It’s time for me to start living!!!

My name is Dani and this little slice of the internet has followed me with live changes from Chicago to Boston to #ExPatLife as I am in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

I started this blog in May of 2011 after suffering a back injury and subsequent back surgery in December 2011-January 2011. This space was to serve as a way for me to release the inner feelings I was carrying around and maybe help some other people going through similar situations: eating disorders, depression, weight loss and more.

Since this is mainly a blog about my journey with all things weight (80+ lbs shed) and health, I might as well give a little background on that.

I have struggled with my weight my whole life.

I first tried Weight Watchers in college. I never officially joined, but instead copied my friend’s points book and tried to track myself. It worked for awhile … until I got to my senior year. Put on a nice 50 lbs or so. Damn beer, pizza and fries!

2006 marked pretty much the worst year in my life to date. I struggled with not one, but two eating disorders and some other personal issues and hit rock bottom. I lost a ton of pounds and hit my lowest weight in ages, but did it in a horrendously unhealthy way. *Looking back on those days I don’t know how I survived.*

I moved to Chicago in 2008 and put a lot of weight back on. Worked out like crazy, but never got the healthy eating part down.

But finally in November of 2009, after looking at a picture of myself from Halloween, I made the decision to change. I was unhappy, uncomfortable in my own skin and unhealthy. I signed up for Weight Watchers on November 2, 2009 and had my life changed.

It hasn’t been all roses since then, but I have managed to lose all of my weight in a healthy way. And THAT is a success.

As I mentioned, I began Weight Watchers November 2, 2009 (217.4 lbs), hit my goal weight on January 10, 2012 (153.8 lbs) and Lifetime on February 21, 2012 (155.4 lbs) – I got rid of 63 lbs through the program … I like to say got rid of it since lost insinuates that I want to find it again … which I don’t!

In January 2012, I made a life change. My wife and I made the decision to up and move from Chicago to Boston (where I am from). I quit my job in Sports PR and began a new path … working for Weight Watchers. I am so happy I made the change. I am having a BLAST paying it forward.

The dream got even better when I officially became a Weight Watchers Leader on April 5, 2012.

In 2015, I left my job at Weight Watchers for the stability of an office job. While that was good for my wallet, it hurt me mentally and physically. I managed to regain half the weight I lost. A desk job plus a move to Europe in January 2018 all played into it.

While the pandemic caused a lot of hurt in 2020, it also allowed me to sit back, stop traveling and re-focus on my health. In September 2020, I finally returned back to goal weight and not only is that physically good - mentally it was a shift I needed to remember how strong I am inside and out.

My world has been turned upside down since November 2009 and I wouldn’t have it any other way. In addition to getting a healthy eating habit under wraps, I’ve also caught the running bug … to say it lightly. 

I grew up HATING running. I gave it a shot in 2005-2006 before suffering an injury that took me out of the running game until basically June 2011. Since being cleared to be active after surgery, I’ve been a running junkee … and loving it.

I am proud to say I am a 17xMarathoner, including the 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2017 Boston Marathons with Tedy’s Team – bringing awareness and raising money for the American Stroke Association (over $36,000 to date). I also ran the Berlin Marathon and virtual London Marathon for the UK Stroke Association (adding another €3,500+ to my total raise to date).

Running = therapy … freedom … life!

So feel free to join me on this journey of life!