Sista of the Week ~ 18

August 27, 2010 By 289 Comments

I just love this sista. This sista has been apart of the sistahood for a long time and with good reason. She loves to see people succeed. She loves to see people reach their goals and wants to help you get to where you want to be. She is supportive in her blog comments and also on twitter. Offering up suggestions, support, recommendations on running, and much more.

This weeks Sista of the Week is…….

Janice!

1. Name(twitter ID) – Janice @fitcheerldr

2. Location: Milton, ON Canada (a small town west of Toronto).

3.Mamavation Goals:
To get rid of my post-partum depression and not have it come back! I’ve
never felt more alive than I have since becoming involved in Mamavation.
I used to have a “grey fog” in my head that prevented me from even
interacting with my daughters – the fog has rolled away and each day is
bright and sunny. I enjoy my family more and am a much better employee
too.

4. What do you love most about being a Sista in Mamavation?
Watching everyone learn about health and fitness. I love seeing a new
sister begin to understand what it takes to be healthy, and then share
their knowledge with other sisters. Watching everyone grow and support
each other is amazing and inspiring!

5. Why do you think support in the Sistahood is so important?
Support is CRUCIAL to meeting your goals, whether it’s a weight loss goal,
healthy living goal, or to shake off depression. It’s like the saying: It
takes a village to raise a child, well it takes a sistahood to truly
inspire! The sisters have really picked me up on days I’ve felt down.
They inspired me to stay active during that horrible first trimester of
pregnancy – how could I read all of the great tweets on twitter without
doing something active too? Being active early on has allowed me to
remain active throughout my pregnancy and I feel better and more
comfortable in these final months of pregnancy than ever! Thank you
everyone for your love & support!

Thank you Janice for all that you do for the Sistahood!

This post is sponsored by EA Sports. Sista of the Week will be receiving a MORE Workouts for the Wii. Thank you EA Sports Active!

Lori @gutimom

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Sista of the Week~17

August 20, 2010 By 229 Comments

I am on time this week! WHOOP!

This weeks Sista of the Week is amazingly supportive! Every single blog comment I see from her is positive and uplifting. She knows what to say and how to say it to just lift your mood up immediately. Whenever I see a tweet from someone needing a positive word or a good kick in the rear, she is there….willing and ready! :) This sista is as sweet as they get people!

This Weeks Sista of the Week is…….

Shawnee!!!

1. Name(twitter ID) - Shawnee Halligan (@ShawneeH)

2. Location: West Linn, Oregon

3.Mamavation Goals:
My goals are to succeed on this get-healthy journey, be a better example for my family, and be an encouragement to other moms, both those that work inside AND outside the home. Getting/being fit is hard work, and definitely a balancing act!


4. What do you love most about being a Sista in Mamavation ?

I am so grateful for the support, the guidance, the free tools and information provided by Bookiboo, the Sistahood, and all the Mamavation sponsors. It’s a great thing to know I can get on Twitter, post about a bad day, and instantly hear from SEVERAL Sistas with support and encouragement. That means A LOT to me. I really enjoy a new sense of community that I didn’t have before, even with in IRL friends. =) I wish I could spend even MORE time on-line participating, but appreciate the warm welcome I get whenever I check in.

5. Why do you think support in the Sistahood is so important?

No one can succeed by themselves. We second guess, we struggle, we just get lazy. The Sistahood provides the boot in the bottom AND the hand up. It’s amazing. Thanks for letting me be a part!

Thank you Shawnee for all that you do for the Sistahood!

This post is sponsored by EA Sports. Sista of the Week will be receiving a MORE Workouts for the Wii. Thank you EA Sports Active!

Lori @gutimom

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Sista of the Week ~16

August 14, 2010 By 107 Comments

*Sorry for the delay in getting this post up. Hubby is on vacation this week and I seriously had no idea what day it was.*

This sista is always there. Whenever I see a tweet come through needed encouragement or a shoulder to cry on, she is always there to offer her love and support. A true definition of what a sista should always be. Her comment s on blog posts are always supportive and positive. She is also on a major high this week, reaching a awesome goal of losing 20lbs!

This weeks Sista of the Week is…..

Kimberly!

