am not a ‘food blogger’ but I could totally see how stressful it would be. I don’t think I would want the world judging me on what I ate or even on the way I photographed it. Needless to say, I still follow those that do
They are great too! Just different….anyways, I look forward to your blog! 
THANK YOU!
I’m a bit brain dead right now but just gonna chime in with my own ‘good on ya’. I really enjoy reading your blog because I think you’re an interesting person and you’re just real.
I feel like I should be making my blog more focused or whatever, rather than talking about lots of random topics, but to be honest I just want to talk about the things that I like and the efforts I’m making to drive my life in the direction I want it to go and hopefully connect with people who share my interests. As part of that I’m working on (and enjoying) leading a more healthy lifestyle, but I really don’t think I have much new to add to the healthy blogging universe except for myself and my own personality. And to be honest I don’t want to be a trendsetter or be a full time blogger whoring myself out to any company willing to offer me a free trip somewhere. Good for those girls that do, and I understand that they sort of ‘have’ to do it now they’re making a living from their blogs, but it’s just not my thing (unless anyone wants to offer me a week in Paris….).
I always like taking photos of my food, partly because I’m starting to enjoy photography, but mostly because I have a bad memory and like looking back and appreciating the little moments in life. This goes for everything… funny signs, spontaneous roadtrips etc as well as yummy food. I eat what I want, and I take a photo of most of it (though I’m going to stop taking photos of my porridge because I do that solely out of o-blog-ation – great term by the way!), but I don’t think you’d ever find me standing on a chair or putting my bowl out in the middle of my garden to get the ‘perfect’ pic.
Really, what else do we have to offer to any community other than ourselves??? Every single blogger puts their own little part into this community and makes it what it is. Whether its a funny story or a new food craze–we all contribute! And that’s what I love.
I enjoy photograhy as well and if you enjoy taking pictures of food, then do it! Food is beautiful and great to practice on.
Totally, we’re all individuals and if it was a community of clones then it wouldn’t be interesting at all would it now?
I just realised I spent half of my last post justifying why I want to do what I want to do with my life and what I put on my blog. I really hate that we feel like we have to do that. Maybe it’s a girl thing, and it’s probably enhanced by the fact that we’re talking about ‘health’, which is somewhat virtuous and therefore you get a higher concentration of people who get a kick out of thinking they’re perfect, or at least come across that way.
Sometimes I see people talking about a ‘negative’ comment and then I go back to look and it’s just someone who doesn’t really agree or dares to question what the poster is saying and hasn’t worded it in the most polite manner. I think it’s that sort of attitude that makes bloggers feel like they can’t just be themselves, like how I just felt like I needed to justify saying that I’m going to get serious about losing weight. Last year a couple of people said negative things about the HLS and were quickly jumped on by everyone else. I noticed nobody said anything negative this year. I’m sure it was a great event but sometimes I wonder what goes on unsaid behind the scenes because I’m sure it’s not all 100% peachy keen all the time.
Girl – I more than agree with you. I’ve found I just can’t do it. If it’s a new recipe, sure. If i’m bored and am like hey – i’ll take pics of my food today, sure. But I found myself a bit more anxious about it too, or feeling bad that I started digging in before taking a snap! hehe
Blogging has taught me so much. Mostly about myself. Mostly it introduced me to hobbies and interests I didn’t know I had – but now love!! And it’s taught me that we’re all different, different stuff works for different peeps and i’m just whateva!
Looking forward to your new recipes lady!
Such a fabulous post! Honestly, I had so much stress going on in my life when I started blogging recently and I felt the same way!
I was stressing about dinner and what to make the night before, if my camera was working, ect. I thought it could be a positive distraction from the crisis my family was and is still facing but food isn’t my biggest passion! I enjoyed making dinner and being proud of it, I enjoy working out but only once or twice a week lol. I gave it a few weeks and my stress increased on trying to keep up with topics and such.
Btw when I decided to put blogging on hold, I feel like I should just repost your entire post on mine lol. You were the ONLY one who commented on me stopping. I love the encouragement from every single person in the blog world. But like you, I would rather blog about my life and goals and obstacles I face. PLUS my biggest passion is fashion
xoxoxo
Love this post Lisa!! I was in the same trap as you, but I lost weight. I compared my workouts and runs to other bloggers and felt I had to run like a maniac and restrict my food and it really messed with my head. I followed the 3x a day format because I thought that was what you were supposed to do. Like you, I’m not comfortable whipping out my camera in restaurants and when I do, I do it on the sly. It’s just weird.
One thing that bugged me about all the Healthy Living Summit recaps was that it was just pictures of bloggers taking pics of their food and of food. Actual recaps of what was discussed were few and far between.
I love your blog because you talk about a lot of interesting issues like finance, makeup, workouts, food, moving in with your man…it’s a mixed bag and it keeps me coming back for more!
