Just Heather


A few months ago, there was a big hullabaloo when some magazine used a cancer survivor’s race photo to make fun of “women thinking tutus make them run faster.” I no longer even remember the magazine nor do I care enough to look it up. But, I did find the whole thing completely ridiculous, even beyond the outrage over it all.

Tutus are not about being faster. Silly race socks are not about speed. A running skirt won’t make me fly. But dressing up for a race makes it a lot more fun. In a costume, I can be someone completely different. I can be a runner — who would have thought?

Today, I visited the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Expo to pickup my race packet and walked through the vendor booths. I collected a little swag, stopped by to thank McDonald’s for their support of my efforts, and checked out a few shops, not at all intending to buy anything.

And then I saw them. Wonder Woman race socks. Complete with a cape. You guys! I have been wanting these for ages, but I have never found them anywhere and have yet to justify ordering them. But there they were — and I had birthday money in my pocket!

I’m kinda regretting that I didn’t buy the matching tutu, but I am now the proud owner of Wonder Woman socks . And you know what? They will make me run faster. Because this time, I was content to walk this 5K. I’ve been such a slacker about training, but I’m going to give running my best shot anyway.

Because I want to see those capes fly. (Someone take a picture; I can’t actually see behind me.) Whatever it takes, right?



Disclosure: Mcdonald’s of Central Indiana has provided benefits, including free Finish Line 500 Festival 5K registration, an ArchCard, a t-shirt, and giveaway products in exchange for my participation in this campaign.

I was doing pretty well with my kinda, sorta moderation and my barely there, slacker fitness. I had lost 5 pounds in two weeks. And then it was Easter.

Easter candy is my greatest weakness — Cadbury Caramel eggs, Peeps, chocolate bunnies, and the greatest candy ever created, Reese’s eggs. I was doing well with one (okay, two) pieces each day, with a little exercise on the side. But suddenly, it was all just there. Easter baskets full, clearance shelves well-stocked, and my cart suddenly full.

For a solid week, I basically gorged on Easter candy. The good news is, it’s nearly gone, so I can start over again. The bad news is I gained 2 pounds. In a week. Once I realized it, my eating went back to “normal” with candy in moderation.

That’s the key with all of it — moderation. While I once drank soda all day, every day, I now allow myself one every day or so. And while I used to eat candy whenever I wanted, I now try to stick with one treat per day. I don’t have a lot of indulgences, really.

Most of the day, it’s all about the rest of my family. I work to pay the bills. I drive kids all over town. I keep track of the family calendar. I make sure the team uniforms are cleaned in time for every game. Sweets are the one, small thing I keep just for me. A Sunkist to get me going each day and a treat to end each night.

It keeps me sane. It gives me something to look forward to. It gives me a few seconds of bliss in a chaotic day of appointments and kid activities. I just have to make sure it stays that small. So far, so good. I’ve maintained my weight for the last week, even though I still have a few Peeps left in my stash.

The workouts and running that I have to begin again will have that weight back off (hopefully) quickly. And I have another year before the Easter candy becomes a problem again. We’ll deal with Halloween candy when we come to it.



Disclosure: Mcdonald’s of Central Indiana has provided benefits, including free Finish Line 500 Festival 5K registration, an ArchCard, a t-shirt, and giveaway products in exchange for my participation in this campaign.

Four weeks ago, I was supposed to start a campaign with McDonald’s of Central Indiana as I began training for a 5K they’re sponsoring this weekend. I weighed in (yuck), started tracking my nutrition and fitness, and titled my first post. Slacker Fitness.

And then I proceeded to do almost nothing for 4 weeks. Do I rock at slacking, or what?

That wasn’t exactly the intention, of course. I didn’t mean to get derailed and literally do nothing. But, that’s a story for another day. My original point was about making real progress with minimal effort. I didn’t start a rigorous fitness program. I didn’t suddenly start training for a marathon. I didn’t obsess over calories or eliminate everything I loved from my diet.

I simply started doing something. Anything. Just a little. I downloaded Quick Fit to my phone and began a daily, 7-minute exercise program. I started running just a little. A mile here, a mostly walked 5K there. And I was paying attention to what I ate again — even if that did mean logging every single Reese’s egg into My Fitness Pal.

And I lost weight immediately. Every day, the scale dropped just a little bit. It was encouraging, and I even through in a 2nd, 4-minute workout now and then. Okay, once. (Slacker, remember?) It all went really well for the first week, but before I could finish writing about it, I was down for the count with the worst sinus infection I’ve had in awhile.

Three weeks later, I’m back in the game. Totally unprepared for a 5K in 4 days, but completely ready to do it anyway. This week, I’ll be chronicling my panic as the race draws closer, finishing with a race recap on Saturday afternoon. After my nap. (Did you know the 500 Festival race started at 6:45 in the morning?)



Disclosure: Mcdonald’s of Central Indiana has provided benefits, including free Finish Line 500 Festival 5K registration, an ArchCard, a t-shirt, and giveaway products in exchange for my participation in this campaign.

