New Theme
The new theme on the site

Working on new layout

I started work a few weeks ago on a new layout, but I was using the older style method, which consists of alot of code, and ALOT of graphics.
I prefer the graphical look, since its less boring, and have been put off by the minimal, flat look that everyone seems to be doing anymore. Plus the fact that I’m not a real designer, or even a real blogger… I simply didn’t care.

While I don’t care for the boring simple, flat look. I do care about accessibility. Even if no one ever reads my site, I’d like for the few who do, or me when im at work on my phone, to be able to view the site. The old layouts, and the layout that I was creating looked the same on all devices. It was tiny on the screen, especially my Iphone 5, and you always have to zoom in to read, and even in some cases that wasn’t enough.

I have been out of the coding loop for years now, So I’m not too up to date on the new coding standards, and I have forgotten alot of what I once knew. WordPress has really made me lazy with all this. I used to design all my websites from scratch, with no core, but wordpress removes the need for that. Since I’ve been out of the loop, and wanted update the sites layout, I decided to pick an already existing layout, which then I’d heavily modify and add to, essentially making it my own.

After reviewing many templates that label themselves as “responsive”, “modern”, and “simple”, I have decided to go with the FREE Influence theme. What I like about this theme is the stylish, yet simplistic look. Also the author allows the removal of the copyright, and link back in the footer. I always wrestle with the idea of the original artists receiving all the credit for themes I’ve heavily modified, and essentially made them something else. I don’t mind giving them credit, but not full (I wouldn’t be writing about it, linking to the theme if I were), and it just looks less professional to have credit links everywhere. I plan on putting the link in the site credits when I make it.

The main thing I didn’t like about the theme is that the menu is hidden, unless you click the menu button. This is nice on a mobile device, but its very annoying and unintuitive on a real computer, which is what I use 95% of the time. If I’m the only one visiting my website, then I want to be able to easily navigate it. So, I was able to get a floating menu on the site, which matches the site theme.

I have heavily modified the template pages as well and I plan on adding alot more to the theme. I still find some features lacking, and too simple for me. But, I do like the lighter colors. My site has had mostly a dark/black background since its creation, so it’s a nice change.
and spent quite a bit of money on some premium plugins that I felt was required, so I’m hoping this new design choice works out in the end. ;)

Here is a comparison of the new theme that I had been working on, and the new one I am using now.


I plan on writing alot in the future about exercise and weight lost tips, and other things. Meaning, I want to actually write about stuff that people will care about, and can help them. In the past year I’ve lost alot of weight, and gained muscle, in the best shape ever.
My experience and newly gained knowledge could help many others.

Stay tuned! please excuse any broken pages, and or features on the site.

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