Monthly Archives: December 2013

CHEAT DAYS, YES OR NO?

Buckle up, the journey continues.



I had my first cheat days in months, I splurged on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Now I find myself fighting off sugar cravings. That is why I worry about letting myself have cheat days, or maybe I have been too strict for too long. Either way I am finding my center again, with the help of some healthy staples. Headed to Whole Foods now, it is a process as I pick up the pieces of my holiday splurge. This time around I am debating having a few cheat days a month, or maybe once a month. Once a week seems like it would be too frequent.

Did you indulge a little this December? Just a day or two or for a whole month? Do you have cheat days, and if so do you allow yourself once a week or once a month? I am pondering my all or nothing attitude and wondering if I should lighten up just a tiny bit.

In the meantime, lots of exercise and fresh air helps me get back on track. I look forward to 2014 and all of my New Year’s Resolutions. One thing is for sure, my health is number one and I will never see my weight hit 207 lbs ever again. As the end of this year approaches, I can say I am exactly where I need to be, and I know where I am going. I have enjoyed the journey as well as the destination, even if the destination is miles away. The journey continues with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face.  I am buckled up and ready for the trip of a lifetime.

Namaste’
Love and Light
Rose


GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN



I have been a a little off kilter this week due to Christmas and the holiday season. It has been a wonderful way to end the year, by doing a toy drive and gift drive for the residents at Alexandria House in Los Angeles. Alexandria House is a transitional home for women and children, and it was a home of hope to me. I felt like I had time traveled back to my childhood, to the times before the age of ten when everything seemed so idyllic. I could see the promise of those four walls, and the dedication Judy Vaughan has to keeping the place buzzing with optimism. She is a worker bee, and the nucleus of the home along with all of the other beautiful souls who work so hard to make this house a home for so many that need it. I was so honored to be able to visit and tour the beautiful 1920’s craftsman home and meet the young residents, and I plan on going back to volunteer in 2014.  Within those four walls I felt safe and welcome, it was a magical feeling.

I thank my friend Meagan for the generosity of her time, we had fun.  I would also like to thank everyone at Seasons 52 for their support and generosity, from the management to the staff. No one can go it alone, and I am very grateful for the help they gave to make this gift drive a reality. Thanks to the Management at Seasons 52 in Century City CA. Monica Challingsworth, Isbhak Vasquez, Laura Dennis, Jessica Koine, Veronica Bonnely,Shane Jagow and Lee Velasco. 

To quote my favorite Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life, ” No man is a failure who has friends. 
Happy Holidays to all.
Rose


Here is a little something about Alexandria House, and all of the good they do for the community.

Mission

 Response to the compelling needs of the women and


 children living in the house, as well as the 

 neighborhood needs before us each day, the goal of

 Alexandria House is to be a community-oriented

 transitional house and neighborhood center which is

 intentionally multicultural, antiracist and where the

 needs of women who are economically poor are

 central.

 We are supported by a community of caring


 individuals and groups who share our mission.
 Company Overview

 Founded in 1996, Alexandria House is a non-profit 


 transitional residence and house of hospitality

 providing safe and supportive housing for women and

 children in the process of moving from emergency

 shelter to permanent housing. Located in the densely

 populated and ethnically diverse Mid-Wilshire area,

 Alexandria House also serves its broader 

 neighborhood community by providing educational 

 and enrichment opportunities for residents and

 neighbors alike.

BIRTHDAY PHOTOS AT MUSSO AND FRANK GRILLE

DECEMBER 21ST 2013 BIRTHDAY DINNER AT THE ICONIC HOLLYWOOD RESTAURANT MUSSO AND FRANK GRILLE WITH MY HUSBAND JAMES. IT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE. 


POST TO FOLLOW. SIZE MEDIUM DRESS, CELEBRATING NOT ONLY MY BIRTHDAY BUT LIFE AND ALL OF IT’S BLESSINGS.



KICKING OFF MY BIRTHDAY WITH A BANG

CALIFORNIA CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS TREE



It is my birthday, the winter solstice, the day with the least amount of light yet I feel like I am surrounded my the radiant wonder above. I am so blessed beyond belief, and as I get ready to kick in my Birthday with a class at Richard Simmons. He is having his holiday bash and there is no other way to begin my birthday than with a holiday dose of health with my guru himself. I am excited beyond belief, I love the energy that comes from those four walls. You could bottle it up and raise a mint for charity.


I am also going to Musso and Frank’s tonight with James for dinner, it is a bucket list must. Read my post about Huell Howser and you will understand why. More to come later, and lots and lots of photos.

I feel like I am celebrating life and making dreams come true. The Toy Drive is coming along with the amazing assistance of Seasons 52, and more on that tonight or tomorrow. I am happy to say as the New Year approaches I do not have one regret. I am making it happen, with a lot of help from my friends. Without them I would not be where I am today, or get to where I will be tomorrow. The sun does always come out tomorrow, even on the shortest day of the year.

Namaste’
Lots of love and light
Rose

HECTIC HERE



Good morning to all. It has been so hectic here and Rascal woke me up at 4 am. My husband and I both lost weight so shopping for my birthday dinner for something new to wear took up our week. He lost 16 lbs and I have lost 30, (20 since I started this). It has been a long haul but worth the wait. I am going to lose at least 30 more in 2014.

