I love to eat! I am a foodie and this will never change. But I also like to be healthy, feel strong, and look my best. So I work out regularly, try to eat relatively clean, and do a lot of recipe renovations. I take foods that I love – like buffalo wings! – and tweak the recipe so that I can guiltlessly eat while still being healthy…and NOT sacrificing taste!

And I love to workout (well sometimes I hate it!). I like to run, and more importantly, I LOVE to hit the weights. I feel strong, empowered, and confident. I feel unstoppable. There is something so cool about being the only woman on that side of the gym! But more and more of us are doing it now. Strength-training is critical for females, especially as we hit our 30s.

And the two are symbiotic. I eat healthy to fuel my workouts and after busting my a$$ in the gym for an hour, I don’t want to wreck it with a single meal that costs more calories then I just burned!

And I’m not perfect. I have to push myself and I have my ups and downs. In 2004-2005, I had a lot of free time and was able to spend tons and tons of time in the gym – and it showed! But life changes. I was in grad school, then switched jobs a few times, now working full time and in grad school. Making time for the gym and avoiding overindulgence is not easy but if I want it bad enough, I do it. I’m not quite as cut as I was back in ‘04/’05 but I’m on my way. I’m watching the muscles tear every day (this is a good thing!).

So come along with me on this ride. We’ll do it together – let’s Eat Well for Life!