My dentist is evil

I just had my second root canal in a week. Yikes.

I think dental work is killing my manic high.

I didn't walk today.

Which is sad for two reasons:

1. Today is the most beautiful day I've seen all fall

2. I got to the park, with my shoes on, and my music

But then I saw someone who looked like a serial killer. And there was an old, weird van in the park parking lot and I couldn't stop the soundtrack from all of my mom's murder shows from playing in my head...

"Lori probably didn't realize that today would be her final walk when she started out on that brisk, November morning. Her dentist, the last person to see her alive, reports "Well, it surprised me to hear that she was murdered. I thought her teeth would be the cause of death. That being said, I'm sorry to lose my best customer."

So, in conclusion...

Laziness, dental work, and fear of death kept me from walking today.

Come to think of it, those three things keep from accomplishing a lot of my goals.

Lori Ann

p.s.- If I do get murdered, I expect you all to come to my funeral- IN PERSON. (don't be cheap)- Also, prepare to speak for 5-7 minutes about how this blog changed your life. I'd start preparing those remarks now, if I were you. (they can also be used when you are interviewed after I win a Nobel Prize or something)

With the words of a love song

My new favorite quote. 

Random Saturday Update-around twilight

(why do I feel like I should have to capitalize the 'T'?)

Anyway,

First, let's talk about my therapy. Not at all awkward for all of you, I am sure.

I didn't get to address my Harry Potter fixation in therapy...yet. 

Judy, my therapist, told me one major thing which I found really eye opening.

She said that I kind of live in two different places. On one hand I am very tightly connected to my family and religion which can be insular. I completely agree with this. I feel like, to a certain degree, that my family and religious culture is one of 'we don't talk about things'. (which I am not judging at all- I'm comfortable in that place) She said the other place I am is being a therapist- which is almost the exact opposite. I talk to people with all kinds of lives about everything- all the stuff most people don't want to talk about. She feels like trying to balance these two worlds causes me anxiety. 

ANYWAY, 

I know that was super long and detailed but it really changed the way I see myself and the world and I am so glad I put "go to therapy" on my bucket list and I recommend it to anyone!

I did 5 miles today. 2 'running' (if it can be called running as I was lapped by several WALKING elderly people) and 3 walking. My legs still feel strange. 

19 weeks until my half marathon. I've got to get stronger. 

I've lost 5 lbs this week on my mostly protein shake diet. I earned every one of those lbs. That diet was intense! 

This picture if from the Internet! I don't own a coffee maker...I swear!

It was a good jump start though- I lost a few lbs, have been thinking before eating, and my stomach has shrunk. I tried to eat a tiny baked potato and I felt so sick. It was too much.

It was Elly's last soccer game today. I am so proud of that crazy girl!

I am cooking the turkey this Thanksgiving (on my bucket list). Any suggestions?

Lori Ann

Can only make me stronger

You guys,

I just officially registered for a half marathon!!

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh.

Also, as of today, I've lost 150 lbs total.

I need to stop posting self congratulatory posts however.

After posting how much I love walking/running, I was out on the track today, grumbling the whole way. It was ridiculous. I had to push myself to complete just 3 little miles.

I've got to get tougher if I'm going to complete 13.1!!

Mark your calenders for March 30th, 2014!

Lori Ann

p.s.- Therapy secrets will be posted this weekend!

They lead to you



I love how my cheeks look after walking in the cold (for an hour!)

I am day 4 into a 7 day protein based diet.

I am trying to jumpstart my weight loss which has stalled a little.

So, since I am avoiding food and trying to reflect on the progress I've made, I figured I'd share what I've come to love over the last year as I've worked on my health

1. I love the feeling you get when you come inside after walking out in the cold. The numb, tingly feeling, the red cheeks, the strong desire for a mug of hot chocolate- it reminds me of my childhood. I haven't made myself go out in the cold in years really and walking/running has forced me to. And reminded me how much I love it.

2. I love the feeling of when you put on some piece of clothing and you can feel that it is even just the tiniest bit looser. It's such a better feeling than the feeling of shoving yourself into jeans that once fit just fine.

3. I love just being able to take pictures and put them on facebook or this blog without trying to get the perfect angle to hide my chubby cheeks or make me look thinner. I still have the chubby cheeks and a long way to go but I'm more confident now. I don't care if people judge me:) 

4. I love the feeling of sore muscles. My shins are burning right now because I went up ten lbs in my leg curls this morning. But the burn always makes me think that it's my muscles waking up. (after a long, long sleep)

Anyway, I hope this post doesn't come across as sanctimonious. 

My point in writing is that I always thought changing my life would be so torturous and dreadful. 

And; don't get me wrong, there are parts that are SO HARD they make me want to cry.

But there is some awesome stuff I've discovered along the way:) 

Lori Ann

p.s.- Tomorrow's topic- what my therapist told me today..it was eye opening! 

Told a few thousand stories

Here are a few stories that I don't want to forget (therefore they must be written in this blog and live in infamy forever!)

* The other night I stopped by my sister's house to steal umm...borrow Halloween candy from the children. Of course I was in my pajamas and of course I yelled as soon as I walked in the door "I'm here for the candy!" and....of course, the missionaries were there. BUT, that is not even the best part of the story. So, I was sitting around the table with my nieces and nephews and I said "I want to talk about my clients and how my day went today" and without missing a single beat Jack-Jack says "I want to talk about explosives" and then James says "I want to talk about League of Legends (a video game), and Elly says "I want to talk about sports" and Katy closes with "I want to talk about cats". It was HILARIOUS.

* James, upon learning that he had to go to school on Veteran's Day, apparently had a meltdown of epic proportions, yelling "what? They won't even give us the day off to honor our Veterans?" (This from the same child who; when I asked him the day before what a Veteran was, stated "they come and take care of your animals")

* Elly scored 3 (almost 4- she keeps reminding us) goals at her last soccer game on Saturday. On Sunday, she was sitting in the row ahead of me. Every couple of minutes she kept turning around and holding up 3 fingers and nodding solemnly. That girl is crazy.

* Apparently Katy keeps going to visit Uncle Dave's apartment (in my sister's basement). Danielle was asking Dave what Katy wanted down there. Without hesitation he replied "chips". It doesn't sound that funny but it was- there was no "oh, she comes down to play or watch movies" it was just a clear, firm "chips".  Later, when I picked him up from work, he described feeling intense pressure to give her the chips or there were going to be negative consequences for him :)

Ok, so I am going back to therapy tomorrow. Brace yourselves. I cannot even imagine what will happen.

Lori Ann

Run, run, run

A strange, up close selfie. I have no memory of taking this picture.

Ignore the fact that I apparently can't spell marathon

November's Training schedule (W/O stands for workout)


You guys..I am officially registering this Friday.

For THIS  half marathon

My personal goal is to half run/ half walk. Alternating back and forth. 7 miles run and 6 walked.

WISH ME LUCK!!!

136 days to go!

Lori Ann

Of stopping

Do not let the fact that I am up at 6 am taking pictures of the snow fool you into thinking I am back in my manic phase.

Or the fact that I'm about to go out and walk a few miles in it before going to the gym. 

Or the fact that these are just 2 items on my 23 item to do list for today.

Not manic. (I feel the urge to write that like 19 times in a row) 

Ok, so a little manic.

Anyway,

Let it snow!

Lori Ann