BACK IN ACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELLOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
It has been 366 days since I blogged.... however I am going to try to blog at least a few times a week if not more! Please feel free to email me questions or topics that you want to talk about etc.

Over the past year so much has happened in my life.. A few boyfriends and break-ups, a new job that I just started 3 weeks ago (more on that later) and I am an Aunt of a beautiful baby boy REED (Pics to follow)!!

Just started training with my trainer again as of last night and my tush is so sore... I felt like a little b^t*&!!!! However I am an athlete at heart and even though I fell I am getting back up again to become a fighter and overcome the circle I have created over the past few years. I have decided that competing is not for me as I feel like I set myself up for failure. Most girls who compete have less than 20 lbs to lose to lean out for stage however knowing that I had 55-60 was way overwhelming. Anyways I am trying to be more realistic with what I can accomplish without failing so I am doing it different this time! I will keep you up-to date on how it goes!


XOXO -L

"Let it Go" I Love This!!!!

There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk.

I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they
been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go. And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part ...in the
story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it.

Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!! If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to ..LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ...LET IT GO!!!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...LET IT GO!!!
If someone has angered you ... LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge .. LET IT GO!!!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction ... LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents ... LET IT GO!!!
If you have a bad attitude...LET IT GO!!!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better... LET IT GO!!!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him... LET IT GO!!!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship....LET IT GO!!!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves...LET IT GO!!!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed .... LET IT GO!!!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to... LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things.
GOD is doing a new thing ! LET IT GO!!! Get Right or Get Left .. think about it, and then LET IT GO!!!

Never underestimate Jesus, because He will just prove you wrong.
When life knocks you on your knees, your in the perfect position to pray!

I DIG Gardening!!

My sister has inspired me to get gardening again!  This past week I planted over 40 Begonias as well as the pot I put together below for the front porch!
My sister took my Mom and I to Jackson's in Dallas. I fell in love with that place, I purchased some Pink Salvia, Pink Celosia and some purple sweet potato vine, which I created a beautiful pot for the front porch!! So pretty!! 

http://www.jacksonshg.com/

I have a area that I am working on this weekend.  It will take a lot of work but I am excited to create a colorful space, more pics to come soon!!!

Also the fence is almost done!!! All of the post were put in last week and the panels started going up today.  Due to the rain the fence is on hold, hopefully panels will be up and complete by early next week!  I can't wait to add some furniture to the deck and have a grilling party!  Below is the new grill...

New Weekly Workout Schedule...Thanks Alex

So I after losing 40 lbs, I have been at a plateau for 3 weeks.  Time to turn up the intensity and kick it up  notch.

Monday-
am: Swim 30 min - 60 min
pm: Cardio 60 min + full body circuit

Tuesday-
am: Stars 60 min
pm: Train with Alex 60-90 minutes

Wednesday-
am: off
pm: 90 minutes of cardio

Thursday-
am: Swim 60-90 min
pm: Weights 60 min (total body)

Friday-
am: Stairs 60 min
pm: Off

Saturday-
am: Boxing 75-90 minutes + 60 min cardio
pm: 30min cardio + 45-60 min weights

Sunday- Off


OMG!!!! So this officially starts his week.  I will need motivation, inspiration, rest.... I know I can do this, I have 55 lbs left to go.... NOTHING will stop me now!

XOXO

Heartbreaks Don't Break Even....

They don't.  Someone is always more involved than the other person which indeed cause's more hurt and pain.

How do you know when you have truly had "enough"...... 
This is something I am struggling with, some day's are easy, however other days I cry and feel miserable.
I don't want to give-up, but I have to be true to myself, my wants and needs as well.
I am the type of woman who puts 100% into a relationship and I do everything I can to make the relationship successful.  If it ends I want to be able to walk away and say "this was not on me, I did what I had to do"....

This and That.....

