I really do not enjoy running….like, at all.
The other night when asked “what have I been up to lately”, I responded with “oh, you know…just blogging!” I then wanted to run and hide in the Whole Foods bathroom.
Sometimes the most exercise I get in one day is walking from one food destination to the next. And I’m okay with that.
Last night I asked Almanzo if, last fall, I resembled Sally Draper in her chubby stage. He said sorta and then I said okay and ate a cookie.
Whenever I take my overhead food photos (like this), I stand in a deep lunge with one foot in the sink and the other on the oven.
I secretly want a washboard.
Read Part I, Part II and Part III here!
ps–what do you think Dexter is thinking in the photo above?
{ 156 comments… read them below or add one }
I kind of glad that you dont enjoy running
I dont enjoy it too! 
Hmmm. Maybe you need to hold a “rename Jenna’s blog contest”.
Ha ha, I was thinking the same thing.
YES. I think it should be called :
EAT LIVE BAKE!!!
I agree……. name change is in definite order.
i lOVE eat live bake!!! it’s perfect!
I was thinking the same thing! Your blog needs a name change – asap!
I love these confessions
So funny 
Honestly, running is not fun. Period. At least I’m not alone…
i love that shot of you…you have the cutest clothes!
and i sorta snorted out loud at the sally draper comment. awesomeness!
You are a scream!! Love it.
Cathy B.
good confession! I love this pic of you too.
The most exercise I get is a walk to the fridge or the bathroom..both are about 1 foot from my front door and refrigerator and TV.
Love the extra little insights into your life! I don’t enjoy running either! And I think Walking from one food place to another is perfect exercise! We often just take a walk after dinner….through whatever shop or mall is nearby! That is the best time to hit the supermarket!
I hate running. More power to ya!
ha. Great post.
Self-awareness and confidence in yourself is power, no? We should all take time to reflect and confess secrets like you!
I think you look gorgeous! Enjoy those cookies:)
Dexter is clearly thinking “Is that Sally Draper?”
JK, and I love this series
bahahaha yes, yes he is!!!
I’m trying to like running. I never enjoyed exercise growing up or even in my 20′s, so I’m trying to “relearn” to like it. I’m not usually a competitive person at all, but a part of me has set a goal to try something out I’ve never done before.
Hehehe I love these posts, and your boots in the photo above!
I’m planning my training for sprint triathlons next year. I think running is OK, but I have no urge to reach the point where my knees hurt, or my ankles, shins,, hips etc. It seems like it defeats the purpose. So I will go short distances in 3 sports, instead of far in any one.
I really do not enjoy running….like, at all.
Yup. Yoga wins every time
Hillarious. Just curious, though, what happened? You used to blog about the gym/exercising/running quite a bit and you seemed to genuinely enjoy it. I can definitely see getting burnt out on running and I would probably never want to look at a bike again after riding one for 100 miles, but do you see yourself embracing any other kind of exercise in the near future? Or are you just taking a little break?
Oh wait, nevermind. Just re-read your post and you didn’t say you don’t ever exercise, just that some days you don’t do it. Totally different. Everyone needs rests!
haha yes! I haven’t lost the will to sweat yet! hehe
well I don’t like to run either but I am curious too. Just last year you were blogging about how much you wanted to run and crying in frustration b/c you were having all those problems and going to extreme lengths to (special doctors and shoes) to be able to run.
And also complaining when you had to give it up for a period of time to rest.???
I don’t get it.
I had to come to terms with my chronic shin splints and the fact that running actually hurts my body instead of doing it any good! I do a lot of yoga now and hike instead! Sometimes it takes some people longer to listen to their bodies and do what’s good for them and I think I grew up a lot in that regard in the past year and am very happy to where I am now!
but did you enjoy it then? it seems odd to go from loving running so much that you would cry over it, to hating it.
when you say “then”, I take it that you are referring to the Marie-Claire article.
