Putting Lori in the equation
Welcome to my blog – shared with my close friends and colleagues; those interested in supporting me in a very personal quest to put myself into the equation of my own life. Yep, things are about to change in a BIG way.
I have come to discover that my work, my clients, my friends, my family – just about everything in my life – but me – gets my energy, attention, focus, and passion. Leaving, of course, precious little for Lori.
This is not a new phenomenon, but rather a new discovery and framing of a fundamental problem keeping me from being the very best I can be (wait – isn’t that the U.S. Army tagline?!). Well, life is about to get turned upside down as I embark on a personal journey to climb mountains…literally and figuratively.
From Nov. 28-Dec. 12, I will be attending Fitness North – a new live-in weight loss and fitness boot camp (think Biggest Loser style). We will be living at one of my beloved resorts – Surfside on Lake Superior – and hiking mountains and doing cardio and other exercise 6 to 8+ hours per day, every day, and learning about nutrition and healthy eating. I am told by my Fitness North (FN) #1 friends that it will be the absolute toughest thing I could ever imagine doing – and without a doubt the best. Sounds like some very tough moments, days, weeks, are ahead of me to get to the top of the mountain. And yet I am ready. Really ready.
It’s no secret I have had a serious weight problem my entire life and every intervention to date hasn’t work. So here we go. With courage, conviction and whole lot of faith, I am about to wrap up some big work projects, hand off the business for two weeks to my tam and focus on only me — starting with my physical and emotional health.
If you are reading this blog, you are invited (and encouraged) to come along for the journey. Please root for me, push me, cheer for me, support me and think of me in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Thank you in advance for your support. I am delighted to take you along for the ride!
Lori I have great faith in you. Have fun with this, of course you will. Let the experience surprise you, and blessings on the wonderful self-discoveries you will be making.
Lori, you are one tough cookie. It is so good to see you taking on one of the hardest thing out there…body, spirit, and everyhting in between. Now that you have found a starting point you will be wondering what you may find next…Wishing you a safe and successful voyage. Kisses & Hugs. – Nadya
Lori – one step, one mountain – at a time. Sending very best wishes and encouragement your way. And you can bet that I'll be following your journey with great interest.
Onward!
Jeanne
Lori… you're wonderful! I am your witness and supporter as you seek to grow in so many ways! You are bundling the physical with the spiritual in a way that will shatter the familiar and reveal new truths for you! I will ache when you ache and feel joy when you feel joy! And, I will hold your vision too so that I can point to it for you in case you lose sight of it! It's good to see Lori first! xxx Loving you, Mary Beth
Lori, Thanks for inviting us along on your journey! It sounds like you are READY for the adventure and all of the lessons. I will support you any way I can. Your fan, Marcia
Lori, I know you can achieve whatever you focus on. How lucky that your focus now is you!
Blessings and love to you as you begin to fully inhabit your life!
Annie
You can do this, Lori! We all know you can…now you need to know you can. Good luck and we'll be reading your posts with interest, support & a pack of high school pep squad-worthy cheers!
Climb every mountain,
Search high and low,
Follow every highway,
Every path you know.
Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
'Till you find your dream.
A dream that will need
All the love you can give,
Every day of your life
For as long as you live.
Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
'Till you find your dream.
Lor, I'm with you every step!
Elaine
I have been there and i know you can do it. One step at a time. I am so glad we met and can journey this road together. Celebrating your courage today!
Sista – you rock!
Thanks everyone – you're the best! I value having each of you in my corner.
Lori- By committing yourself to this program, you've already cleared one of the biggest hurdles! You'll be working alongside others who share in your aspirations and you have a huge support network outside of that! Best wishes as you embark on your journey. We're here for you every step of the way!
good for you, Lori! You are an inspiration.
You will do well, you are ready. This is your new job priority and as you will soon experience it is work. If it was easy and glamourous and thrilling there would be few weight problems. It does get thrilling as pass milestones though! You already know how to be a hard worker for everyone else, now it's you that gets the focus of your superb attention to detail and creativity: You are JOB ONE! (now I sound like a Ford commercial). You deserve your attention as much as any of your clients and projects, so get to it, can't wait to go along with you!
I am behind you all the way, Lori. Looking forward to following your blog and cheering you on over the next two weeks…and always! You are an inspiration in so many ways. So glad you are putting YOU first now.
Ahhhhh my dear friend….here you go!! It's a tough climb, a tough ocean to cross with waves crashing you back to the beach….BUT you WILL persevere!! You are ready. You are committed. At the end of this 2-week period, you will have more energy and confidence to continue on your climb. I am here for you. On a fun note….let’s have another photo shoot along the way. A fun snow themed shoot with more pictures of you to document your progress. ;^)
You have always been at the top of your game. A leader in every way. I can't imagine how hard this will be but I know you CAN DO IT! I will be following, loving, and praying for you along this difficult path. I love you! MOM
I can't wait to hear your description of the view from the top of those mountains.
Hey Schaef,
I'm so happy that you are taking this time for yourself and letting us share it with you. It will be a wonderful experience. You can achieve anything you set your mind to. Good luck and take care.
