Monthly Archives: October 2013

MONDAY MONDAY

Good Morning and Happy Monday. I am on my second cup of coffee, my Siamese cats have been wild since 4 am and I am so sleepy. I had my large class of water and lite breakfast, and I will be good to start my day in about an hour. I am so jealous my husband is working from home today, hoping I have a short day. 

Tomorrow is weigh in and I am close to 20 pounds. I have pushed my 20 pound charity to 30 pounds because it is going to take more planning, now I have to decide how I will mark the 20 pound goal. I do my charities a few pounds after I hit the weight milestone. so it will probably be around 25 pounds. I am currently brainstorming for an idea. 

I have started running, and I am excited about it. Mike had me running months ago, but then I had some type of ankle injury so we stopped all running. We started running again, and I am also doing some running on my own. I am determined to meet this challenge and excel and improve at my running. It will take some time to get better at this new challenge. Eventually I have to take the time to visit a running store to be fitted with proper shoes. My best friend Melissa Bender at Melissa Bender Fitness just ran in her first half marathon with her husband Jesse. Jesse placed first in his age of 25-29. My congratulations to both of them. I am inspired.

On another note, I am so happy my face is back to normal. My jaw stands out, and my face is no longer chubby. I feel like I look like myself again. It is such a good feeling to see the results of the hard work. I will be doing some updated proper photos to post soon, but here is a face photo of me this past weekend. 
Namaste’ Love and light.
Rose






AUTUMN AT TRADER jOE’S

Good evening to all. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I did a little shopping tonight and cooked a home cooked dinner, James was so grateful because I have not been cooking as of late with my schedule. I made very lean pork roast, with romaine salad, asparagus and red potatoes cooked in extra virgin olive oil. James is eating cookies for dessert and trying to convince me to have just one.



I love Trader Joe’s and they have so many amazing seasonal autumn products, ones that may be too dangerous for me. I did discover the pumpkin butter and the cranberry apple butter. One tablespoon is 40 calories for the pumpkin butter and just 20 calories for the cranberry apple butter. Mixed in some fat free, sugar free Greek yogurt or as a spread on whole grain toast. Absolutely divine.

Wishing everyone a wonderful evening. Namaste’ love and light.
Rose

POOLSIDE MUSINGS



Is any encounter with a stranger ever random or is it a deliberate piece of a much larger puzzle with answers to the never ending riddle that is life?  Are we being tested every time we have a chance meeting with someone we do not know? Do we engage with the stranger, or simply walk away with our own agendas to fulfill?  We live such busy lives and we are more tuned in thanks to technology, but does that keep us from face to face interactions with others? Inspiration sometimes comes from unlikely sources, but if we walk around with blinders on our eyes and earplugs tuning out all outside noise how will we ever hear? We are blind and deaf and therefore missing out on the greatest messages of life. Listen to the wind whispering secrets of the trees, hear the harp of the birdsong up above. It is all there for the taking, you just have to look up from the screen that has held hostage of your time and make eye contact with someone who may mesmerize your life. You never know who is walking in your direct path if you do not look up every once in a while and smile. You may find the loveliest gifts from sharing hellos with your fellow creatures of the universe. 

Today I felt compelled to go to the pool and change my daily workout routine. I was meant to be there at that time and place. The minute I stepped my foot into the pool my eyes caught the eyes of Maggie, the subject of the essay I wrote months ago. Maggie was one of the last survivors of the Holocaust, and her stories had me spellbound. I also had the privilege of meeting Joseph her husband, and today he was at the pool as well. They wondered where I have been, and what I was up to these last few months. Maggie was telling me stories about Budapest and Europe once again. We were speaking of height and I complained I am too short, and Maggie reminded me that the best things in the world come small, like diamonds. I consider them my friends and I was very happy to see them and I promised I would see them again soon. My essay inspired by Maggie was recently picked for publication by Elephant Journal, so seeing her and her husband was kismet. 

