tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21031459624553115192024-03-13T05:31:12.645-07:00hearts, bows & polka dotsLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-76541901109227300692016-03-29T16:51:00.002-07:002016-03-29T16:54:42.978-07:00Nourishment for the Soul <span style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.38;">Sometime ago, I thought that I was done for good with emotional eating & self sabotage & terrifying “pants-don’t-fit” situations. But I wasn’t. Sometime ago, I also thought that working out twice a day, binging nightly, purging daily while pushing my body to train for a half marathon was going to be my forever. But it wasn’t. Sometime ago, I had bullshit beliefs about how my worth was equal to my weight, “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”, “no pain no gain” and the biggest one “once I’m skinny, someone will love me.” </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-bff5b218-c4c9-abd1-231a-f0cd3993aa41" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">I ran my half marathon February 2014. It was definitely a painful journey to get there. I was incredibly proud to cross the finish line in under 3 hours. After that, I would run every now and again. But mostly, I felt lost, I felt like I wasn’t Lauren anymore and I was scared that the only way to keep the weight off was to keep up the lifestyle I’d become accustomed to over the past year. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">Jordan and I met in the summer of 2014. I was still slimmer that I used to be, but not necessarily “perfect” in my mind. My self confidence was slightly boosted still, but I had a demon who could bring me to my knees at any moment. I can remember feeling decent about walking into the coffee shop to meet Jordan for the first time. Hoping that my shirt wouldn’t cling in the wrong places and that my butt looked good. I was still always feeling like I wasn’t good enough, that I still wasn’t what society deemed to be beautiful. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">Fast forward to today. I’ve had a wild year and a half. During the summer of 2014, I decided to move to Fort McMurray and see where that would take me. I gave up my apartment, packed up my things and drove 450 km’s north. 1 month later, I walked into that coffee shop to meet my dream man and he turned my world upside down in the best way possible. We took our relationship seriously from the start. After Christmas, Jordan moved up to Fort McMurray to be with me and hopefully make some decent money to start off our lives together. It didn’t last long. We both missed home & Jordan decided to pursue his apprenticeship and finish his 4th year. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">By April of 2015 we moved back home. We found a place by mid May, and moved in June 1. By August, we were engaged. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">There’s something to be said for being so comfortable in a relationship. Jordan could see me. Jordan knew I was worthy and deserving. Even though I couldn’t. I wouldn’t say that I “let myself go” but I for sure knew that my weight wasn’t a worry for Jordan. Unless I was extremely unhealthy, Jordan wasn’t going to leave me because I’d gone up a pant size. I knew that he loved me for who I was. And that’s something I still have difficulty understanding. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">I recently went through 8 weeks of a Holistic Body Love course. It’s formulated with information that is going to help me for years to come and I can’t fathom not sharing it with everyone. The course opened my eyes to the idea that “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” is bullshit. That “no pain no gain” is a terrible way to nourish my body & soul. That it’s okay that I eat chocolate. And actually, that it’s okay that I eat. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">I strongly encourage you all, to get your minds to a place of nourishment. To seek out what serves you & your body. Don’t push yourself into the deep dark holes of diet fads and malnourishment. Speak to your body, know your mind… it just might open you up to a whole new person. </span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-19844022245129070182015-02-02T12:06:00.001-08:002015-02-02T12:06:27.522-08:00What if.... What if I told you, that since my half marathon, I haven't ran longer than 10 km again.<br />
What if I told you, that I lied to myself, repeatedly, saying "I can do this on my own, I don't need to follow weight watchers, or track my food, or use points."<br />
What if I told you, that there were nights I binge ate and then cried. Or tried on dresses, that used to be loose but are now so tight.<br />
What if I told you, that I lost 32 lbs, and gained them all back.<br />
What if I told you, that even though all of this stuff up there, happened. It's okay.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, you're going to fall. Sometimes, its going to take a while to get yourself back up. Sometimes, no matter how bad you want it and how focused you are, you can lose sight of what the goal was.<br />
<br />
I did.<br />
<br />
6 months ago, I changed. I moved, to a new city, a new space.<br />
I left behind MANY inspiring women, who built me up, who worked out with me, who pushed my past my limits.<br />
I moved the safe space to another room and had to start over.<br />
I promised myself I wouldn't flounder. I wouldn't use it as an excuse to be sucked back in.<br />
<br />
It did.<br />
<br />
I miss Edmonton and the people I love there, SO much.<br />
But I think moving to Fort McMurray has also given me a dose of reality.<br />
It needs to be ME who pushes, who inspires and who builds ME up.<br />
I cannot use this as an excuse.<br />
<br />
I'm back on Weight Watchers - I'm ashamed and embarrassed. But no one else forced the food down my throat, or made the decision for me to sit on the couch instead of working out.<br />
YES, work out buddies are great, YES, people who are on Weight Watchers are like minded and it's helpful when you're choosing a meal.<br />
NO, that will not always be there.<br />
<br />
I need to do this myself.<br />
A little bit of tough love and dusting off the old runners, starting small... but I know I can.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKOTI4xvKAI/UeQPR4r4HvI/AAAAAAAAE6A/0Bi1m41TLnc/s1600/IMG_3208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKOTI4xvKAI/UeQPR4r4HvI/AAAAAAAAE6A/0Bi1m41TLnc/s1600/IMG_3208.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'll get here again. I promise. </div>
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-22700697566375653652014-10-22T14:04:00.000-07:002014-10-22T14:04:39.418-07:00loving at a distance So, for all the readers who have read my blog from the very beginning... you would know that I went through a rough break up.<br />
I'm now able to happily say, I am in a relationship with a wonderful man.<br />
I'm in a very healthy relationship.<br />
We are open, honest, and communicate more than most couples would in their first year together.<br />
We both recognize that each of us need that communication to feel healthy. So that's what we've created.<br />
<br />
My Mr. is calming, compassionate, loving, generous, gentle and just an overall amazing human being. I'm sure there are a few things down the road that I'll learn about him, we all have our little imperfections, but I can't wait to see them and love him anyways.<br />
Jam is the first person that I've ever wanted to fight for. Through thick and thin, no matter where we end up, I will fight for him.<br />
<br />
Here's the fun part - we're 450 km's apart.<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Quit yer bitchin' I'm in a different province/country/state/whatever... </span></i><br />
<br />
I get it. It's not really that far.<br />
I know one of the sweetest girls in my life, has just waited 10 months to see her hunk. 10 months guys. No touch for 10 months? Come onnnnn!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq2jLFblBO0/VEgb4OfNadI/AAAAAAAAI3s/vRxaXnczdaM/s1600/IMG_4534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq2jLFblBO0/VEgb4OfNadI/AAAAAAAAI3s/vRxaXnczdaM/s1600/IMG_4534.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I would be lying if I said that long distance wasn't that bad.<br />
It's absolutely horrible some days.<br />
We get to visit at least every 2 weeks. Which is fantastic, and we've promised to never go longer.<br />
But, I am someone who needs a physical connection. I love the hand holding, the waist grabs, the hugs, the forehead kisses... I love it all. And I crave it when I'm away.<br />
Besides the fact that I can't be in his presence as often as I'd like, I think this is what I miss most.<br />
<br />
How do I do this? It's not that far into the relationship, but I'm struggling guys!<br />
I have 4 more months dedicated to this town...<br />
Then where do I go? What do I do?<br />
Why is making adult decisions so dang difficult?<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-87265153108232094182014-09-23T20:53:00.000-07:002014-09-23T20:53:45.218-07:00learning to love Silence as I walk these unfamiliar streets.<br />
I can hear my flats lightly brush the pavement. The gravel beneath me mutters as I awaken it from it's overnight position.<br />
My thoughts are quickly dancing in and out of my head. It's early.<br />
Coffee.<br />
I stand amongst 8 men. One chimes Good Morning. The others sigh and grunt, grumpy from the late night and early arrival of morning.<br />
I stare at my feet. I yawn. I shiver.<br />
<br />
I climb 4 stairs, look into a sea of strangers and carefully select whom I'll share arm space for 1 hour.<br />
My head bobs, my body lightly sways.<br />
Silence. A snore. More silence.<br />
<br />
Loneliness floats through the aisles. Resentment. Exhaustion.<br />
If it was Thursday, perhaps a light smattering of excitement for the arrival of the end of the day.<br />
<br />
I feel like a number. A little less important than the others. Ones with tickets and trades.<br />
Fort McMurray. You are a strange place. One I will give a chance. One I will stick out. One that holds many people I love dearly.<br />
But you are hard to love.<br />
Open, light up.<br />
<br />
Just then, the northern lights dance through the sky.<br />
I see you, you are heard.<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-92113869227773448722014-04-14T12:48:00.002-07:002014-04-14T12:48:16.570-07:00Who are you losing weight for? A conversation came up between my girlfriend and I yesterday that really struck a cord with me.<br />
For so long, I've been wanting to lose weight. Why?<br />Because I was bullied in school. Because I was never "that girl" who guys fawned over. Because my jean size and my best friends (at the time) horrified me. Because I couldn't wear shorts without feeling so self conscious. Because I wanted people to look at me and say, god she's beautiful.<br />
Because I thought I could never be loved unless I was skinny, tight & toned, with bronzed skin, long gorgeous hair & a perfectly make up'd face.<br />
I truly thought that. Until someone I loved with all my being, taught me a life lesson.<br />
I could no longer depend on anyone to tell me I was beautiful. I could no longer place so much of myself into someone else's hands. They cannot create my life. They WILL NOT create my life. I will.<br />
I refuse to think that I will have a happier life based on someone else's thought of me. I refuse to believe that when I lose weight, I can finally feel unashamed about my body. I refuse to even feel shame.<br />
My body is a freakin' miracle. This 5'7, piece of work drug me 13.1 miles, through Disneyworld to complete my first half marathon. This body, has been put through hell. I've starved it, over fed it, fed it & puked it up, I've been an asshole to it. Yet here I stand. Breathing. Alive.<br />
<br />
Why do I want to lose weight?<br />Because I am beautiful & deserve to look and feel my best.<br />
Who do I need to look my best for?<br />Me. I'm not going to lie, I want to be a hot girlfriend. I want my future man to be proud to have me as his girlfriend. But who decided that I can't be that now. Where did I suddenly get the idea that because I'm 30 pounds away from my goal, I can't be a hot girlfriend. There's this idea in my mind, that because I have curves, because I wear a size 12 and a 36DD, and I wear high rise jeans to hid some of my extra's, that I'm worth less than a girl who is a size 2, who wears a 32B and wears low rise jeans. And on the other hand, I'm not worth more than her either. Her and I are just different. We're different heights, weights, hair color, eye color. We're all different. Why can't that be okay?<br /><br />