No, I didn’t enjoy it then. It hurt! But I was too stubborn to stop. That was a year and a half ago and I think I’ve learned my lesson and matured in that manner by listening to my body.
Like it! I do a lot of power yoga / walk a lot, I listen to my body and I’m in good shape… We have to find what’s good for ourselves, and sometimes it takes a couple years, kind of a quest.
No shame in such stubbornness, Jenna. Many of us (myself included!) have been there.
Oh I wasn’t referencing the article; I meant “then” as in the period of time that you used to run. I’ve read your blog for a long time, and I remember you running a lot!
I don’t really get it…people change. Just because you did something or liked something at one period in your life doesn’t mean you have to be that way forever…why is that weird?
I used to run a lot and work out years ago – that’s not happening now for various reasons. I hate it when people say to me “what happened?!” like something is seriously wrong with me and I’m not ME still…
Relax…no one is calling anyone “weird” here. They are simply asking questions because it’s difficult to reconcile the fact that Jenna seemed to love running so much and now she’s saying that she doesn’t like it. No need to jump to her defense. She’s an adult.
Jenna, I hate running, too! I’ve never liked it, but I want to be good at it for some reason.
Yea, so not a fan of running. My body just wasn’t made for it. That picture of you is so cute. I wish I could wear cowboy boots and pull it off looking so cute and cool!
Dexter is thinking, “My momma is so hot.”
Love love LOVE this post!!!! And all your confessions of a food blogger posts…
Hmm.. Dexter is thinking what the heck are you doing mom?
i hate running too! i see all these bloggers running marathon, and power to them but BLAH it sounds awful. i try really hard to enjoy it but…
i love these series of posts – you’re too funny!
I wish I liked to run. I’ve tried it so many times, and still, no me gusta! But I love yoga and I’d rather stand in Warrior II for five minutes straight than run a lap. You are hysterical!
I think Dexter is thinking, “Man, if only I could open that jar of Nutella with my paws…”
I seriously love these posts. Although I’m having a hard time picturing the deep lunge stance with the oven and the sink.
You crack me up! I love your honesty. But most of all, I love that you are following your heart. This is your blog and your life.
You do bear a striking resemblance to Sally Draper, but NOT in her chubby stage! You’re lovely.
Love this – that’s how we felt a lot on vacation recently – walking from one awesome breakfast bakery spot to the special sandwich shop for lunch to the market we read about, home to change and walk to dinner.
It’s pretty much my favorite type of day.
love that picture of you. it makes you look like a rock star!
I absolutely agree. I was thinking it would be a great cover on a CD or even Jenna’s next cookbook!!!
Indeed!!
aww thanks guys (blush)
I’m glad to see another blogger who isn’t a fan of running…I’m not either!
I’m with you on the hate running. I do do it three mornings a week at my boot camp class, and it’s the most dreaded part of class for me.
I think Dexter’s looking at you lunging in the kitchen.
I don’t run unless I’m being chased
Walking is just as good…or yoga…or something that is actually enjoyable. As far as exercise, I broke a sweat baking pumpkin cookies and muffins, does that count? ha
He’s probably wondering why you’re allowed on the counters and he’s not! ha!
Does anyone enjoy it? I recently picked it back up again and am patiently waiting for the “I like this” stage. Please tell me it will happen…
i love it. I am not fast, i don’t do sub 4 hr marathons, I just run at my own pace and it helps me clear my head.
forgot to add that I used to hate it when i did it for ‘weight loss” but now it’s just different.
I don’t really like running either. Once in a while it’s fine, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m not a runner and that’s ok. Yoga and strength training are much more up my alley.
Yeah, it could be maybe it’s time to rename the blog. Eat, Live, Hike?
