Yesterday being My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries’ first birthday got me thinking about how much my life has changed since I started my little corner of the blog world. It made me realize why I blog and why I continue to write day in and day out. I’ve never once felt like writing a post was an obligation. I get to share my life and my passion for healthy living with you all each and every day – what an honor! Even better? You keep reading along and supporting and encouraging me with each day that passes. You really are the best. I sincerely thank you!
So, why do I blog?
1. YOU ALL!
My readers make it totally worth it. The emails, the tweets, the comments – they make my day each and every day. Keep ‘em coming friends!
2. The friendships
The close friendships I’ve made through blogging is unbelievable. I look back and wonder how they were never in my life before this little blog. We just “get” each other, and I love that.
[Me, 3. Inspiring others
There’s nothing better than when a reader emails me to let me know that I was able to inspire them to get into a fitness routine, eat healthier, or change their lifestyle for the better. It puts a big smile on my face every time!
4. Sharing my knowledge
I would consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable when it comes to the food and fitness world. It’s always an honor when I get to share what I’ve learned in an effort to help others reach their goals.
5. I love to write!
In high school and college, I would write a paper over taking a test any day. Writing has always come naturally to me, and I just love it.
I never in a million years thought I’d be writing a healthy living blog. Heck, I didn’t even understand the concept of a blog up until a couple years ago! It wasn’t until a friend directed me to Peanut Butter Fingers that my eyes were opened to the healthy living blog world. I decided I was going to start my own, and I haven’t looked back once.
Needless to say, I’ll be around for awhile! 
Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement along the way!
Questions:
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Do you have a blog? If so, why do YOU keep blogging?
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What are qualities of some of your favorite blogs?
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
Every now and then, I get an email from a reader that I never even knew read my blog, thanking me for writing it. I’ve also had people write me asking me questions about my faith. And I’ve had people who have tried the recipes and loved them. Those are just some of the reasons I keep writing my blog. I also love the friendships I’ve created … with ladies like you!
Agreed!
It’s just nice to share ideas and thoughts with like-minded people
Congrats on 1 year Ash! Your blog is one of my absolute favorites, not only because you’re the one who writes it
, but also because of your honesty and transparency. If it weren’t for you, I would have never even known about HA or that I struggled with it! I love you girl, keep the blog posts coming 
Aw thanks girl! Love you!
I just started my blog up a little over a week ago. I think it’s going to be a really great experience and I look forward to meeting and getting to know people in the healthy living blogging community. You’re right…we are like minded people, which is really nice. I love that after a year, you continue to love blogging and have become very successful at it. Keep up the good work!
Congratulations on your new blog!
Congrats on your “1st Birthday”! As Brittany just stated above, I can’t thank you enough for opening up to us.. especially when it came to HA. I haven’t been able to completely share it with anyone, but I’m currently trying to figure out if I may or may not be struggling with it myself. I missed my period last month, and still wondering when it may return. I know I should look into a doctor, but since moving here to Kuwait I’m not quite sure who to see, or where to go. I would love to hear more about it, and what the doctor said you should do. My e-mail is “jessiejoshua21@yahoo.com”. No need to rush into it, but whenever you have time
I hope you have a wonderful weekend Ash!
Hi Jessie! Have you read my other posts regarding HA? I have a whole page devoted to it. Here is the link: http://www.myfoodnfitnessdiaries.com/ha/ I would encourage you to read those, and if you still have more questions, don’t hesitate to email me!
Oh okay, thank you!
I love this so much! I’m so glad you do blog
I agree – meeting people just like me is probably the best part.
Congrats on one year of blogging! I blog for pretty much all the same reasons you do. Plus food is my passion and I love being able to share it with others!
I love food too!
What a great post!!! I love blogging too because of the fantastic community and the support from everyone!!! I also love to write and create posts! So fun!
this is great. I have to agree with all those points. Blogging made me realize I like to write, something I thought i dreaded.
great minds think alike, I have one of these posts sitting in my drafts. I blog for the inspiration because I don’t have many people around me who love fitness so the blogging world has helped me a lot!
I love this! So true! Blogging has helped me connect with so many different people. It’s definitely changed my life, and and I’ve only been doing it for a little over 7 months.
Congratulations Ashley!
I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now. Like you, I’ve always enjoyed writing and getting my thoughts on paper. So, this summer, I decided to start my own blog! I’ve really enjoyed the process so far. It would be great if you could share some tips for new bloggers about breaking into the blogging community. I’m looking forward to another great year of posts!
Thanks for the suggestion Alexandra! That is definitely something I’ll plan on doing!
Awesome, I think your love for blogging really shines through in your posts, which keeps me coming back to read!
I’m so glad you blog.
I love it, and I love you. You are an inspirational woman, and you touch SO many lives… including mine. I love blogging because of all the friendships that it has brought me (like you!). It has been such a blessing…. YOU are a blessing!
I love YOU! Your friendship is such a blessing to me too girl!
LOOOOOOOVE YOU!!!!! I blog for the same reasons! I love the connections I make and each and every one of those reader e-mails means the world to me!
I love YOU!
P.S. I keep meaning to ask you for your address… Would you mind emailing or texting it to me?
