Missing my Fitness North peeps

Hanging out at Surfside in Unit 7 alone tonight working after my "short" cardio workout in the Fitness Center and totally missing my Fitness North peeps. Thought I would post these photos to share some of the journey with you all. Reflections coming later this week as I end my time on the shore and re-enter my home life.

Today was an amazing day as I basked in the glow of a healthier me and work went well. I can't stop smiling!

My Fitness North 2 Finale

Wow, what a journey this has been these past two weeks! A journey to the heart, to the head, and to better health. After just two weeks here, I feel stronger and healthier inside and out. There is no question that I will be successful as I continue on the path to my goal. This is my time. The resolve is incredibly strong.

Today, our final day on the Fitness North campus at Surfside, we awoke early to weigh in and get our two weeks results. I lost 21 lbs in 12 days, plus some inches (forgot exact number) and lowered my % of body fat by a fairly significant margin. More importantly, I pushed myself to levels I didn't think were possible and gained an inner strength and confidence that had been missing for some time.

Everyone in our group did extremely well on the hard numbers, but it is the journey itself and the fact that we have all pushed way past what we thought we were capable of that is of greatest significance. The knowledge I gained about the nutritional side of the equation is certainly worth noting, but even better, I leave knowing that if I follow the plan/path set out for me I will have guaranteed success in reaching my weight loss goals and likely in one year.

We spent the day just reflecting and relaxing and discussing re-entry into our "real lives." The support and camaraderie is unbelievable in our Fitness North family. I am so excited to celebrate the completion of this part of the journey tonight with dinner out at Coho Cafe -- where we get to have a glass of wine (yeah!) -- and then tomorrow we all head back to reality. But for now, we are savoring the final day of Fitness North on campus experience. I am grateful to O'Neal and Sheryl, Leif and Jay and all of my FN #2 participants as well as all of you who have read the blog and commented, or sent cards, notes, emails of encouragement.

Thank you ALL for your support. I will do some reflecting in the days ahead before I close out this blog. I just had to email in the moment to share my initial results and express my gratitude for your support in this journey.

You are amazing!  Thank you for your love and support.

Last Chance Workout and a little PR

Today is our Last Chance workout before our final weigh in tomorrow, Saturday, and a fun day. We are hitting it hard with two circuits this a.m. and yes, indeed, Oberg Mountain in fresh snow, again. I am planning to kick that mountain's _ _ _ this morning, likely with a Star Tribune reporter in tow.

We're all very tired and just trying to keep moving forward through this day. I'll keep you posted post mountain trek. Hoping we can meet at the top and get photos today. We have sun after a fresh 3-5" of snow.

Strong morning workout, storm is here

Two days of full workouts left and then a fun day. Hard to believe how fast the time is going now.

This morning I woke up stiff and sore all over -- back and knees especially -- and wondered how I would press on. Then after our morning cardio circuit and a pool circuit I felt totally better. As Shari said, "you almost feel better working out than you do after when things stiffen up and the soreness sets in."

We're now headed in the snowstorm to the Grand Marais Pumphouse for a killer 2+ hour workout. Missing the hike today because of the blowing snow. But awesome waves.

It is amazing to see our personal transformations happening. I can see the weight loss and shape of my teammates and it is so cool. Yesterday Phillip told me I had a nice shape from the back coming into place. Pretty cool!

Cardio here we come. Hours 4-5 before lunch.

On the home stretch

Week Two, Day Three

It's amazing how quickly we have all become adapted to our Fitness North Days. We just keep walking, moving and pushing past the pain and before you know it we're in week two and mid way through the journey!

This week, we started 5 a.m. workouts and in total we're doing 6-7 hours of cardio per day. We usually start with cardio circuits at 5 a.m., then a pool circuit, then breakfast, then a two-hour hike or more cardio, then at least two more hours in the afternoon.

The snowshoe hikes have become one of my favorites as I enjoy the variety, scenery and we get to see progress each time we hike - or should I say snowshoe. Today at Britton Peak Trail -- the same hike we did on day one -- I went much faster and farther with less pain. 

A highlight of the second week was a conversation I had with O'Neal last night about personal stuff and the emotional side of the equation. It was the beginning of further conversations to come. O'Neal is one of a kind and I feel fortunate to have his guidance through this process.

We have two more full days of workouts Thursday and Friday and then supposedly a "fun" day Saturday. We're told the Star Tribune is coming to do a story on Friday. And, most importantly, our final weigh in is Saturday. Yikes!

We made a great dinner tonight - chicken fajitas with a nice salad. Phillip came over to have dinner with the girls again as his roommate is on a different food plan. He is from Chicago and he is a hoot. We laughed and watched sing off while eating. And as always, we retire early!

