Good Morning to all. I have been MIA. Apartment hunting in the Bay Area has taken all my time. I am back in LA, doing my routine and getting ready to move. Trying to find the calm within the chaos.
I am still here, working out, delivering books to kids, I am just on a little pause as I pack and navigate a move from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The hardest part is behind us, we found an apartment.
Love and Light to all.
Rose
Good Morning and Happy Tuesday to all.
My blog is going to be on hiatus for a bit during my transition. I am moving everything here to my new website and I am also moving to San Francisco soon so I will be “Under Construction” in many ways.
I will return to posting soon, and I will still be following everything I am working on and sharing inspiration and motivation as much as possible during my transition. Have a wonderful day and remember, we are all a work in progress and always a bit “under construction.” If we were perfect we would have nothing to strive for and look forward to.
Love and Light to all.
Rose
The first year is behind me, 45 lbs are lost….onward and upward to the next forty and all of my fitness goals.
Checking in on my routine. Day seven of Month one is today, and yes I workout on a Saturday. Today I am going to the gym to do the treadmill as well as day seven. I am also doing home yoga until I move to San Francisco and when I get situated in will be back in the studio. I am doing all three months of Melissa Bender’s Bikini Competition prep, the workouts she did to compete in a bikini competition. She has and always will be so inspiring to me, and I am always so grateful to her for being such an amazing best friend as well as role model to many.
Much love and light to all and a big thanks to Melissa Bender for helping me during this transition period.
Namaste’
Rose
Melissa Bender Fitness: Tummy Toning Fat Burn: *Workout Video and Breakdown Below Hi Everyone! Who is up for some tummy time? Everyone wants a strong core, and sexy abs. This w…
I am a poet and a writer, and I love to blog. I had started two previous blogs before but I seemed to lack a direction or theme. At the same time I was unhappy with my weight, and I questioned why I lacked commitment with losing weight. I lost and gained the same ten pounds over and over. When I do something for charity I follow through. I needed to give myself the same care and respect that I gave to others, I needed to learn to follow through and make a promise to myself.
In beginning of the summer 2013 it was time to begin anew. The year had a rocky start and I was ready to pick up the pieces. I had an idea and it was like I was hit by a virtual lightning bolt, what if I sponsored a charity with every ten pounds I lost. I could blog about my experiences of weight loss and fitness and also blog about the charities. I could make a difference in my life as well as the life of others. It would be about making a difference in the world with the added bonus of losing weight and finally getting healthy. I loved my idea and was excited to share it with others and get started. I decided to name my blog MY CHANGE FOR A TEN. I set up a Facebook page so I could link my blog,
The minute I started to tell people they were incredibly supportive and motivating. My best friend Melissa Bender from Melissa Bender Fitness has been my number one cheerleader and inspiration all along. She loved the idea.
The first week of my blog I was in a Richard Simmons video. I started to attend his classes and now I am a member at Slimmons Studio in Beverly Hills. Richard Simmons is a fireball of inspiration and fun and I am honored to know him. I have made many dear friends from my experiences of the video and Slimmons classes.
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| I used to do his dvd’s and tapes, and I was in his video. |
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| New bestie Francie, day of video shoot |
I started to tell people at work, and I met a new yet unlikely friend named Mike. He knows how grateful I am to him for the training, support and friendship.
Mike and I worked together at Seasons 52, but I did not know him personally. He was a bartender and worked nights, and I worked days. One afternoon he was working a lunch and I happen to mention my new idea. He offered to train me and help if he could with my charities. It seemed that everything was coming together at the exact time and place. There was no way I could fail, I was extremely motivated and inspired and thankful for the support coming my way.
