Category Archives: weight loss blog

WEIGH IN MONDAY

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Happy Monday to all. Today is my weigh in day, and I stayed the exact same at 173 lbs. Actually last week I weighed 173.4, so technically it’s a loss. I don’t know what happened, but last week I went over my points and my extra weeklies. That doesn’t mean higher calorie, some foods have higher points because of fats and carbs. On the new WW program there are a lot of free foods, lean proteins, fruits, veggies, and vegan proteins like beans and tofu.  This week I will try to eat a little fewer points by focusing more on beans, tofu and fruits and veggies. Tonight I’m making whole wheat angel hair and a low point Eggplant  Parmigiana with tofu. If it turns out I will post my recipe. I make a killer vegan Bolognese and marinara.

My hubby James has to work the next few Mondays, but in August we plan to go to Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary as soon as he has a free Monday again.  We are both so excited. The next few weeks will be busy because we have a lot of work. After the first week of August we will be caught up on things, and we can then take the time to go volunteer. It’s something I plan to do on the regular, working with the animals.  We are really working on positive mindset and believing we can accomplish any goal we set our hearts to. 

Going forward on my blog I’m working on time management. I work a lot, and I’m having a little difficulty working on the things I love to do, with my job which is time-consuming and exhausting. I’m grateful for my job and the lovely people I get to work with, but if I’m going to make my goals a reality I need to wake up earlier and have a full day before work. My job is my reality now, so if I want to make things happen I must adjust my morning routine, and wake up a lot earlier. Discipline in the a.m. is something I’m really lacking. 

Here are some things I need to work on. I got the food down, I’m losing weight. I admit though, my fitness routine has been very spotty. I need to incorporate my routine daily. I also have to work on my study time for my American Council of Exercise group exercise certification. I also plan to start blogging more often. Since I’ve started blogging again my weekly posts are consistent, and I’m losing, but I can do so much more. My plan is to share what is working on this second journey of mine, and also get some technical help to make my blog more user-friendly. Down the line I plan to start a YouTube channel. I have one but it’s really not something I’ve ever worked on, and it kind of really sucks. I will relaunch it when I’m ready. To round out my goals, more writing, more submitting writing and maybe looking into some marketing for my first book Camellia in Snow. I also think maybe posting about some things I do to say youthful inside and out may be fun. I will work on my goals, but that means going to bed earlier, sleep is non negotiable for me. I like to shoot for 7-9 hours of sleep nightly. 

I am off for now, drinking my water mixed with coconut water. It really wakes my system up. What goals are you working on? Do you let obstacles get in your way? Do you have a morning routine?

Today I’m writing in my pretty Paris Notebook, all the things small and grand I dream of. Life is beautiful, and dreams are worth dreaming big. It doesn’t matter how old you are, or how much you weigh, or how much money you have. Dreams start in the form of your thoughts. Thoughts become ideas, ideas begin action, and your active involvement in making your thoughts into reality turns into you working on your dream life. It’s like magic. Magic thoughts, make it happen. I plan to. Let’s do this. Love and Light, Rose.

 

WEIGH IN MONDAY

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Happy Monday to all. It’s rainy here, but rainy days and Mondays do not get me down. I’ve chosen happiness and I’m going forth with joy and kindness for myself and others.  I lost another pound. Cue my happy, coffee drinking  post weigh in dance. I’m currently 173 lbs. I’m down 11 lbs since I began WW. It’s slow and steady and I feel in control, so it’s perfect to me. I already feel lighter. I’m tweaking my fitness and I’m working with my number one fitness guru Melissa from Melissa Bender Fitness. I’m going back to what has worked in the past. Working on cardio, flexibility and strength.

As I settle into my fitness routine I will post more. I’m losing weight and baking vegan healthy cookies, for myself and others around me. I’m sharing kindness and joy, no longer wallowing in my weight. I ate pasta and tator tots last week, but the difference is I watched my portion control, I tracked everything, and most of my meals are clean and healthy. Saturday night after work my hubby made me veggie burgers and tator tots, such a treat. I skipped the bun! It’s little tweaks here and there that make a difference in your weight loss journey. I never binge anymore, everything is counted. WW sent me my ten pound charm, how cool is that? 

