Category Archives: you can do it

LOOKING BACK AND FORWARD

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mascarame

Good Morning Monday. Here is my schedule for the week. This is week 4 of the BenderFitness 12 week bikini prep workouts. I am totally sticking to it, and I feel great and motivated.

I have this app on Facebook that looks back at my memories, and at the same moment I was looking for a great and inspiring fitness quote to include in this post. My memories were two years ago when I began my weight loss blogging journey, and when I was in a Richard Simmons Video.  The quote I happened to come across is from the man himself. So today as I go forward with all of my goals, I will reflect on my beginnings two years ago when I met the man Richard Simmons, a man who really changed lives and helped people believe they can do it too. I am honored I had the opportunity to not only dance with him in his video, but to attend many of his classes before he decided to take some time off. I am always inspired by Mr. Richard Simmons as I continue on with my weight loss/fitness/philanthropic goals. I am forever grateful for the impact he has on me and so many others in the world. When he decides to teach again, I will be waiting outside Slimmons with bells on. Have a wonderful week and don’t forget to sweat!!!

What’s the secret to weight loss? People ask me this all the time. Let’s ask the weight saint himself?

Number one, like yourself. Number two, you have to eat healthy. And number three, you’ve got to squeeze your buns. That’s my formula.

Richard Simmons

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Monday: 15 Minute Home Workout

Tuesday: 3 mile run

Wednesday: 10 Minute Fat Burn

Thursday: Flab-U-Less Arms and Abs, 30 Minutes Cardio

Friday:Fitness Transformation: Workout 5, 30 Minutes Cardio

Saturday: Off 

Sunday: Mix It Up Workout, 30 Minutes Cardio

Motivation Monday

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Good Morning to all. It is another Monday. I am on the brink of some amazing things happening and I feel like I am about to take flight. Some big changes may be happening as well.  My book will be out soon and I will do a whole separate blog post to announce it. With the book release comes events to be planned, and contacting the independent book stores that agreed to carry my book. I have a small but wonderful  small  east coast press publishing my book and most of the marketing is on me. One of my poems in the book has a line, “change comes on slow than rolls you over.” That statement could not be more true for this moment and time, and I am just trying to focus on my daily goals as I wait impatiently for the change to happen. I will come out better on the other side if I continue to focus on my daily and weekly goals. Large goals cannot be obtained without the daily little goals you set for yourself.

 Robert Frost once said, “The best way out is through” 

So here I am, week three of my Melissa Bender Fitness Bikini Prep workouts and challenge. It is Monday and I am motivated. I am taking it day by day, and week by week. I had a cheat day over the weekend and I realized there was a reason why I rarely had cheat days. They just do not make me feel good. I would rather use a few of my extra points and count in a mini treat than have a day that makes me feel ill and cheats my goals. That is just me. I hope you are chasing down your goals and living in the moment.

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Here is the breakdown of my weeks schedule of workouts, again tailored for my Monday-Friday Schedule. You can find these workouts a www.benderfitness.com and I am on week three, month one of the 12 weeks. My weight is still stuck in the 160’s but I will get to the 150’s as I focus on fitness, strength and health; and I plan to share a home yoga schedule soon. Happy Monday to all and remember to love the body you are in as you focus on the body you want. You only get one so love it as you love others and it will love you back. 

Namaste’

Rose

 

Day 15: Monday Full Body Home Workout, 30 Minute Cardio

Day 16: Tuesday Home Workout For a Tight Body

Day 17: Wednesday  Improve Your Rear View Workout 30 Minutes Cardio

Day 18: Thursday Fitness Transformation: Workout 4, 30 Minutes Cardio

Day 19: Friday 30 Minutes Cardio

Day 23: Saturday Off

Day 22:Sunday  Full Body Shaping Home Workout

 

 

