After BP, I showered and headed into work. I stopped at Starbucks to get a grande bold coffee with 2 pumps of sugar free vanilla syrup with half and half and noticed this pamphlet.

The title caught my attention right away. So I read through it. It basically gives the nutrition info for all the Starbucks drinks, which you can totally find on their website. But, I thought this section was interesting.

This section tells different options to lighten up your drinks fat and calorie wise and ways to make them more nutritious. Pretty cool, right?! It got me thinking: What are your thoughts on restaurants and coffee shops posting their nutritional facts for their customers to see? Do you feel it is a good idea that way people can make more informed decisions? Do you feel like you don’t want to know that information when you go out to eat? Do you feel it is a little obsessive?

My opinion is that it helps people make more informed choices. I think the more information people have the more likely they are to make the better choice. For those who care about those stats it gives them the info, and for those who don’t they can just ignore them. What do you think?

Breakfast today was Strawberry-Banana- Chocolate- Superfood-Protein- Oats! WOW that is a mouth full I did a little experiment and added Chocolate Green Superfood and Chocolate Protein Powder to my oatmeal.

Oats:

• 1/3 of a cup of oats
• 1/2 of a cup of water
• 1/2 of a banana
• 1 scoop of Chocolate Green Superfood
• 1 scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder

Ok, I know it looks gross, don’t know it til you try it Hello energy burst!!!!

Today’s outfit:

Black shirt dress (Thrift Store), Black tights (Target), Gray boots (Target).

Loooove these boots:

In Other News:

I finally bought my camera! After all the research and questions it is on its ways! My friend Dan is a freakin’ camera (and running) genius and I love him dearly for all the help he gave me with this! Thanks, Dan! This bad boy is on it’s way to mi casa as we speak (or type? or as you read?).

I can’t wait to be able to provide you guys with much better pictures

Well, I got to get going here! See you at lunchie!

This afternoon I ran 5.3 miles in 49:49. It felt great until I got off the treadmill and realized that my blister from Monday was KILLING ME! I think I may have made it worse? I am not sure I am hoping that it will feel better after resting all night. Tonight, I met with my group that I am working on my presentation for tomorrow with. I think that we have everything down pretty good. So hopefully, it will go well. I will keep you guys posted! Oh- I found out today that I got a 97% on my video and a 97% on my paper for the same class!!! YES! A special thanks to my editor, John. Thanks for all your edits on my papers, it is sooooo helpful! While meeting with my group, I sipped a grande iced coffee from Starbucks.

Dinner was left over pizza from Sunday afternoon and some steamed brussel sprouts.

While watching TV with Adam, he totally twisted my arm into sharing a little ice cream with him. Honestly, sometimes I say he twists my arm and he doesn’t, but this time- he really did. We split a small juice glass full of peanut butter cup ice cream. I took a few small bites and savored them. I looooove this stuff

Well, it is nighty night for this girl. I am up at 5:15 to get my booty to the Body Pump 73 launch!!!!! Woot Woot! Nothing gets a girl out of bed like a new Body Pump set, am I right?! Have a great night and see you tomorrow morning! Sleep tight!

After work I picked up Adam and we headed over to the Apple Store to buy my new phone. The phone was soooooo much more money to replace (close to double what we paid originally) because AT&T gives a discount when you first purchase it because you are signing a 2-year contract. So, since we already had the contract it was over $400 to replace my phone. Honestly, I wanted to cry! It made me sooooooo angry that someone stole that from me! We replaced it and I am glad to have it back but it made my day even worse.

Since I was so upset, Adam decided to take me to dinner. I was so excited when he suggest P.F. Chang’s ! Adam is a very plain eater and I never thought he would want to try P.F. Chang’s since it is not his type of place. He is so sweet for taking me there since he wasn’t sure there would be anything he would like  I looove him for being so great about our VERY different tastes in food! Luckily, he loved the ginger chicken!

Once we sat down, I ordered a drink! I deserved it and the description of the Plum Collins looked AWESOME!

and…it was SO YUMMY! Adam’s drink was the girly looking blue one nad mine is the normal looking one…;)

To start, erI ordered a cup of hot ans sour soup, it is honestly my favorite soup ever!!!! I have never been to P.F. Changs and I think theirs is the best I have ever had

For my meal I got Buddah’s Fest! It was tofu and fresh veggies in a stir-fry sauce severed with steamed brown rice.

