Category Archives: Richard Simmons

SNEAKING AROUND

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I am in need of new sneakers that fit properly. My lovely Siamese cat Rascal  chewed the inside of the back of my  right sneaker, which caused the shoe to rub against the back of my ankle. I found myself walking in an awkward manner to compensate this problem, and I have caused a tiny strain on my foot. My ankle feels tight and a bit uncomfortable when I walk. This weekend I will be searching for the right pair of sneakers for my foot. I am hard to fit, I have a very high arch, with a narrow heal and it takes a lot of trial and error to find the right fit. 

Tonight is Richard Simmons, and my friend Francie from the video shoot is joining me as well as my friend Joanna from work. More photos to follow.  I am going to try to tone down my enthusiasm and go low impact to make sure this tightness does not become a strain. I have to admit I am upset that my foot feels a little off, we all want to be perfect all the time and when we are not well it is so frustrating. I took an ibuprofen to ease any swelling that may have occurred, something I never do. I am icing it before work as a precaution. 

I posted something on my facebook page I found on Pinterest that is completely fitting for this blog post. I love dancing the cha cha and I am an optimist as well so this is perfect for how I feel this morning. Wishing everyone sunshine and smiles on this beautiful Thursday.
Namaste’
Love and Light
Rose




THE LONG RUN

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Sometimes periods of incredible inspiration and motivation are followed by moments of self doubt. It is like that evil elf sitting on your shoulder telling you, not so fast. You find yourself questioning how you will ever go the distance, and then he has you in the palm of his little charred hand. His hold on you feeds on your insecurities and all of a sudden that motivational high comes down a few pegs. What do you do then? Let him consume you or make a quick get-a-way?


I came home from another electric Richard Simmons class last night. I met a wonderful family from Houston, Texas and my friend Joanna joined me as well. Nothing happened to me to all of a sudden feel anxious yet I do. I need to nip these little feelings of uncertainty immediately. I have no reason to worry I will not go the distance, but reasoning has nothing to do with that other side of you that seems to speak way to loudly to your insecurities.

My plan is to continue to do everything I am doing, and then some. I will not get this fleeting moment of self skepticism get in my way. I will keep up with working out six days a week and tracking my food. I am having one weak moment but I will not let that get in my way to make my goals and My Change For A Ten a success. After all, anything of worth is work, hard work. That includes battling those belated moments of self doubt that seem to high jack your positive thoughts.

I will focus on the process, the slow process, and the charities at the end of each ten pounds. I am doing this for two reasons, for health, and to make a difference in the lives of others. Each day is a brand new opportunity to excel.  I will not let those ugly emotions get the better of me. I am an optimist, sometimes to a fault so I will rely on my usual upbeat demeanor to help me forge forward. Plus I am surrounded by many inspirational people and I continue to meet new people that inspire me with their stories. I silently tell myself  “you got this,” as I listen to one of my favorite bands, The Eagles, and sing along to The Long Run. I am in this for The Long Run. 
Namaste’
Love and Light
Rose

RICHARD SIMMONS 7-25-13 PHOTOS

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I met a wonderful family from Houston, and my friend Joanna came to class.   

Mckenna from Houston

                                                           Courtney from Houston

Joanna
Kelly, Mckenna, Courtney with me, Richard Simmons and my friend Joanna

                                                                       Joanna and me

                                                           Houstons loveliest family

                                      Kelly, Courtney, me, and Mckenna.

EATING DISORDER PAST

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Age 22
Age 30 with James

                                                                   

Age 38 with Melissa


Age 40
Age 45
Present age 46


When I was thirteen I started dancing, and I was told I was too curvy. It was during a period when it was ok for an adult to tell a pre-teen such a statement. That summer started my obsession with not eating. Food had become the enemy. I literally drank diet coke for breakfast, diet coke for lunch, and when my Mother worked my dinner was lettuce with a slice of cheese and vinegar, sometimes I would crumble crackers in my salad. 

On days when my Mother would cook, I would drink my diet coke, (diet coke made me feel chic), and look through cook books at the photos but I would skip dinner. I ate enough to get by, a yogurt here and there, but when you are young it seems like you just have natural energy even without fuel. One time I starved for four days and then took a box of laxatives. Let’s just say my older sister said next time I try such a stunt she would kill me herself. At the age of eighteen my Dr warned my Mother I was headed to anorexia.

I continued this behavior into adult hood, maybe not as extreme but my food issues lingered. My weight sometimes would go up and down. I truly did not start eating normally until I met my husband at the age of 30. But when something would come up those bad habits would come back.
Over the years I have gone back and forth with eating disorders and issues with food. 

                                                                
When I was older, past the age of 38, my thing was Atkins. I did Atkins to an extreme. I would not let any starches touch my lips except broccoli and romaine lettuce. I worked in a very high volume restaurant in Time Square NYC and my manager used to beg me to just eat a damn biscuit. My brain was not functioning properly and I would forget to ring things in.