EASY VEGETABLE LEAN BEEF SOUP

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Happy Saturday, he is a post and favorite recipe from 2013.  Today was a laid back Caturday, with a simple soup and a trip to our local Trader Joe’s in Millbrae CA. I sampled their new Vegan Gluten Free Brownie Crisp, and just 100 calories for three crisps. Just what I need when I feel a chocolate craving coming on. I know how to portion control and limit my treats, but it is ok to splurge now and then and work it into my program. Nicole from Trader Joe’s was the sweetest and her kindness reminded me of the Trader Joe’s of West Hollywood.  She is also a weight loss inspiration since she just lost 35 lbs. Congrats to Nicole and everyone making it happen.  For you naysayers out there, it can be done. You can do it.  It just takes a little hard work and a can do attitude. I did this recipe as is, but I chose to pass on the potatoes for tonight’s soup and added mixed bell peppers instead. I hope you like my easy one pot vegetable lean beef soup recipe from 2013.
Manga’ love and light.
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My Mother in Law Julie Bailey used to make us the best homemade Vegetable Beef Soup. When I would visit on a cold January day she would whip up this one pot wonder, and serve it with some warmed crusty Italian bread. Comfort food at it’s finest. My recipe is inspired by my dear Mother in Law, but with a healthy My Change For A Ten twist, with the help of Trader Joe’s here in West Hollywood CA.
 
I am just a little obsessed with Trader Joe’s, particularly my neighborhood Trader Joe’s. The staff is the best you will ever find anywhere, always there to help and say hello to you by name. It makes me feel like I live in this little idyllic town. When my cat passed away last January one of the amazing staff members gave me a Dragon Plant, which means healing. I actually look forward to reading the famous Flyer, it is so witty and I have to admit I buy into the cute advertisements.
 
This recipe is so easy and delicious. I skip the warmed loaf of bread but that would be a delicious addition to this one pot meal.
 
~You will need~
 
Three tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
One Mirepoix mix of Chopped celery, carrots, and onions
One package diced onions, garlic, and shallots
6 diced red skin potatoes
One small package of extra lean stew meat
Trader Joe’s frozen organic foursome or any frozen mixed vegetables
1 large can diced tomatoes
Half package Crimini mushrooms
1 beef broth carton
1 low sodium vegetable broth carton
Basil, sea salt, ground pepper to taste
A dash of crushed red pepper (optional for heat)
 
Add olive oil to large pot and turn on flame to medium
Saute’ shallots, onions, and garlic
Add Mirepoix mix or diced celery, additional diced onions, and diced carrots
After the vegetables cook for a few minutes and become transparent
Add cubes of meat, chopped into smaller pieces
Brown meat
Add 1 can tomatoes
Half packet Crimini Mushrooms
1 package organic foursome or frozen vegetable packet
6 diced raw red skin potatoes
1 carton low sodium vegetable broth
1 carton beef broth
 
Mix thoroughly and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes to one hour.
Let cool a little and enjoy with oyster crackers, which are not high calorie if you watch your portion.
This soup is so easy.
 
I absolutely loved this soup, it is a new staple in our home.
I always listen to Big Band music when I cook, especially The Andrew Sisters. I can almost imagine I am cooking dinner for my honey in a small but cozy flat in Manhattan or Los Angeles in the 1940’s.
 
After all, a little Rum and Coca Cola never hurt anyone.
 
 

WEIGHT WATCHERS ONLINE

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I remember when I began this journey, my weigh ins were on Tuesday. I decided picking Tuesday as a weigh in was a great way to stay on track over the weekend. I also did Weight Watchers in the beginning, but I found with my schedule and my workouts it was hard for me to make it to meetings. Flash forward to today, I decided now that I have an iphone doing Weight Watchers online with the app was the way to get my weight to goal. I can keep track at the touch of my fingertips. For me food is always an issue, not eating too much or the wrong things but just skipping it completely and drinking a shake. Food was a chore.When I went out of town a few weeks ago I went on a little binge and actually gained 11 lbs and I realized that is a slippery slope.

This week I begin my third week of Weight Watchers Online with the WW app and I am loving it. I track everything that I eat and drink. The first week I lost 5 lbs and this week I lost 2 lbs with a total of 7 lbs since I signed up two weeks ago. My current weight is 169 lbs, up 4 lbs from my lowest weight. I gained a couple pounds when I went out of town and now I am tacking those pesky pounds with four more to go to get to where I was. Once I am at 165 lbs I am picking a charity and moving on to the My Change For a Ten format, getting myself to 155 lbs.

