sponsor love: the year of the phoenix.

Jill of The Year of the Phoenix is not only an inspiring weight loss diva, she's also a friend in real life AND we went to high school together. She and I share the love of yoga and coffee. Read this and then go follow her blog. Trust me. *wink*

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Tell us about yourself!

I'm a librarian and writing living in Cleveland, Ohio with my two cats, Chloe and Linus. In January 2011, I joined Weight Watchers for my third time, tipping the scales at 311 lbs. Since then I have lost an astonishing 95+ lbs (seriously, I still have times wrapping my head around that fact!) and my blog is my place to write about my journey and share my experiences. For exercise I run several times a week -- my 3rd 5K is at the end of August -- and practice Ashtanga yoga. As a tattooed, yoga practicing vegetarian I am way more crunchy granola than I ever would have thought but luckily I like me this way!

Why did you start blogging?

Originally, my blog was started as a way to embrace my 30s, so the first few months have fitness/weight loss posts along with just general life stuff. But in the spring I realized my weight loss journey is the real story, so since May I have focused on writing a healthy living and weight loss blog.

What is one thing you've learned since starting your blog?

I LOVE GRAPHIC DESIGN! My interest in design really started in grad school when I had various projects for computer classes, but only lately have I rediscovered how much I enjoy it. The header and button are both my creations as well as some of the other graphic content on my blog. Having an idea for something, like the header with a Before & After overlapping photos, and then seeing it through to creation was such a fun and creative process. Because I don't have access to any of the really good programs, everything is designed with Microsoft Word. No. Seriously. 

What is your favorite post that you've written?

How Harry Potter helped me lose weight.

What are three of your most quirky or unique qualities? 

My cat Linus is named after the character Benjamin Linus from LOST. I own eight copies of the book "Gone With the Wind." I didn't start drinking coffee until I started working in a coffee shop when I was 24. Now I am, sadly, a coffee addict who needs her morning fix. In fact, this past Christmas the only thing I asked for was a Keurig.

I say cake, you think of ...?

Comedian Eddie Izzard

Jill will be back later this month with a guest post about her journey to a 5K!