Category Archives: benderfitness

HAPPY ST PATTY’S DAY

Leave a reply

“Everything you see I owe to spaghetti.”
― Sophia Loren

 

Happy St Patty’s day, eat your greens.  I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and my Italian father had a restaurant in  the downtown. My memories of St. Patty’s Day was watching the parade from the front windows, all while stuffing little green petit fours in my mouth. Eating and food was celebration in my childhood household. 

As a child growing up with an Italian father, and with a Mother who learned to cook like she was born in Napoli, I can say I can totally relate to Sophia Loren’s words about spaghetti. To this day, it is the one food I cannot control portions over, so I choose to just eat it on rare and special occasions. When I began my weight loss blog I tried to portion spaghetti, and on one occasion  my hubby James caught me with my face deep in the pot of spaghetti  at 3am. Pasta seems to rule my willpower with an iron wooden spoon.

I found out what works for my body. When I don’t eat gluten, my skin looks radiant and I drop the pounds with much more ease than when I try to portion out processed foods. For me eating clean is a lifestyle, but I am not above occasional cheat days and splurges, well until now.

I announced a week ago that this week begins my ten month countdown to my 50th Birthday on December 21st. I decided since my blog is called My Change For A Ten  and I helped charities per every ten pounds lost, that I would do the same but change the format for the next months. I dropped my initial 50 lbs, and then the weight slowed. Now I am taking a different route to the same destination. Ten months, ten charities, no cheat days, workout, running and yoga. The point is I want to arrive confident and strong to my 50th Birthday. I want to be the best me inside and out.

So, with that said this is a quick primer on what I am doing. 

My food will consist of non processed, clean real food. No cheat days. I have been asked what I consider a cheat day. So this is what I will be eating, and if it is not there I will not consume it for ten months. Yes, this is a challenge, and my husband James is already looking ahead to Fourth of July and Thanksgiving and telling me I have to cheat on those dates.

The bulk of what I eat will be eating is plant based,  as much produce as I like, fresh or frozen.Occasional fresh juices and coconut water.  Lean proteins, fish, chicken, and occasional red meat. No processed meats. As for Dairy I will include milk, Greek yogurt and cottage cheese on occasion as well as occasional eggs. Nuts, seeds, nut butters, dried fruits. Olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oils. Occasional baked potato, sweet potato, and Ezekiel sprouted bread. Coffee and dark chocolate, within portion control, are my treats. I will still allow my protein bars because I just cannot give those up. Basically my plan is almost grain free, if I ever feel weak I will eat the occasional bowl of steel cut oats. I drink water all day long. I am taking some supplements, all natural and I will talk about those in a future post.

food1 food4food3food2food5food

My plan will be low salt and sodium, and I will make my own dressings. Low sugar except for a teaspoon in my coffee every am since I cannot have the fake stuff and I am not giving that up.  The dark chocolate I buy is 85% dark chocolate. Above are some photos of my meals I ate this week.

I will be posting about the fitness, running, yoga and charities I have planned in a future post. I also plan to start doing YouTube videos talking about my weight loss and fitness goals. Today my weight was 169 lbs. I am up from lbs which was my lowest weight I achieved on this blog and journey of mine. I have not yet decided, but I may put the scale away until I reach my 50th Birthday on December 21st. I am ready for my challenge and today is day four and I feel like I am going to be fabulous at 50. I want to look like Sophia Loren when I am her age, but this Italian girl will get there without spaghetti. 

Happy St Patty’s Day, eat your greens.

Namaste

Rose

 

Countdown to 50

1 Reply

Keep swimming to the surface, that is where the sun is.

Rose Bruno Bailey

Today I quoted myself, because I believe no matter how difficult things may appear, if you keep swimming to the surface the water clears and that is where you will see the sun again. I am doing this now. I believe we are always reinventing ourselves, and finding new ways to journey in the direction of our goals and dreams. 

