Welcome to Run Eat Repeat. I am Monica and I am using running and healthy eating to lose weight and stop dieting! Subscribe to my RSS feed or Email Me for healthy tips.
About
Hi, my name is Monica and I’m writing from Lake Forest, California (in southern California).
I created this blog four years ago to document my journey of weight loss, healthy eats and training for my first marathon. I have been running for almost 7 years now, but it is still very difficult for me to lose weight! I love running, but I also LOVE eating and unfortunately I eat more than I run (and that’s a lot!).
Weight loss is a priority to me, but so is health and happiness! I am dedicated to finding healthy foods that are delicious too. So I use Intuitive Eating to lose weight, keep it off and not drive myself crazy in the process.
I am a certified Personal Trainer and coach an entry level 10K running group in Orange County, CA
I also recently got certified to teach Zumba, which doesn’t feel like exercise at all!
Monica in a nutshell: – Red headed Mexican girl from Southern CA willing to embarrass herself on the internet daily right here for your viewing pleasure.
Loves: Running, Eating, chickpeas, ice cream, jokes
Doesn’t Love: Falling in public, gum in her hair, negative horoscopes or dogs that bite 
My Story (the short version)… I have struggled with my weight since I was a kid and started dieting during high school. During college I lost weight, but I became super obsessive about food, dieting and working out. I tried every diet I could find. All those diets led me to a binge/restrict cycle that held my weight to just above 150 – so I looked healthy, but really hated myself & my body. I went to therapy and realized that I have disordered eating patterns. This is an ongoing struggle for me. (I’m about 5″6 and am happy with my weight around 145. This is different for different people, but my bootie is very happy to be a part of my life.) I am done with diets, but it is very difficult for me to eat like a “normal person”. I still eat when I’m stressed/bored/tired/lonely… And I have other bad habits related to food. My goal is to get rid of all my food issues and eat intuitively. I recently came upon the book Intuitive Eating and am working with a Registered Dietitian. I’m working on listening to my body and eating when I’m hungry. I run far, but I don’t run fast. I love running, but I’m not Boston-bound any time soon! It’s just my favorite hobby 
I recently accomplished one of my biggest lifetime goals – Completing my first Full Marathon in Feb. 09! I am very proud of this! I have ran many half marathons in the past, but a full was my ultimate challenge.
Since then, I have ran 3 marathons and am currently training for #4!
Feel free to comment or email me with questions at runeatrepeat@gmail.com
Welcome to “Run Eat Repeat”!
If you like me, you can subscribe to RER here.
And you can see more pictures of my weight story here.
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Nice to meet ya!
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow. I have yet to run a Marathon. I would love to haven’t even done a half. Done many 5ks and 10ks but that is it. I actually own a timing company that times road races in maine, new hampshire and mass. so that makes it hard to run in many races. I too need to lose weight. I was 15 down last thanksgiving and am feeling really down. I am trying to eat healthy, etc. But I am just in a rut. Just joined a gym and working out at least an hour probably more like 1.5 most days. My guy is a running freak and very thin and can eat anything. It is so frustrating.
Good luck to you..
Victoria, Thanks for stopping by
It is great that you have already ran 5Ks and 10Ks. I actually did one 10K before I tried a half. I don’t run fast, but I can run far. I think people that run the shorter distances can often be in better shape because they are faster and more well rounded.
You are working out a lot. That is great. Keep it up and I am sure you will hit your goals.
I know, I hate that the BF eats like a trucker. I gained weight trying to keep up with him.
Good luck to you too!
Hi Monica, really like your blog. I am also training for Surf City and can’t believe it is only a month away! This is also my first marathon, do you mind me asking where in So Cal are you from? I have a hard time getting myself to run outside unless it is with my running group every Saturday, I usually do all my training indoors on a treadmill, but I can’t seem to find a good place for running that is not on the streets with a bunch of traffic lights. Do you have any good suggestions? Thanks!
