Category Archives: life’s lessons

VIBE OFF POSITIVE ENERGY

unnamedThe other day two young guys gave me a random compliment, they saw how spirited I was and they told me they were “vibe-ing off my energy.” It is a new word and I like it. Think about it, we are all energy based. Positive not only attracts positive but it also negates negative energy and can turn it around. A bad day can become worse with negative thoughts, it spirals out of control the minute you decide today is a bad day. So if you tell yourself today is a good day it will be. It may seem simple and cliché’, but it is also absolute truth and the law of the universe. If you see someone loving life, make sure to “vibe” off their energy. Their positive energy does not mean their life is perfect, it just means they find the beauty of living despite the obstacles life throws at us all. After all you are alive, so how about acting fully alive.

My blog became challenging two years ago when I found out were relocating to San Francisco. I knew I would no longer have a personal trainer at my convenience and I was afraid I would undo all of my hard work. On top of that I loved LA, I did all my charities in LA and I didn’t think the bay area was a fit for me. I did make it work while I was there for what I call my year and a half sabbatical, and my blog continued in the time I was living there. I even made some life long friends and mentors, hit some fitness milestones and volunteered and helped raise food for the hungry at The Second Harvest Food Bank. I survived a personal crisis and a spontaneous move back to LA recently.

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Through it all I woke up each and every day not only with a smile for myself, but for everyone I encountered along my travels. It helps you cope when you just slow down and remember to first be kind first. Sometimes it takes effort when all you wish to do is hide under the covers, but keeping a positive attitude even on the hardest days has helped me survive. In hindsight if I would have kept to myself and sulked, I never would have met the many wonderful bay area souls that have inspired me and touched my life.

It has been six months since we arrived back in LA, and three months since I began my countdown until my 50th Birthday. In this six months leading to The Winter Solstice I am eating completely clean and not cheating or having a cheat meal. It is a huge undertaking, considering we tend to want to splurge when life throws us disappointments. Yesterday was such a day, I am hoping to have my book signing here in LA at an esteemed book store but I let some time lapse from the first moment I corresponded with the book store due to my move back and all of the commotion of getting a new job and settling in. I am not going to jump to conclusions, but I may need a back up plan if this particular book store turns me down. Again I have to reach into my little bag of positive tricks and truck on forward.

This leads me to how often we reach for food to dull the ache in the pit of our stomach when things do not exactly go our way. It is not hunger we feel, but that need for comfort and soothing that we get when we treat ourselves. My husband James said “let’s get cake, no one will know.”  I regress, I will know. Back to the four agreements, “always be impeccable with your word.”

So no cheat day for me. This is teaching me to face my feelings and deal with them in a non food manner. I work in a world famous deli with the most amazing food and homemade bakery so this is extra difficult for me but I am standing by my commitment. I am a work in progress, moving forward despite everything that comes my way. I am leaning on my energy and attitude to keep me going. That and morning coffee.

They say life does not have a dress rehearsal, and this is it. So I continue to vow to be grateful and joyful an to not let obstacles chase off my dreams, and I vow to keep going.

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I am vibe-ing off the energy of the beauty of being alive. 

Namaste’

Rose

 

WEIGHT LOSS WISDOM

Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

Francis of Assisi

I am not an after, I never consider myself an after. I am a work in progress, successful at what I am doing but I am on a journey and far from my destination. People write me and tell me that I look like I have already arrived. I am half way and proud at how far I have come. I have done things that have completely surprised myself, so to me that quote by Saint Francis of Assisi hits home.

My journey has become more than numbers on the scale, it is about being fit and strong as well as reducing my weight. I have many fitness goals I wish to accomplish and many milestones I have already met.  I am only 5’3 in height and I believe a goal of about 135 lbs is completely realistic. I also have many more charities I wish to help. So here I am at my lowest weight of in 20 years, working on my fitness and last 30 lb weight loss, and planning my next charity event; all less than four months before I turn the big 50. Always moving forward, even when life’s struggles trip me up; I catch my step and continue on my merry way. I may sometimes stumble, but I always rise.

When I began I had a set of ideas I followed. I like to call them ideas instead of rules.  These ideas became part of how I stayed on course with my goals. If you are beginning a weight loss and or fitness journey these little bits of wisdom may be invaluable to you as you set out on your quest to be the best you inside and out.

