🏃‍♀️ Living My Low Carb Weight Loss Lifestyle at 62:

From Struggle to Strength: Living the Lifestyle That Changed Everything

I didn’t lose 100 pounds to fit into a dress.
I lost it to fit into a life I never imagined I could have — a life I now wake up excited to live every single day. 

But let’s be clear…

I also didn’t choose half marathons to lose the weight.
I chose them because they help me keep it off — while keeping life exciting, adventurous, and fun in nature.  

Now, in my 60s, I’m walking, hiking, playing tennis, running half marathons, camping under the stars, shopping with joy, and guiding other women over 50 to create their own version of this health adventure lifestyle. I feel light, energized, pain-free, and full of joy — and this is exactly why I live this way.

This past June — I took a partial solo road trip — one that started in the red rock wonderland of Bryce Canyon National Park, up to Pinedale, Wyoming to Glacier National Park and back through BearTooth Hwy. and Yellowstone NP.This 2-week health adventure from California to Utah to Wyoming and Montana — was a celebration of the lifestyle I’ve built. Not a diet. Not a program. But my way of living.

It’s Not a Diet — A Life I Love: This Is the Lifestyle That Keeps 100lbs Off — And Keeps Me Inspired. 

Bryce Canyon: Orange Hoodoos, Forest and Joy in Motion

The first day on the road started in Bryce Canyon National Park, where I camped solo in my truck tent for two magical nights at Sunrise Campground–just across the road from the canyon rim.  What joy to be amongst the pine trees of the forest– something my soul always craves–and walking the rim and seeing the sunset over the canyons (see reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DLKyIfAOLzK/) 

The very next morning, I brewed coffee on my portable stove at my personal picnic table, walked to the road, hopped on the bus to Bryce Point and headed down into the orange hoodoos along the amazing Peekabo Trail to hike and soak up the energy of nature with water and lunch packed and ketones flowing, feeling completely alive, strong, and peaceful.  I have discovered that I look forward to this yearly as a getaway from the stress of daily life.    (see reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DLJPkviug0f/) 

I felt pure joy.This is what I live for: movement, freedom, nature, and the energy that comes from honoring my body– earned and sustainable.

I am grateful that I have reclaimed my body and my health to be this adventurous woman. (see the YouTube video of my lunch break and video of the adventure and how I felt here–https://youtube.com/shorts/1pdVOD9r5KA?feature=share 

This feeling never gets old.

Family, Clients, and Connection Along the Way

From there, I drove to Pinedale, Wyoming to visit my 87-year-old mom. We shared a beautiful mini-road trip together and visited my amazing & determined 71-year-old client, Nancy, from Caspar, Wy, at Lander’s Sinks Canyon State Park for a health adventure day and keto picnic.

We hugged for the first time after months of working together virtually. When I mentioned I would be in Wyoming we realized we could meet!  And she was excited to meet my mom–the lady that got me started in exploring the “why” and “how” when sick and stuck…you open a book and study.  (see my reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DLQK71yuC5f/) 

We hugged. We shared stories.She told me how her fibromyalgia pain is gone…How the weight is coming off…And how even her husband’s tinnitus has improved since he started eating the same carnivore-inspired, holistic low-carb way–that had been unexpected, yet celebrated.

She’s on fire!  They both are–in partnership. They have hope now.  And I’m honored to be guiding their journey.  My pain has become my purpose and passion to help others take back control and thrive! It takes a partnership and more than one to get the healing that is needed.  

This is why I do what I do.

With fibromyalgia pain gone Nancy is excited to be taking back her life into her own hands.  

Her weight has come off, people are noticing her slenderness and her clothes are loose.  She is finally able to wear all the nice clothes that she had stashed away in the back of the closet when Diabetes and weight gain had taken over her body. And yet before working together, even as a carnivore, she was stuck with pain and frustration and unsure how to get unstuck for more healing. 

Aside from her husband’s tinnitus improvement (that most people just assume they need to live with) his heart health is improving! — all from embracing a keto/carnivore-inspired, low-carb holistic lifestyle, utilizing diagnostic labs to find personalized healing opportunities. 

