In the Himalayas, Spring 2004
* * *
I’m Vani, a 26-year old living in Brooklyn, New York and working in book publishing. I started this blog in December 2008, when I quit my gym membership and vowed to find fun, sustainable ways of staying active. I also wanted to share my love of fresh vegan food, and create a space to talk about the physical and emotional aspects of health and well-being.
When I started the blog, I felt totally out of touch with my body. My energy levels and mood were all over the place, I hated going to the gym, and I felt like I would never find eating and exercising habits that felt right for me. Through writing about my past struggles with food and body image, adopting a dog and trading gym workouts for outdoor walks and jogs, identifying “forbidden foods” and learning to practice moderation, learning to let go of past insecurities, trading food journaling for intuitive eating, training for a 10K and setting new fitness goals, rekindling my love for fresh, wholesome food, and connecting with an amazing group of bloggers and readers, I have finally started to find my way to balance.
Quitting the gym was just the first step in this chain of events, but it was an important one! The absence of “gym guilt” (ever had one of these thoughts?: “I HAVE to go to the gym after work!” “I’m wasting money on my membership!” “I should really go to the gym today.”) has freed up time (and money!) for the things I really love–reading, writing, playing music, songwriting, exploring this amazing city, cooking and baking vegan food, volunteering, and spending time with friends–all of which contribute to health and balance. Learning not to rely on the gym has also made me a more flexible person; life isn’t always consistent or predictable, and it’s important that I adapt to it rather than blindly adhere to old habits. It’s not always easy, but definitely worth it in the end.
I do occasionally spend money to go to a yoga class or sign up for a running event, so the “free” aspect of this blog isn’t all-or-nothing. More accurately, it relates to freeing yourself from old habits that aren’t doing you any good, so you can change and evolve in a positive way. For me, this meant quitting the gym; for you, it could be something entirely different!
I hope I can give back something to the blogging community, because without reading food/fitness blogs and seeing that balance IS possible, I never would have started this adventure in the first place.
Thanks for reading!
December 23, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I like your story and your new goals. I think with a positive attitude anything is reachable. Due to finances I have no gym membership or pay for any classes, so I am intersted to see how others live this way as well. I look forward to reading about your new adventure.
December 23, 2008 at 2:27 pm
hi Meghann! You are a great role model for gym-free, post-graduate living; I only hope I can do as well as you have!
December 25, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Cool blog!
December 26, 2008 at 10:49 pm
hi, I just came across your blog from a comment you left on another and I really like it ! I can definitely relate to being post-grad trying to balance working and everything else. Good luck with all of your goals
January 7, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Julz: Thanks for stopping by!
Kirsten: It’s definitely a challenge—good luck to you as well
January 8, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Good luck with everything! it seems like youre going to be much happier gym free not to mention with more money in your pockets
January 15, 2009 at 7:27 pm
dailygoods: I totally agree
thanks for stopping by!
January 16, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Inspiring, truly inspiring. Reading your story is an eye opener for me. Thanks for sharing.
January 16, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Megan: thanks for stopping by, and for your comment
January 23, 2009 at 11:45 pm
thanks for stopping by, I’m excited to read your blog as well!
February 17, 2009 at 7:32 pm
good luck!
February 20, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Your story is definitely inspiring. I have a hard time finding that healthy balance between ultra fit/obsessive and healthy/few more pounds. I look forward to reading more!
healthyhunter.blogspot.com
March 3, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Awesome story! I feel in a similar place right now and am experimenting with what works for me. Thanks for posting!
March 3, 2009 at 9:31 pm
What an awesome idea
I did WW and loved it! It changed my life and the way I ate! Congrats on taking awesome steps forward 
You can totally do it!!
March 3, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Emily, leadinglady, Healthy Hunter, Ruby, and Julie: THANK YOU for stopping by!! greatly appreciated
March 5, 2009 at 8:55 am
hi vani
i am a homemaker in India who really wants to loose weight without any professional help(of course due to financial reasons n because i am a full time nursemaid to my daughter)….i am doing it successfully n writing my blog about it too……i found your’s truly amazing…
March 15, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Amazing story, I am just loving your blog! Do you mind if I add you to my blogroll?
April 14, 2009 at 12:28 am
Wow. I love your story. It makes so much sense. It is so much better to find health in the real world not in the four walls of the gym. I really want to follow your story
August 26, 2009 at 6:40 pm
That is awesome. Just shows you don’t need a gym to stay fit! I look forward to reading more of your story.
September 2, 2009 at 9:34 pm
You are so right- doing what you don’t enjoy will not bring you the success you deserve- success meaning that you are healthy and at a comfortable weight for you.
I think you’d be amazed at how great out-door workouts can be if you are motivated to do them on your own. Even something as simple as lunges, squats, mountain climber- have you ever jumped rope??? It’s hard hard hard at first, but once you get the hang of it, there’s nothing more fun- and you’ll sweat buckets!
Best of luck on your journey!
September 11, 2009 at 8:27 pm
[...] My Story [...]
September 24, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I don’t know If I said it already but …Hey good stuff…keep up the good work!
I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks,)
A definite great read..Tony Brown
October 13, 2009 at 2:43 am
I like your story and why you started this blog. I think it’s so important to find a form of exercise/activity that’s right for us at this point in our life. I’m looking forward to reading more.
November 1, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I love your story. You’re truly an inspiration!