Category Archives: inspiration. Monday motivation.

MONDAY

Leave a reply
I am in love with this tree



When I woke up today it was still a bit dark, and that made me feel groggier than usual. It is day 10 of the Melissa Bender Fitness 30 day challenge to exercise every day of the month, and I have done so each and every day. I think I can shake off this sleepiness and tackle my work and workout today. I am remembering to eat more, and I believe this will all help me attain my goals.

Yesterday I walked four miles, and I did yoga and worked on my hip openers and quad stretches. I also worked on my push ups. My husband James commented how dedicated I have been for these last nine months, and how impressed he is.  I can now do Dancer’s Pose but I need a lot of work with it, but I can do it. This summer I am going to commemorate my journey with my wonderful friend Xiomara who happens to be a talented photographer, we are going to take yoga photos all around Los Angeles. I am not ready for this yet, but it is on my bucket list.

Happy Monday to all
Rose

I wrote this on a winter day in NYC waiting for the train, back in 2009.
Wishing you love and light that warms all of your seasons

MONDAY

It’s another monotonous morning,

birds are chirping, but spring

has hardly paid a call or visit.

I drink my hot coffee, gripping

the cup like it holds liquid gold.

Fatigue sets in, mentally, physically;

a rat races inside my head.

I am emotionally, physically

drained from running mundane

marathons to empty destinations.

I imagine a kiss, a zealous kiss

that would bring summer

to my wintry body and soul.

Instead I sip, caffeinated tepid cafe;

and long for lips that scald,

daydreaming of a moment

that could warm all of my seasons. 

(c) Rose Bruno Bailey




SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

Leave a reply
We kept our Super Bowl snacks healthy and low fat and high fiber. Instead of making a lot of bad choices we did healthy swaps. Here is what we did to stay on track and be healthy.



We had a veggie tray, always eat a broad spectrum of colorful vegetables.

Low fat corn chips, minimal ingredients. We made nachos with black beans in which we rinsed, and added fresh tomatoes and onions and a bit of low fat cheese.

I made homemade guacamole with no salt.

We were in the mood for wings, so we baked vegetarian buffalo tenders from Morningstar farms. A splurge but much safer than the real deal.

I drank water and sparking water with fresh limes.

To wrap up, we had a little fun without the guilt that comes with special occasions like The Super Bowl. 

Onward to a new week with new fitness challenges. I am thinking of doing a fitness challenge to kick off the beginning of the winter Oympics.  I get so inspired watching the athletes. Yesterday I was stopped on the street by a random stranger who recognized me from this blog, he told me I looked amazing and to keep up the hard work. I was shocked and humbly said thank you. It actually inspired me to step it up a notch. I am ready to work even harder.

Wishing you a wonderful brand new week. Remember Monday is like New Year’s Day, a brand new beginning each and every week. Let’s start strong.
Namaste’
Love and Light
Rose


I AM GROUNDED

Leave a reply




Last week after my outdoor workout with my trainer Mike, I went to the yoga studio. I was speaking to the kind staff member and he asked me where I work out. When I told him I exercise in the outdoors, he said how wonderful he thought that was. He said working out in the open space of a park is so grounding, leaving me connected to the earth. I could not agree more, I do feel extremely grounded and centered since I started this project last July. The last time I spent time outdoors on this level I must have been under the age of twelve. I have found my inner child, carefree and connected to the soil below my feet. I am doing more than changing my health and body, and helping others. I am evolving my soul. I practice mobile meditation when I work out. The soil is grounding my soul.

I was lucky to have a wonderful weekend. Friday was The Eagles concert, a band who often sang about California and the desert. Their lyrics seem to mimic my new found feeling. We have been in Santa Barbara for the remainder of the weekend, staying at the oldest hotel in California dated back to 1871, The Upham Hotel.  Talk about getting back to roots, it feels as if I have time traveled. I should be basking in the sun holding a parasol and not a computer. The people here are so lovely, and the scenery makes me breathless.

