Girl Hero Roni
I ran across Roni’s blog, Roni’s Weigh, a few years ago when I started my own weight loss journey. Last year, I met her for the first time during Fitbloggin’ and got to spend time with her again at BlogHer. She is every bit as warm, friendly, and helpful in real life as she is on her blogs. She’s the real deal. Roni is a wife, mother of two, full time blogger, and all around awesome girl who chose to change her lifestyle for the better.
How does your lifestyle “now” compare to your lifestyle “before”? (You can see all of Roni’s progress pictures here.)
Oh boy is it ever different! I used to do nothing, and I’m not exaggerating. I’d work, watch tv or go to movies, and eat. That was about it. Now I try my best to be active and DO things. I take walks, go on hikes, read more, run in events, play board games and do puzzles with the family. Even though I’m still pretty food obsessed I’ve channeled that “hobby” by cooking light and finding new fun healthy foods. I more active now then I have ever been in my life and in better shape because of it.
Okay so I have to ask you something. You write 4 blogs GreenLiteBites, Roni’s Weigh, Roni Noone, and Poop Butterflies. You also organize Fitbloggin’ and manage a weightloss communities called Blog to Lose with over 5000 members! How do you do it and stay sane? Any time management tips? I know I need them!!
Sane? Who said I was sane?
In all seriousness, I do what I can when I can. I know it sounds kind of simple but it’s the truth. I have conference calls while baby is napping. I write blog posts while watching TV at night. I wake up early and work out when I can. It’s a lot of juggling but I’ve always been the type of person who’d rather be busy than bored.
What does your exercise routine look like now? Is it hard to find the motivation or time with so much going on in your life?
It has been hard but I’ve learned that I am much happier and have more energy when I’m working out. I even tend to handle stress better. Right now I wake up at 5:30 AM twice a week for a BodyPump class and I take a BodyCombat class in the evening one day a week. I also joined a gym that’s just over a mile away from the house so I run there and back. It’s been hard finding a schedule that works but I try to be flexible and not let more than 1 day go by without doing something active, even if it’s just a short run.
You love Weight Watchers and it helped you to lose a significant amount of weight. In a nutshell, what did WW teach you and do you still use it to maintain?
Weight Watchers gave me a quick and easy way to judge a portion and balance my diet. It also taught me to food journal, something I still go back to when feeling a little out of control. Right now I’m counting points to lose the last 10 lbs I gained from pregnancy.
I read your 3 Steps to a Healthier You series. My favorite part of that series is when you talk about turning off the tv and dancing with your son and husband. Do you still do that? Was it hard at first to start dancing? In other words, did you feel self conscious at first?
We still do it! All the time and now I have a new little once to dance with!
I’ve always been a music lover. My mom used to crank up the volume when cleaning, my Dad was a musician, it’s just in my blood!
I noticed that the TV was ALWAYS on in my house and I hated it. So one day I simply shut it off and blasted the radio. It’s hard to be self-conscious when you are alone and dancing with a 1 year old. You’re just in the moment BUT that being said, I am self conscious dancing at weddings or parties because what I do at home is not really “dancing” it’s moving around like an idiot singing off key at the top of my lungs.
What about internet? How do you keep moving when your job requires computer hours? I know I could use some motivation in this area! 
I think this is why getting those workouts in is so important for me. Most of the time I’m at my desk or on the couch with a computer on my lap. It is what it is. I’ve learned, however, to walk away. When I’m not at the computer I’m not at the computer, if that makes sense. I don’t tweet from my phone or check Facebook. I don’t walk around the mall checking email. I disconnect completely especially when I go to the gym. I never, ever, bring my phone when I go the gym. That’s my time and I don’t want to be interrupted.
How has blogging played a part in your weight loss and enriched your life? Any advice to new bloggers?
Blogging played a huge part in my weight loss. For me it was having an outlet to face feeling I never faced before. So many people (myself included) feel alone when it comes to how they feel about their bodies or how they relate to food. Once I put myself out there I realized I wasn’t alone. I also find motivation in motivating others. I love sharing tips and ideas and doing so helps me stay inspired.
What is something quirky that you do that makes you you? (Besides being the Queen of Zucchini?) 😉
Hmmmm I’m not sure. I am little quirky, I guess, but isn’t everybody? Things people may be surprised to learn about me: (if they don’t already know because I’m pretty transparent on the blog) I’m a big fan of horror movies, I like all music except country (did I just lose a few fans?) and I have an unhealthy obsession with McDonald’s ice cream cones.
Thank you Roni for sharing your story. You are amazing and a Girl Hero in so many ways!
Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn
Check out our family’s adventures at New School Nomads as we take a year long RV road trip through the United States!
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This is my (almost) sane quest for insane health. Let's 
Oh Roni! Roni’s blog was one of the very first I started to follow when I started my weight loss journey in 2008. She inspired me so much and still does. I remember I used to look forward to every single post esp. her vlogs with reader Q&As! She is TRULY a GIRL HERO!
How cute is she?! What a “real” girl. I am definitely going to go check out her sites!
Roni- I love dancing in the kitchen with my kids with radio blasting also. This morning when we were dancing I was getting sad just thinking about the day they won’t want to anymore. Thanks for sharing!
Great post Roni. You look very happy and healthy !!! Thanks for sharing.
I just started reading her blog recently, its very good and she’s really inspiring!