September 1st
I finally had breast enhancement surgery. I'd been thinking about it for several years now and then after the July contest, I got frustrated with having to fix myself in my dress. Dr. Steven Davis did an awesome job, he's truly an artist. I feel better about myself than ever. Pictures being a thousand words, check out my 'post surgery gallery'.

~Lauren

August 27th
Hello Everyone - It's 5 weeks since Masters Nationals. If you haven't been keeping up, I placed 3rd in the heavyweight class and was very pleased with that. You can checkout some contest photos here.

After the contest, I took a one month break and have just now started doing some cardio but no weight lifting yet. I'm going a little stir crazy and really miss the gym.

On the homefront, we sold my mom's house that she lived in for 46 years...quite a milestone. And Joey is scheduled for foot surgery in early November.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!!
~Lauren

May 31st
My apologies for taking so long to write. I've been preparing for Masters Nationals and am now 7 weeks out. You can see my progress in the photo gallery. My training and prep have been going well, but there's always new challenges with each contest prep period. Last month my mother passed away. I miss not talking to her. Things happen during my day that I think to pick up the phone and tell her about. It's hard but I know she wouldn't want me to let this derail me from my goals and aspirations. She was so supportive of my bodybuilding lifestyle.

Check out my Countdown to Master's Nationals 2008 gallery.

Have a great weekend everyone!

`Lauren

October 30th
I'm trying now to post a blog once a month so I'm getting this one in under the wire for October :-)) I've been working on a new consulting project in Kansas and it always takes some time to transition to a new place, working with a new team, finding a gym and food stores that are open late at night. Kansas has been a challenge in that most establishments close at 10 pm. By the time I get out of the gym, it's too late to get food. Not a good thing when you're trying to grow muscle!!!

Tomorrow is Halloween and the start of the holiday season...so be good and eat more apples than candy. ;-) - Lauren

September 19th
I love this time of year when the summer sun calms down and the air feels so good. I’ve been able to enjoy more of the outdoors since I haven’t been in the gym for a couple of weeks. I’ve been experiencing numbness in my right arm. After some therapy and tests, it looks like I stretched my brachial plexus nerve, probably while doing reverse chin ups. I expect to be back in the gym by the end of the week.

Joey and I are going to enjoy our 4th wedding anniversary in Chicago where we met and married. We miss that city terribly. It will good to visit and catch up with some dear friends.

August 22nd
This was my first full week back in the gym after a month off. I'll be lifting heavy but I'm starting slow and working my way up. 'Been doing a bit of traveling recently...Joey and I were in Mystic, CT for the weekend and spent an evening in Newport, RI visiting friends who we haven't seen in a while, AnnLou and Michael. I'm working on a project in DC these days...seems I'm always carrying a suitcase. Yesterday's Courier Post (our local South Jersey paper) had a feature about us. Check it out.

Well, I gotta go mix my protein shake before bed.

Good night...L

August 17th
Lots of emotions the past few weeks since the Masters Nationals. It's been a challenge managing them all. Yesterday, I met with my trainer for the first time since the contest. He's put me on a strict bulk up regimen in which I will be lifting very heavy to put on muscle but eating clean to always be within 4 weeks of a contest. Neat stuff.

I know that getting back into a regimen will be good for me, that's how I function best in all aspects of my life. It's just a matter of me accepting that fact. I love when I have the space to be spontaneous but sometimes it gets me in trouble !!

This week, my husband and I did a photo shoot for a local South Jersey paper, the Courier-Post. The article should be in the paper August 21st if you want to take a look.

BBye for now - Lauren

July 24th
I'm sooooo excited (and surprised) that I took 4th place in the heavyweight class at the NPC Masters Nationals this weekend. I'm still flying high on the moment when the judges called my number '319'. I could see my husband and my coach crying in the audience and his wife popped out of her seat like a piece of toast out of a toaster. It was a very exciting moment for my entire support team.

More great news...I became an aunt again. My sister gave birth to a baby boy today! Congratulations to Lisa and Gary (and Carl).

June 6th
Well, I finally started a blog to let you guys know how things are going. I'm not sure how often I'll do this....right now shooting for once a week.

Currently, I'm preparing for the Masters Nationals contest on July 21st. Prep is going well but I'm always tired. Today is my day off from working out. I'm going to take that time and visit my friend Karen who had a knee replacement last month...ouch!

..until next time...