I love ordering tofu at a restaurant, because although I make pretty good baked tofu, restaurants always make tofu soooo delicious! I loved this meal, it was flavorful, the tofu was awesome and the fresh veggies hit the spot.

Dessert (well, kind of).

My fortune:

Isn’t that soooooo true?! I loved it!

Adam’s Fortune:

Good one, right?!

Clearly, we are in it for the fortunes and not the cookies, we left them behind

After restoring my iPhone, since I had everything backed up on my Mac at home, we went right to bed.

I woke up this morning feeling rested and in a MUCH better  place mood-wise. I actually found out that since my Starbucks card was registered, I could report it stolen. When I did, they told me they were going to ship me a new one with the balance on it YES!!!! People- register those Sbux cards, there are sooooo many benefits to it, like earning points and getting privileges (free pumps of syrup in any drink, discounts, free pound of coffee etc.).

Breakfast this morning was a Barney Butter and Croft’s Blueberry Superfood spread sandwich on whole wheat.

I paired it with with warm cinnamon apple

Warm Cinnamon Apple:

1. Cut up an apple into bite sized pieces and put in a microwave safe bowl.
2. add about 1/4 of a cup of water.
3. Add a little cinnamon.
4. Microwave for 2 minute.
5. Enjoy!!!

There was also coffee…

Today’s Outfit:

Chinos (J Crew), White cami (H&M), Argyle Sweater (Gap), Pink Flats (Forever 21).

Close up of the argyle.

Pink flats So Springy!!!

Well, I will see you all later around lunchtime

Breakfast this morning was liquid!!!! YUMMMM! Coffee and a Green Monster!

Green Monster:

• Spinach
• Plain Yogurt
• 1 banana
• Flax Seeds
• Green Superfood
• Protein Powder
• Peanut Butter
• Ice

Today’s outfit:

GreenTurtle Neck (Gap), Tan pants (hand me downs) Brown Boots (Nine West).

I spiced it up with some run earrings!

Lunch was a yummy and colorful salad!

Salad:

• spring mix
• cucumbers
• tomatoes
• red bell peppers
• edamame
• reduced fat feta
• salsa
• hickory smoked tuna

It was so good!

In Other News:

1. I think a final camera decision has been made. I am so thankful to all of those that gave their options and  helped out. A special thanks to my friend Dan who helped out a lot! I think I decided on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-Zs3 10MP.

It has a great lens and the wider lens helps with close ups for food pictures (so I am told). 

2. In January I did the Self-love Tips and in February I did the “Ask Me Anything” questions. I have been trying to think of something to do for March into April. I would love to take some suggestions of what you guys would like to see.  Any ideas?!

Ugh, well I am going to get some things done before heading out. What a day!

Yikes we are a little sweaty, I think my hair is sticking to Adam’s head! HA! Adam and I ran 6.7 glorious miles in the nice “warm” weather. We decided it was our first official half marathon training run. We did the run in 1:03:20. Not bad!

Splits:

• Mile 1 – 9:33
• Mile 2- 9:29
• Mile 3- 9:23
• Mile 4-9:23
• Mile 5- 9:35 (we encountered some heavy foot traffic at this point- it was a bit annoying)
• Mile 6- 9:20
• Last .7 miles- 6:35

After the run we stretched, showered and I decided what to make for dinner. All I really wanted was a peanut butter and banana sandwich. No my typical dinner, more like my typical breakfast, but I really wanted it. I toasted two pieced of whole wheat bread and topped then with peanut butter, dark chocolate peanut butter and 1/2 of a banana. One the side I had some strawberries and some tortilla chips and salsa. Weird combo, but just was I wanted. I am so glad I finished off this salsa. I have been having a hard time staying away from that and the chips since they came into this house!

The rest of my evening was spent doing homework and working on some blog stuff. I have been working on creating a page attached to the blog with all the “Ask Me Anything” questions, so people can find them there when they are looking for answers to specific questions. I am also separating them by category so that makes it easier. It is pretty time-consuming, but I think it will be worth it.

Well, I am going to get everything ready for my day tomorrow and do a load of laundry before heading to bed. See you all in the morning! Have a great night!!!

