Name: Shera W

Blog: http://livejournal.com/lashera (my twitter is more active these days)

Twitter: @ldanay

Age: 25

Hometown: Yonkers, New York

Tell us about your family: I’m surrounded by my awesome mother and adopted twelve year old brother. I don’t have any children, but I do have a five year olf Shih Tzu named Mister. He is more than enough for me at the moment.

What is your favorite workout? Zumba! February 2010 I noticed a dance studio right near the Metro North train station in my town. It took me a few days to work up the courage to go in and inquire about the classes, and I am so glad I did. Unfortunately the studio is no longer open, but I have a membership at the gym where most of the studio’s dance and fitness instructiors relocated. I absolutely love Zumba. At first, I thought to myself, “Everyone is looking at me. I know I look so silly and uncoordinated.” It took few of sessions for me to finally shake my hips like I was the only person in the room. The thing I love about Zumba the most is that the instructors are constantly created new dance routines. It isn’t always the same workout.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? I graduated college in 2009, and I’m currently in graduate school hoping to complete my degree in ESL by the end of next year.

Have you set any goals for this year? Yes! I ran last year for a while, but I injured my right calf. I’m hoping that by the end of this year, I will be able to begin running once again. After I was injured, I gained back a lot of the weight I lost during the Spring Fling Challenge in 2009. This year, I’m hoping to lose that weight. I’m halfway there. Oh and I totally want to use 12lb free weight during my strength and conditioning classes at the gym. I’m up to 7.5lbs now.

Who is your best support in your healthier-living journey? I can honestly The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans has been my biggest support during the past year and a half. Through the various challenges I have participated it, I have met lots of men and women who encourage me to keep going. 

Favorite songs on your iPod right now: Jessie J’s entire debut album. It’s upbeat and great to listen to when I’m working the machines at the gym. I need a lot of motivation to get on those machines.

Who or what inspires you? There is an 82 year old woman at my gym named Anne who attends all of the morning gym classes. She always has a smile and warm words to say to everyone. Oh and she can hold a plank for two minutes without shaking. I want to be like her when I’m 80.

Do you have any must-have health/beauty/clothing products? Asics and New Balance sneakers. I need the cushioning for my knees. Racerback tanks are my new thing. I don’t care if my arms jiggle. I want to be comfortable at the gym, and these shirts are fantastic. I wear a lot of dri-wick, and with my huge hair, I might have to invest in one of those Bondi Bands that everyone around here seems to adore.

Name 3 blogs you love to read!

My former teammate Renee’s amazing blog: http://cutiebootycakes.blogspot.com/

Frugivore magazine: http://frugivoremag.com/

Shrinking Jeans!

5 things we don’t already know about you!

1. I’ve been a vegetarian for five years!

2. I’ve been converted into a twitter fiend!

3. I play Dance Dance Revolution when I don’t feel like driving to the gym. It’s a great workout.

4. I’m 25, but I rock out to Queen and David Bowie

5. I love to draw. It helps me work through my emotions when I have a bad week.

Name: Jilly
Blog: I am a terrible blogger, haven’t updated my blog in a LONG time! Jauntily Jogging Jilly  I promise I will try harder to update it! :)
Twitter: @ginny212
Age: 34
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB

Tell us about your family.  I have been with my hubby for 15 years and married for 9.  I have a Wheaten Terrier, Devlin, who is 8 years old.  I have a younger sister and a younger brother.
What is your favorite workout?  This is an easy question, anyone who knows me, knows that I am obsessed with Zumba fitness.  I try and go twice a week. I could easily do it every day if that was possible.  I have finished the Zumba Fitness game for the Wii, and can’t wait for the next version to come out in November.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?  Besides hitting my 90lb loss mark, I think finishing my science degree would be my biggest accomplishment.  I finished my degree 10 years after I started it!

Have you set any goals for this year?  My goal for this year is to reach my goal weight.  I currently have 14 lbs to go.