Speaking of getting back to my roots and feeling grounded, I got the chance to visit the largest Fig Tree in the USA, The Moreton Fig Tree in Santa Barbara California. It is a breathtaking sight, the root system is massive and like nothing I have ever seen ever. We had a surprise gift and met up with friends who joined us for the day. This lovely couple really seems to get the bigger picture. I think they were as excited as me to see this tree, they are just as obsessed with trees as I am. I am in awe of the trees here, and seeing this awe inspiring work of art from Mother Nature was such a gift.

I will take this grounded, centered feeling with me as I return home and back to my routine of working out, yoga and life. I shall revel in the simple moments as well as the grand, and I will always have gratitude for life. My husband James told me yesterday he has never seen anyone more full of life than me, which is the biggest compliment a woman can receive from her husband.

Wishing you a very Happy Martin Luther King Jr day. We are all connected to the core that is out humanity, connected to the earth and one another.
Love and Light,
Namaste’
Rose

GOOD MORNING MONDAY

Leave a reply
Flowers make me smile.



Good Morning to all on this Monday morning. I am happy the weather is going to go up to the 80’s tomorrow. I work out outside and it is nice when I do not need a jacket. I am a little sleepy today, but my week will start strong. Today I will get a workout in on my own. On Tuesday’s and Thursdays I will be working out with my trainer Mike and maybe Iyengar yoga after. I have a few personal errands I need to do today to get ready for my big weekend coming up.

Coffee now, I am sleepier than usual. I am so happy this week I lost 4 pounds, and I can really start to see my body returning slowly but surely to my once smaller self. It is an amazing feeling. I am now 175 lbs. I was 207 a year ago, and 197 when I started My Change For A Ten last late July. I have a work out shirt I bought that never felt like it fit right, and now it is perfect and hot pink.

Wishing everyone a Happy Monday. Love and light.
Namaste’
Rose

MONDAY AND IT’S COLD OUTSIDE

Leave a reply
 

Photo credit Linda Monteleone’

Good Monday Morning. I am freezing as I drink my coffee, and the heat is on. I am not letting this LA cold spell slow me down, I am out daily running and walking, but I have to admit it makes it harder to wake up so I am in a bit of a rush this morning.

I have changed my weigh in day to Friday, I like it so much better. It seems to make more sense to me. I am holding steady so far at twenty pounds. My announcement for my charity will be very soon.

Here is a poem I wrote on a frigid NYC morning, taking the train and dreaming with a cup of hot coffee warming my soul and body. Stay warm wherever you are…Love and light to all.

Namaste’
Rose

 

MONDAY

It’s another monotonous morning,

birds are chirping, but spring

has hardly paid a call or visit.

I drink my hot coffee, gripping

the cup like it holds liquid gold.

Fatigue sets in, mentally, physically;

a rat races inside my head.

I am emotionally, physically

drained from running mundane

marathons to empty destinations.

I imagine a kiss, a zealous kiss

that would bring summer

to my wintry body and soul.

Instead I sip, caffeinated tepid cafe;

and long for lips that scald,

daydreaming of a moment

that could warm all of my seasons.

 (c) Rose Bruno Bailey

MONDAY MORNING

Leave a reply

Rose on the left with sister Gina on the right.



Good Morning to all on this chilly Monday Morning. I am so excited for the holidays and my weekend away for my Birthday. My plan is to work out like crazy and only splurge on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. The other days I am going to practice moderation and mostly clean eating. If I can get to the new year with close to another ten pounds off I will be very happy. This is the challenge, not to undo all of the hard work of the last five months. I am going to be silly and have my photo taken with Santa Claus, I have always loved to do that since I was just a little girl.  I think it will be a festive way to document the season and fun at the same time. If only I could get James to do it with me. 

Off for now, I am so sleepy I need a second cup of coffee today. Work, then workout tonight after work. Tomorrow I weigh in, and I hope being a female and water weight and all will not hinder my weigh in. Taking it one day at a time as the old saying goes.