After they left I did my water workout, and I found that water is a great medium to stretch in. My dancer’s pose comes with more ease in the water. When I was a ballet dancer the teachers would tell us to practice our leaps in water. Water is great for fitness, and it is completely cleansing as well. When in water this serenity washes over me and all of my thoughts become as clear as the pool water. Peace personified, swimming does that for me. Blue sky above as I float away with my cares of the day.

I had an encounter with another elderly lady, this poor soul seemed so troubled and picked me to talk to. Her 100 year old Mother had passed away recently and she was devastated and told me she felt alone in the world. My heart bled for her, and I tried to comfort her to the best of my ability. She was an eccentric artist and a painter and she had some interesting stories to share. I looked into her crystal blue eyes and wished her peace and happiness, feeling bad that I could not do more for her. There was such a lost look in those eyes, and I cannot forget the look she gave me when I had to leave. She actually apologized to me for chatting my ears off and questioned if I would ever talk to her again. I reassured her that I truly enjoyed conversing with her and I would look for her next time.

I often wonder if we are tested from above. To see how we will react, to see if we choose to do good with our time or walk along in our own narcissistic path of self indulgence. I have had many encounters in my life, which make me think we are being tested from a higher power. I pay attention always though, because I just see and feel too much. The aftermath of these encounters sometimes leaves me feeling melancholic and a little confused about the struggles of life. No one should ever feel as if they are alone in the world. I cannot imagine what that feels like, and I weep for those who wake daily feeling like there is no one that is there for them. I can only hope I made Marianne smile even if it was for a fleeting moment. This is one reason I feel the need to volunteer my time for those who need it most.

Life is a vulnerable experience, you are born naked into a world of chaos and uncertainty but I love every minute of it. We are all meant to be here for each other, to make a difference in the lives of others and then pass it on to the next. There is more to life than our own ego and we are here for a lesson and a reason. Make a difference as you are out making a name for yourself. You may find someone will pay it forward and make you smile when you need it most.
Love and Light to all
Namaste’
Rose




REVISITING MY FITNESS BUCKET LIST


Good Morning and Happy Friday. I have been contemplating all of my accomplishments, the small ones and the larger ones. The weight and the first charity of course are the more significant accomplishments but I am also celebrating staying the course and not giving in to ever giving up. I am going to see this project through until I am where I wish to be and have helped many charities. Helping The Monday Night Mission was amazing, and I plan on going back and volunteering at least once a month. I am now choosing a twenty pound charity and I will write about that soon. Project Cuddle is now my thirty pound charity. I am currently at a 17 pound weight loss since July.

Another goal is to make my Fitness Bucket list happen. I wrote about it in the beginning last July but since then there are a few more goals to be added to the list, so I thought I would re post it with the new items I need to cross off. I have my work cut out for me, but I am inspired by the man with MS who recently did a marathon in 16 hours. If he can do it, anyone of us can. I also am so proud of my best friend Melissa Bender at Melissa Bender Fitness, she is running in her first marathon this weekend. I would love to know what is on your fitness bucket list. Keep dreaming and making it happen.

I wish you a wonderful Friday. Namaste’ Love and Light
Rose


   FITNESS BUCKET LIST  REVISITED…adding more items as I get more inspired. Feel free to suggest new ideas. 

1. Trapeze Classes at the School of Trapeze in Santa Monica   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trapeze-School-New-York-TSNY-Los-Angeles/252082627475

2. Synchronized swimming classes at Aqualillies in Los Angeles   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aqualillies/315260815022

3. Michael Cornell Ballet Classes at   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Align-Ballet-Method/132494413452882

4.Ballroom Latin Classes at 3rd Street Dance in Los Angeles  https://www.facebook.com/3rdstreetdance

5. Go to Pittsburgh, work out with best friend at Melissa Bender Fitness http://www.benderfitness.com/

6. Go to San Diego, take yoga and aerial yoga with one of my best friends Tracy Gittens at Galaxy Lifestyle, Fitness, and Aerial Yoga. Grand Opening July 19, 2013.
https://www.facebook.com/GalaxyLifestyle

7. Surf if I am not too afraid of sharks, lol  Ok, I have an update on this, Mike my trainer has offered to teach me when I am ready and when I can do a good push up, and I will take him up on that.