Agreed. The pictures of bloggers taking pictures of their food weirded me out too. I want to go to Healthy Living Summit, but I fear if I went it would be a competition of who was the better blogger. Who blogged on breaks, who didn’t, who took more pics, who did this or that. I want to go to events like that to meet all the people I read and feel like I know. But, I think events like t hat are what you make them and I’d make it rockin. Anyways, I thought it was weird too and after seeing pics like that I realized I didnt want to be a “food blogger”. Ive been meaning to right this post for a long time!
Well, I am not a blogger and since I started reading your I do venture out to other blogs and find the ones I like the most are the ones that tell a story about their lives. You will learn as you grow and get older that things will always change and evolve. Embrace it, live it and love it. You all have such a fantastic support group it amazes me. One last thing.
Life is not about food it is about living!
This is a fabulous post! I love when bloggers figure out what THEY want, not what they think they “should” do. I’ve gone through the same process- at first, I loved blogging about my food because it motivated me to cook & experiment, but sometimes I didn’t want to take pictures of my food. The day it dawned on me that I didn’t have to was great. I suddenly realized absolutely nobody cares if I don’t post what I ate- that’s not why people are reading, and that’s not always what I want to write about it.
Always go with what makes YOU happy.
Thanks for stopping by! I have recently been reading your blog ever since the “how to take pictures” post and I love it!
I can’t agree with this post anymore! I’m still trying to find my direction and blog more often (slacking w/posts). I want to be involved in this great community, but I don’t have the time in the day (or eat that great) to take pictures of all my food. I’ve been thinking about buying a point and shoot camera so I’d be more incognito vs. using my DSLR. Right now it still feels weird for me to break out my camera in a restaurant.
I love what you have going. I think you being you is what makes you stand apart!
When I first discovered all these food blogs I instantly wanted to do my own. Part of why was just to ‘be a part’ of it all. I TOTALLY changed my mind though and enjoy just reading them, not just food, but all kinds. I don’t want to feel the stress of having blogs as a ‘responsibility’. I’m perfectly happy reading, commenting, forgetting at my convenience!
Bloggers with their own voice are the best kind!
I personally think taking pictures and blogging about every meal you eat absolutely cheapens the experience of having a truly remarkable meal (unless you are on a vacation with amazing restaurants and even in that case, 10 pictures of the same dish is completely overkill).
Case in point: the vegan shwarma with creamy homemade hummus and vegan soft serve I had for lunch today lies on a far higher playing field than the bowl of cereal I ate for breakfast.
Plus as a recovered anorexic, I find that style of blogging to set the wrong message and instill a sense of competitiveness when it comes to calories both in (food restriction) and out (overly punitive workouts).
I agree with you. Stopping to get pictures of a plate of food at 10 different angles completely cheapens it and makes the meal about something that it’s not meant to be.
Thanks for your thoughtful message. I agree on the competition–that’s why I try not to view certain blogs. I don’t want to get stuck in the trap of comparing how I eat with others.
Great post! That is exactly why I enjoy your blog, you are you and I enjoy you
Been there, done that!!!
I’ve only been blogging for 6-7 months, but when I started, I thought I’d need to write about food and take pics of everything. That lasted a day. Ha, ha. So I write about my favorite foods, my desire to be healthier, and just about every-day stuff. About the simple things that make life great… and interesting. 
So I feel you and think it’s awesome that you’re going to write about what you love and what you’re passionate about!
I think your blog is one of my favorites because of your everyday stories and journies with your husband. I check it absolutely every morning.
Wow, what a great post! I’m a fashion blogger, but I can totally relate. I too have overextended myself for the blog, and been totally stressed/worried about not having “things to blog about,” to the point where I thought about quitting. The two best pieces of advice I’ve heard for when you’re feeling burnt out (besides re-evaluating like you talk about here) – 1. Stop thinking about it, just for that day. Wait until tomorrow and re-visit. 2. Take it a day at a time. I try not to stress about what I’ll be posting a month from now. Taking it a day at time is much easier!
Thank you for the great reminder that we are all doing it for one reason – because we love it, and because it’s US!
http://www.JsEverydayFashion.com
When I first started my blog, not all that long ago, I remember busting out the point-and-shoot to take photos of my dinner at a barbecue restaurant. I was awkward – not authentic. And the more I thought about trying to fit in the molds of the blogs you listed, the more I feared being judged for the way I eat and the “program” I used to healthily reach and now maintain a healthy weight. Instead, I just decided to post a recipe if I like it. Post a workout if I felt like it. Just me, my life and my health. I might not fit in but at least it’s authentic. 100 percent me.
Exactly! it sounds like we had much the same experience with trying to be food blogers. Now, we are us and it feels so much better.
Hoooray!