It can be. And it is.<br />
If you have ever felt as if you are not enough, as if you are not worth as much as someone else...<br />
Maybe you need to look at what you are basing that thought off of. Have YOU decided that you aren't worth it or enough? Or are you listening to people tell you that?<br />
<br />
From this moment on, I am losing, toning, tightening & creating a better and stronger me. <br />For ME.<br />
& only Me. <br />
Because I'm worth it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RwGFU1hyyi8/U0w7W88rvAI/AAAAAAAAInI/yMhZ9oNt-bI/s1600/IMG_3627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RwGFU1hyyi8/U0w7W88rvAI/AAAAAAAAInI/yMhZ9oNt-bI/s1600/IMG_3627.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-2781532695549112372014-03-25T09:41:00.000-07:002014-03-25T09:41:05.588-07:00Self love & Self SabotageHow many times in life have I said...<br />
I wish... I want... I can't wait till...<br />
<br />
This morning, I read my daily email from the Universe! It's one of the things I most look forward to in my morning routine. I sip my coffee & read the chosen email of the day.<br />
Sometimes, they strike absolutely nothing in me, and I delete them.<br />
Other days, the emails are so bang on, I get goosebumps.<br />
Today was a goosebump day. Guess I better get at it.<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i></i></span><br />
<div style="color: #000066; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</div>
<span style="color: #000066; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>
<div style="color: #000066; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<i>How quickly would you like to be surrounded by wealth and abundance, Lauren? Have even more friends and enjoy more laughter? How fast would you like to Fall in love , or have your own fabulous self confidence ? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>If you answered "Pronto," "ASAP," or "Duh" to any or all of these questions, could it be that you've momentarily forgotten that the absolute fastest way to manifest change is to claim that you already have it? To withdraw your attention from the yearning? To think, speak, and act "as if"? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I didn't think so. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Tallyho, ho, ho, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> The Universe</i></div>
</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Lately, I've been struggling daily with self-love & battling a lot of blame and self-sabotage.<br />
I made a decision about my relationship with someone that I've had a hard time sticking to.<br />
At the same time, my beautiful best friend, made a similar one.<br />
We've spent about 90% of our time, together. And I'm SO grateful that the universe handed us this at the same time. It has brought us even closer than we ever could have imagined & has proved us with an enlightened understanding of each others inner workings. I wouldn't be able to do this without her.<br />
<br />
When you doubt yourself, what does that look like for you?<br />
For me, doubting myself leads to endless eating of unnecessary food. This is called binge eating.<br />
It sometimes gets to the point of uncomfortable. I lose all control and I get the feeling where I just cannot stop. I want so badly to curb this habit. I have definitely made progress from where I used to be... aka: Hiding chocolate under my bed as a teenager, buying food with my babysitting money and eating it when no one could see me, and even middle of the night or early morning junk binges.<br />
Once I've stuffed myself like a Thanksgiving turkey, I sit in a puddle of anger and loathing.<br />
I hate no one but myself.<br />
While I'm eating, I feel "full". Not, I can't eat anymore "full", "full" as in a void is filled.<br />
Something that was missing, isn't anymore.<br />
The feeling lasts all of two seconds.<br />
And then I feel empty again. And then I feel hate.<br />
My mind races with thoughts and feelings. "Remember that bikini you soooo badly wanted to fit into? Guess that's not happening anymore..." "Really, Lauren? Again..?" "God, I wish I could stop this..."<br />
Sometimes, I cry. Sometimes, I just go to sleep.<br />
<br />
This happens in waves. More so when I get overwhelmed with a lot of life things happening.<br />
I'm definitely getting better at stopping myself, asking myself if I really need it, or keeping myself occupied with another task to keep my mind away from eating.<br />
I want so badly to say, that this will never happen again. That I won't binge one late night when I feel overwhelmed and lonely. But I can't yet.<br />
What I can say, is that I'm trying. I'm desperately trying to put the binge eating behind me and find healthy alternatives to turn to.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHsqNFJciU8/UzGxYmLDGfI/AAAAAAAAImk/sfWplqR55xI/s1600/1888701_510933675686134_382972961_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHsqNFJciU8/UzGxYmLDGfI/AAAAAAAAImk/sfWplqR55xI/s1600/1888701_510933675686134_382972961_n.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>At the end of the day, I'm not perfect.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> ( I KNOW THIS IS BRAND NEW INFORMATION!!!!!!)</span><br />
But my new favorite saying is,<i> I hold myself to a standard of grace and not perfection. </i><br />
I'm a work in progress. And I always hope to be.<br />
The self love needs to step up a notch & the self-sabotage needs to back off.<br />
I just have to remember that, bottom line, I'm going to be okay.<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-24493905251235084452014-03-16T19:52:00.004-07:002014-03-16T19:52:37.684-07:00RunDisney Race RecapRunDisney race: Disney Princess Half Marathon <br />
<br />
So here's a recap of the race itself as well as my opinion and thoughts on RunDisney races! <br />
I realize that not everyone will feel the same way that I feel about this... so again, I repeat... MY OPINION: <br />
<br />
1. We arrived the Friday before the race. I wanted to have a relax vacation after my race instead of being exhausted before I had to run 13.1 miles. We stayed in a condo type place - that way we could cook our own meals & I could create a comfy Lauren space before my race. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
2. Pre-race fuel. Of what little races I've ran, the majority of my training took place in the evenings, so I just went with something I knew I would eat & enjoy the morning of the race. My go to is Peanut Butter toast & activia yogurt. I was soooo nervous before this race that I could barely get through the two pieces of toast I made. So even though I wasn't planning to, I packed a granola bar to slowly eat throughout the race just in case I got crazy hungry... and I did! <br />
<br />
3. Race Outfit choices: I ran in Lululemon Wunder Under Crops, a lululemon halter tank & a disney minnie mouse tank. My shoes are asics and I wouldn't even go to anything else for a running shoe. I have a pretty neutral foot, so I don't need much compensation & asics always provide a comfy home for my feets! I wore Nike dri-fit socks... shockingly a sock that tells you if it's a Left foot or a Right foot, makes a difference. I love the compression they give me and they are more padded in some areas than in others. I also ran with the Nathan Minimist Hydration vest. I ran with this during my 10km, but I'll be honest, I don't think I spent enough time making sure that the vest was strapped to me properly. About an hour and a half in, I was in major back pain and I knew taking off the vest was going to relieve it... but I also knew I wouldn't want to put it back on. Other than that, I LOVE that thing. Keeps your water cold and has handy little pockets for lots of goodies. I also more often than not, run with a hat on. I find that it blocks sun & helps from sweat running down my forehead. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgYXhE_3HEA/UyZfLhQpzII/AAAAAAAAIk4/h9zxCqRweTM/s1600/IMG_4801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgYXhE_3HEA/UyZfLhQpzII/AAAAAAAAIk4/h9zxCqRweTM/s1600/IMG_4801.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
4. Prepping for the race: I somewhat wish I had have tried to meet some other people travelling from here for the race. It would have been really nice to meet some other ahead of time, just to see some familiar faces on the road.<br />
<br />
5. I will say that I really enjoyed the RunDisney experience. My bib was personalized with "Princess Lauren" written on the front. It was also customized by colour for your favourite princess. Mine is Belle so my bib was Yellow & purple. I didn't spend a ton of time at the Expo. I did get my free t-shirt and little mesh bag to carry my things in. However, I was disappointed that there weren't more free trial sized things from the expo. I mean come on... free shit rocks. AmIright? For the overall price of the race ($160) I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of water stations/powerade stations & the Gu station that was on the race. (*I did not stop here... Gu freaks me out*) Of course my favourite part was the medal. It is STUNNING. And I'll be honest, I carry it in my purse right now. I looooove showing that puppy off. I was NOT happy with the route of the race. It wasn't really "running through Disney" as I had expected. I'm curious to know if the Disneyland race will be different.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9E0UX85WPg/UyZf4dVLG3I/AAAAAAAAIlI/IzpA16jFmYQ/s1600/IMG_4837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9E0UX85WPg/UyZf4dVLG3I/AAAAAAAAIlI/IzpA16jFmYQ/s1600/IMG_4837.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAM6xUZc95w/UyZf3yOCAzI/AAAAAAAAIlE/v5nNeNY14ns/s1600/IMG_4838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAM6xUZc95w/UyZf3yOCAzI/AAAAAAAAIlE/v5nNeNY14ns/s1600/IMG_4838.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
6. Overall, the amount of people there to help field people & answer the many questions of people was outstanding. There wasn't a second of the whole race that there wasn't someone available for us. It was truly awesome to have so much support. Majority of the people were shouting uplifting messages to us all as we ran through water stations, cheering stations or even from picking up garbage on the side of the road.<br />
<br />
Would I run a RunDisney race again? Absolutely. But I would NEVER do it alone again. I totally respect that some people just need to do their races independently... but I so need the extra push from people. Here's a few more photos, and I promise... no more "I RAN A FREAKIN HALF MARATHON" all over the blog. ; )<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0sSY6BslHeU/UyZiauBZl9I/AAAAAAAAIl4/7BiKHK2chOs/s1600/IMG_4920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0sSY6BslHeU/UyZiauBZl9I/AAAAAAAAIl4/7BiKHK2chOs/s1600/IMG_4920.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPpvDiQKaS8/UyZisbeQjPI/AAAAAAAAImI/zHPJuX-qD84/s1600/IMG_4922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPpvDiQKaS8/UyZisbeQjPI/AAAAAAAAImI/zHPJuX-qD84/s1600/IMG_4922.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Yp1UtCBojU/UyZfATIBXWI/AAAAAAAAIkk/DmhcfjHxOqo/s1600/IMG_4802.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Yp1UtCBojU/UyZfATIBXWI/AAAAAAAAIkk/DmhcfjHxOqo/s1600/IMG_4802.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8pUX1E0jpY/UyZfE1ntADI/AAAAAAAAIks/C0w1KldssS8/s1600/IMG_4803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8pUX1E0jpY/UyZfE1ntADI/AAAAAAAAIks/C0w1KldssS8/s1600/IMG_4803.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCWH4Q9sF8A/UyZiaMoxJeI/AAAAAAAAIl8/NWNj8EDGPMI/s1600/IMG_4919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCWH4Q9sF8A/UyZiaMoxJeI/AAAAAAAAIl8/NWNj8EDGPMI/s1600/IMG_4919.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDR4Tw4RHP0/UyZhacopfjI/AAAAAAAAIlg/EawrIR2ADm0/s1600/IMG_4916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDR4Tw4RHP0/UyZhacopfjI/AAAAAAAAIlg/EawrIR2ADm0/s1600/IMG_4916.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-45108341259842566732014-03-05T08:59:00.000-08:002014-03-05T08:59:03.670-08:0013.1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm back! & I finished my first Half Marathon when I was away...<br />