For me, some days running is just what the dr. ordered, other days I’d rather do anything else. And I do not get the “Sally Draper in her chubby phase” statement. What did you weigh, like 130, maybe 135 last fall? Totally reasonable for your height which I believe you’ve previously mentioned was 5’6″? Anyway, I never saw a photo of you on this blog which made me think you were anything but svelte. And I think Dexter is thinking “when is she finally going to blog about making catnip biscuits?”
I agree with this. It sounds like you were just trying to be comical but wow, what trite statement.
I’m not trying to say it’s trite….just saying that I find it disheartening that someone so obviously in great shape would consider herself chubby. That’s all.
It was a total joke–I’m truly sorry if it offended anyone!
JMHO
you used “trite” incorrectly here. “trite” means overused and banal. if you are attempting to insult jenna, you should probably consult a dictionary before you appear comical yourself (reflexsive pronoun) and period (.)
I wasn’t trying to insult anyone, and I know the meaning of the word.
Great confession. I dont know anyone, even serious hardcore runners, who love to run every single day. And workout are always better…after they are DONE. Not when you’re in the contemplation mode of feeling like you need to get motivated. No one “loves to run” in those moments I don’t think!
I don’t like running either. amen.
Is dexter thinking “Mom is crazy?” (good way, you know
How about just “Eating, Living, Rocking your face off.” for your new blog name?
Is that too long?
bahahahahah no, i think that’s perfect.
best name ever.
confessions 1 and 3. wow. you have really come to embrace yourself, whatever your true nature is. may we all be that honest. running, or…not. eating for real. letting go of what people have come to expect and being ok with yourself.
tennui nec dimittam: i have taken hold and i will not let go.
I thought of you this weekend when I was in Maine helping my dad build and stock his wood shed for the Long Winter. I totally felt like an Ingalls child.
that’s awesome…Long Winter was my favorite!
That lunge sounds intense! I love running, but it’s not for everyone. It’s all about doing what makes you happy and whole.
Great post! How about a fun new name for the blog like “Jenna-Really About Food” because it’s a play on words for Generally About Food and it describes the true nature of your life and the blog. What do you think?
Maybe I’m just slow on the uptake, but I totally didn’t get the name until you explained it. I would be completely confused if that was the blog title!!!
Re: running – I don’t really like it, but I really want to like it. So much so that I think I try to “make myself” like it, when in reality it is not running that I like, but the IDEA of running. Does that make sense?
I love that picture!! Frame it now!
I think Dexter is wondering what crazy good treat you are going to cook up next!
Hahaha, Jenna, this is why you are my favorite blogger.
I’m glad you admitted to not like running right now. I always feel bad when readers email me saying they are trying to get themselves to run, but it’s hard/torture. I always think, “Why would you make yourself do something you hate?”
hahaha. this post made me laugh. love your outlook and humor.
I wish more people would appreciate what great exercise walking everywhere is.
I like that.
Just had to say that photo of you is gorgeous!!
bahaha Dexter is thinking, ‘when the hell is she going to bake me homemade cat treats??!?!?!’
I think Dexter is most certainly thinking. Honestly, I think cats are always contemplating how to murder their human “owners” and get away with it. Beware!
I had to Google who Sally Draper was. That’s my confession for today.
I had to, also!
lol, I love it!
And I had to look up who Sally Draper is, too.
Love it! I hate running as well. And I seriously laughed while reading the Sally Draper comment. My hubs and I were netflixing Mad Men at the same time as you and it sounds like you have become a “Maddict” too! Fun fact; hottie patottie Jon Hamm is from St. Louis, which is where I live and one of my clients “raised” him in a sense after his mother died when he was young. I am still trying to arrange an invite whenever he’s in town again. I’m sure my hubs won’t mind
I don’t know who Sally Draper is, but in all the time I’ve been reading your blog I don’t think I ever saw you looking chubby
.
Love the confessions. Running sucks. My husband is a marathoner/triathlete and whenever I go to one of his events, I think – why? It’s definitely not for everyone.
Anyway, I LOVE that photo. You look like a rockstar!
