Laura Lohr

Not Just an Alliteration

Fitness Friday 30 Pounds Gone! Addition

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#FitnessFriday

Heeeelllllooo Fitness Friday! I am so excited about my Fitness Friday post today! First things, first! I ran the Carlsbad Half Marathon on Sunday (Race report coming early next week! Stay tuned!) and broke my long streak of not running. I’m finally bad to running and feeling fantastic about it! I’ve run two training runs since the half. I’m now on my way to training for the La Jolla Half in March. I’ve come a long way, from barely being able to run in January 2015.

FinisherMedalCarlsbad2

 

My friend and I started running at 5:30 a.m. this week, in preparation of the La Jolla Half. She’s much faster than me, but we’re making it work. We’re running the hills around our neighborhood and I’m feeling stronger already. The thing about the La Jolla Half, is that it’s really hilly. In March of 2009, I attempted the La Jolla Half and had to drop out of the race about 3 miles in. That following August, I completed the AFC Half, but the La Jolla Half DNF always haunts me. This year, my plan is to tackle the La Jolla Half and make it my bitch!

My second hooray of the day is that I’ve hit 30 pounds of weight loss. I cannot believe it! It’s fantastic! I LOVE Lindora! They’ve done so much to help me be successful and I’ve not seen numbers this low on the scale in 4 or more years. That’s amazing! I know I will always get the support I need when I go in for my visits. They help me identify what I’m doing right and what I might need to change to be successful. I have gained so much confidence. I feel so good! I am wearing clothes I haven’t worn in years and fitting nicely in clothes I’ve been wearing that were ill-fitting. It’s such a great feeling and I’m so grateful for discovering Lindora. The methods I was using before just weren’t working and I’d all but given up. I had really resigned myself to my weight, until I got acquainted with the program.

Today, I’m excited about my fitness level. I’m excited about running. I’m excited about my health. I recently went to see my doctor and found that my lab work was all improved from the previous year. Losing more than 10% of my body weight was enough to send my bad cholesterol and good cholesterol in the right directions, my triglycerides are down, and everything is well-within normal limits. My already low blood pressure has also gone even lower!

I’m so thankful to have such progress and I’m so grateful to have my life back!

What are YOU grateful for this week?

Have a great weekend!

Happy Running!

Disclosure: I have been offered a 10 weeks with Lindora, in exchange for sharing my personal opinions and experiences with Lindora. All opinions are my own. I only share information about products, companies, and services I believe will be helpful for my readers. I’m losing weight and following the plan on Lindora and loving it!

Fitness Friday New Year 2016 Edition

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Fitness&HealthFriday

Welcome to the 2016 Fitness Friday! This has been such an exciting month! We had a busy month, yet it was very exciting! I got sick halfway through December, which put a huge damper on things. I had to fake it when I was feeling awful, however I eventually felt better and had no regrets. We went on vacation over Christmas, which should have made my diet and exercise a challenge. It really didn’t. I’ve been so committed to losing weight and getting healthy, I was able to overcome anything that looked like an obstacle! I just completed the 6th week on Lindora* and things are looking really good!

Here’s my stats, as of Friday—-DRUM ROLL PLEASE….

Total weight lost since my first weigh in: 24.5 pounds!

Total weight lost since starting Lindora: 21.5 pounds!

I cannot believe how great I feel! I’m wearing clothes I haven’t worn in YEARS! It’s a fantastic feeling!

For Christmas, we went to Sedona and Grand Canyon. While we were there, we did some hiking, took lots of walks, and of course, did the Pink Jeep Tour.

Bell Rock, Sedona, Arizona
Bell Rock, Sedona, Arizona
Sedona Diamondback Gulch Pink Jeep Tour
Sedona, Arizona— Diamondback Gulch Pink Jeep Tour

We went hiking on the Boynton Canyon Trail and saw amazing panoramic views. We went to the Chapel of the Holy Cross and saw more amazing views :

Boynton Canyon Hike, Sedona, Arizona
Looking at Sedona, Arizona from the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Fantastic views!
Sedona, Arizona
Looking from the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
This is the rock we hiked. The trail is in Boynton Canyon, Sedona.
This is the rock we hiked. The trail is in Boynton Canyon, Sedona.
Striking a yoga pose, at the top of the Boynton Canyon trail.
Striking a yoga pose, at the top of the Boynton Canyon trail.

So, as you can see, Christmas break was no joke for us! We stayed active, exploring Arizona’s majestic landscape! It was so beautiful and such a peaceful way to celebrate our Christmas, as a family. Mr. Bear and I went to Sedona the Christmas before Allie was born. We had such great memories of our trip this was a different experience, to go as a family, rather than a couple, yet no less special the first time or this time. We have so many cherished memories and Allie was old enough to really appreciate it this time.