Who is your best support in your healthier-living journey?  I am so blessed to have so many people supporting me. My TOPS group, my Green Tribe from Shrinkvivor, Zumba friends, co-workers and family.

Favorite songs on your iPod right now?
•    Pitbull – Oye Baby
•    Flo Rida and Pitbull – Turn Around, Pt. 2
•    LMFAO – Party Rock Anthem
•    NKOTBSB – Don’t Turn Out the Lights

Who or what inspires you?  Of course my TOPS friends, Tribe Greeners, and my buddies on My Fitness Pal keep me motivated, and inspired. Sharing success stories, and strategies really help me to keep focused on my goal. Zumba class keeps me inspired to exercise because it is so fun, and never actually feels like exercise.

Do you have any must-have health/beauty/clothing products?  I am in love with my Bondiband headbands.  Also Victoria Secret Yoga Bras.

Name 3 blogs you love to read!
1. Roni’s Weigh
2. Amy’s Quest
3. Angie All The Way

5 things we don’t already know about you!
1. I work at the Canadian version of the CDC.  It’s called the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health.
2. I finished the Manitoba Half Marathon in 2003.
3. I don’t eat pork, because I don’t like the taste. (But I love bacon.)
4. Myself, my husband, my sister, and my brother were all born on the 11th day of our birth month.
5. My husband and I went to Disney World in January, and we are going back in November!!

Name: Jamee
Blog: A New Kind of Normal
Twitter: @newkindofnormal
Age: 29
Hometown: Covington, VA

Tell us about your family. My husband and I have been married for 6 years. We were blessed with an amazing daughter 2 years ago after a long battle with infertility through the miracle of adoption! Her name is Abby & she is absolutely amazing! She and my husband get me out of bed in the morning & keep fighting against illness.

What is your favorite workout? I was a long distance runner in high school & kept running in college until I got sick. I would LOVE to be able to run again! Maybe this next surgery (August 12th) will be the key to me lacing up my running shoes again!

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? Becoming a mom!

Have you set any goals for this year? Get back down to my goal weight! I was there last Christmas so I want to get there again by the holidays!

Who is your best support in your healthier-living journey? The Sisterhood hands-down! Whenever I get frustrated or discouraged, there is always someone to offer support & a kind word. I would still be 30lbs heavier (or more) if it weren’t for the Sisterhood.

Favorite songs on your iPod right now? I actually just created a 90s playlist that keeps me jamming! You can’t help but bust a move when you hear some old school Will Smith! Gettin’ Jiggy anyone?

Who or what inspires you? My daughter. I have watched my parents struggle with their weight my entire life. I don’t want the same for her. I want to be a positive role model for her when it comes to making healthy food choices & staying active.

Do you have any must-have health/beauty/clothing products? Dry shampoo is the best invention ever!

Name 3 blogs you love to read! How can I pick just 3? Ok – here are 3 of my most recent finds – Biblical Homemaking, All Things Lovely, & Southern Hospitality

5 things we don’t already know about you!
I am a middle child.
I have 3 tattoos.
I was a Music Education major in college and decided during my student teaching that I hated being in a classroom every day.
My mom is my best friend (outside my husband of course).
I am going to Disney in 45 days!

Name: Erin
Blog: charpenette.blogspot.com
Twitter: ecsuperhero
Age: 29
Hometown: Northwest Indiana

Tell us about your family. I am a wife and a mom to two boys, ages 4 and 2.