Thanks for staying true to yourself and breaking the mold.
“what have you been up too?” “oh you know … blogging”
Eat, Live, Appreciate
Eat, Live, Breathe
Eat ,Live, Treasure
Eat, Live, Cook
Eat, Live,Love
Eat,Live ,Move
Eat,Live, Embrace
Eat, Live, Laugh
BUT…… I still love-
Eat, Live, Run (why does “run” have to refer to jogging/running? I still like this name best because run is such a great term to embracing life head on , energy and
leaving nothing behind!)
exactly! To me, “run” means adventure in general. You said it perfectly when you said it’s all about embracing life head on!
I think most people think of it as actually running.. especially since your blog use to focus on running.
Come on Heather, loosen up my friend!
Life is about good times and kindness and I honestly love how
“run” CAN be interpreted many ways if we use our creative thinking over mundane thinking!
I love that Jenna is “running like the wind “and exploring life’s adventures and even a few times “running by the seat of her pants” and so on….
Let’s be open to life and its wonders-it truly can be a glass of wine
half full my friend
I agree! Also, you have always been Very stubborn… I think that you would agree!?
I am sorry but it just no longer seems to fit. I see your point about being creative with the name M, but I have to disagree! It’s not that big of a deal though.. it’s just a name. But it just doesn’t fit in my opinion.
I like eatmovelove who commented earlier saying Eat Live Bake. Now that fits
Actually .. Who IS Sally Draper???
I am not such a fan of Eat ,Live Bake…..sorry! Jenna does much more cooking than baking,so that is quite a restrictive name ,plus it doesn’t address her adventurous spirit in my books
So…..we can agree as readers we totally disagree.And nothing wrong with that,I am sure Jenna enjoys all this diversity and passion of opinions!
I respect our opposing views-vive la difference!
She is the daughter of Don and Betty Draper on the
Tv show “Mad Men”
That is a BEAUTIFUL picture of you! And Part IV was just as great as its predecessors.
I don’t like running either- it took a long time to admit it to myself though. With all the bloggers so into running I forced myself into liking it. Not a good idea!
Now I enjoy yoga and walking! Walking in the autumn is so scenic I love it.
Great post Jenna! I really like the confessions series!!
maybe you just need a break- its okay…that’s what i’ve been telling myself anyway….
dexter is thinking= “am i choking on a fur ball or is that a cloud of flour dust in my throat?”
Haha, love the first couple of comments. You do need to rename the blog!
Sometimes taking a good picture requires the most ridiculous poses! I’ve often had to lie on my stomach in weird contorted poses to get my pictures.
Keep this confession posts coming. I love them!
I need to tell you that I find a lot of inspiration in your daily blog. It is so refreshing to read about someone who is more real than any other blog I have found. I love that you sometimes don’t exercise and eat pizza. I love that you eat at resturaunts and don’t always order a salad. I love that you use heavy cream when baking and I love that you don’t fill your food with fake ingredients. You ARE adorable and I think you show women of all ages that there is so much more to life then excessive exercise and low-fat food. I applaud everything you stand for! I am a Nutrition Specialist and I refer a lot of my clients to your blog. Especially my clients who suffer from eating disorders. I want them to see a beautiful woman who eats real food and good food but also knows the value of a healthy lifestyle. You make my job easier…
thank you so much, Kelly!
Being a sorta-new reader I always thought the run meant the adventurous self in you and your love of traveling. I hate running too. In fact, I’ve recently quit it. Knee pain be gone. I feel so much better after an hours worth of yoga, both physically and mentally.
I do not enjoy running much either. I like to exercise, but everyone has to find what works for them. Because life is too short not to enjoy every activity throughout your day. haha I know easier said than done.
this is my favorite “confessions” to date… your honesty is so admirable!
running SUCKS, and I’m glad you’re open about it. (i am too).