Congrats on your one year and all your reasons for blogging are such good ones! Keep it up!
love this post and i love your blog!
I am so glad I recently found your blog!! reading about HA really helped me a lot, since I have been struggling with the exact same thing since January and havent recovered yet
but you are such an inspiration to me, I really appreciate all your posts more than you will ever know. Thanks for that!
All the best from Vienna xx
I’m so glad Doris! This made my day. Thank you!
Congratulations on one year Ashley!
I blog for many of the same reasons you do, but also because sometimes (selfish reason) it helps me discover my real thoughts and feelings. Sometimes when I’m writing a light bulb will go off of why I’m struggling with something or why I was successful with something.
I love reading blogs, ESPECIALLY yours, because you are completely real and you share with your readers things that many of us are thinking, but can not necessary say ourselves.
When reading about some of your struggles with food and weight and that while you have come so far and are at your healthiest that sometimes you still have a down day, I actually had my boyfriend read those posts so he could understand how I’m feeling but had trouble expressing. You have been a blessing in my life. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing all of that Angela! That means so much to me.
Congratulations on your blog of one year!
Finding your blog has been one of the best things that’s ever happened to me! You have no idea how much of an inspiration you are and how much I look up to you like a big sister! Thank you for always being so open and honest with us. You help us in more ways than you can imagine. Love you!!
That’s so sweet of you Katie! Thanks girl!
xoxo
I love blogging for all of the reasons you do! And because it’s a creative outlet for me
. I think the best part for me though have been the friends that I’ve made through it- like yourself! I’m so thankful for you and the wonderful ladies I have met through this!!
I’m SO thankful for you too Linds!! Love you!
Like you, I love to write! Blogging gives me an outlet to do so!
I agree with the friendship aspect, too! It’s awesome to have so many friends from all over the place!
I love your blog! You are so open and honest, and you have shared some wonderful workouts that have really challenged me!
I started blogging earlier this year as a way to motivate myself to continue running/working out. After reading your blog for quite a few months, as well as a few others, I decided it was time. All of you are so wonderful about sharing the ups and downs of your lives and I always find encouragement through your posts.
Just recently, I’ve felt like I’ve started making real blog friends, and I’m excited to continue to “meet” new people!
That is awesome! You will continue to grow those friendships too. It’s so neat!
Oh my god only one year! and you’re so well established! I figured you’d been at it years! I’ve my one year anniversary in August..:)
Congratulations! You’ve done so well for yourself!! I really enjoy blogging because it forces me to carve time out for myself to sit down, relax & get out my thoughts! It’s also so awesome to get comments & interaction with other bloggers. Since I’m relatively new to blogging still (only 5 months in), I don’t get MANY comments from readers, but when I do.. it’s such a joyous occasion!
I’ve had a blog for over 3 weeks now – and I absolutely love having one! I blog because I enjoy writing, food, and fitness, and the blog allows me to combine all three. It gives me a little bit of a platform to talk about my past eating disorder and hopefully help people who are struggling – definitely a goal of mine!
And also…I got tired of talking and ranting about food (quinoa, nut butters, green smoothies, protein pancakes) and fitness (barbells, Crossfit, running pace) while watching all my less fitness-and-food inclined friends and family members eyes’ glaze over.
Simply put…I like connecting with other with similar interests. Trying to talk about running to people who don’t run/hate running/don’t care…is not exactly fun, lol. At least those that read my blog and blogs I read can share advice/stories/highs/lows/etc because there’s a mutual understanding and passion for it (running).
Happy birthday!! Honestly, one of the reasons I started blogging was YOU. Seriously! These last couple of years have been really difficult for me and just reading your blog inspired, motivated, and gave me courage more than you know. After being diagnosed with HA, it made me relate to you even more! My heart leaped for joy when you shared the good news!! God really works in mysterious ways and brings people in your life at the perfect time! I haven’t been blogging for long, but I can tell you that I’m a lot happier! My mind is always running and most of the time, I dwell or worry on things that I have no control over. Since I started blogging, I spend less time thinking about all the negative things and instead channel my creativity into something that’s so therapeutic for me! I love to cook. I love to write. I love developing relationships with others. I’m at a good place right now..
This makes me so happy to hear Min!
HUGS!
Happy one year old bday:) I love the reasons that you blog because I totally agree with you! We better be able to meet up someday!
I agree! Why oh why do you have to move?!
Blogging is a great way for me to express my feelings, and I love to write. My degree is in Communication Studies, and while I didn’t like being stuck behind a desk all day at my previous job, I love being able to write from the comfort of my home.
I definitely blog for the same reasons you do.
I love to express everything I am feeling and stuff I have a hard time expressing into talking with others. I just seem to be able to form words better when I sit down and take the time to write them out. I also love the communication and connection with other people who can relate to things I’ve gone through.
Blogging really helps me keep on track with my weight loss. It’s a great way to document my progress too. Also, I get really excited when someone comments or checks out my blog. It makes me feel important. Also, makes me more accountable.
I blog because I love health, fitness and sharing it all !
I can be myself online and make friends like me (:
I definitely blog for many similar reasons! I love your blog, and you are definitely very inspiring! Love you, Ash!
I love YOU Nat! You are one of the many blessings that have come out of this little blog.