8.Take a Tracy Anderson class in Los Angeles.   https://www.facebook.com/TracyAndersonMethod

9.Some type of Yoga Retreat by the ocean.

10. Be in or on the cover of Weight Watchers Magazine. (Hey, a girl can dream and they use real people all the time). e.I am no longer going to Weight Watchers but I do it on my own so I do not know if this could be possible.

11. Do a walkathon or a 5k and later a run. Continue to learn to run, I ran twice around the park with Mike, and last night I had a dream I ran all the way to Yoga.

12. Practice my yoga and get into the difficult poses I am struggling with. Do inversions, backbends, and anything to do with my leg behind me. This means gaining more flexibility in my quads.

13. Do a 30 day yoga challenge, and do yoga every day for 30 days in a row.

14. Swim with dolphins, not really fitness related but is in a way. I would love to have this experience.

15. Learn Tai Chi or some sort of Martial Arts.

16. Get some sort of certifications down the line so I can pass on my new knowledge and help those who need it. Maybe volunteering for the needy.

17.

18.

19.

20.

HEALTHY MIND, SPIRIT, AND BODY


My best friend Melissa Bender from Melissa Bender Fitness knows all about my past issues with eating disorders, and the fact that the warped mentality tends to sneak up on me from time to time. I have not starved since my twenties, and I have been pretty much ok. Dieting and eating healthy sometimes brings out the obsessive dieter out of me, and she told me I could be developing Orthorexia.  This was over one year ago when she thought she saw the signs in me.

Now that I am doing this project, of course old habits die hard and I can see the signs once again. I recognize it therefore I will correct it. I thought I would include a definition of what exactly Orthorexia is.  The panic I felt after eating two garlic knots was not normal, and I admit that and I plan to lighten up a bit on myself and my healthy diet. Splurges every now and then keep you on track if you do them in moderation. Usually Orthorexia comes on after one has dealt with Anorexia or Bulimia, but sometimes those who have never suffered from an eating disorder can develop Orthorexia. I have a history, but that history does not define my present or my future. I am a work in progress, and I will not let my chaotic mind bully my body or my spirit. I will forge forward with this project, helping others along the way; without succumbing to hurting myself or my self esteem in the process. I will not travel down the path of eating disorder mentality, I  will choose to stand in the crossroads and walk the opposite way.

Yesterday was my weekly workout with Mike, and my running is improving. I ran twice around the park and I did a lot of walking as well. My breathing still sounds heavy but I am definitely improving. We did the TRX and I can feel the sensation of my hard work this morning. I am sure by the time I go to yoga tonight I will be sore. I am very grateful to him for the expertise and for sticking with me as I work towards being in the best shape for me. I am becoming so much stronger, it has now been three months. I feel empowered and the workout definitely helped me deal with the negative food thoughts I had the night before. I am woman, hear me roar,lol. Tonight is my Iyebgar Yoga class with Vladamir at Yogaworks. I love yoga and I have transformed into a true yogi. Wishing you a beautiful day, full of every opportunity life offers you. Good Morning Life.

Namaste’ Love and Light
Rose

Taken from Wikipedia

Orthorexia nervosa (also known as orthorexia) is a proposed eating disorder or mental disorder[1] characterized by an extreme or excessive preoccupation with avoiding foods perceived to be unhealthful.[2][3]The termorthorexia derives from the Greek ορθο- (ortho, “right” or “correct”), and όρεξις (orexis, “appetite”), literally meaning a correct diet. It was introduced in 1997 by Steven Bratman, M.D., to be used as a parallel with other eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa. Orthorexia is not mentioned in the widely-used DSM[a], but was coined by Bratman[4] who claims that in rare cases, this focus may turn into a fixation so extreme that it can lead to severemalnutrition or even death.[5] Even in less severe cases, the attempt to follow a diet that cannot provide adequate nourishment is said to lower self-esteem as the orthorexics blame themselves rather than their diets for their constant hunger and the resulting cravings for forbidden foods. [6]

GARLIC KNOTS A NO NO


Good Morning, a quick post today. It is almost the weekend, and I cannot wait. Tonight is my weekly workout with Mike, and the weather is back to being warm which is great.