  1. Be impeccable with your word.

When I started I discovered a book called The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. The first agreement is this. “Be impeccable with your word.” If you say you are going to do something, than make it happen. The first week of my blog I was cast in a Richard Simmons video. I almost backed out because of embarrassment about how heavy I was, but I decided to be impeccable with my word and follow through with my commitment. No excuses anymore, no procrastination. Same with your workouts, that always say nobody ever regretted a workout after it was done. Whatever it is you plan to do, be true to your word and make it happen. The time is now, start strong.

 

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2. Find your Dream Team

I am quite blessed. My dream team is always growing and is always evolving. But there was a time when I did not have a dream team. Back in 2002 I met my now best friend Melissa and my life changed forever. I will write about this subject and her influence on me in a future post.

At this moment you may be asking what is a dream team?

A dream team is your tribe, your friends old and new who inspire you with their own accomplishments and greatness, yet they also find time to cheer you on and believe in you and your dreams with all of their hearts. They are your best friends,occasional acquaintances that fulfill a mission, your mentors, your inspirations in life. You must have an open mind to find your dream team. They come on unassuming sometimes, in unlikely friends of all ages and sexes. I urge you, open your mind and heart, and look around for your dream team. When you do find them, remember to give as much as you get and pay it forward; and the dream team will continue to grow and grow. Trust me on this.

No man’s a failure who has friends.

Frank Capra

Some photos of some of my fitness dream team, I cannot post all of my dream team it would take all day. xo My dream team is vast and includes people from all walks of life and backgrounds.unnamed

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3. Find the food lifestyle and fitness plan that works for you.

When I began I had no idea what I would do, I had just a simple plan. My plan was to begin Weight Watchers, do some speed walking and work out with my new friend and trainer Mike. (see dream team last pic with his dog Apollo)

I ended up a yogi, a runner who completed a few races, and I beat my trainer Mike at a planking contest. I am now much more confident at fitness than I was when I began, and in the future I may become a trainer myself. I have a lot of fitness goals that I would have never dreamed of making when I began in 2013. I continue to challenge myself.

click here for free amazing workouts, yoga etc.http://www.benderfitness.com/

Weight Watchers is a great way to begin if you feel lost about food and you are not sure how to eat. I did it for the first six months and it really helped me begin. As my journey continued I found what works for me, clean eating and lower carbohydrate and low gluten. That does not mean the way I eat will work for you. It is trial and error. Same with fitness, walking is a great way to begin, and working out with a trainer is a safe way to learn about fitness. As you evolve you may find your new brave self craving new ways to work out and new classes to take. You may even find yourself running in races. It is amazing what fitness does for your confidence and your energy levels. Start at the beginning, and do not be afraid to experiment. Learn what works for you and stick to it. Trust me, you will not miss that pizza when you are trying on bathing suits in July or when you are running circles around people who are falling down because they lack energy.

Rose Bruno Bailey Weight Loss

 

4. If you get a flat tire, will you slash the other three?

That is a quote from my dear friend Dawn and a member of my dream team. It is so true. You may falter, you may stumble. You may find yourself after a bad day diving into a vat of cake batter head first. If you do stumble, forgive yourself and begin again. Do not let one cheat meal or cheat day become a cheat week. Get back on that horse and keep galloping towards your goals. Forgive yourself, and forge forward.

 

5. Love your body and be grateful

We all body bash, hell I think I may be the queen of body bashing. I have learned to look at my body as a temple and not a trash can. This body has surprised and astonished me in ways I never thought it would, especially as I am on the verge of turning 50. I am grateful to this body, and I bow down in reverence for the gift of living and the chance to make my body stronger so I can continue to grow gracefully. So begin anew, and remember you are not growing old you are just growing and graceful as you embark on your journey to be the best you.

6. Do not look through other peoples windows.

There is no competition, except with yourself. If you wish to compete, make it with the you from yesterday. Do not body compare, or body shame yourself or others. Be a person who walks in kindness. Cheer on other people’s accomplishments but keep resentment and jealousy at bay. Those human emotions will sideline you. We are all one, and in this together. No matter how long it takes, or how slow you run, you are faster than you were when you were sitting on the couch. Soon enough people will be congratulating you on your accomplishments. You are beautiful the way you are, you are just going to become stronger and healthier and inspire others to do so.

