Category Archives: weight loss

WEIGH IN MONDAY

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Happy Monday to all. It’s Monday weigh in day. Today my weight is 171 Lbs. I’m 13 lbs down since beginning ww online and 18 lbs total. I’m stuck at the same weight for two weeks but that’s ok. I admit my tracking and my meals were not exactly on point last week. I realized when there’s pressure and stress sometimes I revert to bad habits, skipping meals, making a pasta dinner and overeating pasta. My cat Max had a little trip to the vet due to a health scare but he’s ok. Work of course is my main source of losing energy, but I’m working around that to stay on course for all of my goals, including the main ones of losing weight and getting fit again. Each weigh in day is a day to reset and begin anew. I’m really going to focus this week on fitness ( flexibility, cardio and workouts) and clean vegan nutrition. I’m doing Melissa Bender Fitness Workouts and yoga.  

Pretty robes and coffee for my semi morning motivation routine.

I will start posting all of what I’m doing regularly , since I’m committing to blogging daily. I do not have a laptop at the moment, so every blog will be done from my smart phone. One thing I’m doing from here on out to begin everything else is to stress a lot less. No longer will I worry about tomorrow or yesterday. I’m focusing on the present and keeping all of my thoughts positive. Thoughts become things. Eckhart Tolle is someone we listen to daily. You should check him out, very enlightening. 

Accept – then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it.

Eckhart Tolle

 

I’ve chosen this present moment. Yesterday I began changing my approach on how I’m going to travel the path to achieving all of my goals.  Tony Robbins always says if something isn’t working, change your approach. I understand great goals take greater sacrifices, so I’m going to work harder and try to be more disciplined. I’ve already started blogging daily, and I’m going to bed just a little earlier. Today I plan to begin the second phase of my fitness journey, and start really studying my American Council Of Exercise Exam, I may even call and set the date for the exam. I’m going to be volunteering and trying to help others, my first volunteer experience in Texas will be at Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary in a few weeks. I’ve put it on hold due to my husband James, he really wants to go with me. I plan to share all with each new post.

Those are my first four goals, as well as marketing my books and doing social media regularly, writing, submitting and reading more. I also have some tech goals for my blog, a website for my books and blog, etc but those tools I will worry about later. Right now I’m focusing on the work I must put in. I understand it’s been a few years since I’ve blogged regularly, and getting an audience  back may be a challenge but it’s ok, I’m doing it anyway, build it and they will come.  I came up with this quote, and I plan on living my own words. I’m definitely worth the extra effort, and so are you. Find the system that works for you, and stick to it. It may not be easy, and you may struggle. Just keep moving forward. I would love to know if you are on a Journey to your goals. Let’s do it together.

As always I wish you love, light and happiness on the road to all of your goals. There are no obstacles, no age barriers, no blocks. Only you and the decision to do whatever it takes to make your soul sing happiness.

Namaste’

Rose  

 

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.

 

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 

 

Weight Watchers Online

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Sometimes you need help and guidance. I recently started working out with my personal trainer Bethany, my best friend Melissa Benderfitness has amazing fitness and yoga videos I follow, but I was struggling with food. I finally caved in after realizing I can’t do it alone and I joined Weight Watchers Online and downloaded the app. They now call themselves WW and their latest program is called freestyle. It focuses on good nutrition but no food is outlawed.

I’m vegan but occasionally I like vegan fun foods, I can lose weight, have my vegan cake and eat it too. Portion control will help me feel in control, and I will learn to focus again on clean nutrition but not freak out if I have a little vegan treat once in a while. For me WW gives me power over food, anyone who suffers eating disorders understands the power food can have over you. I can’t live like that any longer. Today is my day two and I feel great. This program is livable and sustainable.

My  journey includes fitness. I am doing cardio five to six days a week. I’m working out with my trainer once a week, but soon as I learn what she’s teaching me I will do the workouts 2-3 times a week plus Melissa Benderfitness videos and yoga. I’m on this. I try to do my cardio outdoors when I can, there’s nothing like mobile meditation with nature as your backdrop. Below is me in May 2017 right before my Mom passed away and our move from LA to Houston.  I was in great shape, I did it once, I’m going to do it again. 

Well I’m off for now. I picked a charity for my next ten pound weight loss. I will post soon, I want to use the laptop for that so I can include all of their links. Monday I weighed in at 184.4. It’s ok, I got this. Love and Light to all. We are on this journey together, we can lift each other up as we each go about trying to reach our destinations. The journey is the reward. 

 

 

 

WEIGHT LOSS STRUGGLES

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Eating disorders are usually seen as someone who is anorexic and extremely thin, or someone who obviously struggles with bulimia. As a young adult I suffered from eating disorders, I was very thin and dr’s said I was on the verge of anorexia. As time went on my weight stabilized, and it seemed like I was free of my past struggles. I won’t get into much detail of my eating disorder past, this post is about today. 

