Category Archives: lifestyle blog

2020 Clarity

January 2, 2020

Happy New Year to all. I’m finding clarity with the new year. I decided to continue with this blog, rather than begin a new one. I’m still going to be focusing on my vegan wellness journey/ fitness/ weight loss and philanthropy. I’m also going to be my own self development and happiness guru, sharing what I’m learning on this journey of mine. It all began in 2019 when I was having a moment of feeling stagnate. I heard a quote from one of my inspirations. Tao Porchyn Lynch is is over 100, a yoga instructor and the oldest ballroom dancer in the Guiness Book of  world records. She once said she wakes up every day and tells herself today is going to be the best day ever. I started thinking  how can that be when I’m working long hours and money is tight. So many things I want to do cost money. My first reaction Was sorrow. It was Christmas and I felt like 2019 was not what I expected it to be, but then I decided I would make 2020 be everything I dream of and more. How am I going to do this? Stay tuned. I’m going to take each day by setting intentions, and as my husband James said I’m getting out of the loop. The loop is where you keep repeating the same actions and expecting different outcomes.

So here I am, changing  my approach. My fitness journey may be slower since I’m dealing with a knee injury but I’m going to work around it. I made ten categories I wish to work on, the areas of life I’m passionate about and things I feel are necessary for my happiness. Some are simple and some are grand. I’m chasing happiness and seeking joy. I’m going after my goals and dreaming big. Beginning with today’s intention to do very that. My first accomplishment of 2020 is my article about vegan beauty on a budget was featured in VegWorld Magazine.

I’m very proud to begin 2020 with this accomplishment. I’m my own happiness guru, and I’m sharing joy with all those around me. Let’s be happiness gurus together. Together we make a difference. When you are out there in the world making a name for yourself remember to make time for others. We are all connected. 

Love and light,

Rose

WEIGH IN WEDNESDAY


It is Weigh In Wednesday and a few days before my Birthday, and a week before Christmas. I fell off the wagon the weeks after Thanksgiving, so I decided to start WW Green plan, which is the former weight watchers smart points plan revamped. For future reference WW is the former Weight Watchers, and they have three plans. The three plans are green, blue and purple. Green plan you count everything but most fruits and veggies, blue has free lean protein options added, and purple allows free grains and whole grain pasta. I’ve chosen green because it’s easier for me to be in control when I track everything, and tracking makes me less likely to binge and gain. I did that after Thanksgiving, my weight went up to 179 lbs.

Today I weighed in at 176 lbs, after being on green for one full week. My next weigh in day is Christmas, and I hope I can get through the holiday week with another loss. Going forward it’s all green for me, it just seems much easier to manage my life this way.

Speaking of life, in January 2020 I’m making some changes on this blog. I’m still going to be documenting my vegan weight loss and my fitness journey, and I plan to still be into philanthropy. I’m adding more categories though, things I feel are needed to better my life. I will post a blog how I got inspired to make this change. My blog will still be what it has been, but much more. I guess you can say it’s going to be a self development/lifestyle/wellness blog. I’m really enthusiastic about the change. At first I wanted to start a new blog and continue as us with this, but I decided to combine my ideas. I’m also planning a Youtube channel in the future.

All brand new for the new Roaring Twenties. In the meantime it’s Christmas, and I’m pulling myself out of a long melancholic mood and starting over by choosing joy. Happy Wednesday to all.
Let’s share sunshine and be happiness gurus together. Rose 

WEIGH IN WEEK FIVE


Happy Monday to all. Today begins my week five and it’s also weigh in day. Today my weight is 172 lbs and I lost another 1 lb and 5 lbs total in 4 weeks. My true focus has been on consistency and balance. My fitness goals are revolved around progress not perfection. My short term goals with my workouts are to be able to do all the exercises with ease. I want to be able to hold planks and side planks longer. I once planked for over five minutes and I hope to do that again. I want to be able to do 20 pushups, first the easy versions and later the more difficult pushups. I’m focusing on fitness and clean eating and allowing my Monday’s to be my vegan splurge days. Like I said, consistency and balance.

This week I’m going to take my #benderfitness workouts up a notch with more intensity and three rounds of workouts, and if it’s warmer I’m planning on taking my cardio outdoors. I’m going to add a little running to my cardio. It’s been four weeks and my joints feel better, I already feel more flexible and I do not get winded going up stairs. I have more energy and overall I feel like my wellness is returning. On my work days I eat clean vegan food and I meal prep so I never go hungry. I have found my stride but I also understand this is only the beginning and the last four weeks were a warm up for the real work that is to come.