Holy Smokes!<br />
I can't really wrap my head around the fact that it's over, just like that!<br />
<br />
I was REAL nervous leading up to the race. I took a week off of running before the race date to recharge my body and make sure I was well rested before I left.<br />
I also tried my best to eat really clean and give my body lots of good nutrients leading up to the race day & hydrating like crazy!<br />
<br />
I tried to boost myself up a lot that week. Make sure that I was talking nicely & not negatively... but I'll be honest, I was so doubtful that I would actually finish it.<br />
I kept trying to tell myself that it was only a few hours of my life & it would be over and I might even be satisfied with myself.<br />
<br />
We landed in Orlando dinner time Friday (we had a layover in Denver that lasted long enough for us to watch Canada whoop the US in Hockey... sorry American readers...) the nerves started to fly later that night. The next morning we slept in a bit, and then headed to the ESPN Wide World of Sports to pick up my race package and goodies!<br />
<br />
I ended up with a raging migraine that day - so I had a good nap that afternoon and then spent the rest of the day hydrating like crazy and relaxing in the pool at our hotel.<br />
That night, it was early to bed (9:30) because we all had to be up at 2 am to drive to Epcot for the race start.<br />
My family is amazing! They all got up with me - smiles on their faces, ready to rock the finish line! I am SO incredibly lucky!<br />
<br />
We got there and took a few photos, enjoyed some warm up music - and I brought a Zumba instructor... so Karrone and I definitely did some routines as my warm up! It was a blast.<br />
They started calling corrals and soon I was up!<br />
I hugged everyone goodbye and went on my way. We had about a 25 minute walk to the start line, so I used that time to get myself in the zone & listen to some relaxing music.<br />
<br />
My head was zooming with thoughts - do you have to pee? what if you have to pee? you should probably pee now... oh god, the line up to pee is ridiculous. Am I going the right way? Did I pack my granola bar? Are my minnie ears still on my head? Seriously, am I going the right way? I should totally pee. Nahhh, I'll be okay. I just peed like 4 minutes before I started walking. Where's my corral? WOW there's a lot of people here. I'm hungry. Oh look, my corral. Corral I. Shit. I'm on the wrong side. I can't get to my corral. Ugh. I have to walk alllll the way around again? Stupid. I guess I wasn't going the right way. Well this is embarrassing. Hey no one knows me. Thank god for that. Okay, here we are. I'm going to do some stretching. Yup. Shoulda peed.<br />
<br />
For every corral, there was fireworks when they ran across the start line! That was entertaining! Except that I was corral I and I had to go through A-H before I could go. It made me so nervous just standing there waiting. Finally, my corral was up to start. Here goes nothing. The fireworks went off, and my feet started grooving. I just kept repeating "Run your own Race... don't let the excitement tire you out to fast" My slow start paid off and gave me a good start to get through the first few miles.<br />
It all went by so quickly and suddenly, I was at Mile 4. I wasn't feeling so hot. I was trying to take deep breaths and small sips of water. I started to really feel it towards the end of the mile and knew something was gunna come up... and it did. Mile 5, I puked. The medic station wanted me to lie down - but I just couldn't stop. So I kept on going.<br />
The inbetween miles, I just remember continually repeating "Just Keep Running". I really wanted to stop, but I didn't. Even if it was a slow, slow, slooooowwww pace, I still kept running.<br />
By Mile 9, I was determined to give up. I was ready to call my parents and tell me to come get me. I was SO over this whole running thing and didn't want to keep going.<br />
I started saying to myself.<br />
"There's no one here to tell you to keep going. No one is going to do this for you and you have no one to rely on but yourself. You need to motivate yourself. You are here for you. This is your run, you've brought yourself here. So finish it. Giving up isn't an option." And it wasn't. I refused to bring myself to a different country for a run that I'd be training for and give up.<br />
So I kept running.<br />
The mental game is harder than the run itself. "You should stop" "DON'T STOP RUNNING" "No seriously, just walk the rest" "DON'T DO IT!" "It's finnnne, just give up" "You. Can. Do. This."<br />
I have never gone through so many emotions.<br />
At Mile 5, after getting sick... I was mad.<br />
At Mile 7, I remember being somewhat satisfied with my pace and getting into music and just trying to keep going.<br />
At Mile 9, I was fueled with determination and a little anger.<br />
At Mile 11, tears were slowly streaming down my face at the thought that I was almost done.<br />
At Mile 12, I just wanted to be done. People kept saying, it's right around the corner. It never really was...<br />
Until...<br />
I rounded a corner and saw seas of people with signs, cheering and screaming peoples names...<br />
I wanted so badly to see my family. Anything to help me cross the finish line and give me the push I needed to bust out the rest of the run.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xicCLlKlwvg/UxYiKc2VvFI/AAAAAAAAIiw/w8M1VWdEjl0/s1600/1959293_10153851448070710_484887209_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xicCLlKlwvg/UxYiKc2VvFI/AAAAAAAAIiw/w8M1VWdEjl0/s1600/1959293_10153851448070710_484887209_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SAj6qgtl7iI/UxYiKcaBFyI/AAAAAAAAIi0/TIS7rqzrjV0/s1600/1932439_10153851447945710_1257854295_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SAj6qgtl7iI/UxYiKcaBFyI/AAAAAAAAIi0/TIS7rqzrjV0/s1600/1932439_10153851447945710_1257854295_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How SWEET are these 4 people! I die.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And there they were... Jumping and yelling.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIN7FO7pSfg/UxdWwoukpAI/AAAAAAAAIkA/bKewww2gm3s/s1600/1743531_10153851448140710_1189192627_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIN7FO7pSfg/UxdWwoukpAI/AAAAAAAAIkA/bKewww2gm3s/s1600/1743531_10153851448140710_1189192627_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tears flooded my eyes and I couldn't hold back.<br />
I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon at 3:04:18.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJq_hYhkEY0/UxdWufA_l7I/AAAAAAAAIj8/q6uxwmdgKRg/s1600/1660596_303512956462457_872651105_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJq_hYhkEY0/UxdWufA_l7I/AAAAAAAAIj8/q6uxwmdgKRg/s1600/1660596_303512956462457_872651105_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Not the time I wanted, but the feeling I wanted.<br />
The feeling of accomplishment of something I NEVER thought I could do.<br />
And I did it.<br />
<br />
And I'm crazy enough to say I'll do it again... <span style="font-size: x-small;">although that wasn't how I felt when I finished... </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fXT636iNbZ4/UxYiKdsxxLI/AAAAAAAAIi4/mVbUJTzwYxM/s1600/1962695_10153847393770710_1441209804_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fXT636iNbZ4/UxYiKdsxxLI/AAAAAAAAIi4/mVbUJTzwYxM/s1600/1962695_10153847393770710_1441209804_n.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother & Sister Love!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TrDsImxP0c/UxdWyex3kMI/AAAAAAAAIkI/NCUtiz4myuc/s1600/1926683_10151908612980919_176066690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TrDsImxP0c/UxdWyex3kMI/AAAAAAAAIkI/NCUtiz4myuc/s1600/1926683_10151908612980919_176066690_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally sitting... it never felt soooo good<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-11328635236171116002014-01-21T14:11:00.002-08:002014-01-21T14:12:52.297-08:00Grace & Love I'm a believer in personal development & learning in many ways to improve myself and be the BEST Lauren I can be.<br />
<br />
I've done some "seminar" workshops in the past few years, starting when I was 18.<br />
It was SO enlightening & I was made more aware of so much about myself that I had either decided to hide from or just ignore entirely.<br />
The last seminar I participated in completely changed my life & threw me 180 from where I was.<br />
I wanted the clarity and peace that they provided me again.<br />
I found myself craving it.<br />
So when the opportunity to play "The Samurai Game" arose.. I went for it, immediately. No excuses, I decided I would make the payments work, I was just going to DIVE right in.<br />
<br />
This weekend provided me with more than I figured it would. As time approached, I found myself not actually wanting to participate at all.<br />
There were ample moments that my entire body was in full out resistance to the idea of me going to this seminar.<br />
But I went anyways.<br />
I'm not going to talk details at all.<br />
But I am going to say... I am releasing the idea that I am a failure & disappointment.<br />
And I am stepping into the ability to be loved & practice grace!<br />
Pretty freakin' wicked weekend if you ask me.<br />
<br />
So with that, I am recommitting to myself and the ability to practice SELF LOVE.<br />
I went out on a run last night, needed to clear my head and just spend some time with my feet and the pavement... or should I say ICE.<br />
EFF MY LIFE.<br />
1. I CANNOT run on a treadmill. I mean I COULD, but I choose not to. I will die of boredom and give up 20 minutes in unless I have countless hours of the Kardashian's to watch in front of me.<br />
2. I WILL NOT run on a track alone. Natalya and I hit up the Kinsmen track last week - and it was awesome, but only because I had her beside me to bitch & complain with.<br />
<br />
So my determined little self, laced up, and I headed outside to wander for a while.<br />
I have a path that I absolutely LOVE to run... but I haven't ran it in a while, due to the extremely cold temps and I wasn't sure if it would be clear.<br />
I took the chance last night, because I was so determined and there was something in me that just needed to be pushed.<br />
I found myself in a groove a lot sooner than I normally am.<br />
Most of the paths were bare, until the end of my run.<br />
There were the "oh shitttttt" moments where I caught myself as I was sliding around the downtown paths.<br />
Until this one moment... when I was slowly... and I mean S.L.O.W.....L..........Y running up this perfect sheet of ice.<br />
{I realize that this is ridiculous & some of you are probably like, why did you even go this way?<br />
But it was dark & it's my path and I don't normally stray from it cause I'm scared to go elsewhere and get kidnapped.}<br />
So here I am, slowly chugging up this hill, when it happens...<br />
I lose my footing.<br />
My fingers brisk the ice.<br />
I feel contact with the ice to my chest.<br />
& I'm sliding.<br />
Down.<br />
Faster & Faster.<br />
I hear "oooommmmmfffff"<br />
I've run into another human being whose trying to help me up without me taking him down with me.<br />
{Only in Lauren's life...}<br />
<br />
I embarrassingly accepted his help up. And thanked up, while turning bright red & nervously giggling at the thought of him watching me slide stomach first down this hill...<br />
Best part? ... He never said A WORD.<br />
Not once.<br />
Talk about AWKWARD.<br />
I went off on my merry way and finished a lovely 9.94km's in 59 minutes.<br />
Yay me! Boo City for your absolute SHIT pathways...<br />
Remind me again?<br />
Oh right, I'm practicing GRACE... obviously not very literally.<br />
<br />
Happy Tuesday<br />
XO<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-85260708936587323382014-01-15T10:18:00.002-08:002014-01-15T10:18:15.402-08:00What it felt like to Turn ON the lightsI've mentioned in previous posts, that I disliked myself so much that I created a habit of always showering in the dark. The bathroom light, barely ever turned on.<br />
If it did, I was already dressed.<br />I avoided mirrors until clothes covered my body because I couldn't bare to look at myself.<br />