This weekend we have to buy work boots for our visit to Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary. I plan to be a regular there if they will have me. My life has its troubles and giving back helps me through the struggles. We all have them, it’s how we get through them that defines us. I started this blog in 2013 with intentions to lose weight and help a charity with each ten pounds I lost. I never dreamed I would gain half my weight back, but I’m so happy to be here doing what I’m doing today. The weight gain and restarting my weight loss is part of my life journey, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m learning so much about myself and growing. That’s a beautiful thing. I realized my success didn’t define me, my kindness defines me. Now I do what I do for my health and my goals, and if I end up looking better great. I’m in it to make a difference and that’s my motivation. 

Thunderstorms today and I love it. As much as I have missed the California sun, I really have grown to appreciate Texas weather. My motto going forward is to Bloom where I am planted. Make a difference in my own backyard. I’ve been baking vegan cookies and they are such a hit, I’m using the money for carrots and apples for the horses. Happy Brand new week. Namaste. Rose 

 

 

 

 

WEIGH IN MONDAY

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Happy Monday to all, I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. It’s weigh in Monday again. Losing weight is all about habits and patterns. Food is something you cannot avoid, you cannot go cold turkey and stop eating. You must learn to retrain your mind and learn healthy ways to fuel your body. In many ways it’s hard work, day after day, especially during holidays when food is the main focus.

I try to take it one meal at a time, and one workout at a time, each week making tweaks to my diet plan. I say diet but really it’s a lifestyle.  WW Online really works for me, using the app to stay accountable and keep track of my points. I did pretty well on the 4th and stayed within my points, even though I ate a little more processed foods than usual. It was a holiday and I worked the WW program around the holiday, and I believe I was successful, my weight stayed the same at 174 lbs. Gone are the all or nothing days. I’m working on my whole life happiness makeover. For me it begins with weight loss, health, fitness and balance. This is the one thing that I do that shows me I can do everything I dream of. It begins with good health. I’m a goalgetter and it begins with this journey I’m on. I am officially down 10.4 since beginning WW online and 15 lbs since November 2018. 

I will be beginning my volunteering at Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary this month. We need to purchase work boots. I’m so excited to meet the animals. The one thing now and when I started this blog that got me losing weight was picking charities and non-profits go help. Giving back as I lose weight is the best motivation. It truly humbles me and takes my weight loss journey in a different direction, less about my appearance and more about my health; mind/body/spirit health. When you give back, you get so much in return.

Happy Monday to all, keep working and moving forward. Every day you wake up it’s a brand new beginning. Love and Light. Rose 

 

 

 

I LOST TEN POUNDS

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Happy Monday to all. It’s July, and I love this month. Everything is warm and happy, it’s the best of the summer. I’m starting to really focus on all aspects of my life, and I plan to post more on here what I’m doing to live my best life, and to give back to others and animals. First things first, I lost ten pounds. 

This is the first time I have lost any significant weight in two years. For new readers I slipped back when we moved to Texas from Los Angeles, after losing my Mom and our cat Rascal. It took me a bit to get back to feeling like myself and I believe I am on my way. 

I really enjoy using the WW app to track my points. I have tracked no matter what, it’s important to stay accountable. Another motivational moment for me is when I committed myself to volunteering at Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary. They are my first ten pound weight loss charity, and I truly hope to volunteer with them on the regular. I can’t wait to meet the horses and wonderful humans that care for them. Much gratitude to Donna at the sanctuary.  I’m coming for you 20 lbs and a brand new charity, but my intention is to volunteer with the animals long after I pick my next charities. 

My day starts later since I work nights. So right now I’m having coffee as I blog, and after I’m writing down my short-term intentions, and my long-term goals. Some of my long-term goals may seem crazy, but I’m writing them down. Today begins my 30 day yoga challenge with Melissa Bender Fitness, so after I’m done writing I’m stepping on the mat. I will begin with gratitude in the moment, and stay present and grounded. Lots of positive changes are happening, and it all begins first in positive thoughts. 

Follow the 30 day yoga challenge, here is the link to what I’m doing. Melissa is my best friend and also I look up to her as a mentor too. Love and light and reach for the stars. Rose http://www.benderfitness.com/2016/10/daily-yoga-challenge-10-sun-salutations.html

WEIGH IN MONDAY

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Happy Monday. It’s weigh in Monday and my weight stayed the same, holding steady at 175 lbs. I’m really proud that I’ve lost 9.4 since starting WW online. I’m almost at the 10 lbs mark, and I’m really looking forward to visiting Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary. Putting my emphasis on something else really helps me stay accountable, and it works. My hubby James wants to go with me, he’s really interested in giving back. 

