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When did you start blogging and why?
I started blogging four years ago to document training for my first marathon and trying to lose weight. My blog is lifecasting now - I write about everything!
Can you tell us more about “intuitive eating”? What is it and what kinds of changes has it made in your life?
Intuitive Eating is the concept that listening to your body’s hunger and fullness will get you to a healthy weight. You don’t need to obsess over calories or carbs to find a good balance. I love that intuitive eating taught me how to enjoy my favorite foods and not feel guilty about eating them! That was a big deal for me because denying myself always ended with me binging and feeling guilty about it.
Do you have any tips for other readers who would like to start using this?
First accepting and learning intuitive eating is the hardest part. We’ve been trained to think you need to deny ourselves to lose weight. A lot of times we have labels on food like, “x is bad” but “y is good” for me to eat. You have to let go of all those ideas to become an intuitive eater. You also have to be really honest with yourself when you’re hungry (or if you’re just eating because of stress/fatigue/boredom).
What is your biggest diet, nutrition, or fitness challenge and how do you work on overcoming it?
My biggest challenge is night time eating. I love exercise, but I also love food. So, changing what I eat and how I eat is the biggest obstacle for me.
When did you become a runner and what is the most fulfilling part about it for you?
I’ve been running since just after high school. I started walking to lose weight and one day got bored and tried to run. I’ve been running ever since.
Do you have any favorite go-to snacks or meals to fuel up before running that you could share with our readers?
Peanut butter toast is my favorite pre-run snack. I pair it with some iced coffee and I’m ready to go!
If you had one message or piece of advice you could share with other women out there struggling with diet and/or fitness, what would it be?
You don’t have to be perfect to be healthy. It’s all about balance. I aim for 80% healthy choices and 20% fun ones (like chocolate chip cookies!).
What are your fitness goals for the upcoming year and beyond?
I really want to PR in the marathon and half marathon this year. I better get going!
Learn more about intuitive eating and pick up other healthy tips and advice by visiting Monica's blog, Run, Eat, Repeat!
