Go Red BetterU (giveaway/guest post)

by

I am on journey this summer.

I have been a fan of Mizfit’s for over a year now. I admire the journeys that she takes her readers on. I am always in awe of the community responses she elicits. She has been my blogging hero. Someone who I aspire to be like. So I find it amazingly cool that my summer’s journey has taken a side road right through “Mizfit-land”. Yah Hoo!

(MizFit note: backatch. Im the one who is honored.  entirely)

Wait – let me back up. I need to give you the story from the beginning.

My name is Lori.

The World knows me as Miss Lori, but Lori will do.

I have been in the national public eye ever since I was named the first-ever live host of the PBS Kids Preschool Block in 2006. I did that for three years until 2009.

But being Miss Lori started long before PBS – first, in the parks of Chicago where I would take my children to play, then, in the dance studios where I started my teaching my classes, and finally in the schools where I ran my programs.

And now Miss Lori exists in my CDs, DVDs, television interstitials and live performances. It’s a wonderful life, but the truth is – it could be better.

I spend so much time encouraging children to lead an AWESOME life utilizing “Active Play, Healthy Food and Peaceful Sleep.”

I sing my way into their consciousness about healthy choices and an activated lifestyle. But along the way, with all of my hard work, my own health slipped to the bottom of my priority list.

Sound familiar?

Even though I have been extolling the virtues of activity and healthy eating to children for many years, I myself seem to have missed the boat.

The hours that I work, the stress that I carry on my back, and the pace that I am forced to keep as a self-employed person have taken a serious toll on me.

The saying is, “work your ass off.” What do I have to show for it? Well, I have a business that I am very proud of, but when I look in the mirror my heart doesn’t swell with pride.

Well, the truth is though I have “worked my ass off” for the last 5 years I have actually worked my ass ON!

Now I don’t want you all to worry too much about me.

I’m not sliding off the deep end of despair.

No, that’s not how I roll. I don’t give up, I take action.  Which brings us back to why I am guest blogging here today in glorious Mizfit Land.

In honor of my 40th birthday in May, I have become an Ambassador for The merican Heart Association’s Go Red For Women BetterU Program.

Why, when I have so many things on my list to do?

Because, it’s time that I moved myself and my health up on the list of priorities.

Let me ask you parents out there a question.

How many of you hope that your children will grow up and put themselves last on their priority list for health?

Go ahead, don’t be shy. Raise your hand.

What?

No?

No one dreams of that? Really?

Then how come we are teaching our children to do that simply by our poor example. Oh, I am including myself in this as well. Don’t worry.

That was my huge realization that brought me to this place. I realized that by working myself to death, piling on the stress, depriving myself of good sleep and exercise, I was teaching my own children that in order to be a successful grown up you have to put yourself, and more specifically, your health, at the bottom of the totem pole of priorities.

(Say What?!) Yes indeedy. Miss Lori was leading her own children astray. (The horror!)

So when I found out about the Go Red BetterU Program I knew that it was a journey that I had to take if I wanted to become the parent that I truly long to be.

Over the course of twelve weeks I am gaining insight about myself and the changes I need to make in order to be BETTER. I am eight weeks into my journey.

Week 1 I learned that heart disease is number one killer of women. NUMERO UNO! So took stock of my life and the warning signs of disaster.

Week 2 I learned my numbers. My cholesterol, my blood pressure, my body mass index (BMI) and my weight. (UGH!) But the fact of the matter is these numbers are my friends, or at least they need to be.

Week 3 I realized that I wasn’t taking as many steps in my life as I need to so I needed to JUST WALK!

Week 4 I identified my “TEAM” ready to pick me up, kick my butt and cheer me on on my journey.

Week 5 I started tracking the food I am eating, making sure it’s working for me.

Week 6 I worked on squeezing exercise into my day. Always being dressed for healthy success.

Week 7 I returned to the lesson of week 2 and worked harder to formulate a plan to keep my cholesterol low.

week 8 I made changes to my stress load to keep my blood pressure normal.

I have four more weeks to go. At the end of which I will celebrate in New York City at the BlogHer Conference on August 6 & 7.

There, I will openly share my journey with attendees in the Expo center.

I am really looking forward to the big event. Even though it will be the technical end of my program, I don’t think it will be the end of my journey.

My health is definitely moving up on the priority totem pole. And my children are benefiting from the change now and hopefully forever. And that definitely makes me feel… Better!

How about you?

Are you ready to feel better, be better, live better?

Why not embark on a journey of your own? No BETTER time than the present.

What have you got to lose, other than bad habits, and hopefully a few points off of your cholesterol score!

Just leave a comment below about a change you have or hope to make to be BETTER and you could win your very own BetterU Fit kit:

–   Red BPA-free water bottle

–   Jump rope

–  Pilates band with workout instructions on it

You know, writing things down always helps you be more successful, as does sharing with a group.

So join my team, make a comment, share your goals, and we’ll all be BETTER for it.

SMILE On!

Miss. Lori

USA only

winner announced 8.2.10

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Comments

  1. I have just currently embarked on the journey to combat my compulsive overeating. I want to become a better “me” and working hard at it. 🙂

  2. Heart disease is a big issue in our home, as my husband lost his best friend to heart disease 2 years ago (he was 31). So, this is very near and dear.

    But SECOND of all, Miss Lori, you were my son’s FIRST CRUSH. He couldn’t wait to see you introduce his favorite Curious George cartoons back in the day! Can’t wait to talk to him about this!

    • I am so sorry to hear about our husband’s friend. That is not a loss that one can easily get over. I feel for your family.

      Please give your son a big hug from me.

      SMILE On!