Namaste’

Walk in light

Rose

 

 

 

It’s a Journey

“You must give everything to make your life as beautiful as the dreams that dance in your imagination.”
― Roman Payne

If you have followed my journey you know this is a blog a about dancer/writer poet who gained a lot of weight and decided to combine weight loss and charity and write about the process and journey. You can find my beginnings here.  http://mychangeforaten.com/about/

For me this blog has become life changing. It has literally opened up a whole world of possibilities and endless opportunities and introduced me to lifelong friends and mentors. We are only held back by the shackles we place upon ourselves. We have the key to let go of what holds us back, the fears and blocks that keep us from living the life of our dreams. Life is too beautiful not to be happy in the living.

This is a weight loss/fitness blog where I sponsor charities as I lose weight and it will continue to be that as I continue on my journey. I am 30 lbs away from my goal weight and on my six month challenge of no cheat days until I arrive at my 50th birthday on The Winter Solstice on December 21st. Here I am now proud of my accomplishments but always moving forward. I lost over 50 lbs and helped numerous charities and found a love of fitness and yoga similar to my love of dance and the written word. I am on a fitness quest as well as a weight loss journey, a quest to be the best me inside and out. This will not cease when I hit my goal weight. Lifestyle equals a life journey.unnamed-2

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I will continue to share my fitness goals and my mentors and role models, my weight loss journey and diet including more recipes.I am in the process of planning my next charity event. I plan to start writing about a subjects that are related to my journey, subjects about inspirations of life and living. I have slacked off writing here because I let life get in my way and got lazy with my writing and overwhelmed with the nuances that sometimes stop us in our tracks. I plan to write more often like I did when I began, and be more transparent in the process. I am painfully emotional and human, and from now on I will write more and stress less about life’s issues.

My life is beautiful because I am in love with living and all creatures of the universe. With that said a beautiful life is not a perfect life. I have issues like every other human that walks the earth. I am too far from family, and finances are a struggle but I am living despite of my problems and always moving forward. One of my favorite quotes from the film The Shawshank Redemption is

“get busy living or get busy dying”

I am living, loving life here in LA. Almost 50 and grateful for every single person in my life and every single moment that got me here. Are you getting older or living a beautiful life? You have the power to choose.

Namaste’

Rose

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLANKET DRIVE

Happiness is a warm blanket. 

Charlie Brown

Today I had some extra time to myself when a friend cancelled on our morning coffee. It was extra time to do nothing but to snuggle with my two Siamese cats and a big fluffy blanket. As I lay there completely content to be idle, my mind started to reflect how lucky I am to have such a simple yet happy moment blanketed from all the woes found outside our front door. 

A blanket is one of those items you probably never think about, but think how attached you are to it. A blanket comforts your body and your soul. On a hot summer night do you still curl up with your blanket?  It is much more than an item that keeps you from getting cold, it is a security blanket. A blanket protects in the wee hours of the night. Even our beloved pets feel safe when there is a cozy blanket to curl up in. A blanket is warmth, and warmth is love.

For the homeless a blanket is all of these things and so much more. A blanket is a safety net from the elements of the street, a barrier against all the dangers that exist when you dwell without four walls to keep you safe. To a homeless person a blanket is shelter, a soothing hug in the middle of the night, a coat to keep you warm. A blanket is a veil of privacy, a sleeping bag, a layer between you and the mean streets. To a homeless person a simple item like a blanket is home.

This brings me to my next Charity Project. I will be doing a blanket drive to collect new blankets for the homeless for The Midnight Mission in Downtown Los Angeles.  http://www.midnightmission.org/

 

I will have more information about the event as I progress in planning, I am hoping to get all the blankets by mid December. This is the crucial time here in LA as the nights start to get cooler and the need for blankets to help keep our homeless friends warm is increased. I will be posting more about it and everyone involved in upcoming blog posts. I am very honored that I can do this and grateful to all the help I get along the way.

As I wrap it up my two Siamese cats Rascal and Spanky are in dreamland curled up with a blanket  and probably content to be there all day. Creature comforts are so important for both humans and animals. 

Much love and light.

Namaste’linus_blanket

Rose

 

 

 

 

 

CHASING GOALS

Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.