Hello everyone! I had a busy, busy weekend and as a result I was wayyyyy too busy to post. But, luckily I took tons of pictures and am already to catch you guys up YAY!!! After work on Friday, I hit the gym for a run. Right when I started running I knew it was going to be a bad run. I got a stitch or cramp on each side before I had even ran 1/10 of a mile. I fought through them hoping they would go away, but they didn’t. I ran 2 miles while working at putting the pain out of my mind until I could not take it anymore. Finally, I realized they weren’t going away and decided to call it quits. 2 miles is better than nothing, right?! I decided to use the extra time to stretch. I was pretty frustrated, but I reminded myself that I can’t always have a good run.

After the run, I showered and headed to Starbucks to wait for Adam to get out of work and meet me to head to Harpoon fest. I got a small mild coffee and sat reading for about 45 minutes. I only drank about 1/2 of the coffee, I was not really in the mood for it.

I met Adam and our friends Kevin and Melissa and we headed to Harpoon Fest. Clearly, I missed a memo as Adam, Kev and Mel all had on the same jacket.

Harpoon Fest was sooooo much fun! I tried a few different Harpoon beers. I started off with the Celtic Ale. I looooved it!

I also had the UFO White (times 2).

and I tried the IPA…which was just okay. I didn’t LOVE it like the other two.

We had a great time!!! Here are some pictures from Harpoon fest.

Mel and I.

Adam, Kevin and myself.

Kevin is turning 30 next week so he is showing his 3-0.

I am not sure when or how Mel and Kevin got these chicken hats, but they were hilarious!!!

We enjoyed ourselves, Harpoon fest is always a good time!

After Harpoon Fest, we headed to the Warren Tavern for dinner. I started off with a salad.

My meal was a pasta dish with veggies. It was good, but I was tired and a little drunk ( ) so I didn’t really eat much of it. I was just wanted to head home and crash, which is just what we did.

Saturday morning, I got up cleaned my apartment a little bit and then had my friend Jill over for breakfast and to chat and catch up. I hadn’t seen her in a few weeks and I was so excited to have a little girl time with her. I made up breakfast burritos. I used whole wheat tortillas, egg whites, cheddar cheese and black beans and topped it all with salsa. We had coffee as well.

It was delicious! After breakfast, I got dressed and made a little lunch while waiting for Adam to come home from a golf expo he went to. Lunch was a grilled spinach and cheese sandwich with 1/2 of a banana and some peanut butter. Weird combo, but so yummy.

After lunch, Adam and I went to Melissa and Kevin’s to hang out and watch the Bruins game before coming home to get ready for our diner. Saturday was mine and Adam’s 11 year dating anniversary So we got changed and walked into the North End for dinner. It was a beautiful day in Boston so we took advantage with a nice walk. We went to G’Vanni’s, which is one of my favorite places to eat.

Adam and I split a bottle of Pinot Noir, I had about 1 and a half glasses.

While looking over the menu, I had a small piece of bread.

For an appetizer we ordered the Mozza Wrap. It was fresh mozzarella wrapped with procuitto topped with grilled tomatoes served on a skillet. IT WAS AMAZING! The proscuitto was crunchy and the cheese was melty!

For my meal I got my favorite. Eggplant parm with a side of whole wheat pasta. I don’t usually eat eggplant parm because it is fried and that kills my stomach. But, when I am really celebrating, I will go ahead and eat it because I loooooove it!

My meal was huge and I only ate about 1/2 of it. Dessert was a must and we decided on the Bocci Ball. It was iced cream dipped in dark chocolate topped with powdered sugar and whipped cream.

It was awesome! After dinner we walked home and then headed a a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club in our town. It was a fun time and a great cause. I had some bud lights that managed to escape my camera while chatting with friends.

Here is a picture of me and my friend Murph. Murph is actually a personal trainer and gives THE BEST advice. He is working on his own blog right now and once it is up and running I will post it. It is called Ban the Gym and is written for people who want to work out at home, or don’t have time to hit the gym. He had great ideas. I can’t wait for you guys to see it, you will LOVE it!

Yesterday morning, while chatting with my friend Kara, I headed to our local coffee shop to grab breakfast for Adam and I. I got my FIRST ICED COFFEE OF THE SEASON and an onion bagel. YAY! It had ben very spring-like here in Boston this weekend, so I was thrilled to have an iced coffee. But, it is short lived, it is going to be cold starting tomorrow!!!