If you are on a fitness and weight loss journey I would love to hear from you. What inspires you to keep going and overcome obstacles and challenges to get to your goals? I love feeling healthy and ageless, so fitness and nutrition are so important for my life. Life can be messy but consistency is truly rewarding. That feels like the biggest accomplishment, the fact we keep going no matter what comes our way. Bonus points for those sharing smiles to whoever comes in our paths. Yes, it’s a challenge. Yes, we can do it.
Love and light to all. Rose 

NON SCALE VICTORIES

Happy Friday. I’m celebrating small nsv’s, that means non-scale victories. It’s week three of my #benderfitness workouts and I’m going strong and getting stronger. I’m working out 5-6 days a week, and I can see improvement in my strength. My push ups are a little bit lower, I’m holding my planks a little bit longer. My lunges are not as scary or as difficult. My flexibility is improving and my joints are no longer aching. A body in motion stays in motion, a body at rest stays at rest. Newton’s law. I’m doing these workouts for either six weeks or 12 weeks, and later I will switch it up.

To me this is the beginning of success, the little improvements and the commitment to put in the hard work day after day, despite the struggles and disappointments of life. As humans we tend to only view success in the grand accomplishments. Money, cars, awards, followers; material gains and huge accolades are often looked upon as more important than the non material and smaller wins. We tend to congratulate someone without knowing the background of the blood, sweat and tears that got them there. It takes hard work to accomplish dreams and goals, but that hard work in the beginning should never be looked upon as insignificant. When someone who’s never exercised in their life finally walks a block, that’s success to me. It’s getting the guts to get up and go, to jump hurdles and leap over anything that gets in your way; and a lot of time we are tripping over our own two feet. Our insecurities hold us back, our perception of what others think holds us back. Don’t do that.

My life right now has issues, but I’m not letting that hold me back, and I understand that’s life for all of us. There is fear, uncertainty and some sadness; but through it all I’m a survivor who loves life and is grateful for another day. So each day, no matter what’s going on I will commit to my small daily goals because that’s how I’m getting to where I’m going. Small goals one day will become big accomplishments. No one is clapping when I hold my plank 1 minute at 1 am in the morning, but I’m giving my commitment to making it happen a standing ovation. That’s all the accolades I need, the satisfaction of showing up and getting it done despite what comes my way. In one year I will look back at this moment with immense pride because I refused to give up.

Do you believe in coming back after failure? Do you believe in second and third chances to get something right after falling on your face multiples times? I find it really inspiring when someone makes a come back after failure after failure. After all failure is just a word we created, and we don’t have to let that word define us. Every brand new day is a chance to try again, and get it right. Let’s get it right, let’s work hard and show ourselves we can and will do it. Let’s define and rewrite our definition of success. Most important point to remember is to remember to make time for others when you are out in the world trying to make a name for yourself. No one is an island. Kindness and giving should always be a given in the sequence of chasing success. We all are here for one another. Let’s chase success together and rise each other up. Everyone who tries deserves thunderous applause. Show up and give yourself a standing ovation. 

Love and light,
 Rose 

 

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY WISDOM

Happy Wednesday. Above is the photo of my before and after on my first part of my weight loss blog journey 2013-2017. For anyone new reading this I started my blog to lose weight and support a new charity with each ten pounds I lost in 2013.  I reached my lowest weight of 159 lbs in May 2017 and helped many charities in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In my life really got really crazy. My Mother became ill and died May 21st, 2017. Two weeks later we moved from LA to Houston TX, and in December 2017 we lost our beloved Siamese Rascal after months of trying to save him. It was a rough year to say the least.

In 2018 we had some major life challenges and my blog really came to a halt. I would start and quit, mostly because those changes left scars on me, just like the Elton John song lyrics from the Funeral for a friend song. Those lyrics really speak to me. Sometimes changes in the form of challenges result in scars. For me those scars took on the form of excuses, and I just didn’t put in the work like I did in the past. I ended up gaining half my weight back and I was truly unhappy for the first time in a long time.

Now it’s the end of 2019 and I’ve come to the conclusion there’s always going to be challenges. Scars fade eventually and you will get new challenges with new scars, that’s life. I’ve decided to go after all of my goals, beginning here with my wellness, fitness and weight loss. I’m at it every day because when the new scars fade I won’t have to feel bad for quitting. Quitting is not in my vocabulary anymore. I was strong through my move from LA to San Francisco in 2014 and I kept going, and that’s what I’m doing now. I’m taking inspiration from my former self, with new scars motivating me to overcome new challenges.