This continued for many months.<br />
Jokes about mixing up conditioner and shampoo aside... It gave me an eerie calming feeling.<br />
It was like nothing could see me, nothing could touch me and most importantly nothing could hurt me.<br />
My hurt stemmed from self abuse. I was starving myself and torturing my mind and body because I felt I deserved it.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">All for a guy. PFT. Glad I got over that. </span><br />
<br />
It sounds like a have a phobia, while I wouldn't go that far, there was a point where I said enough is enough.<br />
I specifically remember Jana saying "Quit that shit already."<br />
She was right, enough <b>was</b> enough.<br />
I started to turn on the lights... and it wasn't so bad.<br />
I started to see me for me, for every mole, every freckle, every crease and dimple.<br />
I didn't like what I saw.<br />
So I started slowly.<br />
I wrote little messages with window writers on my mirrors.<br />Things like: "You're beautiful", "Stay Strong", "No man will ever define you"<br />
Little reminders to myself that I'm worthy, that I deserve good things & I deserve the light switches turned ON.<br />
<br />
As ladies do, we compare, we dream & we desire.<br />
All for something different than what we already have.<br />
The grass is always greener. But it isn't.<br />
There's new trends going around that freak me out, quite honestly.<br />
Bikini Bridges? Those creepy collar bones? Thigh Gaps?<br />Oh goooodddd. Enough already.<br />
I'm guilty. 100%.<br />
I want a tight, toned body. And I'll work for it to get it.<br />
But I wanted to enjoy the ride & be able to watch my progress.<br />
I wanted to not look in the mirror and hate myself every step of the way.<br />
Turning on the lights, gave me a new perspective.<br />
When I stopped showering in the dark, I promised myself that for every negative body comment I made, I had to think up 3 good ones.<br />
It's playing a game with myself, I realize that.<br />
But slowly, the negative body talk, ended.<br />
<br />
Yes. There are days that I grab at my stomach and suck it all in.<br />
That I wish it was happening faster & that I wish I did more squats.<br />
But the reality is, no matter where you are in a health journey... even if you aren't even on one...<br />
Turn ON the lights.<br />
Brighten your body talk.<br />
We all deserve to help each other<b><u> turn on </u></b>the light switches... no one should live in darkness alone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCADSkD3_OY/UtbQbxqBF9I/AAAAAAAAHpE/8eb2xJ0V7Nc/s1600/55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCADSkD3_OY/UtbQbxqBF9I/AAAAAAAAHpE/8eb2xJ0V7Nc/s1600/55.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nii5xse7_zw/UtbQaZQ4i2I/AAAAAAAAHo8/tk-fKsFWz2I/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nii5xse7_zw/UtbQaZQ4i2I/AAAAAAAAHo8/tk-fKsFWz2I/s1600/32.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-65826005106612985852014-01-13T10:09:00.000-08:002014-01-13T10:09:10.755-08:00"You've lost weight this week" I hit up my regular Saturday morning meeting this week. Filled with the faces I love to see, & even though I haven't been in a while... I still got the warm fuzzy feeling I always get from my WW peeps!<br />
<br />
I wasn't nervous or excited about this meeting.<br />
I knew it might not be what I wanted to hear... but I knew I needed to hear it.<br />
Whatever the number was, I'll deal with it.<br />
I kept repeating this to myself all week.<br />
You've done it before, you can do it again.<br />
Yet, I found myself "going easy", I didn't beat myself up too much. There were moments of "um you sure you wanna do that?" but there were also moments where I made the right decision... I mean I ordered a veggie platter at The Canadian Brewhouse for Pete's sake... that's dedication!<br />
<br />
I stood on the scale.<br />
"You're down 4.6 this week"<br />
I'M SORRY, WHAT?!?<br />
How in the hell did that happen?<br />
My response was "Well it's about time!"<br />
But, I hadn't really done anything.<br />
I did work out a few times, I watched what I was eating way better & I didn't eat a scone for breakfast every. single. morning.<br />
It's the little things is what I'm trying to say.<br />
If you are out there, somewhere, and struggling to find a way to start... start itty bitty.<br />
Start with replacing the 3rd Full fat latte of the day, with tea or water.<br />
Start by adding a handful of almonds in between your meals.<br />
Don't just quit cold turkey.<br />
<br />
The reason I love weight watchers is because of exactly that.<br />
You don't have to QUIT anything.<br />
Everything is in moderation. If you want it, have it... but don't eat 15 reese peanut butter cups in one sitting.<br />
That's just not okay & you'll probably get diabetes.<br />
Plus, that shit <br />
does not make you feel good about yourself.<br />
<br />
I promised myself I would learn to love me for me.<br />
Whether heavy or light... whether fast or slow...<br />
I was learning to love myself for my imperfections. No. Matter. What.<br />
<br />
Did I take a hiatus from running for the month of December? Yup.<br />
Did I overindulge on Holiday goodness? A little bit, yup.<br />
Did I consistently call myself fat & ugly? NOPE.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCNqkSopbwU/UtHWMkgcv6I/AAAAAAAAHos/SzGv3owbXXo/s1600/IMG_4130.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCNqkSopbwU/UtHWMkgcv6I/AAAAAAAAHos/SzGv3owbXXo/s1600/IMG_4130.GIF" height="135" width="320" /></a></div>
There's my change.<br />
I know I'm not fat & ugly. NO ONE IS.<br />
I will always struggle with my relationship with food... but that's okay.<br />
I have accepted that food & I don't always get along, but I'm stronger now & have way more tools and support to make it through the days that food tries to succumb me.<br />
<br />
2014, will be the tits.<br />
It already has been.<br />
I'm still dedicated, I'm running a half marathon & I love myself.<br />
What more could I need?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-63523372197696661042014-01-08T09:03:00.001-08:002014-01-08T09:03:12.536-08:00Hello? Motivation? Where are you?Okay - I am exactly 45 days away until I run a half marathon. I have 368 days till I hit the beaches of Maui for Natalya and my Goal Weight Vacation.<br />
I'm missing something?...<br />
Oh right. ya! My motivation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
What the effffff, Lauren?<br />I've gained about 4 lbs over the holidays and I'm all devastated like I have no idea what happened...<br />
But I did it to myself. So it's time to undo it.<br />
Enough already.<br />I'm self sabotaging myself, I'm making excuses. Even my fitbit is asking me WTF?<br />
<br />
Excuses:<br />
1. Lazy<br />
2. Procrastination<br />
3. Too cold<br />
4. I've got time... (slowly becoming a reality that I REALLY don't have time)<br />
5. My body is pissed I haven't been moving - so I'm sore and constantly hurting myself<br />
6. Other things to do<br />
<br />
I'm going back to 30 min Hit tonight, I need to punch something in the face & hopefully it's the Food Devil in my head.<br />
Spinach smoothies are coming back in full force.<br />
I feel like garbage & I'm at the end of my rope with myself...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--jPFq_CXtSI/Us2EvDfHI3I/AAAAAAAAHkM/iTN1QZqGhXE/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--jPFq_CXtSI/Us2EvDfHI3I/AAAAAAAAHkM/iTN1QZqGhXE/s1600/0.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-24493084389570309102014-01-01T19:20:00.000-08:002014-01-01T19:20:24.355-08:00Holiday Wrap Up!I have so many thoughts running through my mind tonight...<br />
I'm cuddled closely with the family fur baby. Thankfully she's been with me for a week while my parents deservingly hit the beaches of Mexico.<br />
The same day they left, my best friend and her family took off to Orlando for vacation.<br />
I've had ample opportunity to think, be silent & relax over the holidays that I actually welcomed going back to work.<br />
Odd.<br />
<br />
This Christmas was amazing. Every year it is.<br />
But this one was special. We had our family of 5 + fur baby in my brother's first home.<br />
We're a totally normal family. We get on each other's nerves, we get frustrated & say things we don't mean. But we really love each other.<br />
I am SO proud of my brother & sister in law for hosting us all this Christmas. Mainly because they have created a really "warm" home.<br />
I ended up squatting there for most of the week - it was really nice to be around everyone, even though I had to work. It was nice to wake up to a house filled with people I love.<br />
I've done a really great job of learning to love the home I created & being alone, if I say so myself.<br />
But there's still moments that I really wish I shared them with someone. That I could wake up to another human in the mornings.<br />
Someone to hug & talk with when I get home from work. It'll come someday soon, I hope.<br />
But for the holidays, this was the best gift my siblings could give to me. Waking up in a warm house, filled with people I love. It was the greatest feeling.<br />
<br />
"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" ~ Maya Angelou<br />
This couldn't be more true.<br />
<br />
The feeling that I get when my brother tells me he's proud of me, the feeling I get when my sister in law tells me she loves me, the feeling I get when my mom runs her fingers through my hair as I rest my head on her chest, the feeling I get when my dad calls me little muffin, the feeling I get when my best friend and I laugh so hard when we first wake up after a night of Gilmore girls, the feeling I get when Penny rests her head on my chin.<br />
The feeling I got when I woke up Christmas morning, in a house filled with people I love, next to a warm fireplace made my Christmas.<br />
<br />
Then there's New Year's Eve.<br />
A lot happened in 2013. I grew up a little more, and hopefully I'll grow up a lot more this year too!<br />
I woke up this morning thinking of 2014 as just another day with a different number.<br />
I made some goals & dreams for the year, most things I knew I would attain.<br />
2014 will be amazing, because I'll create it to be.<br />
I'm running a half marathon in 50 days, and I'll probably run half marathon #2 this year, too!<br />
We're going on our first family vacation outside of Canada since 2006.<br />
My parents will mark 30 years married in June.<br />
There's lots to come and lots to learn.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm so proud & excited for myself and those around me! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy 2014 everyone, adios 2013! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNLRz4mVszk/UsTYFsjCh_I/AAAAAAAAHa8/N9C90yiznsE/s1600/1372AE8C-D24D-4D00-BA02-5625AEAC7FD6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNLRz4mVszk/UsTYFsjCh_I/AAAAAAAAHa8/N9C90yiznsE/s1600/1372AE8C-D24D-4D00-BA02-5625AEAC7FD6.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vP3DrFcI63w/UsTan_E42jI/AAAAAAAAHbI/hl7GCC1aLWQ/s1600/0FA3ADA0-013D-4921-8D9E-C92E006A95C0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vP3DrFcI63w/UsTan_E42jI/AAAAAAAAHbI/hl7GCC1aLWQ/s1600/0FA3ADA0-013D-4921-8D9E-C92E006A95C0.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UasNNPM9F-E/UsTan4piIpI/AAAAAAAAHbI/oPuz33Fz_kg/s1600/21212823-15C1-47C7-88E1-23C9AE9764FE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UasNNPM9F-E/UsTan4piIpI/AAAAAAAAHbI/oPuz33Fz_kg/s1600/21212823-15C1-47C7-88E1-23C9AE9764FE.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZCnAeP_Tf8/UsTan_agO4I/AAAAAAAAHbI/I7XBnMCjvP4/s1600/B1303EC3-246C-4301-A2D3-A83740ECFDC0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZCnAeP_Tf8/UsTan_agO4I/AAAAAAAAHbI/I7XBnMCjvP4/s1600/B1303EC3-246C-4301-A2D3-A83740ECFDC0.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSFk7Ow9Az4/UsTan6BouEI/AAAAAAAAHbI/iZVbaO-_b2A/s1600/F01345DC-79D9-42BB-A8E1-B6EEA330D724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSFk7Ow9Az4/UsTan6BouEI/AAAAAAAAHbI/iZVbaO-_b2A/s1600/F01345DC-79D9-42BB-A8E1-B6EEA330D724.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OcE3OLv0TZo/UsTanyvbJRI/AAAAAAAAHbI/RsGxGXdrRNk/s1600/B18C037F-E7FA-4EEC-ACC1-FDBEF3CB4055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OcE3OLv0TZo/UsTanyvbJRI/AAAAAAAAHbI/RsGxGXdrRNk/s1600/B18C037F-E7FA-4EEC-ACC1-FDBEF3CB4055.