My plan was to avoid buying clothes, except work out and yoga clothes, but that has become inconvenient. I needed to shop, and I bought a fabulous wrap dress that is very retro and a little sexy. I feel great but I am not yet where I need to be. So much more hard work to be done, but I am trying not to beat myself up with thoughts of not being thin enough. That damn devil on my shoulder has reappeared just in time for my birthday tomorrow, and making me feel a little less than I should be. I need to own where I am now, and enjoy my Birthday and this journey.

I have decided to switch my weigh in back to Tuesdays. I do not like to weigh in before the weekend, it seems when I weigh in early in the week it starts my week off to a great start. I know I ate more salt than usual the last week, and I am splurging on Christmas a little. I bought some amazing cookies and I plan to indulge in them.

Tomorrow morning I am going to attend Richard Simmons holiday class, it should be a healthy and fun way to kick my birthday in. The toy drive is in full swing, and this weekend I am buying my toys for Alexandria House. We are delivering them on Monday.

Off for now, more of the same hectic energy today after work. Wishing you a sun filled day on the second shortest day of the year.
Namaste’
Rose

THURSDAY UPDATE



Good Morning to all. We are a little under the weather here, so I am just trying to get through it and feel better by my big weekend. I have been shopping both for my Birthday outfit, and for my husband since he lost a few pounds as well and works later than I do. It has been a project, shopping for a man. I just need accessories for myself, I found some killer heals to go with my dress, these should put my 5’2 frame at 5’8. They are that high, I hope I can walk.

Just a quick post, this cold has got the best of me and I do not have much energy, but I have been using the Neti Pot and I seem to be getting better at a quicker pace than my husband who refuses to use it. I believe it truly works, and I can say I can breathe this morning.

Wishing you a beautiful day. My toy drive is in full swing and we deliver the toys on Monday. Christmas just comes and goes too quickly, I will be happy when I can return to my normal routine and lose this 30-40 pounds once the new year arrives. I got a hair trim the other day, and I had not been in the salon in months and the staff went on and on about my weight loss, that made my week.

Namaste’
Rose

SICK DAY



Good Morning to all. Looks like I am taking a day to rest from work. I have a head cold and it seems like the little bugger got the best of me, so I feel better to rest today so I am not down for the count for my Birthday and Christmas.

Speaking of my upcoming Birthday. We are going to Musso and Frank’s, a bucket list must and I am so excited. I am not only celebrating my late December birthday on the 21st but my 20 pound weight loss since I began this journey, ( 30 pounds since January).  I am also celebrating the fact that I am following up on all of my plans as I go into the New Year. I am content to say I did not give up, and as I make my new New Year’s resolutions I will be so inspired and motivated. I am so happy I am taking on this project with more to come in 2014. I am so grateful that I have met so many amazing people who have touched my heart. All of this in six months.

A birthday dinner means a new dress, and I found one I love in a size medium. I just need to accessorize it with shoes etc and I am good to go.I had planned to only shop when I got to my final weight, but when nothing fits except your workout clothes shopping is a must.  It is a lot more fun when you are losing weight. 

I may be under the weather, but my spirits are so high. The toy drive is in full swing, and I will be shopping for my toys this weekend. I need to write out some Christmas cards, so since I will be resting today I have the perfect opportunity to do so, and maybe some reading too.

Wishing you a beautiful day.
Namaste’
Rose

TWENTY POUND CHARITY TOY DRIVE



I am planning my twenty pound charity, and decided to do something that was a perfect fit for December and the season of joy. I decided to do a toy drive for Alexandria House, with the recommendation of a dear friend named Dawn who attends Richard Simmons. I am grateful for her friendship and support. 

Here is some information on Alexandria House below. I am organizing my twenty pound charity at my place of employment, Seasons 52 in Century City, CA. with the help of my amazing management and co workers. I am grateful for the support and everyone who is so kind to give a toy to a child at this time of year. My co-worker and friend Meagan and I are delivering the toys December 23rd. I will post more information later this week. The toys are starting to accumulate, and I am really excited. I am beyond grateful and moved to have such kind people in my corner and thank you to Michele and Judy at Alexandria House.
Namaste’
Happy Monday
Rose




Mission

 Response to the compelling needs of the women and


 children living in the house, as well as the 

 neighborhood needs before us each day, the goal of

 Alexandria House is to be a community-oriented

 transitional house and neighborhood center which is

 intentionally multicultural, antiracist and where the

 needs of women who are economically poor are

 central.

 We are supported by a community of caring


 individuals and groups who share our mission.
 Company Overview

 Founded in 1996, Alexandria House is a non-profit 


 transitional residence and house of hospitality

 providing safe and supportive housing for women and

 children in the process of moving from emergency

 shelter to permanent housing. Located in the densely

 populated and ethnically diverse Mid-Wilshire area,

 Alexandria House also serves its broader 

 neighborhood community by providing educational 

 and enrichment opportunities for residents and

 neighbors alike.