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I am also working out and running with Melissa Bender Fitness as my guide, my intention is to become strong, flexible, and be able to tackle all of my fitness bucket list items.

Through this slippery slope of change I am landing on my feet. Love and Light to all and keep on keeping on.

Namaste’

Rosebf

 

 

HEALTHY VEGETABLE SOUP

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I just entered week two of my newest journey since I started this blog two years ago. I joined Weight Watchers Online last Tuesday to lose the eleven pounds I gained when I was away the fourth of July weekend, and to break my plateau. How did I gain that much weight in three days? Welcome to my struggle. If you do not know I lose weight slowly, and that may be do to an adrenal tumor and too much Cortisol. I work very hard, but for me slipping up causes havoc on my body. That is why I rarely do it. I lost over 50 lbs on my own and now I feel I need the help of Weight Watchers to help me keep track of my food and help to get the scale moving again. That with my running, yoga, and Melissa Bender Fitness workouts and guidance I should be able to take this to another level. I slip up a little, and the scale moves forward a lot. I have no room for error it seems. I sometimes feel like I have the worst metabolism ever, but I challenge it and come out fighting. I never give up and this will not happen again. Weight Watchers will help me to not make that mistake again, it is not extreme and easy to stay on track. I am afraid I was getting to obsessive with food and I ended up on a holiday weekend splurge as the result of eating too little.vegsoup

Today I am happy to report I lost five of those eleven pounds with six more pounds to get to what I call my fighting weight. I am now 171 lbs.  After I get back to 165, I plan on picking a charity and losing the next ten pounds and getting to 155. I will never have a three day cheat day again, it really did me in. Moving forward,  I am excited and motivated and enjoying my Weight Watchers Online experience. The WW app makes it a game changer for me with my new smart phone. I got  this. My final goal is around 135 lbs.

This was my dinner last night, and it was Fabulous.

This recipe is a combination of all the soups I make, and Weight Watchers zero points vegetable soup. I have formatted it how I like all of my soups. I took my recipes and their Weight Watchers Vegetable soup and came up with this. You can be really creative and use any fresh or frozen vegetables you have on hand. You can even add legumes if you want it to be a bit heartier. This is your soup, make it as you please and it will please everyone who eats it. It really was a fantastic Meatless Monday dinner. My version has 1 point because I choose to use oil in my soups, if you beans 1 cup would be 3 points.

1 oz of Parmesan cheese would add 3 points, as would one oz or Soy Faux Parmesan cheese.

Manga’

HEALTHY VEGETABLE SOUP

  •   4 cloves garlic, minced   
  •   2 medium uncooked carrots, diced   
  •   2 cups green beans, fresh 
  •   2 cup(s) (shredded) uncooked savoy cabbage, or other variety, shredded   
  •   1 cup diced zucchini
  •   1 medium uncooked onions, diced  
  •   half cup uncooked celery, diced   
  •   2 tsp fresh basil, chopped   
  •   2 cartons reduced sodium vegetable broth   
  •   1 large can diced tomatoes
  •    1 can tomato paste
  •   2 Tbsp fresh parsley, or chives, fresh, chopped
  •   1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste    1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste  
  •   1 can legumes of your choice, low sodium. (optional)

 

  • Instructions

Saute’ onions, carrots and celery in 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil until clear, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute’ 2 more minutes. Add tomato paste and stir. Add 2 cartons vegetable broth and 1 can of tomatoes, and all vegetables and seasonings, and simmer for 30 minutes.

This is super easy, and if you like you can add a can of beans, low sodium of course. I used great northern beans and added it after 20 minutes. A little sprinkle of Parmesan cheese really makes this feel like a decadent Italian soup.

Manga’

Rose

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

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This month is my two-year anniversary of this blog, and I feel I have been a success with losing and keeping off over 50 lbs yet I also feel I have only scratched the surface. I have a lot of goals and projects in the works as I type this. My plan is to take everything to another level, but I admit moving nine months ago from LA to the San Francisco Bay Area shook up my world and my plans.

With a blog comes a sense of transparency, yet I have kept some of my issues and worries to myself and have not been public with a lot of the things that have been bothering me.  I have chosen to stay silent with the negative aspects of my life. We all have things happen to us, that is life. It is how we choose to deal with these events that shows our true character and spirit.