Adam and I spent the day registering for wedding gifts! It was so fun!!! We don’t know what we want as far a bedding and bathroom stuff seeing as we are still working on cleaning out and gutting our house and have no definite idea on what it will look like when we are done. But, we were able to register for a whole bunch of kitchen stuff that we REALLY, REALLY need! It was super fun and I loved picking everything out. Adam loved it too. We registered at Target, Bed, Bath and Beyond and Crate and Barrel. After registering, we took a walk to enjoy the nice weather and decided to stop at Figs for Linner (lunch and dinner).

I had a piece of bread while looking over the menu. The bread was so good, it was garlicy and had a bunch of onions too. So good

Adam and I split a mixed greens salad as a appetizer and I got the portabello pizza. I had two pieces and brought the rest home.

Adam got the mac and cheese and I had a few bites just to try it. It was super creamy!

Dessert was a serving of peanut butter cup ice cream while watching the red carpet.

We spent the night watching the Oscars! I was so excited that Sandra Bullock won the Oscar. She was greeeeeat in The Blind Side. Does anyone else loooooove award shows (mostly the red carpet)?

I took today off for a doctor’s appointment. So I spend the day cleaning up and working on laundry (and writing this looong post!) Breakfast was banana and blueberry oats and coffee.

Oats:

• 1/3 of a cup of oats

• 2/3 of a cup of water

• 1/2 of a banana

• 2 handfuls of blueberries

• 1 spoonful of peanut butter.

Around 11:30 I had some tortilla chips and hot salsa. I looooove hot salsa!

Lunch was two pieces of left over pizza from yesterday.

In Other News:

The Final Few “Ask Me Anything” Questions:

Q: Are you ever worried that people will think you are slacking at work when you are blogging?

A: No. I actually don’t actually use “work time” to blog. I add any time I use at work blogging on to the end of my day, or come in earlier. My morning post is created before I leave for work in a blogging software (minus the outfit picture and anything I may add about my morning commute ect.). So in the morning it take 15 minutes after the get in AT MOST to add the picture and any other text I may want to add. I usually blog lunch during what would be my lunch break. If I don’t, and I blog during “work time” I just stay that extra 30 minutes at the end of the day. So it is never an issue.

Q: Do you wear your engagement ring on your right hand? Or do you take it off during the day? I never see it in your pictures…but maybe I am blind

A: I always wear it. I shower with it on, run with it on and sleep with it on. Not sure why you don’t see it, but it is there.

Q: I can see that and Adam have a great relationship together. What is one of the sweetest things he has done for you (besides proposing to you)?

One more question, Is there something that he does on a regular basis that only some boyfriends/husbands do on occation that make him special?

Thanks! I love reading your Q&A’s!!!

A: Adam has done so many sweet things over the years. One thing that cames to mind right away happened when we were 17. I was angry with him for something, I forget now what that was. He had a key to my house because he used to walk my family dog after school. I came home from school that day and there was a rose in front of my bedroom and it had a card that read, “this rose is because I am sorry.” I opened my bedroom door and on my bed was 11 roses with a card that read, “These roses are just because I love you.” It was so sweet! That is just one example.

As far as your other question, I don’t know what other hubbies of bf’s do but, Adam and I have created a lot of traditions over the years and Adam always remembers them all. Sometimes he will do something or take me somewhere that reminds we of when we were in High School or College and it always makes me reflect on how far we have come. He also goes out of his way to make me laugh. When I am in a bad mood, he will not STOP trying to make me laugh until he get me to crack a smile. Also, he always works a few extra shifts here and there to surprise me something I have been dying for- for example, a new camera, my Garmin, new running sneakers.

Q: What is your normal eating schedule?? Do you eat Breakfast Lunch and Dinner or do you eat lots or snacks and when do you eat your meals??

A: If you read my blog, it is pretty easy to see that I eat three meals. I will eat a snack here of there if I am hungry.

Well, whew! That was loonngg!!!!! I have to get ready to head to my doctor appointment

Just as yummy as last night! I am heading out of work early today. I worked over my forty hour limit this week. So, I will be headed out for a run and shower early. Tonight Adam and I will be meeting up with our friends Kevin and Melissa and going to Harpoon Fest tonight! YAY! I love these events!