Wow. It was a crazy, whirlwind week, culminating in this chaotic day. This is the first time I’ve had to sit down all day — except for the 2-hour interview session for our adoption home study. That was exhausting and emotional and the reason for our crazy week.

It wasn’t all bad, though — all the running around to get our house prepped really upped my step count. I finally managed to get to 10K a few times. As we cleaned and painted all day Saturday, I had my highest step count yet.

It helped to have an outlet for all the stress and worry of the week, too. I ran. I worked out. I threw in some cardio. Sweating out my stress is working for me.

Plus, it gets my heart rate up and burns calories. The Omron Fitness HR-500U lets me monitor my heart rate during a workout. I’m learning a lot of fun activities that really get my heart rate going.

Just Dance 4’s Sweat Mode keeps me in cardio mode but is a ton of fun. I played for 30 minutes on Saturday morning, watching my heart rate hit the yellow cardio zone and stayed there until cool down. And, the video game workout was worth 3000 steps!

This is the last week of the Omron Fitness challenge, and it’s working!. In just a few weeks, I’m down 3 pounds and several inches. There are visible changes in my body already — which is why I love to take before and after photos.

You can see the final results — and have the chance to win some Omron products of your own — at the Omron Fitness Challenge Twitter Party on February 20th, 8-10pm. My fellow Omron Fitness Ambassadors and I will talk about our success, share tips on losing weight in less time, and give away the same awesome equipment I’ve used for the last few weeks.

I’ll continue using my goodies and stick with a similar workout routine even after the Mamvation program has ended. It’s the perfect combination of fat-burning, muscle building, and flexibility for my schedule. Our next cardio day is a 45 minute workout. Lucky for me, Just Dance 4 has a 45-minute option. I think I’ll go with the cardio-boxing style this week, though 80’s-style was a ton of fun!

I just like to mix it up a bit. How do you keep workouts fun and fresh?


Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
This Week’s Weigh-In: 192 pounds
This Week’s Weight Loss: .6 pounds
Total Omron Fitness Weight Loss: 3 pounds
BMI: 27.7



Updated Measurements:
Bust: 38″ (no change)
Waist: 31″ (no change)
Hips: 40″ (-1″)
Thighs: 26.5″ (-1.5″ total)
Arms: 12″ (no change)
Total Inches Lost: 8.5″

This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration withBookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation — a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesity prevention for families.  I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions.


In the last week, I’ve pushed myself quite a bit. I upped my weights on the assigned workouts, added a few more, and yesterday, I ran farther and faster than usual. Yet, when I stepped on the scale, it hadn’t gone down much.

A few years ago, that would have discouraged me. Now, though, I know there is more to fitness and weight loss success than a number on a scale. Sure, it’s frustrating to work hard and not lose weight. But sometimes it’s good to focus on the other benefits of fitness.

Here are 5 great ways to tell your weight loss efforts are not in vein:

Measurements: If you haven’t already taken measurements, do it now! Seriously. Stop reading and go measure your chest, waist, hips, thighs, and arms. In just two weeks, I’ve lost 6 total inches. When you aren’t losing weight, it’s great to have definitive proof that you’re still shrinking!

Photos: Before and after photos can really show a difference, even if you don’t lose a lot of weight. Take front, back, and profile shots once every month or two. I’m already looking forward to the “after” pics for my current fitness challenge.

Energy: When you’re working out and eating right, you’ll actually have more energy. Take note of your energy levels — for me, that usually means my desire to nap — to see how much healthier you are even before the weight starts dropping.

Muscles: A pound is a pound is a pound. But, while muscle doesn’t really weigh more than fat, it is more dense. You may be gaining weight in muscle even as you’re losing fat. The full body composition monitor from Omron Fitness has been great for me. It measures not just weight but body fat, skeletal muscle, and more. I’m able to actually see that I’m building muscle and losing fat, even when I’m not losing weight.

Clothing: How your clothing feels is often the first indicator that things are changing — I was down a size long before the weight loss felt significant at all. I focus a lot on how my clothes look and feel to measure my fitness success. The jeans that were getting a little snug already require a belt — I’ll take that kind of loss over a number on a scale any day.

How do you measure your success?


Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
This Week’s Weigh-In: 192.6 pounds
This Week’s Weight Loss: .6 pounds
Total Omron Fitness Weight Loss: 2.4 pounds
BMI: 27.7

This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration withBookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation — a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesity prevention for families.  I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions.

Two years ago, I embarked on a weight loss journey as part of my 40×40 list. I was eating better, working out, and even running. Running, you guys. I lost a total of 22 pounds in 6 months.

And today I weigh exactly the same as I did when I began.

Except, I’m still in much better shape than I was then. This isn’t exactly starting over — it’s just a bit of a reboot.

I have still avoided soda. I’ve still been eating 3 decent meals a day. And, I was still running, until it got far too cold to step outside. I ran Color Me Rad over the summer and Wine at the Line in October. And then I did nothing.

Wait. That’s not true — I did eat a lot of Halloween candy and Christmas cookies.

I finished off the last of my mom’s pecan brittle last night, so it’s time to do this again. I’m excited to be working with Mamavation on a new challenge, as an Omron Fitness ambassador. I’ll be participating in the fitness challenges, adjusting my meal plan, and tracking my progress each week.

