Ok, so I'm a fitness professional. 

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPRuHuAiRdFXJt3EysbSzu1SiYxdmZMbFXAoewKRrmfqe/image.png)

I'm sure you're expecting me to tell you about exercise, building and maintaining a healthy body, Crossfit, swimming, spin classes, etc...  While I do love all of those things, and they're a huge part of my life, I don't exactly consider them hobbies because they're just a given.  I've never NOT been doing these things, so I've chosen to talk about the hobby that interests me and brings me great joy outside of these things:

My hobby is eating, cooking, and learning about food. 

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdeqT5aWCyiQ9eZoKvcp1s9vkYZZrnWzBqXYSptjLTVYt/image.png)

All food fascinates me.  I love learning about how to make healthy food taste delicious (definitely helps in my line of work), figuring out what flavors complement each other, tasting delicacies from other cultures, trying new restaurants, cooking interesting recipes and sharing meals with loved ones.  

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmexUUrQD2MtTmT3eRLh3KQWDtKcMN56hbbiAxs7RmjhK8/image.png)

I have always been a curious and adventurous eater, so my interest in exploring the foods from other cultures started when I was very young. My best friend I've known since kindergarten is Taiwanese-American, so we started by eating the most interesting Taiwanese foods we could find together and moved on to other food cultures from there.  We've had a long-standing agreement that if one of us tries something, the other one tries it too - on many occasions that pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to experience foods I might not have dabbled in on my own, and I'm grateful for it!

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYZuuriTszypBskz2KYxwwBZC4kMSDDAMuRcykr1NThHx/image.png)

On a similar note, it's been so fun to me to research restaurants and plan food adventures when I travel. I recently went to Germany for work (maybe a post to come on that little trip later?) and the first thing I thought of was what traditional German dishes I was going to get to try :) and though I was only there for a short time, I got through a lot!

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmaRc6THhtbj75biuKAHzGLJHwr3BdVRTCj4zeiULjiBdb/image.png)

I also love to learn how to make food taste good, why flavor combinations work, and how to maximize and celebrate ingredients.  If I ever have a moment to watch TV, you'd better believe food and cooking shows are gonna be on! Just by watching shows about food and reading a little bit online, I have learned SO much and it has ignited my interest in eating and creating food that much more.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZj2q9FG1Y4SGH73ctb5bqye9n2nrnpES3mLVZb7Po4dM/image.png)

This learning has helped me a lot in creating delicious recipes that are fitness-friendly - I believe in bringing love and flavor back to health food, and teaching people that nutritious foods can truly still be delicious.  Healthy or not, if food is carelessly prepared or bland and flavorless, I definitely don't want to eat it! So it's a big part of my job as a fitness coach to help healthy food transcend its poor reputation and find a place in my clients' hearts (and stomachs) once again. 

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZu7ZMT6M2Z4dy1mUSmYQ8cqeE5EJzoAgVHtwXZiHodcd/image.png)

If it sounds like I'm food obsessed, you're right! Although I think about food a lot, and it's a big part of how I enjoy my life, I've found that in order to stay as healthy as possible while still embracing all things food, I need to be mindful and self-aware.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmb5R3t4Znbnp4WQj1Q1UfULnxfsKFjRyyLayiHWARvxJp/image.png)

So if you're asking yourself how someone who eats pork belly eggs benedicts with fried potatoes (yes, that's the photo above and yes, it was delicious!) can still have six pack abs, the answer is most definitely BALANCE.

This beautiful balance I've been able to create in my life allows my obsession with food to enhance my life, not overtake it.

Some truths (aka disclaimers) about me on the topic of balance - I LOVE vegetables.  Like probably way more than the next person.  I eat them every single day, in borderline terrifying quantities.  I drink LOTS of water, at least a gallon a day, not just for the health benefits but I love the way it makes me feel. I also genuinely love to be active, and have been involved in organized athletics for nearly all of my life, so it's easy for me to move my body and get  A LOT of activity without even really noticing. 

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPSkH8SYCwUoxWbYdoV95z2qddgcqtbo1r1e13dgCfhK7/image.png)

I don't eat huge, heavy, unhealthy meals all the time, or overindulge on a regular basis.  I'm pretty aware by now of what my body needs, and how to intelligently manage my portions when an interesting or irresistible food opportunity arises.

These behaviors and strategies I've cultivated help me to be able to thoroughly enjoy my hobby while staying true to my beliefs, philosophies, and practices regarding health. 

I also believe food is best when it's shared, so that's another technique I use to taste everything I crave while keeping my overall nutrition in check.  Even when I'm walking the straight and narrow when it comes to my diet, I always feel I can still afford to savor a few bites of something delicious, especially with someone I care about - making memories is important, and oftentimes that involves some food!

I think food has the potential to bring people together, make occasions more festive, soothe the soul and nourish the body. It's a huge part of family legacies, countries' histories, and people's identities.  

It's so much more than just fuel - it's life.  It's love.  It's happiness.  And it's my hobby.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPdZbACuY2jG9fwWpxw62VHvSdNAPrwSFDjH6qa39xqvG/image.png)

This is such a fun and fascinating idea - big thanks to @anomadsoul for this! What a great way to get to know each other and learn some fun facts about our Steemit friends that we might not have otherwise!

Please feel free to follow, comment, upvote, and resteem if you like :)

Ps. All these photos are my own - cute, right?! :) :) :)

![My Post (3).jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNqponj3YUg2AHvuE25DtLcRX7Vq6U6uDrUUkNDBaQm22/My%20Post%20(3).jpg)