Nancy has been following her personalized Aging Beautifully roadmap based on her labs and her husband has benefited with the mineral health and lifestyle shifts she has incorporated for them both.  There is no stopping a determined woman who’s ready to reclaim her health! 

 (See reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DLSiSjvuI-o/) 

Back in Pinedale, Wyoming, my home away from home where the Pine River runs through and nature is my office.  This is my movement motivator that lights me up and makes me feel alive! Working away from home and in nature is the Aging Adventurous lifestyle I aspire to be living.  Feel my joy (See reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DLVE6dcOYqe/) 

Glacier National Park & Half Marathons That Fuel My Lifestyle

Next came a 10-hour drive north to Glacier Park Lodge, right on the edge of Glacier National Park — one of my soul places.   As we drove through the wide open land and big skies, We listened to the Audible book, “The Great Plant Based Con” by Jayne Buxton to fill in the hours.  We had lunch in the car and Salmon Chowder for dinner at a rest stop in Choteau, Montana, that I heated up on the road in a Hot Logix Lunch Box –Perfection.  I never get tired of road trips –they are joy making for me.  

We stayed three glorious nights at this historic lodge with colorful, blooming flowers, spacious, welcoming interior and exterior gathering spots, and the beautiful front lawn of where I would finish my half marathon.  (See reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DLaAOtxO8jy/ )

The flowers here at the lodge in their front lawn were mesmerizing and I was amazed at all the beauty, esp. As they are only open 4 months out of the year.   

We toured Two Medicine Lake after picking up my Bib and new half marathon t-shirts!  It’s funny but sometimes I tell myself I need to plan a new half marathon just so I can get new t-shirts! (see the reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DMDgztKp4sK/ )

From the dark, storm filled cloud over the lakes to the giant, puffy flowers lining the trail to the 2 lake view at the top, I was grateful and content with my pre-marathon workout by moving my body in a 4 mile hike, jog & nature immersion with elevation to stretch out my calves!  

Mom waited in the truck while I spent a quick hour of movement while exploring the amazing views.  The day was cold, threatening rain and I had 3 layers on which came off pretty quickly!  (see the reel here https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DMDgztKp4sK/ )

Race day began at 3:30 a.m., electrolytes, coffee, drop off to get on the bus, a bus ride and then at the start line—my race started at 6:08. 

The course started uphill for five miles (I had initially worried I would have a slow pace). Yet as usual, I walk-jogged until the ketones kicked in, and then I jogged and danced downhill at the 5 mile mark with the music in my ears and joy in my body that I express dancing as I jog.  

I love this ketone energy and I am living for it!  Nothing lights up your mitochondria like ketones!  I could never have dreamed that I’d have the body and legs to have this hobby.  That I’d be strong of legs and mind enough to jog a half marathon makes me proud of who I have become as a woman in her 60s. 

Yes, danced. Because I could.Because I felt strong & confident.Because this is what freedom feels like in a body that works.

My Low-Carb Fuel for a Long Run

My race fuel:

  • Prerace–water with electrolytes, coffee with collagen, creatine and perfect aminos
  • 2 Keto Brick 100 calorie cups at 5:30am and 2 around mile 10
  • 3 Ketone IQ for clean, stable energy after 9 miles
  • No need for water stops — I was fully prepped with electrolytes 
  • specific aminos acids, enzymes and supplements to prep my energy

 I crossed the finish line smiling with a burst of speed!.

I finished around 3:10 min mile, smiling and with a strong, energized finish as I ran across the finish line with a burst of speed!  My fuel plan for my muscles worked! That was fun and I had good energy at the end! (see my reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DLnwDWNOtjS/) 

This is how I stay energized, happy & keep my 100 lbs fat loss off — not through chronic cardio, but by embracing adventurous movement in nature.  With hiking, walking and half marathons, I can fuel my mitochondria to keep me energized, my muscles strong and activated and my brain excited.  This is one of my processes of activating my mitochondria for fat loss. (see my official race reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DLnxItWuqsx/)   

Half marathon picture

A Road Trip of Celebration, Shopping, and Beauty

After Glacier, the road trip continued.
We stopped in Red Lodge, Montana and stayed at the sweet little Yodeler Motel, where the front porch overlooked green grass, hanging flower baskets and trees filled with chirping robins. The afternoon was pleasurable and felt perfect to relax to.  (See my reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DL1EuIepOld/) 

My mom rested on the porch while I walked into town. The streets were lined with flags and flower baskets for the 4th of July — and though I’ve never been much of a shopper (not at 225lbs), that day I felt excited to buy some new shirts that I found on sale outside a shop. I usually just buy half marathon shirts!  

