Meet Ali
My name is Ali, I’m 29 years old, living in Boston, MA with my amazing husband and my adorable fur baby dachshund, Oscar. I currently work full time as a Guidance Counselor at a local High School, write Food, Fitness, Fashion and am a partner/editor in an online magazine called Coffee With Caesar . I also moonlight a few nights a week as the hostess with the mostess at a local Bistro. Talk about busy!!! I’m currently maintaining a 30 lb. weight loss. I began this blog as a way to document my food, fashion and fitness choices and to hopefully encourage others to become the healthiest and happiest versions of themselves. I love running, yoga, Crossfit and nutritious, whole foods.
My Change of Pace (Pun Intended)
Up until entering college, I was always really happy with my weight. I was active, always running around; I was a gymnast, dancer and volleyball player. Once I entered college, a combination of a pretty sedentary lifestyle and the fatty cafeteria food caused me to gain the dreaded freshman 15. The extra 15 pounds was noticeable on my smaller frame, I immediately became uncomfortable with my body. All through college, I “worked” at loosing the weight, but never made enough changes diet and exercise wise to make any difference. One thing that held me back immensely was my smoking. I smoked throughout high school, but it worsened in college and the years after because I had gained so many college friends that smoked.
After college, I took a job that I was really unhappy with and as a result lost all motivation to eat healthfully and work out, I gained another 5-10 pounds. When I left that job, I accepted a position at the College I got my undergrad degree at and since I was comfortable there, I went right back to my old habits of eating the fatty foods in the cafeteria. In February of 2007, I realized that I was 24 years old and uncomfortable with my body and treated it really badly with too much alcohol, fatty foods, cigarettes and a sedentary lifestyle. I quit smoking cold turkey as a way to improve my overall health. It was hard; I realized how bad it was for me and the damage it had done to my respiratory system. I used that damage as an excuse and a crutch to not get healthy, “Hey, I quit smoking; I have to give my body time to heal.”
Continuing with my bad eating and here and there working out had resulted in me getting up to a little over 150 pounds. When I started feeling so bad about my weight and body to the point of depression I knew it was time for a change! I had so much going for me: I was engaged to the love of my life, I had a great job, was perusing my Master’s degree, this should be one of the best times of my life and here I was miserable! Honestly, between the weight gain and the depression I barely recognized myself.
(these pictures are from our trip to FL in October of 2008 – 142 lbs.)
(this picture is from New Year’s 2009 150 lbs)
While doing some research, I came across so many sources that inspired me to make a change. The more I read the more I realized that I could be healthy and happy, I just had to change the way I looked at food an exercise! I started eating better and working out more, and I noticed that when I treated my body well, it treated me well!
I fell in LOVE with running, shocking, I know! It was a struggle at first because my lungs were so damaged. But I pushed through. The more I ran, the easier it got and the more I was able to challenge myself. I ran my first 5k in April of 2009 and felt so accomplished. Since then I have ran 8k’s and 10k’s and two first half marathons . Some days I cannot believe that this smoker is a runner. I enjoy yoga and Crossfit as well, I guess you could say I just like to be moving! Now after a complete diet and fitness overhaul I have lost 30 lbs. and am the happiest and healthiest I have ever been in my entire life.
(this picture is from my first 5k in April 2009 – 136 lbs please ignore my tired face)
(this picture is from my first 8k in June 2009- 129 lbs. PS -that kid is totally schooling me! )
(August 2009, 120 lbs. excuse the sweaty face, this is after a run during a heatwave)
(Crossing the finish line of my first Half Marathon with my husband. We finished in 2:21:34)
Feeling FANTASTIC after my Half Marathon finish!
After my first marathon 10/16/11. I am still in utter shock that I am a marathoner!
GRAB IT, IT’S YOURS!!!!
Random Fun Facts about Ali:
- I have lived in the same neighborhood of Boston my whole life and will most likely NEVER leave (and I am ok with that).
- My two favorite foods are dill pickles and whole wheat pasta with my mom’s spaghetti sauce (and yes, I like them together!).