Tony Robbins

Hello to all and a very Happy Wednesday. I have been thinking a lot about this blog, my goals, and what I wish to accomplish as I move forward. This summer is my three year Anniversary, I have lost a lot of weight and kept every pound off. I have helped numerous charities, and started a fitness journey that has taken me beyond anything that I could have expected. My book was published, I was in a Richard Simmons video, and my story made it into a few websites. In the process I met lifelong friends and have been inspired by all the stories of people crushing their personal goals. I have done all this through a move to San Francisco, and back to Los Angeles and kept my optimism through a tough personal crisis. I could never have done any of this alone, and a huge shout out to all of my mentors, friends, and family.

Here begins the new chapter. I am all in my 6 month clean eating challenge with no cheat days until my 50th Birthday which falls on December 21. Summer solstice to the winter solstice. I admit there have been a few days when all I wanted to do was drown my sorrows in a tub of cake batter, but I have resisted. I have broken my plateau and my weight is now 166. 

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I have really exciting news to announce, but I am trying to wait until it happens before I say what it is, but I will say it is a milestone in my life. A personal goal was accomplished, and I am giddy as a school girl. 

I have a giving friend who has been down lately, and I hate to see her sad. I suggested we meet once a week to have coffee, write down our goals for the upcoming week and discuss how we feel. We have been doing this for three weeks now and I can honestly say it has worked just as much for me as it has for her. She has started a new opportunity and she has also returned to playing a sport she is passionate about and has missed dearly. For me it has helped me set new goals as I move forward. I am still in a personal crisis, but it is much better now that we are back in Los Angeles. I am crushing my weekly goals and I feel extra motivated and inspired.

Two months in my clean eating challenge and here is the workouts I will be doing for the next six weeks. Thanks Melissa Bender Fitness for always pushing and inspiring me and the masses. Today is day 3 for me. Melissa is a new Mom to baby Maverick and I could not be happier for her.   http://www.benderfitness.com/2016/08/postpartum-beyond-6-week-workout-challenge-week-1-day-3-cardio-day.html

I also am knee deep in planning my next Charity. I will explain all in a future post but here is who I am helping next. I am planning an exciting event. https://www.facebook.com/TheMidnightMission/?fref=ts

http://www.midnightmission.org/

It makes sense since this charity is very similar to my first charity back in October, 2013 with The Monday Mission. I went to skid row with My trainer Mike, his girlfriend Maria, and my friend Courtney and her boyfriend to feed the homeless.  We donated food courtesy of Chef Jessica of Seasons 52. This photo was before I lost my weight, and the beginning of my journey. You can read about that experience here. http://mychangeforaten.com/middle-of-the-night-monday-night-mission-musings/

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So that somewhat catches me up to today, almost the end of the summer 2016. One of my goals is to get back to posting daily here. You can also find me on Instagram and Facebook. Have a wonderful day, Namaste’ and keep crushing those goals.

https://www.facebook.com/MyChangeForATen/

https://www.instagram.com/mychangeforaten/?hl=en

 

 

FRUGAL IS NOT AN F WORD

Good day, it is a good day. Today is day two of my countdown and challenge and leads me to my winter solstice 50th Birthday. Lately I have been contacted and asked to be an ambassador for some really cool yoga and fitness clothing lines. I fell in love with one of them, but I let them know I do not feel I am in a place yet to represent their line. I would like to get into the nitty-gritty, and get to work first. I plan to revisit the invitation in three to four months when I am well into this challenge of mine. More to come on this subject and opportunity when we are closer to the Autumn Equinox. In the meantime, work, work, work.

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Yesterday was the summer solstice, six months until my challenge ends on my 50th birthday, and a brand new beginning for a lot of us. Days are longer and nights are shorter. We are a long way off until the winter solstice which leaves us with plenty of time to achieve our personal goals. Are you with me? Do you believe?

Are you chasing your goals while being in a financial crisis? It can be devastating. We have lived in many of the most expensive cities in the USA and we have been struggling. I know what it can do to your self-esteem. Don’t get me wrong, I am the first person to say material gains in life do not define a person; it is their kindness, soul and love that does that. You cannot take it with you, and that is true. I have always said all I need is a pen, notebook, trees and the ocean and to be surrounded by animals and loved ones.