Speaking of James, I was sick all last week and now I got him sick. Both of us are taking a rest   in fitness until we feel better. Sometimes rest is so important, as is learning to listen to your body. My weight loss goals are coming along and soon my fitness goals will follow. This is a lifestyle change not a fad fix. If your body is enervated you need to rest and recover. 

This post is short and sweet, I’m happy to be losing again and I really love using the WW app. Tracking and staying within my points is really making a difference. I fit into a few size 12 clothing items I had in storage. It feels so great to be losing again and feeling comfortable in my own skin. I find myself watching fashion videos on YouTube. My interest in fashion has returned with my new-found weight loss. It’s important to always have something nice to wear no matter what weight loss stage you are in. No more skipping functions with the excuse of nothing to wear. After all, you have to live. 

Have a wonderful beginning to a brand new week. I’m still not 100% so I may just chill and Netflix, or in truth watch Turner Classic Movies.  Love and light and keep chasing your goals.  Rose

WEIGHT LOSS UPDATE

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Happy Monday to all. Today is my weigh in day and I’m almost at the ten pound mark. I lost two pounds today, and my weight is officially 175 lbs. Soon I will be making arrangements to volunteer at Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary, most likely in July. I’m so excited to meet the animals and do anything to help this wonderful organization. 

This post is short and sweet, I’m under the weather with bad allergies and my energy is not 100%. My throat was hurting for days and my voice is really scratchy and rough. Today and tomorrow I’m laying low with workouts until I’m feeling better. Happy Monday and keep moving forward towards your goals. 

WEIGH IN MONDAY

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Today begins my 4th week on WW. I’ve lost a total of 7 lbs but this week I stayed at the exact weight, no gains or losses. I now weigh 177 lbs.

Why didn’t I lose this week? There could be several reasons and none at all. To be honest I’m happy it’s not a gain, sometimes the scale will creep back up a pound or two when you know you did everything right. 

So instead of obsessing what I did wrong, I will begin this week with what I call WW weight loss lessons. One major WW weight loss lesson is to check points before you buy a seemingly innocent treat, and keep treats to a minimum for that matter. Vegan pizza and vegan frozen bars are a lot more points than they are worth. Pizza is great, but for me not this early in my weight loss game. I’m really going to try to eat zero point foods more, and watch my sodium content. Any vegan fun foods I will only eat in my days off and within reason. Wednesday through Sunday it’s pure clean vegan Whole Foods and plant-based eating. I did good but I can do even better.

I am really going to focus on my fitness as I get my food in order. I’m focusing on wellness, health, flexibility, strength and feeling good. I’m fueling my body so I can achieve my fitness goals. 

To wrap up I’m proud to be back in the 170’s, I’m looking forward to going to Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary as my first ten pound weight loss commitment. There is no failure, only new beginnings to get it right. Dream big in all you do. The future is a vast ocean of possibilities. Love and Light. Rose 

 

NSV’s

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I’m sitting in our courtyard waiting for my husband James. I’m so excited, we are going to see the film Rocket Man. We really loved Bohemian Rhapsody, and since we are such Elton John fans I’m sure we will love this film. Elton John is one of my favorites, and as a poet/writer I love lyricist Bernie Taupin. I often wish I can meet a musician so my words can become lyrics. 

As I sit here with my feet up, listening  to the mesmerizing sound of the fountain, I am so grateful to be back on my health journey. Yesterday I received my WW 5 lb key chain, and as I sit here in a tee shirt and jeans that I haven’t worn in over a year, I’m grateful for nsv’s ( non scale victories). 

NSV’s are the little moments that keep you going on a weight loss journey. Fitting into clothes you haven’t worn in forever, stepping away from late night cravings or second helpings you do not really need. For me, eating fruit instead of a vegan ice cream bar is a nsv, especially when I used up all of my daily points.