- I have been with my husband since we were both 15, and I was his first kiss.
- I co-directed a benefit production of the Vagina Monologues.
- I really love beer! I like trying all different kinds!
- I love running in the heat, even though it is not good for me, I just love to sweat. (Is that gross?)
- I have had the same best friend since as far back as I can remember and talk to her almost every day. I have no idea what I would ever do without May (that is her name).
- My favorite part of my body are my quads and I totally flex them and check them out at least once a day, and am not ashamed to tell you guys
. - I think I am the only person I know that actually wishes they were a few inches SHORTER, for some reason I think shorter women are adorable.
- I truly believe that nut butter (of any kind) makes the world a better place!
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Twitter
You look absolutely amazing. Keep it up!!!!!
Awesome job Ali!! You changed your life and are an inspiration ^___^ Good luck girl.
Look at you!!! Good work – you always looked amazing, but now you are a buff beauty!!!
Thanks, ladies! I hope you enjoy reading the blog. Any continued feedback is appreciated!
I liked reading your blog,I’m a new fan!
AW thanks, Jill! I am so glad you like it! I hope you will keep reading! Thanks for your support…as always!
Ali! You won the free ticket to the Healthy Living Summit!!! Drop me an email when you have a chance! tina@carrotsncake.com
Love your blog!!!!
Hi! I just found your blorg through Tina’s blog and I absolutely leeerrrrrvvvveee it. You are gorg, super fashionable (I think we may have a similar sense of style) and a great writer! I will b e sure to check your blog daily!
http://mealsfromthegirlinthelittleblackdress.wordpress.com
[...] laying out in the sun after we ate. It is the bikini from JCREW you can see it at the bottom of the Meet Ali page on here. After, our friend Neal (who is also May’s roommate) and his friend Jess came to [...]
Hey there Ali!
Just found your site, and LOVE it!
I will be following your posts now, and I look forward to reading more!!!
Hey Jessica! Thanks, your so sweet! I am so glad you enjoy!
I just found your blog, great story! You’ve come a long way and you’re looking fab
You make me want to get out there right now and go for a run!
Aw thanks Kristie, your sweet! I hope you will keep reading. Your blog looks fantastic!
I’ve been reading your blog since you started it and JUST noticed the “meet Ali”. I can’t believe the before pictures…you look so amazing now. Dan sat here and read it with me and is so impressed and wants to start reading your blog now!! Keep it up chicky!!!
I just found your blog, I saw your link on the B&C POTM google doc, and naturally I fell in love with the title of your blog. Seriously- you totally stole my niche. food, fitness and fashion are basically my three loves. you look so good, and your weight loss story is truly inspiring! i just ran my first 5k this past sunday, and i really want to LOVE running. i do everything else, and running is the one thing i have always wanted to conquer, but never have been able to. i look forward to your posts!
i just found your blog on CNC and i LOVE IT!!! i go to boston college and have grown up outside of boston my whole life too. i love you attitude (esp how you ‘check our your quads’ and aren’t afraid to admit it – we all do this is some way and should be proud of ourselves!). can’t wait to read more of your posts
[...] little History: I was a smoker for 11 years. I touch on this briefly on my Meet Ali page, as quitting smoke is a really important part of my journey to live a healthy lifestyle. So, [...]
Hi Ashley,
I can’t remember if I have ever commented before. But I just read your about page. I am also in Boston and was a school counselor for 6 years. I am back in school now to get my RD so I can be a nutrition counselor. But school counseling is a great way to make a difference. I’ll be continuing to read. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hi Ali,
I just wanted to introduce myself – I’m a new follower! I am also a foodie and workout queen.
I love reading food blogs (like OSG & HTP) and I’m really drawn to yours because I love how you take us through your day in pictures. I really enjoy all the pictures (even non-food ones) and your daily outfits!! Great blog!!!
Thanks,
Carrie
Thanks, Carrie!