Namaste’
Happy Monday
Rose









MONDAY BACK TO THE GRIND

Leave a reply



I love weekends away. Having some time away from home gives your perspective a different vantage point. You collect your thoughts, you connect with the person you love. It is refreshing and renewing. I always come home with ideas to make my daily life better. I was reading my LA YOGA magazine by a fountain by the pool, and being near the water made me feel so serene. I remembered years ago I waited on this strange but intriguing woman who told me I always need to have water near me. She told me I should purchase one of those fountain machines for my home so I can have the sound of running water to relax me always. I think I am going to look for one online, inspired by sitting in a little courtyard in Palm Springs.  

Our Palm Springs weekend for James’ Birthday was wonderful and now it is good to be home with our two loving Siamese cats Rascal and Spanky. They could not be happier we are home.

Going away creates challenges with your diet and workout routine, and even if you stick to eating as healthy as possible, restaurant food still is higher in sodium than home made food. I find I have a bit of a stomach ache today, and I look forward to getting on the scale even if I may have gained a little from water weight. That may just be an inevitable fact. Starting today I am returning to keeping a journal of all of my food, and I may start counting my Weight Watchers points once again. It is a great way to stay accountable, and keep on track without having to do the math of calories. I have been successful not counting, but I feel as far as I have to go it will help me keep my sanity. I will be posting about my next charity this week. Since the holidays are approaching I may do a few different ones through the course of December.

I want to wish all of our Veterans a Happy Veterans Day and thank them for their service. Our freedom is the best gift we have, and I truly am in debt to them for all that they do to uphold our safety. My father was a World War II veteran, and he served in the Pacific.

Off for now. Long day ahead of me. I am assuming work will be slow today since it is a holiday, so I am heading to Trader Joe’s after to find something healthy and simple to cook for dinner. I am going to just go walking/running tonight since I am not sure the yoga studio is open for the holiday. Back to the grind, so much weight to lose, many charities to assist, I have my work cut out for me and I love it. 
Love and Light
Namaste’
Rose

MONDAY AGAIN

Leave a reply
Good Monday Morning to all, yes it is Monday again. We changed the clocks back this weekend so it is lighter earlier, which I really like in the morning. It makes it much easier to wake up when the sun is up as well.  I took a photo last night to try to update my 20 pound loss from July. I originally took my before photos at CVS in July, and I took a few more there this weekend but I cannot find my camera charger so I will upload those photos as soon as possible. This photo is blurry and my husband was more interested in football. I also posted a photo taken a week ago at Griffith Park.  You can see the difference, even though I feel it is a bit subtle.

I am working on my 20 pound charity, to do done when I hit the 25 pound mark. I feel now I need to kick everything up a notch, and work harder. This will not be easy with the Holidays approaching but I need to get to my 47th Birthday on track with all of my goals. December 21st is approaching fast. Thanksgiving will be a cheat day for me, my first in months. 

Wishing everyone a beautiful Autumn Day.
Love and Light
Namaste’

July 2013



July 2013
November 2013
Last week of October 2013

MONDAY ENERGY

Leave a reply



Good Morning to all on this overcast Monday here in Los Angeles. The next two days may be a bit cooler than usual. I am sleepy today, but no worries I brewed some delicious coffee and I should be on my way in a few hours. Tonight I am heading to yoga, I am going to try to sneak in some running before if I have time. I found this photo on pinterest, and I love it so I thought I would share. 

This week I am going to try to run more than I have to date. Tomorrow is weigh in and I have been on a little plateau and I need to break that pattern. Mike and I have discussed it and I am sure I will get over this little hiccup in my weight loss. 

Mike and I are teaming up for my 20 pound weight loss milestone and charity. I will write about it later this week. I am pretty excited about my idea, it is clever if I do say so myself.

Off for now. Short and sweet this morning. Time to get moving and greet the day head on. 
Wishing you a beautiful start to your week.
Namaste’
Rose


MONDAY MONDAY

Leave a reply
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