Good morning, Sisterhood! Thea has chosen Heather A. for the spotlight this week and I must say she is very deserving. She and her husband, Ryan, rocked our Olympics last month and were a force to be reckoned with! From Thea: She is an amazing mom of 4 and athlete who is training for her 3rd half-marathon (and her husband is training for a marathon himself) and they just found out that on top of everything else she is moving her and her brood out of state!
Tell us about your family: I’m married to my high school sweetheart, Ryan. We’ve been together for 20 years and married for almost 15 of them. I’m thrilled to be able to be a stay at home mom while Ryan brings home the bacon. We have four kids. Our twin boys are age 9. Nate is twelve minutes older and likes to make sure that I don’t forget it! He loves to draw and is really looking forward to his third season of playing baseball. Ben loves to write stories and is at the age where he is fascinated by natural disasters. Nicole is our sweet social butterfly. She is all about being a tough girl (not a princess). She can’t get enough of playing with her friends and she loves to swim. Jameson is our two year old and apparently inherited all the orneriness that passed by the others. He really keeps me on my toes. Of course, maybe I have just forgotten how rough the terrible two’s can be. 
What is your favorite workout? Running is my go-to workout. I really like to change things up because I tend to get bored very easily. I have been through the kettlebell phase, the Shred phase, the P90x phase, the Nike Training Club phase. I’m pretty sure that I don’t last much longer than 3-6 weeks with any of them but that’s okay because I’ve learned to just go with it. Right now I’m loving the Hundred Push Up Challenge.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? Well, besides the obvious accomplishment of being the mom to four awesome kids… I’m really proud finishing two half marathons. During my second one I injured myself and even though I didn’t make my time goal I still finished. I also graduated magna cum laude with my degree in Social Work (not that I use it!).
Have you set any goals for this year? My fitness goals this year are to finish a half marathon in under 2:15 and to complete a marathon. I will also run, walk or cycle (divide cycling miles by 4) 1000 miles in 2011 for Tall Mom’s 1000+++ challenge this year.
Who is your best support in your healthier-living journey?
Hands down, without a doubt my hubby, Ryan. He’s has learned the fine art of knowing when to encourage me, when I need a swift kick in the rear, and when to just leave me to my own devices. He stands (or runs) right next to me through it all.
Favorite songs on your iPod right now? Showdown by the Black Eyed Peas
Who or what inspires you? You guessed it… my hubby. I’m pretty sure that he doesn’t know how to go out on a run and NOT push himself. I strive to be able to find the will and determination that he has. My kids are a huge motivator for me. I want to set an example of what a healthy happy mom can be. I want them to see that they can set goals that seem unreachable, and through hard work, realize and reach those goals. Do you have any must-have health/beauty/clothing products? My CW-X Xtra Support Sports Bra is a must have, especially on long runs. Other than that…. shampoo and conditioner? I’m pretty low maintenance. Name 3 blogs you love to read! http://www.shutupandrun.net
http://www.scarymommy.com
http://www.cleanmama.blogspot.com
5 things we don’t already know about you! 1. I used to be an Investigator for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. 2. I will not eat seafood of any kind, gross! 3. I’m a junkie for shows like Desperate Housewives and The Office. 4. As a child I wanted to be a meteorologist. 5. I would rather get a backrub than a gift, any day! (Visited 75 times, 1 visits today)
Melissa is the Co-Founder the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and the Shrinking Kitchen. She has been married to a wonderful man forever and is mother to six amazing children (17,14, 10, 10 and 2 and a foster baby!). Melissa has reached her goal weight, and is now trying to find ways to fit fitness into her crazy busy schedule. She loves kickboxing and hates running, even though she has completed 4 half-marathons. When Melissa isn’t helping her little girl battle her brain tumors (Love for Jazmine Joy), she loves to travel, laugh, tend to her chickens, and dream of sunshine and mountains.
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