This is something I wrote forever ago! I just found it when going through my numerous unpublished drafts and figured I should share it. :)
Writing this blog about my weight loss and body image and eating issues has been one of the best things I have ever done. I had no idea how much I NEEDED to write/talk about these things until I started opening up about them and receiving feedback from people. Because it has helped me so much I fully recommend blogging for anyone who wants to lose weight. I think it is a great tool to help you succeed if you want it to be. Here are a few other reasons why you should write a weight loss or healthy living blog.
1. Support for your efforts. Sometimes the people you know and love don’t have the same problems as you nor do they have the same desire to live a healthy life. This can be very frustrating and you might want to find support for your efforts. When you write a blog you will find other supportive bloggers and readers online who share your goals and are working toward the same kind of healthy lifestyle. This kind of support can help you in a number of ways.
2. Community and friendships with other bloggers. I’ve made a lot of really awesome friends via my blog. I’ve met a lot of them and have many more around the world that I will one day meet. The weight loss blogging community is very supportive and friendly. You can jump in any time and start commenting/emailing and building relationships with bloggers. You might even end up with lifelong friendships.
3. Knowledge about healthy living. Blogging will lead you to learn more about living a healthy lifestyle. As you write about what you are doing, you will figure out what works and what doesn’t works. And more knowledgeable people will answer and questions you might ask on your blog. There are some great personal trainers and nutritionists that exist out there online and are willing to share their knowledge for free with bloggers. You can definitely learn something.
4. A place to work through issues. Ah, the issues. If you are overweight, there is a reason for it and blogging is a good place to write and think about those issues. For me, just writing about things helps me work through them. If you are worried about anyone you know reading it (clearly I gave that option up a long time ago), then write anonymously under a pen name. You can still get all the benefits of having a weightloss blog and work through the issues you might have.
5. Records of your progress. One of my favorite things about writing a weight loss blog is the ability to record progress while you lose weight. It’s pretty awesome to look back at your weigh ins to see how the weight lost has added up over time. If you are having a bad week you can look back at your successful weeks to see what you did and how that worked. It can be fun to look at your progess over the weeks and a blog makes this process super easy!
6. Ability to share your success. Successes are the best when you are able to share them with other people. It’s sweet when people in your life notice you’ve lost weight after you’ve lost 10 or 20 pounds. But through your blog you can get weekly support for every weightloss. People in your everyday life might not see the pound you lost this week or the new pants size you are wearing, but by blogging about it you will be able to share all your successes big or small.
7. A little extra money. I’m not trying to say you will get rich off your blog, because you won’t. And most of us didn’t start out with the intention of making money off our blogs. I sure didn’t. But I’m not opposed to making money off my passion and my writing, since it helps me and other people, and I do make a little bit of extra cash each month from this blog from advertising. So if you work at it you could make a bit too if that is something you are interested in.
Not sure how to start a weight loss blog like this one? Check out my how to start a weight loss blog instructions! It’s pretty easy and you can have your own site it no time. :)
If you write a weight loss blog, what are your reasons for doing it? What benefits have you found in writing a weight loss blog?
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one of the best posts I’ve read in recent days :)
Fab Kate´s last [type] ..Im alive
On my blog or just in general? Hehe.
This is a great post! I’ve always kept a weight loss blog of some kind – last time I was successful and lost almost 15kg it was using an Extrapounds blog. But after the weight came back on again and I needed to do something about it, I realised I needed to be a bit more public. My ‘My June Wedding’ blog is fairly recent (starting sporadically at the time I actively began getting healthier) but it is now also publicly linked to my ongoing blog – ‘Breathe Gently’. Having myself accountable in two different ways is positive. It’s also letting me share my journey with friends I’ve made along the way.. and that’s a great thing! :)
you are so on the money, all of the above are true. some of the i anticipated, but i never expected to become part of a community when i started blogging; i had no idea that piece was even part of the whole thing. but there are some great people out there in blog-land, and i feel privileged to have “met” them. you included :)
liz´s last [type] ..It Looks Like A Bedroom Again
Aw, thanks! I’m privileged to have “met” so many of you all both here and in real life!
I love the reasons but it didn’t work out for me, hardly anyone visted my blog or left me comments. i got very discouraged about it all, i felt like i didn’t belong in the “group” even here on the internet (also how i feel in real lfe) Thats why i felt i had to close my blog, i was getting so sad about lack of support fo me.