      ML

  3. I started running – it has really changed my opinion about what I can and cannot do… Now anything seems possible.

  5. I’m on a neverending journey to improve my health by overcoming injuries and illness. It’s a slow road, but you’re right–the focus a lot of time really does need to be on you and what you need.

  6. I’m working at making healthy choices and trying to make the shift from fitting into my favorite jeans to healthy life choices that will last a lifetime.

  8. Great guest post! I’m all about those ‘tippy toe steps’ to becoming BETTER. Though not necessarily in the same order, those are pretty much the same steps I used to shed my weight, and like you I revisited and upped the ante as time and progress passed. It’s the only way to fly, in my book. (Well, not my literal book as I haven’t written one, butyou know what I mean.

    (The kit sounds fantastic, but no entry for me since I just won another delightful giveaway here.)

  9. I’m working to eat a little less (especially less sugar and red meat) and move a little more so I can 1) lose the remaining twin-baby weight and 2) model a healthy lifestyle for my baby girls as they grow up!

  10. I’m taking advantage of our gorgeous summer (CO) to increase my running distance.

    I’ve been “eating clean” (no sugar, no refined carbs, no/very limited processed foods) for almost 9 mos. now.

    I’d love to win the water bottle, pilates bands and jump rope.

  11. I have always been reasonably healthy, but two years ago (in my second year of university) I suffered from fairly severe depression, and gained 30lbs. I was able to lose the weight, and find a sustainable, healthy lifestyle. My new goal is to do a triathlon next year! (I have joint problems right now, or I would be doing it sooner)

  12. I finally actually wrote down my fitness goals. So much easier to have it in print to review and keep me motivated.

  13. The journey of a healthy life starts in childhood, and I’m trying to show that to my kids.

    Great post.

  15. MISS LORI!!! You don’t know this but for a long time I considered you one of my best friends! I would see you (and sing along with you) every day while my kiddos watched you (you were the one with animated guinea pig for a pal right?). Some days you were the only adult I got to talk to! Anyhow, we’re supposed to be talking about health or whatever – and I’m so glad you are making yours a priority now – but holy crap, I just really want to ask for your autograph:)

    • Charlotte, your comments really touched my heart. It is always my goal to make everyone feel as though I am talking directly to them through the camera, because in fact I am. I remember those days when I had no adult conversation. I am tickled that I was able to be yours on those particular days. I hope that one day we will be able to call each other friend in real life.

      SMILE!

      ML

  16. I have just started making my workouts a priority, I used to feel guilty for taking the time away from my kids and my husband. Now I realize that the time away makes me a much better mommy and wife! Also if my kids see that health is important to me I can be a good role model for them. One of my goals is to promote a positive self image along with a healthy weight, so that when my daughter grows she has a good foundation to avoid the negative image I grew up with.

  17. I have been trying to conquer this mountain, 1.3 miles up. My heart rate gets too high and my legs turn to jelly. SEVEN weeks later, today….I made it to the top!!! What a rush. The view was spectacular. Not only did I make it to the top, I did it without stopping. I slowed down after a few hills, but did NOT stop.

  18. Fantastic guest post!!!!! Love your honesty. I have been really trying to simply walk more as of late and I’ve never felt better!

    • Isn’t it true though? We are working ourselves to complete exhaustion and blowing out our metabolism pilot light in the process. Ugh! So not fair! But all we can do is make changes and fight our way back to good health and size.

      SMILE On!

      ML

  20. I need to move to the USA. I am missing out on some great prizes!

    Miss Lori, this is indeed a wonderful message. We have to take ourselves first.

  21. Since April, I’ve been working hard to lose an extra 25lb; tracking portion size, curbing nighttime snacking and regular exercise on weekdays and not only on weekends… it is working! I also tried running for the first time ever, and while I had to take a break due to injury, I hope to build a little of that into my routine gradually!

  22. I started a desk job in February and I truly didn’t realize how much less I was moving until my clothes stopped fitting right…and I stepped on the scale and saw I’d gained nearly 20 pounds! In 5 months! So now I take breaks at my desk to do a set of squats or pushups or crunches and although I haven’t seen the results on my body yet I feel stronger and have more energy at the end of the day. 🙂

  24. Miss Lori!!! ***squeee!!!*** My kids and I loved you and Hooper on the PBS Kids Preschool Block!!!

    “Worked my ass on.” NO kidding! I think long hours at the office were my primary cause of obesity, because any time I’ve seen a sharp uptick in weight, it’s when I’ve gone from a more active lifestyle (college, at home with my kids) to a more office-bound one.

    And oh, how true this is: “How many of you hope that your children will grow up and put themselves last on their priority list for health?” I received a diabetes diagnosis that forced me to put my health as my absolute first priority for a time. I changed my way of eating and began to do at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days per week. I started modestly – at home, either run/walking or DVD workouts – then joined a gym as I gained health and confidence.

    My changes for the BETTER are to sustain the changes, to continually refine my eating (making better choices in quality and quantity) and my fitness (just started training for a half-marathon in December!).

    • You should be so proud of all of the changes you have and are making. I know how hard it can be, but we simply have to do it, for ourselves and for our children. Keep up the good work.

      SMILE On!

      ML

  25. See this is me. I work, I take care of lots of things (lots of things) at home and neglect me. Thanks for the reminder to BETTER myself.

  27. I have started going to bed earlier and getting up earlier every day, so I always have time for a morning workout!

  29. I am trying to decrease the stress in my life (or at least deal better with the stress in my life) by attending yoga classes at least twice a week.

  30. George Michael appears as though he night go down (lol!) because of driving about stoned. Hey, is this a promise or a threat? It’d be like putting most men with a harem! Lol!

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