Apparently, in the blogging world, it is VERY popular to do a 2013 wrap up and hopes for 2014 post. WELL - I've never been one to follow the "norm" so instead of writing about all that I've done this past year, because quite frankly, I think it borderlines being too show offy, I want to share with you the story behind this blog and all that is has done for me, thanks to YOU my readers.
This type of post is different than the content I usually have on my website BUT I feel as if it's important for me to share with you, my readers, my reflections and extreme gratitudes to you all.
Here it is, my very first post on the site:
This type of post is different than the content I usually have on my website BUT I feel as if it's important for me to share with you, my readers, my reflections and extreme gratitudes to you all.
Here it is, my very first post on the site:
Eats and Exercise by Amber was created after a trip to Wegmans on a random July day.
At the time, I was living alone in a brand new city and struggling with the constant roller coaster ride my severe IBS had me on. Despite taking all my medications, following a GF diet for my newly diagnosed Celiac Disease, and avoiding a laundry list of other foods, I was constantly experiencing flare ups. 2013 for me and my intestines was filled with hospital trips, countless doctor's visits and procedures, far too many prescription pills, and an overall fear of what food would wreak havoc on my intestines. I had just graduated college and was beginning my Master's Program, I should have been high on life, but I wasn't. I was miserable and lonely with far too much time on my hands. I needed something but I wasn't exactly sure what that something was. When I started all of this, I didn't realize that this website would be exactly what I needed. I never imagined that creating this website would give me such happiness and fulfillment, that it would connect me with so many incredible people and help me become a better person.
Randomly, through out the course of this past summer, I received an influx of texts, emails, and Facebook Messages from friends and acquaintances asking me for food and fitness advice. I was everyone's typical go to girl for these types of answers, but for some reason, this summer, more people than ever were asking me for advice. I would eagerly respond to their questions, providing recipes, links, and articles of information. My passion for health, fitness, and positive body image had been growing steadily over the course of the last three years and I felt overjoyed at being able to share it with my friends and family but I yearned to somehow share it with a bigger audience.
The idea of creating my own website had been an ongoing idea of mine since my Junior year of College. I never took it seriously and regarded it as "silly," something that I would never be able to do. I tucked it away in the corner of my brain, but every now and then, it would resurface. And when it would, I would push it away, still thinking that it was something I could never do. I didn't know the first thing about designing a website or any of the other aspects that went along with it. In January 2013, I tried to turn that idea into a reality. I attempted to make my own Facebook Page/Website, I never even published it. I had started something that I never finished. Life got in the way, I became too busy, I didn't know what I was doing and I let my dream get dusty. After one failed attempt, I thought that it would never happen, it just wasn't something I was meant to do, but I still thought about it now and then, wishing I had gone for it.
Well on July 12th, I stopped wishing, and I dove head first into creating my website still completely clueless of how to even begin. Why? I don't know what exactly gave me that extra push to try again but the idea of a name came to me while waiting at a red light. "You NEED to make your own website Amber. You've got enough people asking you for advice, why not share it with the world"
I sat at my computer for hours, determined to not leave my desk until I was done. This was going to be different then the first time around, I told myself. I was nervous, but I thought, "If I don't go for this now, I'll constantly regret never giving it another shot."
When I hit the publish button, later that night in July, I was unaware of how much my decision to act on this little dream I had would change my life. Call me crazy, but I mean it.
At the time, I was living alone in a brand new city and struggling with the constant roller coaster ride my severe IBS had me on. Despite taking all my medications, following a GF diet for my newly diagnosed Celiac Disease, and avoiding a laundry list of other foods, I was constantly experiencing flare ups. 2013 for me and my intestines was filled with hospital trips, countless doctor's visits and procedures, far too many prescription pills, and an overall fear of what food would wreak havoc on my intestines. I had just graduated college and was beginning my Master's Program, I should have been high on life, but I wasn't. I was miserable and lonely with far too much time on my hands. I needed something but I wasn't exactly sure what that something was. When I started all of this, I didn't realize that this website would be exactly what I needed. I never imagined that creating this website would give me such happiness and fulfillment, that it would connect me with so many incredible people and help me become a better person.