Now, I am doing Weight Watchers, and it is the best way for me to eat. I am overweight but I have never ever been an over eater. Weight did not become as big of an issue until I reached 40.  I still struggle with skipping meals, even now. I did it yesterday, after work I wanted to get a workout in, and I had errands to do before dinner. So I didn’t eat anything for lunch. I try to catch myself, but sometimes old habits die hard. I am a work in progress. My best friend Melissa is always on me about this., and I am trying.

So today I am going to work on kicking my bad habits, and I am going to eat. I am also attending another Richard Simmons class, which I am extremely excited about. I love his class, and Richard works you out or else. I have a friend joining me so more photos to follow. My plan is to sustain everything I am doing for the long haul. I have my work cut out for me but I am completely motivated and inspired. Wishing everyone sunshine and smiles.

Namaste
Love and Light
Be sure to eat
Rose




SLIMMONS CLASS 7-18-13

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In the 1980’s the only colors we wore were neon, we watched General Hospital after school, sweated with Richard Simmons, and of course we wore Guess Jeans. It is so surreal to be able to take classes at Slimmons with Richard Simmons. Yesterday I went to another class, and it was fabulous. I invited a friend to come and share in the retro style aerobics class with me, but unfortunately she was held up and never made it to class. Of course I wore my signature pig tails, which tend to be a conversation starter.

I started talking to this lovely girl with a Guess headband on, and her name is Amber and she works at Guess in the Marketing department.  We got to discussing how we heard about the class etc. She and her whole marketing team from Guess came together. They were all so friendly and enthusiastic about taking Mr Simmons class.  I told her a little about myself, how I became hooked on his classes and of course I told her all about My Change For A Ten project. I also told her how I loved to wear Guess in the 1980’s.


She was so welcoming, and told me for the night I was to be an honorary Guess team member. She even gave me a read headband with the Guess logo. Now, in the 80’s Guess was all the rage. I was Guess obsessed if I do say so myself. So the retro headband was perfect and totally fitting for a Richard Simmons class, where everyone comes decked out in their best 1980’s inspired aerobic gear.

I introduced Amber and her team to Geri aka Gigi, or Grandma Gorgeous as she is known, and gorgeous at  the young age of 91 she is. She also got a red Guess headband and was one of the team for the evening. You should see Gigi dance, she is such an inspiration and a total sweetheart. 

The class started, and Richard was decked out in black with a long black wig. He played Korean pop music for the class, and it was a crowded one. I guess, hehe, that coming to his classes has become trendy. I love it. The aerobics was super energetic and fun but I must say Richard kicked my but during the mat workout. Hold planks on our elbows? Let’s just say Mr Simmons does not let leave without a proper workout. 

The class ended with Birthdays and Richard wished some of the members Happy Birthday, and he gave another inspirational talk. I am hooked through and through. I work out, sweat, laugh, cry, and I experience every emotion in between. It will be a once a week event for me, I am now a regular at Richard Simmons Slimmons class, and I love it. 

I walked over one mile home too. Boom!!


SELF LOVE LESSONS

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Happy Sunday to all. I woke up slightly sore yet totally inspired from The Richard Simmons class. He has taught people for decades to love yourself, every single ounce of yourself. I am motivated as I make my way documenting my quest to lose weight for good and make a difference in the lives of others by sponsoring a charity with every ten pounds I lose. At the age of 46 I plan to be fit and fearless.  Combining my love for others and learning to love myself is the best thing I have done in forever. I live my life with such a love and acceptance for all people and animals but I have not given myself the same respect. Loving all of myself is the hardest part, but I am making long strides on the path to self acceptance. I have followed Mr Simmons for years, I did my Mother’s videos with my sister but somewhere his beautiful message of loving yourself alluded me until now. It took having the opportunity to dance with him in his music video and taking his extremely energetic class for the message to finally make an impact on my opinion of myself. 

There are many things I have personally put off because I felt I was not thin enough to do them. What is really an eye opener for me is I followed this self destructive pattern when I was fit and thin. The first step is to love your body as is. My body is my temple and I  am accepting it and loving it and all of its flaws. This is a first for me. I am so motivated with the process of my new transformation, the ups and downs. I am changing my mind as well as my body. Someone this week asked me if posting my before photos was liberating and I shrugged at him and said no. I felt embarrassed and ashamed. I have completely changed my outlook since my Richard Simmons experience. I do feel completely liberated and inspired.  I  really am taking the E out of EGO and I truly enjoying the beginning of my personal journey. No fear, no more. Fear is my second Achilles heal behind procrastination but that has completely changed this week. 

I have always felt such a gratitude for life, love, and living. This week I add true self love to my life filled with such beautiful abundance. Love yourself as you love all creatures of the universe. After all, you are a spectacular creature yourself. You are human. Thank you Richard Simmons for inspiring me and the masses for decades. 
Namaste’ love and light.
Rose

HIGH ON RICHARD SIMMONS’ ENERGY

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I was up late last night, and my husband basically did not think I would wake up to go to the Richard Simmons exercise class. It was his 65th Birthday yesterday, and today’s class was a special one. You had to be there early to secure a place. I had promised Joanne and Susan from the video shoot that I would be there. It has been on my bucket list since I have moved to Los Angeles, and the icing on the cake was the opportunity to be in his video, but I still wanted to attend his class as well.