Here I am again rattling off thoughts in my head.  I had a good workout today, my trainer is turning up the "heat" because I have hit a plateau.  I actually enjoy getting my butt kicked and I think he mutually enjoys kicking it!!!
I swear this has been a long week.  Work has been slow and I always stick to a schedule when it comes to my everyday life but 2 nights this week I didn't get to bed until after midnight which has caused me to be a bit bitchy as well as tired. 
I do feel a bit more domestic this week.  My poor dog got fleas and besides being completely disgusted and upset I will admit I kicked those flea's butt and I think they are gone but I will continue to be on top of things and do all I can to prevent this in the future.  I do not like bugs, it is totally something a man should deal with not this girly girl.  I'm just sayin!!
So a contractor that does work with my company offered to put up a new fence in my backyard at a very low cost like last September.  I have gone back and forth with him behind this fence.  Earlier his week he told me that he bought the wood and I will be tanning by Saturday.  I am thinking, yeah whatever I will believe it when I see it.  This afternoon I got a phone call from a co-worker that works with this contractor confirming my address because he said a crew will be at my house tomorrow putting up the fence.  I was completely flabbergasted when I got this call and I kinda believe that this may be it!!!
I will be stoked!  So keep your fingers crossed.

I have been looking into purchasing patio furniture.  I bought a grill last week so I am ready to make an outside space to relax and have get together.  I had no idea how expensive outdoor furniture is. I mean really $700-$800....Whoa Nelly....  I am thinking about looking on Craigslist or Ikea.
I am going to keep looking until I find exactly what I want and at a decent price.  There are so many things I want for the house it's kinda comical to me! ;)

I have missed Michael so much lately... time has passed and time is ticking, It's been about 4 months today.  I don't know what the future holds but I know I deeply care about this man and want to spend more time with him, however please believe that there is an expiration date!!!

The weekend is near and I will be busy.  I stay busy and on a schedule just keeping myself in check!  However I def feel like getting out of my box this weekend and doing something out of the norm for me.  Any ideas??

RaNdOm ThOuGhTs

When I started this blog I wanted to write at least a few times a week.... well it's been 5 days.  Blogging is a healthy release of thoughts for me however it is also another thing I have added on my never ending "to do" list.
I found out today that my dog Grayce has flea's and I cannot explain the sadness and disgust that I am experiencing right now.  Considering it is almost midnight and the only thing I was able to do about it right now was bathe her in hot soapy water, clean her bed and put fresh linens in her bed.  I feel guilty, like a horrible parent.  Her skin is very sensitive but I assumed her skin was dry and itchy due to the weather changes.  I had my sister and brother in law look at her a few weeks ago and felt better when they agreed it was not flea's.  When I got home tonight I was playing with her and saw fleas, a few and like a normal momma I freaked out and immediately went to Google.  She will be at the vet tomorrow to get rid of this while I contract a pest control to service my home and lawn to prevent this in the future.  My poor baby.  ;(

On another note.....
I was given a pic of my sister, brother and I from Dec 29th, 2009 today from my Mema  I thought I was going to pass out.  I had no idea how much weight I had gained!  I looked swollen and just big!  I have lost 40+ lbs since then and my sister assures me that I am smaller than she has seen me in a long time.  I felt  so angry when I saw that picture.  I don't know who that person is, I see a lonely, sad woman that started to give up.  I am so thankful to the Lord, my trainer, my friends and family for all of the support and motivation they have provided me.  I am so thankful that God has given me the strength and courage to push past my fears and test my physical limits.  I am finally becoming the woman I knew I was and always wanted to be.  I hung the picture on my refrigerator as a daily reminder that I must stay in control of my life, what I eat and my workouts.  Life is all about choices and depending on the choice you make will determine your future.
I still want to lose another 40-50 lbs and I look forward to meeting that goal and the challenges that I will face to get there.  I can say that now I believe in myself and I want this more than I have ever wanted anything, and to be in control of my life is the best feeling.  Never give up on yourself, your hopes, dreams or goals.  You have to make wise choices, set realistic goals, stay positive, surround yourself with people that love you and will support you and motivate you and just be the best you can be one day at a time.
Below are pictures from about a week ago. My legs are really leaning out!