I started to take Yoga classes with Nicole at Pink Iron, and I join Yogaworks West Hollywood. I worked out with my new inspiring friend and trainer Mike once a week, went to yoga 3-5 times a week. I speed walked, and I even began running and now I am training for a 5k. I cleaned up my diet and my attitude and I was able to lose that 10 lbs plus 20 lbs more since July. I have fed the Homeless at Skid Row, and I planned a toy drive for Alexandria House, a transitional home for women and children. I did all this with the support and help of amazing friends, mentors, and the management and staff at Seasons 52. I could not have done any of these things alone, and I am full of gratitude and love for all those who have helped and inspired me. I have made so many new beloved friends. My husband James has been my biggest fan all along, and I thank him for believing in me always. I am a better version of
myself now. James and I stole another get away in Palms Springs. We definitely decided life is too short not to live. As the New Year approaches, I am so grateful for all of the people in my
life.
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| Yogi and teacher Nicole |
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| Mike looks on making sandwiches |
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| With Mike, Maria, Courtney, Danny and The selfless souls of The Monday Night Mission |
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| My friend Meagan, Judy and Carlita |
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| With the young residents of Alexandria House. Thank you to Judy Vaughan for all that you do. |
This Birthday on December 21st was an amazing day. I decided to always chase my dreams and take the time to make a difference by giving back to others. I have decided no number will ever define me. Not my age, weight, or size. I attended Richard Simmons holiday bash class in the morning. Later that evening we had dinner at the Hollywood landmark Musso and Frank’s and we took a ton of photos. My husband lost 16 lbs and I am down 30, so we were excited to finally take some new photos together and feel good in the process. Musso and Frank’s was on our LA bucket list. We were not only celebrating my Birthday and the holidays, but life and all of its endless possibilities.
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| Richard, me and my wonderful friend Dawn |
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| My girls Susan and Joanne |
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| Best Birthday experience ever |
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| Jamesy and me |
In July when I began this project I promised if I would follow through with everything I say I plan to do. I have kept that commitment and more. 2013 started off with a sad start, but I did not wallow in my woes. It may have taken me six months to pick up the pieces and follow through with my goals, but better late than never. I have only just begun, I am not even half way done. Bring on the beauty and possibilities 2014. My dreams precede my steps, but I need both to get me to where I am going and I am not looking back.
Namaste’
Love and Light
Happy Happy 2014
Rose
Good Morning to all. I am happy to say I lost the 1 lb I had gained. I now weigh 177 again, and I am hovering at 20 lbs since mid July. Yes, it took me four months to lose twenty pounds, and it has been easy sticking to healthy eating and working out and yoga, but it has not been easy to get the numbers to go down. I am almost 47, and I recognize the fact that my age make my process much harder. But I am content and happy with my results so far and will continue on and on as long as it takes. I am hoping to lose up to 10 lbs by the New Year, and I may have to up my cardio to do so. I plan on cheating on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. I am hoping those cheat days do not derail me. I have not had a cheat day in four months, or a cheat meal for that matter.
So, the 20 lb charity. I have a few ideas and one of them involves Mike my trainer and friend but at the moment that idea may take more time to execute so I am going to plan C for the twenty pound charity. It is Christmas, so I am going to do some things that are close to my heart at this time of year. I am looking for an elderly assisted living home to visit during the holidays, and I have emailed volunteer match for more information. I want to visit once a week. I am hoping to get the information I need soon so I can begin visiting those who need it most.
There is a scene in a movie I love, an old 60’s movie. It is called The Trouble With Angels and it is about these silly girls that go into a Catholic School and make havoc for the nuns. It is all full of slapstick humor and it is really cute. There is this particular scene that gets me, when they visit the Nursing Home of the elderly and this old woman cries and asks the nun why her children do not come to visit her. It gets me into tears every time. I think it may have been this movie that made me decide that in my life I would try to help the underprivileged and forgotten ones of society. It has lingered with me all of these years. This works since my goal weight is so far away, and that leaves me with plenty of charities to assist.