What is your favorite workout? Right now, I am definitely a fan of running {I’m cutting in here, but did you read Erin’s couch to 5K story? If not, you must!}, but I also really enjoy biking and hiking with my family. Although those aren’t technical workout programs, they burn calories and I definitely count them as such. Basically, I like any form of exercise that can be done outdoors. I love being outside and the chance to workout outside is so much better for me than working out in front of the TV or in a gym.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? When I was pregnant with my younger son, I set out to be actively healthier than I was with my older son. Although I wasn’t unhealthy with my first pregnancy, I gained probably 10-15 more pounds than I should have. I started running when we started trying to conceive with my younger son and continued running (ahem, slow jogging) until I was 24 weeks pregnant with my younger son. I also did a pregnancy specific workout DVD (The Perfect Pregnancy Workout–LOVE it!) every day of my 2nd and 3rd trimester, and I was so fit and healthy. I only gained ten pounds and aside from my big belly, I ended up with a more toned body than when I got pregnant! It was really awesome to give birth and be back in my pre-pregnancy jeans at just four days post-partum. This was the first time in my life that I followed an exercise program and although there were definitely days when I wanted to sit on the couch and just eat brownies, I am glad that I set out with a goal in mind.

Have you set any goals for this year? This year, I had two goals. The first was to finish the Couch to 5k program and complete a 5k, which I did. After completing the 5k, I started thinking about what’s next. I’m a teacher and go back to work in a month, so I am a bit nervous that if I have nothing to train for, I’m going to push my running to the wayside and lose all of my hard work. So, I’ve decided to train for a turkey trot 10k that takes place on Thanksgiving morning. A few months ago, the thought of running six miles would have been laughable, but I’m up to four miles–and I think I can do this!

Who is your best support in your healthier-living journey? My husband, of course, has been a huge support. All along, he’s told me how proud of me he is. He’s also been really flexible about picking up the boys from the sitter on nights that I wanted to run after work, getting up with them on my morning runs, encouraging me to sign up for a local 5k. Aside from him, online friends have been a huge support. The best thing about running has been using a program that is integrated with Twitter. The supportive tweets from people have really kept me running! A huge support on twitter has been Kirsten (@girlsworld). What amazed me about her support is that she’s a serious, accomplished runner, but from day one of my Couch to 5k program, she’s been one of the most vocal people on Twitter. It’s really cool to realize that unlike some sports, running is made up of people who genuinely just want to see you succeed–whether you’re taking your first step off the couch or running your tenth marathon. I have a co-worker who placed in the top 200 in the Chicago marathon, finishing in just over two hours. When I completed my 5k, he was one of the first people to congratulate me. I’m sure my time of 31 minutes seemed so slow to him, but yet, he was still telling me how awesome I was for doing it.

Favorite songs on your iPod right now? Oh, this is hard! One of my favorite TV shows is Scrubs and I have the Scrubs soundtracks on my phone. When that music comes on, it helps me pick up a pace a bit because it makes me happy. I also downloaded a selection of great running songs, which is basically popular covers set to a faster pace. Some of it is cheesy, but the faster music puts me into the zone.

Who or what inspires you? I am constantly inspired by friends who I see beginning Couch to 5k because I know how hard that first step is.

Do you have any must-have health/beauty/clothing products? I love Arbonne products for skin care. Since starting to run, my skin has been a little more temperamental than usual, but Arbonne has helped to keep it balanced. It’s not cheap, but it is worth the cost to have nice skin to me!

Name 3 blogs you love to read!
Adventures in Babywearing
Moments with Love
That’s Life v2.0

5 things we don’t already know about you!
My thumbs are double jointed.
Some people know this, but it’s worth mentioning that I delivered my youngest son all by myself.
If money were no object, I’d have at least three more kids.
I secretly daydream of training for a half-marathon someday, but the truth is, I think I’d be SO BORED running for that long.
I would really love to tattoo the word hope on the inside of my left wrist.

Name:
Tracey Sanders

Blog:
one-more-minute.blogspot.com

Twitter:
@asoulm8

Age:
42 (43 in August)

Hometown:
Dover, DE

Tell us about your family.
My husband and I will have been married for 7 years in September and my son is going to be 5 in October. We live in Maryland about 25 minutes away from Annapolis, DC or Baltimore.