“Ask Me Anything” Questions:

Q: Ok so Im finally asking a “about me” question.  I have recently lost about 15 pounds now I seem to be stuck going back and forth between 2 pounds.  Any suggestions on how to push through this and get back on track with my weight loss? Should I switch up my routine or change my eating habits?

A: Great question! This happened to me as well. Like I have said before, it took me over 8 months to lose 30 pounds. That actually averages out to be less than a pound a week. I would suggest pushing it a little harder at the gym. Also, change it up, even changing the order that you do things helps. What happens is your body gets used to things and then as a result it holds on to the weight. So, in some ways you have to “trick” it by changing it up or trying a new exercise. Also, try changing up the diet, maybe have your snack in the afternoon instead of the morning. Cutting back a little on things you may go overboard with like desserts or alochol will help as well.

But, be nice to yourself. It happens, you body simply can not go on dropping weight at a fast pace steadily. Don’t get discouraged, if you work hard, it will come off! Whenever you get discourages and feel like saying “F*ck it!”, remember how hard you have worked to get to this point. Use yourself as your inspiration! You deserve it!

Q: I know you and Adam have been dating for a long time.  Do you ever feel like you missed out on things because you were dating him?  Like going to college and rooming with a bunch of girls or going to parties with your single friends?

A: For some reason I get questions like this a lot. I actually did go to college.  While there I did  live with a bunch of girls! (Hi, girlies!!!) I went to parties with my single girlfriends all the time. I had a freakin’ blast in college. Sometimes I wish I could go back As far as I can tell, from watching my friends, the only things I missed out on by being with Adam are STD’s, meaningless sex with guys I don’t really know and having my heart broken. So, I think I am good.

OMG!!!! This is the last day of “Ask Me Anything” I am exception questions until 12 am! Get them in!!! To submit an question, click here.

For dinner, I made a healthier spin on a no-so-healthy favorite of mine! I felt like I could really use some comfort food . I grabbed this Annie’s whole wheat pasta with Alfredo sauce and got a little creative.

Making the sauce required fat free milk, but we were out. So I used plain yogurt greek yogurt instead and it made the sauce extra creamy…love that! I also added some Quorn chik’n breasts and some broccoli to make a delicious and healthy chik’n, broccoli alfredo.

Seriously, how good does that look?! It tastes that good too. I love finding healthier ways of doing some of my favorites!!!!

I also had a clementine and some mini Trader Joe’s peanut butter cups to calm the sweet tooth.

I had about twice that amount of pb cups. Like I said, I crashed HARD at 8:30-ish.

Breakfast this morning was 1 container of vanilla greek yogurt, 1 cup of Kahi GoLean and 1/2 a cup of blueberries! YUM YUM YUM!

I also had a cup of coffee.

Today’s Outfit:

UGH, soooo blurry! I am going to try to make a camera decision shortly so I can get a new one! Blah!

Black blazer (Jacob), Argyle sweater (H&M), White cami (H&M), Jeans (Express), Black pointy toe boots (Nine West).

Close up of the sweater…I love the black, white, pink and orange combo

In Other News:

1. I got some not so great news about a very, very close friend yesterday afternoon. It is very personal and I am not willing to talk about it on the the blog, but if you could keep this person in your prayers and send good vibes their way, that would mean the world to me.

2. “Ask Me Anything” Questions:

Q: What’s your #1 suggestion for changing an eating pattern when trying to lose weight?  Is it the little extras?  No snacks?  Different kinds of snacks? No toppings?  It’s hard to know.  I’m short and eat well.. but not well enough to lose the extra 10 pounds! (I work out pretty hard 6/week, so I don’t think I can change that much) So I need the little things to really straighten up my diet at this point.  Suggestions?

A: Well, when I wanted to lose weight I counted calories. That helped. I never would say no snacks, it is really about choosing healthier options, eating “normal” portions and honoring your hunger. Eat when you are hungry and only until you feel satisfied and don’t eat when you are not hungry.

Q: When I run my earphones keep falling out if my ears. I went out and bought new ones and the same thing happens. I don’t always need to have my ipod when I workout but sometimes it really helps. Which one do you use and do you have a pic of it? It is so frustrating.

