Feb 13
I want to share this sentiment with you today in case no one else has. YOU are totally awesome! It’s true.
And, if you are brave enough, take five minutes right now, to list off in your head — or better, jot down on a post-it note and stick it to your wall or mirror — at three reasons why you’re totally awesome! I know you can do it. And I know you’ll feel better if you do. Read more
This from the girl who once said “I hate the gym” & “I can’t do it”… and now says: “OMG, I’m running!” & “What next?!”
Today’s blog is for those who HATE to exercise or FEAR the gym. It’s for anyone who can’t bring themselves to join the gym or to use their stale membership because they either don’t know what to do, are intimidated by the equipment or the people, or feel it’s too expensive. Or, all of the above!
This blog is for anyone who thinks they’re too busy with kids, work and “life” to take time out for themselves every day — to exercise, to meditate, to walk, practice yoga, take a soothing bath, stretch, or take one step to change a diet habit. This blog is really for anyone who believes they can’t do it. Read more
In the Equation — the top blogs from 2014.
At the start of our climb to Humpback Rock in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia over 2014 Christmas break.
Here’s wishing you all a Happy & Healthy New Year!
Thanks for being a part of this online community where we’re working toward living happy, healthy and whole lives by learning to take care of ourselves…by putting ourselves in the equation.
I’ve been blogging at intheequation.com for more than four years now. And, trust me, I learn and grow on the journey toward wholeness every time I share my story, celebrate a milestone, or tackle a tough subject here. Blogging helps me stay focused on living intentionally and reaching my greatest potential. It’s also my desire to provide hope, inspiration and support to others who struggle with their weight, health and overall happiness — inside and out.
So, after a two-week holiday hiatus from the blog to spend time with my loved ones, I am back and ready for a new year! Read more
…and I had the courage to begin my transformation journey.
BEFORE: This is me at the start of weight loss boot camp.
AFTER: This is me in my makeover photo shoot after reaching goal in May 2012.
Four years ago today, I found myself at a live-in, weight-loss boot camp at my beloved resort on Lake Superior — beginning a journey that would change the trajectory of my life forever.
I had no idea at the time just how much this one decision would matter, or what it meant in the grand scheme of my life. Nor did I have a clue how much courage I would have to muster. There simply was no way to prepare my mind and body for what I was about to put it through. Nor was there a way to ease my intense fear.
And so, with a pit in my stomach the size of California, I leapt off the cliff. I adopted a “just do it” mentality and trusted that I would survive the boot camp and be stronger for it. I trusted that my business would be okay in the hands of others for those two weeks and that my clients would understand. And, I trusted my mentor and inspiration, O’Neal Hampton, when he said “We’ve got this. You can be happy.”
I trusted in these things because at 381 pounds I felt I had no choice. I weighed more than an NFL Defensive Lineman (the biggest player on the football team) and was living a small and limiting life. Although I was successful in my career, I had given up on love, had a limited social life because I couldn’t do so many things at my size. And, I was secretly hiding behind the shame that I had let my body and my life come to this and I couldn’t seem to fix it.
To mask the internal pain, I stuffed my feelings with gallons of fast and processed foods, and worked 12 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, in an office chair. This was not a path to a happy and fulfilling life. Rather, it was a quick road to an early death since stroke, diabetes and heart disease all run rampant in my family. I was out of the equation of my own life, not even in the picture at all. And, I was out of options.
Courageous Girl
It takes immense courage to change your life when you’ve lost hope. But I did it. I swallowed hard, packed my bags, handed off the reigns of my marketing business, and ventured to Minnesota’s North Shore for weight-loss boot camp. Taking one moment, one hour at a time, I repeated to myself over and over what O’Neal had said to me: “We’ve got this. You can do this.”
I showed up on day one of the two-week boot camp and in that first meeting with the program director set this goal for myself: “I will NOT quit. No matter what!” That goal has been my mantra since that very day four years ago. Yep, it was not just my goal in boot camp, but my new mantra in life, especially when the going gets tough. And it has served me well.
Most people set weight loss goals at the beginning of the boot camp. But I knew that, for me, it would be tough to stay in the game and not throw in the towel when the going got really, really tough. To keep fighting and pushing forward through intense physical and emotional pain would be my biggest victory. I knew that if I found the courage to do that, the weight loss would follow.
I was right.
I went on to lose -211pounds, nearly 50% body fat, and 11 dress sizes. It took me 18-months from that day to lose the weight and achieve a body fat of 14.5%. I’ve now maintained my weight loss for 2.5 years, with a few ups and downs. That was the physical transformation. But it was the internal transformation that was most profound and that many of you have heard me speak and write about. The internal happiness that comes from learning self-love and acceptance, and really believing that you are enough. This is the gift that leaves one nearly speechless. And the gift that truly keeps on giving, and giving and giving.
Taking stock of the journey & reaping the rewards…one anniversary at a time
Each year on the anniversary of my official transformation start (Nov. 28-Dec. 11, 2010) and again on the anniversary of reaching my goal weight (May 12, 2012), I blog about the impact on my life. I write about what the transformation anniversary means to me and how my life is different as a result. And, each year, I hope to reach others with my message: Each and every person deserves to be happy, can be happy, and has within them the power to make it happen. I am a living example. If I can do it, you can do it.
This year, I’ve decided to take stock in a slightly more formal way. I’ve set a goal to write something every day in my personal journal and/or here about the transformation as I’m experiencing it today. It’s strange but I have found that the farther I get into the journey of healthy living, the more profound the transformation for me.