To survive in this modern world today is so different in comparison to what it was for our parents and grandparents. Gone are the simple days in life.

In the movie Meet Me in St Louis they are spending the dog days of summer making homemade ketchup. Such simple times are long gone. I have always wondered what it would be like to live in such a simple era. It seems simple, but they did not have our modern-day resources and conveniences. Do you really want to spend all day making ketchup?  It would be clean eating and organic but really? 

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Back to reality. Money seems to define a person today, which is truly tragic. Getting fit, dieting, losing weight all seem to come with a hefty price tag. if you cannot fund your fitness you are destined to be unfit and overweight?  Everything seems to have a cost attached to it. I do not agree with this and I am going to achieve my goals despite our situation. 

I am here not only traipse through my own weight loss and fitness journey, to sponsor charities;  but I will also be sharing my wisdom, experiences, and resources as I get to my goals the frugal way. I have no other choice. At the end of the day if you let the stress and struggles consume you and you let your health go, you will have far more problems to deal with than finances. So, let’s do this.

This Gaiam mat was found at Marshalls for only ten bucks, the 8 lb weights at KMart. That’s the only equipment you need.

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Lace up your running, walking, or crawling shoes. Whatever you choose, get a pair and just move it. That’s the beginning secret, just to start moving. These Asics were only 38 bucks and good running shoes cost well over a hundred. I suggest you visit a running store and get fitted, if you can afford to purchase your first pair there go for it. Break them in, feel them as you move.

After a few months you will learn the mechanics of your own feet and you will be able to compare the running shoes from the running store to those found at discount stores. That is what I did and these discount running shoes are actually the same as the previous pair I bought at the running store, for a fraction of the price.

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My workouts are free thanks to Melissa Bender Fitness. She has countless videos, information and resources. She is my trainer of choice and I am learning a lot.

http://www.benderfitness.com/

Today is International Yoga Day and I love the being outside and I cannot afford a regular yoga class. Give yourself time in nature, grab a mat and do some outdoor yoga. You mind, body, and spirit will thank you. Yoga can be free, there are countless yoga videos online. Sun Salutations is the best way to begin.

Here is a link I love. http://www.benderfitness.com/category/yoga

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A more involved post will include what I am eating to get there, and all the resources I am finding to eat on the cheap all while eating clean and healthy. Yesterday was day one, and I did wonderful. I swapped my protein Bars for Melissa Bender Fitness energy balls. My protein bars were costing me 58 bucks a month, these are a fraction of the cost. The recipe is below the photo. Enjoy them with your morning coffee or before a run.

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I swapped agave for honey, and did not use chocolate chips. I used unsalted natural peanut butter and raisins as the dried fruit. 

A little tip, put the agave in first, and pour the peanut butter in the same measuring cup and it will be smooth and not sticky and pour right into the bowl. Make sure you chill well, they will form better. Save some of the batter and crumble with apples and blueberries, great with Greek yogurt. I may try to bake it and make it a clean eating blueberry crumble.

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Here is her recipe.

Ingredients (makes 20 balls):
  • 1 Cup Dry Old Fashioned Oatmeal
  • 1 Cup Dried Cranberries or other dried fruit
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips ( I actually used about 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, a tablespoon of sesame seeds, and the rest trail mix for this batch)
  • 1/2 cup ground flax seed
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
I combined all of the dry ingredients, then added the peanut butter and stirred. Add the
honey, continue stirring. Add the vanilla and stir until all of the ingredients are coated. 
 
Chill for 20-30 Minutes, roll into balls, and serve or store in an air tight container. 
Thanks Melissa Bender Fitness
Happy Tuesday,
 
Namaste’
 
Rose

 

 

JOY IN THE JOURNEY

In 13 days I begin my summer solstice to winter solstice, and I will be on a quest to be the best me inside and out. Yes, I will not be taking cheat days and I am fine with that. I find cheat days can sometimes lure you into cheat weeks and I want to approach my 50th birthday proud that I did what I set out to do. Some people can have cheat days, some can use moderation but for me this is what has worked in the past and I am going for it. I love a good challenge and I am excited and ready to go. I did have a cheat day this week and to be honest it made me feel completely ill so that is motivation enough.

