Hello folks! I missed ya yesterday. I managed to break the admin part of my site this weekend and I’ve been working like a nut to get it fixed. After some sweat and a *few* tears we are back in business. Lesson learned!
I had an amazing weekend filled with old friends, new friends, and a few movies. I have so much to tell you but I think I’m going to save it till tomorrow.
Today I want to share something I’ve been thinking about tons lately.
MY HEALTH.
My physical health. My mental health. My lifestyle health.
I don’t share a ton about my health, eating habits, exercise, etc on the blog. I don’t do this for a couple of reasons.
1. I’m not an expert on health.
2. I hate to be judged.
3. I am pretty sure that no one is interested and I don’t want to bore people.
4. I hate to FEEL like I’m being judged.
Despite all of those reasons, I find myself drawn to blogs that are doing just what I’m afraid of. They are posting about their struggle to lose weight, get healthy, conquer a fear, or just learn to love themselves more. There are some really inspirational bloggers out there like Beth’s Journey, Living With Healthy Hunger, Honey I Shrunk the Gretchen, and many others. These bloggers are inspirational for such different reasons, whether it be their bright outlook on life or the quest to become a healthier version of themselves.
I’m sure you are wondering what brought this sudden sharing session.
First, as of today I am officially on a 150 day countdown until I leave on a wonderful cruise with my family. It will be my first cruise ever and I am inundated with images of me being in my bathing suit for days on end.
HOLY.CRAP.
Second, even more important than the cruise countdown is an appointment coming up in a week or so. I have been dealing with high blood pressure for a bit and struggling to gain control over it. My migraines that I’ve talked about a few times are a symptom of this spike in my BP. I’m having a tough time keeping it under control so I’m being sent to a cardiologist. A cardiologist. I don’t want to be a 31 year old woman who has a cardiologist. Ugh. Doesn’t it just sound scary?!
Add together a cruise countdown, a cardiologist appointment, and a weight that I’m not pleased with and you have a recipe for some life changes that need to happen.
Soooo…what does that mean for me (and you since you read the blog)?
1. Give up my beloved soda. I LOVE Cherry Coke Zero. Its crap and I know it.
2. Track my food intake better to make sure I’m getting all my veggies, fruits, protein, etc in appropriately. You can now follow along with what I’m eatin’ on my newly created “DAILY EATS” page.
3. Commit myself to exercise/activity 5x/week. This can be done at the gym, at home, with friends, and all by my lonesome. I’ll be tracking what I’m doing, no matter how big or small, on the bottom of my “Daily Eats” posts.
4. Make healthier choices when out with friends/family. I want to continue being social and go out often, but I want to stay on track while doing so!
5. Continue to work towards my “feel good weight” by adding up 1-4 listed above. 
As the days progress in my 150 Day Cruise Countdown I want to create an environment where my healthy lifestyle, healthy mind, and healthy body can flourish. This doesn’t mean giving up booze, food, or fun, but finding a lovely balance. I really want to be a Healthy Living blogger!
I appreciate you guys reading along with me over the past year and hopefully you will be cool with a few blog changes. If you aren’t into the Daily Eats posts, just skip them in your reader. They will only show up on the Daily Eats tab and not the main page. The rest of my random posts will stay the same. Cool? Cool!
Have a happy healthy week! See ya tomorrow with a weekend recap!
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I understand this post wholeheartedly. While I don’t consider myself a healthy living blogger, I do try to eat healthy and exercise as much as possible. There are times when I get discouraged or don’t push myself like I should and I sometimes turn to blogs for inspiration. I’m not happy with my weight and though I don’t have any major health concerns, obviously weight is an issue that IS health concern. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is I think the addition to your blog is great and I look forward to it
Thanks so much Shannon! Hopefully the addition of a few little pieces to the blog will help keep me accountable and help me create a healthier me!
I love your honesty with this, especially “I’m not an expert on health” I think too many people out there post there opinion and others can be influenced by it when they are not experts or know what they are talking about in the first place.
Good luck with your bp, hopefully you wont have to go on meds because once you are on them, you’re on them. And a cruise? Motivation enough–they are so much fun! It was great to meet you this wknd
Ugh. I’m “on them” already. That is part of the reason it is so annoying that it can’t get under control. Meds for no reason? No thank you!
It was great to meet you too! Pics coming soon!
Thanks for the love, my friend, but you are not giving yourself enough credit here! You can so totally do this, and I know it’s scary to put it all out there but seriously, it’s so liberating. People still give me weird looks when I tell them I post my weight all over the internet and openly admit all my suckage when it comes to exercise and post pictures of my mouth wide open about to suck down a banana and nutella crepe, haha, but it barely phases me anymore! And I think that was always the hardest thing for me — my weight, my health, it was all so taboo for so long, nobody wanted to talk about it ESPECIALLY me. You’re going to rock this and look amazing on your cruise — I know it. I’m with you all the way!
Wow – what a compliment coming from you Erin! It’s funny because as I read this post, I’m writing a post about how much I’m struggling with maintenance. I am excited about your Daily Eats tab. It’ll be great for us to get to see but also a good tool for you! I have considered doing something similar.
You are gonna LOVE the cruise Erin!! It is definitely my way to travel….and 150 days?! You are going to do great. I often find myself feeling similar to the way you describe. I lost a bunch of weight using Weight Watchers and managed to maintain for quite a while, but some stressors hit and I’ve slowly crept back up to a place where I am not so happy. It’s hard work to get back to where I want to be, but once I’m there it will be so worth it! Just wait until you look and feel fabulous on that cruise – I’m so excited for you!!! I can’t wait to follow your journey
I love reading blogs that focus on health, food, exercise..so I’m sure I’ll still enjoy reading your blog! I am always in need of more motivation!
While I never was a big soda drinker, I have almost totally given it up. I realized it makes me hungry and crave sugar every time I drink it so it’s not worth it anymore. If I need caffeine I go for coffee and I need carbonation I go for soda water.
Good for you, Erin! I think being this honest with yourself and with your blog friends is the best way to make some healthy changes in your life. I am really excited for you and this new challenge. Thanks for the shout out for Living with Healthy Hunger.
Love that you are going for this and you are being really smart in your goals! And a cruise? I am totally jealous!
You can do it! The first step is always the most difficult and you’re doing great. Keep thinking about your health, your goals and your support system and you will get there
I’ve had high blood pressure for three years (which runs in my family but I was the youngest one to get it) and just found out that I have high cholesterol, too. I’m not happy and after Baby is born I know that I’ll be focusing more on healthy, clean foods and exercise. I’m trying to do both now but it’s hard with crazy pregnancy cravings!
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