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Posts tagged ‘diet and exercise’

Oct 27

From last one up the mountain to the heart health of an athlete

lori-oct2016

Guess who has the heart health of an athlete? Yep, this is her!

If you struggle with self-care and avoid the doctor, or believe you can’t change your health trajectory, please read on!

Dejavu?! Last week, I found myself in the exact same situation almost six years to the day (Oct. 2010-Oct. 2016). In a a hospital gown at the doctor’s office sitting on the edge of the bed talking with my doctor.

While the scene was the same, the visits and the results were not.

In 2010, I FORCED myself to go to the doctor for a medical exam after a nearly 20-year avoidance of all things medical. I had to have medical clearance to participate in the weight-loss boot camp that I was signed up for in Nov. 2010. Of course, my sheer terror of all things medical and the shame I carried around related to my weight, had me procrastinating and cutting this mandatory doctor’s visit pretty close to the start of the boot camp.

As you can perhaps predict, the actual experience of visiting the doctor for the first time in 20 years wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I had made it out in my head to be (often the case with our fears). Though I had myself worked up to a state of near panic going in so who knows how that affect my blood pressure!

The doctor’s sage advice that stuck in my head from that terrifying visit in 2010: “I’m going to clear you for the weight-loss boot camp, but I want you to keep your competitive spirit in check and be the last one up the mountain.” Read more

Jul 25

The emotional side of the journey can make or break you

I choose make! Tips from a (recovering) emotional eater.

eattofuelHappy Monday, peeps. Forgive me for not getting a blog out last week. The truth is, I had to double down to keep Lori-in-the-equation and stay on track amidst some unexpected emotional upset and stress.

This “emotional upset” triggered my long-lost (ex) friend — the Worthiness Gremlin. Yep, that’s my nickname for destructive “old” thought patterns and internal voices that make me doubt myself and my worth. The bottom line: I had to hunker down and go “all in” to stay healthy.

As if that weren’t enough to navigate, we’ve had a crazy heat wave in MN with temps in the high 90’s and heat indexes of 110-120 degrees. That meant my go-to-method of managing emotional stress — power walking my neighborhood lake — was not always available to me. So I had to find alternatives.

Despite those obstacles, I had a solid week on my Lori-in-the-equation healthy restart. Yes! Several wins here. I managed to stay the course on my nutritional plan in the face of emotional pain and upset that in the old days would have triggered emotional binge eating like a pro. I found a way to exercise every day, even when it was in the high 90’s with 78% humidity outside. I stayed off the alcohol, giving up several opportunities for a summer cocktail on the patio with friends. (Though I’ll admit that a week of wild emotions had me wanting to drink!) And, perhaps most importantly, I worked extra hard to hold my strong sense of self and stay positive among some serious emotional pain, upset, worry, and stress. I did this by focusing only on what I can control — ME.

Why am I sharing my personal struggle with the emotional side of the weight-loss and wellness equation? Because I think many of you share it. Read more

Aug 6

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In the Equation MN Meet Ups

Join us in St. Paul at Como Lake Thursday’s in August!

ComoLake-2015I’m excited to announce FREE weekly meet-up sessions for anyone in the In the Equation community who wants to meet, walk, talk and support each other in reaching their goals.

These MN Meet-ups are for those who need a little extra push to get started, for anyone in search of some walking pals and/or accountability for reaching your  goals. Or, for those wanting to just learn more about me and In the Equation.com.

It does NOT have to be about weight loss or diet and exercise. For many, “putting yourself in the equation” means making time for you and making your needs, your goals, your dreams a priority — whatever they are! Read more

Feb 2

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My Biggest Loser Experience: WOW!

“When life kicks you in the teeth and knocks you down to the ground. Are you able to stand up and keep fighting?! That’s what it’s all about.” – Bob Harper, Trainer, NBC Biggest Loser

Lori Schaefer & Dolvett Quince on NBC's The Biggest Loser Season 16 Live FInaleI’m fresh off my Hollywood experience appearing on NBC’s season finale of The Biggest Loser, Glory Days, last Thursday, Jan. 29. I had the privilege of sharing my at-home transformation story on the live finale. And all I can say about the experience is: WOW!

Indeed, it was the experience of a lifetime. I could not be happier or more humbled by the amazing people I met and those that I’ve had the privilege to connect with online since the show. Stories of amazing heartbreak, struggle, triumph and transformation. Wow stories. Read more

Jul 24

Kudos to biggest loser Rachel

And anyone who has lost massive weight and kept it off!

rachel-frederickson-mainFinding  the delicate balance between healthy living for life (weight maintenance) after massive weight loss and not going too extreme in the other direction is NOT easy. For many of us who have been obese for most of our adult lives, it requires intense self-awareness, focus, diligence, and learning to live and cope in new ways — without using food as a “go to” source of comfort.

On the one hand, it would be so easy to let things slide back into a slippery slope of using food as a crutch to meet emotional needs. Often, that is the addictive personality at work in us. We fear letting things slip to the point of resuming old eating patterns and putting the weight back on. And on the other hand, for many of us, it would be just as easy to become obsessed with watching our weight, working out to extremes, dieting for life, and not finding the new healthy that works for us — both for our bodies and our minds.

There are two extremes that many of us fear. It’s not as simple as losing the weight and going about your business. And if you think it will be, you will likely fall into one of these categories.

So when I see success stories of people who have not only lost massive weight but maintained it, and who are willing to share how difficult this process is, it makes me smile.  And I want my blog readers to know this side of the story as well. Read more

Jan 19

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Food and activity trackers

Good for weight loss and weight maintenance. Now more fun than ever!

Fitness TrackersFor many people, along with the new year’s resolution to get healthy and fit comes the commitment to track their food intake and exercise. In fact, activity trackers are one of the most popular holiday gifts and many people start the new year with their new intentions and their new trackers.

The goal for most of us who track our food and exercise is to focus on healthy living and gain some accountability. But does it really help to track your nutrition and your daily exercise when it comes to weight loss and weight management?

In fact, research shows it does! And there is lots of it. This 2008 study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine says that keeping a food diary was proven to double weight loss. And since 2008, it’s gotten way easier to do with digital technology and mobile apps (some that even scan labels) so you can track from your phone or mobile device. Read more

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