• Home
  • *About Laura Lohr * Lifestyle Blogger
  • Contact Laura
  • Disclaimer
  • Reviews

Laura Lohr

Not Just an Alliteration

  • Running/Marathon
  • Weight Loss
  • Vacation
  • Reviews

How I Cancelled the Gym Membership and Lost Weight

July 26, 2012 by Laura Lohr 4 Comments

We have less than a week before we head to New York for BlogHer and to Boston for fun. There are many things to be done: laundry, bills, organizing, shopping, and fifty other things that I cannot even think about. Finally, after months and months of planning (The planning actually started when the last conference ended, in all reality!), we are headed to the East Coast. I cannot wait to meet with friends, talk about blogging, take in a Broadway show, and vacation with Mr. Bear and Allie. I cannot believe it has been a whole year since BlogHer!

One of the biggest things I wanted to do before heading to BlogHer, was to lose a lot of weight. Well, that did not happen. I did not lose a lot of weight, but I did lose some.

It has been sort of a dream of mine for a long time to have our very treadmill. Going to the gym has not been very realistic, as every time I put Allie in Kids Club, she comes home with some sort of plague. The room has no ventilation and the bathroom is completely disgusting. It smells so bad in there that I have gagged each time I have gone. Evidently, they do not empty the Diaper Genie often enough because it is not doing its job. There is no change in cleanliness from visit to visit. Mr. Bear finally put his foot down and said he does not want Allie there anymore. Finding time to run outside, without a kid in tow has proved to be more and more difficult over time. The problem with owning a treadmill? Where to put the damn thing?

We found a great deal on a gently used treadmill on Craigslist and finally I have my very own! It has made it difficult to say, “I don’t have time.” “I can’t.” “What should I do about Allie?” Now, no excuses. That is where I have been for the past three weeks and I am proud to say I am sticking to this—sort of. I think one of the reasons it is so easy to find a great treadmill for a great price is that they become clothes racks. I have been determined not to let this one become a clothes rack here. It has not been as easy as I thought it would be, however. There are many excuses to let it sit, unused.

After some success, this past three weeks, we finally dumped the gym that we have paid monthly on since 2004. I shudder to calculate the cost of that. That is 8 years! I could have bought a new treadmill a year for that! We no longer have the pool to swim in, which is likely for the best. The pool was not much better than the condition of the Kids Club facility. Ick.

I set up a “TV shelf” in front of the treadmill for my laptop. My strategy for the treadmill has been to catch up or start all the TV series I have always wanted to watch, but never had time. I am ashamed to admit that I have been watching, “The Hills” after getting hooked on #RetroMTV in the mornings after dropping Allie off at daycamp. I am currently watching, “Drop Dead Diva” and I think it is an adorable show. I am loving Netflix right now and so is my shrinking waistline!

I am nursing a bum knee from the marathon training earlier this year. I am alternating running or jogging and walking. I am completely out of shape and feeling it on every workout. My weight is down and I have lost the same 9.5 pounds I have gained and lost since January. That is something, right?

Filed Under: BlogHer, BlogHer 2012 New York, Health, Running/Marathon, Weight Loss Tagged With: blogher, blogher12, Drop Dead Diva, Marathon Training, Netflix, RetroMTV, running, The Hills, Weight Loss

A New Chapter. New Opportunities.

June 28, 2012 by Laura Lohr 2 Comments

A little less than two years ago, I went to a pre-BlogHer meet-up with other local San Diego bloggers. I was nervous about going to the meet-up. I was nervous about my first time at BlogHer. I had been blogging for more than five years at that point and had few meet-ups with friends I had met online. For me, meeting people from online “friendships” was still a bit taboo. What if these people were creeps? What if they thought I was a creep? My anxiety was running high. I bribed Mr. Bear to come with me to the meet-up. I was afraid I might need him to rescue me.

Mr. Bear was reluctant to go. He had a long day at work and coming to this “blogging thing” was not something he really wanted to do. He was on the fence about blogging. He was not quite sure why I was so mesmerized by putting my whole life on display, nonetheless, he supported me because it made me happy. Happy wife, happy life, as the saying goes.

Hours later, I had made many friendships. I met many women I felt I had a connection with and those friendships have blossomed throughout the past two years. Mr. Bear never had to rescue me that night. In fact, he practically had to drag me away. Furthermore, the results of that meet-up and the blogging opportunities that followed changed his mind completely about this “blogging thing.”

Months after BlogHer, a friend I had met at the BlogHer meet-up posted on Twitter about a part-time opportunity at the publishing company she works for. I applied for the position. I got the position. It was only supposed to be a part-time, temporary position for three months. I have been there for over 18 months now. It was surreal! I got my first job since I became a mom on Twitter. It was awesome!

Next week, this opportunity will end. I was well aware when I got hired that this position could end at any time. With budgets, my own skill limitations, my time constraints with wanting to be at home when Allie gets out of school, and numerous other hurdles that could arise—this opportunity could be 3 months or 6 months, but likely not forever.

In the past 18 months, I have learned so many new things. I knew very little about marketing. I knew very little about publishing. I knew very little in many areas that I now know significantly more about. I have had a lot of things happen personally during that time, including health issues and various other challenges. I have learned many skills in balance and planning, as being a working mom has had its own share of obstacles. I have loved these experiences, by virtue of the growth I have seen in my life professionally and personally. I enjoyed my job and the people I have worked with. I have loved learning new things and developing new skills. When you want to market your websites or business, it is better to ask SEO firms and experts from North Gold Coast.