What is your favorite workout?
Recently I’ve been only walking and doing some of the #tworkouts while resting my knee. I enjoy running, though I am not sure I am cut out for it. When it comes to weight training, I don’t like doing the same thing over and over again. I get too bored with it, so I mix it up with DVDs like Jillian Michaels, the Wii using Active, and a few collected workouts.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
If you ask my Grandmother what she thinks the most amazing thing I’ve ever done is, she would say – “Can you believe Tracey drove herself from Florida to Delaware in a U-haul with her car towed behind her?” I won’t say that is my biggest accomplishment, though, I think I am most proud of giving birth to my son – he was a mere 10 lb 4oz baby.

Have you set any goals for this year?
My number one goal this year is to nurture and take time for myself again. I realized recently that in the last 4 years I have been completely lost in taking care of everyone around me, except myself. I found out I have Hashimotos Hypothyroidism about a year and a half ago and we believe that I probably had thyroid issues for about 2.5 yrs before being diagnosed. I feel like I really lost a chunk of time there. Gaining weight, being very forgetful, losing hair and just being overall exhausted. Working out, finally getting on track with meds and really focusing on me, is making me a much happier person and a better friend/mother/wife for my family!

Who is your best support in your healthier-living journey?
There is no question that my best friend is my number 1 fan and supporter. She will give me grief, opinions, overall encouragement when I need it (and I give it right back). She has stood by me for almost 12 years now with our friendship which includes all things health related. I still remember when we both started to find healthier foods to eat and we’d cook meals together so we’d split them for the week. It was so much easier then. We were both single and lived only a couple blocks from each other. Between the gym, healthy food and foot travel to each other’s homes, I was definitely healthier in those days! Moving, marriage and a child have all taken their toll and well, I am determined to break that chain.

Favorite songs on your iPod right now?
I have two fitness tracks. One is all the upbeat songs from Glee Volumes 1, 2, 3 & 4. My other Workout track has a wide variety of music, including Takin’ Care of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive),  Dirty White Boy (Foreigner), Big Bang Theory Theme (Barenaked Ladies), Big Time (Peter Gabriel), Learn to Fly (Foo Fighters), Smokin (Boston) and a bunch of others. Yeah, I told you it was a wide variety.

Who or what inspires you?
As controversial as it is, Biggest Loser still continues to inspire me. Though it’s become much more commercialized and there are many changes it’s going to endure with Jillian leaving, I love it. It motivated me during the cold weather, watching (while doing the #tworkout) as each individual starts out so broken and seeing their journey as they figure things out about themselves and they have breakthroughs each week. It’s even more inspirational to be able to watch the contestants that I am most connected with as they journey further with their blogs and twitter. I think the top of my list with the contestants is still Tara Costa. That is one strong individual!

Do you have any must-have health/beauty/clothing products? Not really brand specific items to recommend. I do love my “Badass Mother Runner” hat from Run Like a Mother and hope I can keep running so I can continue to wear it!

Name 3 blogs you love to read!
Manic Mommies
Shrinking Jeans
The Pioneer Woman

5 things we don’t already know about you!
I can surf the web like nobodies business
I would love to be a wedding coordinator or party planner
I love to bake and cook.
I’ve taken approximately 7,974 photos (not including iPhone photos and rejected pics) since beginning my 365 Photo Project  – http://one-more-minute-365photos.blogspot.com/

Name: Laura Pankratz
Blog: http://faithfamilylovejoy.wordpress.com
Twitter: @LauraPankratz
Age: 33
Hometown: Suburbs of Minneapolis, MN

Tell us about your family. Kevin and I met at work and have been married for 5 years. We have a great little boy who is turned 4 in April and I am fortunate enough to stay home with him.