I say, rock on girlfriend!
I was once a blog everything I eat girl and like you, it made my relationship with food worse. For a while, I felt really lost on how to post, when to post and all that and now that I am a full time blogger (and health coach) I am more in my groove and know where I fit into the big picture.
I think the best blogs are the authentic ones, where people are just being themselves. Honestly, only a couple of bloggers can pull off that 3x a day thing and do it well (we all know who they are) and I think it is awesome that they started such an amazing movement. But I also think it is amazing to see so many “small” bloggers stepping out and say hey, I don’t dig that but this is what I do enjoy.
So, good on you. I’ll be reading for sure!
I would LOVE to blog 3x a day, but my schedule doesn’t allow for it. I absolutely LOVE photographing ALL of my food – it works for me. It has also taught me that I don’t have to be embarrassed about the “weird” food I eat. There are others out there that like veggies for all meals, peanut butter with everything, and protein ice cream. I’ve been eating these things FOREVER, but always thought (because others told me) it was weird. “I eat weird food” – that was how I labeled myself. But now I’m confident about my food choices, and not even my co-workers’ nasty looks can tell me otherwise!
I love that you commented on how being a food blogger and taking photos of your food works for you and is helpful! Just goes to show you that some things work for some people and some things don’t.
I love your confidence in what you do and I love hearing how it helped you.
Lisa, Lisa, Lisa…you will never lose popularity over not blogging about food. I mean, crap, I checked up on your blog all day to see if you posted, you hadn’t yet when I checked just before I left work, and BAM! 61 comments prior to mine…in less than 3 hours. Haha!
You speak to me in this post, and I think we both know why. I was juggling three different blogs at one point, trying to find my niche. I love cooking and creating, and I love photographing special things I make. However, I was finding it totally overwhelming to post about what I ate three times a day. No one wants to know what I eat THAT much. Haha. Besides, juggling kids, work, my life in general, three blogs, a side job, and…gosh I know there’s more…caused my blog to go nutty. I never knew how to consolidate food and life into one blog post. At least you knew how to do that!
Anyways, I’ve decided that with my blog, it’s about food, life, love, motherhood, exercising, my favorite posts by other bloggers….it’s about MY life. I want to be able to enjoy it…and not feel judged based on the number of food pictures I have.
I’ll follow you wherever you take your blog, Lis!
I understand how you feel. I feel like I eat the same kind of food A LOT! Like the same breakfast, same type of meals and everything but I do it for me, not for anybody else. I love getting creative with my food but being a college student, I’m slightly restricted. My favorite thing is taking pictures at restaurants but I don’t get to go as much. Totally understand how ya feel!
I TOTALLY agree! Recently I have just been SO busy that I really have not had much time to keep up with blogging everyday- I used to feel OBLIGATED, like I HAD to blog every night, but now I know it’s MY blog & I can write whenever I want…and if I don’t have time to do it, then I just can’t.– NO BIG DEAL.
And, about the no pictures in restaurants- i think you hit the nail on the head- it DOES (in my opinion) take away from the whole eating out idea. I mean all you think is, “oh wait, did I take a picture of this, or a picture of that..” and it’s supposed to be enjoyable, not stressful. And it CAN be kind of awkward in some situations. I used to whip out my camera all the time in restaurants, but now I enjoy my self & think nothing of putting it on my blog.
Yep, and here’s the deal. I never cared when you posted pictures of your food. I always breezed past it. I read what you have to say, your opinions on things, your struggles, your triumphs and everything in btwn. Plus, I love all the “info” type posts you do as well.
umm this SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO ME!!!! Yes I still photograph food, but I still to this day never take extra time to make it pretty or buy crazy bowls and things so I don’t take a picture of the same ole bowl. It also made me quite food obsessed and I did gain weigt too!! I blog because I like it, sharing food, workouts, tips etc and ME.
I am so glad you posted abotu this today because I seriously went through the SAME THING!!!!
xoxo
One thing I appreciate about blogging about my food was that it taught me how to view food as somethign that should be beautiful–not feared. That is one positive thing I took away from it.
Otherwise, I agree with EVERYTHING you said.
So I’m about the millionth person to high-five you on this post…but I had to! I just started reading , your blog recently and can say that while I wasn’t a standard “food blogger” after taking almost a year hiatus, I’ve come back with a new twist on my blog because I feel passionate again, not burnt out. I think that any new food blogger goes through what you did, trying something that worked for a popular blog, and then making their adaptations. Anyway…so glad I found your blog and look forward to reading more!
I like this post. I have written similar things to it in recent past (Blogigations and Blogeralousy….etc). I think its all a matter of exploring what you like and evolving.
Look at Jenna at ELR..she was a 3x a day “this is what I ate” blog for what, maybe 3-5 years…now she does recipes or social outings posts only, etc.