We leave for New York City and BlogHer next month. I know that new opportunities await with the networking I will do. Sure, BlogHer is parties, swag, and fun, however I will never approach another conference or meet-up the same again. There are friends to meet, connections to make, and grand possibilities ahead. It is all about the people. You never know what these fabulous experiences may offer. Two years later, I have many friendships from BlogHer 10 and the pre-BlogHer meet-up.

I walk away from this chance meet-up with a multitude of blessings: friends, job opportunities, new skills, a discretionary income, and no regrets. While I am sad to see this chapter end, I know in my heart there is something new on the horizon and I am anxious to see what is waiting for me.

Filed Under: Blogging, BlogHer, Blogher 2010 New York, Friends, Laura, Social Networking, Work Tagged With: blogging, Blogging Events, blogher, blogher10, blogher12, friends, marketing, networking, New York city, social media, twitter

About Laura:

Wife, mom, runner, geek, lifestyle blogger, fitness badass, world traveler, social media lover. San Diego transplant, living in Temecula's wine country.

I'd love to hear from you! E-mail me!
 photo mail.png Read More…

Looking for something?

Connect on Social Media!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts:

  • Temecula Wine Country by Limo
  • Happy Halloween with Bate’s Nut Farm
  • Hollywood Hotel with Our Favorite Canine
  • Running the Holiday Half with Finess
  • Star Wars Rogue One

Categories

We’ve Got History!

Back in time…

April 2021
S M T W T F S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930  
« Nov    

Get Your Stitch Fix!

See More of Laura Lohr on Instagram

mommycanrun

Beautiful sunset on my 9 mile run. I still get anx Beautiful sunset on my 9 mile run. I still get anxiety before these long runs and I have extreme doubts can complete them each time before I go out. It seems crazy when I've run thousands of miles, nonetheless, I doubt my abilities. I do it anyways. I always feel strong and accomplished after I finish.
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #motherrunner #running #fit #runtoinspire #fattofit #KeepPounding #runners #run #youcandoit #runlikeagirl #training #runwithgina #rwg #marathontraining #backofthepack #instarunners #runningmotivation #training #weightlossjourney #weightlossmotivation #weightloss
This girl's school principal is the real mascot of This girl's school principal is the real mascot of the school. The kids love him! When they released this Mr. Williams t-shirt, she's been asking for one. She's so excited about it. 😂 😂 She was asked to be an editor for the yearbook next year. She spent most of her free time after school swimming, playing water polo, and meeting today's deadline for the school yearbook. I am so inspired by this kid! 💜💜
.
.
.
#mygirl #schooldays #swimmer #waterpolo #yearbook #smart #proud #coolgirl
My sister gave me this orchid to take care of a fe My sister gave me this orchid to take care of a few years ago. This was the first time it bloomed! I was so excited to find out what color the flowers were. Spring is here! 🌸
.
.
.
#spring #orchidsofinstagram #orchids #orchidlover #nature #sisters #naturephotography #naturelovers #blooming #bloom
Me and my baby girl. My baby is now taller than me Me and my baby girl. My baby is now taller than me. She's smarter than me too. I'm so proud of her! She's grown into this amazing creature. We took a walk along the beach and the three of us dressed for the different occasions. I was prepared in my @spandits, she was in her cute new skirt, and hubby was wearing a surf shirt and shorts. Lots of fun! 💜
.
.
.
#seeninspandits #spandits #springbreak #ocean #wanderlust #natgeoyourshot #naturelovers #beach #socal #nature #instatravel #traveler #travel
Everything is blooming right now. It's my favorite Everything is blooming right now. It's my favorite time of year to run. The weather is perfect.
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #nature #instatravel #running #runtoinspire #run #natgeoyourshot #naturelovers #naturephotography #missionbay
What a beautiful day for a run! We took a drive to What a beautiful day for a run! We took a drive to Mission Bay for a run while Eric went for a bike ride. It was so busy on parts of the path. I was almost ran over a few times until I got out to Sea World. Then, it was incredibly beautiful! Everything was blooming. Spring is in the air!
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #vdot #running #motherrunner #runtoinspire #fattofit #KeepPounding #runners #run #youcandoit #runlikeagirl #training #runwithgina #rwg #marathontraining #backofthepack #instarunners #runningmotivation @vdot_o2
New mani before I go back to work in person for th New mani before I go back to work in person for the first time in over a year. A little nerves, but at least my nails are popping off---as my teen would say. 
.
.
.
#nailfie #nailfun #colorstreetnails #nails #manicure #beauty
All is right in my soul. Spring break has one more All is right in my soul. Spring break has one more day. There's been lots of relaxing, lots of hard work, lots of connecting with my people, and lots of of living life in the outdoors, near the ocean. It's been a blessing and I'm filled with gratitude.
.
.
.
#sunset #travel #wanderlust #natgeoyourshot #naturelovers #naturephotography #oceanview #viewfrommywindow #sunsetlovers #sunsetgram
Load More... Follow on Instagram

What's Popular

  • How to Make a Bottle Buddy 62.3k views
  • 10 Weeks with Lindora 14.9k views
  • Back to School: First Day of 4th Grade 2.7k views
  • Happy 14th Month Birthday Allie! 2.1k views
  • Contact Laura 2k views

As Seen on T.V.

Copyright © 2021 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in