I used to really hate working out. But thanks to my continuous desire to be addicted to something . . . anything! . . . I’ve grown to really love it. I especially love my walks. I find myself really looking forward to them every day and creating playlists on my iPhone that are perfect for a good walk or run and depending on my mood. . . . Jack Johnson - if I’m feeling contemplative and jagged little angry female music - if I’m feeling . . . well, like a jagged little angry female.
We all have similar reasons for wanting to get in shape, either for aesthetics or for health. But I think the economy is playing a huge factor in the sudden increase in runners in my neighborhood. I think this recession has got us all terrified and maybe we’re running to relieve the stress or to vent our frustrations. Or maybe it’s the same reason that bulimic girls rush to the bathroom after downing a whole package of Double Stuff Oreos? Control. Our health, our bodies and our exercise regimen is the only thing right now we feel like we can control. But I digress.
My friend Lori started working out a little over a year ago for both aesthetic and health reasons. A co-worker, who could be classified as a walking Da Vinci “The Anatomy of Man” drawing, encouraged her to try Crossfit under his tutelage. They started in our office gym, but soon needed a more inspiring environment, so she joined the local gym where he frequented. Keeping a journal of every day’s activity, she now works out Monday thru Friday for 20 minutes a day, doing dips, sit-ups, hang cleans, back squats and the list goes on. While she won’t admit it, the men in their little workout group say she keeps up with them on their reps and sets. It doesn’t come without its pains, however. She’s sore every day because she targets different parts of the body every day. “I love it. I can’t wait to see what I do next or what body part is sore next!”
To-date she has gone from a size 18 to an 8. “I’ve never worn an 8 as an adult. I wasn’t this thin when I married my husband 12 years ago”, she says. Her goal is to wear a bikini without being embarrassed, although she admits that is really more a mental obstacle than a physical obstacle with most women. “I really just want to run with my kids and play baseball, ride bikes and just keep up without feeling out of breath or like I’m dying.”
According to Lori, she was never athletic as a kid. This never bothered her really because she has always wanted to be different and a distinct individual. “I’ve never wanted to be like everyone else.” Lori’s defining moment to get into shape, however, came from a comment from a kid who referred to her as “the fat mommy”. This was definitely not a label she wanted for herself and made a decision that her size was not going to be her distinction. “In order for this to work”, she says, “you need to decide to do it for you and not for anyone else.”
Beautiful as ever, inside and out, Lori is committed to her workouts and also to branding her individualism. Never again to be called "the fat mommy", we know her, not only for delivering on her personal commitments, her glowing optimism, and sweet disposition, but also for her signature footwear: pink cowboy boots. She owns several pair and wears them better than any size 8 I know.
Recent Comments