Dear Heather … Jump Rope Fitness

Dear Heather, Sorry to hear about the problems you’ve been having, but I was hoping you could answer a couple of questions. You’ve talked about using a jump rope for workouts before and that sounds more interesting than my other options. I have three kids – ages 8 to 12. They like the jump rope and I thought this would be a great way for us to play together while I get to workout. But I’m not sure how to start a jump rope program that will give me good fitness benefits. Can you help? – Mom x 3 Jump … Continue reading →

Dear Heather … Are Treadmills Better?

Dear Heather, This may not be worth a question and answer in your blog, so if you just want to send me a private response, I’ll understand. I have been a member at a gym for about six months; I joined because they had about 30 different treadmills among their exercise equipment. I like the treadmill, it’s a good workout and I can get my walking in no matter what kind of weather is going on outside. I’ve made some progress over the last few months, I feel stronger, I feel healthier and I’ve lost 11 pounds. I haven’t been … Continue reading →

Dear Heather … How Are You Coping with Your Medical Problems?

Today, I am bringing you a special Dear Heather, typically I wait for Thursdays to post these, but I received this email yesterday and I wanted to go ahead and answer it – in part because I appreciated the thought behind the note and the question they were asking. How Are You Coping with Your Medical Problems? Dear Heather, When I read your recent disclosures about the health problems you have been experiencing, I felt bad for you. I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to add you to our prayer list at Church and I wanted to ask … Continue reading →

Dear Heather … Am I Overdoing It?

Dear Heather, Recently my Dh bought a gym membership, I love it so much! My mom, who is 80, went with me once and she loved it too. So much she joined so about 5 times a week, in the morning, I take her and I do a light work out also. Then at night after all the kids go to bed I go back and do my real workout. Could this be over doing it? And what good is the steam room really? Ollie Dear Ollie, Thanks for writing. That’s great that your husband gave you a gym membership … Continue reading →

Dear Heather … I’m Pregnant

Dear Heather, I am torn between dancing for joy and screaming with frustration. For the first time ever, I was really set on my new weight loss and diet plan. I was starting to work out. I’ve been following your advice and I even joined a gym. I have worked out 3 to 4 times a week, but I noticed that my energy levels were never going up – despite three weeks at this regimen. If anything, I was growing more and more tired. So I went to the doctor. I’M PREGNANT! When the doctor suggested it, I scoffed. But … Continue reading →

Dear Heather … Why am I Miserable?

We have a different kind of Dear Heather question today, one that tugged at my heart and I actually had to think on long and hard before I answered it. For reference, I also spoke to my general physician to get some medical feedback on this type of problem and as I am far from a physician or a registered expert, I recommend that if you feel you need expert advice, that you talk to your personal physician as well. Misery Misses Company Dear Heather, I can’t believe I am writing to you on this. I would prefer not to … Continue reading →

Dear Heather … Beginning Walkers

Good morning, welcome to our latest Dear Heather and while this week it may be short, but sweet, I wanted to answer some questions, including questions I found on the forum boards. This is has been a crazy week here in the life, a week that bid goodbye to one old friend of mine and to bid farewell to another friend of my family, a very nice lady I’ve known since I was a kid. It definitely makes me think about the choices I make in life, reassess what I’ve done, what I want to do and where I want … Continue reading →

Dear Heather … I Hate Working Out

Good morning! I’ve been feeling a bit sluggish to start the last couple of days. I’ve been changing my fitness routine around and there’s something about getting out of your comfort zone that makes you sleep sounder and while I feel more energetic during the day, I am a little bit slower to get up in the morning. That should pass here shortly. One of the notes I got this week actually addressed a problem that I have experienced recently so let’s start off there. Getting off on the Wrong Foot with Walking Dear Heather, I started walking regularly or … Continue reading →

Dear Heather … You Said ….

Good morning and welcome to January’s first edition of Dear Heather. I am thinking it might need another title, so if you have a suggestion, I’d love to hear it. If it comes down to a contest, well – I may launch one just for that reason next week. Let’s see how it goes. In the meanwhile, let’s dive into a couple of letters I got over the weekend. Arguing Over the Game Console Dear Heather, You wrote an article about the Nintendo Wii and my husband and I have been having an argument about whether or not to get … Continue reading →

Dear Heather … What Can We Do?

Here is our last edition of Dear Heather for December. I had several notes in the last week or so and more than a couple of them were pretty much the same. Three parents were concerned about their children who were more interested in their Game Boys, Playstations and more than they were in physical activity. My Daughter Refuses to Be Active Dear Heather, I’m worried about my daughter. She’s four, but she doesn’t like to get involved in any real activities. She likes to play video games and she’s good at them. If it’s not on her Game Boy … Continue reading →