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hiZp-0wLVCA/UsTanyPPD8I/AAAAAAAAHbI/Ud-kWEL__3c/s1600/IMG_2930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hiZp-0wLVCA/UsTanyPPD8I/AAAAAAAAHbI/Ud-kWEL__3c/s1600/IMG_2930.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CACKKThf0j4/UsTan2foQoI/AAAAAAAAHbI/CvseuqWlFsE/s1600/IMG_2952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CACKKThf0j4/UsTan2foQoI/AAAAAAAAHbI/CvseuqWlFsE/s1600/IMG_2952.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RMAc1o1bNk/UsTan51KJpI/AAAAAAAAHbI/U71_B8BeqSw/s1600/IMG_2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RMAc1o1bNk/UsTan51KJpI/AAAAAAAAHbI/U71_B8BeqSw/s1600/IMG_2969.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZbq8Lq0GjM/UsTanxrjHAI/AAAAAAAAHbI/O6mahMLb2CY/s1600/IMG_3006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZbq8Lq0GjM/UsTanxrjHAI/AAAAAAAAHbI/O6mahMLb2CY/s1600/IMG_3006.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_MilOJVb1E/UsTan1RcObI/AAAAAAAAHbI/YVQqCzIjrXg/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_MilOJVb1E/UsTan1RcObI/AAAAAAAAHbI/YVQqCzIjrXg/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_c5Ybm_SLzM/UsTan_W6uLI/AAAAAAAAHbI/RqTLoUyEBMM/s1600/IMG_3076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_c5Ybm_SLzM/UsTan_W6uLI/AAAAAAAAHbI/RqTLoUyEBMM/s1600/IMG_3076.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRJaSIlaZ7o/UsTan_gnv8I/AAAAAAAAHbI/GcMy87AHzvU/s1600/IMG_3068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRJaSIlaZ7o/UsTan_gnv8I/AAAAAAAAHbI/GcMy87AHzvU/s1600/IMG_3068.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0FlwvphyTFY/UsTanxz7heI/AAAAAAAAHbI/0yfkfCjJsK8/s1600/IMG_3095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0FlwvphyTFY/UsTanxz7heI/AAAAAAAAHbI/0yfkfCjJsK8/s1600/IMG_3095.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIHueM6cL1E/UsTan9LwtMI/AAAAAAAAHbI/dIWbPL_PL8U/s1600/IMG_3116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIHueM6cL1E/UsTan9LwtMI/AAAAAAAAHbI/dIWbPL_PL8U/s1600/IMG_3116.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ErvYFEc0FaA/UsTan_IfosI/AAAAAAAAHbI/ve3Qno7QDd8/s1600/IMG_3320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ErvYFEc0FaA/UsTan_IfosI/AAAAAAAAHbI/ve3Qno7QDd8/s1600/IMG_3320.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSjww1uWVmI/UsTan_QUZCI/AAAAAAAAHbI/-JIMsYxnH8E/s1600/IMG_3325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSjww1uWVmI/UsTan_QUZCI/AAAAAAAAHbI/-JIMsYxnH8E/s1600/IMG_3325.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFOVVUdvi8k/UsTan4di0jI/AAAAAAAAHbI/C7zcGHPaZFU/s1600/IMG_3380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFOVVUdvi8k/UsTan4di0jI/AAAAAAAAHbI/C7zcGHPaZFU/s1600/IMG_3380.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yHK5H1l-eLI/UsTan0CVaWI/AAAAAAAAHbI/-qAYr5jSm0A/s1600/IMG_3490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yHK5H1l-eLI/UsTan0CVaWI/AAAAAAAAHbI/-qAYr5jSm0A/s1600/IMG_3490.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SZNkJUX3jrM/UsTanwykfQI/AAAAAAAAHbI/zE4VM94RcGM/s1600/IMG_3567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SZNkJUX3jrM/UsTanwykfQI/AAAAAAAAHbI/zE4VM94RcGM/s1600/IMG_3567.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYYW0oWqLPU/UsTan0Y0vkI/AAAAAAAAHbI/ySqkJCx0110/s1600/IMG_3649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYYW0oWqLPU/UsTan0Y0vkI/AAAAAAAAHbI/ySqkJCx0110/s1600/IMG_3649.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mdzxmJMa4to/UsTanwyDeOI/AAAAAAAAHbI/9XTy8GRGa2k/s1600/IMG_3687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mdzxmJMa4to/UsTanwyDeOI/AAAAAAAAHbI/9XTy8GRGa2k/s1600/IMG_3687.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6sihBcnbuw/UsTan0zKzJI/AAAAAAAAHbI/pyB9lz8ZtzI/s1600/IMG_3701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6sihBcnbuw/UsTan0zKzJI/AAAAAAAAHbI/pyB9lz8ZtzI/s1600/IMG_3701.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K7cq0Sxds6g/UsTan8N2S1I/AAAAAAAAHbI/gtQ9GmOZdyQ/s1600/IMG_3744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K7cq0Sxds6g/UsTan8N2S1I/AAAAAAAAHbI/gtQ9GmOZdyQ/s1600/IMG_3744.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1VeAEAZOUG4/UsTaoDbzvjI/AAAAAAAAHbI/1MaKw44OUUs/s1600/IMG_3752.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1VeAEAZOUG4/UsTaoDbzvjI/AAAAAAAAHbI/1MaKw44OUUs/s1600/IMG_3752.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-03Ay57vDFj4/UsTaoOcvr6I/AAAAAAAAHbI/aotC0fNmz9I/s1600/IMG_3802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-03Ay57vDFj4/UsTaoOcvr6I/AAAAAAAAHbI/aotC0fNmz9I/s1600/IMG_3802.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pg1T1DYdNXc/UsTaoAHpg4I/AAAAAAAAHbI/otawXEvIE90/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pg1T1DYdNXc/UsTaoAHpg4I/AAAAAAAAHbI/otawXEvIE90/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqJOi15MG40/UsTaoECTa8I/AAAAAAAAHbI/PZIfw_V7t6M/s1600/IMG_3849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqJOi15MG40/UsTaoECTa8I/AAAAAAAAHbI/PZIfw_V7t6M/s1600/IMG_3849.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H2QIlD-e7h8/UsTaoF6TMfI/AAAAAAAAHbI/U-sbkCRrPWw/s1600/IMG_3857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H2QIlD-e7h8/UsTaoF6TMfI/AAAAAAAAHbI/U-sbkCRrPWw/s1600/IMG_3857.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jTxnD5j-xgI/UsTaoFWZwbI/AAAAAAAAHbI/tG6SQhWC-mU/s1600/IMG_3868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jTxnD5j-xgI/UsTaoFWZwbI/AAAAAAAAHbI/tG6SQhWC-mU/s1600/IMG_3868.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmtfqBrcL-U/UsTaoM5CvAI/AAAAAAAAHbI/-UNXXyRi3II/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmtfqBrcL-U/UsTaoM5CvAI/AAAAAAAAHbI/-UNXXyRi3II/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v0jlgTIrtF0/UsTaoAW6PzI/AAAAAAAAHbI/_HDfkpLJn8o/s1600/IMG_3991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v0jlgTIrtF0/UsTaoAW6PzI/AAAAAAAAHbI/_HDfkpLJn8o/s1600/IMG_3991.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mbvhtJmkTR4/UsTaoGwsNoI/AAAAAAAAHbI/5bVU4i596DY/s1600/IMG_4050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mbvhtJmkTR4/UsTaoGwsNoI/AAAAAAAAHbI/5bVU4i596DY/s1600/IMG_4050.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-26482776090713305062013-12-30T11:43:00.000-08:002013-12-30T11:43:04.284-08:00Update on TeaTox'ing<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Hump Day!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yay, you are almost through the first week of December... there's only 3 weeks till Christmas! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">WOOOO! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Official count down: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>21 DAYS! </u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So anyways, back to other things. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm teatoxing... I think that's a word?<br />It's delicious (kinda, not really). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's my opinion: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ If you like herbal tea, you'll have no problem drinking this</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ 14 days is actually a really long time to drink tea, I don't think I would do the 28 day one, unless I was at goal weight and was headed on a beach vacation the next month or something</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ I like tea, but 3 times a day is cray</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ I'm really bad at planning these things and forget I need to drink it 30 mins before a meal. So I normally just try and drink it 3 times a day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ This probably means that it won't be as effective as it should be/is for other people</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ Don't expect extreme results from this, it's just a little extra push for those 2-5 lbs of water weight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ You still have to eat really clean and healthy during it. You can't expect to lose weight/tone with this if all your doing is drinking the tea 3 times a day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ I definitely felt nasty the first two days, but otherwise fine afterwards. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~ I feel lighter and less flubby (also a word)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Final results photo: before & after will be up next week. I'm doubting anything major will appear. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Final review & decision on if I would do this again: up next week! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For everyone who has bought the tea & is trying it, I encourage you to write your own opinion on Facebook or in the comments below! I'm interested to know why people are trying it and if it works for them! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-63256394664829380452013-12-02T07:56:00.001-08:002013-12-02T07:56:57.041-08:00IT'S DECEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!Okay... those who know me, I know I am a FREAK for the winter months... especially DECEMBER!<br />
It might have something to do with the fact that I am a December baby and Christmas happens.<br />
That's totally it.<br />
But also, even through the Facebook stories of Black Friday Chaos, pushy mall walkers, poor parking jobs & even angry customers... there's ALWAYS something great that I see during these months.<br />
I was in the mall yesterday, looking for stocking stuffers because we chose to do a smaller Christmas this year so we can all save our pennies for Florida.<br />
I did see some of the above, I did even get a tiny bit frustrated at people who just cut in front of you.<br />
What I also saw, was little kids dressed up to take a photo with Santa, Mom's & Dad's looking for the ultimate gifts to give their kids, and cheerful staff in the mall helping people find their way through the madness of Sunday at South Gate.<br />
<br />
Blah Blah Blah, Lauren! Christmas is a time for giving, Yay happiness and cheer!<br />
I get it... stop reading now if you want... but I just wanted to explain something.<br />
<br />If you are looking for negatives... you'll find them.<br />
If you create the situation in a negative space... it'll be negative.<br />
<br />I hear people complaining all the time that Christmas has become all about the gifts & the money.<br />
But there are still so many people out there, trying for good.<br />
<br />
Be that person! Just try it out.<br />
Instead of getting frustrated at traffic or how bad our Alberta winters are... try looking at how beautiful the trees are with hore frost.<br />
<br />
This is why I love December. Not because I get birthday presents & Christmas presents... But because I feel a TON of love during this month.<br />
& That's my favorite.<br />
Love.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H99G4Ao8beI/Upytwh_Fh_I/AAAAAAAAHUA/6jMkXiaO0k0/s1600/IMG_4051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H99G4Ao8beI/Upytwh_Fh_I/AAAAAAAAHUA/6jMkXiaO0k0/s1600/IMG_4051.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-71446274749676133862013-11-19T08:36:00.004-08:002013-11-19T08:36:42.897-08:00No lies here! I'm not going to lie to you... I've been really struggling.<br />
I had that week off and I've been somewhat sliding downhill since then.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFok7Qbrzd8/UouTWT4fciI/AAAAAAAAHGo/0P1JFtmBIEA/s1600/5b07eaa372e00a85c9282cb5e00c18f3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFok7Qbrzd8/UouTWT4fciI/AAAAAAAAHGo/0P1JFtmBIEA/s1600/5b07eaa372e00a85c9282cb5e00c18f3.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Tonight, I gotta get in a good run and some abs, then hopefully head out for some groceries.<br />
Man eating clean is flippin' expensive! Boo you vegetables! Go on sale would ya'<br />
<br />
I'm hoping to hop right back on the train.<br />
I haven't ran anything much further than 10.5 km and I'm losing time.<br />
I NEED to clean up my act.<br />
Or this Half Marathon is going to eat me alive.<br />
<br />
The only difference here?<br />I'm way lighter than I used to be, I know I can, and my head is still really in the game.<br />
Even though I'm sliding, sliding doesn't need to mean what it used to for me.<br />
Sliding can just be a gentle glide, but I'll climb back up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TuBnD8GUYo/UouTacXfvbI/AAAAAAAAHG4/xB05snkevOU/s1600/7023bb59c3c7a450cabd92f36742c1d4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TuBnD8GUYo/UouTacXfvbI/AAAAAAAAHG4/xB05snkevOU/s1600/7023bb59c3c7a450cabd92f36742c1d4.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I'm making a promise to you all... I'm hitting the treadmill tonight!<br />
