Hello everyone! I hope all of you had a great weekend. I wanted to start off this week with an interview with my sister Alexis. I talk about her blog every month in my monthly income updates, but I’ve never actually dedicated a full article on her website.
Her blog is FITnancials and I helped her start her blog last year. She blogs about healthy living and personal finance.
If you are interested in starting your own, check out my article that will show you the steps to create a blog.
Tell us about yourself.
First off, my name is Alexis and I am in my early twenties.
I used to be around 180 pounds and I was extremely unhealthy. Smoking a pack of cigarettes a day and drinking tons of soda was what my average day of consisted of. You might laugh because I was young, but it still happened.
I never exercised nor believed girls should do anything besides cardio.
One day I had a breakthrough and I realized I needed to get healthier, but the journey there wasn’t easy at all.
Why did you decide to blog?
I decided to blog to be able to reach out to others who were in need of help. I wasn’t just going to be any other blogger, I was a girl that came from experience of being heavy once myself.
I can relate to others who are in the process of having extra weight on them.
What do you like about blogging?
I love being able to meet others who are so passionate about fitness and nutrition as well. Surprisingly, a lot of my friends around me aren’t into eating healthy and exercising.
Most of my fitness friends are from online that I’ve met through blogging and Instagram.
What are your favorite blogs?
My favorite fitness blogs would definitely have to be Blogilates and Simply Taralynn.
I love Blogilates because she posts free workouts along with free meal plans as well. Taralynn’s blog reminds me of something out of Pinterest. She is always posting so many creative meals and makes everything look so interesting.
This is a personal finance blog, so I have to ask. Would you say you are good with money?
In all honesty, I would say I’m best with my money when I am running lower than I’d like to be at.
It’s sort of like a wake up call.
It hasn’t happened in awhile because I think I finally learned to save money whenever possible. I set aside a certain amount of money bi-weekly and that has helped me tremendously.
What’s your best money tip?
What I mentioned in the last question; take out a certain amount of money each check. Have it direct deposited through your bank account to your savings so you don’t even have to think about it. This has saved me so much money.
Pay yourself first!
Do you have any student loans?
At the moment I do not. I went to community college for a year and paid out of pocket. I am starting school in Chicago starting this Fall, so I will definitely have some school loans then.
Why should people read your blog?
People should read my blog if they’ve ever felt alone in the process of losing weight or becoming healthier. A lot of people feel like they are in the journey alone or don’t personally know anyone who is going through the same feeling.
I come from experience knowing what it is like to be heavier and I am here to help you achieve your goals. I love motivating and inspiring others and simply making others feel good about themselves no matter where they are body wise.
Are you working on being healthy as well as improving your finances?
Do you prioritize one over the over? Why or why not?
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It was good to meet your sister, Alexis. Glad to hear that she is paying more attention to her health!
She is the healthiest person I know. I’m jealous and I am always trying to be more like her!
Focusing on both health and finances is important. I try to do both although looking after my health seems to be a lot easier than looking after my finances!
Haha I find that looking after my health is more difficult. I find it so hard to stay on track!
Nice to meet you Alexis! We’ve really moved to making our health as important, if not more so, than our finances this past year. It is nice to see progress from changes which just challenges us to continue – much like with money I guess. 🙂
We’ve been the same way. We have been so focused on health and it’s been great!
Congratulations to Alexis!
Alexis has certainly recognized one of the greatest values of the blogging world, finding a support group. An online community is one way to do it.
When it comes to achieving anything important, good health and financial success being two of the most important, it helps to be able to interact with others who have the same interests. Often our immediate family and friends are not interested, even hostile in some case, which makes it hard for some people to succeed.
Through your blogging communities, both of you, Alexis and Michelle, have helped a world of others as well as finding strength for your own journey. Thanks to both of you.
Aww thanks James 🙂
Thank you James =)
I agree that health and finance (and balance) go hand in hand. Also, I was reading recently that success often comes in groups; for example, a bunch of musicians all knew each other on the way to success, and if you’ve ever read Q (which is a GREAT book, btw) on the life of Quincy Jones, there was a time where he was mentoring and in the company of a lot of the greats who were younger at the time. I also feel like I get a lot more done and am more productive when I work out in the morning, too!
Yes, health and finance need to go hand in hand. It is possible to make them both work at the same time!
Thanks for stopping by Kammi 🙂
Great blog Alexis. I’ve come across your blog several times and never realizes you were sisters. That’s pretty darn cool.
Haha yes we are sisters 🙂
Hey Alexis! We are always working on our health and our finances. I actually think the two are related to a certain extent. It’s all about being the best we can be and living a happy, healthy life! =)
Yes, I think they are related as well!
I’m always working on improving both my health and financials. I will definitely check your blog out!
Yes, please check out my sister’s blog 🙂
Love love love your new design!
Thank you! 🙂
I’m trying to improve my health and finances, so I will check your blog out!
She would appreciate it 🙂
Very nice post. I am glad you were able to adopt better eating habits. I am still trying to kick soda consumption. It is just so yummy but I am sick of hearing how bad it is for you.
Awesome blog Alexis,
great job with the design and content.. and cant beat this awesome prize!
Thank you!
I’m trying to do both but with limited funds it’s difficult to do either
Yes, I focus on both. Both of are of equal importance 🙂
Nice to get to know you better. Congrats on taking charge of both your finances and your health! A pack of cigs a day is…wow! I think being healthy and watching finances go hand in hand. Both are disciplines, and both compliment each other. For instance when you are happy with how you feel, you may not feel that urge to spend as much. It also helps alleviate financial stress when you work out. I think I prioritize health just slightly over finances. It’s not always easy to live a super healthy life and have that be cheap, I find that especially true when it comes to food. But I just try my best to balance everything out and not go overboard with either. Keep up the good work!