A: I use the iPod ones, they fall out on me too, I just keep sticking them back in. It’s annoying, but not that bad.

Q: Hi Ali! I know you said you ate a lot of crap before deciding to take off the extra weight, so I’m wondering exactly what your eating habits were like before your healthy lifestyle change in terms of food choices.

A: Well, I never really ate “crap”. I mean I ate healthier than most people I know. But, I ate whatever I felt like, whenever I felt like it and how much I felt like eating. Honestly, I can’t remember exactly what I ate. But, it was a lot of fried food, a lot of fat and calorie rich stuff. For example, I would think NOTHING of drinking all night and then hitting up the McDonald’s drive through for a burger and fries at 2 am. I also drank a few nights a week, like a college kid even though I wasn’t. I would call a basket of fries and a bud light at out local bar “dinner” That kind of stuff.

Q: Can you tell us what eating plan you used to lose weight and if you did not use a specific plan what guidelines or rules did you go by? Did you cut out certain things or count calories?

A: Sure. There was no “plan”, like Atkins or Weight Watches. I counted calories for about 6 months. I cut out red meat, white bread-pasta-rice, and fried food entirely. Mostly, because all of those things killed my stomach. I still VERY rarely eat any of them. However, I don’t count calories anymore. I also started eating normal portions and only eating when I was hungry rather than when I was bored or emotional.

Q: Love your shoes, especially the pointy ones! I have a hard time wearing them as they always hurt my feet!  Any tips?

A: I hear you on that. My tips are get them with lower heels and by them a 1/2 size bigger so your toes are in the pointy part. All mine are super comfy!

Q: Why did you start this blog?

A: I touch on this in the Meet Ali section, but I started it as a way to give back to the blogging community that helped me so much in my transition to a healthier life. I also started it hoping to help others who were like me or trying to make changes I have like quitting smoke, starting to run, changing to more healthy habits etc. If I can help one person live a healthier, happier life, it is all worth the amount of work I have put into this blog!

OMG!!!! This is the last day of “Ask Me Anything” I am exception questions until 12 am! Get them in!!! To submit an question, click here.

After my second meeting, I was hungry again so I snacked on some apple chips and a handful of mixed nuts.

I think my 5:10 am wake up call is starting to catch up with me, I see a coffee in my near future.

“Ask Me Anything” Questions:

Q: What are some tips for maintaining a social life revolved around happy hours and lots of beer when I’m in the process of losing some weight?  I really enjoy good beer (think: Sunset Cafe), but realize I’m consuming way too many liquid calories in such a short time.  Did you have to cut back on your alcohol consumption when you lost weight?

A: Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis can tell that I LOVE GOOD BEER. Honestly, beer is one of my favorite things in the world. I love how it tastes, how it feel in my mouth and I LOOOOOVE trying new kinds. I did cut back on drinking beer when I started my weight loss journey. It just had to happen to make it work. Now that I am maintaining my weight, I drink less than I used too before I was trying to loose weight. However, I still do drink beer. I have a once a week rule. Although lately, I have been to soooo many celebrations (wedding, birthdays, retirements) that I have been drinking more than normal. I VERY, VERY rarely have beer on weekdays. If I do, I try to take it slow and sip one for a long time. Hope that helps!

Q: What blogs do you read?

A: I read tons of blogs! But, these are my favorites:

• Healthy Tipping Point
• Carrots N’ Cake
• Eat, Live, Run
• Inner Workings of a College Graduate
• FANNEtastic Food
• Whit is Getting Fit
• Meganerd Runs
• Hangry Pants
• On A Lobster Place Mat
• Kath Eats Real Food
• N’ Her Shoes
• Oh She Glows

Q: I see that you get up early, 5:10 today! What time do you get to sleep at night in order to get up so early? I’ve been trying to do the same so I can run in the morning but I find it so hard to get out of my warm comfy bed.

My other question is, I’ve been trying to start my own blog but not sure how to go about it. I have a live journal account but I was wondering how you started up your blog and what site you go through? Also how much time out of your day do you put into your blog?

A: Question #1- I try to get in bed by 9:30 pm when I get up at 5am. But last night I went to bed at 10:30 pm…which is why  I am TIRED right now.

Question #2: I started my blog through WordPress.com. I am not really sure how much time I spend on it a day, it varies. A few hours at least! It is a huge commitment.