Jenna, you crack me up! Thanks for keeping us all smiling at home
We are all doing the same thing, but our blogs aren’t as successful!! Imagine how we justify our quirks…doesn’t happen 
Eat, Live, Run should continue to be the name. When you were chronically the journey of a baker on a healthy mission you were ELR–and the slogan did not mention run. Run implies activity and living by going and doing. It’s too bad if people take it literally. Perhaps a change to the slogan to convey the message better?
And about running–it’s great that you can tell us how you feel about it now and how you are evolving. It takes a lot of courage to say how you have changed over time and go out on a limb and say that you don’t enjoy running even though the perception was different a while ago. I like it!
Hear, hear!!
hahaha love this discourse! To be honest, it would be pretty hard to change the blog name this late in the game (I’ve been blogging for three years under Eat Live Run and that’s what people know me as…I’ve essentially “branded” that title). I know there’s a difference in opinions over the “Run” aspect of the name, but in my mind I’ve always considered “Run” to symbolize more of an adventurous spirit…i.e, going wherever life takes me and not afraid to meet a challenge head-on.
So who knows! I’m not totally opposed to the idea of a name change but it would involve a lot of work…I guess I’ll know the right one when I hear it, but as for now it’s still Eat Live Run!
I LOVE hearing your opinions though so please keep on!
I think you should retain the “run.” Interpretating the word broadly makes perfect sense. If you want to flesh out the concept more clearly, you might do so by making a subtlle change in your subtitle: Eat, Live, Run…celebrating food, embracing adventure. Just a thought!
So everytime I exercise, should I just call it a “run”? Instead of going to yoga, I’ll go to Hatha Run or Power Run or Hot Run. People take “run” to mean actually running, not walking or hiking or baking or practicing yoga.
Why have a blog name with two things you love (eat and live) and one thing you hate (run)?
Not all of us think it makes sense to use the word run to mean whatever you want. That doesn’t make us mundane or too literal.
I like you even more now because you don’t like to run. I always feel like I should be a runner when I read blogs and I hate to run. I have no idea who Sally Draper is but I doubt you are chubby at all. Dexter is thinking that he better not even try to eat any rising dough he sees lying around.
I agree with you about feeling like you should be a runner when you read blogs. I’ve gotten to the point where I just scroll through anything that has to do with “splits”, “fartleks” and “PR’s”.
I think Dexter is wondering where his twin is and the answer to that would be at my house here in Ohio. I kid you not, your cat looks exactly like my cat, white patch on the chest area and all!
awww he probably is! I love black kitties!
What a pretty picture of you.
I appreciate the confession that you hate to run – no shame in that! I thought I loved it, and maybe I did for a season, but I’m pretty sure that season is over… Who knows, maybe it’ll come back around. For now, hot yoga all the way!
Dexter is thinking, “Mom, that’s a wine bottle, not a rolling pin!!”
Haha! And probably give me one of those cookies!
i love it! i do love running (most of the time) but hiking..not so much… but i’m glad you enjoy it!
to each her own, right? 
you’re great!
I love these posts – I think Dexter is thinking about the crazy lady who is standing on the counter.
Noooooo!!… I wish I hadn’t read that you actually don’t like running.. hopefully you do a little bit?
I started running recently after reading your blog and being super inspired and was riding on the notion that one day I would actually like it. I kind of do now (after a couple of months).. but reading that kind of shot my hope!
If you like running, you should run like the wind!! I think that’s awesome!
I applaud you for coming out hehe – we now now that you love to bake and enjoy the pleasures of eating … running, not so much! Can’t blame you there, girl – I mean running for miles and miles? To what end? You are a more realistic role model than the idealistic version of what some young women aspire to be – thank you.
P.S.
How about ELE rather than ELR? Eat Live Evolve – that gives you the freedom to eat (obv), live (obv) and ELVOLVE – no more RUN or whatever you may presently be experimenting with … you can leave the last word OPEN.
Haha I meant to write EVOLVE.