Weight loss and fitness is personal, so while I will always share what has worked for me to lose my 60 pounds and what works for me now, please feel free to adjust what I say and make it work for you if you are also on a weight loss journey. Everyone has a different body type and a different mind-set. So while I will always share what I am doing to get to my goals, I will try to never sound preachy. I am there to help anyone if they need advice and you can take out of it what works for you. I am here to be a better me inside and out, to lose weight and be fit and strong, all while sponsoring a charity with each ten pounds. If you follow my journey and wish to learn from me, well then I am humbled and grateful.

I know that space someone is in when they have to lose a lot of weight. For me it was shame and embarrassment. I was a former dancer and I could not understand how I got this way. I was far from family and friends on the west coast so I hid it well in photos from the neck up. My weight has fluctuated in my forties but my highest was before I began this blog. My Change For A Ten HeaderRose Bruno Bailey Before Pictures

I was so ashamed the first week of my blog that I almost backed out of one of the best things I did on this blog. My blog was going live, I had a trainer, ( thanks Mike for all you did to help me the first year) and I was starting new. I always wanted to attend a Richard Simmons class and I saw a casting to dance in one of his videos. I was cast and I almost didn’t show up because I thought I was too fat. Did you just hear that statement? I almost didn’t attend the video shoot with Mr Richard Simmons because I thought I was “too fat.” Everyone knows Richard Simmons is the patron saint for all who wish to lose weight and be healthy again so that statement and mind-set was completely ridiculous.

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If you have followed my blog I did do the video shoot, and after made life long friends and continued to attend his amazing and inspirational classes. Mike my trainer convinced me to take lots of before photos, and to I own where I was, so at the classes I took tons of pics.   The energy at Richard Simmons Slimmons studio was so high it really propelled me forward. A side note and prayer for our friend Richard. He has been in the hospital and out of the spotlight for some time and he is so loved by many. I send healing energy, prayers and love into the universe for him and hope to take a class again when and if he returns to teaching.Rose Bruno Bailey Richard Simmons

The reason I am looking back on this post is because I myself am looking forward and taking some of my own advice that I followed when I began this blog. I did things in the beginning to help motivate me, and I believe these things really help you feel good about yourself as you embark on your journey to better self-esteem though being a healthier human. These things can help you feel good about yourself as before you lose your first pound. The Richard Simmons video and having Mike as my trainer helped me to realize what I needed to do to begin with a better frame of mind. I shifted from hating my body to loving who I was inside and out, and knowing with this frame of mind and positive attitude I could only feel better and be better inside and out as I moved forward. There were little things I did in the beginning to help my self-esteem, things that did not cost a dime. of course see your doctor first and foremost.

  1. Groom yourself before you lose a pound. For me I was overweight and had slacked off on taking care of myself. So I did a little grooming pre- weight loss. It may sound silly but personal grooming does make you feel better. I know many a lady who does not shave their legs all winter and that is fine, whatever makes you happy. Be you, and own you.  One way does not work for everyone. I find for me though, shaved legs, nails and toes done or at least clipped and filed and neat lets me be ready for that impromptu yoga class. In the past I would have backed out of a yoga class because my toes looked a fright. Now I am always ready to go. A day at the beach? Sure, my legs are smooth and I can get some walking done barefoot in the sand. When I recently moved my hair was really out of control, so I broke down and had it done. My self-esteem feels 1,000 times better and I have not yet began my June 20th challenge. I believe taking care of yourself on the outside also helps you feel good about yourself not only as the weight numbers go down, but as the biological numbers go up. Rose Bruno Bailey Weight Loss
  2. Get walking. I started walking in the beginning, before I trained with Mike and before I did any of Melissa Bender Fitness workouts. For some, working out is overwhelming and intimidating so walking especially to music is cathartic and makes you feel great. Take baby steps, any step is better than no step at all. I use Spotify for my running playlist, and before I ever took a step I downloaded my favorite music to get me motivated. Motivation-Meme-Richard-Simmons-My-Face-When-Meme-e1419396438857
  3. Tell people what you are doing and take before photos. I almost did not do this, the photos and Mike convinced me to be authentic I need to be real. It made me own who I was without shame and soon I was taking full body photos all the time. Like I said, it definitely gets better from here so take the photos and love yourself. One day you will look back with immense pride of your accomplishments.10635777_10152741885703617_7441659690638254617_nRose Bruno Bailey weight loss
  4. Find a workout or walking buddy and your tribe. In the beginning working out with Mike, well I was terrified. I had no idea what to expect. He had me do boot camp stuff like crawl in the dirt. No one is asking you to go crawl in the dirt but for me Mike made working out so fun that to this day I miss having someone to workout with. He taught me life lessons beyond fitness ( I am no longer afraid of dirt)  and I am grateful to have him has a friend. Camaraderie is everything. Find a friend and a mutual cheerleader. You do not need a trainer, just someone who believes in you as you do them. Get out in nature and move it. Now I do benderfitness workouts and she is absolutely fantastic and free.unnamed (3)unnamedRose Bruno Bailey Fitness Ambassador for Melissa Bender Fitnesstrainer1