I still read a lot of blogs, and i wish i could fit in too but for some reason i just don’t.
Aw, I’m sorry that happened Nikki. In the beginning it’s really hard to find people to read your blog sometimes. I would suggest new bloggers find OTHER new bloggers who can form sort of a new support group and read and comment on each others blogs. That’s the best way to go about it in the beginning, if you ever feel like starting again. Or just come post comments here and I’ll support you!
First of all, ever since I read this I’ve been contemplating creating a self-hosted weight-loss blog. This is a wonderful post, and I’m so grateful that you decided to share it again recently so that I, a latecomer to this blog, could benefit from it. I do have a question regarding your comment above. It’s probably a stupid question, but here goes. Is there an easy, non-time consuming method of finding new Bloggers walking the same path? I do currently have a fairly new blog on Blogger and have a few followers and a couple of regulars that do post comments (even though I’m not that great myself at commenting … trying to work on that). Any help you can give is highly appreciated.
Liz´s last [type] ..Whats in a Name
That’s great! check out healthylivingblogs.com … it’s a huge directory of blogs about healthy living, healthy food, weight loss, etc. You can explore blogs from there and hopefully find some cool new ones. :)
I’ll just say a big fat ditto to all of the above. I love the support and community, as well as all the tips and advice you can get. Plus, its a great outlet for me.
Tina´s last [type] ..it’s pouring – my heart- soul- and emotions
I agree… I need to write so much of what I’m feeling out, and it is just helped in so many ways to get it “down on paper” so to speak. I wish I had started earlier in my journey, so I’d have the along the way progress pictures though. Live and learn I guess.
I started my blog looking for personal motivation. I had no other expectations because I knew nothing about the blog world. I discovered much of what you say in your post. The very best thing for me about blogging is the community. That community brings support and wisdom and inspiration and encouragement and laughter and friendship. It is amazing. And that is why I take time to comment on other blogs as well, not just write my own. I also have found a creative outlet that I did not expect. And as you said, a place to work through things. I have never thought of it as a potential money maker and would have no idea if that is a viable option for me or how it might impact my readers. For now, I love it. And I can not say enough encouraging words to anyone out there thinking of joining in the fun:) Great post Mary!
Karen´s last [type] ..Going Fishing
I love this post. I started my blog because I wanted to show that you can eat good, healthy food, and lose a significant amount of weight and keep it off (80 pounds). I am a foodie and live with a chef, and so I had a hard time adjusting to living a healthy lifestyle at first, but wanted to show that it can be done.
Beth @ Beth’s Journey to Thin´s last [type] ..Make-Your-Own Microwave Popcorn
I started my blog to 1st keep me acountable. 2nd to possibly down the road have someone find my blog, read about my struggles and become inspired. I don’t have tons of readers or commenters but the ones I do have I love. They offer so much motivation and support. That was something I hadn’t really expected.
Great post. I agree with all of those. Starting a blog was an interesting experience for me. While I was losing 100+ pounds I felt really lonely because I never came across anyone who was doing what I did. Finding other bloggers who had a lot to lose was like Christmas! Yea! Some people who relate to me and my struggles!
Lisa´s last [type] ..Hood to Coast- After My First Run
Great post! Needing to be accountable and missing the support is why I started blogging again. I had to stop WW last year due to monetary reasons and stopped blogging around the same time. Big mistake for me! I gained weight back after my wedding last September and need my cheerleaders back.
Jodi´s last [type] ..I’m Not That Girl
I started the blog originally for myself (and which it pretty much still is for, really). I have come to so enjoy the interaction with others, though. It’s amazing that you can really develop friendships with people whom you have never met.
Lori (Finding Radiance)´s last [type] ..August roundup and book winner!
Blogs not only serve as motivation, I find that they keep you on track to losing weight. It’s also personal, yet you also get to share your knowledge with the world.
If you need more motivation, tips, or want to compare weight loss plans, visit our awesome blog!
Or follow me on twitter: @HelpULoseWeight (for daily tips and advice!)
All the best Mary!
Hope you achieve your goals!