It’s my new week three and I feel wonderful. Transitioning to night workouts is a game changer for me. There’s a peace about the gym at that time. I’m up late because I work late and my energy is high, so I’m utilizing that fact to go after my fitness goals instead of using work as an excuse. Last night I noticed my planks are getting stronger, and my balance doing warrior 3 is really improving. These are the changes that start my progress. I’m very proud of getting to where I am in my mindset, and proud I’m no longer using life’s problems as excuses. I’m doing all this as an even prouder vegan, I transitioned to veganism in 2018. It’s who I am and that I got right. I’m living my most authentic life.

You can choose happiness or misery, and I choose happiness. I’m no longer an excuse maker. I’m a goal setter and getter. I’m on the road to becoming an after, taking it one mile at a time. There are no shortcuts, nor will I veer off the road and head in a different direction. This is my journey and my positive mindset gets to decide where I’m going.

Happy Wednesday to all. Love and light, Rose 

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

Today is weigh in Monday and week two of my #benderfitness workouts. I weighed in at 176  and lost 1 lb. I’m focusing on clean eating (vegan) and also balanced eating. What does balanced eating mean? For me it’s eating a 80/20 diet or 90/20. In other words the bulk of my meals are Whole Foods plant-based, using minimal oils and lower salts and sugars, always counting my WW points. It’s my WW points that help me stay balanced when I eat something that’s more processed or a treat. I’m getting my vegan nutrition in and I don’t feel deprived. It’s truly balanced eating and I feel great after my week one. Focusing also on my workouts is important too, I’m refusing to be a slave to the scale. I lost one true pound, I didn’t cut water or skip meals yesterday like I have in the past to get a better number on the scale. I am in it to win it and not taking shortcuts to get there.

Lots to do today, so that’s it for now. It’s my day off but also the first day of my second week of Melissa Bender Fitness workouts. I started my day with a vegan Vega protein bar and one cup of delicious coffee with my Silk vegan creamer, lots of water and fruit.

I hope you are having a Happy Monday and chasing all of your goals no matter what happens. Last week felt like the lowest week we experienced in a long time but I didn’t quit. I’m committed and I’m climbing over all obstacles that come my way. Happy Motivational Monday to all. Love and Light, Rose

 

 

WEEK ONE RECAP

Happy Sunday to all.  It’s been a long time since I’ve been this consistent, probably since May 2017. I followed through with Monday/Friday #benderfitness workouts and cardio. I’ve been eating really clean vegan, but counting my points to be accountable. I took a rest day Saturday, my calves were cramping a bit and I chose to listen to my body. My hubby picked me up and bought me an Impossible Whopper and onion rings Saturday night, so I chose to eat half the vegan whopper and a few onion rings. This plan has to be livable, a healthy vegan plant based lifestyle with balance. I counted the half vegan whopper and stayed within my daily points. For the first time in forever I felt satisfied and guilt free. All week my food choices were on point, I meal prepped and packed food for work. I set my week up for success.

Tonight I’m working out after work, cardio and yoga tonight. I get out at ten. Everyone’s lifestyle is different, and if you are looking to make changes do so within your own unique personal lifestyle. I work late and I come home with high energy, so it makes sense I work out after work and not before. This week had some disappointments for both my hubby James and myself, but I didn’t let those challenges get in the way of my commitments. I followed through, and that’s going to be the one change that’s going to get me to all of my goals, following through. Week one was a success in my eyes. I may not be as strong as I once was, but it’s really exciting to know I will get there. You will too if you believe you can achieve any commit to do the hard work, nothing of worth is ever easy. Happy Sunday to all, remember lifestyle changes take one meal at a time, and one workout at a time. It doesn’t happen overnight, it didn’t for me the first time in 2013 and it won’t this time. I’m not expecting quick fixes. This is a marathon and not a sprint.

Love and light, Rose

 

 

 

Weekly Workout Schedule

Monday/Wednesday/Friday

Tuesday/Thursday

Happy Friday, I made it to day five of week one. I am on it not no matter what comes my way. I got some bad news this week, not health bad news but the kind of bad news that can stop you in your tracks and derail all of your goals. I’m telling you now that’s not happening this time. I’m on the road to being an after, no matter what life throws at me. I will duck and dodge those pesky curveballs. I will follow through with all my commitments and I will do it with a smile.  I’m planning to visit the horse sanctuary soon and do everything I can to give back. I won’t let life’s disappointments get in my way or take my joy.

It all starts with this blog, my health and gratitude to be able to focus on my goals. I’m alive and able. My workout schedule Monday through Friday is two rounds of my scheduled Melissa Bender Workouts plus 30 minutes of cardio, finishing off with the rowing machine. On Saturday and Sunday it’s yoga ( ten sun salutations) and cardio on Saturday. This is my plan going forward and I will not falter. The plan is to switch it up as I get stronger.  I’m just speed walking for my cardio for now but eventually I will add running. Another commitment is to post Monday through Friday and stay on top of all of my goals, including Monday weigh in. I  admit I’m sore but I’m actually so excited about this new journey.

