Lorrie Sullenberger

Fitness expert and founder | Fit and Fabulous ... outdoors

Although adventuress and fitness expert Lorrie Sullenberger stays fit through a variety of outdoor activities, she doesn’t view it as exercise. “Something like hiking is fun—and oh yeah, exercise is the bonus. I feel like exercise, the word, has kind of a bad rap. I want women to reframe what they think of as fitness.” When she was on a quest to lose 35 pounds, Lorrie explains that “the more I obsessed about my butt, the bigger it got. It wasn’t until I got outside, and I started finding something fun about movement, that my body started to change. It’s sustainable because it’s about a lifestyle.”

"I feel like exercise, the word, has kind of a bad rap. I want women to reframe what they think of as fitness.”

These days, Lorrie’s daily hikes provide more than just fun and fitness; they also help her stay balanced emotionally. And she knows what she’s talking about: After husband Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger heroically landed US Airways flight 1549 in New York’s Hudson River, Lorrie says her active lifestyle was the foundation that allowed her to confidently and rationally face the media storm that ensued. “After the accident I wanted to go out to hike, because I knew that it was where I could go to refresh my soul, so that I could go out and face the world again.”

What got you into your adventurous lifestyle?

I grew up overweight. It fluctuated some through my young adulthood. It started when, after going through years of infertility treatments, I wanted my body back. It was a way to heal holistically; a healing process for me. I happened to lose 35 pounds, but really, I felt comfortable in my own skin for the first time in my life. But then the weight loss stopped. I was going through the motions and wasn’t achieving anything.

Then, I had a mentor that got me outside of the gym. After hiking in the hills, or running, or walking or riding my bike, I felt so mentally refreshed. When you’re out in nature, you just can’t really think about anything else; it’s just so beautiful. To me, it’s great therapy. It’s free, cheap therapy. As you become stronger and fitter, you become more confident. It all works synergistically: with more confidence, you react differently to the world.

How can a woman get started?

Everything is fitness. Think of movement—not exercise. My favorite exercise is the one you’ll do, and keep doing; the most perfect lunge in the world isn’t effective if you won’t do it. You have to find what works for you.

I’ve heard women say that they want to lose weight for an event, or they can’t work out for whatever reason. They’re waiting for something to arrive to try to get on track and get healthy. Think of it this way: it’s not about the size of your butt. Fitness is about health: Physically but more importantly, emotionally; having the strength and self-confidence to move forward and get through anything. I didn’t know what was going to happen on January 15 (the day of Sully’s crash landing). I didn’t know I was supposed to be ready. You don’t know if you’re going to get that job interview, if you’re gonna meet the man of your dreams or if the media is going to show up on your front doorstep. Whenever your moment comes, will you be ready?

What’s your favorite lucy style?

I love, love, love lucy. I really do. It’s functional, colorful, flattering and fits well. I can hike, bike and run in lucy and go to Safeway afterwards. It’s truly fashion-forward activewear, and I think that’s great. I love it ALL, but right now, I’m a big fan of the RPM tank—I love that peek-a-boo back.