Randomly, through out the course of this past summer, I received an influx of texts, emails, and Facebook Messages from friends and acquaintances asking me for food and fitness advice. I was everyone's typical go to girl for these types of answers, but for some reason, this summer, more people than ever were asking me for advice. I would eagerly respond to their questions, providing recipes, links, and articles of information. My passion for health, fitness, and positive body image had been growing steadily over the course of the last three years and I felt overjoyed at being able to share it with my friends and family but I yearned to somehow share it with a bigger audience.
The idea of creating my own website had been an ongoing idea of mine since my Junior year of College. I never took it seriously and regarded it as "silly," something that I would never be able to do. I tucked it away in the corner of my brain, but every now and then, it would resurface. And when it would, I would push it away, still thinking that it was something I could never do. I didn't know the first thing about designing a website or any of the other aspects that went along with it. In January 2013, I tried to turn that idea into a reality. I attempted to make my own Facebook Page/Website, I never even published it. I had started something that I never finished. Life got in the way, I became too busy, I didn't know what I was doing and I let my dream get dusty. After one failed attempt, I thought that it would never happen, it just wasn't something I was meant to do, but I still thought about it now and then, wishing I had gone for it.
Well on July 12th, I stopped wishing, and I dove head first into creating my website still completely clueless of how to even begin. Why? I don't know what exactly gave me that extra push to try again but the idea of a name came to me while waiting at a red light. "You NEED to make your own website Amber. You've got enough people asking you for advice, why not share it with the world"
I sat at my computer for hours, determined to not leave my desk until I was done. This was going to be different then the first time around, I told myself. I was nervous, but I thought, "If I don't go for this now, I'll constantly regret never giving it another shot."
When I hit the publish button, later that night in July, I was unaware of how much my decision to act on this little dream I had would change my life. Call me crazy, but I mean it.
Through the creation of my website:
I have become happier,
I feel more fulfilled,
I appreciate and love my body more
I am a more positive and balanced person
and as for my IBS, I haven't been to the hospital, had a procedure, visited my doctor, or had to take excessive medication in four months. That may not sound like a lot to you, but for me, this is the first time in three years I've gone that long without getting seriously sick.
Through this account, because I want to be so positive for others and promote positive body image and fueling your body with food, I too have adopted these mindsets whole heartedly. They are not just words that I say, but words that I believe and try to live by every single day and want to help others embrace as well.
It may sound silly but I FEEL like I'm making a difference, some how and in some way, and THAT is the greatest feeling in the world. This is not my profession, I don't get paid for this, but the value of what I get from doing this is so much more than any monetary value could give me.
I have become happier,
I feel more fulfilled,
I appreciate and love my body more
I am a more positive and balanced person
and as for my IBS, I haven't been to the hospital, had a procedure, visited my doctor, or had to take excessive medication in four months. That may not sound like a lot to you, but for me, this is the first time in three years I've gone that long without getting seriously sick.
Through this account, because I want to be so positive for others and promote positive body image and fueling your body with food, I too have adopted these mindsets whole heartedly. They are not just words that I say, but words that I believe and try to live by every single day and want to help others embrace as well.
It may sound silly but I FEEL like I'm making a difference, some how and in some way, and THAT is the greatest feeling in the world. This is not my profession, I don't get paid for this, but the value of what I get from doing this is so much more than any monetary value could give me.
I wouldn't have been able to achieve this dream with out YOU, yes you, reading this post right now, all my other followers and of course, the support of my loved ones. Thank you for checking out my website, sharing it with others, and giving me the greatest feeling in the world. Those of you who leave comments, kind words, or even just checking out my blog in general, literally make my whole day and give me such happiness.
I don't know what 2014 will hold for me, but I do know that I want to continue on this path with my website. I would love to try and have my website grow even more, and possibly take it to the next level, so THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT, POSITIVE VIBES, AND FOR FOLLOWING.
You are all incredible, and I would not be here without you.
Here's to a happy and healthy 2014,
<3 Amber
I don't know what 2014 will hold for me, but I do know that I want to continue on this path with my website. I would love to try and have my website grow even more, and possibly take it to the next level, so THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT, POSITIVE VIBES, AND FOR FOLLOWING.
You are all incredible, and I would not be here without you.
Here's to a happy and healthy 2014,
<3 Amber