Yes, I am still shocked to hear about how much she used to smoke. AH! Our dad passed away partly from lung cancer (the other part was brain cancer), so hearing that she used to smoke really makes me sad.
I prioritize focusing on my health but recently I am more invested in getting my finances under control.
I already live a healthy lifestyle and focus on being the best I can be mentally and physically daily. I am currently working on my finances right now, and working towards making better finance goals.
Yes, I am working on both. It’s a lot easier for me to stick to a budget than to lose weight. I’ve been in credit card debt before and have learned how to budget so that doesn’t happen again. I’ve also been much thinner, but I’m having trouble getting back there again!
I definitely focus on both health and healthy finances. Always have always will because I really don’t know anything else.
I’ve unfortunately been neglecting my health a little bit lately, because I lost my health benefits when I was laid off, and simply can’t afford to continue some things that were for my health. I’m keeping up with my prescriptions, but had to give up the chiropractor, and delay re-joining a gym. Hopefully this all turns around within the next month or so and I can get back on track with both!
If you don’t have money for a gym, don’t bother. That might come as a surprise for a personal trainer to say, but there’s re countless ways to workout at home. YouTube videos, workout videos from the library, and even apps for your phone have free workouts.
I am absolutely working on both, and it has been easy. I now buy more produce and frozen vegetables, along with fresh-cut chicken breasts, and it is FAR less expensive than if I were to eat packaged, processed foods.
Good for you Lauren =)
I am working on both. I work out at least 3 times a week. for my finances I am working on more opportunities each day and learning more about money.
What was your breakthrough?!
I feel like I had a few actually. Realizing walking up a stair of flights was too difficult. Not having money because I would spend it all on food and cigarettes. Looking in the mirror and topping over 180 pounds. Plenty of negative things.
I feel like my struggle with my weight will never end. I would love to read more from someone who has actually fought the battle I’m going through right now and won. I am working on both my financial and physical health. However, right now I’m prioritizing my financial health over my physical health. I really need to create a balance between the two.
I hope I can be of some help Lisa. I’d love to talk to you more!
I commented on the following blog post.
http://www.fitnancials.com/benefits-of-weight-loss/
I try to do both even though finances take more priority with the economy these days. Its not easy but when I get time, I workout to make up!
I currently prioritise finances over health – oops! Probably should give them equal attention!
Yes, I am trying to get back in to running and taking down my debt.
Are you working on being healthy as well as improving your finances?
Both, I think. THey are interconnected. I’m guessing fiscally depressed can cause stress on the body(headaches).
Do you prioritize one over the over? Why or why not? Both, they both are important.
I look after both my finances and health, but my finances are extremely important!
I’m working on improving my finances currently and should be working on improving my health as well. I get into a state of despair over both which usually makes the health situation worse. I need a major life overall in both areas!
Hopefully I can be of some help in the health and fitness area!
I’m always working on being healthy as well as improving my finances. Being healthy is my priority because you can buy your health.
Aw, I’ve been reading Alexis’ blog for a while now – I’m excited about her move and new school in Chicago! Can’t wait to continue reading and vicariously enjoying school through her blog posts. I bet she (you, Alexis, if you’re reading :)) will have lots of interesting posts to share about health.
Personally, I try to place weight (ha, punny) on both managing my finances and my weight, but I seem to go in extremes. When I was younger, I was extremely motivated to be healthy, but I didn’t pay attention to my finances. Now that I’m older, I have a savings account, but now also a couple extra pounds (ahem… more than a couple) to show for it. I need balance!
Thanks Melissa. I’m very excited for my move! I will be posting a lot about my move and the city I’m living in. =)
I’m trying to work on both.
I’m working on improving both situations but its very hard being a full time college student. No money and very little time to exercise and so many unhealthy things around
True Tory. Times get tough in college.
If you don’t have your physical health you have nothing, so I would say I prioritize that. But I also know that the better you are off financially, the easier it is to tap into resources that will help you be healthy. It also takes away stress which is a huge problem for many people – myself included.
Very true. It can definitely go both ways. People who are low on money often say that don’t have the resources to be healthy but there is always a way.
Great post. Ive also come across your blog in the past and never realized you two were related. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Dan!
I’m tring to save.
I am working on being healthy as well as improving my finances at the same time. However, I don’t go to gym. I maintain health by a good diet and a lot of moving around. I do prioritize health over finances since finances can only be maintained when one has good health.
Very true Mai =)
Love your blog! I’ve been reading forever!
This is a great question, and one that I’ve been grappling with lately. I have decided that being healthy is my priority, because without your health, you don’t have energy or brain power to improve your finances.
That’s a great way to look at everything in life. Health overrides everything in my opinion.
I am working on being healthy. I do need to concentrate more on improving finances. The health part has been taking priority because I was sick for a good while.
I am working on both – being more healthy AND getting healthy financially because now I am a divorced Mom and I need to be there for my children.
M
Good for you Mishelle. =)
Our finances are our biggest priority right now because we’re buying a new house.
Q) Are you working on being healthy as well as improving your finances? A) Always doing that.
Q) Do you prioritize one over the over? Why or why not? A) I actually prioritize a bit more with health, my finances are in good standing.
I am very good at working on being healthy, and I have always known that my finances are important, and I do not waste money. I have a retirement account that I do not touch, and I save money every month in case of an emergency.
Good for you Julie. =)
Yes, we constantly work on being healthy. As for our finances, with a child in college we have had to make some changes. We are working on developing a plan for our future and what to do once the college payments are finished.
I work hard on both good health and financial well being, but I believe nothing is more important than health. If you are ill, you can’t enjoy what wealth can bring.
Very true Cynthia.