It's gunna happen.<br />
<br />
Do you ever fall behind? What keeps you going?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H4eunzwzSNE/UouTYohw3sI/AAAAAAAAHGw/FFtyvBtdHPs/s1600/8f3266766614a3b856c3adcd780afcba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H4eunzwzSNE/UouTYohw3sI/AAAAAAAAHGw/FFtyvBtdHPs/s1600/8f3266766614a3b856c3adcd780afcba.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />.....Step away from the Oreo's... You can make it out alive!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-75122901968816886172013-11-19T08:12:00.001-08:002013-11-19T08:12:57.683-08:00Road Trips, Meeting Bambi, James Bond & dying... Jana and I began our road trip on Friday afternoon at approximately 12:10 pm.<br />
I went into work early all week to make up for the time I would miss Friday afternoon.<br />
I was stoked to spend some real quality time with Jana and to get away for a little while.<br />
<br />
We started the trip the way every trip should start...<br />
Starbucks.<br />
Dancing to Frankie Sinatra in Starbucks while waiting for our drinks & getting tires re-torqued in Nisku... Ahhh the randomness that is Jana & Lauren together.<br />
<br />
We were gabbing our way through the trip - talking about life's adventures and #firstworldproblems.<br />
Jana and I were both blessed with small bladders, so just as we were about to hit Gas-o-line alley (we had to make a joke about Diagon Alley!) we decided we'd need to stop for a pee and some H2O.<br />
buuuuut, the universe had some other plans for us.<br />
<br />
Here's the set up:<br />
There's a white Dodge Ram in front of us, there's a ford explorer to my right, merging into traffic... then I see this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZwbhsnKkCI/UoLObKoq4HI/AAAAAAAAG8s/-kaT0m__PN4/s1600/deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZwbhsnKkCI/UoLObKoq4HI/AAAAAAAAG8s/-kaT0m__PN4/s1600/deer.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The deer jumped straight into the side of the Dodge Ram.<br />
I saw it jump up, covered my eyes and screamed "Oh my god, No no no no no!!!"<br />
Jana didn't realize what this brown thing in the corner of her eye was.<br />
The deer flipped up, was galloping in mid air, landed in our lane and we had no choice but to go right. over. top. of. it.<br />
Que "holy shit"'s, "OH. MY. GOD"'s and some tears...<br />
<br />
Jana slowly moved her vehicle off to the side of the road, which was now making some pretty funky noises.<br />
The lady who was merging on my right was REALLY close to rear ending us, and she stopped to make sure we were okay.<br />
She was pretty shaken up too.<br />
Jana and I really had NO IDEA what to do now.<br />
I was 100% sure that we had dragged the deer under our car... but it was still in the middle of the highway.<br />
When we got out of the car, we took a look at the front of Jana's car.<br />
It definitely could have been worse.<br />
But her front end was smashed and her radiator was hanging from her car.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stP3LDHMxSw/UouNtVrbnFI/AAAAAAAAHGQ/cUwDpNJASxk/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stP3LDHMxSw/UouNtVrbnFI/AAAAAAAAHGQ/cUwDpNJASxk/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if I should say "thankfully" or not... but an RCMP officer pulled up behind us.<br />
As it turns out, he was headed northbound and had seen the whole thing happen.<br />
He wasn't the most helpful in the beginning.<br />
He even went as far as asking Jana and I who was going to move the deer off the middle of busy Highway 2...<br />
How did we get so lucky with this gem?<br />
<br />
We made the decision to tow Jana's car. Since it was making some pretty brutal noise.<br />
The tow truck showed up really quick... but we were not ready for this to turn into a John Candy movie as quickly as it did...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N38h4Gd6YMM/UoLQYpXOPvI/AAAAAAAAG84/qd-w4IdMDg8/s1600/Unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N38h4Gd6YMM/UoLQYpXOPvI/AAAAAAAAG84/qd-w4IdMDg8/s1600/Unknown.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The tow truck driver, Brad... opens the back of the door for me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I go to step in and hear "HI" from a small, blonde child sitting in her carseat in the backseat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Interesting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I see Jana out of the corner of my eye, struggling with something.... which I then realize is a small Boston Terrier. We are now in a rather small, truck with a small child, and dog, who I should mention, refused to stop licking the window beside Jana. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Because Jana was on the phone with her insurance company, she had yet to discover this two and a half year old beside me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The story continues to get weirder and weirder... we end up having to drive two hours back to Stony Plain to drop off Jana's car, with the dog who turns out to be James Bond. We dropped off the little girl with her mom before heading to take us home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was a run in with a really creepy guy in Fas Gas, some texting and driving in the tow truck that almost killed us (as if we needed another opportunity), frozen feet, Teriyaki Beef Jerky & a lot of "Holy Shit... that just happened" moments. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLZLGeyvcWU/UouNyyt3l5I/AAAAAAAAHGY/AQKby6LAqqA/s1600/IMG_3907.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLZLGeyvcWU/UouNyyt3l5I/AAAAAAAAHGY/AQKby6LAqqA/s1600/IMG_3907.PNG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, I killed a deer. Ran right over top of it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Something I'd never like to experience again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thankfully, only the car was injured... and of course the suicidal deer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It could have been so much worse, but considering 30 minutes after the incident we said we wished we had a dash cam for the whole thing, I don't think we'll be suffering PTSD. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Or so I thought. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've had two nightmares that the experience turns out way worse than it did. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
High Five for great imaginations!!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Even though our girls weekend was cut short, we both are just thankful we aren't hurt too badly. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Saturday and Sunday go by... and then hits Monday. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I got hit with this absolutely brutal flu. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just curious, anyone wanna throw anything else my way? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The universe seems to be giving me some pretty lovely karma! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope everyone had a better long weekend than I did! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've discovered a new kind of weight watchers... but I'm not sure I can keep this up much longer! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stay healthy, Friends!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-72859277726145335952013-10-31T12:37:00.001-07:002013-10-31T12:37:32.689-07:00The dating world && a progress photo When Guy and I broke up... I was super weirded out by the whole online dating thing...<br />
WTF is it? How does it work? And will I end up dead in a ditch?<br />
But then again, how else do you meet people?<br />You either leave it up to chance... which I realllllly suck at.<br />
Or you go to a bar, and sift through all the losers who only want one thing! (Sorry Dad...)<br />
<br />
I didn't like either choice.<br />
But I didn't want to online date either.<br />
The obvious free choices weren't really my thing...<br />
So I decided to try a paid site...<br />
So far... So NOT good...<br />
<br />
I've been faced with a few special cases... some of my favorite have been:<br />
<br />
"Yeah, I went on a date with a girl once, and she casually slid into conversation that she had herpes. Needless to say, I have herpes..."<br />
Followed with, "Wanna go back to your place?"<br />
----- OBVIOUS answer here, pal.<br />
**SMACK MY HEAD**<br />
<br />Next up: Back story... met him twice...<br />
Third conversation when I explained to him that I wasn't really feeling chemistry between us, he told me I was "stuck in high school" felt I had played mind games and said I needed to grow up. THEN:<br />
"I hope I find someone like you. You are a great girl. I'm just so sad that you won't be Carter's mom."<br />
~Que Adele getting stuck in your head...<br />
PS. Carter's a dog.....<br />
<br />
There have been a few other gems. Nothing story worthy.<br />
I'm matched with REALLY random ass people.<br />
Sometimes I feel compatible... and other times (*A guy in a fishing hat standing in Wal-Mart as his first photo.... **SMH again*) I REALLY wonder where they find these people.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">{ps: if you thought the Wal-Mart photo may have been a joke... it wasn't. It was captioned "Out and About with Mom for groceries." Just No.}</span><br />
<br />
All I'm saying is... COME ON UNIVERSE. Give a girl a break.<br />
I want a large field with guys/girls who just want in your pants on one side, and guys/girls who want a relationship with you on the other.<br />
All the "in your pants" peeps can get to it!<br />
All the other peeps, can meet people who are like minded!<br />
I mean, WHY... WHY would you PAY MONEY to get on a website... when you can get that on 118 ave?<br />WHY!?<br />
This is how I feel about dating. #uhthankyoujlaw<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsu9GRyOOJo/UnKvwi2SZAI/AAAAAAAAG3A/MK091JUU64I/s1600/IMG_3830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsu9GRyOOJo/UnKvwi2SZAI/AAAAAAAAG3A/MK091JUU64I/s1600/IMG_3830.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--RANT OVER--</div>
<br />
<br />
Progress:<br />
I've been making some progress.<br />
And I'm really freakin proud!<br />
Left is May, Right is October:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQQMoSEyZC8/UnKv2QzhkKI/AAAAAAAAG3I/4AFr-G_sid4/s1600/IMG_3857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQQMoSEyZC8/UnKv2QzhkKI/AAAAAAAAG3I/4AFr-G_sid4/s1600/IMG_3857.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DloZxElcWag/UnKwAKnyIrI/AAAAAAAAG3Q/_aT2rQ9088A/s1600/IMG_3855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DloZxElcWag/UnKwAKnyIrI/AAAAAAAAG3Q/_aT2rQ9088A/s1600/IMG_3855.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I'm looking to get going on some ab toning and trying something new.<br />
My bestie just tried out a 30 minute Hit class.<br />You get pink boxing gloves, which is mainly why I wanna go... just sayin'<br />
I'm also doing Zumba Ab's Sundays... YOU SHOULD COME.<br />
2G Fitness! DO it.<br />
<br />
I'm taking tips from the famous Mama Laughlin with clean eating... this Sunday I'll be whipping up some yummy stuff! <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Thank god for pay day!!) </span><br />
<br />
Happy Halloween!<br />
XO<br />
Love, Minnie<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Mp8Vo3cS10/UnKwETGIm-I/AAAAAAAAG3Y/cYViaVsK5N8/s1600/IMG_3859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Mp8Vo3cS10/UnKwETGIm-I/AAAAAAAAG3Y/cYViaVsK5N8/s1600/IMG_3859.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-87163605899438923042013-10-28T14:51:00.001-07:002013-10-28T14:51:08.205-07:00When you accomplish something you never thought you could...Happy Monday, beauties!<br />
I am Bruised, I am Exhausted, I am PROUD.<br />
<br />
This weekend, I moved from my two-bedroom penthouse apartment, to a cozy, adorable humble abode.<br />
I also ran my first 10km with my Best Friend in the world!<br />
This weekend, I was brought to tears more than once.<br />
<br />
Friday night, one of my dearest and greatest friends came over for a much over-due visit.<br />