I weighed in this morning, and it was ugly. I set a weight loss goal on our new Wii for the next 4 weeks, but my real goal is to get back into habits. I tend to let things go over the winter, because I like outdoor movement the most.

With the support of the Mamavation team and some awesome equipment from Omron Fitness — hello, strapless heart rate monitor; aren’t you gorgeous? — I’m excited for this kick in the pants during the coldest months to really get me going again.

And, I’m counting on you to keep me accountable!



Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds

BMI: 28

Starting Measurements:
Bust: 41″
Waist: 32.5″
Hips: 41″
Thigh: 27.5″
Arm: 12.5″

This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration withBookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation — a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesity prevention for families.  I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions.

Two months ago, when I signed up for Wine at the Line, I set a goal to run the whole thing. Then? I spent the two weeks leading up to it super sick. It was all I could do to stay active, but I didn’t finish the Couch to 5K program. In fact, I didn’t even run. I figured I’d be lucky to get through the race at all, but I did want to at least beat my time from Outrun the Sun.

Breathing was tough, between my asthma and the lingering cold. Then, my knee started hurting around the midway point. And, still? I finished a full 5 minutes faster than my last 5K! It all comes down to being in better overall shape than I was 4 months ago. Even though I didn’t run much leading up to the race, I was still active.

There was boot camp and EA Sports, but my Daily Mile profile is looking a little thin. Time to get back on my feet and finish this thing! I’m restarting the Couch to 5K program next week. This time, with the support of a group of local Twitter friends. We’ve been discussing a December 5K, with BgKahuna’s inspiration.

Personally, I think that sounds crazy cold, but the training part sounds good, at least. I tend to stick with things more when I know others are working at it, too. I feel like people are counting on me or something. It worked well for the 30 Day Shred. So, a Couch to 5K group should get me going!

Plus, I did buy another month of Indy Boot Camps. I’m excited to continue the training. I’ve been amazed at how much I’m enjoying group fitness. I never really thought I would like it, but it’s actually pretty inspirational. Check back later this week for an entire post on things that surprised me about boot camp. And next week, I’ll post after pics!


Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
This Week’s Weigh-In: 173 pounds
No weight loss this week
Total Mamavation Weight Loss: 22 pounds
BMI: 24.8

This post is sponsored by Brita and I took the Brita Challenge to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women. I have also received a free month of fitness boot camp from Indy Boot Camps to facilitate a series of posts on my weight loss journey. All opinions are, as always, 100% mine.

Last week was not a good nutrition week. I knew I would gain weight during this particular week as such is the nature of being a girl. But, it wasn’t just that. I was so unbelievably hungry all week—I think it was partly timing and partly the increased calorie burn from boot camp.

Plus, I just totally caved into the cravings. There was chocolate and chips and buttery popcorn. On the plus side, there was no soda! I’m so glad to have kicked that habit. It makes it so much easier to just shake off a bad week and lose the weight again.

I suppose it could have been worse, but I managed to work a lot of it off. Between fitness boot camp, EA Sports Active and the Couch to 5K program, at least I’m getting the fitness part right. My poor body was so sore last week—and, yesterday’s upper body workout slayed my arms.

I missed boot camp, due to another eye doctor appointment, so I threw in an extra Wii workout. And, my triceps are very angry about it. Which blows my mind since a year ago I could never have told you where they were. Now that I’ve lost the majority of the weight, I’m ready to start targeting specific areas.

I just can’t worry about a pound here or there anymore, since it’s going to fluctuate as I build muscle anyway. I want to concentrate on the flabby arms and chunky thighs. I also want to have abs. Real and actual abs. It’s going to be all about toning from here on out—even with my daily mileage!

I won a pair of Kalso Earth Shoes in the Mamavation Move It Lose It competition earlier this year—how cute are these? But, they’re not just a pretty face. The negative heel improves posture and encourages whole-body wellness. I can actually feel my booty toning as I walk. True story.

Plus, I’m excited to give away a pair to one of my readers! You all have supported me through this weight loss journey for the last 6 months, and now I have the chance to give back in a big way.

To enter for your chance to win the above pair of shoes (we can match!), leave a comment here and tell me your next goals! You can earn additional entries by:

For your extra entries to be counted, be sure to leave an additional comment directing me to your entry. Only one additional entry per method (i.e. While multiple tweets are appreciated it, only one will count as a drawing entry.) The contest runs until September 26th at 11:59pm est. One winner will be notified by email on September 27th and receive a pair of Kalso Earth Shoes. Winner will have 48 hours to complete the claim form or a new winner will be chosen.


Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
This Week’s Weigh-In: 175.5 pounds
This Week’s Weight Loss: 2.5 pound gain
Total Mamavation Weight Loss: 19.5 pounds
BMI: 25.2


Disclosure: I received a pair of Kalso Earth Shoes, for my participation in the Mamavation campaign. I have also received a free month of fitness boot camp from Indy Boot Camps to facilitate a series of posts on my weight loss journey. All opinions are, as always, 100% mine.