1. Name(twitter ID) – Kimberly R. (@christlikemommy)

2. Location: Virginia

3.Mamavation Goals: My long term goal is to be healthy! I want to set a good example for my kids, and the rest of my family. I have lost so many people close to me this year due to heart disease, which resulted from obesity, and I have made the decision that I will not let fat take my life! My short-term goal is to run a 5K by December 5th, and lose 40-60 lbs by my little sister’s wedding in March! I also plan on applying for the next Mamavation campaign!

4. What do you love most about being a Sista in Mamavation? All the other Sistas. You ladies inspire me SO much! I feel so empowered by being a part of the Sistahood and I know if I have a fitness/diet/life-in-general question, the sistas will be there to tweet all (or at least most) of the answers to my problems!

5. Why do you think support in the Sistahood is so important? I have not been a part of this group long, and I already feel like part of the family. I have tried to join other mommy groups, weight loss support groups, and other social groups in the past, but never quite felt comfortable, I always felt as if I was on the outside looking in. But with the Mamavation Sistahood, it is so different! These ladies are genuine and caring, they welcomed me with open arms, and that has helped me so much in continuing to push to become healthy!

Thanks so much to Leah, and all of her leading ladies! I really appreciate all that you do to keep this community up and running!

Thank you Kimberly for all that you do for the Sistahood!

This post is sponsored by EA Sports. Sista of the Week will be receiving a MORE Workouts for the Wii. Thank you EA Sports Active! Lori @gutimom

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Sista of the Week ~15

August 5, 2010 By 112 Comments

This weeks Sista is someone I have “known” for a few years. I got to know her on a natural parenting website. At times I really thought, “Do I really belong here? I do not follow some of the same things other moms were doing.” and she always assured me that I was a mother doing what I needed to do for my children so that made me belong. She made me feel at home at that point and I never looked back.
She is a kind, loving, free spirit. She will tell you how it is, but she will pick you up when you need it most. Her heart shines through every single blog post, blog comment, and tweet she shouts out.
I am very lucky to know her and we are all lucky to have her apart of the Sistahood.

Here is this weeks Sista of the Week…….

Julie!

1. Name(twitter ID) - @jamnsfld76

2. Location: Jackson, MO (or as I tell all my non-Missouri friends 100 miles So of St. Louis, lol)

3.Mamavation Goals: My ultimate goal is to be at 130 but really I just want to be healthy and have the energy to keep up with my kids. I am trying to teach my kids how great GOOD food can taste and that healthy doesn’t have to mean gross (I think lots of kids think that). My fitness goals are to start running again (I say again because I ran some in high school *cough 16 cough* some years ago). I walked my first 5K but I want to have the confidence and the ability to run a 5k or more in the future.


4. What do you love most about being a Sista in Mamavation ? I love how real everyone is; we all make mistakes, have bad days, make excuses, and beat ourselves up from time to time. But there is always someone in the sistahood ready to tell you “Its ok, dust yourself off and start again.” No one ever tells you are terrible for falling off the wagon, they just tell you to start over. And no one pretends like they are perfect, we all know we stumble and we know it is ok to admit it.


5. Why do you think support in the Sistahood is so important? Because it is the support that helps us get back up. I love my family but they are the worst enablers I know. Granted they are getting better about making better choices and I am glad to see my changes are coming around to my parents and extended family. But they are sweet eaters, dessert is a must, and they like their food fried. So I need my Sista’s to help me when I am trying to avoid those temptations and when I splurge and give in, I need my Sista’s to tell me I am still ok. Or if I have a bad week and gain, I love that the Mamavation Sista’s will tell me not to worry “Next week is gonna be great!” and you know what it usually is. :D

Thank you Julie for all that you do for the Sistahood!

This post is sponsored by EA Sports. Sista of the Week will be receiving a MORE Workouts for the Wii. Thank you EA Sports Active!

Lori @gutimom

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Sista of the Week~ 14

July 29, 2010 By 101 Comments

Did you guys miss me? Huge thanks to Kia for posting for me the last 2 weeks!
Now, let’s get cracking.

This week’s SOTW is all over twitter and the blog posts. She is always supportive and encouraging. She also has a ton of knowledge on running. She is always ready to answer questions when we come running(no pun intended). Every time a sista posts looking for a shoulder to cry on, she is there. When we need someone to kick us in the tail, she is there. And when we need someone to cheer with, she is there.

This weeks Sista of the Week is……..

Rachel Steffan!!