NSV’s are those simple yet wonderful achievements that keep you going. They set the tone of your wellness journey. They do not take the stage in dramatic fashion like before and after photos. They quietly cheer you on, and they are just as important to your weight loss quest as getting to your goal. They are the pebbles that line your path. Celebrate them, and cheer yourself on. You are doing a fantastic thing for yourself. What a victory that is. Congratulations on your simple and grand moments, and live in joy today. Love and Light. Rose 

 

 

HENRY’S HOME AND HORSE SANCTUARY

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Happy Tuesday to all. I weighed in yesterday and lost 1 lb, my weight is now 178 lbs. I’m on my fitness journey, and I’m tracking on my WW app every day. I feel this time I got this. I’m officially on a brand new weight loss journey, and the scale is slowly moving again.

When I began my first weight loss journey my goal was to help a new charity with each ten pounds, and I was successful at my weight loss because I focused on my accountability to the charities I chose. I also focused on being disciplined with my food and fitness, and my fitness goals, but giving back was my main motivation. I believe being of service is my reason I’m here. I’m a work in progress though, I wish to do so much more. 

As anyone who knows me well, I love to help others, humans and animals. There’s a list on the various charities I assisted previously on my sidebar. 

My first charity for my second round is a charity that has touched my heart. I started following their Facebook page after Hurricane Harvey. They are a beautiful Horse Sanctuary named  Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary. I’m just so moved by all they do, for animals and humans.

My plan is to volunteer after I lose my first ten pounds, and my trainer Bethany is accompanying me. I’m really looking forward to meeting the animals and helping any way I can. I couldn’t be more honored and humbled to visit the sanctuary and give back a little.

Below is information on Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary plus links. You can find them on Instagram @henryshome. I find when you give a little you receive so much more in return. I also believe there is nothing better than helping others when you are in a crisis, it helps you heal. I’m healing and growing. Love and Light to all. Rose 

Their Programs with links below

  1. Horse Sanctuary Program: We provide a permanent home for horses and other farm animals who have been through neglect or starvation, or are surrendered to prevent going to auction/slaughter.
  2. Herdmate [Volunteer] Program: We are a simple, loving and nurturing family who pitch in to care for our sanctuary grounds and our four-footed members, as well as this nonprofit business.
  3. Horses & Heroes R&R Program: We provide a variety of Riding & Recreation opportunities for veterans and first responders, and their immediate family members, always at no cost to them.
  4. Horses & Heroes Equine Therapy Program: We provide confidential equine assisted psychotherapy for veterans and first responders, and their immediate family members, always at no cost to them.

Contact Henry’s Home

For General Questions or to schedule a visit or a volunteer orientation:

Donna Stedman
Phone: 281-292-1110
Email:[email protected]

Mailing Address: 5 Alladdin Lane, The Woodlands, TX  77380

Sanctuary Location:
Camp Strake Rd, Grand Central Park,
Conroe, TX 77304

https://www.facebook.com/henryshomehorseandhumansanctuary/

http://henryshomehorsesanctuary.org/contact-us/

 

 

 

 

 

WW Weigh In Week One

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Happy Monday to all. Today is my first WW weigh in, and I lost 5.4 lbs. I went from 184.4 lbs to 179 lbs. Some of this may be water weight, because now that I’m doing WW online I’m also eating cleaner which means less sodium. I’m being very consistent with my meals and I’m actually eating more frequently. I track every bite. I snack, I track, I bite, I write; well I type it on my app but you get my little rhyme.

I no longer fear food and obsess over a little olive oil. I have control over food, it doesn’t have control over me. I’m enjoying eating, I’m having my 1 teaspoon of raw sugar in my coffee every morning without worrying. As a vegan I’m already limited, so trying to cut other certain foods out 100% just made me crazy. I now practice my own version of moderation when it comes to sugar, salt, oils, and faux vegan meats and cheeses. I don’t cut them out 100% but I may have them here and there, and that’s ok. Tracking gives me back my sanity over food. My work meals are simple and plain, and that works for my lifestyle. I feel the first week of any weight loss and fitness journey sets the tone, and I’m starting strong. 

I picked what charity I would like to assist when I lose my first ten pounds and I will post that in a separate post. My trainer Bethany plans on joining me. We workout tomorrow, and today I’m doing 30 minutes of cardio and a workout. I believe today’s workout is focusing on shoulders and back. 

Are you on a wellness/weight loss or fitness journey? Did it take you forever to start? I congratulate everyone who is beginning a brand new path to heath.  Let’s do this together. 

Love and Light 

Rose