Who is Thinspired?
I am a California girl born and bred. I graduated in 2007 from UC Irvine and currently I am living in the Bay Area with my British hubby. At Thinspired, I blog about my struggles and successes to maintain a healthy weight loss while juggling newlywed life in my twenties.
I started blogging in March 2008 as a food journal while I was losing weight for my wedding that June. In that time I have been able to lose the weight that crept up on me in college, and also learn how to cook a meal that consists of more than a Cup of Noodles.
I love food. A little too much sometimes. Throughout high school I battled my weight, with many unhealthy ups and downs. In college it was more stable, but still high for my height. I was able to lose 20 lbs in the year between my college graduation and my wedding, just by making some simple changes to my diet and remaining consistent with making healthier choices.
On Our Wedding Day, June 2008
I joined the gym two months after the wedding, and for the first time since high school, I made exercise a regular part of my life. Within six months I had lost another 10 lbs or so, reaching a weight I never thought possible. Looking back, it was much too low for me to maintain in the long-term and I nearly went crazy trying.
In May 2009 I ran my first race, a 10K, and realized that good health is much more than a number on the scale. I am now at a happy, healthy weight; finally learning about real nutrition and making attempts to eat intuitively. My journey now is a quest for healthy weight maintenance, which is proving more difficult than I ever imagined!
After running my first 10K, May 2009
These are the best “before and after” shots I can come up with—taken before Christmas parties two years and 35 lbs apart!
December 2006
December 2008
My blog is no longer a bite-by-bite diary, so much as a journal of my adventures with diet and exercise, and thoughts on finding a healthy balance. I know that many of you can relate to the constant challenge of living a healthy lifestyle. It does not always come easily, but the rewards are wonderful!
Thanks for reading,
UC Irvine!
I live very close to UCI.
By the way, you are absolutely STUNNING.
I would love to see wedding photos!!
You look great Lara. Clearly the healthy lifestyle is suiting you! You inspire me to also eat healthily and exercise regularly! It makes you feel so much better about life, I think.
Good luck with your wedding.
Just found your blog and we have very similar aspirations! I graduated from UNR with my BS in nutrition (dietetics) in 2007, did my dietetic internship and passed the board exam to become an R.D. and now I am going to UNLV to get my MS in exercise physiology with an emphasis in sports nutrition. I too would like to start my own consulting business or work as a corporate dietitian. I still have about 2 years left since I am working too, but it’s very interesting. I’d also really like to go to culinary school, but that might have to wait awhile. Thanks!
-Kristen
mytastytravels
England – I spent my junior year living in London, and then went back after I graduated on a student work visa. I haven’t been back in quite some time, and I miss it. My year there was probably the most amazing and exciting time of my life…OK, so my first year of marriage was pretty exciting too, but I LOVED ENGLAND.
That is so cool that you guys get to live there for a while. It’s so similar to the States in some ways and yet so completely different as well. I must go back soon!
I’m loving your blog and lookng forward to reading more!
PS – You are so cute! Love the pic.
I am so impressed with this BLOG!
You’ve got such a great blog!
GREAT blog Lara! I’m very inspired by this!
Hi Lara! I’ve seen your comments on other people’s blogs and I decided to stop by. I love that you have some different features and I think it’s cool that your hubs pops in from time to time too
Love the blog! Just wanted to say hi.
From one knee injured blogging runner to another.. hope you heal fast! ;~)
Hi Lara! That is awesome that you are living in England. I just found your blog and can’t wait to read more. By the way, you are so pretty!
Hey LAra! great blog! truly inspiring! love to see and read more. thanks!
Hi Lara!
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile, but just now I’ve gotten the courage to say hi
I’m just starting my own blog. You look great in your pictures!
Hey Lara! Found your blog and am lovin’ it. I graduated from UCI a few years ago – go anteaters! woot woot!
Just wanted to say ‘hello!’ Hope you’ll stop by my site and say hello too!
Hi there, just wanted to leave yet another compliment on your blog. Now that I’ve found it I will definitely look forward to reading your posts from now on. Your first juicing experience was actually quite entertaining =P I would have been just as excited… and probably surprised at the loud noises. Thanks to you, I’ll be a little more prepared when I get my own!
BTW, I also graduated from UCI (class of ’09!) as a comp sci major. Zot zot zot hahaha
What a transformation, Lara! Congrats
I love it!! I relate to your story of trying to maintain at too low of a weight. I think that happens to a lot of people! And you’re right, good health is WAY more important than a number on a scale
You should be proud of yourself!