5. Take it one day at a time. Begin in the beginning, and take your time. I do not believe            in fast fixes when it comes to weight loss. In the past I have followed the 80/20 rule.            Eat clean 80% of the time and it is ok to allow small splurges from time to time. Even          though I am embarking on an extreme challenge now, before I followed the 80/20                rule and it worked for me. Every day one day at a time, time to move more, time                  nourish your body with clean healthy food. The weight loss will come, you just need            to put the work in and find joy in the journey. The destination is on the horizon,  love          who you are and the path you are taking.    I am still traveling with the wind in my              hair and much more zest to my life.13346974_10154150687853617_6948320970163668120_n        

Namaste’

Rose

 

 

 

SUMMER TO WINTER SOLSTICE COUNTDOWN

A goal is a dream with a deadline.

Napoleon Hill

 

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A few months ago I posted my intention to do a ten month countdown to my 50th Birthday on December 21st. I planned to go hard-core on my diet, my exercise and yoga goals. Then life happened, we decided to move suddenly and transition got in the way of training and my countdown goal.

I love a good deadline, I actually thrive when I am challenged. In the beginning of this blog I went hard-core and it worked, I thrived and lost the bulk of my weight. Now I find myself within transition, finding my footing back to what works for me. 

I have decided to begin my countdown to my 50th Birthday after all. I will begin on June 20th, which is the summer solstice and I will keep going until I get to my goal date of my birthday which falls on the winter solstice on December 21st 2016. 

I am settling in Los Angeles and figuring things out here in the city where I began this blog. Are things still crazy and chaotic? Of course they are, that is one of the reasons I am doing this challenge. I need it now more than ever.

I will be doing a charity every ten pounds, but I am not putting a time limit on how fast I will lose my weight. The goal is to get healthier, eat cleaner, and be in the best physical shape for me at this point in my life; all while still helping others in the process. I wish to be the at my personal best inside and out when I turn 50.

I will be sharing everything I am doing to get there, almost as personal as reality television. I plan to be honest and authentic. I hope you can join me as I travel on my latest journey, I can use cheerleaders to help me as I take my first baby steps on this new path. One never travels completely alone. We are all in this life together. I learned that through this blog and I am grateful to all the beautiful souls that now grace my days as dear friends. Thank you for being a part of my journey.

To be happy you must own who you are, treasure who you are and do not measure your life in numbers, You can do anything, be anything if you believe in the light that burns in your soul. 

I look to the trees for inspiration, they are our ancient mentors. Standing tall and graceful, weathering storms and waiting patiently to bask in the sun.

I was born on the shortest day of the year with the least amount of daytime, but it was that darkness that brought me into the light. Like the trees, I wait patiently to have my moment in the sun. I  will continue to work hard to make that moment happen.

Love and light,

Rose Bruno Bailey

 

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MAKE A MAN OUT OF YOU

 

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Good Morning to all. Today is my run day before I head to work. I am trying to work Monday through Friday (sometimes on Sunday) and I realized I need routine to overcome my obstacles.  I was thinking about workout and running inspiration as I begin anew, overcome adversity and bloom the way any Rose should.

Just like everyone else, my life presents me with challenges and sometimes its easier to use them as an excuse to slack of on my running, workout routine and goals. At the end of the day, I feel even worse because I let go what I truly love to do because of a few of life’s problems. The routine should help me get back on track. 

