Food Bloggers and Staying Fit

Source: WomensHealth.com

One of the most common questions that a food blogger is frequently asked is "how do you have the time to write so much?" But the other most common question that a food blogger has to answer is "how do you cook/eat so much delicious food without weighing 300 pounds?"

While I can't answer the first question I've noticed a trend in the food blogging community since I've been writing. A lot of food bloggers work hard at the gym to keep their doctors away and their waistlines in check.

Since I graduated from college four years ago, my weight has fluctuated more than the stock market does on a particularly volatile day. I could probably open a consignment store with every size between 2-10 hanging in my closet as we speak.

While I've never been extremely overweight, I've been slacking in the exercise department for the past year or so and am just a little bit above my comfort zone. Shortly after BlogHer Food, Joy, Denise and I began the Couch to 5K running program in our respective cities in an attempt to fit more exercise into our routines. 

Four months after committing to exercising regularly and increasing my running stamina, I ran four miles (in a row! in one day!) for the first time in well over a year. While I was listening to the combined sounds of Lady Gaga (I know, I know) on my iPod and my feet hitting the conveyor belt on the treadmill I thought about how hard I'll always have to work if I want to regularly indulge in things like cinnamon raisin bread pudding, white chocolate chip cranberry cookies and hearty spinach and prosciutto lasagne.

Like many of my food blogger friends, I like to eat vegetables and fruit and whole grains, but I also like cheese. And chocolate. While running has become my workout routine of choice, there are a few foodies who work even harder than I do to stay in shape outside of the kitchen:

Kalyn of Kalyn's Kitchen is famous for her South Beach Diet recipes, but any diet plan always work best when paired with exercise. Kalyn fits in a little bit of exercise each day. 

Maria of Two Peas & Their Pod bakes more than anyone I know. But she also wakes up before dawn to work out before she works ten hours at her office job. That's dedication! 

Lori of Recipe Girl gathered almost 350 foodies in the beginning of January to commit to 10 weeks of working towards their healthy living goals. I signed on to the challenge and have been following along with the #10in10 has tag on Twitter, as foodies from all over the world inspire each another to eat well, exercise and aim at their health goals. 

Katie of GoodLife Eats has also signed onto the 10 in 10 Challenge but she's always been an committed to eating healthy, fresh food and regular exercise. Which I imagine, as a mom of two, is no small feat. Even some of her baking is inspired by fruit and vegetables.

What are your favorite ways to sneak exercise into a day? How do you balance eating the foods you love with staying healthy?

Chicagoans: Don't forget that I'm blogging about all things food over at Chicago Now. Stop by to read about wine pairings for Valentine's Day.

Comments

[E.P.]

Nice work balancing everything out! I've never really kept a good workout schedule, and I'm trying to establish one now that I have a full-time, regular hours job. We'll see how it works out, but I have high hopes.

[Hélène]

I think that in order to eat all of the great baked goods that I bake I need to do exercise. Even if it's not my favorite thing to do. Congrats for doing it :)

[Sues]

Gah, you're all so good! I need to get better about fitting working out into my schedule...Between working 12+ hour days, cooking, blogging, and social life, my days fly by! But I do try to fit in the gym where I can :)

[thatShortChick]

I'm always in awe of how all you food bloggers maintain your waistline and still photograph and talk about delicious, amazing food.

I've just started back to regularly exercising and it's a HUGE challenge. The food part is where I need to put more attention because I figure if I work out, I can just eat whatever I want and not think about it.

and that's so wrong.

[ANG*]

great post! look at your breaking out of your recipe routine.
also, totally thought this was from a magazine's blog :)

[Paula]

I don't know how you all do it!

I can't stop drinking wine, eating cheese and mainlining chocolate. And everytime I read a food blog I want to eat even MORE!!!

[Cora]

I didn't want to be the last one sitting all day at my computer in a world full of fit and active food bloggers! Last year I actually joined a fitness club with a friend. Wonder of wonders, I am happy to report that we're still working out three to five times a week. If you love food and love to sit and write about it, it doesn't matter how old you are, it will catch up with you.

[The Food Hunter]

Gym everyday...So I can eat what I want every night :-)

[Katie @ goodLife {eats}]

I can honestly say that I feel better and have more energy when I get up at 5:30 to workout and take the time to get myself ready before the kids get up than if I had slept till 7. I am so glad that the #10in10 challenge has given me that extra push in the right direction. Thanks for the mention!

[megan]

Great post! But I'm off to check out that wine pairing!

[Molly]

What a great post! I've always cooked with lots of fresh produce, lean proteins and whole grains, but since I got married last April and began blogging last August, the temptation to try (and of course sample) new recipes is overwhelming. I find myself baking more than ever, but I limit myself to just a bite or two. I am a teacher, so I bring my goodies to school for my fellow teachers which gets the tempting stuff out of my house. When it comes to working out, I have a plan for the week and hold myself accountable to it. Even though hitting the snooze button is tempting, I really like to work out in the morning, so I don't have to go after a long day. I have more energy for cardio in the morning, also!

[Lori @ RecipeGirl]

You've guilted me into exercising on Super Bowl Sunday. I'll feel better about indulging during the big game, right? Thanks for the mention. It's so tough to manage weight when you like to bake!

[Maria]

Great post! I believe in finding a healthy balance. I love to cook and bake. We try to keep our meals healthy, but I love to bake-it is a great stress reliever for me and it is my passion. So I make sure I always make time for exercise and we don't eat everything we make. There is no way we could eat it all, even if we wanted to. I make smaller batches, freeze things for later, and share! I make sure I eat my fruits, veggies, get my workouts in, sleep, find time for fun, and yes, even desserts. Thanks for the shout out too!

[elra]

This is really is a good event to join in Maris. I think it's important to set up a goal, and be discipline to yourself.

[Kalyn]

I always feel better when I can fit in that few minutes of exercise, no doubt about it!

[Daryl]

and very multi-talented

[Daryl]

I commend all these wonderful and dedicated food bloggers and bakers. This whole community seems to be such an incredible group of kind caring people.