Wow great job! You are such an inspiration! Your blog is great, i love it! I love working out and nutritious food as well, and i have gotten so many great ideas from your blog! Thanks!
Hey Ali:
Not sure if you remember me from MSJA (Ms. Ashley). Your site popped up as a suggestion for me on FB and I checked it out. I think it is absolutely fabulous that you are doing the blog and that you have lost 30lbs. You rock! Your writing is really engaging and your blog is so personal and fun to read. It looks like you have a wonderful life and have really found happiness. Kudos to you!
Ms. Ashley
Of course I remember you!!!! I am glad you like my blog. Thanks for reading!
[...] 2009 I made the commitment to begin my journey to self love, you can read more about that in the Meet Ali section of my blog as well as this post. Since many people are currently making New Year’s [...]
I LOVE you blog! I found it through Carrots n Cake today and I’m already addicted!!
Keep up the awesome work
I just found your blog through Carrots n Cake tooo…the title intrigued me and so far, I want to keep reading! I’m gonna go look around some more but consider me a new reader!
-Katie
Hi Ali! nice blog!! i like it.. i grew up in Mass as well (although not Boston..) I would love to live in the city.. i think it would be so cool- although a bit out of my budget! haha..
I also found your blog through Carrot’s and Cake. great blog! I’m definitely gonna keep reading.
Amelia
Hey Alli -
I found your blog through cnc as well and have been reading for a few weeks now! You blog is awesome and I love seeing how you are able to balance everything and eat healthy meals! I’m actually a guidance counselor north of boston – your amazing being able to do so much with grad school
Jenny
What a great blog!
I totally agree with you about wanting to be shorter. At 5’8″ I feel too tall…would love to be 5’6.” Silly, right?
Hey Ali!
I’m a new reader and i wanted to tell you that i love your blog! I saw it from Tina at Carrots N’ Cake and i’m so glad i did! I’ve been reading old posts and trying to get to know you a little bit! Thanks for writing such great stuff!
http://saladdiva.wordpress.com
Hey Ali!
Just wanted to let you know how much I love your blog! I quit smoking cold turkey last year, right before I started changing my unhealthy habits around food! Started blogging myself this week, but it is definitely a work in progress..don’t judge.
Keep blogging, you are awesome!
Hey Ali,
congratz on all your achievemens. You look gorgeous and you seem such a nice person. I just discovered you blog but will stop by more often from now on. Btw, how tall are you? You seem super tiny to me.
Hugs + best wishes, Marion
I just wanted to take a minute to tell you that I love your blog. Your ask anything answers have been wonderful, I have gotten a lot of info from them. Your story is truly an inspiration to me. I am a bride to be with twenty some odd pounds to loose in in the next six months.
[...] I never just wanted to go back to my old bad habits. I actually write a lot about my journey in my Meet Ali page. In this page I talk about once I stopped focusing on loosing weight and started focusing on [...]
I just found your blog through Julie at Peanut Butter Fingers and thought I would say hi! Congratulations on your healthy transformation! You are truly an inspiration to me. I just (finally) quit smoking after being an on-again off-again smoker for many years. Also, I totally wish I was shorter too! I’m 5’8 and would much rather be 5’5! Take care!
Hi Ali!
I’m a fellow Bostonian, so I wanted to say hi! I just stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago, and I’ve been reading ever since. I’m envious that you’re able to juggle a full-time and part-time job, exercise, go back to school, AND blog. I just currently added a part-time job to my full-time one, and I’m trying to be as consistent as possible about blogging, so I know you have a lot on your plate each day! Blogging is still new to me, but what fun! I’m truly inspired by you and I look forward to reading. Hope to see you in one of the local races!
[...] 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 [...]
Hi Ali,
I like you have not always been a runner, I don’t consider myself a runner yet, but I am working towards being one because I know how good it is for me and I’ve heard that it makes so many people feel awesome. I was wondering if you could give a beginning runner some pointers. How far and how fast should a newb go in a day? Your blog is really inspirational and gives a green horn like me a little hope! Thanks
Hey Ali,
I Just came across your blog yesterday, and I love it. I have a werid question. I am from the UK and love lots of your trousers/”pants”. I’m just wodnering how tall you are becuase you are pretty much the same build as me and I’d like to maybe buy some clothes from US stores online as i have trouble with UK pants. They are usually too big/small at the waist and too short/long in the leg.