1. Name(twitter ID) – Rachel ( @RachelSteffen )

2. Location: Redding, CA

3.Mamavation Goals:

My mamavation goals are to be a healthy size, healthy weight, and healthy/active role model to my friends and family. According to my BMI, I need to lose about 20-30 more pounds in order to reach that desired number. I have already lost 20 pounds this year and am making progress towards my goal weight by the end of this year. My long term Mamavation-fitness goals are to run and complete a FULL marathon! Practice makes progress… and I am making progress with my goals.

4. What do you love most about being a Sista in Mamavation ?

I love the commadarie of friendship and support most about being a sista in Mamavation. I love that I am able to post a quick blurb on my blog or twitter and I will get a quick (and sometimes witty) response from a ‘sista‘. There is an old saying that, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ Well, I think it takes a village – or sistahood – to reach your health and fitness goals. This is the place to do just that!

I think the quote, “To recieve much, you must give much” is true with Mamavation… when you give your friendship and support, you will receive friendship and support.

5. Why do you think the Sistahood is important?

I think support in the Mamavation Sistahood is important, because throughout this journey we are on, whatever our goals are, we need someone to lean on from time to time. The sistahood is a great support group to help motivate, encourage, and even challenge you with your fitness and health goals. We as women need to know that we have someone in our corner and are rooting for our success. This is why support is so important.

Thank you Rachel for your continued love and support!

This post is sponsored by EA Sports. Sista of the Week will be receiving a MORE Workouts for the Wii. Thank you EA Sports Active!

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Sista of the Week ~ 13

July 23, 2010 By 48 Comments

This week’s Sista of the Week has been with Mamavation since early May. I love her blog and interaction with people because of its blunt honesty and going places that can be hard for many of us to talk about. She shares a-ha moments and pictures of herself she would rather not posts. However she does all this for frank accountability yet she is compassionate with her support of others via blog love (comments) and twitter interactions.

It was easy to pick her for SOTW because she is consistent with her support of others even when she is stressed. She recently went through a stressful situation and there she was with the blog love and managed to have a weight loss for the week. I thought that was extremely impressive.

It also needs to be noted that she a mother of THREE and that I picked the picture you are about to see (she isn’t playing favorites, this was an editorial choice). Her picture is just so lovely. Your Sista of the Week is…

RITA ANN

1. Name (twitter ID) – Rita Ann (lovelyritaann)

2. Location: Orland (by Chico) – Northern Cali

3.Mamavation Goals: To transform my lifestyle to a healthy one. I’d love to be more active and get into shape so I can keep up with my children. I want to live a long, healthy life with my family and be around to see all the amazing moments in my kids’ lives. My weight loss goal is to lose a total of 81 pounds. That will have taken me from 216 down to 135; although, I’ll probably be very happy with 145’ish.

4. What do you love most about being a Sista in Mamavation? The support is awesome and I’ve met some truly amazing and inspirational moms through Mamavation. It helps to know I’m not going through this alone. I never realized how many moms struggle with the same issues as me. Even if it’s not about weight loss or living healthy, the Sistahood has always been there for me in one way or another.

5. Why do you think support in the Sistahood is so important? For me, the support is crucial. I don’t have a big “in real life” social life. I’m a stay at home mom and don’t get out a whole lot. I interact on the internet with people a lot more than I do in person. The Sistahood has been there to support me, motivate me and hold me accountable at times when nobody else was. Mamavation has changed my life and I hope to contribute to the Sistahood what they have contributed to me!

Thank you for this honor! I was shocked considering my MIA status this past week due to my car being stolen. That just goes to show the Sistahood knows that life takes you through unexpected turns but their support is still there! Thank you to the Sistahood a.k.a. my friends.

You are welcome Rita Ann, you are deserving of this week’s honor!

This post is sponsored by EA Sports. Sista of the Week will be receiving a MORE Workouts for the Wii. Thank you EA Sports Active!


Kia ~ @bodhi_bear

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Sista of the Week ~ 12

July 15, 2010 By 197 Comments

This is a true honor for me to contribute to Mamavation this week to introduce our Sista of the Week. In case you did not notice I am not the regular contributor but this is a special post to commemorate our 12th Sista who I have loads of respect for.