I am going to reinvent my blog for the next ten months. I am counting down until my 50th Birthday in ten months on December 21st.  Ten, I am working on my change for a ten. I focus on weight loss, fitness and philanthropy and that has not changed. What has changed is instead of doing a charity for each ten pounds lost I am focusing on the ten months until my 50th Birthday. Ten months, ten charities, no cheat days, and going after my fitness goals with the motivation of being the best 50 year old I can be, inside and out.  I will start chronicling this new journey Monday and I will keep going and working harder even through my life struggles, changes, and tribulations. I am truly excited for this new chapter of my blog and I welcome you to join me as I embark on my challenge of my half century mark. 

Much love and light to all and remember you are not a number. You can own your age but do not think you cannot do what you dream of doing because of what time, or the scale tells you. You can do anything as long as you awaken and have the ability to dream. Dream big angels, dream big massive dreams.

Namaste’rosemeeee

Rose

I hit rock bottom. Here’s what happened.

Leave a reply

 

meme1

I hit rock bottom, landed on the scale and gained nine pounds in November.  My rock bottom came to a crescendo last Sunday night. After a month of stress and too many cheat days ( plus Thanksgiving)  I dove head first into a dead lasagna that was sitting in the window at work.  If you have been reading my blog for two years I wait tables for extra money, and lately I am working a lot more than usual. The stress of things in life finally got to me, and all of a sudden I was craving the kind of foods I only eat once or twice a year. Pasta is a no-no for me, and frankly I do not even want it and everyone is always marveled by my willpower of steel. I knew I was in trouble when I started wanting pasta  more and more in November. This is not a good thing when you work in an Italian Restaurant and have to serve it every day. One little cheat turned into another and all of a sudden I am grabbing for a lasagna that was past its prime. I was mindless eating, no joy, not a special occasion cheat that I earned and savored; but just eating because it was there and I needed to ease the pain of my temporary worries and stresses.   I came crashing down from a month of nonsensical eating like an addict after a high. For me it was my first real low point in two years after my 60 pound weight loss and all of my fitness accomplishments. I hit rock bottom, got on the scale the very next day and immediately gained my composure and will power. Being human is a tough gig.

Cue December 1, 2015 and a reality check, I  gained  9 lbs. My first weight gain since I began my project and blog. I had maintained my weight loss for two years and was working on my fitness goals and eventually my weight loss goal of 135 lbs. In November I lost control. It happened so quickly I hardly knew what hit me. I do know this, the minute I got on the scale and saw where my month of excess of unhealthy food led me, I snapped back into gear. Mind you, I have never been a overeater and I never considered myself an emotional eater. I have rarely been a binger, but for me choosing high calorie, fattening, carb ridden foods over healthy foods was all it took for me to put on some weight. My first clue is when my bra was a little tighter. Then I knew, and I knew it was time to face the music. The music sang loud and clear, you  gained 9 lbs. The scale is a cruel wake up call but a necessary bitter pill you must swallow before 9 lbs turns into 60 lbs. I caught myself before it is too late. The honesty of the scale diminished any cravings I had. I was back.

Today I begin anew. I am doing a Melissa Bender Fitness 30 day challenge and I am back to eating clean and watching my portion control. I am going to run again as well. I have not been on a run since since my 5K in October. I am also doing one charity per month now, until my scale moves in my favor. In November I collected donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank and volunteered with my friend Stan and his hiking/running/meetup group at the Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose. Stan is such an inspiration to me, and he has run over 20 marathons. For me this blog began blending my weight loss and fitness goals with  giving back to charity, and now I continue that by doing one charity a month and get back to what works for me. I am far from over.

charity

In life I do not ask for advice, I am always going to do what I feel anyway. I look for inspiration. Inspiration is all around us, and learning from others never gets old. Sometimes inspiration comes from unlikely sources, but you must listen and have an open heart. I am happy to say I am surrounded by inspiration always, from family, from friends, from strangers I meet on my travels. Here’s to better days ahead and the inspirational people who accompany me on my journey. Love and light to all. 