I love to look for inspiration, and Disney movies can be very inspirational to me. I am not the only one who loves Disney films. If you noticed there is a Disney princess obsession going around. You cannot sign on to Facebook without seeing silly yet fun quizzes telling you which Disney princess you are. Woman of all ages play these games for fun, myself included. Who doesn’t love a Disney movie of a silly Disney online quiz.  I have many favorites, but my top ones are Beauty and the Beast and Mulan. Both movies really move me with their positive messages.

As someone who is trying to overcome adversity and be strong, and accomplish fitness goals I have just dreamed of, Mulan is the perfect Disney Role Model and Hero. Watching this film gives you the feeling that you can accomplish anything if you try and persevere. All you need is passion and a strong will. The problems will always be there, they will come and go but happiness will linger if you just stay the course. Sometimes you may surprise yourself and others how strong you really can be, and you never know how it will change you for the better.

Here are 5 reasons Mulan inspires in fitness and in life.

Mulan is unusually independent for her time, and does not wish to be married off even if it means sacrificing tradition. She wants authentic real love. She is not fake and she stays true to herself.

Mulan is unselfish, even though she did not wish to be married off even it was what her family wish for, she jumps in to help her father because it is a cause she believes in. She knows her Father is too old and injured for war. She dons his uniform, disguises herself as a man and takes his place at training knowing the consequences of being caught could be dire. She believes in family honor.

Mulan is a Disney Princess with real strength. She does not give up during                             training, and even though she is struggling she keeps trying until she gets it right. If           you were ever a beginner in fitness you can completely relate to how awkward she is. She surprises herself in others and overcomes her challenges.

 Mulan overcomes adversity combining her intelligence with her physical strength             and saves China not for recognition but because it is the right thing to do.  She gets her  Prince and the respect of her country in the process.     

 Mulan is humble. She just saved China but all she wants to do it to return home, and          offer the gifts of the Emperor to her Father and family.

I’ll Make a Man Out of You is on my running playlist. I can picture Mulan close to giving up, and than she just gets that last-minute life line of motivation to keep going and she succeeds. This is how I imagine I will be as I start all over in my weight loss and fitness quest. Giving up is not an option. 

I want to be bad ass like Mulan. 

How about you?  Are you ready to defeat your metaphorical Huns?  

Let’s get down to business to defeat the Huns./Did they send me daughters when I asked for sons?/You’re the saddest bunch I’ve ever met,/But you can bet, before we’re through/Mister, I’ll make a man out of you.mulan.0.0

Namaste’ 

Rose

 

WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESS STORY

Weight loss success story?

What does it mean to be a weight loss success story? I feel I am not that yet, even though I lost over fifty pounds. I am up seven since my move back to LA, but that is ok. I got this.

They say life happens, but in my opinion if you leave life to chance it will one day happen to be over; because they also say life is short.

These cliche’s may be true, or they may not be. In my opinion you have to make it happen, and be the architect of your own life. Make a sketch how you wish it to be, imagine it the way you want,  build it using solid foundation and keep adding on and reinventing yourself. You can choose to be happy or choose to be miserable.

Today I was looking through my things, as you know I just moved. I lost something very sentimental to me. My first instinct was to cry and get upset, and let my emotions and the fact that this material possession is forever gone to me. Then I realized even though it held such sentimental value, it doesn’t take away my happiness or my memories. It is just a possession. Then it made me think of a famous quote from the film Fight Club 

The things you own end up owning you.

The quote could be another cliche’ or it can be taken as wisdom about life and material possessions and what is really important. Either way it gives me solace as I move on with my day. Even though I lost something dear to me, and gained seven pounds since I hit my lowest weight on this blog; I  will still choose happiness instead of misery. I will move forward with gratitude, happiness, hope and love.

This brings me again to the idea of being a weight loss success story. I consider myself a work in progress at the half way mark. I am proud of my accomplishments but I am more excited what is to come. So even though my original before pic was when I weighed well over 200 lbs, I decided to take some new now before photos to track where I am at this very minute and where I am going. I may be only 7 lbs higher than my lowest weight on this blog but the move and slacking off on my routine has made me a little softer. I am ready to work it again. I am drawing up my plans as I type. I am the architect of this so-called life, and I choose happiness and gratitude. 

Much love and light. I am off for a run and to kitty sit for my friend Mary. Along with my new before pics, here are a few photos of Noodles and Peaches. I may just sit in the jacuzzi tonight. 

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