The Carlsbad Half Marathon is coming soon and I’m really getting nervous! I was sick for two weeks and didn’t run for two weeks. I only have two weeks or training left and I’m second-guessing myself, whether I’m ready for this. I’ve come such a long, long way from where I came from, the beginning of January 2015—when I couldn’t run a full mile without stopping. I’ve dropped more than 10% of my body weight, which makes it so much easier to run. I’m not dragging extra weight when I run. I don’t expect to run very fast—or, even to run the whole half marathon, nevertheless, it’s a start!

My goal is to complete the Triple Crown Half Marathon Series this year. This consists of three of San Diego’s most popular race courses: Carlsbad Half Marathon, La Jolla Half Marathon, and America’s Finest City Half Marathon (AFC). I’ve run the AFC a number of times through the years. In fact, the AFC 5k was my first 5k race I ever did and then I was HOOKED on running races! I know that the more I run, the better shape I’ll be in. I’m really excited about this year!

What did you do to stay healthy during the holidays? What goals do you have for 2016? What are YOU excited about in 2016?  

 

Happy New Year from me to you!

Disclosure: I have been offered a 10 weeks with Lindora, in exchange for sharing my personal opinions and experiences with Lindora. All opinions are my own. I only share information about products, companies, and services I believe will be helpful for my readers. I’m losing weight and following the plan on Lindora and loving it!

Fitness and Health Friday 4/14/2015

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Fitness&HealthFriday

I was invited to yoga and shopping by Athleta.  I was given a pair of compression running socks by Fitness Foundations in exchange for my honest opinion.  All opinions are mine alone.

WOW! How things have changed since I last posted Fitness and Health Friday! I have been doing something that resembles consistency. I’m so very proud and excited!

I finished week four of the Couch to 5k program this week and started on week 5. The  program only calls for running three days a week, but I prefer to run at least 5—so, I have! I have been running 5 days a week and swimming also. This is something amazing and I’m so surprised at how much I am looking forward to going for these nearly daily runs.

Beautiful Trail

There’s a beautiful trail that runs through my city. I’ve started running it in the morning with my loyal companion, my Vizsla Obi. We’ve been taking the trails that run along the river, which is tree-lined and peaceful. We’ve come across a turtle, birds, ducks, squirrels, a gopher, and probably a few others have been too shy to greet us. After our run, we head over to the dog park, where Obi is learning how to be a more independent dog. It’s been a great experience for both of us.

My Vizsla running partner---Obi!
My Vizsla running partner—Obi!

I got these new compression socks to wear while I’m running and I got a chance to try them out yesterday. I really, really love them! I’ll have to share more on this later though.

Compression Running Socks
Compression Running Socks

I finally bought myself a new pair of running shoes with some really cute colors. I hadn’t even realized how much I needed new shoes until I went out for a run in the old ones. Funny, my shoes sort of match my blog.

My new running kicks, in pink and blue!
My new running kicks, in pink and blue!

Saturday, I went to yoga and then went shopping for running clothes. It felt so good to get some cross training. Mr. Bear and I have decided to join a gym again. We haven’t been members of a gym since we bought our treadmill a few years ago. Our local gym, Chuze Fitness is offering a gym membership for both of us for $20 a month! I’ve been thinking about taking some classes throughout the week to cross-train when I’m not running. I would really like to get some yoga in, a few times a week. It’ll be great for Mr. Bear and I to lift weights together, like we used to do so long ago—before we became parents.

Nutrition has been a real struggle for me. I’ve tried to make dinner really count and be healthy, but during the day, it’s really a crap shoot. I’ve been trying to do a better job making good choices, but MAN! It is so difficult! I don’t drink, I don’t smoke. My biggest vice, is eating the wrong foods or too much of the right ones. This next week, I’m going to commit to eating breakfast every day. I bought some Kind bars to have on hand. I want to be sure I have no excuses for making poor choices.

Kind Bar. My breakfast.
Kind Bar. My breakfast.

My weight has stayed the same for the past four weeks. This has made me incredibly frustrated, nevertheless, I’m not going to let it change the exercise I’ve been doing. I know I’m building muscle and the weight will take care of itself. I’m working towards overall better health. That matters to me more than anything.

Did you have any successes this week that made you proud?

What were you passionate about this week? 

What are your plans for next week?