Thanks to all who have sent words of encouragement and support. It helps me get through and means the world to me.

Oberg Mountain - My new quest

I just completed my third climb to the top of Oberg Mountain in a week, and that includes the full loop, only this time I did so in excruciating back pain and on a very cold and windy day. I even shaved 20 minutes off the original time! Oberg and I are now intimately acquainted and I think this has become my new quest.

p.s. started workouts at 5 a.m. - added a circuit.

Survived week 1 - stronger, smarter and sorer

Hi all. Sorry it has been so long since I've blogged. Soooooo much has happened in the past 3-4 days at Fitness North! Where to begin. I think the week can be summarized by saying that I am a lot stronger, smarter and sorer. We said goodbye today to a few from our Fitness North Family and will miss Shari, Jim and Leslie, and Mark. We welcomed Gina to our house in Shari's spot for week 2.

Week 1 highlights:

Stronger: We climbed Oberg Mountain a second time on Friday and I did it faster and felt better, which allowed me to enjoy the accomplishment even more; pushed past my personal limits and so much pain in cardio circuits and on the Arc Trainer at Grand Marais Pumphouse where we worked out 2 days in a row; and,  perhaps most importantly, I managed to push through circuits with constant pain after climbing mountains and doing 4-5 hours of cardio -- sore back, knees, calves, shoulders, arms, tired legs...

Smarter: We had several informative sessions and talks on fitness, nutrition, body chemistry and metabolism, with Leif Anderson, our amazing program director and trainer. Plus, we learned to count protein, carbs, fats, etc and prepare our own healthy meals. Thanks to my amazing housemates - Sue, Carrie, and Shari - we did not starve! Had a special visit from Dr. Delrae Messer who spoke to us about toxicity, nutrition, weight loss and detoxification. And, we went grocery shopping in Grand Marais and learned how to read labels and choose healthy foods from the bad stuff - such as rice, peanut butter, oils, etc. All good. So helpful.

Sorer: By the time Saturday rolled around and we finished our last chance workout, I was so sore I thought my body would never return to a comfortable state. Everything hurt, but particularly my knees and back. And this is a level of pain that I can't even describe. But today after a day off and three spa treatments all or most of me feels better. Still sore but on a different scale.

Social: There's been some humor, some tears, some nausea, new friends from the Fitness North family to share the journey and more. We miss Shari tonight as she left us today. As did Jim, Leslie and Mark who all stayed for one week. And we welcomed Gina to our townhome.

I had a nice break and a great day off, but now learned tomorrow starts even earlier. 4:15 will come too soon so I sign off. I suspect another goal setting and breaking week. It will be hard. Wish me luck. Thanks so much for your well wishes and inspiration. I can't tell you how much it helps.

Climbed a mountain and then some!

The Cardio Queen resurfaces - Day 4 almost 5

Sorry I haven't blogged in a couple of days. A BIG thanks to those who have checked in on the blog. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments here. I read them every night before I go to bed.

Days 2 and 3 at Fitness North were incredibly tough for me.The cardio workouts are beyond intense. I had waves of nausea for 2 days straight, and on Wednesday I was in so much pain I literally thought I was going to die. No kidding.

That said, the pain came from an incredible experience climbing Oberg Mountain...in snowshoes...in the cold...accompanied by our program director Leif the entire way. YES, I climbed a mountain. It wasn't pretty but I got the job done and it feels great. Leif was fantastic the way he encouraged, coaxed, prodded and supported me during some tough moments -- though my whining, tears, and even a spell of difficulty breathing. It was the hardest thing I have done to date. But I did it! And it is indeed an experience I won't forget.

We've now snowshoed for 2 hours per day for three days straight - Britton Peak, Leveaux Mountain, Oberg Mountain up the mountain, and today Oberg Mountain the foot trails. We're doing cardio circuits, pool cardio and more 5-6 hours on top of those two hiking hours and there is no stopping. Every inch of my body hurts, but particularly my knees and back. Yet each day we are pushed past any personal limits or "I cant's" and we do it.

The meals are great and we have a food plan and prepare the food in our condos on our own so we're learning all of the nutrition aspects too. The end of our first week is nearing and I honestly can't wait. Though part of our group goes home Sunday, I need that free day to check back in to life and get some real rest.

I wish I had something more clever or funny to blog about. To be honest, I am just doing the workouts, changing clothes about 100 times per day, eating what they tell us, and sleeping. So far, almost no time at all to fit in personal time, and I have to admit the emotional part of the journey hasn't really been getting addressed either.

It is just one foot, one snowshoe, one cardio workout in front of the other. One day, one step at a time. Keep the encouragement coming - I sure could use it.

