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Posts tagged ‘Hiking & Mountain Climbing’

May 15

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3 lessons I learned on the mountaintop

NOTE: This week marks my 3-year anniversary living as a fit, active, healthy, happy girl from the center of her equation — maintaining a -200 lb weight loss. To celebrate, I’m working on a series of blogs sharing the lessons of the road of the past three years of healthy living. This is a continuing journey. It’s been the ride of a lifetime and I wouldn’t change a thing — even and especially the hard stuff.

Lori-ObergMountain-April2015

Hello mountain. Hello fresh spring air. Hello switchbacks and ascending trails….expansive and breathtaking views. Hello critters of the forest. It’s just us today. Just the way I like it. Good morning!

As I pass the entrance to Oberg Mountain and hit the ascending trail, this is my internal conversation — with myself and my mountain. It’s been months since we’ve met and it feels like coming home again.

Oberg — on the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior — was the first mountain I ever climbed. And like a first love, it will always have a very special place in my heart.

That was not always the case. Read more

Feb 26

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Ever use the excuses: “I hate to exercise,” “I can’t do it,” or “I can’t afford it”?

lori-sean-workoutHow about? “I’m intimidated by the gym. I feel like people are staring at me.” “I can’t find the time, I’m too busy.” “I’m not a morning person.” Did I miss any?

We all know that we need to take care of our bodies and exercise to lose weight, to increase our strength and mobility, to tone our muscles and keep our shape as we age, to reduce our risk of obesity-related diseases like stroke, heart disease and diabetes. Yet, we have every excuse in the book for why we can’t or don’t do it.

I know this story all to well because I lived it. I used every excuse listed and then some! Read more

Oct 15

Step forward toward your goals

From the unknown, to familiar, to conquered, to what’s next?!

My Bud

Bud, my walking partner ready to roll!

As I was walking the Blue Hill Loop last week with my beloved, Bud, it occurred to me that the first time I walked this 2.5 mile loop, it felt far more difficult and I wasn’t certain I’d make it. It was new and unfamiliar territory and surprisingly up hill. Randy was walking at an incredibly fast clip and there were times I was struggling to keep up. (And, I was the one who was supposed to be in shape!).

I remember asking several times how much farther we had to go. I didn’t know where I was, how far into the journey, or how to get home. The uncertainty was nagging at me.

When my Mom visited in July, we walked the Loop and she reacted the same way that I did that first time. It felt challenging and she kept asking how much farther and if there was a short cut. (To my Mom’s credit, she is in her 70’s and was brave enough to tackle the walk!)

I can’t help wonder if sometimes the fear of the unknown stops us short of taking on new things…of really going for our big, hairy, audacious goals — or even doing little things because they are unfamiliar. We worry they might be difficult, we might not succeed, and the outcome is uncertain. Read more

Oct 3

What gives you inspiration and hope?

Superior National Gofl Course at LutsenThis, right here, does it for me! The unbelievably gorgeous beauty of nature in my favorite season and in a place I have grown to love and to refer to as my “happy place.”

This photo was taken this week by my friends and clients at Superior National Golf Course in the foothills of Lutsen Mountains, located in Cook County, MN. Fall in all her glory on the shores of Lake Superior. Breathtaking. Stunning. Inspiring. What inspires you?

May 7

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Let’s get movin peeps – it’s good for the soul!

Lori Schaefer - Before & After -200+ lbsOMG, what a glorious spring day in Minnesota and a glorious day to be alive and moving toward our goals and dreams!

Yes, I am a happy and enthusiastic camper today. I got outside for early morning cardio around the lake, to the gym for much needed strength training and cardio, and in fact I had to drag myself inside to get ready for work. Add in some conversation with a couple of great guys and, well, for me, that’s a formula for a happy day! But that’s just me. 🙂

Time to regroup, restart and get this body movin!  Read more

Oct 20

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Exercise: Making it fun…for life

Winter is fast approaching and I have been making plans for my exercise routine on those days that I just can’t bring myself to bundle up and walk/hike outside. Daily cardio in the gym (elliptical and treadmill) was a key part of my training program when I was in fat loss, and though I don’t enjoy it quite as much as being in the great outdoors, I know it is a necessity. So, I either bundle up or bring it into the gym. Read more

Sep 20

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Hiking! Mountains! Happy!

I am a hiker. There is perhaps nothing I love more right now than tackling a tough trail or a tall mountain and being out in the beautiful God-given outdoors/wilderness! I love the adrenaline rush, the challenge, the smells, and the sights and sounds of natural beauty all around me. I love the challenge of pushing myself faster, harder, steeper. And, the combination of all of the above — well, it makes me happy..and fit! Read more

Jun 11

Celebrating 1.5 years on the path to healthy Lori

Today’s hike on the Superior Hiking Trail at my beloved Temperance River State Park was extraordinary. I have made this trek countless times and it remains one of my favorites. But today both the physical and spiritual experience topped all others. I traveled far faster than ever before along this windy trail and much deeper into the forest, stopped only by time and the threat of my day job looming.

Read more

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