We moved, and with a big move you would expect there to be unpacking, and that knowing feeling that there is a permanency with the move. Hanging the photos and getting excited about your new home and space. Well around February we found out that our landlord was selling our condo we rent, the condo we moved into with hopes of starting over. All of a sudden home was not a home, and there was that fear that we would have to move again. In hindsight, I almost wished we would have picked another place to live. Realtors, showings, the uncertainty of our living future took over our day to day life. 

It seems the unit was sold to an investor, and it is looking like we can stay yet I do not hold my breath. I am, however going to try to move forward and let the whole situation be. Like they say, whatever will be, will be. With that thought process I have decided I would like to turn my patio into a yoga space. I am looking for ideas and I plan to make it a place where I can practice at home, as well as spend time reading or drinking coffee. It has been nine months and I am ready to make a home.

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We have not decided yet if living in the San Francisco Bay Area is for us in the long run, but for now I plan to make the best of it. Exploring all of the majestic beauty this part of California has to offer. Life is short and I refuse to let problems define me or my goals. Time to shine with the NorCal sun.

Namaste’

Rose

 

COLD BROWN RICE SALAD

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I believe we are all on a journey, for me it has been a phenomenal ride and I am loving every minute of it. Life is a journey and I love life. I believe if life hands us lemons, we can make lemon cookies and share with those around us. Love, life, and food should be shared. We are on this journey together.

JOURNEY

People often talk to me about their weight problems, and I always explain it is just weight. Weight is not permanent, as soon as we gain it we can lose it. We just have to put the effort in and be consistent in our weight loss efforts. A week of strict dieting all week and eating everything in sight come Saturday would have never worked for me. For me it is slow and steady, after all I have all the time in the world. Three, six, nine months will pass. I would rather go about my goals the healthy way than look for a get skinny quick scheme.  Exercise, including my yoga and running paired with a healthy diet wins the race in the long run. Fifty pounds down, and now ready to tackle my plateau with the next phase of my journey. With that comes with some new experimentation in the kitchen. I tend to skip meals, and that just slows your weight loss efforts.

Here is my Cold Brown Rice Salad. It is perfect for any occasion. You can pack it and take it on a summer picnic. Your vegan friends can eat it. It is gluten free and oh so delicious. I paired it with baked chicken over spinach and field greens. I have learned food is not the enemy. Food nourishes our body and soul, and gives us the fuel to do the things we love to do. Here is my recipe which I derived from a dish my roommate Rachel made for me back in Cleveland, Ohio. It was just as delicious as it was then, especially since it was made just for me from a beloved friend. So now I share it with you, food was meant to be shared with love. I made this in bulk so we could have some for days, and of course I offered some to my lovely neighbor. Continuing the tradition that food must be shared.

Namaste’

Rose

 

COLD BROWN RICE SALAD

2 PACKETS SAFEWAY BROWN RICE/WILD RICE WITH QUINOA

1 CAN LOW SODIUM BLACK BEANS

1 CAN NO SALT CORN

2 ROMA TOMATOES CHOPPED FINE

1 RED ONION CHOPPED FINE

1 CUP GREEN BEANS (STEAMED AND FLASHED IN COLD WATER)

BALSAMIC DRESSING (RECIPE TO FOLLOW)

I used microwave rice, it is pure and has only three ingredients. Brown, wild rice with Quinoa. I am all about convenience but you could use 4 cups of a mixture of brown/wild rice and quinoa.

1. Follow instructions and microwave one packet at a time.

2. Add rice mixtures to a large bowl. 

3. Add chopped raw onion, chopped tomatoes, 1 can corn, 1 can black beans, 1 cup green beans and mix.

4. Add half cup of balsamic dressing and chill salad. You could eat this warm or cold but I prefer cold. Over mixed greens with baked chicken was delicious and so healthy.

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HOMEMADE BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

1 1/2 Balsamic vinegar

1 cup olive oil

2 Tablespoons chopped garlic

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

Combine and blend and you have a perfect dressing, no sodium and not processed. 