I’m meal prepping and eating healthy vegan food, counting  my WW points and staying away from vegan junk most of the time, especially on my work days. Are you with me? What obstacles get in your way?  Let’s stop letting that happen. Week one is a success and week one sets the bar for week two! We can choose to be happy, healthy and fit. Midnight workouts make me happy.
Love and light, Rose

Midnight workouts. Get it done on your schedule.

 

 

CONSISTENCY

Everyone has a starting point, it’s ok to begin again. Start where you are, no matter how many times you may have faltered in the past. I’m really good at wobbling and losing my focus and getting it back again. So much so that my dear friend Kristen and I call it being a weeble, like that 70’s toy Weebles. Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down. I may wobble, but I refuse to fall down, and even if I do I will stand back up again. You can’t knock me down.

Today is my day three of really going after my goals. I’m really going to work on consistency and commitment. Monday through Friday I will do my #benderfitness scheduled workouts, cardio, and blog every day. I’m going to get my weight in the 160’s ( short term goal) and go volunteer at the Horse Sanctuary. I’m going to work hard at my job because I’m grateful for it, and I’m going to work around it to make my goals a reality.  Like I said in a previous post, control the things you can control when life seems to literally be out of your control. You can control what you eat, how you move your body and your mindset.

I took new before photos and dated them. It’s actually quite liberating to face where you are. I have done just that, faced where I am as I work on where I am going. Where are you going? Make sure you pack a positive outlook, it will take you farther then you ever imagined. Love and light.

Rose

 

 

Focus on Fitness

I’m always starting over, but that’s ok. I will continue to start over until I get it right. There is no failure, everything is a learning lesson. For me losing weight is not linear, it’s a zig zag line of ups and downs. Part of the problem is I’ve been focusing on the numbers and not so much on fitness. The scale isn’t the problem, it’s me. So how do I correct my past mistakes and get on the road to weight loss and fitness success like I was when I started this blog in 2013?  Let’s start with health and wellness, and less emphasis on numbers.

I weighed in today at 175 lbs. That is 5 lbs up from what I was a few weeks ago, but here’s the deal. I did crazy things the day before weigh in to help me weigh less. I do not recommend doing anything that’s unhealthy to get a better number on weigh in day. You are not a number, repeat that firmly and loudly. You are not a number. 170 lbs probably was not my true weight anyway, since I fasted and cut water on Sundays. I have a hard time admitting I did such unhealthy steps just to get a better number on Monday when I stepped on the scale. Repeat this too, health is your number one priority. I weighed 170 lbs and I ended up with a kidney infection probably due to dehydration. It’s just not worth hurting yourself over. I had eating disorders when I was younger, and it’s quite obvious those old ghosts still haunt me. It’s ok, I’m haunting them back. Here’s a big boo to my ghosts of eating disorders past, and how I’m going to get it right finally. 

I will weigh in once a week, it’s important to know where you are but not obsess with the number on the scale. It’s sounds contradictory, but for me I need to know where I stand. No more doing unhealthy steps the day before weigh in, Sunday’s with be healthy vegan food. No fasting, no water cutting, it’s business as usual. I will post in the following weeks my food plan, always vegan but always needing to portion control and stay accountable. What I put in my temple should be fuel not trash, of course within balance. I’ve discovered when my balance is off I tend to binge eat. 

I asked Melissa from Melissa Bender Fitness to help me with personal workouts to get me started, and my workouts will be Monday-Friday and cardio daily. I’m going to focus on moving more and obsessing less. I’m going to find the joy I once had in exercising and quit procrastinating. It’s not that hard. My thanks to Melissa Bender Fitness for helping me on my new journey.

That’s it for now. Today I begin again in gratitude because I’m healthy enough to be able to begin again. Remember this, it’s really all you need to get started. My new emphasis will be wellness, fitness, strength, agility, flexibility and my mind and body connection. Weight loss will be the bonus. A quick mention for the volunteering I promised for Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary, I’m still planning to go. My husband James is doing a lot of traveling and as soon as that settles we will be volunteering together. He asked me to wait for him, so I’m giving him time to follow through with his appointments first. 

Love and Light to you. Take care of your temple, nurture your body and soul. If something does not serve you do not do it. You are beautiful, but beauty on the inside is so much more sustainable. Let’s get healthy and well so we can tackle our goals and take on the world. That’s a beautiful thing.

Rose