Miss Jana is one of my favourite people in my life.<br />
Natalya and Jana share a lot of the same qualities... which is why I love them both SO much.<br />
Jana grounds me, pushes me, enlightens me... and majority of the time, calls me on my shit.<br />
She is honest, loving, compassionate, determined and unbelievably giving. I <3 Jana, and if you knew her, you would too!<br />
I really needed this visit with her, we both are so similar. It's really neat to listen to her speak to me, because she knows exactly what's happening up in the old thinker! And vise-versa!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RKnXwcq5aSU/Um7cQ3NCQ5I/AAAAAAAAG1A/xbSCW9eqkSo/s1600/3F1826B9-DEFE-40A4-BDBF-09BFC8DEA075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RKnXwcq5aSU/Um7cQ3NCQ5I/AAAAAAAAG1A/xbSCW9eqkSo/s1600/3F1826B9-DEFE-40A4-BDBF-09BFC8DEA075.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Saturday morning, I hit my weigh in... I told Pam I didn't want to weigh in.<br />
I was so stressed and anxious about the move on the weekend that my eating wasn't very good.<br />
And I can feel it. Even today.<br />
I still exercised, but had very little energy to push myself during my work outs.<br />
Turns out - I was still down 0.8.<br />
Better than a gain! ; )<br /><br />
I went back to my apartment to start moving boxes to my new place.<br />
Thankfully, my AMAZING-HANDSOME-LOVING-WONDERFUL-HOLYSHIT-YOU'RETHEBEST- brother came and put a major dent into moving with me.<br />
We got A LOT done Saturday night... My lovely sister in law and Dad came and helped us out later in the afternoon. I could kiss their feet, I am so grateful!<br />
My sis made a delicious pasta dinner for me to carb load on for my run.<br />
Then... she did THE BEST thing possible... she ran me a bath!<br />I can't sing Hallelujah any louder!<br />
She has a large bear-claw bathtub... and I was in HEAVEN.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6TJqLhoPeA/Um7adLPNRFI/AAAAAAAAG0w/sYwV0vN2zHE/s1600/IMG_3841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6TJqLhoPeA/Um7adLPNRFI/AAAAAAAAG0w/sYwV0vN2zHE/s1600/IMG_3841.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I went home to a very empty (old) apartment and crashed FAST.<br />
When I woke up the next morning, I ran to my other apartment (tough life huh? Two apartments ; )<br />
I made myself some peanut butter toast, gulped down 24oz. of water and headed to the U to meet Natalya for my run.<br />
It had snowed, so we were bundled up for it.<br />
But what we hadn't anticipated were a few steep-tough hills...<br />
But we conquered it!<br />
1 hour and 12 minutes later, Natalya and I crossed the finish line after high-fiving each other!<br />
My brother and Dad were standing there taking photos, and so was Natalya's Dad.<br />
I could have cried - except I'd already had a little teary episode during the race.<br />
It's indescribable. I can't ever explain the feeling.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
But it is, emotional, empowering, motivational and inspiring when you kick your own ass into gear.<br />
No one has gotten us here... except each other.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">There is no one I would rather be with, than my best friend. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SB-ylSV1mps/Um7adEH6rKI/AAAAAAAAG0w/A1wRaVx38HI/s1600/IMG_3849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SB-ylSV1mps/Um7adEH6rKI/AAAAAAAAG0w/A1wRaVx38HI/s1600/IMG_3849.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">We've come so far from where we were, and I couldn't have done any of it without her.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfp0WdWtcBg/Um7adBjhi3I/AAAAAAAAG0w/W30d0EVrzBI/s1600/IMG_3850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfp0WdWtcBg/Um7adBjhi3I/AAAAAAAAG0w/W30d0EVrzBI/s1600/IMG_3850.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The rest of Sunday - was moving!<br />Once again, my family pulled through for me and got me all settled into my new place.<br />
Later that night, James met me and we went to The National Elevator Project downtown.<br />
Coolest theatre experience!!!<br />
Part two is next year and I'm stoked!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nG0i02FdxfQ/Um7adKAGNoI/AAAAAAAAG0w/5LUfIuIhRvU/s1600/IMG_3853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nG0i02FdxfQ/Um7adKAGNoI/AAAAAAAAG0w/5LUfIuIhRvU/s1600/IMG_3853.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My weekend reminded me that lately, I've been accomplishing things I never thought I would.<br />
I'm working towards goals, I thought impossible.<br />
I'm surrounded by love and support & goodness.<br />
And I'm VERY grateful and blessed that you are all in my life!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-85490046880910217502013-10-25T07:07:00.000-07:002013-10-25T07:07:00.261-07:00That time I made a turkey... Alright so, a lot of my posts are firsts.<br />
The first time I could look in the mirror and love myself.<br />
The first time I fit into a pair of jeans.<br />
<br />
But this one... I something I'm REALLY proud of.<br />
I'm your typical girly girl.<br />
That's not to say that I don't like camping, or getting down and dirty when given the chance.<br />
One thing about me, is that I don't particularly enjoy to cook meat for myself.<br />
This has been a challenge since I've moved out.<br />
I've come up with some creative ways to get my protein so that I don't need to touch fish, chicken, beef... or anything of the sort.<br />
<br />
This year, when my Social Committee at work brought up the Thanksgiving lunch, they were unsure that there would be a turkey lunch!<br />
I stepped up real quick and said I'd make the turkey.<br />
*ahem... think before you speak* I'm still working on this one...<br />
The day rolled around a lot faster that I wanted.<br />
I somewhat knew from watching my parents cook them over the years what I was doing, but it didn't really hit me until a day or so before that I actually had to touch this thing.<br />
My hand, needed to go into the body cavity of a turkey.<br />
LAWD JESUS.<br />
<br />
I started with a little pep talk.<br />
To the turkey.<br />
"Listen, I don't want to do this to you, and I know you don't particularly enjoy that you no longer have a neck or head, etc. But I'm going to make it quick and painless..."<br />
I get it. The turkey doesn't have feelings... but it still bugs me. So just go with it. #stillsingle<br />
This next part... was when I burst out laughing.<br />
I opened up the turkey to find bread crumbs and a smell of yummy seasonings...<br />
Not what I had expected from a naked bird.<br />
Turns out, I bought a pre-stuffed turkey! Great if you needed the stuffing... which I did not.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcxH4--cEmU/Ump63K6V7PI/AAAAAAAAGwg/rzsNdbwKGgw/s1600/IMG_3819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcxH4--cEmU/Ump63K6V7PI/AAAAAAAAGwg/rzsNdbwKGgw/s1600/IMG_3819.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I took a recipe by Gordon Ramsay (suggested by a co-worker) and went with it.<br />
I made a lemon, garlic & parsley butter to slide under the turkey's skin, which warranted a "I'm sorry little buddy..."<br />
The body cavity was stuffed with 2 yellow onions and 1 lemon, then I stuffed some bay leaves in the surrounding areas.<br />
I drizzled olive oil over top so that the butter didn't burn the turkey's skin #spf60<br />
I put that sucker in the fridge and headed to bed.<br />
<br />
My alarm went off at 3:30, I turned the oven on to 220 and put the turkey in for 15 minutes.<br />
It came out crackling and a lovely golden brown colour.<br />
I then lined the top of the turkey with bacon.<br />
You heard me.<br />
I continued to baste the turkey juice over top of the bacon and turkey every hour, until 10:30 when the meat thermometer told me it was FINTO!<br />
<br />
Turns out, I kicked ass at cookin Turkey!<br />
My co-workers said it was the best turkey yet!<br />
I've been voted as Turkey chef for years to come!<br />
I am SO proud of myself.<br />
So logically, I took a photo of myself. : )<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jH1zLY0SmfU/Ump63EuoRbI/AAAAAAAAGwg/1u8TwFueVKY/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jH1zLY0SmfU/Ump63EuoRbI/AAAAAAAAGwg/1u8TwFueVKY/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-10226315531470834032013-10-18T08:38:00.002-07:002013-10-18T08:38:30.231-07:00When your body knows you better...Thursdays are run days with Natalya.<br />
We've been REALLY committed for a while know and I know we both push and motivate each other to keep going.<br />
There are days where I wish we could just sit on the couch and watch KUWTK or Gilmore Girls instead, but we've never NOT gone.<br />
I run 2 other times during the week. I also do Zumba and Hot Yoga.<br />
Every day last week, and everyday this week, I've walked 3.6km including two sets of stairs during each walk.<br />
I am tired... and my glutes HURT... but, I feel so successful.<br />I don't even care if I lose weight or not this week.<br />
What's important to me, is that I am moving, so much more than I ever have been.<br />
And I feel great.<br />
Just cause I gotta show it off... these pants were purchased maybe two weeks ago... and they are now too big! BAZINGA!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKoAI3hZkrg/UmFVSqSiPrI/AAAAAAAAGpE/pBVSCrNZnaE/s1600/IMG_3756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKoAI3hZkrg/UmFVSqSiPrI/AAAAAAAAGpE/pBVSCrNZnaE/s1600/IMG_3756.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Last night, was no different.<br />
I drove out to Stony Plain, dressed in my fall run clothes (which might I add is so much better than summer running!) and Natalya and I set out on our run.<br />
We have a 10km next weekend, so we've been slowly... just kidding - we've jumped from 6km to 9km pretty quick!<br />
I'm SO proud of the both of us.<br />
I knew last night, that we were in for a long run.<br />
And I wasn't scared. I was excited, cause I know I can now.<br />
My glutes were killing me from stairs so when I got home from work, I quickly foam rolled out my IT band and my glutes for a little lee way.<br />
It felt amazing! I didn't feel ANY pain during my run.<br />
Invest, peeps! They rock!<br />
We finished strong at 1 hour and 10 minutes (including our walking warm up in the beginning) = 9.5km.<br />
We stood in the kitchen making dinner together and I giggled out loud...<br />
I told Natalya - it's crazy to me that we just go out and do 9.5km and then just make dinner as if nothing just happened.<br />
There was a point in time where we struggled to move.<br />
And, now... My body knows me better... my body knows I can do it...<br />
Somedays, I just have to convince my mind!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-moY6jLMzCRs/UmFVoagPwxI/AAAAAAAAGrA/S51am_gYms4/s1600/IMG_3764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-moY6jLMzCRs/UmFVoagPwxI/AAAAAAAAGrA/S51am_gYms4/s1600/IMG_3764.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq-fTy0L40U/UmFVmNNSKuI/AAAAAAAAGqk/MS1qIDiz7qM/s1600/IMG_3769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq-fTy0L40U/UmFVmNNSKuI/AAAAAAAAGqk/MS1qIDiz7qM/s1600/IMG_3769.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Julia sent this to me last night.<br />
I'm not sure if she knows how touched it makes me feel when other people can feel and see how I've changed over the past little while.<br />
I LOVE this. Because it is me.<br />
And it'll continue to be me!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1yA4RgPozO0/UmFVzugIVWI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/ye94hhhkg18/s1600/IMG_3770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1yA4RgPozO0/UmFVzugIVWI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/ye94hhhkg18/s1600/IMG_3770.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DISNEYWORLD 2014</span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
Move this weekend people, no matter how small.<br />
Start with a 15 min walk, do a few extra flights of stairs... eat something new, cook something new!<br />
Get your lifestyle healthy, cause I want you all around for WAYYYY longer!<br />
MUAH! XO<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-62873233186469401712013-10-16T07:22:00.001-07:002013-10-16T07:22:54.281-07:00So What Wednesday!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