I think it could take people a long long time to know their true voice. I Have NO idea what mine is…so i think its best to just explore and learn along the way…be introspective…be sarcastic../be silly…be angry….show pics…dont show pics
For me, I used to post 1x a day…now I do it every 2-3 days…but I just go with the flow. I think a big break is inevitable for me…and if and when i resume blogging again it will be chilled.
I think it is easy for us to get wrapped up and suddenly their quantity or quality of food eaten must be the norm…when it is the opposite…a food blogging community is NOT representative of the REAL world…plus, there is so much comopetition or “copying” in style or this or that…
I also see on about 5 blogs a day that someone new is trying to launch a book …ha
Its nice in a way cause you see people with similar dreams , etc…were all in the same world together and we all kinda want the same things….but there is enough in the world for everyone…and some of us reach our dreams sooner than other…heck, I’m still trying to figure out my TRUE passions, my true strengths, my true voice…but i really believe it doesn’t matter for me to know it…i dont need to know it….i just need to LIVE and laugh and explore and try new foods, try reading new books, try watching new tv shows, meet new friends, etc…things like that…
you can change your interests and voice again and again..its just one big journey.
But i think blogs should be more for:
a) expression
b) social comaderie…
and not for I ate this and this and this…My google reader is greatly reduced after i learned those things were boring me.
Blogging is something to do in spare time…do when you CAN or WANT…its not our jobs…its not our lives…gottta be chill about it, or its just slightly crazy, no?
Um, are we the same person? I think our thoughts on this are IDENTICAL.
Lisa– what a great post! I absolutely agree with you. My first couple months of blogging I tried to photograph everything I ate and put it on my blog. And while I love to look at other peoples’ food (which is kind of strange if you think about it) writing about what I ate bored me completely! I love how honest you are on your blog — I know you get that all the time, but it truly is inspiring! Having a blog that focuses on healthy living does not mean it has to be about food — I definitely, definitely agree that it’s so easy to get into an unhealthy relationship with food when trying to spend so much time EVERY day on what you’re going to eat.
I absolutely love this post. And I love you
Send me your address so I can send you some bread 
I think it’s SO great that you addressed this. And I love that you said you will blog for YOU! Knowing yourself in blogging means writing your best content and that’s what makes a blog fun to read, even if it’s not the traditional food journal.
I like the “food journal” blogs and I also like the blogs that aren’t about food everyday. I think what I’m drawn too are the personalities and the bloggers behind the blog. And when people try to fit into a mold that they don’t enjoy, their personality doesn’t come out. I know I will never be a blogger who documents every thing I eat – I agree, it takes away from the joy of eating and the experiences with friends and family. Heck, I may not even post something health, fitness, or food-related everyday. I blog for myself and for the community. I love the community and I think they like me when my blog reflects me.
Ok, I’m rambling. Love this post, love your blog, love you.
Amen!! Lately you’ve probably noticed I stopped taking pictures of my food for that exact same reason! Sometimes I want oatmeal 3 times a day.. sometimes I want to eat cabbage for a week.. sometimes I want to eat something boring and I always felt pressured to not do what I wanted! So I stopped..now I’m only posting high lights
Lisa I love your blog- it is just fantastic. And the more it matures, the better it gets. I think the main reason is that you just write what you want, and you aren’t trying to fit into any molds. When I read your blog, it reminds me that food is just a part of what healthy living is all about.
When I blogged for a while the same things happened to me- overspent, gained weight, worried about what people would want to see, etc.. it consumed me and it wasn’t enjoyable.
It’s refreshing to hear you open up about this, and its posts like this that will keep me coming back to read your fabulous blog!!
I adore this post! You are so fabulous
I feel the same way. I never posted everything I ate, because I was very self conscious about it. I felt like it was inappropriate in most circumstances, and more often than not I am more focused on my meal and company than taking pictures. Plus, it is entirely wrong to take pictures during Shabbat and Jewish holidays, so it just was not for me.
I used to put pressure on myself to blog everyday, then 5 days a week, and then I jsut got over it and blog when I want. The truth is, I find the whole photographing your food thing kind of strange, and it’s just so voyeuristic that those blogs are so popular.
I’ll never get free trips, make enough money off my blog to call it a job, or get all of the amazing free loot some of those girls get, but who cares because I don’t have any pressure! I love the term “o-blog-ated.” I can’t imagine having that pressure all of the time!
