“Meet a Blogger!/Diets in Review.com /Brandi Koskie”
Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!
I am so pleased to introduce to all of you the wonderful Brandi Koskie who is the Director of Publishing for Diets in Review. Brandi and I met at the Fitbloggin’ convention last year (http://fitbloggin.com/) and she is one of my favorite “Tweet Hearts.”
Brandi writes about fitness, health and nutrition for the popular Blog and I have a hunch when you check out their site—you will become a fan of hers as well.
So why don’t we meet her now?
This is her website address: www.DietsInReview.com
You can find her at Twitter: @DietsInReview and @BrandiK
Here is a photo of the lovely Brandi:
(She wears really cool glasses!)
Questions from Brooklyn Fit Chick:
- What is the name of your Blog?
- How would you describe it to someone who has not read it before?
DietsInReview.com is friendly, reputable resource for weight loss and healthy living guidance. We walk the walk as much as we talk it, and you’ll see our staff reporting on the biggest health news as much as you will see them sharing their own personal fitness successes and healthy living experiences.
We like to think we’re one of the most approachable health sites on the web; we love interacting with our readers on Twitter and Facebook and listen to their needs and write to that.
- How did you get interested in writing?
I had a fourth grade teacher named Mr. Huff. He was the first person to ever push me to look at writing as a talent or skill. I wrote three books of original poems for him that year (they were terrible) and have been pushing pencils or keys ever since.
- What is your favorite workout?
I love running when I’m doing it, but I can be really good at talking myself out of it. I really enjoy yoga, almost more for the peace of mind and stress relief than for the obvious fitness benefits. I also like getting in on the weights.
- Who/whom are your “fitness heroes?”
It might sound cliché, but they are the Biggest Losers. I’ve had the incredible opportunity of working closely with the contestants since season 5 and I’m still moved to tears when I see them succeed. People like Bernie Salazar, Courtney Crozier, Dan Evans, Amanda Arlauskas, Coleen Skeabeck, Jerry and Estella Hayes, Mark Pinhasovich and TOO many others to name are proof-positive that you can do anything you set your mind too.
When I’m feeling like I want to say I can’t, I just think of them. There are hundreds of little Biggest Loser contestants sitting on my shoulders, and when you put in to perspective your efforts vs. theirs, it’s a lot easier to suck it up and keep going!
(Editor's Note: Here is a photo of Hannah Curlee and Olivia Ward from season 11 from the Fitness magazine/Soul Cycle event held in their honor last autumn. Super cool chicks!)
- The biggest physical challenge you have overcome?
The only time in my life I’ve truly ever had to “lose weight” was after the birth of my daughter. I had 35 pounds to lose and no intentions of keeping that around. So while it wasn’t easy between work and a newborn, I made a concerted effort to put myself first and started running for the first time in my life.
Five-and-a-half months after her arrival I ran my first half marathon! Staying that active and immediately getting back on track with my eating helped me fit in to my jeans pretty quickly!
- Besides your Blog—what are you favorite reads?
I consume non-fiction! My recently finished stack includes Steve Jobs, Keith Richards’ Life, two Chelsea Handler books, the Laura Ingalls Wilder biography, and I’m challenging myself to get through the Elizabeth I bio. I may re-read The Help because I loved it that much!
- What is favorite TV guilty pleasure?
I stopped watching TV for two years because I decided I had better things to do with my time. Usually the only time I turn turned it on is for The Biggest Loser. However, in the past six months, I have a hard time going to bed before I’ve watched Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
- How do you motivate yourself when your mind & body are saying “Ugh, not today?”
All I have to do is think of the stories we cover on DietsInReview – the struggles people have because of their weight, the health implications from not moving or eating right, the horrendous crap they put in our food – and I remember that I don’t ever want to be the subject of one of those stories.
- Favorite place in the world to chill out.
My aunt’s and uncle’s house in the country. In the summer, the Beach Boys are always playing, the grill is always going, and there’s plenty of room in the pool for the whole crew. It’s the simplest and most fun place to be any time of year.
- Who/what makes you laugh when you need a mood lift?
My daughter Paisley. Nothing can top the things a near 2-year-old says and does. My husband and I are brought to belly laughs daily. There’s no better feeling than that!
Thanks Brandi!
Ox ox,
Brooklyn Fit Chick
(BFC)
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