I am the Real Deal, BlogHer, a Chicago Meetup and Other Updates.
Oh My Woooord I have finally found my breaking point. Apparently it’s topping an already hectic life with preparing for a 3 day conference in Chicago the week after returning from vacation while living in my temporary 600 sq ft apartment and working full time. yikes!
My life is in a constant state of motion. Every moment has been pretty much accounted for since returning home from vacation. The funny thing is I swear I get more creative when I’m busy. I’ve been feverishly writing down ideas so I don’t forget them. It’s like a feed off franticness. I’m insane, I swear.
Anyway let’s see if I can do a brain dumb and make some sort of sense. First of all let me tell you, after eating all the junk on vacation I’m happy to say my diet is returning to normal. I’ve been food journaling and doing my best by planning meals and being prepared. I even posted two ideas on GreenLiteBites, Spinach Salad w/ Toasted Chickpeas & Pomegranate Vinaigrette and Minted Mango and Lime Chicken on a Stick. My body welcomed some fresh veggies and I have been enjoying cooking even though I miss my kitchen. :(
Now on to the other updates. One of the reasons I’ve been so busy is because of BlogHer. If you guys remember I’m presenting twice. A geek lab session on WordPress and a talk on blogs and body image. Speaking of…
I’m totally psyched to announce… WeAreTheRealDeal.com. I know you guys are going to think I’m crazy as I already have waaaaay to much on my plate but this subject is so near and dear to my heart I feel I NEED to be a part of it. Just check out our mission statement and you’ll see why. Oh! and check my first post there, Is it Wrong to Want to Lose Weight?
ok so BlogHer… I CANNOT WAIT! Plane leaves tomorrow. I’ll be arriving in Chicago around 2. I’ve gotten a few emails about a meet up and I’m ALL for it! Problem is there’s so many darn things going on. So I’m proposing two things.
1.) A Drink! (I can totally use one. You?) :)
Thursday night seems to be my most free. The only thing I want to do is stop by the speakers reception. Other then that I’m chillin’. I’ll be at the Chi Bar around 8 for a drink. If you are in the area and want to meet up join me. Who knows maybe I can even get MizFit to stop by. ;~P Note: don’t ask me if this clashes with any events that are already planned. I’m sure there are TONS. Frankly, I can’t keep up and I’m not going to try to.
2.) A Run
Not sure if I told ya but I’m running in the BlogHer 5k on Friday. However I also want to run Sunday morning. I have 12 miles scheduled for my marathon training. I’m not sure how realistic that is but I’m really want to try to get in a nice long run Sunday morning. If anyone is up for it I’d love some company even if you only run a mile or two with me, it could be fun! :)
There’s only one problem. I have no idea where to run or if even a 6 mile stretch is possible in Chi-town. So I’m open to suggestions. If all else fails I’ll just.. well.. run and see where my feet take me but I thought I’d extend an invitation.
Besides the conference and new blog I’ve been working my butt off at my day job. Thankfully I’ve been loving every minute of it. I’m involved in some really interesting projects some if which I hope to share as they are health related.
On the new house front, it’s all coming together! They started dry walling this week and I should have a settlement date schedule by the beginning of August.

Right now I’ve got to go. It’s 11:30 and I’m not even packed yet. I hope to be blogging while I’m there. Of course I’m gravitating towards the geek sessions so I plan on posting recaps of lessons learned on RoniNoone.com. Other then that I’ll be tweeting, of course and I may even try to keep up the food journal.
ok, gotta go!
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.









Have a great trip Roni!!! I’ve visited Chicago before and from what I saw there is a long running path right on the lake that seems to be popular. Sorry I can’t join you, Em (in London)
Yeah sad I can’t join you guys too! Maybe next time! Have an awesome time-learn and teach lots!
Ill be there. somewhere. you know, AFTER I PACK this morning :)
see you at the hotel.
and the bar.
sure :)
Im up for the bar.
Have a fun trip! I haven’t lived in Chicago very long, but to confirm what Emma B wrote – there is a path along the lake where you can run. I’d say – run east until you hit the lake and either turn right or left. I’m sure you’ll see lots of other runners. Safe travels! :o)
I live/work in Chicago and you can easily do 6 miles on the lake path. If you are at the Sheraton just head east on Illinois, you’ll cross under Lake Shore Drive and you should see the path. It is actually easier to find the path if you head 1 block north to Grand and then east on Grand. I would recommend following the path to the South b/c you can run past Museum Campus (Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and Soldier Field.
Also, highly recommend heading over to Shaw’s Crab House’s blue crab lounge for some healthy fish and awesome staff.
I’m really looking forward to meeting you and MizFit. Can’t wait for our panel! I’ll be at the speakers reception and will try to make it to Chi Bar, too. See you in Chicago.
Have a great trip! There’s 18 miles of paved path on the lake, we biked it when I was in Chi-town last month and it was great! Hope you have a blast :)
Have you used http://www.mapmyrun.com/? I’ve only used it a few times, but you can pinpoint a starting point, tell it how far you want to run, and it will map it for you. Or if you just run and want to know how far you went, you can draw it on a map too. OR you can type in the city and it will give you some suggested routes. Very useful for new cities.
LOVE map my run I used it but it’s hard to see if there are sidewalks sometimes. :( I’m thinking the lake will be fine though! I’m so psyched!
Love the Real Deal! I wish I could make it to Blogher – I even got a waiting list ticket, but had to pass because of my new gig…
Wow! I can’t believe how fast your house is going up! You’ll be in it in no time. Have fun at the conference.
The lake path is beautiful!! It adds a whole different element to running/exercising. It is definitely the most popular running spot in Chicago!
I definitely recommend the lakefront path, and I also second the suggestion to run South from the downtown area. You’ll hit Museum Campus, which can be busy on weekends, but going North can be a disaster up near Oak Street, North Avenue, and Fullerton if it’s nice out; that’s where all the beaches are and they tend to attract a lot of people who aren’t cognizant of the people who are trying to use the path for anything other than meandering at a very slow pace.
Have fun!! Can’t wait to hear all about it. Oh yah, and breathe :)
Have TONS of fun! Can’t wait to hear about it via your tweets :-)