About Me

Check out this video for a little bit about myself and this blog!

This may be a “healthy living” blog but the focus is clearly on me living my life!

Currently I am starting my 5th year of college, yes 5th. I am 22 years old and perfectly “ok” with the fact that my future my just take me a bit longer than expected.

I like to travel, I think every 20-something needs to take one Euro trip in their lifetime

I sometimes bike and run, I don’t think exercise should be done everyday just whenever, I feel like getting off my lazy bum. Which is funny because I teach group fitness!

I occasionally step out for a jog or two, I will never be a legit runner but I will have fun with it.

Even after gaining 40+ lbs, I am kinda happy and totally in love with myself!

Yes, I am obsessed with pictures of myself, and if you read my blog sorry I am not sorry!

I live at home with my parents and siblings, my sister Salma is starting her first year of college and my brother Majid aka Pizza Face is in his 3rd year of college! They are the best “toys” my parents could have ever given me! I am the “fun sized” one out of our crazy bunch.

Being active at 171- it’s difficult to see myself gain weight and no longer be able to maintain a level of physical activity that I was used to before the injury.

From 2009 till 2011 I have gained 40 lbs, I would like to get back to my healthy weight, but I am equally happy at both weights!

2009 145lbs 2011 172lbs

I went from being a relatively healthy and active person to learning how to maintain a healthy life style while embracing all the things I love, without exercising.

Back in 2008 I suffered from the injury that changed my life forever Spondylolysis (Pars Fracture of the Spine)

The back brace I wore to take care of my back pain, sexy look!

I don’t think my back will ever feel 100% the same, I still feel the pain when I spend a lot of the day standing up and when it rains, I can feel the pressure change.

I have learned soo much about listening to my body and knowing when enough is enough. Being injured is a humbling experience and our body’s way of letting us know how we should treat ourselves.

And most importantly this blog is about my love of food, I may attempt to cook, but I will always showcase the yummies that I get to enjoy!

In my spare time I teach group fitness and volunteer

Some day’s I look at my life and I feel like I have no idea what I am doing, but when I take closer look, I see myself already doing the things that I love.

Thank you for stopping by and letting my share my life and my love with you!

{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }

Angela (Oh She Glows) August 8, 2009 at 1:08 pm

I love what you’ve done with your blog! I can’t wait to read more about your story!

dailygoods August 10, 2009 at 3:23 pm

just found your blog you are so close! i live in baltimore!

Alison August 14, 2009 at 6:20 pm

Hey Sana! I’m so glad you commented, I love meeting new bloggers. Looking forward to following along with you.

kristi (sweet cheeks) August 14, 2009 at 8:46 pm

nice to “meet you! Thanks for the comment on my blog…welcome to the wonderful world of blogging.

joania August 17, 2009 at 2:40 am

Hi Sana,

Just found your blog. I will spend the next few days getting caught up. All the best with your journey

Meg August 18, 2009 at 3:41 pm

Hey!! Thanks for commenting on my blog – I also live in Maryland, and I go to Towson

Nice to meet you!

April (Foods of April) August 18, 2009 at 4:34 pm

Hey! I’m glad you stopped by my blog! I can’t wait to read more!

http://ajangel25.wordpress.com

Whit August 29, 2009 at 4:02 am

Hey Sana!

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your story is so inspiring. I can’t wait to read more of your blog. You are beautiful, by the way.

farhanahizani August 29, 2009 at 10:08 am

Hey, thanks for commenting on my blog.
your blog is so interesting
Will definitely visit it again soon!

Morgan August 29, 2009 at 10:47 pm

Hi Sana! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Sounds like you have a crazy year ahead of you. Biochem, wow, I am so impressed! I’m adding you to my Google Reader

Ricky Nelson August 31, 2009 at 3:19 pm

Wow, sounds like you’ve had quite the travel. I’m taking a light course load this year, so I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time to read up on your blog.

Lainie September 1, 2009 at 1:17 am

Hello! Thanks for visiting my blog the other day! I’ve looked around yours and it looks wonderful – excited to read more!

Mari September 5, 2009 at 8:31 pm

Hi! Thanls for stopping by my blog…I love seeing new faces =)

Wow you have so much going on for yourself =) I can’t wait to read more about you!

turkeyhead September 6, 2009 at 3:37 pm

Wow, a woman on the move! Best of luck with your ventures, have fun, and I hope you make a full recovery soon!

Natalie September 24, 2009 at 4:05 pm

Hello! great to meet you! Your blog looks great and your attitute is wonderful! i can’t wait to keep reading!

A September 29, 2009 at 3:26 pm

I just found your blog. Just wanted to comment and say hello!
-A

mycupofteas September 30, 2009 at 3:31 am

SANA! I CANNOT believe i stumbled across your blog! what a teeny tiny world it is!

Lizzy October 9, 2009 at 2:50 pm

Hello dear!
I needed to come on by and show you some love. I love your story and i can’t wait to read more about you!

http://saladdiva.wordpress.com

luckytastebuds October 21, 2009 at 7:26 pm

HI Sana! I JUST found your blog and am reading a couple of posts that have really touched me in different ways! I feel like I’m so similar in terms of how i think and am an emotional eater. When i get down and frustrated with myself, clothes fit tighter, I comfort myself with more food. *sigh* Good luck to you and your journey to live healthy despite your fractured spine. I’m sure that you’ll achieve it! It’s so hard to be a young person and be happy with your body, especially when weight and size is so often scrutinzed by society. I hope to come back and read more on what you have to say!! Keep bloggin’ girl!

mayapamela November 13, 2009 at 8:07 pm

I live in Carroll County! Can’t wait to read more from a fellow local girl!