I woke up  completely tired and almost decided to stay home. Then I remembered a promise I made to myself, to follow through with everything I say I will do.  So I got myself ready, ate a little oatmeal and fruit and made my way to the Slimmons Studio in Beverly Hills.

The minute I arrived people were already signing in two hours in advance. I met some new lovely people and caught up with Joanne and Susan from the video shoot. The energy in the room was like nothing I have experienced, it was completely electric and Richard wasn’t even in the building yet. People mingled, the music played loud and I swore I was going to jump out of my skin. I had goosebumps.

All of a sudden  Richard Simmons enters the studio, in all of his glory dressed in orange as bright as the sun, and I think he radiates as much energy as the sun. One could bottle this feeling and make a million dollars. I can see why he is considered such an icon. He comes in, yells “Hi Everybody” and basically the room takes off like a firecracker on speed.

We did a dance aerobic routine that made me sweat bullets, and the music was fantastic. It was a mix of old and new. He played Neon Trees, my favorite. Everyone sings along as they move, and I have not had this much fun since my theater and dance days. Then comes the soul train style dancing, when he picks people to go in the middle of the room to dance with him.  He makes the men take off their shirts, and you almost feel like you are either at a strip club or a rock concert. Everyone is moving, sweating, smiling, hooting and hollering. I don’t think I have smiled or laughed that much in ages.

After the aerobics and dance portion, there was free weights and mat work. At the end of the class everyone sits up on their mat and listens to Richard’s motivational speech to wrap up the class. He basically said if something is wrong, change it. Your birthday is not your dead day, it is a birthday so get to living. 

The class ended and Mr Simmons had time for some quick photo ops and then  he was off to finish a portion of his music video. This man is 65 and he is so energetic. I was completely moved, inspired and high on life. I plan to go back, it is literally just blocks from my house.

I left with an extra pep in my step. I exchanged contact information with the wonderful new friends I encountered. I felt like I was walking on a cloud. If anyone is ever in Los Angeles I highly recommend you attend a Slimmons class in Beverly Hills. You will not be sorry. 

This was a perfect way to motivate me to continue on my quest to get to my first ten pounds the healthy fit way, while having fun in the process.  My first week of My Change For A Ten wrapped on a high note, not unlike the voice of Richard Simmons as he yells at you to get moving and sweat. 

Namaste’
Rose

RICHARD SIMMONS VIDEO

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With Richard Simmons the icon

Gigi is a long time member and about 90.

Susan, me and Joanne. 

Dancer Kelli
With Ruth

Francie,our similarities  in our paths were uncanny 

Yesterday I was in a Richard Simmons Video shoot, and it really was a ton of fun. Years ago I used to do his Sweating to the Oldies tapes with my sister, and it was so much fun and he really got you moving and totally enthusiastic. This was much of the same. The minute I headed for the doors at Slimmons Studio in Beverly Hills, Richard was arriving as well. He walked up to me, kissed both my cheeks and welcomed me. Oh, and when I told him I was a poet, he asked if I make money being a poet. He is almost like that one Sweet old Aunt everyone has that will ask you anything without censorship; but you overlook it because they are so sweet. Everyone has someone like that in their life or knows someone who does. Richard is all Richard Simmons, and he is everything and more of what you expect, most of all totally lovable and surprisingly tends to have a little bit of a potty mouth. I totally loved that about him. He was inspiring, motivating, and extremely high energy. We all wish we can have that type of energy and enthusiasm, especially at our advancing years. He definitely is a role model and I am completely in awe and definitely inspired as I make my way through this journey. 

We spent the day doing several takes of the dance sequence. It was hot, and humid, but totally fun. This was for his new music video Hair Do, which he wrote, sang, and produced. We danced for about four hours, and finally wrapped it up. It was definitely a fun workout, and the dance was very similar to what he does in his exercise videos. Nothing like dancing to get your heart pumping.

The crew was also phenomenal, and I met some really wonderful people. I made a few new friends, met some of the dancers and well as some of the ladies who have been coming to Richard Simmons Slimmons classes for years. People of all ages, and sizes. There is no type in a Richard Simmons video. The met a girl named Francie and we hit it off immediately. We had some much in common it was frightening. So afterwards we went to West Hollywood to get a bite to eat and I think we may have talked each others ears off for three hours. I love meeting new people and making new friends. It was a perfect experience to kick off my new health quest to get to my first ten pounds, so I can assist my first charity. How am I this morning? Completely inspired. I wish everyone a day filled with inspiration, love, light, and good health.
Namaste’
Rose


BEFORE PHOTOS

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Today was fantastic, and I am so tired. I am uploading the photos from the Richard Simmons Video Shoot and I will post tomorrow all about it including the photos. It was a complete blast, I met some fantastic people and of course Mr Simmons himself, and I also met my twin. More on that later too.  I have my weight loss work cut out for me, but after today I am even more motivated. The energy today was unreal. I am completely inspired. 

Until then here are two of my full body before photos. Now sleep is calling me, I will tell all about my adventure raising the roof with Mr. Simmons tomorrow. Now I am just a little brain dead. 
Namaste’
Rose