Ellen Fried
Hey Lori, This is it! I am so glad you are taking this on and I know you can do it. I would Love to be at the top of that mountain to record your new vision! Stephan
Good luck! We're glad you're taking time for yourself. We know you can do it. We love you.
Dad and Kathy
so proud of you Lori. So glad you be focusing on YOU. What an incredible journey. Jeff and I will follow closely and want to provide you with any inspiration and support you need. God Speed!
Emily
Lori – how did your first day go? I am here with you. Today Hanna and I went Christmas shopping and I bought myself a present and thought of you. I bought the book “Making The Cut” by Jillian Michaels. The first thing I read when I just randomly opened the book was that salt/sodium slows down one's metabolism. I never knew that. Now I guess I really do have to cut salt totally out. I am here for you!! Be strong…ROAR!!!! I am the lion in your den!! What can I do for you when you come home??
RROOOOAAAAARRRRRRR!!!!!
Lori you ARE doing it! There are very few people in the world that have or will climb the actual mountains you are climbing on the North Shore. God's beautiful creation is all around you. Enjoy the view. God put it there just for you. (He/She won't even mind if you have to puke on it! God knows it's not personal!)
Karen J.
Lori,
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh!
Thinking of you today!
Betsy
Thanks everyone for the comments. I so needed that. Pool at 6:00 a.m. up at 5:15! And yes, I said pool!
Could not be more proud of you and the journey you are beginning. Enjoy each and every minute. We are rooting for you!!
Anxious to hear how today went. Love you MOM
Hey Ms. Lori,
Checking in this chilly last November night because I've been thinking of you all day. Just had to send my greetings and support. We're all roaring for you. And you can hear us, I know.
Hugs,
Jeanne
Lor…been thinking of you all week. How's the water? What about the climbing? I'm anxious to hear what's happening and how you are feeling!!
Send an update when you can!!
Elaine
Go girl go!! I'm sending you all kinds of positive energy and good thoughts as you charge through this amazing time! Almost half way there sister…YES YOU CAN!!
Lis
Thinking of you, Hope all is going well, Hang in there we know you can do it.
Climb The Mountain
I tried to climb the mountain today. As I inched my way up the path, I felt out of breath and had to turn back.
I tried to climb the mountain today. But, It was so hot outside, I thought I had better stay in my nice air-conditioned house and rest up for tomorrow's attempt.
I tried to climb the mountain today. On my journey, darkness started to fall and I was full of fear, so I had to return to a safe place.
I was ready to climb the mountain today. But I had so may other things to do, so instead of climbing the mountain I took care of the much more important tasks; I washed my car, mowed the grass and watched the big game. Today the mountain will have to wait.
I was going to climb the mountain today. But as I stared at the mountain in all it's majestic beauty, I knew I had no chance of making it to the top, so I figured why even begin trying.
I had forgotten about climbing the mountain today, until an old friend came by and asked what I was up to lately. I told him about all my plans to climb that mountain someday. I went on and on about how I was going to accomplish the task.
He stopped me and said, “I just got back from climbing that mountain. for the longest time I told myself I was going to try to climb it but never made any progress.”
“I almost let the dream of making it to the top die. I came up with every excuse of why I could not make it up the mountain, but never once did I give myself a reason why I could. One day as I stared at the mountain and pondered, I realized that if I didn't make an attempt at this dream all my dreams would eventually die.”
” The next morning, I started my climb. It was not easy, and at times I wanted to quit. But no matter what I faced, I placed one foot in front of the other, keeping a steady pace. When the wind tried to blow me over the edge, I kept walking. When the voices inside my head screamed, stop! I focused on my goal, never letting it out of sight. I kept moving forward. I could not quit because I knew I had come too far to stop now. Time and time again, I reassured myself that I was going to finish this journey. I struggled mightily to make it to the top, but I CLIMBED THE MOUNTAIN.”
“I have to be going,” my friend said. “Tomorrow is a new day to accomplish more dreams. By the way what are you going to do tomorrow?”
I looked at him, with intensity and confidence in my eyes, and said, “I HAVE A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB.”
Keep Climbing Lori! So Proud of You!
Love ya
Tim
Lor…onward and upward as week number two begins! Keep going and I'm betting you'll come home with snowshoes strapped to the top of your car! Como Park is really close to you remember!!!
I'll be thinking of you,
Elaine
Just Me with a hug for you!
I can't believe that you only have one more day out of 2 wks left. Awesome. GREAT JOB, WELL DONE! MOM
You are on the home stretch now. I can hardly wait to talk to you. Love you MOM
Lor…..I'm so amazed at what you just accomplished these past two weeks!
You should be happy and proud of your success. And it looks like snowshoes for Christmas might not be a bad idea! Winter at SurfSide will
never be the same!
Congratulations Lor!!!
Elaine
Lori, I read every post you had and I am so amazed at your journey. I noted that snowshoeing was your favorite. We have a lot of snow here in the Twin Cities now and I have more than one pair of snowshoes.
Congrats. I am here for you when you come home.
Julie G
its your godson i love you tons keep trucking you can do it you have been threw so much and always seem to land with your head held high. you will inspire alot of people to better themselves and feel really good about it in the process i love you even though i dont show it to you alot. luv you tons.