Dexter is having some deep thoughts. Pondering his place in the universe, humanity. Or ,you know, treats.
Really? You don’t enjoy running? Well, I feel better. I hated it for the first month.
I have never felt such love for you than I do this day.
Right on, girlfran’
who took that picture? was it done by a professional photographer? it just looks so good it looks sassy sexy but wholesome at the same time I dont know how those two co exist but whoever took the picture captured that about you so well. I can see youre super photogenic but this captured a different spirit. … and yeah the chubby thing made me feel lije an elephant myself but I know you did it in good fun
my boyfriend took that photo…and yes, he’s basically a professional photographer!
You are not an elephant and I was kidding with the chubby thing. It was meant to be taken very very lightly….
:-O
Running does NOT suck! The high i get from running is better than crack (not that I have ever tried crack) and comes close to good sex (excepting my favorite 23yr old, nothing beats him).
I think youre the greatest Jenna and I secretly want your life. Your writing has grown by leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. You should be so proud of yourself. Yours is one of the only blogs I continue to read regularly.
I love this confessions series! Please keep it up
it’s nice to hear from someone like you that there are days where you don’t feel up to running or extreme exercise. on the days that i don’t exercise AT ALL i feel so guilty.
i’m glad you tell you you hate running!
b/c some times if feel like i have to run for exercise! and that is silly when I hate it so much!
re comments on feeling fat last fall: We all have ‘fat’ days no matter how small or big we are. Ya know? You were being honest and it seems harsh to get on your case for stating how you feel.
Love that pic of you!
That pic makes me want a cat!!! Too bad my husband is allergic
Eat that cookie, woman! You are beautiful and not at all chubby. The only reason I run is so I can eat the stuff I want. Sure, a running club of friends helps, and not forcing myself to run an eight-minute mile helps — but given the choice between running five miles and hunkering down on the couch with a pumpkin cookie with vanilla frosting and some morning tea? Well, just guess which one I’d pick. I love reading your blog and have ditched all the annoying running blogs written by toothpick girls who stress about their abs. Keep things in the healthy zone, enjoy some yoga, run a bit, and then go ahead and indulge. Daily. That’s my philosophy!
i think there’s the beauty in running; you don’t have to choose!!! you can have both!!!!!!! (read; pumpkin cookie AND some miles) in fact, you should… and they’re positively correlated; more miles= more cookies!!
can i just have more cookies?
yes, but you’d have to stop eventually. with running they’re unlimited; imagine that!
Seems to me Jenna gets more snide comments than any blogger I’ve seen. She has NO responsibility to please anyone with her statements. Who has time to sit around and pick apart another person’s honest thoughts and criticize them. Seems to me some people are a tad bit envious. Say what you want, and don’t stop being honest Jenna, we love that.
I love the feeling I get AFTER I run… but most of the time, during the run, I’m so not enjoying it! I wish I could catch running fever like some other bloggers, but I just don’t have it!
Cute dress! I love the confessions.
No words. Just love.
I love that you don’t enjoy running – I also don’t and realised life was too short to expire from exertion! Now, instead of the gym I spend my time painting which is my passion and involves sitting in one place moving only my arm as I draw and paint! Hey Ho. I love to hear secret confessions and yours are laugh out loud funny!
I hate running…and running hates me. It’s mutual. haha
Dexter is probably thinking “I wonder if I get to eat her food when mom falls out of the sink/off the stove?”
I am loving this mini confessions series, mainly because you are making me feel better about not washing my apples, 10 second rules and the redic amount of chocolate i consume per day. Loves it, loves you!
Whit
He’s probably watching you take your lunge photo… or wondering if when you exit the whole foods bathroom, you will go to the pet aisle and buy him kitty treats…
some days I definitely consider walking from one place to another exercise! I mean, San Francisco hills should TOTALLY count for something right?
Where is your dress/ shoes from in this pic??? Love it!!