Hey Andrea,
I am from the Whittier area. I do long runs in Long Beach on the bike path right on the beach or in Irvine on the bike path that goes toward the Newport Beach area. The Long Beach path is about 9 miles round trip and you can add 2 miles of out and back if you run along the houses on Ocean Blvd toward the water. There are several good bile paths in Irvine that let you run for miles and the bikers are pretty courteous. (I used to run on a treadmill all the time, but have stopped at this point.) It sucks to have to drive far to run, but I think it’s worth it since you can skip traffic lights and just enjoy the run.
Let me know if you need more specifics. I hope it helps
Good for you! I’ve had my fair share of weight troubles, too and recently ran my first marathon. Greatest thing ever! Can’t wait to read what you’ve been up to.
Great blog! I’m now training to run a half marathon in January 2010. My husband was supposed to run a full marathon last month but got injured a week before the big race. He inspired me to start. I can’t even run a mile yet, but one day………………
Hi
I absolutely LOVE your site. I had a few questions about your eating plan (I refuse to call it diet… i don’t like that word!)…
Like you I have been restrictive with eating and still am. I’ll not eat a lot during the day and then have a main meal. I would like to break this habit because I don’t think it is very good for my running. I feel sluggish a lot and slow and I think i could be better if i could break the food cycle. But i’m fearful i’ll gain weight if i do.
Would you be able to tell me how you did it? how it felt? how it changed you physically and mentally? I’m determined to sort myself out but i’m so afraid!
hi, just found you and wanted to say great blog! congrats on your upcoming wedding and i’m looking forward to following along
I MADE IT IN THE BLOG!!! Woo woo! I hope I become famous! Let me know if any single men give me shout outs on your blog ok?!
Thanks so much for coming out this weekend! You’re the best!
Nice little blog! I grew up in Pico Rivera and used to spend a lot of time in Whittier! Now I live in Newport Beach, so I get to run the bike paths in Irvine and Newport every day.
I’m adding your blog to my blog list! Good luck at the OC Marathon/Half!
No, I just found your blog through your contest link and liked it a lot! I’m looking forward to read more. I like the idea of 1-10 scale method to eat when you’re hungry and to avoid emotional eating!
I love your blog! I face a similar battle: eating properly, choosing healthy foods. I also share your love for running! I will continue to enjoy your awesome blog!
Please check mine out:
http://www.fortheloveofhealth.wordpress.com
Take care,
melissa
Just found your website….. I too belong to the “run far but not fast club!” I’m running a 10K on Sunday! So glad I found you! I’ll be back!
-A
Morning – just stumbled across your blog. Sounds awesome and indeed very inspiring.
I took up a running four years, and since then I have completed several half marathons and two marathons. I am currently training for my third. All slow, of course!
take care.
Deborah (aka slow poke)
I could have written your About Page myself. Your story is practically identical to mine. While I wouldn’t wish the struggles with eating on anyone, it is sort of nice to know that there’s someone else who gets it and makes me feel less different. How does your fiance deal with it? My husband is very loving and supports me 100%, but he is a naturally thin person and definitely an intuitive eater. He cannot relate at all and that makes me feel very weird. Anyway, good luck on your road to intuitive eating!! I’ve recently started a food blog to hold myself accountable. I’m pretty down in the dumps lately over my inability to shed these pounds.
Hi Monica! Love your philosophy. I am a dietitian and a huge fan of Intuitive Eating. Don’t get discouraged if it seems hard at time…for most of us, it takes a long time to truly learn to practice Intuitve Eating MOST of the time. Good luck.
WOW your journey sounds almost identical to mine!! I too always struggled with my weight, lost it all in college, but became SUPER obsessive. I also have the hardest time eating like a normal person and have recently started reading Intuitive Eating. Work in progress!
Congrats on your recent marathon!! Where in So Cal are you? I’m also Cali born and raised!
I adore your blog! I log on each day to read your entry and am so inspired by you. I am also an IE and a runner, but still struggle with weight issues. I try to remember that it is about the journey, not the destination. I wish you so much luck and success with everything you are doing Monica and I look forward to reading each day’s entry. You are not only making positive changes in your life, but by sharing with the world, you are having a positive effect on others lives. Rock on!