Q: I’m wondering if you have become less strict with yourself (workouts and eating habits…not sure if it’s even possible that you at one point did more than you do now) since you are now maintaining your weight and not trying to lose any more?  I am still in the stages of losing and I’m afraid when it comes time to maintain that I will lose accountability with myself and start to gain.  I know it’s far off as I’m still in the losing stages, but wondering if you had any tips to still stay on track while maintaining and to not lose sight of the goal.

A: Sure! I have become less strict with my eating, but not really with my workouts. My workouts have actually gotten more intense, I would say. Mostly because working out is not just a weight loss or weight maintenance mechanism for me but also a stress management one. Also because, when it comes down to it, I just love working out. I love the challenge of pushing it harder or trying something new and I love how I feel after a great workout. Sometimes, I get a little too loose with my eating habits for what I am comfortable with. I just regroup and make sure I am on track with the next meal. It happens.

I am certain you will figure out how to juggle it when you are in the maintenance stage. There is a small learning curve, but you will figure it all out.

Q: Do you have a locker at your gym or do you need to lug toiletries, in order to shower at the gym, with you to and from on the train and what not?  I feel as though I would be much more prone to get ready at my gym if I didn’t need to take everything back and forth.  Or, do you have a travel case that you just keep packed that you can take to and from?

A: Well, at Healthworks, they have towels there and each shower has shampoo etc, they also have  hair dryers and things like that so I don’t need to bring anything but clothes and deodorant.

Q: Do you have a monthly budget for clothes? You dress really well and I can imagine it can get expensive at times.

A: Nope, I don’t. Well, yes I do…it is $0. I can’t remember the last time I bought myself any clothing. I guess I used to shop A LOT when I lived at home and I am just living off all the things I bought back then. I have had some things altered. So, I have spent money on a seamstress to take things I already have in.

I am accepting “Ask Me Anything” Questions until tomorrow, so hurry up and get them in. To submit an question, click here.

Well, I am meeting with some classmates to work on a project…never ending day!

I slept well and got up at 5:10 am(dedications, I tell ya!) to get ready to meet my friend Ashley for a little Body Pump action! While on the train, I snacked on a kashi dark mocha almond bar.

I know I have said I dislike these, but I think they are kind of growing on me

We did 72 in it’s entirety, since next week is the launch of 73. We actually got a little sneak peak of the lunge track for 73.  I loved it, all I will say is there is not 1 squat in the whole track. EEEKKK!!!! In the process of walking around the gym, I managed to loose my ipod. I don’t really want to talk about it as I am really sad and stressed about it. I have no idea what I am going to do I guess I have two options: buy a new one or buy headphone and an armband for my iphone and just use that. Anyone run with their iPhone? Is it too bulky?

After BP (and searching high and low for my ipod) I showered and got ready for work. Breakfast was pumpkin oats  and a grande bold with two pumps of sugar free vanilla syrup and half and half eaten at my desk while getting a few things done in peace and quiet!

Pumpkin Oats:

• 1/3 of a cup of oat meal
• 2/3 of a cup of water
• 1/2 of a banana
• 3 spoonfuls of pumpkin
• cinnamon
• 1 spoonful of peanut butter.

Today’s outfit:

All from the Gap, brown boots from Nine West. The best part is my stained glass earrings.

In Other News:

“Ask Me Anything” Questions:

Q: hey, i love your blog! you are healthy, inspiring, and not crazy !! a great balance. i am trying to lose my last few pounds, and what hurts me is the after dinner snacking. when you were losing weight, did you cut out ‘dessert’ all together, or what are some healthy suggestions to eat after dinner and still lose weight?

A: No, no, no, I never cut out dessert I am only cutting it out now because I gave it up for Lent I have a few suggestions for you for sure:

• A small piece of dark chocolate. I  rip off little pieces and suck on then until they melted…divine!
• A dark chocolate  vitamuffin top with 1/2 a tablespoon of peanut butter. It is like a warm peanut butter cup.
• A dark chocolate oatmeal Kashi cookie with a cup of tea.
• 1/2 a cup of frozen yogurt.

All are under 150 calories and will satisfy your sweet tooth!

I am accepting “Ask Me Anything” Questions until tomorrow at midnight….gasp! So hurry up and get them in. To submit an question, click here.