Yesterday my husband James was at the Dodgers game, so I brought home a healthy salad for myself since he was out. I ended up eating two of the garlic knots he had on hand. I was so guilty afterwards, almost too much and it made me realize I am not ready mentally for a cheat day. I need to keep my momentum going.

I went to the gap to buy work pants, and these pants I tried on were a little skinnier than I usually wear. There were three lovely ladies from Europe in the dressing room, and when I went to look for the salespersons opinion they made their own opinion known. They told me they looked great, and I should buy them. One thing about losing weight, when shopping you need an outside opinion because your brain is still fat bashing. It is hard to look objectively at yourself.

Off to drink my coffee. Wishing everyone love and light on this Warrior Wednesday. Sorry, I do a lot of yoga these days. 
Namaste’
Rose

WEIGHT UPDATE 10-15-2013

Right now, this is home and I love it dearly


Good Morning and Happy Tuesday to all. Today is weigh in day, and I stayed the exact same 180 pounds. I am happy with it, 17 pounds since July when I started this at 197 pounds and I have never had a week of gaining. Staying the same is a tad bit disappointing, because we all like to see the scale go down, but I know I am making progress. In January I was 207 so where I am now makes me happy, but I will not be lingering at 180 for long. I am determined and I will continue and try even harder with my workouts. 

Tonight I am taking a yoga class at Yogaworks, I am probably either taking the Iyengar class or the Vinyasa class. I still have time to decide. I work, and I will make sure I get to eat something healthy in between. My husband will be at the Dodgers game tonight so I am on my own with food.

I wrote so many of my poems here at Bryant Park in Manhattan
The RFK Bridge and a view of Manhattan from Astoria Park



James and I have discussed moving back to NYC eventually. We love California and we are having a love affair with this state, but every love affair with time must end and it is time for us to be closer to family. Now, this can happen in a year or two or in a month so I have decided to prepare myself if we had to move suddenly. I want to be able to continue on with this project even if I have to deal with a crazy cross country move. In NYC there are so many opportunities. There is New York Cares, an amazing organization that places you in diverse volunteer opportunities. One week you can visit senior citizens and the next you are doing something completely different. There all also so many dance classes for adults. Broadway Dance Center is one of them, and there are tons of Ballroom Dance Studios. Dancesport is really popular. My Yogaworks membership would transfer so I am set there. Like I said, this may not happen but I will be ready to take a bite out of the Big Apple when it does although I am not ready to kiss goodbye my Mighty Pacific just yet. The love affair continues for now.

I wish everyone a beautiful Tuesday full of sunshine and smiles.
Love and Light
Namaste’
Rose

STEPPING THROUGH THE PATH OF BEAUTY

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step 
       – Lao Tse

Good Morning, Happy Monday to all.
Here are some photos I took when I go walking outside. I walk for an hour through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills when I do not do the treadmill at home or at the gym. Now I am also incorporating a little bit if running at the Beverly Hills Park. I hope to do some sort of 5k in the future, of course mostly walking but I am working on being a beginner runner as well. Nature is the best accompaniment and I love the trees here in California.

Of course I have such a beautiful place to walk, and I soak in every sight and splendor as I work out. Note the tree doing a back bend, it took my breath away. When I am farther in my yoga practice I will be as limber as that tree, the tree is a sign to continue on and never give up. Stand strong, stand tall and persevere.
Namaste’
Rose

WILLPOWER AND DETERMINATION

Happy Sunday. I hope this post finds everyone having a wonderful weekend. We are having a quiet day this morning, we are dealing with some plumbing issues that hopefully will be resolved soon. My husband is doing the treadmill and watching Sunday Football. I am doing some writing, drinking coffee and trying to keep out of the cookies he bought last night. Willpower do not fail me now.