There would be no cloud-nine days without rock-bottom moments left below.     — Richelle E. Goodrich

Namaste’

Rose

 

A quick primer on what I eat

Leave a reply

Good morning to all, it is coffee time and then running and a workout before work. A quick post before I make it happen on this sunny October Tuesday. I weighed in today, still stuck in the mid 160’s but to me maintaining is better than ever gaining. I will be consistent and break my plateau and get to goal. I am focusing on fitness and health first.

It was suggested to me to do a post about what I eat daily, and Sunday through Thursday I pretty much eat the same each day.

Monday was a good day, I did not skip any meals and I made sure to eat something at work. I do not really believe in rules, since I think it makes your mind a little crazy when you tell yourself you cannot have a particular food. With that said, I do eat clean and try to do the 80/20 rule. Most of my diet is clean, and then and now I sneak in a little treat. What is life without the finer things? Oh and coffee, coffee is a non negotiable every morning after my 16 oz of water and banana. 

What I eat Sunday Through Thursday pretty much is the same, Friday night and Saturday I still eat healthy but I have a little more variety.

Breakfast daily

16 Oz water and then water every hour

coffee with sugar and non dairy cream, and a little inspirational reading before my workout

banana or two, and a ThinkThin bar, peanut butter or Brownie Crunch

After workout and running my Lunch

1 cup cottage cheese or greek yogurt, or two eggs

fruits, and veggies

1 slice Food for Life Ezekiel tst

On commute I either eat a few almonds, a kind bar, or pick up a kale smoothie with fruits and veggies and almond milk

Dinner at work

Chicken breast, veggies, and one sweet potato

Late night snack

dole chocolate covered bananas, 4 to a pack. Or fresh fruit. Sometimes I dip an apple in caramel sauce, just a little.

This is pretty much how I eat daily, with Saturdays as my day off I deviate a little. Friday nights I will eat something like a Homemade soup or Chicken Chili.

 

12142212_1642594852649194_428950072_n(1) 11909922_190594424619511_1396604959_n 12145478_940214272715644_987288264_n

Like I said on weekend I may deviate a little and have a little San Francisco sourdough bread if we are out to dinner, or a little pizza or whatever we are eating. I try to also eat healthy when dining out. Last week on Saturday we went to the famous Sutro’s Cliff House restaurant and I had the vegan plate to stay in balance, with a little bread and butter. I was there for the view.

This was grains and mushrooms with a sweet potato cake and kale. I did have some bread with it, and a bit of butter,

12115873_1022090907836375_2434846478590520121_n12107473_1683187435246898_657429189_n

 

That is pretty much how I roll on days I workout and work. It is easy to stick to my regimen on those days. Saturdays are the most challenging for me. I have tried cutting out carbs completely but it made me cranky. Off to run and workout. Have a sunshiny day and never give up.

Namaste’ love and light. 

Rose

 

NEW MONDAY

Leave a reply

sf1

Sometimes it is so easy to get side tracked, everything just seems to pile up and there is little time to do what you want to do because of adult responsibilities and pressures.The good news is my Mother is home and on medication and feeling well. I made my best time at my 5k and now I am looking for a 10k to do before the year ends.

I am wearing so many hats of late; wife, waitress, author, weight loss/philanthropic blogger, fitness enthusiast, yogi, not to mention I am a poet and writer and I prefer to have some alone time to get out of my body and into my head to translate my thoughts into words. My book is getting great reviews and it is low on stock at Bookshop Santa Cruz, so I am incredibly grateful. There is a lot more work to do on the book front, (marketing wise) but I am taking it one day at a time. I will be heading back to Santa Cruz soon, and soon to LA as well. 