I love this post- and I couldn’t agree more with you
It’s so important to do what’s right for YOU!! Blogging shouldn’t be stressful or feel like an obligation. I recently found your blog and I absolutely love it and know I will continue to love it no matter what you blog about because of your beautiful spirit! xoxo
I love this post. I started out the same way, thinking that I HAD to be a food blogger. But my food isn’t that interesting, and to be honest, I dont really like reading about it from other people either. I like REAL topics about how people live their lives. I think you do a great job at that!
hey lisa!
i don’t blog and that is one of the main reasons why.. taking pics of my food would stress me out and cause anxiety rather than be fun, while it works for others i know it won’t work for me and i always have a fear that if i start a blog it won’t be as good as all the others that are popular out there.. so i just lurk and admire blogs like yours instead
Love this girl! You gotta do you
I commend you for this post. I think we all feel this way at times and its okay. Its keeps us in check with ourselves. Its great to hear about your workout and about LIFE in general.
I think the whole food blogging thing is really getting out of hand. It was fun, but it’s more annoying now. That’s why mine is more towards fashion and beauty with recipes mixed in. I also show what I eat everyday, just because I am doing weight watchers and have some readers who completely went postal when they didnt know what I was eating or what I was doing so I picked back up on that. You just have to do what works for you. Obviously you have something good going on you get so many comments!!!
xo
you go girl!! I bet there are A LOT of bloggers out there who feel like that, me included!! I mean, I like food blogging and that’s essentially all I post about, but I cannot CANNOT post what I eat every day. It turns me into the most neurotic person ever and the few times I have done it I get e-mails telling me I don’t eat enough! Grrr
I get that it works for others and they have tons of fans, including me…it is just not “for me” to share what I eat every day. Ditto on the binging on unpictured stuff- I did it too. I also fell into the whole needing the expensive products/gadgets trap. Cue expensive jar of almond butter that I didn’t even like… chia seeds which I’m not the biggest fan of but they’re alright…goji berries… protein powder… sigh. I wish I had learned this lesson sooner!
At the same time… (and as you said ,not to dog on the other food bloggers)… it gets so repetitive to see the same things and combinations every day (re: OATS). I tend to scroll past those parts of the posts and when I’m in a hurry I skip those bloggers entirely! I like to mix it up and so do the majority of my favorite bloggers (like you!). I need to read something besides info about eating schedule and workout habits. I love “real” stuff, posts on varied topics, and just day-to-day work, life, relationship details. It seems much more personable to me.
Thanks so much for posting this!! I am going to link to you in my next post
umm okay update… haha- I just read ALL of the comments before mine
You and your blog are just so awesome and you have sooo many fans and friends but I what I love most about you is that you make time to respond to us! You even come to our blogs and comment!! I really, really appreciate that. I know I don’t blog just to get comments…but it is nice to know that someone is out there paying attention!
I have noticed that a lot of bloggers, no matter how many times I have commented on their posts, or even emailed them with a cool article or recipe that I thought might interest them have never once responded to me. I know they get busy…but isn’t the point of this community to be here for one another and be supportive and foster a positive environment? Maybe that’s a little harsh…but what do you think about that?
HOW did I not see this post sooner?? I love it! Not really a surprise since everything you write is so fantastic. My favorite blogs are blogs like yours that present things other than food. I love looking at the food pictures and things as well but they don’t as much to me as the messages people present. And you always present a beautiful, inspiring, and strong message. You are a fabulous blogger!!!
I know I could never do the food posting either. I’m actually thrilled that I should be (by early next week) working with the BlogHer publishing network over FoodBuzz. I am not a food blogger and have no desire to be. I love reading them, but like you, trying to be a food blogger would make me to obsessed with food. I worked too long to take the focus off of food so why would I put myself back there?
I hear what you’re saying. Especially about taking pictures of food at restaurants. Or at other people’s houses. I still take pictures of food sometimes at restaurants. If I want to. I still like taking pictures of my food. If I want to. So not every blog has food pictures. I try to stay true to myself and make my blog about whatever I feel like. Since it’s my creative corner, it’s good to have no rules.
Good for you for staying true to yourself!
I think this is a fantastic post…I too am not and never will be a food blogger. I am okay with that! I eat things that are not fit for photography.
I think it’s great that you know what you are and aren’t and I say blog about whatever you want!
I think the great thing about blogging is that we get to do what we want. If you want to post about food, great. If not, that’s ok too.
I used to try to come up with creative food ideas, and it was just too much pressure. If I have something noteworthy, it goes on the blog. If not, oh well! I don’t always want to take pictures of what I’m eating, sometimes I just want to eat it.
I think it can be so easy to get wrapped up in blogging. I sometimes can get stressed about it but I always have to remind myself that I do this for fun and ultimately for ME!