Coffee, yes my golden elixir of the morning is needed today. Off to work and then working out and my Iyengar Class. Yesterday I bought some brand new pyrex pie pans at the thrift store for next to nothing. I am making a chocolate pecan pie and an apple crisp for Thanksgiving. Yes, those are not what I usually eat but it is my one cheat day and I feel treats are better homemade then store bought. At very least I know all of the ingredients. I am so excited to cook and bake for the holiday.
Happy Day to all, the sun just popped out for a visit. Wishing you sunshine and smiles and bright energy to guide your day.
Namaste’
Rose
When I moved to California I felt myself feeling more connected to the universe and felt more of an overall sense of well being. I am one with nature and all creatures of the planet. I decided I wanted to help with charities as much as possible to give back and share my love of life. In 2012 I planned Downward Dog For Cats, a Yoga event in Griffith Park in Los Angeles to raise funds for a local animal shelter. At the same time my weight had become a lingering issue, and I was losing and gaining the same ten pounds for one year. I realized when I do something for charity I always follow through, but I did not have the same success with my weight loss. I am a former dancer and it had been my wish to return to my former shape and embrace turning 47 on the most positive note. I am also a poet writer, so in July 2013 I came up with the idea if I were to combine my love of making a difference with my weight loss and fitness goals I would not have any excuses, and I could write about my journey and the charities in a blog. When I decided to take on this venture my co-worker Mike who is now a good friend offered to be my personal trainer and help me with the charities. The first week of my blog I was cast in a Richard Simmons video, all of these things came together at the exact time and I was so inspired and ready to take on my new challenge. Of course my best friend Melissa Bender has always been such an inspiration. Her journey is awe inspiring and she always looks to help people be a better version of who they are. I could not have started this without the help of my friends.
In the beginning I walked daily, and went to Richard Simmons classes following the video. He is very inspiring. I have been working out with my trainer Mike once a week since July, and I attend Yogaworks in West Hollywood three to five times a week. I attend yoga at Pink Iron with Nicole once a week. I am now running with Mike, and on my own. I am a beginner runner but I am determined to take on this new challenge and he thinks I can do a 5k soon. When at home I do Melissa Bender videos and her yoga videos. I plan to return to ballet classes eventually. I eat extremely healthy, and I watch my sodium, fat , cholesterol and portion sizes. In three months I have not allowed myself a cheat day, but come Thanksgiving I will cheat with a little abandon. 
I have chosen my organization I intend to sponsor when I get to my ten pound goal. The Monday Night Mission has really made an impact on me. I follow their Facebook page and the selfless kind acts they do for the residents at Skid Row in Los Angeles are awe inspiring to me. I have wanted to get involved for some time, so picking their wonderful cause is a natural choice for me. Here is some information on wonderful things they do to make a difference in the world. I am humbled by all that they do and I wish to personally thank Mel at the Monday Night Mission.
The sole aim of Monday Night Mission is to feed the less fortunate of Skid-Row who are turned away from Skid-Row shelters.
We feed our Homeless Brothers and Sisters on Skid-row every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night.
We meet at the Burger King at 7.30pm at 700 West Cesar e Chavez ave, Los Angeles CA 90012.
Please text (310) 926-6675 for more information or email [email protected] Please let us now via this page if you intend on joining us!
About
The sole aim of Monday Night Mission is to feed the less fortunate of Skid Row who are unable to find housing or are turned away from shelters.
We meet every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night to feed our homeless brothers and sisters on Skid Row. We meet at the Burger King at 7:30 p.m. at:
700 West Cesar E Chavez Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
We will then prepare food, organize car pools, and aim head to Skid Row. Anyone and everyone is welcome! Don’t worry about what you can or cannot bring! Bring yourself! Please let us know if you plan on joining us by leaving a comment on this page! Text Mel at 310-926-6675 or email him at [email protected] if you’d like more information.
Please wear close-toed footwear and be prepared for cold or rainy weather. If you would like to bring food, below is a list of food items that can always be used, however, anything you can contribute is appreciated and will make a difference! We aim to feed anywhere from 150 to 350 people every night, but the numbers will vary.