Yoga and working out gets me out of my head and into my body, and my writing takes me deep within. When I have to work extra hours waiting tables, it takes me to a place of chaos and stress. Do not get me wrong, I am appreciative of the ability to make some extra cash since we live in the most expensive city in the states, but to say I am burned out it is an understatement. I do not get home usually until 11 pm and i have felt physically exhausted. I had a mini meltdown last Thursday and I ate a bowl of pasta Alfredo. My first pasta in one year. I deviated from my workout routine and I was beginning to feel out of control. I spoke to Melissa from Melissa Bender Fitness and she suggested I just pick up where I left off.

It took that phone call and  a beautiful day in the city along the coast with my husband James and our dear friends Sara and Tor to help me regain my balance. When I am in nature and with amazing souls, I find my zen and my meditation place.  I also realized no matter how late I get home, I need to be in bed within the hour. It has made all the difference and today on this brand new Monday Morning I begin anew. 

sf

I went to bed I believe before one am, and I woke up by ten am. I am now writing and having my coffee and ThinkThin bar and soon I will do my workout. I have plenty of time before work and I feel like this week I may regain my center. I have chosen to really focus on the fitness after my first over 50 lb weight loss, since my weight has been forever stuck in the 160’s. I recently found out all the female members of my immediate family are on medication for thyroid issues, so that is something to explore in the future. As soon as the chaos and money issues quiet down and I am able to slow down I will be deciding on my next charities.  In the meantime, eat healthy, workout, work, do yoga, run off the stress and repeat. One day at a time is not a cliche’ it is the best way to get through any difficult situation. Keep going and never give up!! 

Namaste’ love and light

This week I am repeating week five.

So here is week 1 Month 2 of BenderFitness Bikini Prep Workouts

 
 
Tuesday Day 2: Bikini Ready Tummy Workout and Body Definition Workout (Body Definition Workout was done interval style, 2X through. The breakdown is listed in the information above the Bikini Ready Tummy Workout). 
 
Wednesday Day  3: Strong and Toned Lower Body: Legs, Thighs, and Butt and 30 minute run on the treadmill. Day off from work
 
Thursday Day 4: Ab Exposure Workout
 

FRIDAY UPDATES

Leave a reply

unnamed

Good Morning to all, I have been out of commission and I have not updated in two weeks. That ends now. I plan to not only update my social media, but to spend more time writing here. I was sick with a kidney infection and believe it or not this week I have caught a bugger of a cold. That will not stop me, but it has slowed me down just a pinch. On top of that this brand new computer was a lemon. Time to make lemon-aid since it has been a scorcher here lately. 

My first update is SFYogamagazine featured my weight loss story on their website. It was quite an honor and I will include a link when I have more time.

I am an author now. Yes, I can finally say my first book Camellia in Snow has been released and is now available on amazon and barnesandnoble.com b
I am thrilled and beyond grateful to my amazing publisher Finnlady Press. My book will also be available at select independent bookstores across the country, this is why I have been busy. The first book store you can purchase Camellia in Snow at is BookShop Santa Cruz 1520 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95060 #831-423-0900. The other book stores I will announce as I make the rounds. I have been very busy with my workouts and training and work.

Speaking of my training. Tomorrow is my first 5K since my 5K in 2014 that turned into an accidental 10K. I am so excited, I am running with my boss who has run 26 marathons. Yes, 26 marathons. I am a bit intimidated but I plan to run without stopping. We are running in the Rock and Roll Marathon series San Jose 5K. He is also doing the half marathon on Sunday, I think he is not of this world. He is inspiring to me especially because he started running during a crisis. I will write more about him later.

Ok I am off, I will begin posting my Melissa Bender Workout schedule next week after the race, and I plan to update my sidebar with links to my book etc. Today I work and I have to go pick up my race packet so I must get moving quick. I need a caturday soon. 