Lori

Day 2: Very tough but good

Hi all, thanks for the notes. Today was a tough one. Sore and pain from yesterday on top of another 8 or so hours of cardio. Thankfully much of that was in the pool (can't believe I am saying this but I really like the pool). Nausea, pain, determination. More on day 2 and 3 when I am not so exhausted...and sick.

Day 1: 7 hours in and still going strong

Survived my first pool workout in my new swim outfit; the first cardio circuit including my first ever plank (not a big fan); and a snowshoe hike led by Andy and Jeremy on the Britton Peak Trail -- all highlights of the first 7 hours of the first day of Fitness North. Plus a nutritional seminar by Leif, our program director, and a great healthy lunch.

Leif and Jay (Trainers) are amazing - tough but a very good tough - and O'Neal and Sheryl joined us for the morning cardio to encourage us, which was cool. The women of my new home - unit 7 -- are also great. Carrie and Sue from Two Harbors who are a product of our Fitness North marketing, and Shari who was part of FN 1 and helps show us the ropes. We are soaking up everything Shari tells us.

So far so good. The aches and pains are starting to set in. I can only imagine tomorrow working out like this in this kind of pain is even more difficult.

You are exactly where you need to be right now

I arrived at Fitness North today and my personal journey has officially begun! As has my new relationship with my beloved Surfside on Lake Superior. Up until today, my trips to Surfside have always been about work (and fun)...this time the work is me!Yikes.

"Tomorrow starts today" is the Fitness North tagline and indeed it does. My new relationship with myself, starts today. My journey to put Lori first, begins today. My journey to physical health and wellness that will keep me around for years to come, starts today. No more planning, worrying, thinking about it, planning to think about it, or talking about it. I am doing it and I won't quit - no matter what. That is my promise to myself (and now to all of you). I have a feeling we'll be testing that promise in the days to come.

I feel blessed to be taking this journey with O'Neal, Sheryl, Leif and Jay and the FN #2 participants who I have just met and with whom I already feel an amazing connectio! You'll be hearing more about them in the days and weeks ahead.

At orientation tonight, O'Neal spoke about what is key for me, "It doesn't matter how you got here," he said, "The issue is what are you doing right now to fix it." And that's what it's about. He went on to say, you are exactly where you need to be right now. This is what matters...today...right now.

I need to get my head in the here and now so I will sign off. Indeed, this is where I need to be and I am 100+% all in physically, but I am struggling to let go and be here with my head fully in the game -- to be 100% emotionally all in. I find myself distracted, worrying about clients, connecting with Jodi and the team to make sure all of the bases are covered, and I am quickly learning that I have to let go. I must give up control. There is nothing more important this right now.

So I sign off in an attempt to do that and to get some sleep before the 5:15 a.m. wake up call that will have us in the pool by 6 a.m. Yes, indeed, I said IN THE POOL by 6 a.m. (Many of you will note the significance of this statement and know that I have not been in a pool in nearly 20 years! Thank you Kristine for helping me find a cute "pool outfit.").

And thank you my friends and blog followers, I will need you these next few days and weeks. Encouragement welcome.

Nite.

LOR

Watch the Biggest Loser special with me

Hi all,

Tomorrow night, Thanksgiving eve.,Wed., Nov. 24, I invite you to watch NBC's Biggest Loser at 8 p.m. and get a glimpse into Fitness North and my soon to be world.

NBC TV was at Surfside in late October filming O'Neal Hampton and the launch of Fitness North. O'Neal is featured on the special titled "Where are they now?" as he pays it forward by helping those of us who still have mountains to climb and are just beginning the journey.

O'Neal, Sheryl and the FN#1 family will be featured on the special and I hope you will watch and think of me and my personal journey as you do. Thanks for your support. Cheers!

P.S. O'Neal I adore you and look forward to you kicking my butt.

My personal journey to Climb the Mountain

My beloved sorority sister and long-time friend, Jean, sent this to me in anticipation of my personal journey to climb a mountain! Jean, along with my other sorority sisters, vowed to be a lion in my den (a supporter in my corner) and to take the climb with me. They went hiking with me on Girls Gone North Weekend and all broke into the song Lion King when they learned of the den of lions vs. a lone tiger analogy from O'Neal Hampton. I can't think of a more fitting tribute for where I am today. I am lucky to have such support and this tribute is so fitting for the journey ahead. Thank you Jean and all for all you bring to my life. I hope all of my blog readers get as much out of this piece as I do very time I read 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."

--Author unknown

Putting Lori in the equation

Welcome to my blog - shared only with my close friends and colleagues 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 army tagline?!). 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). 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 FN #1 friends 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 and focus on me -- my 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.

I thank you in advance for your support and am delighted to take you along for the ride!