Also, please feel free to bring any clothing items, blankets, toiletries, etc. you would like to donate.
Useful Food Items
Pasta
Sandwiches
Loaves of bread
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Lunch meats
Mayonnaise
Fruit
Packaged snacks
Bottled water
You MUST let us know if you plan on joining us, and you must arrive by 7:30 p.m. If you plan on coming, you can inform us by commenting on our Facebook page or by emailing Mel at [email protected].
We are a non-registered, non-profit organization and don’t accept any monetary donations. We are nondenominational and unaffiliated with any other non-profit or religious organization.
Good Morning and Happy Tuesday. I am off to work soon, then my work out with Mike later this evening. My husband James is working from home today, and yesterday I took a day to be here for the building mortgage inspector. I wish that was today, then I could have my whole afternoon with him as he works. He is very happy today. His Baseball Team The Pittsburgh Pirates made it into the Playoffs for the first time in over twenty years. I am very happy for him, he can enjoy his day off and I will get on with my second cup of coffee and my busy day.
Ok, so let’s cut to the chase. Weigh in Tuesday. I gained .5 today. Just a half of a pound, and I knew it because the time of the month. That is not so bad, but it is funny how you know you did not lose, even though you did not do anything to gain. No splurges yet, just Mother Nature letting me know this is not always a walk in one of her glorious parks.
I did have a few non weight milestones this weekend. I bought a jean jacket about six months ago, and even though I have worn it, it has never closed or buttoned. This weekend we went to the beach and it was chilly, so I put it on and I was so surprised to see it close and button fully. Another milestone, I was looking at my shoulders. I have small shoulders, and they have always been rounded. Not anymore, they are now a little square and they even out my figure. I am so happy to see my body changing with the workouts and yoga. My husband went even as far to say I am getting petite. I am only 5’2 so I need to be smaller for my size. I have still a ways to go but these little things keep me pushing. Plus I am so much stronger and healthier. Yesterday the manager at Trader Joe’s told me I look glowing, that is the icing on the cake.
In less than two weeks we will go down to join The Monday Night Mission. I look forward to my first ten pound charity. I will write a long post on what we will be doing there exactly when I find a bit more time. I am humbled by the work The Monday Night Mission does weekly, and I am honored to join them.
Wishing you a beautiful Tuesday. It will be a hot one here in Southern California.Love and Light.
Namaste’
Rose
Happy Monday to all. Sometimes I feel like life moves on the fast track and again like clockwork comes Monday morning. Where did the weekend go? On Mondays I begin my week of workouts and make my plans for My Change For A Ten. I am a little sleepy this week thanks to my Siamese cat Rascal and his fascination with the air conditioner cord. I have to get at the bottom of this mystery, I think he does it for attention because I wake up and feed him then he comes back and does it again. Thank goodness I hear him and I am able to stop him, this is a dangerous habit he has started and a great way to make me a little groggy Monday morning.
I have decided that I do not need to physically take the time to go into Weight Watchers to weigh in, when I can be using that time to do some sort of other workout activity. I can do Weight Watchers online and weigh in on Tuesday mornings first thing, and I believe that is the way to get the most accurate read on my weight. Plus my trainer Mike has asked to see my food diary on Tuesday, and that helps too. I really think I am doing well, and I have already started to get comments about my weight loss and I have only lost a few. I know I am losing inches too and I feel awesome albeit sleepy.
I wish everyone a beautiful and bright day. I am off to drink some needed coffee on this Monday Morning and eat a protein bar. I am way too sleepy for more.
Here is a Monday poem, written in NYC waiting for the train in the midst of winter. It may make you appreciate that it is summer now. I remember how hard it was to be sleepy and go out into the bitter cold. California thank goodness saves me from that experience.
Namaste’
Rose
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.