Day 207: A Plethora of Thoughts
With all of the thoughts running through my mind right now I can’t even try to pretend that this post is going to be the least bit coherent. You know what though, I’m OK with that. I’ve recently been reminded via this article from the Health Blog Helper that I write this blog for me. I don’t think I’ve lost sight of that, but I do think that I’ve become a little too caught up in the numbers game of blogging. The number of Twitter followers, Facebook fans, and unique visits I get each day are pretty much insignificant when it really comes down to the real purpose of No More Bacon.
What does all of this mean? It doesn’t really mean anything to be honest. I just wanted to let you know what I’ve been thinking over the past few days. I don’t really anticipate any major changes here, but I do know that I won’t be posting just for the sake of posting.
New Fitness Challenges
I’m sure you’re asking yourselves what I’m going to be doing with the huge amounts of spare time that come from not obsessing over whether or not somebody from North Dakota has visited this site. I’m going to transfer my focus a bit. It’s obviously not going to free up a huge amount of time, but I am going to see if I can work toward improving some of my blaring weaknesses in the fitness realm. I workout pretty hard, but I’ve always had the hardest time with push ups. I’m sure it doesn’t help that I’m trying to lift close to 300 pounds off the ground with every single rep, but nonetheless I want to be better at them. Steve from 265andfalling and Brandon from SoLongFatAss have been subliminally brainwashing me into trying some new fitness challenges. Today I’m going to be starting the 100 push up challenge, the 200 sit up challenge, and the 200 squat challenge. I clearly expect my starting scores to suck big time, but that’s exactly the reason I need to do the tests. I want to improve.
The Weekly Weigh-In
In the past I’ve been fairly laid back about when I post weight loss results. It’s usually been monthly but not always. I’ve decided to switch to a weekly weight loss update.
- Knowing that I have to post results every week will keep me extra focused and on track.
- Weekly results will give you all a reason to come back at the same time every week (this will be the one feature of the blog that will be set to a schedule). By the way, Tuesday will be the official weigh-in day at No More Bacon.
- Seeing my progress on paper every week will be added motivation to keep it going.
Exciting News
One last bit of super ridiculously exciting news that will be even more extra motivation to stay focused and work hard; we just finished making plans to go to Cozumel, Mexico for a week in April (hence the beach pic)! I need to finish up my SCUBA certification and I could have done it in a lake here in Utah, or somewhere else less tropical, but why would I? It’s going to be an amazing week and Jackie and I are going to spend the next 6 or 7 weeks getting beach body ready. I’m so stoked!
Worrying about blogging stats is kind of the most pointless thing in the world. Just saying. You are writing for you. If you get a few readers cool. But it is for YOURSELF that you are doing this. Glad you remembered that.
(That being said, I like readers and blogging friends and all the stuff that comes along with blogging. I just learned not to obsess over it.)
Looking forward to seeing how you do on the challenges!
Blogging numbers can become just like the scale. A unit of measure used to distract from ALL the other benefits. I too need to challenge myself more in the fitness arena. That is my biggest slacker area and I continue to search for the “perfect” workout for me.
No matter who you are, once you understand how to track the numbers in your blog it can become very addictive. Especially, if you are able to move those numbers. Then it can become a circle.
What is worse is if you start to actually make a little bit of money of your blog. My other site http://www.theshinywave.com actually makes money and has pretty much from the start. It completely took me by surprise and then completely hooked me. I have been on a fun roller coaster with that site. It still makes about the same as day 1 in spite of the endless hours I put in trying to follow all of the advice folks give you out there.
It is only recently that I have come to terms with getting back to basics. I plan to totally revamp that site…again.
Because now, it just kind of looks like one big ad. But no regrets. The amount of crap that I learnt in the last six months about monetization of a site is worthwhile. The really funny thing is that I am not talking about a lot of money here. Usually $50 – $100/mnth.
All that say…as a techie it is so easy to get off message and more deeply involved with everything else about the blog. I still like all that other stuff and I think there is probably value in combining that love about everything to do with blogging into my original blog message. That will be my focus going forward. But again, like everything, we evolve and learn what works best for us. The main thing is to have fun with your blog. Because it is YOUR blog. You can take it and do with it whatever you want.
WOW…long comment. Guess you hit on a topic near and dear.
Good for you Ryan! Good luck with the challenges – I really enjoyed doing the 100 pushups challenge, and was very happy with the results I got out of it (of course, now I have to figure out a way of maintaining that new found strength).
I’m starting the 200 squats challenge tomorrow, so it looks like you, Steve and I will all be doing that one together
Good luck with the challenges. They are tough but worthwhile.
I just completed my first day of each of the challenges. WooT! Best of luck with them, even if your starting numbers suck (like mine did), its the end number that is more important!
I’ve been looking at the numbers w/ my blog alot too…so don’t sweat that, its great that you remembered that you are writing for yourself though, and not for everyone else (although we all love reading it).
Um, stamping my stubborn little feet and not giving up my numbers
I’m doing those challenges too! But, uh, probably because of the numbers.
Have fun in Mexico, I love, love, love Mexico….ahhh, daydream…
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good for you Ryan!!
I just started 100pushups with my husband last week. He’s already complaining about this week
I think these are really great challenges that never really lose their appeal. once you become a pro at pushups and situps you just keep trying to do more and more. No harm in that!!
Cozumel sounds GREAT! looking forward to seeing your results!!
I found your blog via your guest post on Big Girl Bombshell.
I must say I’ve enjoyed reading your previous posts. Congrats to you for deciding to make great changes in your life.
I too made changes and have been at this for a little over a year now. It’s still the best decision I’ve ever made and if feels awesome to be almost 100lbs lighter!!
Keep up the great work!
Glad you found us Brooke! Thanks for reading. I hope we can have some fun doing this!
Good luck on the challenges. I find that it’s very motivating to do a weekly weigh in post on my blog! I do my weigh in on video and wile that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done when I posted that first video, it’s turned out to be the greatest thing ever! There’s nothing more motivating then knowing I’ve got to get on video Monday mornings and show the world my weigh in results!