You look so fit and happy in that 10K picture–awesome!
eek. i have the biggest girl crush on you. blush.
I’m not sure if I ever read this before, but I really enjoyed it. I think your perspective and experience is really interesting.
Love the updated “about” page! You are absolutely gorgeous (inside *and* out) before and after but am happy you have found balance. You are definitely an inspiration to me
!
LOVE the “About” Lara
You are such an inspiration!! Hopefully I can follow your example and lose these last 15!!
Love the pictures! You are beautiful in all the pictures, both before & after! I especially like the race picture!
I really LOVE your blog! I think i’ve spent the last few nights getting caught up from your first post.. *blush* lol!! I loved your pics in Italy.. and I find the fact that you’re real and honest very inspiring!
You are absolutely GORGEOUS!
Hi, I loved reading your store and I can’t wait to read more about you from your bloggy!
Le love love your site.
I am originally from the UK but now living in NYC. Where abouts in the country are you?
KIM
http://www.theweightlossdebutante.blogspot.com
My word. You look like a supermodel in your wedding photo! And congrats- you are in amazing shape! You were very pretty in the “before” pic, but I know how it feels to have people say that when you just aren’t happy in your own skin. You’ve done really well. I’ll have to dig deeper in your blog to see how you lost the weight. So glad I finally landed on your blog- I’ll be back!
PS. Does your British hubby insist upon wearing black socks with everything like mine does
??
Deb
beautiful pictures! I just found your blog through Ruby’s — look forward to reading
Kim: We’re in Bristol, I love it! You are so lucky to be living in NYC!
Deb (Smoothie Girl Eats Too): LOL. He did wear black socks all the time when I met him…that’s really funny. Now it’s just with dress shoes
I loved your story! It’s so nice to realize there are people just like me out there! Thanks for sharing!
I also found your blog through Ruby’s. There are so many people blogging these days it is so refreshing to be able to rely on each other and gain inspiration from each others stories. Thanks for sharing yours! I just started a blog at http://www.nono2yoyo.wordpress.com it has been fun so far!!
natalie
You are SO lovely!
Just found your blog!! Im really enjoying it so far. Thanks for sharing!
I also just found your blog, it’s great! Seems there are alot more women out there that are like me! Nice to know I’m not alone in my desire to stay fit while trying to enjoy my food and eat a healthy and balanced diet. Keep up the good work!
Wow,congrats on all your successes! I’m looking forward to reading more.:)
you are so gorgeous! i am in the process of planning my wedding & i just love your wedding pic!
Hey Sweetie,
I have NEVER seen that photo of you in that Black dress!
I have NEVER seen that black dress and
I have NEVER seen the room that the photo was taken in!!
OK ~ Give your Marmy the scoop!!! x/o
hey just came across your blog through janetha’s and wanted to say hi. i went to UCI too!! but i transferred after 2 years. you have a remarkable story, you’re obviously very healthy and lead a balanced lifestyle now, that’s great! beautiful pics!
Hi Lara! You are such a classic beauty. How fun to be leaving in England. My husband and I were engaged in London almost 11 years ago!! I with ya on maintenance. It’s a bigger challenge than I imagined especially since I LOVE food so much!!!
Thank you for commenting on my post about Janetha and Momma B.
Hi Lara! I’ve been following you on Twitter – through someone or something – and have been reading your blog posts there. Finally set up a subscription so I can take the time to read past posts.
I’m always struggling with eating right and trying to balance that with working out. At almost 50 I *think* I almost have myself figured out.
I’m in Connecticut now but lived in the bay area and worked in SF for awhile. Great place.
Hi! I just found your blog and really, really love it! I was flicking back to some of you older posts and saw that you live in Bristol!!! This got me SO excited as currently studying in Brizzle town!!!
Anyway, I’m sure this seems a little weird but I love love your blog and your food looks amazing!
Hey Lara!
I sure can relate to constantly striving for a healthy balance. I’ve always enjoyed your blog and writing style!
Thanks for putting your heart into it, you are beautiful.
Awe this is one of the best about pages I’ve ever seen. I’m so glad I found your blog! I love all the outfits your wearning in your pictures, too.
girl you’re GORGEOUS! Before and after! Lol. Love your bloggg btw..I’m feeling THINspired by it
I came here from… ?? some other nutrition blog, don’t remember
and read your bio… GO ‘EATERS! I’m also a UCI grad, class of ’95. Has it been 15 years already? Nah, can’t be…
Gotta go take my ADD-self back to the rest of your blog. Got distracted by UCI, Italy, and gelato staring me in the face.