I love your job and I think it is so original. Keep it up!
bravo, lisa, bravo! i, too, gained weight when i started blogging. like, a LOT of weight. i was pressured to add all sorts of lovely toppers and ingredients to my meals that were once simple and clean. i had to cut back on that whole thing and focused on body for life sized and styled meals.. and then i finally was back where i wanted to be. now days, i don’t blog each and every meal anymore. i couldn’t be happier. and you are the same. you’ve mentioned this before, that you dont love food blogging.. but who the flip cares? you are a GOOD blogger! one of my favorites, in fact. one i click on the second i open my reader. because you are real, and you type posts like this, where i feel like you are in my head. i have mentioned i love blogging my food because making up recipes and new combos excites me, but i no longer let the pressure of blogging dictate my meals. granted, i still let it dictate my moves a little.. but that is a good thing! it helps keep me motivated and accountable.
again, bravo, loved this and love you.
I love posts like yours that are raw and speak to me! My blog is just about me and I love it!
I feel the EXACT same way! I just re-vamped my blog to make it a ‘healthy lifestyle blog’ rather than just a food blog. In my opinion, writing down and taking pictures of everything you eat is a little OCD. I mean if I eat the same smoothie 5 days in a row for breakfast do I really need to take a pic of it EVERY morning post it?? Seems plain silly to me
I think the best part of your blog is your honesty. You are beautiful and REAL and that’s what I look forward to reading about most!
-Laur
Well, I think you touched on something with this blog. It is a good thing for you to be more about living than about food.
LOVE this! I totally agree with you. My original intent was to run a food blog, too, but I quickly realized that just isn’t for me. I enjoy reading your blog posts, and I can honestly tell you that it has nothing to do with any food you’ve ever posted. I really enjoy reading your stories and what you’re thinking and learning. Keep it up, Lisa! And thank you for sharing part of your world with the us:-).
The “super bloggers” got where they are not because of the subject matter, in this case food, but because of the content itself; and to take that one step further, the passion that they have for the content. They blog about what they LOVE and that is what brings readers flocking to their pages. Many “wannabes” don’t interest me. This is not because they’re not the real deal (which there isn’t such a thing anyway), but because it’s easy to read between the lines and see that their words and ideas are far from original and lacking in passion. This is not to say they’re not great writers, but there is a difference between writing about something you love and something you think/want to love. It shows!
Also, even if you are a foodie, you can read foodie blogs ’til you’re blue in the face. I’d rather have a more diverse spread of blogs bookmarked to choose from. I enjoy food blogs, but some days I think, “If I have to hear about one more green monster….” You get the idea.
One of my favorite blogs is written by a mama with four kids who loves to sew and knit! I have nothing in common with any of those things, but I read her blog religiously because it is just so darn good. To me, that is what makes a good blog…having the capacity to attract readers with entirely different lifestyles simply because your words reflect a passion that others are drawn to.
WOW this was a popular post! I feel the same way, and obviously other people do too
I like reading everything you have to say, so keep it up. I’m bored of food, to be honest.
This is so amazing. I really could not agree more and I love that you wrote this. I started reading blogs and I just wanted to be a part of something. Granted, I live in Africa and barely have internet so I never could have been a 3x a day, but I thought that is what it was supposed to be. Now, the blogs I read are the ones where people have voices. They have originality and spirit. Not just pictures of oatmeal! I love you for saying this, it is so true and you are AWESOME. Thanks for sharing.
Hi i’ve been reading your blog for a while and i am really glad you are writing what you want and not what you feel you should. that’s why i enjoy your blog for it’s real! i like the other blogs too but like you sometimes i get too caught up with how they eat and all which is wonderful but might not be suited to my body and needs, hence i find that yours give a refreshing change. it’s nie to read a variety of blogs not just food blogs. so glad for you that you made that decision and am enjoying your blog, whatever you may blog on. thanks. (: great post!
Love this post Lisa. Ive often tossed around the idea of starting a blog myself, but what stopped me was the foodie aspect. I love food, but i didnt want it to consume my blog. I wanted it to be funny and more about my life and daily events than anything.. Like a Journal in the life of ME! Im still not sure i want to start one because it is a commitment that i feel like i could slack on. But this post made me smile and reassured me that blogs dont need to just be food orientated they can be life orientated! LOVE YOU!
I hear ya Miss! I quickly realized that although I am (for the most part haha) passionate about healthy eating, what kept me blogging was not the food but my love of writing. In the beginning the food part was like a new adventure so I enjoyed it, but then I felt like I had discovered everything and got bored. At first I was kind of scared that if I stopped writing about food people would stop reading my blog, but then I realized anyone that was reading it for the same reason I was writing (the stories) would keep reading. That’s all that mattered. Any readers I lost would have been people that were just there to look at what I ate that day and so who cares, right? I love the community and I love interacting with other bloggers. Now though, I love not planning meals and not feeling pressure to post on a daily basis haha There are no rules!! Oh and did I mention I like this post? cause I do
Where to begin… First off, this was the best post, the best post I have read in weeks. I get so sick of reading people’s blogs with lack of honesty and integrity. I check your blog from time to time, but after reading this it makes me want to read much more often.