I found four fun shirts — tried them on & talked with the shop lady as we both talked about healthy feet, legs and grounding. I told her I would wear the pink one as a dress as I have beautiful legs!  

I bought them all!  2 were 4th of July shirts I was proud to wear.  

They fit beautifully. I feel pretty
Clothes hug my healthy body,
I feel good in my skin. 

A friend mentioned I am like a “highlighter” when she saw the big, bright red stars on a white shirt!  I love this feeling of being bright, bold, beautiful and proud and now I have a shirt to represent how I feel in my body!

A client recently said as she finished working with me, “nothing tastes as good as energy feels!”  Ladies, this is the truth.  Never be afraid you will lose the foods you eat, because you will gain more variety and more life to live with pride and excitement.  It is worth the exploration to create your best life & live longer with more confidence and excitement.   

At Glacier Park Lodge, I also bought a bright pink jacket that made me feel vibrant and alive — just like this lifestyle does.

Beartooth Highway, Birds, and Waterfalls

The next day, we took the stunning Beartooth Highway, winding up to 10,000+ feet and the iconic Top of the World Store. The skies were pure blue. The snow had cleared from last week just in time. My mom and I planned this a year ago while in Thermopolis, Wy, and I stacked the Glacier Half onto this road trip, as why not, we were halfway there!  (See the reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DLsb76NuUoT/) 

We walked scenic overlooks. I explored alpine meadows, saw snow walls and found three waterfalls on a hike — and someone even snapped a great photo of me feeling content and happy.  I got more sun than I realized but it fueled me with energy.  (see my reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DLxjvw4pqGO/ )

Even now, 10 years after starting my keto journey, I still see my face and body changing — looking younger, stronger, tanned and healthy.  

This is the gift of healing with low carb nutrition–transformation happens. Body contouring continues as the journey progresses–radiance comes from the inside.   

Yellowstone, Trout Lake, and the Power of Nature

Next stop: Cooke City, then Silver Gate, Montana for coffee and onward to Yellowstone National Park (Check out my two reel on this segment which fills me with pure joy!)–

We saw buffalo on the road, herds in the meadows, and even a golden eagle sitting on a hill!  Lamar valley is spectacular and this was a beautiful morning (see the reel here as we traveled the Lamar Valley: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DL3lfaIvoFr/ )

With a gifted map from my mom, I found a trail to Trout Lake, where wildflowers exploded like a super bloom. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I walked the entire 2-mile loop trail, surrounded by reflections of clouds and trees on the lake, a superbloom of summer flowers and rambunctious and abundant tiny ground squirrels of which one got a toss from my shoe– bliss. (see the reel here https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DMB1-QJvJXd/) 

My ketones were flowing. Joy was leading me.

This is why I move.This is why I travel.This is how I keep the weight off — and the joy turned on.

Looking back–

When I was 40, on my first trip through Yellowstone NP, I was unhealthy, unfit, asthmatic and couldn’t get excited for any hiking–just did some walking with my 2 young kids as we explored.  At one point, there was a trail that went downhill–I just knew I couldn’t make that hike or get back up without a big struggle!  It seemed daunting and I was afraid. It was 500ft down!

I thought of this moment in time as I hiked down to see Yellowstone Lake (500ft down) after viewing a waterfall near the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  Perhaps it was the same spot as before that unnerved me.  Yet I hiked it without trepidation, happy, content and with ease & joy.  I wish I had known then what I know now so I wouldn’t have had to suffer for another 13 years!  (I remember eating jelly beans on that youthful road trip. )  I am thankful every day that I had the courage and got excited for change.  (See the reel here: https://www.instagram.com/loribalueweightloss/reel/DL8wr1_JCHF/ )

100lbs Down and Living Free:  Keto saved my life and renewed life’s possibilities. 