Kris | iheartwellness.com November 13, 2009 at 11:31 pm

What a great site!! I am so glad I found it

I look forward to reading more!

Have a happy friday Doll
Kris

wiley finch November 21, 2009 at 3:58 pm

good luck with the diet.maybe ive my some pointer.

kbwood December 6, 2009 at 6:15 pm

so cool that you play tennis too! such a great sport to know how to play!

Angie December 6, 2009 at 7:49 pm

Hi Sana! Thank you so much for visiting my blog.

I teach boot camp classes, so I see we already have something in common. I look forward to reading more!

Bekah December 7, 2009 at 12:20 am

Thanks for stopping by my blog Sana- you seem like a really cool gal, and I look forward to reading more. Loved your story!

Lily @ Lily's Health Pad December 7, 2009 at 12:40 am

Like the blog-I wish I had thought about starting a blog when I was in college! I also wish I had become a fitness instructor!

Cindy December 14, 2009 at 7:09 pm

Hi Sana…

I just wanted to pay you a visit! Love that you have snow on your blog too! fun huh?

I’m off to read!
Thanks for stopping by my blog !

crazycaits January 4, 2010 at 4:05 pm

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am excited to read yours and get to know you a little better!
-Caitlin

Sara K January 7, 2010 at 3:21 am

PS…I just saw in one of your posts you’re muslim…ME TOO!!! Sorry just got really excited…btw my aunt’s name is Sana too , and I was also a varsity tennis player in high school!

Katie @ Health for the Whole Self March 2, 2010 at 1:38 pm

Just found your blog and I’m loving it!!! I’m actually close by – I live in Baltimore!

It's Just me, Babe June 8, 2010 at 7:48 pm

Love it! I’m also studying for the GRE’s this summer (total blast) and I am currently looking into the public policy program at the University of Maryland-Baltimore co.

I think it’s awesome that you help with GED prep classes. You’re a great role model for someone can when they really care.

Can’t wait to start reading!

Priyanka June 15, 2010 at 11:19 pm

Thanks for the comment on my blog Sana. Looking forward to reading yours!!

Jedda August 13, 2010 at 3:48 am

Sana! I just discovered your blog :] this is exciting. I can’t believe you went to Switzerland this summer. Incredibly jealousss. I’ll see you around school :]

Erica December 20, 2010 at 6:13 pm

Hi Sana!

This is a great blog – very personal. I love the video! I’m excited to poke around your site more and find out if you’re done biochem now and how that’s all going? I think you have another semester right?

Look forward to following your journey! PS I know what you mean about thinking we’d be sophisticated young professionals by now. Perhaps it’s only in the movies!

Lauren December 23, 2010 at 10:35 pm

Wow – a biochem major?! I had to take biochem this semester and barely survived (thanks to all the extra credit). Good luck!

Lindsay | DesignerWife February 21, 2011 at 11:41 am

I love the vlog!! I cracked up when you said the part about parking in authorized parking only… because you thought you were authorized, LOL!

So happy to have found your blog and can’t wait to keep reading.

Toni March 6, 2011 at 7:52 am

Just wanted to stop in and say hello! Great blog you have here! Have a great weekend!

Tehreem June 28, 2011 at 11:45 am

such a nice Blog.

Angie Goel July 8, 2011 at 2:14 pm

Katie @ peacebeme September 10, 2011 at 9:02 pm

Really glad I found your blog! I am so sorry to hear about your injury. I really relate to your story. I have an inflammatory nerve condition effectively causing pinched nerves in my ankles and elbows. The doctors don’t know exactly what’s causing it, but at first I was diagnosed with Achilles tendonitis without even an MRI and I believe the physical therapy they made me do is what worsened it so much that now I can’t walk more than a 1/4 mile or so. I basically just stop listening to doctors’ advice and only do what feels right and not painful to me and I am slowly improving! I look forward to reading more of your blog! I LOVE your attitude about being happy at both sizes!

Sana September 10, 2011 at 9:04 pm: Thanks so much for commenting and sharing your story, nerve pain sucks! I can’t sit or stand for long periods of time without feeling the nerve pain down my legs and back. Doctors are only humans and we should always take that into consideration! Best wishes for you

Reply

Nada (One Arab Vegan) October 3, 2011 at 3:41 am

Hi Sana! Just found your blog and I’m loving it so far. Love your attitude towards life and your sense of humour. It’s great that you haven’t let your injury “get you down” so to speak. Look forward to reading more

Meredith December 20, 2011 at 9:26 am

Sana, just found your blog (saw you mentioned on MegaNerdRuns a while back!) and I’m so glad — I’ll be moving to DC in May and I’ve been on the prowl for some local bloggers! I’m originally from Virginia so I’m familiar with DC, but being in Texas now has me missing the east coast. Can’t wait to follow your DC adventures and live vicariously through you until I get there!

Sana December 20, 2011 at 11:14 am: Thanks for stopping by!!! I am going to visit D.C a lot more often over winter break.
Are you a part of the DC bloggers Facebook group?

Reply

Katye December 28, 2011 at 6:59 pm

Totally love your story (well minus the injury part but I guess that is all part of your story!). I’m also 22…in my 5th year of college (Loyola), live in Baltimore…with my parents and brother (also third year of college). So we just may have something in common haha. Congrats on learning to love yourself so much! That is truly inspiring!

Sana December 28, 2011 at 7:08 pm

Do you like cupcakes? Let’s be friends.