I think a lot of food bloggers paint a false picture of what they really do. I have had nurmerous (I won’t call them out) tell me in private that they don’t eat everything they post, if any at all at times, rather it is mostly for show and they will cook or bake and give the food away or feed their family or SO. I think that is fine, BUT at least be real and honest when you blog about it.
Good for you for being honest, and you have a quite popular blog. People like the real, not the fake. So keep at it.
I love you a little more for this post and for using the term “dogging anyone” lol
Seriously, great post. I was just thinking about the kinds of blogs I read. I don’t like the “powerhouse” ones you mentioned where everything appears to be perfect, posting 2X+ a day that lack personality.
I want to read about struggles, triumphs, what works for you, what hasn’t, your life, your pets, you, you know?
This is the best post I’ve read all wk so thank you.
I think you know I am in complete agreement. You said it so eloquently. Good for you being you!!
I love your honesty. One of the reasons your blog is a fav on mine. That’s really interesting about becoming obsessed with food while blogging about it. I’ve never thought about that but it makes perfect sense.
I’m not really a food blogger. Truth be told, I had no idea what food blogging was up (aside from Janetha who I met on a fitness forum b4 we blogged) until a few months ago despite my blog being over 2 years old. I LOVE food and will write about it when I feel inspired to do so but I’m more interested in the “real food movement” and what it can do for our bodies rather than see my apple and 5 almonds. I really like talking about picking up heavy sh*! I’m klassy like that.
This sounds familiar. I also fell into the trap of being a food blogger when I really have no passion or knack for it. I dumped the food blog and started a new one, and this already feels more authentic. I love this post, and I’m glad you “came clean” about this! I think a lot of beginning bloggers feel this way, but no one wants to talk about it.
McKella
http://handprintsoul.wordpress.com/
I thought I commented on this – I am losing my mind.
I just wanted to say that I agree with SO much of this. When I first started my blog, I thought it either a. had to be a traditional food blog, or b. had to be an exercise blog, where I’m posting new and different exercise routines that I do every.single.day. I quickly realized that neither of these are my cup of tea, mainly because I’m a creature of habit and writing about a spin class 4 times a week or the same oatmeal I’m having every day wasn’t gonna cut it.
I do like to look at the pictures on traditional food blogs (some are so beautiful!), but there is a *part* of me that thinks it’s a little….strange, maybe? Maybe it’s from having an eating disorder for so long, but I think if you ask any therapist/counselor, they might advise that posting your food everyday could lead to troubled behavior (NOT that it always does, but in reading through the comments it is interesting how so many people started out food blogging, then stopped because it lead to issues!). I had one week where I blogged all I ate, and it drove me INSANE. Like you, I wanted to eat what I wanted – even if it wasn’t pretty. Not to mention, when I eat my food with friends and family, I want THAT to be the focus – not how pictures of my veggies or sandwich are going to look. I do think there is a place for food blogging, but I’ve just realized it’s not at all for me!
Love your blog and I totally agree with you. I admire greatly the food bloggers and I follow a lot of them. My blog is about what I am passionate about, from time to time I may post a recipe I tried but not much. One thing I have to do better is on is at least posting 2-3 times a week. Still working on that.
Keep being you.:)
Just catching up reading your last few posts — this is so powerful! Ironically I just completely re-did my blog to make it a heathy lifestyle blog rather than just about food. I’m right there with ya chica!!! Agree 200%!
Those pics bloggers take of the food they eat? I honestly despise them. I really think that they detract from the post itself and often times they suggest an unhealthy preoccupation with food. A foodie is someone who enjoys good food, not someone who takes a picture of every meal they eat for numbers of nameless people to look at.
I really like how your posts have changed. To tell you the truth, I didn’t peak in here often in the beginning because I didn’t want to see all the pics of food! Now? I check in almost every day
You know I feel the same as you! I’m still trying to figure out my blog voice since I’ve moved back….my mojo needs to get back quick!
I think once I get another job with normal hours, I’ll find more time to be creative
Love your posts as always! Your blog is great!
I’m a little late but I REALLY enjoyed this post!
It’s very comforting to know how many other bloggers are out there just using their voice and not anyone elses. I thought that I was going to be a ‘food blogger’ but after the first day it annoyed the crap out of me! Speaking from the heart is the way to go.
Thank you! I’m glad you figured out that it wasnt for you as quick as you did!
I think if you blog about what you want to blog about, then what you say will be genuine. I think it’s fantastic that you know what you want to blog about now. I was in the same boat where I wanted to be like KathEats or the other food blogs, but it wasn’t me. So props for finding what you want to blog about and of course I will be a devoted reader to anything you write!
Thanks! I completely agree with you! if the blogger is genuiine, then I pretty much am guaranteed to enjoy their blog much more than someone who is trying to do something that doesn’t feel right to them!
