About Julie

I am a 22-year-old student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I am getting a degree in Biological Systems Engineering–Food and Bioprocessing. I know, its a mouthful! Essentially, I am half Chemical Engineer, half Food Scientist.

I’m getting married on May 30, 2010. I’m also graduating on May 15, 2010 — so next May is going to be a super-busy month! Luckily, my maid-of-honor, Kelley, is also devoted to health and fitness, so she’ll help keep me on track!

Me, Dan, and Kelley at a Milwaukee Brewer's game!

In the winter of 2008/09, I gained approximately 16 pounds in 8 weeks, despite my eating healthy and walking everywhere. I knew this wasn’t normal, but chalked it and my other symptoms up to the new medication I was on. After switching meds, I still couldn’t lose a single pound and felt sick as ever, so I finally went to the doctor. Five doctors later, I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism in August 2009. Now, I can control my weight with exercise and healthy eating.

I took up running in January 2009 (indoors, because can you imagine liking running if your first run was outside in a Wisconsin winter?!?), and am excited to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon in March 2010 in Orlando, FL.

I’ve also been getting into biking as a way to cross-train, and spend more time with my fiance, Dan, an avid biker. We’re actually planning on biking through either Greece or Italy for our honeymoon. Between training for the half marathon, and gearing up (no pun intended) for Europe, I should be in excellent shape for the wedding, right?

One of my and Dan's engagement pictures! Note the famous Memorial Union chairs.

Finally, I started taking Pilates in August 2009, and I love it! It is such a relaxing way to strength train, and my instructor is amazing! She’s given me such great tips to improve my running and biking, and has me doing exercises to preserve my knees for years into the future.

Join me as I look for a full-time job, finish school, and plan my wedding while keeping healthy and fit!

— Julie

savvyeat@gmail.com

Another engagement picture. Can you tell we just got the pictures back from our photographer, and I love them? 🙂

16 Comments Add your own

1. leianna | September 13, 2009 at 7:40 pm

Wow girl thats alot on one plate. I went to University of Wisconsin-River Falls, graduated May 12, 2007 and got married June 16, 2007!
It’s hard but all worth it in the end. Also I was born with hypothyroidism, do you take synthroid?
Anyway, found your blog and love it!
2. Julie @savvyeats | September 13, 2009 at 8:23 pm

Thanks, Leianna! I don’t take Synthroid, I’m on Armour because it is what my doctor prefers and it works better for me.
3. Lindsey | September 14, 2009 at 8:43 am

Oh my goodness I think you could be my twin. I had my thyroid removed when I was 15 (four years ago), so I know where you’re coming from there.

BTW…Can you get Armour anymore? I started taking it in August and my pharmacy keeps telling me that Armour is on back order. =/

Great blog…I’ll definitely be sticking around. =)

-Lindsey
4. Julie @savvyeats | September 14, 2009 at 8:59 am

Thanks, Lindsey! I’ve been having some trouble getting Armour too. The pharmacy I usually go to when I’m at home was out last month, so I had to call 5 other pharmacies before I found one that had Armour in stock. Now I’m back at school and need more Armour, so I’ll be calling more pharmacies today!

From what I’ve heard, the FDA is looking at natural thyroid meds as “unapproved drugs,” which is why all the natural thyroid meds are on backorder. I’m going to my doctor sometime in the next two weeks to see if I have other options for treating my hypothyroidism; I’ll let you know what I find out!
5. Lindsey | September 14, 2009 at 11:50 am

Thanks girl! I’ve been on Levoxyl since ’06, but my body stopped converting t3 into t4 (and synthetic thyroid medicine is only t3 whereas the armour/natural medicine is BOTH), so my endo thought it was the better option for me…but it’s so FRUSTRATING trying to find it!

-Lindsey
andshelostit.wordpress.com
6. Lizzy | September 25, 2009 at 3:18 pm

You are the cutest EVER girl! You have so many great things going on right now, and i’m so excited to read about them! 🙂

2 cousins of mine actually have hypothyroidism as well, so i know how challenging it can be.

Can’t wait to read more! 🙂

http://saladdiva.wordpress.com
7. Julie @savvyeats | September 25, 2009 at 3:27 pm

Thanks Lizzy, you just made my day!
8. Jessica | September 25, 2009 at 4:19 pm

Hey Julie – thanks for visiting my blog! First off, congrats on getting married…it is such an exciting time, I wish I could re-live the planning period all over again. Second, I also have hypothryoidism, so it seems we have some things in common. Great job on the half marathon. And I would loooooove to go to Greece!!!
9. natalie | September 27, 2009 at 12:37 am

Cute pictures love them! loved reading your about me!!
10. Allison R. | September 27, 2009 at 8:58 am

I am a fellow Badger! I just found your blog and LOVE it! I’ve been wanting to start my own actually, but am not the most computer savvy. Maybe we could meet up sometime for some foodie-ness! 🙂
11. Julie @savvyeats | September 27, 2009 at 1:56 pm

Sure! Feel free to email me at savvyeat *at* gmail *dot* com to set something up or ask any questions you have about starting a blog. WordPress is super user-friendly!
12. healthy ashley | October 16, 2009 at 11:55 am

What a great blog! Nice to meet you 🙂 I love the engagement photos.
13. kathlaughs | October 17, 2009 at 9:33 am

i have hypothyroidism too! i’m still struggling to lose the last 10 pounds of my 20 pound weight gain. i just started my own blog to help me stay on track!
14. Lillian Lum | October 26, 2009 at 12:53 pm

Hi Julie
I love what you are doing. Food scientist, eng. aweseome. Mom-I-L has the other thyroid prob-loses weight from here to there, under meds easier to control. I wanted to maintain my weight after I had children, been active and hardbody half my life. I am losing inches-working out and eating smaller portions but throughout the day. Arbonne has a great weight-loss program you may want to look into. My two friends are testimonials-they both lost 30 lbs. in one year-regular exercise, meal replacements. Our products don’t have sugar but stevia, all natural sweetener. Need producs for makeup, etc.? Please visit my website-vegan, non-toxic-this is another way to take care of yourself, not just by eating but what you are putting on your skin. I am researching for a foodie website I am creating (Chinese culture and cuisine, can’t give too much away-thinking about WordPress), so any tips, etc. you offer on your website will interest me. I met a nutritionist who I hired to come into my kitchen to teach me and six friends how to make meals more nutritious without using low fat ingredients. We live in a world of over-processed everything and she taught us low-fat can mean more additives of sodium, sugar, etc. to accommodate. I am looking forward to the lesson! I wish you success with your health and your upcoming nuptials. Will stay tuned . . .
15. Katie@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle | February 3, 2010 at 2:34 pm

I just clicked through somewhere and came across your blog! I was a chemE myself (well still am) and my b-day is your wedding day :). Good luck with graduating and wedding planning!
16. Julie @savvyeats | February 4, 2010 at 10:48 pm

What a coincidence! Thanks for stopping by my blog, I’ll have to check out your’s!

Julie