Just found your blog and it is great! I can’t wait to read more.
I just stumbled across your blog and can relate A LOT to what you wrote here. I used to/still struggle with the binge/restrict cycle. I have carried around an extra 10 pounds that I would kill to shed beause of it. I look forward to reading!
Hi it seems you write for ALL of us!!! I have just discovered that I have muscle under where all the fat used to be and as a result discovered my love for running!! I hope to be up for a half marathon next year and need all the help and support I can muster from those in the know…I will be stopping by frequently I feel!! Your thoughts would be most valuable to me…feel free to drop by sometime and give me some thoughts
Cei @ http://1stone2stone3stonemore.wordpress.com/
xx.
WOWZERS you did a full marathon! That is just a-freaking-mazing. I know your feeling of “I DID I!”, though saddly I’m FAR FAR more over weight and less fit than you.. last year I completed the Avon Breast Cancer walk here in DC (marathon and half over two days, walking though). I came in, in the top 100 and still get all giddy thinking about it. Thanks for stoping by my blog and telling me to ROCK the Jimmy Choos..you too babe!!!!
Wow! I just stumbled upon your blog, and I love it! Your honesty is so refreshing, and I love how you are working towards a truly intuitive lifestyle. Bugger how some of us have to work so hard just to feel like we can eat “normally.” I could really relate to your comments about an evening treat and saving the best for last–I wish “the best” could just be the feeling I have at each meal
I’m looking forward to reading more xoxo
I’m glad I found your blog! I’m currently training for my first marathon and blogging about it as well, and I love to read about other runners. What was your first marathon time, if you don’t mind me asking? I’m a SUPER slow runner, and my goal is just to finish, but I do feel like I should have some time goal in mind. Also, thanks for sharing your thoughts on intuitive eating…I’m going to pick that book up and read it, as I have many similar issues with food. I will be staying tuned to your blog!
HI Monica,
I’m so happy I found your blog. I live in MD, too! What a small world. Where are you exactly? I’m in western MD (Frederick/Hagerstown area). I love that you go by intuitive eating. So do I. We could be twins (other than I already have one). My weight fluctuates (especially after pregnancy), but I weigh almost exactly what you do and I can’ tseem to get into the 140′s. Well, I have before, but it’s after major dieting/exercising and it’s hard for me to maintain. I’m trying to change to be more healthy and intuitive about eating/exercising and I love it. It’s so liberating!!!!!
Monica,
First off – WELCOME TO MARYLAND!!! I just found your blog in the last week or so as I have been scouring the internet doing google searches for anything to do with the Disney World Marathon 2010 – I am participating in that as well as part of the Team-in-Training program (right here in MD too) and it will be my first marathon ever. Reading your “about” section sounds like reading my own bibliography – thanks for posting and I look forward to reading some more!
I just found your blog, and am so happy I did. I feel like my story is so similar to yours. You are actually the same height and weight as me, and I think you looks AMAZING! I feel like I don’t look as great as you, but it is inspiring to see someone with the same stats! I also don’t run fast, but have slowly developed a love of running, and prefer distance to speed (which was also how I swam in college). Anyway, glad I found your blog, and I can’t wait to read more!
Hey Monica!
I love your blog! I just wanted to suggest a book to you and your readers if at all interested: “Eating in the Light of the Moon.” It is mostly for women with eating disorders but I think that it would be beneficial to any woman that suffers from and “abnormal” eating habits.
And, thanks again, you’re a true inspiration and breath of fresh air in a society too obsessed with “diets.”
Great blog! I loved reading your story. There are so many people out there who can relate and are inspired…me being one. I’ve started a blog as well and have already felt so much support! It is so wonderful what postivie minds can do!
natalie
http://www.nono2yoyo.wordpress.com
Congratulations sweetheart on your half-marathon. You are my biggest inspiration!
Hey Monica,
A couple of things– So I found your site and have been totally hooked. U freaking crack me up! Anyways, I have the same issues as you do (thought mine may be worse….) and you totally inspired my to start my own blog. Wondering if you’d check it out. I’d also love to put you on my blogroll…. if that’s cool with you!
