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Posts tagged ‘Before and After’

Aug 13

I weighed more than an NFL Defensive Lineman

LoriSchaefer-Before-AtWorkIn honor of Throwback Thursday, I’m throwing it back to one of the very few “before” photos that I have of me weighing 381 lbs — more than an NFL Defensive Lineman! (I’m on the far left, and yes, that’s Naomi Tutu & my team next to me at a work event.)

I didn’t allow my photo to be taken much when I was this weight, so this is a rare post. I’m posting it in honor of #tbt, but also to remind me what is possible when we get our mind and our thinking straight.

I am living proof that anything is possible when we put ourselves in the center of the equation of our own life. When we take care of our health, our wellness, our happiness, first — before we take care of everyone and everything else. Read more

Jan 28

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Guess who’s on the NBC Biggest Loser Finale?

I’ll give you one guess!

It’s true. I’m in LA with LoriSchaefer-After-BigPantsmy mom getting ready to tell my transformation story on the live finale of NBC’s Biggest Loser, Season 16. I’m thrilled to be here and meet everyone. And, I’m excited to share my story.

Tune in to your local NBC channel from 8-10 p.m. ET (7-9 p.m. for all my peeps back home in Minnesota) and watch the amazing two-hour Biggest Loser finale. You can see me share the story of how O’Neal Hampton and the Biggest Loser inspired me to a -200 lb weight loss, and watch all the amazing transformations from this season. Read more

Aug 18

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Success is changing the inside to sustain the outside

Meet the amazing Lori Martin, Transformation success story #4 in my series titled, “Success. It’s personal. And that’s a good thing.”

Success - Lori MartinDetermination. Focus. Heart. Passion. Courage. Stubbornness. Self-awareness. The ability to go all in and then some. A sense of humor. Learning to embrace the process, as well as the end result.

These are are all qualities I had to muster in abundance during my transformation journey. And each serves me well today as I embrace my new healthy way of living.

They are also the very qualities that my friend, Lori Martin, shares in abundance. It’s why she is one of my favorite transformation success stories, and I’m delighted to share her story with you today as the last in my series – “Success. It’s personal. And that’s a good thing.”

Lori’s Martin measures success differently than you might imagine. While she has lost and maintained 109 lbs — and wants to lose another 100+ — she doesn’t measure success in terms of weight loss. At least not totally. Lori is focused on her WHOLE self, transforming inside and out. We’ve shared this “wholeness” goal since the very beginning and I feel privileged to support her through the ups and the downs. Read more

Aug 4

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From lost hope to #beyondgrateful

Filled with gratitude for the ability to go from small life to WHOLE life!

LoriandBud-smallI woke up Saturday morning, after a week and half of struggle to get back into my MN routine, beyond grateful.

As I entered my day, I was overwhelmed with thoughts about where I am today compared to where I was just four or five years ago. This contrast was just what I needed. The ability to see the big picture from 35,000 feet of all I’ve accomplished and to feel my wildest dreams now coming true.

For those of you that don’t know my story, this November will mark the four-year anniversary of the major turning point in my life. My decision to put myself in the equation of my own life, get healthy and follow my dreams. This is when my transformation journey began. Read more

Jun 26

Success = warrior. Not quitting, no matter what!

Meet Kendra the warrior. Success story #2 in my blog series titled, “Success. It’s personal. And that’s a good thing.”

KendraMalloy

Kendra Malloy. Success story #2.

When I was first asked at weight-loss boot camp to set a goal for the two-week live-in camp, I said without hesitation, “I will not quit. No matter what!” I didn’t know it at the time, but it was one of the most important things I would do to achieve success. I still have that goal today, and it serves me well…over and over.

Most people focus on weight loss as the goal. And in our boot camp nearly everyone, but me, focused on how much weight they wanted to lose in the grueling two-weeks. I get it. But, I’m glad I had the foresight to focus on the bigger picture. Because for me, that was key.

I knew myself and knew that staying in the game when the going got really tough, when my emotions got the better of me and I all I wanted to do was eat myself deeper into the black hole, that was key.

Just over a year ago, I had the pleasure of meeting someone who exhibits that same tenacity and determination. The minute I was introduced to her (virtually), I knew she would be a success and her transformation would be both internal and external, inside and out. I offered to support her transformation journey for those reasons.

Meet the lovely Kendra Malloy from Berkley, Michigan. Kendra calls herself a warrior. And she is! Kendra’s transformation success story — while still in progress — will inspire anyone who can relate to starting out with focus and determination and throwing in the towel when it gets really emotionally tough. Like me, that became part of Kendra’s story. Like me, she struggled with body image and self worth. But this time, like me, Kendra has gone all in! She has NOT thrown in the towel or let herself quit. And to date Kendra has lost 150 pounds, gotten stronger inside and out, and is able to show herself compassion and love! That’s real success and it deserves to be celebrated. Kendra, so do you! Read more

May 12

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Two years fit & healthy. New life…new lessons.

Maintaining -200 pound weight loss for 2 years. What it looks and feels like…really!

Lori Schaefer & Transformation Team O'Neal Hampton, Leif Anderson & Jay Grove

Two years ago, May 12, 2012 at my celebration party — with my physical transformation team.

Exactly two years ago today I was standing in a blue sparkly dress at Surfside on Lake Superior surrounded by 50 of my best and closest peeps. The occasion? To celebrate my -211 lb weight loss and the fact that, finally, I had put myself in the center of my own life!

After 18 months of hard work, and a personal transformation journey that had many ups and downs, I had just reached my weight loss goal — at age 49. The stats were impressive: -211 lbs, -nearly 50% body fat with a final body fat of 14.5% (that of elite female athletes), and an internal happiness that I was only beginning to understand.

To celebrate, I threw a weekend party and invited my closest friends and family to the place where my journey officially started. It was a meaningful, dream weekend and a celebration I will never forget. I still smile when I think about it. It was one of those threshold moments in life. For the first time ever, I was able to celebrate my own accomplishment,, share it with others, and allow them to celebrate me, too.

I remember being so overwhelmed with emotion that I was in tears for much of the early party. And I was so choked up when it was time to speak that I threw out my speech and spoke from the heart. I don’t remember what I said, and I’m certain I didn’t thank every person that I intended to. But it didn’t matter. I was surrounded by those who loved and supported me, they knew how much I appreciated them, and the evening felt truly awesome.

Now, fast forward two years. Read more

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

Sep 25

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Putting the weight back on

Those of you who watch NBC’s Biggest Loser know that one of the challenges they put contestants through toward the end of their journey is to don the weight they have lost while participating in a form of strenuous exercise or physical challenge. My friend and mentor, O’Neal Hampton, was one of those contestants on Season 9’s Biggest Loser and we have discussed what this felt like and how truly difficult it was – physically and emotionally. Read more

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