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Posts tagged ‘foundation of happiness’

Apr 14

Got 30 minutes?

30minonyouquote-ITELast week, I was rushing around getting ready for a trip, trying to tie up all of the loose ends at home, at work, and with my travel plans. I was convinced that I didn’t have time to work out or go for my morning walk.

In fact, I had a full conversation with myself about all of the reasons why I didn’t have time today. The conversation had some fact-based rationale behind it, for sure, but in essence it was about all the reasons/excuses for why I simply couldn’t make the time on this day to put myself in the equation and practice my regular self-care morning ritual.

Then, I asked myself, “What if I took just 30 minutes to focus on me? What would happen? Read more

Feb 10

Living your best life

Living best at 50. Embarking on an adventure of Lori Firsts!

LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OLD SEVEN MILE BRIDGE TRAVELERS VISIT THE MUSEUM ON PIGEON KEYI am so happy. I’m heading out on winter vacation to Florida with my sweetie where I will embark on many “Lori Firsts!” In preparation for my trip, I picked up reading material for the plane — the February editions of O’ Magazine and People Magazine.

Gracing the cover of People is the most incredible photo of supermodel Christie Brinkley at age 60 in a turquoise swimsuit. Christie sports a bod and a youthful face that make her look 32 not 60. Wow! For someone who grew up watching her grace the cover of every major lifestyle magazine, I couldn’t help buy it to read her story.

On the cover of O’ Magazine is a very sexy and stylish Oprah Winfrey in a skin tight white dress hugging every curve. Love it! (I want that dress.) She looks elegant and sophisticated. I don’t know if she has a body shaper on under that awesome dress, but who cares — you go girl! Oprah also just turned 60 and looks fabulous. Read more

Jan 22

Glass half empty or half full?

Learning to self correct

409px-Glass-of-waterI’m not sure who coined the phrase “glass half full” or “glass half empty,” but I love it and use it a lot. It’s a fantastic rhetorical description of how one sees the world — through optimistic eyes or through a more pessimistic lens. And, as I’ve experienced first hand, this worldview permeates everything and affects the outcomes we see in our lives.

This was not always evident to me. In fact, prior to my transformation, I may have argued against it. I spent most of my adult life overweight, unhappy, busy doing everything for everyone else, and looking at the glass half empty (or vacillating wildly between half full and half empty).

And I did this despite the fact that my natural temperament and personality is optimistic and passionate at heart. Why? Read more

Sep 22

My foundation of happiness

Lori-HappyFallLast week, I was driving alone in my car (tunes cranked) on my way to a client meeting when I randomly burst into a big smile. I couldn’t ditch the smile for several minutes. The song on the radio made me think about someone special and I was grinning from ear to ear — “perma grin.” I love these spontaneous outbursts of happiness in the middle of a stressful work day!

I know what you’re thinking. Yes, it was a “guy!” But that’s not the point. We dated and he  is no longer in the picture. Nope, the girl didn’t get the boy. But instead of feeling bummed (already felt that emotion), I am truly grateful and happy that our paths crossed. We had fun. He is a great person and treated me well. While he was only in my life for a season — it was a good one and I feel blessed.

I’m recognizing small moments of happiness and gratitude, like this one, a lot lately.

Read more

Jul 19

2 Comments

The 7-Day In Your Equation Challenge

intheequation-summermountain-lorischaeferJuly 19-25, 2013

Okay, peeps. It’s accountability time. For me and for you! After a short period of “slippage” on life with Lori-in-the-equation, it’s time to restart. To get back in the center of the equation and with my health and wellness goals top of mind. Who’s with me?!

Today, I issued a 7-day In Your Equation Challenge. To accept the challenge and participate, you must commit to being 100% all in on being in your equation – whatever that means to you. It can be as detailed and specific as you like. But, perhaps most importantly, it affords you the opportunity to think about and define what being in your equation really means…to you. How do you best honor yourself and meet your health and wellness needs?

Read more

May 27

The challenge to maintain is a gift

You-know-what-you-want-Lao-TzuAnd, let’s be honest – it is not easy!

One week ago today, I posted my blog about celebrating one year of success maintaining my 200+ pound weight loss. It was a record-breaking blog.

After posting it in the popular weight loss blog Loseit, more than 13,000 people read it in the first 8 hours; nearly 20,000 total! It caused my web traffic to slow, and at one point my website cracked under the pressure of heavy traffic. Yikes! (I apologize if you were caught in the crossfire and couldn’t get access.) Read more

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