I started my blog to share & learn from others & that has certainly happened. Money making would be great but as you said, with a blog, hard to make enough to pay bills or even just groceries. ;-)
Great post!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last [type] ..The Great American Obesity Machine
I originally started my blog just to keep myself accountable with my weight loss…it was a way for me to keep myself honest and to share with friends/family/my trainer. I hadn’t read any healthy living blogs before nor did I know how many cool people are out there doing it! In the last several months I’ve found so many awesome blogs and have come across a lot of cool people. It’s been totally worth the time invested.
Great list, Mary! I would definitely recommend blogging for anyone who is trying to lose weight/get fit/be healthy…or anyone who’s trying to achieve any goal, for that matter. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Melissa @ Journey to Marvelous´s last [type] ..Meal Planning Success! Day 1
I like blogging for the record side of things now. The other things don’t matter so much to me anymore, which I guess is strange. I don’t know.
Kepa´s last [type] ..Tuna- Corn- Kumara Sweet Potato & Spring Onion Mini-Frittatas
Great post! Since I’ve recently started reading a couple of healthy lifestyle blogs, I’ve found that your #3 is very true: it has given me perspective on balance and lifestyle choices and lots of new recipes to try. I just wish I’d found the blogging community sooner–I’ve just moved into the maintenance phase of my weight loss journey and I’d certainly have benefited from all the amazing bloggers while losing the weight. I’ve started to livejournal a few recipes and thoughts on maintenance, but I’m not sure whether I want to make my own blog yet :)
I’ve only been keeping my blog for a few months, but I’ve found most of the above to be true. (I haven’t even thought about the money aspect yet — don’t have enough readers for that to be on the radar I think.) In addition, I find that writing my entries helps to keep me focused on my goals. I write them first thing in the morning, and it is a good way to remind me of what it is I’m trying to accomplish.
Desert Agave´s last [type] ..Weigh In and Concerns
Great post and info!
Simply Life´s last [type] ..Spicy Chipotle Limited Edition Chicken Sausages!
This is the first blog I’ve seen about weight loss and blogging. How great and smart to blog and get responses back that may help you with your weight loss journey and even better if you can make a little extra income along the way. You’ve hit so important things we all need to do in this blog. Good information. Wishing you you much success!
Carol´s last [type] ..Solid Impact Door
great post! they say if you write things out, you’ll be more successful. my blog isn’t a weight loss blog, per se, but i enjoy working on the craft of writing, and of course, the interaction with other bloggers!
Angela (the diet book junkie)´s last [type] ..is money the ultimate weight loss incentive
I am new to the blogging community. I decided to start my own blog so I could share healthy recipes and the the tips for living healthy and losing weight that have worked for me.
The creative side of things is so rewarding, such as writing the posts and taking photos of the food I post about. It is a small thrill to get feedback and comments!
The friendships and support that can be found in the blog world are amazing. I have found a group of people who share my interests. These are people whom I would never have met if it weren’t for blogs.
You’re spot on! You’re points in this post really ring true for me, very insightful :-)
D…´s last [type] ..Weigh-in
I started a healthy living blog because I enjoy writing and the internet. I’ve been blogging for about ten years on various websites, but this is the very first blog that I created and designed and bought a domain for–I feel like such a grown up.
It’s only a few months old and I haven’t really met anyone yet. I mean, my friends read it but mostly only the people I know in real life.
Any tips on how to branch out a little? I comment on posts and such but nothing significant has come of it as far as feedback or relationships go. Perhaps time is the answer to my own questions. It just takes time.
Anyway. Thanks for sharing this!
Denise´s last [type] ..that time i did yoga for the first time
Guest post.
If you aren’t getting anything from comments try reaching out to other bloggers to guest post and put yourself in front of their audience. If you are good you can win a few readers! :) Plus emailing other bloggers helps you connect on another level. :)
And yes, it take time no matter what you do. No one is instantly popular.
I started my blog for all the reasons you’ve stated. Sometimes when you have a rotten day it just helps to write about it. I also try to share inspirational videos, articles, low cal recipes, etc. Stuff that could be beneficial to my reader. I also share alot about Jillian Michaels as she was my inspiration to start on my journey. I look forward to following your journey. My blog can be found at http://losinglbswithjillian.blogspot.com/
I am going to register my own domain soon but I haven’t done it just yet. Everyone have a great day!
Marcia Loyd´s last [type] ..Losing It With Jillian- Make it Happen
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