Six years ago, this Motivation Monday fell on July 13th. That day marked the very first installment of LauraLovesFitness. As my blog turns another page into a new year this week, I am simply overwhelmed by the passage of time.

Pick a topic ranging from the political climate; global warming; the roller-coaster ride that is forever Wall Street or the revolving door of celebrity relationships, and it’s obvious we’ve witnessed so many changes in the country and throughout the world since that first post back in 2011. Closer to the home front, I have found this to be a significantly big year when it comes to upheavals and surprises.

While I continue my career in production both on-camera and behind the scenes and maintain my fitness certifications, there were so many changes within my family and circle of friends. At this time last year, my parents moved out of my childhood home. While that move turned into the biggest production of my life, today I can happily report Mom and Dad seem content with their new routine at a new address. Since last July, I’ve also laced up for not one, but two more Avon 39 Walks  – one here in New York City and another in Boston. Sadly, not even a month after conquering the 39.3-mile journey in New York City journey, we said good-bye to our dear friend Liz after her three-year battle with breast cancer. There have been other sad good byes, but there have also been celebrations of new beginnings thanks to a few weddings and a few new bundles of joy arriving in our world.

I realize life is a journey filled with road bumps and unexpected turns, but with each year that passes the highs and lows seem to make a more powerful impact on my heart and soul. I also know I’ve managed the ups and downs of another year thanks to my faith; an amazing network of people I am blessed to call friends and family and that daily surge of endorphins I get through exercise. It’s amazing how a good sweat helps bring me back to center even when I feel like life is more than I can handle. Then there are the weekly installments here at LauraLovesFitness. In this chaotic world, I find some sense of clarity when I can get my thoughts out “on paper.” It’s cathartic to share my successes and failures on the never-ending quest for well-being.

Here are some of my favorite posts since July 2016:

Avon39 Boston

Strong IS Sexy!

Pardon the Interruption…

Kicking off 43 with a Bang…& a Kick! 

Hitting the Pause Button

I close this blog birthday post like all the ones before: I offer a heartfelt thank you to all my readers who inspire me to keep writing and keep moving! Whether you’ve been following my blog since day one or just last week; if you’ve taken the time to share, like, or comment on any of posts on my other social media channels –  each act of support goes a long way! If there’s anything you want to read more or less about here, I’m always looking for suggestions on ways to take LauraLovesFitness through another year.

Here’s to what comes next not only for my blog, but for the adventures that await on our continuing journey to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!