I always say a “happy blogger is a happy reader.” You can tell when you read posts when the blogger isn’t into it. I think a lot of people have hopped on the food blogging train because it’s what they read. But what you read isn’t always what you love to write. You have to 1) LOVE taking photos (I do, I genuinely want to take a gazillion photos of everything I eat, then I have to remind myself no one cares about an apple) and 2) be somewhat creative. I’m not creative all the time either, so I try really hard not to blog about food that isn’t. But at the same time, I don’t do a food diary. I never feel pressure to blog about food if I don’t want to. Part of the reason why I started Fitness Friday! I’ve also started doing more lifestyle posts. Why follow the pack when being yourself is so much more interesting?
Im with you 100%! I recently went away from blogging each meal, too and Im already feeling different towards blogging. I get to blog about what I want and Im finding that I have more interesting things to say and Im easier to relate to. For me, blogging each and every bite that I went into my mouth wasnt healthy. I started having issues with guilt and like you Id eat things that I didnt blog about. Dont even get me started on the bills!
Such an interesting post! I consider myself a food blogger, but not in the way that I capture everything I eat. I’m sorry, but that’s like documenting my bowel movements…no one needs THAT much information about your every move! Pun intended!
This is the first post I’ve read of yours, and halfway through it, I added you to my reader. I couldn’t agree more. I’ve never blogged 3x a day and can’t handle those blogs for the most part. I get bored with my own food, why would I want to read someone elses. I do, however, sometimes make things that I am not 100% feeling for dinner, but that is sometimes a good thing. Otherwise, Id’ eat roasted brussels for every meal. Oh, wait. I do.
Aw! Thank you! Seriously–I went through a phase where I’d eat eggs and a sweet potato for dinner! That most certainly is not blog worthy for fun to look at! Thanks for commenting
After reading your new years’ post I had to read this post because I feel the same exact way. My favorite blogs are some of yours, and I began to feel as if I didn’t post about food I wouldn’t fit in. But my favorite posts have nothing to do with food, this blog is about me and my life, not about what I eat day to day (especially since it’s not always healthy, and low fat, and looks mouthwatering)
So thanks for posting this 
I’m the same as you. Food just doesn’t interest me and it’s definitely not enough to keep me coming back to a blog. I like personality. I like real life stories.
Shmeeee i LOVE this post, Lisa!!!!!!!! I know it was written forever ago, but I just wanted to speak up and say I completely agree with your sentiments. I am not “food blogger” by any means… it just does not interest me, and I’d go crazy spending all that time snapping pics and editing and what not. I guess I dub myself as a life-caster… I blog about what I want, when i want! If nothing interesting is going on in my life at the time, my posts slow down. Yes, i realize I’ll never be one of the “popular” blogs… but that doesn’t bother me one bit! I’m not blogging for people, anyway. I’m blogging for me…and it’s a great way to keep my family up to date as well as preserve memories of those special moments in my life I’ll always want to remember.
I thought food blogging was what I wanted when I started, but it’s not. Immediately I realized how restricting it is and how much I was not INTO it. I think its harder to build a readership when you don’t have a narrow approach at first, but readership isn’t what I’m after, I guess. Anyway, I appreciate this post and agree with it 100%! Food blogging isn’t for me. I’m more of a healthy habit blogger
Lisa,
I recently discovered your blog, and I LOVE IT. Thanks for this post. I started a blog a couple of months back and tried to mimic all of the healthy living blogs that I read. Now, I haven’t blogged for weeks, because I got sick of it. That is just not me. This post has inspired me to think about taking a different route with my blog and just blogging about whatever the heck I feel like blogging about. You’re awesome.
Katie
“The best thing in life that you can do is KNOW YOURSELF. Know what makes tick and makes you cringe. Know what will lift you up to the highest sky and know what will make you sink faster then you can imagine.
Know yourself.”
I LOVE THIS!
Glad you enjoyed those words–and thanks for leaving me in the comment–it’s words that I can read over and over again.
I love this post! I tried to be a “healthy living” blogger when I first got into blogging. I even started my own blog and tried to write about healthy food, and running, and doing races. All because that’s what my favorite bloggers did. After only 3 months, I got bored. I was bored with trying to keep up with a blogging style that wasn’t me. And you could see it in my writing. Eventually I let that “healthy living” blog fall by the wayside. I never post on it anymore. But I still loved blogging. I started a new one that was just about me and my life. Not necessarily “healthy living”. I’m just not into eating oats every morning, or having a plate of steamed veggies and a salad for dinner. My new blog is a lot more fun, it’s more reflective of who I am. I can be myself and write about whatever the heck I want! And the best part is, I no longer feel pressured to blog about my food every single day, or put up stats from my latest run. Blogging is a lot more fun when you can just be yourself!
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