Much Love and Light to alL

Namaste’

Rose

 

BACK TO THE GRIND

Leave a reply

Good Morning to all. Labor day is behind us and now it is time to get back to work. I have a lot of  exciting things going on and I will post all about them in tomorrow’s post. Today it is all about the work, the workout, and back to the grind. I have Melissa Bender Fitness schedule, this is week 1 of Month 2. I am doing great but I admit I am a little more fatigued as of late, because of later nights than usual. I am trying to get to bed at a more reasonable time so I can have the energy to do the best workouts possible. A little coffee helps too. I hope you are crushing your own personal goals. Make sure you find time to stretch and do a yoga flow to recover and soothe your mind and body. I downloaded some amazing Hawaiian music to do sun salutations to. Here is a photo update. On far Left is the beginning photo in 2013, and in the middle is me 5 weeks ago, and the far right is me now. I am still stocky but you can see I am much more lean and fit than I once was. I actually had someone tell me not to lose my body, that made me feel amazing. Oh, and someone told me I looked like Shania Twain and Sandra Bullock, which to me translates to my face is skinny lol. 11947697_1005430582835741_1320152200900790489_nNamaste’

Love and Light

Rose

So here is week 1 Month 2 of BenderFitness Bikini Prep Workouts

 
Tuesday Day 1: Body Definition Workout
 
Wednesday Day 2: Bikini Ready Tummy Workout and Body Definition Workout (Body Definition Workout was done interval style, 2X through. The breakdown is listed in the information above the Bikini Ready Tummy Workout). 
 
Thursday Day 3: Strong and Toned Lower Body: Legs, Thighs, and Butt and 30 minute run on the treadmill. Day off from work
 
Friday Day 4: Ab Exposure Workout
Saturday Day 7: Off Saturday Day off from work
 

SPILLED COFFEE

Leave a reply

monterey1

Don’t cry over spilled milk, or in my case spilled coffee. I woke up, late as usual as on par for my life these days. I decided before my workout to blog in bed.  I thought drinking coffee in bed was a grand idea until I spilled it all over myself and my blanket. It seems to be indicative of my murky mood. The last few months have been a little chaotic, a lot of good and some not so good. I will not get into the details of the not good part, but I will say I have my health, and those I love do as well so it is nothing that cannot be figured out. Crisis can come on in all ways, it can burn you like hot coffee if you let it. Or you can stand up, wash it off and get on with your life and your dreams. That hot coffee is not going to ruin your day, nor should a minor life crisis singe your dreams and goals. Make a wish, and it will come true if you believe. 

11889511_10153513519383617_2358188395187610258_n

I promised myself I would move forward each day, taking one moment at a time. Coming from an impatient person as myself that is probably the most difficult task. I want everything now, and I tend to get a little cranky when things move too slow for my liking. I understand that is a flaw in my personality and I am constantly trying to evolve and become a better version of myself. I have stuck to my workout schedule even when things became difficult. Last week my body was slower than usual. My injured toe seemed to be hurting more than usual, and doing some of the exercises proved difficult. I took my rest day Saturday and now I feel better. I understand my toe will probably eventually need surgery, but I am just trying for now to keep moving forward and keep on the road to goal. 

With that said, I have decided to repeat last weeks schedule. Here it is, and this week I am feeling better physically and I hope I come out of this repeat week stronger. That is the goal anyway, To be stronger, more fit, healthier and to be leaner as I achieve my goals. Thank you to Melissa Bender Fitness for amazing workouts and helping me motivate and stay on the right track. The photo above shows my progress. Far left 2013, middle four weeks ago to date, and far right is current. I am making progress, I just have to be patient with myself and trust in the universe that everything will be fine. Love and light to all.

 

Happy Monday

Rose

Melissa Bender Fitness Week Four Bikini Prep Workout (repeat)

Monday: 15 Minute Home Workout

Tuesday: 3 mile run

Wednesday: 10 Minute Fat Burn

Thursday: Flab-U-Less Arms and Abs, 30 Minutes Cardio

Friday:Fitness Transformation: Workout 5, 30 Minutes Cardio

Saturday: Off 

Sunday: Mix It Up Workout, 30 Minutes Cardio

 

LOOKING BACK AND FORWARD

Leave a reply

mascarame

Good Morning Monday. Here is my schedule for the week. This is week 4 of the BenderFitness 12 week bikini prep workouts. I am totally sticking to it, and I feel great and motivated.