Nice work with the hardcore running. I’ll be doing a half in November and a whole in April.
Thanks,
Lindsay
goodiesgalore.wordpress.com
Hi Monica,
I just found your blog and have to say that after reading your story I feel like we have a lot in common. I haven’t posted much about my struggles with eating but I have similar issues and think of myself as somewhat of a “disordered eater” since I often times forget to eat intuitively. I also am a runner and have used running to help me stay at a healthy weight and keep me sane. Thanks for sharing your story with us and I look forward to reading more.
Welcome to RER! Thanks for the comments – I always love feedback on my About page since it’s kinda personal and I feel like I’m “putting myself out there”.
Found your blog via fitbloggin. Congrats on ditching the diets and working on your eating habits. That’s a brave and awesome thing to do. And major congrats on running the marathon! That’s AWESOME!
Hey there! Found your blog through someone else’s favorites and wanted to say a quick hello. I know firsthand how challenging it is to eat healthfully and exercise (6 days a week here!) and *still* have struggles with weight – so it’s nice to find some company! I’ve enjoyed reading about your past few days and look forward to checking back!
incredible story! but mostly wanted to comment on how gorgeous your hair is! that color is TDF
Hi Monica! Wow, I can totally relate to your story! I’ve struggled with similar disordered eating, and while I, too, look like a pretty normal weight, I know what it’s like to feel dissatisfied with your body! Good for you for approaching it with a healthy mind-set. I’d love to read more about Intuitive Eating, too!
I have been running off and on for over a year now, and I’m really looking forward to running my first marathon in June 2010! It still sounds so intimidating, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to accomplish… at least once!
Look forward to reading more of your blog!
Our stories sound so similar! I have also struggled with disordered eating since losing weight and have run a marathon…slowly!
What part of MD do you live in? I grew up in Rockville.
Hi Lee
I’m in the Columbia area.
Monica
I can TOTALLY relate to this disordered eating. My most recent post was about whether or not to count calories. I hate that once you start counting in anway, it’s SO easy to become obsessed with food. And then the binging starts. In my “binge/eat healthy” cycle, I usually maintain in the mid 160′s. But I know that is “overweight” and could EASILY look better, if I stop focusing on what I CAN’T do and start doing what I CAN do, which is just eat to live.
Gonna go read more on this “intuitive eating” thing, which I’ve already heard about!
Thanks for sharing. Hope to read more!
Hi! I just wanted to say that I love your blog and I can completely relate to your story. I also have/had disordered eating and i’ve struggled with it for years. My weight has been up and down but i’ve never been happy with it until I started running and my disordered eating has gotten better. I also love running but i’m not fast either – I just do it for fun.
And I try to eat intuitively as well, but it’s so hard sometimes. I wish you the best! Thank you for sharing!
Jessica
Hey Monica!
I just found your blog and I wanted to stop and say hello. I love your story and I love your inspiring words. You have so much to be proud and I truly admire you and how far you have come.
I wanted to ask what part of MD you are from? I use to live in Towson and I LOVE the area. (I usually go there at least once a month to hit up the Trader Joes!) I live in Harrisburg, PA now so it’s still only about an hour away.
It’s so nice to meet you and I hope we can keep in touch. I also hope we live close!!!!
Just found your blog! Can’t wait to read more. I’m going to add you to my blog roll. Hope you’ll stop by my blog too!
Your runnin is super inspiring. I hope to complete my first half before the end of the year and maybe a marathon in 2012! Thanks for the imspiration!
A very exciting examine, I may well not concur totally, but you do make some very valid points.
You need this!!!!
http://pinterest.com/pin/263038434456352942/
Just found your blog and love it already! I’m from southern California too, but currently chillin’ on the east coast.
Looking forward to connecting and following more of your adventures!
Megan
Hi Megan
Nice to “meet” you!
They will be lining up in no time!
No way! What a small little world
Thanks for stopping by.
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