"I'm not on a diet. I'm just living my life differently."

I read that quote the other day and it really resonated with me.

Depending on my mood, I find it either amusing or annoying when people remark about my food "Are you on a diet?" or "Don't you ever eat anything bad?"

I do eat bad things. Let's just clear that up right there.

But I've also spent the last ten years modifying what I eat and trying to create a healthy lifestyle. I've found what works for me and what doesn't work for me.

There was a time that I ate McDonald's for lunch and dinner (not the Mickie-D salads - we're talking Big Macs and large fries), a bagel loaded with cream cheese was a typical breakfast, and that Twinkie Lights were a standard snack because the label stated it was low-fat.

And then, when I saw this picture shortly after it was taken during a weekend getaway, it just validated that it was time to do something about my current state of health!


It took time to figure out which foods work for me. In the beginning, changing my lifestyle was very difficult. I fell off the wagon soooo many times. But as I became a student of nutrition and fitness, these behaviors began to change. I started to understand the importance of drinking water and that it wasn't OK to think that McDonald's was a basic food group.

I knew that in order to be healthy and feel good, things needed to change. It happened slowly, one day at a time. Over time, new, healthy habits started to form. And in all honestly, this past year I finally feel like I'm not struggling with food demons. It's finally become a way of life and I've fully embraced this healthy living lifestyle.

I still treat myself to "bad" things...I just satisfy my taste buds in moderation. For example: I was at a wedding this weekend and there were three different wedding cakes. I LOVE cake and I sampled ALL THREE :-) Sitting there with all three pieces in front of me, I'm sure people thought I was going off the deep edge. (yeah, I notice when people monitor my food: "What's the health and fitness guru eating?!"). I took three small bites of each piece. And then I was done.

So no...as the quote states: I'm not on a diet. I'm just living my life differently.

And you can, too. Many times it takes baby steps.

What are you changing about your nutrition today to live your life differently?

A Random Conversation About Kings of Leon

The scene: casual conversation with D while driving in her car. Kings of Leon song, "Be Somebody" playing on the iPod in the background.

Me: "I really like Kings of Leon. I've been listening to them a lot lately."
Comfortable silence as song keeps playing on the radio.
Me:"I used to think he was singing "I wanna be so naughty."
D: "Well, his Sex is on fire, so it's possible."

A Little Shameless Self Promotion. (Hey, my mom's proud!)

Check it, yo.

It's a Q&A with Peace Coffee's publication, Peace Spokes, along with a snazzy picture taken by the ever fab photog, Dana Schoppe. Rock on.

Read it here.

Final Deep Thoughts of the Tour de France 2009

I've been sick for about a week. It was hard to sit up and type on the computer much less think for more than three seconds at a time. So the blog was lacking. But I'm back and feeling human again. I'm not sure what exactly I had (at one moment asking Justin "what are the symptoms of swine flu?"). Being in the gym exposes you to so many germs and I picked up some awful virus.

I'd like to say: Justin is the best husband, ever! On what was such a beautiful weekend last weekend, he stayed home and washed and folded all the laundry and deep cleaned the house. He brought me saltines, made me sports drinks to keep my electrolytes balanced, and ran out to buy homemade chicken soup - the kind a local store makes from scratch.

Before I digress much further........

The Tour de France ended while I was holed up on the couch. And the Prettiest Boy of the Peloton was never awarded.

So, the Yellow Jersey goes to....all of the little pretties that were nominated. Except that Danish fellow, Contador, who's been a little bitch in the press upon conclusion of the Tour and only seemed out for himself during the last two weeks of the Tour. Way to act like a true prima donna roadie, Contador.

I know, there should be only one winner. But all those nominated (with the exception of Contador) did such an outstanding job and were very sportsmanlike. Which makes them that much more prettier.

There are additional podium spots to award:

The I'm-Not-A-Mountain-Biker-But-I-Play-One-On-TV medal goes to Team Bbox.

The Best Crash medal goes to....who else?! Jens Voight. I'm not posting a link to the video because I find it disturbing. Besides, Versus gave us at least 20 chances to catch a replay during the Tour. Here's to you, Jens, and hoping you make a swift recovery for the Tour of Ireland.

The Best Outfit medal goes to Caisse d'Epargne. Loved the carbon-fiberish design.

The Most Humble Stage Winner medal goes to German hottie, Heinrich Haussler (who was mistakenly overlooked as a contender for the Prettiest Boy of the Peloton Yellow Jersey).

The Punk Ass of the Peloton medal was heavy guarded by Mark Cassaroledish. Way to go: you earned it, buddy.

The Can't-Wait-to-See-What-You-Bring-Next-Year medal goes to Tyler Farrar. Hey, Tyler: Train hard. Get fast(er). Stay clean. Kisses!

Deep Thoughts of the 2009 Tour de France. Who Wins the Yellow Jersey for Prettiest Boy of the Peloton?

The tour is taking a rest day, which throws many cycling fans into withdraw. Anyone experiencing uncontrollable shakes or sweats yet? (Vert?)

While the tour takes a break, take a moment and vote for the Prettiest Boy of the Peloton. (Poll located on the right hand side of the blog).

Alejandro Valverde held court for a couple of Tours, but his suspension for doping suspicion has left a vacant position.

Criteria: we're looking for dudes who look good both in and out of spandex. They all look cute decked out in kits and sunglasses. But to truly be deemed pretty, the rider must be able to work it away from the bike.

There is a distinguishing difference between boyish good looks, handsome, cute, beautiful, and pretty. It is also subjective. So, I've included a selection of those who fit many classifications to appease the masses.

The contenders for the Yellow Jersey for the Prettiest Boy of the Peloton:

- Fabian Cancellara, Team Saxo Bank. Meow.

- Tom "hey, ya'll wanna do some cocaine" Boonen, QuickStep. Yes, he dropped out of the tour, but we've still gotta throw his name in the poll. Because he is kinda pretty.

- Alberto Contador, Astana. Although my personal opinion is that he's leans more on the side of boyish good looks. But is he pretty, too? Can a dude be both?

- Tyler Farrar, Garmin Slipstream. Again: boyish good looks or pretty?

- Yaroslav Popovych, Astana.

Don't Hate the Game, Hate the Train

Dontcha hate it when a train ruins your tempo ride?

I love trains. But apparently Justin wasn't amused.

Deep Thoughts of the 2009 Tour DAY France

(that was for you, Bob Roll)

Great tour this year - partially due to the soap opera drama being created by the media.

- A little bummed by the results of the Team Time Trial. I was really pulling for Garmin-Slipstream to win it. So close!

- The Prettiest Boy of the Peloton title is still up for grabs. This year, I've introduced a new title: Punk Ass of the Peloton. That award goes to Mark Cavendish.

- I've dubbed the Columbia team car "Club Sprokets" being driven by Dieter and his side kick Klaus. Yah.

- Tyler Farrar! So sensitive. Such a cutie. I'm intrigued by him. Such a young talented rider. He'd be cuddly if he didn't wear so much product in his hair....who wears that much product in their hair when you're just going to stick it in a helmet?!

- I miss the Mojito commercial. But the Free Credit Report commercials are pretty catchy.

- Haven't seen any way crazy fans yet. Do they hide in the mountains waiting for the mountain stages?