~ SO WHATTTT</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
~ I ate pretty off this weekend, and I'm feeling it. But I got right back on track and made sure I hydrated all day today. This body missed it's vegetable intake<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3-O1CCV91M/Ul6hK4Xxg0I/AAAAAAAAGns/WkjnjXAGbU8/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3-O1CCV91M/Ul6hK4Xxg0I/AAAAAAAAGns/WkjnjXAGbU8/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
~ I rocked three day hair today - BOO YEAH! There's no photo for a reason, just cause I rocked it doesn't mean it looked rockin'<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
~ I'm thinking of sending this out for my Christmas Card this year... whatcha think?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-snAFikX9xXY/Ul3ibOYx5PI/AAAAAAAAGnQ/gLM4njrRIF4/s1600/IMG_1523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-snAFikX9xXY/Ul3ibOYx5PI/AAAAAAAAGnQ/gLM4njrRIF4/s1600/IMG_1523.JPG" height="320" width="193" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
HAPPY HUMP DAY!!!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-65852779723676773932013-10-15T17:29:00.000-07:002013-10-15T17:29:02.853-07:00ProgressI <3 Fall.<br />
Happy Thanksgiving, from my fam jam to yours!<br />
We're pretty thankful!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I rocked a 9.6k run on Sunday.<br />
In 1 hour and 7 minutes... it took getting to 6k to finally get my groove going... which was frustrating to me. But I still stuck it out which is something I wouldn't have done before. #progress<br />
I think I just might be able to do this whole half marathon thing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YXm_DTPrWSU/Ul3c9k2aw2I/AAAAAAAAGm4/3mOqyGIoDHs/s1600/rundisney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YXm_DTPrWSU/Ul3c9k2aw2I/AAAAAAAAGm4/3mOqyGIoDHs/s1600/rundisney.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5avdVkT1sSQ/Ul3c-UF8mLI/AAAAAAAAGnA/99AN4viW4gE/s1600/running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5avdVkT1sSQ/Ul3c-UF8mLI/AAAAAAAAGnA/99AN4viW4gE/s1600/running.jpg" height="278" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There seems to be this moment during my runs lately, that I think "Just make it to that spot right there."<br />
I hit that spot. And I just keep going.<br />
Then I say it again, and I pass that point.<br />
It's kinda like I keep surpassing my expectations of myself.<br />
I'm inspiring myself to go further.<br />
Even through the mental battle, which I used to melt into fairly easily, I make it to the end.<br />
It's the most epic feeling, exceeding everything you thought you could be.<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-62107568025839688882013-10-09T07:25:00.000-07:002013-10-09T07:25:31.499-07:00A late weekend recap, Happy Monday, Tuesday annnndddd HUMP DAY!Hi friends :)<br />
I'm a little behind on the blogging. (what else is new?)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
HUMP DAY!!!!!!!!</div>
<br />
This past weekend, I went to Hot Yoga! #namaste<br />
I got kicked out of my apartment for an afternoon. #showingscansuckit<br />
I went to one of the BEST birthday's... #minutetowinit<br />
&&&<br />
I participated in the CIBC Run for the Cure. #f*@!cancer<br />
<br />
My sister in law turned 26!!! For about 3 years now, she has been trying to have a Minute to Win it themed birthday party... for the past 2 years, she has gotten very sick and had to cancel.<br />
This year, it happened!<br />
It was such a blast, and I think every party I go to from now on MUST have a task for people to complete in order to be allowed into the party.<br />
That's Legit!<br />
<br />
{Minute to Win it, Mrs. Stephenson style}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RWt_ZW1fyhk/UlTHeUK30sI/AAAAAAAAGWI/Cq45EoE4Tlk/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RWt_ZW1fyhk/UlTHeUK30sI/AAAAAAAAGWI/Cq45EoE4Tlk/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8pE1tbSfrE/UlTHeYg7oYI/AAAAAAAAGWI/gJX01BkHxRg/s1600/IMG_3696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8pE1tbSfrE/UlTHeYg7oYI/AAAAAAAAGWI/gJX01BkHxRg/s1600/IMG_3696.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUf3NDr-7sY/UlTHeY4aPfI/AAAAAAAAGWI/sRf2SaEV3K4/s1600/IMG_3689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUf3NDr-7sY/UlTHeY4aPfI/AAAAAAAAGWI/sRf2SaEV3K4/s1600/IMG_3689.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSpV0n_F9zg/UlTHeZzDfGI/AAAAAAAAGWI/-ZQnRo7sTc8/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSpV0n_F9zg/UlTHeZzDfGI/AAAAAAAAGWI/-ZQnRo7sTc8/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvkPIxuSQY0/UlTHef_xrRI/AAAAAAAAGWI/jBg9lRO5R8g/s1600/IMG_3686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvkPIxuSQY0/UlTHef_xrRI/AAAAAAAAGWI/jBg9lRO5R8g/s1600/IMG_3686.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Sunday was the annual CIBC Run for the Cure... every year I'm just so disappointed in the fact that I own NOTHING pink. I need to get my shit together.<br />
This year, we ran it! Like true runners!<br />
I was super disappointed in the warm up that was put on... Grams could do a better warm up than these Body by Bennett people #lamesauce #loveyagrams<br />
I finished somewhere around 31 minutes! Kick Ass! That's my fastest yet.<br />
I LOVE this run. It's always so amazing to look around and see so many people around running for the same thing.<br />
I somehow held myself together this year and didn't cry like I normally do... don't worry, I'm going to the doctor for a check up on Thursday.<br />
<br />
{Best Friends & Sisters LOVE Boobs!}<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RhHw8a_GM-o/UlTHebVE4zI/AAAAAAAAGWI/ya3l2XvXOTM/s1600/IMG_3700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RhHw8a_GM-o/UlTHebVE4zI/AAAAAAAAGWI/ya3l2XvXOTM/s1600/IMG_3700.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Monday night was a pretty emotional one for me.<br />
Every now and again, I feel like something slaps me or pinches me and I realize how far I've come.<br />
I sometimes re-read journals and can't believe that I ever felt so empty and lost.<br />
Monday, all day, I knew I needed to hit the pavement. And I actually wanted to.<br />
I did come home, second guess my motivation and almost had myself convinced... but I went anyways.<br />
I thought "Just a little one... who cares how far, just go."<br />
I can distinctly remember (plus I've written about it in a journal...) about this one time that I went for a run. I came home (quickly...) collapsed on the floor (10 minutes of running will do that to ya) and sobbed. I laid in my kitchen, sobbing for quite a while.<br />
I wanted so badly to run from my apartment, across the high level bridge & back.<br />
But I couldn't.<br />
I was so mad. Everything jiggled, everything hurt, and I could barely breathe.<br />
I was mad that I was like that.<br />
That I ran by a mirror and saw what other people were seeing... A fat girl.<br />
Monday night... I got dressed, put on my runners and ran out the door.<br />
I started out towards the high level bridge... I ran across it. I ran past it, I ran to a beautiful spot across the river that you can see Downtown lit up at night. Then I ran back.<br />
And I cried.<br />
6.64km's. A random Monday night. "Just a little one..."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2prbv2kTs8/UlTHeW1dRAI/AAAAAAAAGWI/YIORqqtOdtw/s1600/IMG_3702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2prbv2kTs8/UlTHeW1dRAI/AAAAAAAAGWI/YIORqqtOdtw/s1600/IMG_3702.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I didn't believe in myself.<br />
I used to self sabotage.<br />
I used to believe that I was unworthy.<br />
Like I deserved nothing.<br />
I treated myself like the dirt on the bottom of a shoe.<br />
Now?<br />
Now I am stronger.<br />
I speak gently and gracefully. (most times)<br />
I am worthy.<br />
I deserve everything I work for.<br />
I treat myself, like my beautiful best friend.<br />
And I, refuse to give up on myself.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yOgjpSm32sA/UlTI_Yd-l-I/AAAAAAAAGWY/rS3XGFmrxF8/s1600/901756278887314b0d49b571eb68e220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yOgjpSm32sA/UlTI_Yd-l-I/AAAAAAAAGWY/rS3XGFmrxF8/s1600/901756278887314b0d49b571eb68e220.jpg" height="281" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
{Believe & You'll Succeed} </div>
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2103145962455311519.post-78413930943461388662013-10-04T08:57:00.002-07:002013-10-04T08:57:10.275-07:00{5} On Friday!! ... I feel like I'm dragging across the finish line this week.<br />
Moses, that was a tough one. Betcha it's going to show in my weigh in too ; (<br />
<br />
Positivity time!<br />
<br />
{ONE}<br />My brother sent me this: hilarious. #thatsall<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B2poU6KbQRc/Uk7j36YrjpI/AAAAAAAAGOw/7RXB7w0JYww/s1600/IMG_3672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B2poU6KbQRc/Uk7j36YrjpI/AAAAAAAAGOw/7RXB7w0JYww/s1600/IMG_3672.JPG" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
{TWO}<br />
I made these for my sister in law's Birthday surprise!<br />
4 points total! WINNING.<br />
{total credit to skinny taste for the recipe... the Caramilk was an added topping on my part!}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OgNJRKxkyc0/Uk7j3_ICgCI/AAAAAAAAGOw/4znXXMMAHOg/s1600/IMG_3666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OgNJRKxkyc0/Uk7j3_ICgCI/AAAAAAAAGOw/4znXXMMAHOg/s1600/IMG_3666.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32CBjHpx8AQ/Uk7j398BbtI/AAAAAAAAGOw/-nGCUApOKeU/s1600/IMG_3669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32CBjHpx8AQ/Uk7j398BbtI/AAAAAAAAGOw/-nGCUApOKeU/s1600/IMG_3669.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
{THREE}<br />
I'm feeling less overwhelmed about packing... which is weird, cause I haven't really done much but organize what I need to pack/purge! I also took majority of my photos down.<br />They have been showing my place all week... and I just find it awkward that someone is walking around in there.<br />
<br />
<br />
{FOUR}<br />
I get to see this turkey and my momma AGAIN this weekend! <3<br />
I had an awful dream that she was hurt and it was horrifying... so she'll be getting a good squeeze when I first see her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac7DoTf0Ll0/Uk7kefd5bGI/AAAAAAAAGO8/U60ZuYDTiB0/s1600/IMG_3507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac7DoTf0Ll0/Uk7kefd5bGI/AAAAAAAAGO8/U60ZuYDTiB0/s1600/IMG_3507.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1bFcT444AWg/Uk7khok_deI/AAAAAAAAGPE/CHO3MYI3eZo/s1600/IMG_3660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1bFcT444AWg/Uk7khok_deI/AAAAAAAAGPE/CHO3MYI3eZo/s1600/IMG_3660.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
{FIVE}<br />This is the biggie. For the FIRST time in my entire 22 years of life... I internally stated:<br />"My stomach doesn't look that bad." ...........................................<br />
It's taken me YEARS to get here. It happened. I said it.<br />
And then in the shower I went... hold up?! Did you really just say that?<br />
Yup. I did... I also got dressed in a t-shirt that normally clings in places it shouldn't... but not today!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
That deserves a smile from this girl... Things can change!<br />
This, for me, is better than fitting into jeans, better than a before and after photo...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JGbH2gY1NU4/Uk7j35N_CMI/AAAAAAAAGOw/vbaH_RtCEV8/s1600/IMG_3673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JGbH2gY1NU4/Uk7j35N_CMI/AAAAAAAAGOw/vbaH_RtCEV8/s1600/IMG_3673.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnKp6hRYntk/Uk7j360IjPI/AAAAAAAAGOw/g-pol4OwJtg/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnKp6hRYntk/Uk7j360IjPI/AAAAAAAAGOw/g-pol4OwJtg/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm still learning.<br />
Every. single. day. I learn another lesson. Which I LOVE.<br />
I love that this adventure is ever changing.<br />
Some days are harder than ever.<br />But one of my favorite lessons of all, is learning to love myself.<br />
Waking up to myself in the morning, is the best.<br />
Cause I know who I am, and I love myself.<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
{Forgive} {Love} {Laugh} {Hope} </div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03536343981713344052noreply@blogger.com0