Lori of Florida & Wisconsin-She is back to health and BUFF~

after a Battle with Breast Cancer!! 

I “met” Lori almost 2 years ago through our Team BuffMother Rally Room.  She continually impresses me with her passion for health and her NO EXCUSES attitude.  I am lucky to call her my friend!  I know you will be inspired by her success story:

“My before picture comes at the lowest point in my life- I didn't take many during that time.  I was going through treatment for breast cancer.”

How do you feel now?:

“I feel fantastic!  You cannot imagine how much better I feel today.  I have come so far since that picture-I feel like a new person.  My body looks better today then it has in years and I'm continually striving to improve.  I'm confident that there are many more WOW pictures ahead of me.”

Lori’s Story in her own words:

“I’m sorry, but you have breast cancer.”  I never expected to hear those words.  I was only 41; I worked in a health food store, worked out and ate right.  How was this possible?  Before I tell you about my breast cancer ordeal—let me back up a bit.

In my 20s I discovered aerobic dance; I was hooked.  Soon I was teaching.  I was later introduced to weight training and quickly fell in love.  Throughout my 20s and 30s, working out remained a big part of my life.  I never had a set program or goal and thus stayed “skinny-fat”—still I thought I was healthy.  I didn’t expect my 40s to be any different, but soon reality struck.  In 2004 at age 41, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  No one expects it to happen to them and I was no exception.  Breast cancer did not even run in my family—I was in shock.

I found an inner drive and determination—for I was not giving up.  Bring on the surgeries!  First up was a lumpectomy, then sentinel node biopsy and finally a bilateral mastectomy.  Then the real fun began—6 months of chemo and a year of herceptin.  All through the chemo I worked out whenever possible.  Working out helped me feel “normal”.  I had previously been told I could never lift again, for fear of lymphedema developing in the arm lymph nodes had been removed.  I refused to believe that—exercise was an integral part of me.

After finishing up herceptin, I started the reconstruction process—the end was near!  I continued with weight training—still no real plan.  I believe things happen for a reason and while surfing the internet one day came across Michelle’s site—Buffmother.com.  I couldn’t believe my eyes—there was this woman with an amazing body and the kicker was she had four children!  She looked strong, confident and yet feminine.  That was how I wanted to look and feel.  I immediately joined the Rally Room—a special place Michelle created just for women.  The warmth and support from the women drew me in.

Finally I was going to break this mold of being “skinny-fat”—I needed a strong and healthy body.  I trained with Michelle, and under her guidance and expertise pushed myself further than I thought capable of.  After having my body ravaged by all the surgeries and chemo—today I actually look and feel stronger then before.  Also, I’ve had no problems with lymphedema!

I would not have accomplished what I have without Michelle and the women in the Rally Room.  A day doesn’t go by that I don’t log in and “see” what my new friends are doing.  I have gained a lot from them and am thankful every day for having found Buffmother.com!

A little about Lori:

What type of work background do you have?  I have a bachelor’s degree in Communications.  I managed a health food store for 11 years.  Now I help my husband with our business.

Do you workout at home or the gym or both?  Both, mainly at the gym though

Do you think you may have any more children?  Nope-I have 2 children and 3 step-children-that’s enough!

How would you describe your personality?  Laid-back, straight-forward, honest and determined

What are your hobbies/interests?  Working out (of course!), traveling, reading and going to movies.

Favorite vacation:   Hawaii so far-going to Italy in May

Favorite food:   Steak! 

Favorite Dessert:  Apple or peach crisp with ice cream or gelato

Favorite shoes:  Comfy shoes-flip-flops or running shoes

Favorite Sports Team:  Nebraska Cornhuskers

Favorite Nutritional Supplements, why:  Whey protein-it’s a quick way to get in extra protein, glutamine for muscle recovery, B-complex for energy and omega 3s for many reasons!

Favorite Exercise, why:  Deadlifts-, because they hit the entire backside!

Lori’s Thoughts on Hormonal Timing:

Before training with Buffmother, I had never tracked my cycle.  I think we women all know there are certain days a month where we may feel a bit "off", etc.  But to be able to track and actually prepare for those days helps in so many ways!

     I think the greatest thing is having a plan-you plan for those days that you may feel a bit more emotional, tired, moody or whatever and by tracking your cycle you are prepared for those days.  You know what to expect-it isn't a surprise.  I love going back and forth between boosting and buffing-just when you are tired of doing the one phase it's time to do the next-how can you possibly get bored with that?  It's a great tool for women to use!!

Another major component of hormonal timing was the use of supplements to correlate between the boosting/buffing cycles.  Because I worked in a health food store for nearly 12 years, I've seen first hand the importance of supplements.  It is hard in this day and age to get the optimal nutrients from our daily food and using supplements is just that-a supplement to our diets.  We should of course strive to get all we can from food first and supplements are just that extra assurance our bodies need.

            It is quite amazing how providing your body with the correct nutrients, one can avoid certain pitfalls that can occur during say PMS!  The emotions can stay on a more even keel with the proper nutrients for instance-keep a woman more balanced.   A woman can help control the extra hunger pangs by properly utilizing certain nutrients to her advantage and in return be on her way to becoming buff!  These are only a couple of reasons to take supplements-the advantages are numerous!  Hormonal timing involves some many aspects and using supplements is a vital part of it!

Back