Last night we went to the movies and saw Gravity. It is a wonderful film, reminds me of a space version of Castaway with Tom Hanks. It is a thinking persons film. I really loved it, and there is nothing like the escape of the movies. James of course had to have popcorn and diet coke, and I am proud to say I had one bite of popcorn and one sip of diet coke and then I was satisfied. So far my willpower is staying strong. Seeing the physical results is keeping me going. I wore a dress with a jean jacket and since I do not have a full length mirror at home I saw what the dress looked like on me at the theater in the ladies room full length mirror. James said I looked small, but when I saw with my own eyes I was shocked. I needed to pull myself away from the theater bathroom mirror. At the store afterwards one of the Pavilions employees who has not seen me in a while hugged me and told me how great I looked. I am getting stronger, fitter, and yes thinner. Thank you willpower and determination. I am even more determined than ever now. One of my favorite Los Angeles friends Xiomara is a photographer, and we are going to do some fun outdoor photos soon. She is my LA sister.

Ok I am off to do some reading and writing. Feeling Sunday lazy but yoga is not until this evening so I am reveling in the stillness of my Sunday, well as still as one can be with football on in the background.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Sunday, love and light.
Namaste’
Rose

STAYING HUMBLED

I feel very strongly that growing up somewhat underprivileged had its advantages. I never look back at the past with regret. I believe everyone holds their fate within the palm of their own hand, whether it is smooth or calloused. When  I look back on my childhood days, a hand me down sky blue dress for my eighth grade graduation was a gift and not an embarrassment; I had food, I had shelter, I had love. My Mother recently apologized for that moment, as if she did something wrong. I tried to thank her for not only being a wonderful Mother, but for raising me to be humble with compassion. Those gifts are worth more to me now than a sparking new dress for school would have been then.



I am a poet, and I started thinking I should delve into the past to write some new old poems. That made me think of Dolly Parton and her coat of many colors. The song brings tears to my eyes. First of all I can only imagine what it was like to live in that kind of poverty in those times. I read a quote recently by Dolly Parton which put a lot of things into perspective. They were so poor they did not always have toilet paper.

My aunt in Knoxville would bring newspapers up, which we used for toilet paper. Before we used it, we’d look at the pictures.” Dolly Parton

 

Dolly Parton may have been lacking in material needs, but she was rich in love, spirit, talent, and humor. She has never forgotten where she came from; she learned from it, created from it, but has  never let it shape her identity.  I would love to meet her one day, she is such a positive inspiration. I had the same gifts, my Mother was a survivor and I am proud of my modest yet treasured upbringing. So if you find yourself wallowing the shallow waters of the past, remember sometimes blessings are found in down to earth disguises.
Always, love and light.
Rose

 Coat of Many Colors
Lyrics by Dolly Parton

Back through the years
I go wonderin once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors
Every piece was small
And I didn’t have a coat
And it was way down in the fall
Momma sewed the rags together
Sewin every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of
As she sewed, she told a story
From the bible, she had read
About a coat of many colors
Joseph wore and then she said
Perhaps this coat will bring you
Good luck and happiness
And I just couldnt wait to wear it
And momma blessed it with a kiss
Chorus:

My coat of many colors
That my momma made for me
Made only from rags
But I wore it so proudly
Although we had no money
I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

So with patches on my britches
Holes in both my shoes
In my coat of many colors
I hurried off to school
Just to find the others laughing
And making fun of me
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

And oh I couldnt understand it
For I felt I was rich
And I told them of the love
My momma sewed in every stitch
And I told em all the story
Momma told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors
Was worth more than all their clothes

But they didn’t understand it
And I tried to make them see
That one is only poor
Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money
But I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
Made just for me
(c) Dolly Parton