This week’s Sista has been a part of the Sistahood for a while. It has been nice to see her work halfway towards her weight loss goal. She focuses on her family and their well-being in her blog so there may be a recipe or three you have made from there. She also has a pretty cool garden that she does with her family which is something I adore. I love her positivity but she keeps it real, when she has a bad day… she shares that too until she finally makes lemonade from lemons. I know she has commented on your posts, talked to you on twitter, and spread her support around for all of us.

This week’s Sista of the Week is….

LORI


1. Name (twitter ID): Lori (@gutimom)

2. Location: Houston, TX

3.Mamavation Goals: I am already down 15lbs and I would love to lose 15 more. Just knowing I am getting healthy for my kids is a huge thing for me. I want to have energy. I want to be able to play with them more and not get so tired. My mom is overweight and has a lot of medical issues because of it. I worry about her constantly. If the phone rings late at night I always wonder if that is the call that her heart has given out. I do not want that for my kids. I want them to know I am gonna be here for a long time, I am doing everything I can to make that happen.


4. What do you love most about being a Sista in Mamavation? I love the constant love and support. It has been huge for me to know that there are other moms just like me out there. We are trying to get healthy and be fit for our families. In real life I feel sort of alone in my journey so its nice to come online to the Sistahood and know that I am not alone.


5. Why do you think support in the Sistahood is so important? I know for me personally, without the Sistahood I would have thrown in the towel a long time ago. I am usually pretty down on myself and the Sistahood always lifts me back up to remind me that I am human. I make mistakes but I can also pick myself up and push past the negative.

Thank you Lori for all that you do for the Sistahood!

This post is sponsored by EA Sports. Sista of the Week will be receiving a MORE Workouts for the Wii. Thank you EA Sports Active!

Kia ~ @bodhi_bear

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Sista of the Week~11

July 8, 2010 By 123 Comments

I am so excited about Sista of the Week this week. It has been such a crazy busy week with the new Mamavation Campaign in full swing that twitter has been a buzz!
This weeks Sista of the Week has not only been on twitter offering constant support to every single one of the applicants and sistas, but she has been all over the blogs. Her comments are so positive and uplifting. That is exactly what Sista’s are suppose to do and that is why she is being honored this week.

This weeks Sista of the Week is…..

Shannon!

1. Name(twitter ID) – Shannon Hamilton (@Trulove821)

2. Location: Frederick, MD

3.Mamavation Goals: I want to lose 50 lbs! I want to be the most fit and, active mom for my children I can be. I would also love to get back into running more frequently.

4. What do you love most about being a Sista in Mamavation ?

The friendships I have made through the Sistahood are wonderful. The group of ladies we have are so supportive and, caring. The stories of their success are truly inspirational I am so proud of everyone.


5. Why do you think support in the Sistahood is so important?

It reminds us everyday that we are not alone in this battle. We are being held accountable through tweets and, blogs. I truly thank the Sistahood for all the support they have showed me. Without the Sistahood I wouldn’t have had the want and desire as i do today to be fit and, healthy.

Thank you so much for choosing me as Sista of the Week this week. I am truly honored!

Thank you Shannon for your constant love and support!

This post is sponsored my EA Sports. Sista of the Week will be recieving a MORE Workouts for the Wii. Thank you EA Sports Active!

Lori ~ @gutimom

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Sista of the Week ~10

July 1, 2010 By 131 Comments

Can you believe we have been honoring supportive sista’s for 10 weeks now?! Its amazing that we have a great group of women apart of the Mamavation Sistahood. You guys are the reason this is possible! You make the Mamavation Sistahood what it is, supportive and loving.

This weeks Sista of the Week is a super hard worker! She has a super intense and busy schedule but she still tweets out to us and comments on post every Monday. She has challenges of her own but sets out to help others in their own journey. She keeps it real and honest. She can always be counted on to shout out to someone who needs a boost.

This weeks Sista of the Week is………..

MMScarlett!

1. Name(twitter ID) – MMScarlett

2. Location: Lexington, KY

3.Mamavation Goals:

GET HEALTHY! I’m in what’s considered a “healthy weight range,” but you know what? I am NOT healthy in my habits, therefore, I am facing a life that could be not so great in my older years – ie diabetes from my insane 4+ cans of coke per day addiction (which I have recently started getting in check thanks to my AWESOME sistas!!) Plus I have horrible family genetics, food quality and nutrition are my only prayer against these yucky things!