The internal transformation continues, and the learning and growth are more palpable with each passing month and year. The external transformation — learning to live a healthy lifestyle and keep the weight off (which for me means battling addiction and changing life-long patterns and behaviors) — becomes more real. I thought it would get easier with time but the truth is, it ebbs and flows, like life. It is definitely an ongoing challenge and a process.
Proud, happy and grateful
So, today, on the four-year anniversary of my life-changing transformation start, I feel intensely proud of my courage and eternally grateful for the process AND the results.
I am grateful for the life-changing gift of health and happiness. I am grateful for my new life, even with its twisty ups and downs. I am grateful for O’Neal Hampton, my inspiration and mentor in the boot camp process. And, for my coaches and trainers who’ve helped me along the way. I am grateful for Sue, Shari and Carrie who supported me in those incredibly challenging boot camp days, and in many days since.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all of my family, friends and supporters — old and new — who continue to encourage, cheer, listen and support me now, four years later.
Finally, I hold tremendous gratitude in my heart that I am strong enough, brave enough, beautiful enough, sexy enough, wise enough, courageous enough to follow my heart and go for my big, hairy, audacious goals and dreams — wherever they may take me.
Thank you for reading this blog. For being here as part of the In the Equation community. And for being courageous enough to follow your dreams and go for your big, hairy, audacious goals!
XO
Lori
#courageousgirl #beyondgrateful #happyhealthygirl
Read related blogs here, including a few from my boot camp experience four years ago:
You are exactly where you need to be
Day 1: 7 hours and still going strong
Climbed a mountain and then some
Oberg Mountain — my new personal quest
Celebrating one year in a little black dress
Cardio with a twist!
This summer I’ve adopted a new morning ritual and this morning I realized it and deemed it as such. It’s my “in the equation” start to every day and it totally works for me.
For almost three months, I’ve evolved my morning routine to include this 45 min ritual. It combines my preferred form of cardio — power walking in a beautiful place, preferably around or near water — with a couple of simple mental practices that help me throughout my day.
Also, because I’m on the move and living part-time in Minnesota and part-time in Maine, it allows me to have a daily practice that is consistent and helps me focus mind, body and spirit before the day ensues — no matter where I am. It helps ground me. Read more
When the universe knows just what you need and it shows up!
You know me to be a straight shooter. So here goes.
I’ve been struggling again emotionally, battling the ongoing urge to cope with stress and worry by turning to food. Admittedly, my weight is up out of my comfort zone and that is of concern. But of greater concern, is that my attempts at restart are on day three and so far have been unsuccessful.
So again today, I vowed, this is the day. Restart. Refocus. And, for better or worse, for me that means “go public.” The cool thing is that today is the day the restart will be successful. I know this because inspiration is showing up everywhere. And I am so grateful.
First, as I walked into the fitness studio this morning for my first training appointment back in the Twin Cities in over three weeks, I was greeted by someone working hard on the elliptical with a very enthusiastic smile, and a “Hey, hi, wow, you look great!…”
At first, I was a bit taken back and mustered a smile (although privately I wasn’t in a great place and barefly made it to the studio for training today). As I got closer and this friendly face hopped off the elliptical to hug me, I realized it was a former neighbor, friend and colleague I haven’t seen in years — well, probably since I lost the weight. Read more
I’ve been in a funk. Not a big one and only for a short time, but I am officially admitting it to myself and calling it a funk.
It’s just one of those times in life when I let the gloomy weather affect my mood and feel less resilient to the daily stress that comes from balancing it all — a career and building a business, the long to-do list including a host of home and yard chores, relationships with lots of different people while balancing a long distance romantic relationship (lucky girl!), travel, future planning and dreaming, and of course, self care.
What happens when I get in this place is that I start to see excuses crop up for why something is the way it is, or why I can’t do/achieve something I want. Excuses are my clue that something is wrong and getting off track. And only I can right the ship.
Excuses sound like this. I don’t have enough money so I can’t start the business I really want and pursue my deepest passion. I can’t write a book or a full on coaching program right now because I don’t have the time, or a publisher, and I can’t manage and build two businesses at once. There isn’t enough money to do it all so I have to choose. I’m not good with business finances. Sound familiar? Read more
This makes me laugh so I wanted to share. I needed a chuckle today. Hope it works for you, too!
I came down with a bad cold this past weekend, just as I was getting on a roll again with my “Lori in the equation healthy living.” This includes a 5-6x per week exercise routine. So I didn’t want to stop.
On Sunday, I trained and it wasn’t pretty. I was slow and lethargic throughout my workout, but surprisingly felt better after. This morning was definitely a no go. I went to bed last night with a fever, chills and aches all over — this on top of the basic cold symptoms.
This left me wondering, “Should you work out when you’re sick? What do the professionals say?” I am in a no-excuses mode of healthy living so I don’t want to use being sick as an excuse. But I don’t want to be stupid either. Read more
AS SEEN ON/IN
My journey of personal transformation has been a quest to put myself back in the equation of my life. For me, there were mountains to climb, both literally and figuratively.
After battling a lifelong obesity problem, I learned to create time and space to nurture my health and my inner self. I pushed past fear and in the process lost 211 pounds, 47.5% body fat and 11 dress sizes in 18 months. More importantly, I gained a new perspective on life.
Today, my life is full and happy. I not only climb mountains but inspire others to do the same. Read more about my marketing agency, Marketing that Matters, or my In the Equation work here.
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