What is your favorite workout? I was going to say walking but in the last 4 weeks that has changed. Now I have to say my answer is Zumba. I’m bummed that I only have 2 more sessions left for this round and am ready to sign up again.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? Besides the typical answer of becoming a wife & a mom, I would have to say stepping outside of my comfort zone. Sounds strange I know but I am one who is hesitant to try new things.

Have you set any goals for this year? To work on being happy and make better food choices. If weight loss happens well then I’ll just consider that a bonus.

Who is your best support in your healthier-living journey? Honestly, it depends on the day. I would say between my husband and those who participate here at Shrinking Jeans, I pretty much always have someone to support me, tell me to knock it off, go exercise, or cheer me up.

Favorite songs on your iPod right now? Hey Mama by Mat Kearney, Stronger by Mandisa, Sweet Child o’ mine by Guns N Roses, Rolling in the deep by Adele, Beautiful by MercyMe, Sydney (I’ll come running) by Brett Dennen

Who or what inspires you? The “who” part of the question would be those who have done this journey before me. Getting to read their successes and struggles helps me greatly. The “what” would be my desire to live a healthier lifestyle.

Do you have any must-have health/beauty/clothing products? A good food scale, a good pair of tennis shoes, and a comfy pair of workout pants (love my danskin capris).

Name 3 blogs you love to read!

All the Prior Fat Girl blogs
Kelly’s Korner
These Prices

5 things we don’t already know about you!

1) I almost changed my college major during my last semester. Yeah, I quickly realized that would not be a good choice as I wanted to just be done.
2) I am a big introvert and large groups freak me out.
3) Weight loss is a struggle for me. Seems like 1 step forward, 2 steps back.
4) I’ve been pop (soda for you non-Minnesotans, lol) free for almost a year
5) I’m learning how to sew and want to learn to knit.

This week’s spotlight is fellow North Dakotan,  Kristin K.! Kick back and get to know this Sister a little better!

Name: Kristin Wentz-Krumwiede
Twitter: @SensationalMom
Age: 30
Hometown: Bismarck, ND

What is your favorite workout? I am in LOVE with this specific class at my local  YMCA, its called Muscle Work. It is an amazing combination of different exercises to strengthen your muscles, specifically your core and arms which are two areas of my body that I hardly ever work properly.

Tell us about your family: My husband Chad and I have been married for 9 years and have 4 awesome kiddos ages 7, 5, 5, and 3. I am lucky enough that I get to stay home with them.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? Becoming a mom HANDS DOWN!!! There was nothing in life I wanted more than to have someone call me a mom.

Have you set any goals for this year? My goal is to begin to eat more healthy. I no longer care about what the scale says, I do however care about how I feel.

Who is your best support in your healthier-living journey? My Sisterhood Friends… they are the most supportive people in my life when it comes to be healthy living choices. My sisterhood friends are the ones who help me when I’ve had a bad week and they are the ones who really celebrate with me during a good week.

Favorite songs on your iPod right now? Currently loving “She’s so Gone” by Naomi Scott, “A little bit Stronger” by Leighton Meester, “Mean” by Taylor Swift

Do you have any must-have health/beauty/clothing products? I love a good ole pair of yoga pants from Target.

Name 3 blogs you love to read!
The SPD Blogger Network
Hartleys Boys
Dakota Pam

5 things we don’t already know about you.
1. I want to run a ½ marathon before I’m 35. I wanted to do it this year (in celebration of my 30th birthday) but its just not working out.
2. I am big into activism for special needs children and for premature babies
3. I am a secret lover of cherry kool-aid
4. Fake sugars give me migraines. Makes it REALLY hard watch your calorie intake when you can’t substitute sugar.
5. I have PCOS.

Thanks Becca! We can’t wait to see who you chose for the next Sister Spotlight!

Name: Ann Gregory
Blog: http://ann-shesgonnablow.blogspot.com
Twitter: @annsgonnablow
Age: 45
Hometown: born and raised in a small town south of Wichita, Kansas….currently living in Carrollton, TX a suburb of Dallas, but we lived in Fresno, CA for 4 years, too.