Thanks
I am 5’5.
You are adorable!
Hey Ali,
I am also a student in Boston, MA. I am doing a research about fitness and fitness fashion for my senior thesis. I am 21 year old, female and lost 30Ibs in the last 12 month period. Your story sounds quite like mine.
I would like to ask you couple of questions about your process of losing weight, and other fitness related stuff for my research. You are in the range of my target consumer. (I will be designing a fitness outfit for women at the end of my research) If you are interested please contact me. mlcgcts@gmail.com Thanks~
Hey Ali,
Love your blog and your story.
Just curious…how tall are you? I think its so interesting you said you want to be shorter…I always hear women say they want to be taller!
@ Lauren Thanks!!!! I am almost 5’6.
I TOTALLY randomly flex/check out my quads too! haha! I work hard for them!
Hi Ali,
My name is Rosezina, and I am interviewing different people who take pictures and blog about what they eat, and how more and more people are doing it. This is a school paper that I will receive a grade for. Is is possible that I could email you a few questions? Please contact me at Phillyallme@aol.com. Thank you.
Hi Ali! I just had to pop in and say that you are not alone…I also often wish I were shorter…being taller than the average male, I’ve often wished to be cute and petite…but, sadly, that will never happen…so I’m learning to rock out heels and handle being over 6′ tall in them…:)
i just stumbled across you blog and love it! i live in brookline and am a runner, too. perhaps i’ll bump into you on the road some day. take care : )
Ali, I aboslutely love your story! I have been reading posts here and there but never clicked on your about me section. YOU ROCK GIRL! So proud (is that ok to say not knowing you haha) Regardless, so many girls struggle with weight and depression and their relationship with food, I was one of those lost souls at one point too. It is so inspiring to know that we are not alone and so nice to share our journey with others, no matter where they/we are in life. I live an hr from Boston (Portsmouth, NH) and come in very often (bf lives in the area) so not only do I enjoy your stories, I love your Beantown pictures!!
Keep it up
-Corinne
Oh and PS. I am 5’11 and also wish I was a little shorter. Just a littttle bit. So you are NOT alone with that one.
I totally wish I was shorter too!!! (I’m 5’9 and wish I was like 5’5 maybe?) My mom is six feet and was a model, so I guess being tall has some perks.
Hi Ali,
I was wondering what kind of fitness schedule did you start off with and how fast you progressed? I am looking to get healthy and enjoy running but my progress is lacking. I am looking for some advice. Thanks.
Hi Ali- Just found your blog- I am boston girl too, and I work in counseling as a therapist for kids and teenagers too!
Just wanted to say hi- I teach over at Beacon Hill Athletics clubs- let me know if you ever want to pop in for a class! have a good rest of your weekend
ALI
Ali-
Even though we have been friends on Facebook for a while now, I FINALLY checked out your blog! Good for you! You look great! I agree with you that the college food was such a bad influence for us. Not to mention the drinking and smoking (though I won’t lie. . .we had a lot of fun!!). I’m so happy you are maintaining your 30 lb weight loss! I lost 55 pounds and next month is my 3 year anniversary of keeping it off! It’s definetly a lifestyle change, as I know you know. Your blog is great and is helping to inspire others! I’m currently getting my certification in Personal Training! Let’s keep in touch. . .It’s nice to have a friend who loves fitness as much as I do! Oh, and I’m so excited you and Adam are tying the knot! You two are a wonderful couple!