I have been overweight a few times in my life, the last time before now was in 2013 when I started this blog. Once I got my weight under control it seemed like my obsessive guilty thoughts about food went away, until I gained half my weight back in 2017. When someone looks at someone like me, they never connect I can have an eating disorder. I’ve weighed much more and I’ve weighed much less, but no matter how much I weigh; my eating disorder past comes back when I’m vulnerable and weak, or when life throws me curveballs.

I haven’t been consistent on this blog because I go silent when I struggle.  I’m embarrassed that I’m failing and lost all I worked so hard for. I get motivated and then struggles occur, and again I go silent. I have trouble admitting it’s so hard for me this time around. I’ve been down, then I see people going through much more than me and then I feel ashamed. It’s a vicious circle and I’m desperately looking to get on a more positive path. I want to keep trying until I get it right, I think from now on I’m going to share my ups and downs, my in between and the good and the bad; my middle of my journey. Since January I lost 10 lbs, my current weight is 180. The scale won’t continue to drop until I get myself and my diet and exercise on point consistently. I’m in the gray area, a little stuck and trying to push myself back to living in a Technicolor world.

Food is such a struggle for me. Most people love a good meal, and so do I. The difference is my thoughts about food. I eat healthy most of the time, I probably don’t eat enough. I’m vegan and I eat Whole Foods and plant-based. Once in a while I make a home cooked vegan meal, like spaghetti or a holiday meal. I always overeat spaghetti even if it’s a healthy type of pasta. My husband remarks how good he feels after such a meal, I only feel guilt and disgust. This started again Easter weekend. Special meals make me feel like a failure, so I don’t post here because no one wants to read about someone on a weight loss journey who is faltering. When I eat clean I feel in control, when I eat for pleasure I feel sick after. Not all foods make me feel like this, but spaghetti and holiday meals always leave me on the opposite side of balanced. Afterwards I have trouble getting back on track.

Life has not been smooth here in Texas for the last two years, I won’t get into why but I will say things are really improving. I’m on the verge of really starting over, I just need to get over small hurdles that keep coming my way. My confidence is shot and I need to work on getting it back. I need to work on my food issues, and realized sometimes I can be an emotional eater. I need to get more consistent with all of my workouts because it’s the key to balance. I know what I need to do, I just need to start and not keep stopping. 

Here is a picture of one of my inspirations in life. A beautiful couple I knew from the gym in West Hollywood, CA. She’s a holocaust survivor who’s lived on every continent but one. Every time they saw me they remarked I should be on tv. I always remarked back I needed to lose weight. She always told me embrace your health, when one gets sick they get skinny. Be happy you are healthy. I’m going to really try to work on my health, wellness and fitness. I won’t go silent when I’m struggling. I will try to post the good, the bad and the ugly. I love life-like my friend did, and I’m going to live it as she did and forgive my shortcomings. Love and light to all. 

Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying

The Shawshank Redemption

 

 

 

WEIGH IN DAY

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Happy Monday to all. It is spring and Easter week. A time for rebirth. I weighed in this morning and I stayed at 183 lbs, which is fine for me. My food choices have been erratic and I ate vegan processed foods and skipped meals. I didn’t plan and I realized how important it is to plan going forward. 

I am beginning to do some meal prepping and I started bringing food with me to work, no more eating at midnight after work. I’m really planning on focusing on my nutrition and getting in most of Dr Greger’s Daily Dozen. I’m also keeping a food journal, I started yesterday. 

I’m starting completely over with my weight loss and my fitness journey. My past successes and past failures mean nothing to me now. I’m looking forward and my number one goal is health and fitness. I admit to feeling terrible about gaining half my weight back. My ego is bruised, I feel the f word and it doesn’t feel good. So today I begin with a healthy narrative,  only positive vocabulary. No fat shaming myself, no more feeling like a big fat ugly failure.

I’m focusing on the beauty that is life and the wonderful opportunities I have because I am alive. I’m moving forward with kindness for myself. I live with a kindness motto but I’ve been less than kind to me. Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I’m going to really try to be on this blog daily and share everything. 

This was yesterday’s food journal. My work days will look like this, for me it’s easier to keep it simple on my work days. Cooking and experimenting with recipes will be saved for days off. I plan to have one vegan cheat day ( within reason) once a week. This week my cheat day is Easter Sunday.  The food journal below was around 1,500 calories and over 60 grams of protein. I’m starting this all again, same blog since 2013 but with a vegan brand new vibe. Up next, my new fitness journey. Treat yourself kind as you begin to be healthy.

Namaste, love and Light

Breakfast:

Vegan protein bar, coffee with soy creamer and 1 tablespoon Black strap molasses.

Lunch

Smoothie with 8 oz. organic soy milk, 2 cups spinach, 1/2 cup berries, half banana, 1 tbs flax seed, 2 tbs peanut butter, 1/2 cup carrots.  Half cup of unsalted garbanzo beans.

Dinner

2 cups romaine, 1/2 cup tomatoes, 1/4 cup red onions, 1 baked potato, 1/2 cup garbanzo beans. Topped with red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon of champagne vinaigrette.

Snack

1 slice low sodium Ezekiel bread with 1 tablespoon Polaner all fruit strawberry spread.

Lots of water and fresh lemon.