Well, where do I start? My name is Leah, I’m 27 years old and living in British Columbia, Canada. A few years ago I decided to start fresh with my life.
I started out with just one simple goal – to get healthy.
So, I stopped eating junk and started exercising on a more regular basis. I lost a bunch of weight and I found a confidence in myself that I thought had been lost.
Once I started to feel better about myself I realized that I wasn’t living the life I wanted. I had become a person that I didn’t like and I needed to figure out a way to get myself back. That was when I started making some serious changes.
I ended a long term relationship that I was never happy in, went back to school with the goal of becoming an elementary school teacher, and started to really deal with a lot of my old issues and insecurities.
I am currently a (technically) full time student with a full time job, that is trying to fit a life in there someplace as well. It’s a little bit crazy, but crazy works for me.
Welcome! I'd love to hear from you: leah *at* whydeprive *dot* com
Hi Leah! Great blog!!
I live in BC too….finally I found someone else here in this food world from BC
I look forward to reading more!!
Have a great night!
I like your food attitude!
Isn’t it refreshing to see so many people not afraid of food? I love it that you mention that since so many of us go through that phase, and so many people just stay in it these days.
And yay for BC people.
Yay – I didn’t know you were a Canadian!! Haha, me too
But not on the West Coast. Love your food philosophy – diets SUCK – life is toooo short to be obsessed with food…remember the wise words of Kara Goucher’s husband (who was her boyfriend @ the time)…”EAT THE (BLEEP) DORITO!”… 
LOVE your philosophy about food, it’s like intuitive eating. Awesome blog, looking forward to reading more
Merry Xmas!
Hey Leah!!
Thanks for the comment on my blog. I definitely know from experience that deprivation is NOT the way to go! I like your approach to food/dieting/eating. I usually get jeans a little big so they fit when they come out of the dryer
Great blog! I can’t wait to keep reading!!
Hi there! Came across your blog and just wanted to say hi!
Hi Leah!
Thanks for commenting on my first day as a blogger. So good to see another balanced and wellness focused blog out there.
Will be checking in often!
Hey! I am in BC too!
Hi Leah – came across your blog and I LOVE the name and philosphy! It’s definitely a struggle/journey to find out that deprivation is not the way we need to live – but I couldn’t agree more that it’s totally worth it. I’m building up the courage to get rid of my scale for good
Hey Leah, thanks for your comment!
I love your outlook and couldn’t agree more. Your a great inspiration & I look forward to reading
I just found your blog and I love your outlook on life and food. Very well balanced. Deprivation is never the way to go.
Leah, you are such an inspiration! To have realized at 24 that you don’t want to live a life of deprivation and body scrutiny is remarkable! I’m in complete agreement that the best way to live a happy, healthy life is to just listen to your body, eat whole, real food, and take it one day at a time. Thanks for creating and maintaining such a great blog. I’m loving what I’m seeing!
hi there, i kind of stumbled onto your site, i read/creeped a few posts and i’m am really liking it!
your food philosophy is awesome. i think everyone would agree that deprivation blows.
just wanted to say hi, love the blog, and keep it upppp.
I love that philosophy!! Bravo!! I’m with ya!
yay another BC Blogger!!
Even I agree to it, we should not go on diet, but towards healthy food..
Another healthy Canadian (BCer) very cool. I am a native of Parksville.
Loving your food philiosophy and it’s definitely one that I am also trying to follow. Garfield was right when he said that ‘Diet is die with a ‘t’!!
I came across your blog and I love your attitude towards food! Eating real food but indulging when you want to, that’s how it should be!
Hi! I just came across your blog through Snacking Squirrel! I was taking the Chakra test, and saw that I was a 2 like you, so I thought I would stop by
I love your blog! I love the way you think
Can’t wait to read more!
I just came across your blog and I love your philosophy on food/eating! Can’t wait to read more.
Hello! I am enjoying reading your blog!
And I love that food philosophy! It’s so much better looking at food as a “friend” verses the “enemy.”
Love your attitude!
People would out and ask you if you were on a diet?!? That’s incredibly crass.
I admire your food philosophy, too. I strive to live that way.
I love finding blogs that are also from BC! Your story is similar to mine in the sense that we both “feared” food. Living healthy is a much better focus then losing weight.
Hey, Leah! I recently discovered your blog, and I have to tell you, I really enjoy reading it! We have a lot in common. I enjoy eating real, whole foods like you do, and I try never leave myself feeling deprived. I look forward to reading more of “Why Deprive?” and I wish you luck on your deprivation-free life!
Ha! I didn’t even notice you were a fellow Canadian!!
I’ve never been to BC! But, Hubby promised me a ski trip there for our 5 year anniversary.
Oh you wont regret that. It’s beautiful here.
[...] Leah @ Why Deprive? [...]