I'm Julie. I'm an LA-based freelance journalist. I'm working on being leaner because it bugs me that my RHR is in the 40s (almost pro athlete levels) but I was on the high end of healthy range for my height (5'7"). Because I run and my body is used to it, it takes a good amount of mileage + calorie counting to lose weight. Specifically, 1500 calories/day, run at least 20 miles a week, 4 miles at a time, and Pilates at least two days a week, preferably three. It takes a lot of shopping and meal planning because I'm vegan and gluten-free. Ironically, eating almost vegan paleo kept my weight high, because nuts are one of my only protein sources (newly allergic to all legumes including soy). Fortunately, once I'm at goal I know maintenance will not be an issue because I run, commute to work most days on my bike, and will always be vegan.

UPDATE SAT. APR. 4 2015
Increasing my running miles + bike commute was too much with so little protein, so I started eating some humanely farmed chicken (which I know is likely nonsense but I feel better patronizing) and wild salmon, and doing The Zone, which really worked for me before. Now seeing results and past the longtime plateau of 126-127. The lowest was 125.8. Now 124.4 and looking forward to next weigh in. I now think I will go to 116 rather than 118. But I care less about the #s on the scale because I'm running so strong. Protein really made a difference. And being more conscious about hydrating helped too. Counting the ounces and adding Electromix 1-2x/day.