Blog Archives
LauraLovesFitness Turns Six!
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:
Kicking off 43 with a Bang…& a Kick!
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!
Earning my 39 on the Road!
The Trolls Fab Finish 2016
You may remember, I typically join in the two-day, 39.3 mile journey here in New York City. However, one of my Goddaughters will make her Confirmation the same weekend in October and she’s honored me by asking me to be her sponsor. By pounding the pavement in another city, I am able to share such an important day in her spiritual life and keep up my efforts to help kick breast cancer’s butt!
Forever in our Hearts
Since there are so many other amazing women waging their own battle against this awful disease and because I still dream of a world without breast cancer for my Goddaughters and all the daughters and nieces out there, walking 39.3 miles seems the least I can do to join in the fight. Of course, I can’t do it without your help! I have to raise a minimum of $1,800 to get to the starting line, but I hope to raise much more than that and make 2017 my biggest year yet! You can make a donation by simply clicking here and you’ll be taken to my personal page on the Avon 39 website. (You even have the option of donating by mail.)
While proceeds help national research programs, some of the Boston area beneficiaries from 2016 include:
- Boston Medical Center
- Community Servings
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Silent Spring Institute
- Tufts Medical Center
Be sure to look out for updates here on my blog and on my social media feeds. If you’re not following me yet, I hope you’ll check out LauraLovesFitness on Facebook and find me @FitnessLaura on Twitter and Instagram.
I close with a big thank you in advance for your support and a wish for a wonderful month ahead filled with new adventures and plenty of chances to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!
Bring on Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Let’s Kick Breast Cancer’s Butt!
This Motivation Monday arrives just two days away from the kick off of another Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While we’ve made strides in the fight against this awful disease, there’s still so much more to do. Consider these statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Not counting some kinds of skin cancer, breast cancer in the United States is—
- The most common cancer in women, no matter your race or ethnicity.
- The most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women.
- The second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.
We all know someone affected by breast cancer. As you repeat readers know, my mom is a survivor. Today, my St. Mary’s Gael-pal Elizabeth, continues her own battle. So, in 19 days, another St. Mary’s Gael and I will reunite for our second Avon 39 Walk against breast cancer. Sue (my “partner in crime”) even got two of her friends to join us this time. It’s sure to be another epic weekend.
I’m beyond grateful to all of you who’ve supported me so far. Because of your generous spirit, I will start the 39.3 mile journey early on the morning of October 17th. When the going gets tough over the weekend, I’ll do what I did last year. I’ll simply think about how aching muscles and a few blisters are nothing compared to what it’s like to experience cancer.
As you read this post, I’m either in the midst of a corporate video shoot or on my way home. Because of my schedule, I thought about letting this week’s post slide. Then I realized I couldn’t miss out on an opportunity to remind everyone that together we can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. If you’d like donate to Avon 39, simply click here to be directed to my personal page. Every dollar helps provide life-saving screenings and treatment along with support for patients and their families.
One final note: Motivation Monday is also a great time to remember multiple studies have shown exercise is a great defense against all kinds of diseases including cancer. So maybe this is the day you break a sweat for your health and consider giving a few dollars to help others. Together, we can do so much to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!
Six Months and Counting…
I Need YOU to Help Me Re-Unite with Sue and all the other Walkers in October!
Is it me, or do these Motivation Mondays seem to arrive faster and faster? I can hardly believe we’re already done celebrating Easter and Passover and for many others, spring break 2015 is a happy memory, as well. With time flying by so quickly, I hope you won’t mind this early call for support as I try to make my way to the finish line of my second Avon Walk to end breast cancer. The 39.3 mile journey takes place here in New York City in six months.
As you longtime readers may recall, my experience in last year’s Walk was truly life-changing. (Click here for a re-cap of what made the weekend so special.) My goal this year is to re-unite with fellow St. Mary’s Gael Sue and hopefully encourage other classmates, friends and family to put their best feet forward, too! It’s simple. The more people who walk, the more money we raise and the better our chances of wiping breast cancer off the planet once and for all. While I look forward to participating in as many Walks as possible in the years ahead, it would be absolutely amazing to know the event became obsolete in my lifetime because doctors and researchers found a cure.
Before I walk a second time for my mom who beat breast cancer in 2008 and two women my age who went through hell and back to battle the disease during this past year, I need your support. Each walker needs to raise a minimum of $1,800 to lace up. No donation is too small. Just think, if you donate early, you can consider it a good deed crossed off your list for spring.
The link below will take you to my personal page on the Avon39.org website. You can make a donation online, or if you’d rather mail something in, email me and I’ll gladly send you the paperwork.
http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/NewYork?px=7671099&pg=personal&fr_id=2406
I thank you ahead of time for your support, not only for the Walk, but for all my efforts aimed at helping others have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!
lauralovesfitness 