This Is the Lifestyle That Keeps 100lbs Off — And Keeps Me Inspired

Family and the Final Stretch

We wrapped up the road trip by driving through Grand Teton National Park, with clouds rolling in, the Tetons a powerful, familiar vista and rain beginning to fall. Another half marathon done. Another milestone reached. Another year thriving and living my best life.  We had a simple cold rotisserie chicken dinner at Whole Foods in Jackson, Wyoming–almost home.

Back in Pinedale, we celebrated the 4th of July.
I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in 24 years — my niece’s mom — and she told me she follows me on YouTube!

Wow. What a full-circle moment. I was overweight then at 40 (as the story I mentioned above) she was not.  Now I’m 62, vibrant, and now inspiring others just by living my truth. I am grateful to be anchored in my mission of helping women not only lose weight, but get back to living.  I’ve got you, my friends.  

Stronger than before. More alive than ever. 

From Heavy to Happy: The Lifestyle That Keeps Me Lean, Energized, and Free

I felt like the skies were celebrating with me as I enjoyed intermittent thunderstorms in Pinedale, Wyoming, with lightning flashing amidst periodic rainstorms then pure sunshine! It was mesmerizing and my brothers, niece & I watched from the porch as the ribs cooked in the bbq. (See the Slide Show below of our 4th of July Pictures)

Why Movement and Ketones Work Together and Why Half Marathons Help Keep the Weight Off

You don’t lose weight by running marathons.
You lose weight by healing your metabolism with a low-insulin lifestyle and healing your body from the inside out.

You keep the weight off with movement that you love.

Movement — especially joyful, nature-fueled movement — keeps the weight off long term and for good.  This is paramount and most people miss this step.  With the Holistic Low Carb Method and Aging Beautifully and Adventurous lifestyle, you can be part of the 20% of people that keep their weight off. The percentage of people keeping 100 lbs of weight off is only 1-3%!  Let’s change these percentages!!

When you lose the weight, movement feels easier.When movement feels easier, you want to do more of it.

For me, it’s hiking and half marathons — not to punish my body, but to celebrate it. I don’t overtrain. I rarely even “train” for races. I just live in motion and follow my energy–dance.

This increases mitochondrial health — and that’s how you build longevity.  You activate your mitochondria for muscle health for a weight loss lifestyle as I have created for myself–longevity.  This is the secret sauce for health and weight loss.

This is not a chronic cardio story.This is a low-cortisol, nature-based, joyful lifestyle.It’s not a diet. It’s a way of life. 

This is Aging Adventurously.  “Living My Weight Loss Lifestyle” 

The Holistic Low-Carb Method: Aging Beautifully and Boldly

This is not a diet. This is not temporary.
This is my lifestyle. My celebration. My life adventure. It can be yours.

Through my Holistic Low-Carb Method, I help women over 50:

  • Use functional labs to uncover hidden health and weight blocks
  • Customize their Carb Code™ with personalized nutrition based on labs
  • Fuel their body with nourishing low-carb meals
  • Balance their minerals and nutritional needs based on labs
  • Create an adventurous lifestyle rooted in joy and purpose because the energy comes back when inflammation is turned off!

You don’t have to live with inflammation, food cravings, fatigue, or shame.
You can thrive. You can move. You can age young!

Ready to Start Your Health Adventure?

If you’re over 50 and struggling with weight, energy, mood, pain or a disease — and if you’re ready to try something that actually works long term — I’m here for you.

✨ Click here to book your free Health Adventure Strategy Call https://calendly.com/lori_r/health-adventure-strategy-session 

Let’s discover what’s holding you back — and map out your healing path. Let’s get you thriving!

Because this isn’t just about weight loss.
It’s about getting your life back — and building a lifestyle that keeps it.

Age Adventurously!

Lori Balue, A-CFHC, Certified FDN Practitioner

Me and Mom at the top of the BearTooth hwy. switchbacks overlook where she got out and walked.

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