I have this app on Facebook that looks back at my memories, and at the same moment I was looking for a great and inspiring fitness quote to include in this post. My memories were two years ago when I began my weight loss blogging journey, and when I was in a Richard Simmons Video.  The quote I happened to come across is from the man himself. So today as I go forward with all of my goals, I will reflect on my beginnings two years ago when I met the man Richard Simmons, a man who really changed lives and helped people believe they can do it too. I am honored I had the opportunity to not only dance with him in his video, but to attend many of his classes before he decided to take some time off. I am always inspired by Mr. Richard Simmons as I continue on with my weight loss/fitness/philanthropic goals. I am forever grateful for the impact he has on me and so many others in the world. When he decides to teach again, I will be waiting outside Slimmons with bells on. Have a wonderful week and don’t forget to sweat!!!

What’s the secret to weight loss? People ask me this all the time. Let’s ask the weight saint himself?

Number one, like yourself. Number two, you have to eat healthy. And number three, you’ve got to squeeze your buns. That’s my formula.

Richard Simmons

rs

 

Monday: 15 Minute Home Workout

Tuesday: 3 mile run

Wednesday: 10 Minute Fat Burn

Thursday: Flab-U-Less Arms and Abs, 30 Minutes Cardio

Friday:Fitness Transformation: Workout 5, 30 Minutes Cardio

Saturday: Off 

Sunday: Mix It Up Workout, 30 Minutes Cardio

Motivation Monday

Leave a reply

weekthree3

Good Morning to all. It is another Monday. I am on the brink of some amazing things happening and I feel like I am about to take flight. Some big changes may be happening as well.  My book will be out soon and I will do a whole separate blog post to announce it. With the book release comes events to be planned, and contacting the independent book stores that agreed to carry my book. I have a small but wonderful  small  east coast press publishing my book and most of the marketing is on me. One of my poems in the book has a line, “change comes on slow than rolls you over.” That statement could not be more true for this moment and time, and I am just trying to focus on my daily goals as I wait impatiently for the change to happen. I will come out better on the other side if I continue to focus on my daily and weekly goals. Large goals cannot be obtained without the daily little goals you set for yourself.

 Robert Frost once said, “The best way out is through” 

So here I am, week three of my Melissa Bender Fitness Bikini Prep workouts and challenge. It is Monday and I am motivated. I am taking it day by day, and week by week. I had a cheat day over the weekend and I realized there was a reason why I rarely had cheat days. They just do not make me feel good. I would rather use a few of my extra points and count in a mini treat than have a day that makes me feel ill and cheats my goals. That is just me. I hope you are chasing down your goals and living in the moment.

boat1

Here is the breakdown of my weeks schedule of workouts, again tailored for my Monday-Friday Schedule. You can find these workouts a www.benderfitness.com and I am on week three, month one of the 12 weeks. My weight is still stuck in the 160’s but I will get to the 150’s as I focus on fitness, strength and health; and I plan to share a home yoga schedule soon. Happy Monday to all and remember to love the body you are in as you focus on the body you want. You only get one so love it as you love others and it will love you back. 

Namaste’

Rose

 

Day 15: Monday Full Body Home Workout, 30 Minute Cardio

Day 16: Tuesday Home Workout For a Tight Body

Day 17: Wednesday  Improve Your Rear View Workout 30 Minutes Cardio

Day 18: Thursday Fitness Transformation: Workout 4, 30 Minutes Cardio

Day 19: Friday 30 Minutes Cardio

Day 23: Saturday Off

Day 22:Sunday  Full Body Shaping Home Workout