Katherine
Congrats on your weight loss and running achievements! You look great! This is real inspiration for me! I have lost almost 30 pounds since January 2009, it has been slow going for me but I’m not giving up! I still have at least 15 more pounds to lose! Last summer I also fell in love with running! I have run a few 5ks now and am training for a 5 miler later in the summer! I really want to run a half marathon and seeing that you did it despite being a post-smoker, is really inspiring (even though I have never smoked and never plan to). Anyway, congrats again on proving that a person can do whatever she sets her mind too!!
Elli
Hey Ali,
First off Congrats on your wedding!! I met you at the Guinter Race back in April (Im friends with Jeremy)
you had given me your card and I just came across it I have to say I love this Blog!!!!!
I have started back running on a more regular bases,an doing a 5k this upcoming Sat!! I look forward to reading your blog!!!
Alli B
[...] Meet Ali [...]
[...] Meet Ali [...]
Hey Ali,
Do you have any tips on getting started? I am within a healthy weight for my height but have put on about 10lbs in the last 3 months (ah!) which I’d like to lose. I find it difficult to shift these as i am not technically oevrweight. My pants just feel too tight. I do body pump 3 times per week and walk a 6 mile round trip to work 5 days a week. Did you have to do any serious diet overhaul when you started your weightloss journey? Any tips would be great.Your blog is great and you look awesome!
Annie
[...] October 19, 2010 by cbrady3 Ali over at FoodFitnessFashion has pledged not to participate in Fat Talk this week in honor of Fat [...]
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and have never read your “about me” section. It’s so interesting to me because I’m almost in the EXACT same mindset that you were when you started changing your life to a healthier one. I want to lose about 30 lbs to be back to a healthier weight and learn how to eat/be healthy. I unfortunately hate running and am having a hard time sticking to a healthy exercise/eating routine. Maybe if I stuck to running I would actually start to like it…. but I never have liked it – always felt like punishment to me! Anyways, I’m blabbing on, but I’m glad to find out that you did what I hope to do!
your smile is contagious! Keep it up. And I could probably try that spaghetti and dill pickles, sounds good to me!
LC
Hi Ali! I just came across your blog today after seeing you on Meals & Miles. I’m new to running and health blogging – so in the past few months I’ve come across MANY wonderful health blogs that have taught me so much. However, YOUR story is the one that I connect to the most. Primarily because of the smoking. I was also a high school and college smoker and quit cold turkey – but it’s something that I tend to fall back on when I’m immensely stressed. In December I decided to start running and wasn’t ambitious about my progress – but am so motivated by the strength I’ve gained. I am running my first “mini-race” tomorrow morning (2 miles) and am training for a 5K in March. Anyhow – thanks for being so open with your story, you are an inspiration to me!
Just came across your blog, and also can totally empathize with your story. I’m still battling the smoking however, and had successfully quit for about 6 months when I got into running. Once the cold weather hit and I stopped running outside, I started smoking outside… I’ve recently lost about 20lbs and would like to to lose another 10-15 and have started blogging about healthy cooking and I really enjoyed reading yours! Keep it up, thanks for the healthy tips!
Just saw your blog for the first time – love it! Went through something similar (quitting smoking, started running) and it’s pretty cool to see another person who stuck too it! Great story and well done you
Congrats on finding a happy healthy balance in life! I am excited to read more about your healthy habits! You have already motivated me to sign up for a race! Thanks!
Glad to find your blog! You look awesome! Congrats
I just discovered your blog. What a inspiring story! And you look amazing….
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the great work Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Hi Ali -
Love your site!
Am currently training for my first half marathon and I’m glad to see you look GREAT after yours!
PS: I’m also a major fan of dill pickles
Great blog Ali! I’ll definitely be following
I love all of your post race pictures! What an awesome running journey. I too can’t believe that I am a marathoner, but the pictures are always there to remind me. Ps My BFF and I go WAY BACK (like over 25 years). It is incredible to have friends who have known you for so long…they are more like family!
Ali, you’re fantastic. I love this blog site! I, too, am a teacher, a wife, and a mommy (dog and kids). I also write (for myself and for Shannon Miller), and I am a certified fitness professional. Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself because I really like your story and your blog. Great documentation of your physical transformation!
Carrie