Fitness and Health Friday 3/27/2015

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Fitness&HealthFriday

It seems like forever since I posted on Fitness and Health Friday! For good reason, too! I finish my last dose of antibiotics today. Yikes! Ten days of antibiotics. Finally, that’s all over and now I can work on my fitness and health! I am taking my vitamins and using my essential oils. I am eating healthier. I’m going to make a difference in my health!

This week, Mr. Bear and I worked hard on trying to eat healthy. Last night, we made a delicious shrimp Caesar salad. The night before, we made a turkey meatloaf and modified it to keep the calories low. We have been working on watching portions and I’m back to tracking my food HONESTLY in MyFitnessPal.

I’ve committed to running a 5k and a 10k with a good friend of mine. Training was supposed to start this week. I have to admit that I failed. Completely! So, I’m going to re-commit to starting on Monday. There is a beautiful trail near our house that runs along the river bed. It is a gorgeous spot to walk and run. Obi, our Vezsla loves to join me when we go.

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Handsome Obi!

This coming Monday, I am going to make changes. Starting Monday:
1. I commit to running or walking at least 5 days next week.
2. I commit to starting the Couch to 5k program.
3. I commit to running or walking 20-30 minutes every day next week.
4. I commit to tracking my food, every day next week.
5. I commit to making better food choices.

What changes do you commit to making this week?

Fitness and Health Friday—That Time When Jillian Michaels Kicked My Butt

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JillianQA5BrightWelcome to the third addition of Fitness and Health Friday! Happy Friday, indeed! Wow! I can’t believe it’s Friday already! What a week—or two! I’m finally on the mend after being sick for nearly 2 1/2 weeks. I’m almost fully recovered, after coming down with strep, then strep in my eye, then a crazy cold. It seems like every time I start a new exercise program, my immune system takes a bit of a hit.

JillianQA6Bright

Enough of that though! I’m all better now and all fired up! I went to TheFitExpo in Los Angeles two weeks ago and had such a blast! Not only did I meet other FitFluential Ambassadors, I got to workout out with Jillian Michaels, I got to wander around the expo, and I got completely inspired by the whole experience!

Jillian answering questions from the audience.
Jillian answering questions from the audience.

Saturday afternoon, Jillian Michaels did a question and answer session, where she answered questions from the audience. She is so passionate about fitness and health. My respect for her grew ten-fold hearing her speak. When asked about having, “cheat days,” she said she doesn’t believe in them. Instead, she explained that if she wants something special, she eats it, then she makes up for it later. She shared her experiences being a chubby kid and I just loved how her experiences have shaped her attitudes and approach with fitness.  She’s super sassy and I just love her!

This is me before the Body Shred class. Happy, smiling, excited.
This is me before the Body Shred class. Happy, smiling, excited.

This week has been somewhat of a wash in the fitness and healthy living department. I did get one really good workout at the conference though. I was able to get in on the Body Shred workout with Jillian Michaels and she kicked my butt! It was only a 30 minute workout, but OH MY GEEZ! I thought I might pass out! This workout is not for the faint of heart.

This is me after the Body Shred class. Still excited, still happy. Just sore.
This is me after the Body Shred class. Still excited, still happy. Just sore and unable to express myself.

My favorite part of the workout, was when we were doing punches—left, right, left, right. I was sort of wimping out and taking it easy, instead of giving my all, like I should have. I think I thought maybe Jillian wasn’t noticing. The next thing I knew, she was leaning in towards me from the stage, yelling, “PUNCH, PUNCH! GET THAT AGGRESSION OUT! DO IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT!” She is pretty awesome and I absolutely adore her, but I have to be honest, she’s super intense! I started punching like I meant it and from there on out, I was giving my all. There was another time she was shouting commands in my general direction, but I was so lightheaded, being starstruck faded and all I could do was MOVE IT. I might have been a little afraid. 🙂

This is during the Body Shred class, in the very beginning. What an awesome experience!
This is during the Body Shred class, in the very beginning. What an awesome experience!

I’d been working out at boot camp for an hour a day, five days a week, and it was nothing compared to the Body Shred workout. I was so sore for days after I did the workout. I have a friend in Pennsylvania that is a certified Body Shred trainer and she warned that it was an intense workout. I had no idea!

I stopped off at the Body Shred booth at the expo and got my friend this cute tank. She chose the one on the right I love the grey and orange! So cute!

The clothing line is so cute!
The clothing line is so cute!

I had such a blast! On the weight loss front, I struggled. I gained 2 pounds. I know where I made the mistakes and what I could improve. I am also forgiving myself because I was traveling and because being sick was not helpful to good food choices. I am completely ready to put the mistakes of the past behind me and move forward. I’m so motivated after the expo! I’m ready to kick some butt!

How was your week? What changes will you make next week? What did you do this week that you are proud?

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