There are so many things roaming through  my mind right now.  I am not only ADHD but I am very analytical so I am always thinking, usually too much!  I bought a grill this past weekend and this house really feels like a home.  One thing I have realized lately is that God is working so hard in my life.  I am in awwhhh of the things he has provided me with.  There are days I get so upset that I am not with the man I want to be with right now, but I understand I am right where God wants me and I am at peace with that.  I am so blessed to be where I am, and I have to constantly remind myself of that.  I do not know what the future holds for me or what His plan is but I am letting go of trying to make things happen.  God has a purpose for me and His plans for me are so amazing that I cannot even fathom.  I don't know where you are in your life but I pray that you find peace in your life.  Let go of trying to control everything and everyone around you.  I am not going to worry my life away. Life is too short, so give thanks and make the best of what you have.

Thats all for now!     Ta-Ta xoxo- Laura

Reason #223 - A Husband Could Be Handy These Days!

I purchased my 1st house last August.  It has been a wonderful experience and I am thankful that I am able to be a home owner.  However lately I have come to realize that being a single woman in a home has it's perks as well as downfalls.  I definitely thought that I would be married by 30, but God has different plans for me and I have come to terms with that.  Actually I am very handy for a woman.  I have a drill and a ton of tools that I know how to use.  I can hang a chandelier, change out electrical outlets (not the cover but the outlet), I can make and hang drapes, paint, mow the lawn, dig a hole to plant a bush etc.... You get the point.  I am always up for a challenge and capable of many things.  Lately I have run into a few issues that require a husband or at least a hot handy-man!!  For instance my garbage disposal is broken, and yes I have the tool to turn the motor but apparently the motor is burnt out.  I just don't use it, but would like to.  The front and back of the house need to have motion lights installed for security issues.  My sister & her hubby gave me a new light fixture for the bathroom for my birthday last November... yet it's still in the box.  Then there is the wallpaper I want to hang on a wall in my bedroom still in the box!
I have this list and I can't seem to get some of the smallest projects done.
Shout out to my mom & Mark (dad) they have been so supportive and have put in hours of work into my home, but there is always more.
Obviously I want to be a mommy & a wifey but right now it's just me and my dog, Grayce.
Now that I have written this I am starting to realize that I should probably use google and teach myself how to complete a few of these projects.  I till think it would be much better to make a "honey-do" list though!     ; )

Live & Breathe Fitness.....

As most of you know I am on my A-Game right now in the gym.  I have lost almost 40 lbs, and I am halfway to my goal.  I cannot explain how rewarding all of the blood, sweat and tears is but I am addicted and love it.
I workout 6-7 days a week and do a 2-a-day at least once a week.  My workouts consist of boxing, HITT (High Intensity Training), Swimming, Cardio, Lifting Weights, Plyometrics, etc.... I workout with my long time friend and trainer 2-3x a week.  Working out is amazing to me, because after I was hit by a drunk driver 4 years ago I wasn't sure I would ever be able to workout at the intensity that I do now.  God has worked miracles in my life and I am so thankful to have a strong body and mind that allows me to consistently push myself each day.  I went to Cooper Fitness to become a personal triner however I don't train people anymore.  Alex keeps me on my toes, he pushes me to the limit and keeps me accountable while motivating me.  I don't know where you are in your life but I encourage you to workout and eat healthy. 
It's not all about losing weight.  It is about feeling fit and healthy and being a better person.  XOXO -L

My trainer & friend - Alex Pena

   I Love the Agility Ladder!!!            Egg Whites & Oats for Breakfast!                              

SWEAT & MUSCLES ARE SEXY!!         GOAL

One with the water...........

I have started to swim again.  When I was younger I was on a swim team.  I still remember going to my first meet and diving before the gun sounded and got a yellow slip and was disqualified.  I have added swimming laps into my workout routine at least 2x a week.  Let me tell you,  it is tough!  I love being in the water, I have no pain and I feel so free.... I feel "One with the water".  It relaxes me like yoga relaxes people.  I usually do the breast-stroke, back-stroke, freestyle and  run in the water!!!  I encourage you to add swimming to your workout routine!  I am halfway to my goal so I am changing things up a bit so I don't slam into a plateau.  I swim for 30-40 minutes, then just like I do  after every workout I spend 10-15 minutes in the steam room.  The steam room is amazing. I posted a link below so you can understnad the benefits of the steam room!

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-health-benefits-come-from-using-a-steam-room.htm