Tell us about your family. I have been married to my hubby Guy since August 31, 1984 (at the ripe ol’ age of 19). We have 2 sons, “That Kid” nearly 21, and “That Other Kid” 7 going on 20!! My hubby is an architect and he works out of one of our bedrooms. I homeschool That Other Kid, and That Kid just moved back home before he goes off to Marine bootcamp sometime between now and September 19th (help me survive, k??) My parents live in the same house I grew up in and I have 3 “little” brothers – one of which has done several triathalons.They all live within a few miles of my parents.

What is your favorite workout? My favorite workout is riding bikes, BUT I don’t have one right now so I make do with my Wii games, my new Nike Training Club app, and my occasional wogging adventure when my knee cooperates.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment would be homeschooling my oldest son all the way through school – k thru 12th grade. After graduating he got into a private college (but he’s decided college isn’t for him right now). Second to that would be losing 30 pounds in about 9 months time and then keeping it off for the past 18 months or so…

Have you set any goals for this year? Yes, I have….reach my goal weight (which I figure would mean losing around 40 more pounds) by the time That Kid gets out of boot camp.

Who is your best support in your healthier-living journey? My “sisters” at ShrinkingJeans and my best friend, Glenna. Both of my boys are awesome at encouraging me to workout, eat right and take care of myself, too.

Favorite songs on your iPod right now? I’m a big fan of Skillet, Casting Crown, Red, and Disciple Down (all Christian rock in case you have no clue who they are!) so pretty much anything on my Ipod by them are my favorites!

Who or what inspires you? My friend Glenna, inspires me. She just underwent breast cancer and has come out of it a changed person. She has changed her entire outlook on her health and has kicked cancer in the hiney!! She has been done with surgery now for about 2 -3 weeks and is planning to walk a 1 mile Breast Cancer Walk for the Cure in about 1 month! I’m doing it with her, of course and I’m so excited to get to do this with/for her!! My dad also is an inspiration to me. He had colon cancer and the whole time he was undergoing treatments he walked the track at the rec center my brother works at. His oncologist was shocked at how well he did in beating his cancer. He has continued walking 2 – 3 miles nearly every day and can walk nearly as fast as I can wog!! He has been cancer free for about 2 years now!!

Do you have any must-have health/beauty/clothing products? I live in Danskin Yoga pants and I’m cheap so I have bought a bunch from Walmart….I need to go buy more cuz they are getting too big (yay!)! I’m pretty low maintenance as far as health/beauty products but I do get my hair cut/colored about every 8 weeks and I do buy good quality shampoo from my stylist because if I don’t my hair gets fried out and I can’t deal with that!

Name 3 blogs you love to read! Shrinking Jeans is a given, but I also read Smart, Strong + Sexy, Average Moms Wear Capes,  Sincerely Anna.

5 things we don’t already know about you! um…I’ve been around here so long I don’t know if there’s that much you guys don’t know about me!

1) I went to college for 2 years and dropped out (I was studying Elementary Ed). I was supposed to be the first member of my family to graduate from college but my brother beat me to it! I still don’t have my degree but I would still like to get it, juz cuz! But…since I homeschool I still used my knowledge with my own kids.

2) I love to travel but I don’t fly well so I prefer to travel by car or have lots of time to “recover” from my flights. I have been to Canada twice (Vancouver and Toronto) both for hockey tournaments that That Kid played in. Those were great trips but entirely too short for my taste! Someday I hope to travel overseas to Europe.

3) I am passionate, caring and friendly to people that I know well but it takes me a while to “size you up”. While I am sizing you up I am learning all I can about you so I can know just how much of myself I will pour into you.

4) Once you are my friend I will go out of my way to support, help, and love you. I will always be there for you and do anything within my power to help you if you need something.

5) My kids are the most important things in my life — even if they drive me to the point of insanity nearly every day!