As many of you have seen I have recently quit smoking. I have tried and tried so many times in the past – I feel like a crack addict sometimes! This time it’s different. I am still using my gum, yes. But this time, I have two AWESOME quit buddies that have been so incredibly supportive that words could never express my gratitude! @mentallyinked and @CjinKY you two have been awesome!!!!!! (As has the rest of the sistahood, but I harass these two the most!)

My other goals for Mamavation are fitness related. I want to be that crazy 70 year old granny going on nature hikes, rock climbing, running a marathon every year. I want to feel GOOD in my old age. I do not want to have to have help walking everywhere. I don’t want to walk around with an oxygen tank and sound like one of those popcorn vacuum cleaners kids play with when I breathe. I want to be HEALTHY! Also, I have a page on my blog that has ALL of my ultimate fitness goals. They are kind of strange, because I have a crazy dream of working in law enforcement on Environmental Justice Issues! http://maniacalmatron.blogspot.com/p/overall-health-goals.html

My next “big” project I’m planning to tackle in a few weeks, is back to Couch 2 5K. My knee has been holding up when I’ve been doing lunges with no pain, so running shoes, here I come! (Keep me accountable – please!)

4. What do you love most about being a Sista in Mamavation ?

The Support. We are all there for one thing: to get healthy! To make the best of our lives. No matter the fitness level, weight, nothing. The only prequesite: Willingness to change our habits, willingness to be supportive, and no “perfect” people either. We’re not perfect! That’s the best part!


5. Why do you think support in the Sistahood is so important?

Support is the lifeline of the sistahood. How motivated would we be if we only focused on ourselves and didn’t see what others were doing? We all have been there and go through the same struggles daily. We have someone around just a tweet away who WILL listen and understand. We have to keep reminding our selves and sistas that what we are doing is not only for ourselves, but our children. We’re all moms, and we understand the importance of setting an example for our children. Sometimes we need each other to remind us of this, but someone always will. We are changing habits – not “dieting.” I was once told “Change is hard and change takes time!” We are all making big, lasting changes. I know I couldn’t do it alone. That’s just it – I KNOW I’m not doing it alone. It brings me to tears to think of the awesome support I have gotten in my recent quit (and the past quits – thanks for not judging). Quitting has been a difficult journey, but I’ve made it this far because of the sistahood!

Thank you so much for all the love and support you give to the sistahood!

This post is sponsored my EA Sports. Sista of the Week will be recieving a MORE Workouts for the Wii. Thank you EA Sports Active!

Lori @gutimom

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Sista of the Week~9

June 24, 2010 By 207 Comments


It is crazy to think we are in week 9 of honoring our fellow sistas!

This week is no different. The new sista of the week is around twitter so much! If you dont see a tweet from her just sit tight…she is around and offering up tons of support!! She pushes her self to the limits and also supports anyone and everyone who needs it.1. Name(twitter ID) - @all_about_savin

2. Location: East, TN

3.Mamavation Goals: Well my current one is to become the next Mamavation Mom ;) Overall to develop friendship with the awesome moms that are apart of Mamavation. I am ecstatic about losing over 10% of my body weight during the Move it and Lose it campaign and can’t wait till I hit my ideal body weight and can say I am fit and healthy.


4. What do you love most about being a Sista in Mamavation ? I love the friendships and support I have made through Mamavation. I look forward to chatting with all the moms each day and know if I need support someone is usually there for me. These moms provide me an immense amount of inspiration while reading their posts and are always up to making me shape up and get moving!


5. Why do you think support in the Sistahood is so important? I can honestly say if it was not for the sistahood I would still be 222 pounds. There is something about knowing there are women going through the same challenges as you are and knowing some have made it through the other side. I am not alone in my journey to a healthier lifestyle. The sistahood is their to celebrate each others triumphs and kick each other’s booty back into line. It’s all about accountability!

I can not say enough how shocked I am that you chose me for Sista of the Week. Thank you each and every one of you for all your support and guidance since I first found you in April. Each one of you ladies have changed my family and my life more than I can ever explain and I am indebted you each of you forever!

Thank you Jess for all your love and support you offer to the Sistahood.

*This post is Sponsored by EA Sports Active. Jessica will be receiving the Wii MORE Workouts. Thank you EA Sports Active!

Lori~@gutimom

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