 

 

 

 

IN FLIGHT

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When I lived in Connecticut I had a manager where I worked, he told me I was a butterfly and I needed to slow down and stay put. It is obvious that I have not headed that advice because since then I have done anything but slow down. I have lived in so many interesting places, never slowing down. NYC, LA, now the San Francisco Bay Area. These places have shaped me, my writing, and my whole world. Of course it is my partner in life and husband James who has made all of this possible, that never goes unnoticed.

I have been so  overwhelmed with a lot of things in my life, good things but even so a bit overwhelmed. I have slacked off on my daily posts on this blog and that is going to change right this minute. My book Camellia in Snow is in the process of being completed thanks to FinnLady Press back east, and there are details that have been a little all consuming. Now I am going to make the time for both my loves, my blog and my book. They are not one in the same but in a way they are, they are the essence of my being. Without this blog and my weight loss my confidence would have never returned. I had the chance to have my poetry book published back in 2010 and I passed because of my move to Los Angeles. I had a second chance in 2013 and I passed again when I saw my photo from the open mic. I just had lost all confidence and I needed to find myself again. 

Here I find myself, in 2015 and 50 lbs lighter with a lot of help from my friends and mentors in life. My friends are my teachers and I am eternally grateful.  I am a former dancer who hated running, and now I absolutely love it. I am a fitness buff and ambassador to Melissa Bender Fitness and clean eater. I love my blog which combines weight loss/fitness with philanthropy and I am looking into ways to make it grow and do a lot more good in the communities I live in, now and moving forward. I am planning all kinds of fitness milestones like surfing and running the Golden Gate Bridge, this time four or five times. All of this with my first poetry book coming out in a few months, along with book events to do locally and in LA and back in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. I still also play waitress in the evenings. Yes, I have been busy but I would not have it any other way. My motto is you can do anything at any age as long as you believe. All you need is a strong desire and belief in yourself, and maybe a little morning coffee. You deserve everything you dream of and more. Namaste’ Love and Light to all. 

Rose

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Rose Bruno Bailey Sky Above Me Earth Below Me

Flying High

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Yesterday was day one of Melissa Bender Fitness Bikini prep workouts — it was challenging but in the best way, and I completed all three rounds.

I had to modify the jump plank because of my injured toe so I chose to just regular plank instead.  I also went running outdoors for 30 minutes in the cold, but that fabulous full moon and my music made it all worth while. Nothing like stargazing to remind you we are just traces of tinsel in a vast glittering universe.

I have so much work to do to be ready to fly in three months on the flying trapeze. I admit my dream of taking a trapeze class is a little intimidating, but I am up for the challenge. I have seen the videos and imagined myself suspended in mid air dangling high above the ground with just a net to catch my fall. Exciting and liberating, this is truly going to be a high moment for 2015.

Here’s where we’ll be taking the trapeze class.

This is how I imagine it will feel to fly, terrifying and
​exhilarating at the same time. It is like a metaphor for love.

WINGED  GURU

My tortured soul surrenders

My resistant body to a fated flight.

Melancholic melodies of my history,

Caught between memory and reality.

My fickle heartbeat dangles,

Caught in tangled cobwebs

Of here, then and now;  and then.

Escape to the rhythm of lyrical suspense,

Suspended aimlessly without a whim;

Midair swan dive maneuvering

Into the embrace of silken arms;

Whirling together, abandoning myself.

Hanging in the imbalance between

Rhapsody and heartbreak.

(c) Rose Bruno Bailey

Love and Light to all and keep dreaming

Link

I announced yesterday that I am a fitness ambassador for MelissaBenderFitness and I begin my workouts on Monday the 5th of January.  I am doing her three month Bikini Competition Prep workouts that she used before she competed and placed in a bikini competition.  I have three goals I am working towards in the next three months. To finish the three month workout plan and to become strong enough to take trapeze classes, and to develop my home yoga practice supplemented with studio time. I will also be choosing a charity to assist as well.

I am also going to be following how she eats, yet gearing it for me and my own personal tastes and lifestyle. It is very similar to how I normally eat, and the way I ate to lose my first 45 lbs. 

Here is the link to her grocery list. My husband and I went shopping and bought food for weeks, which will help me be consistent and not have to run to the grocery store every day like I did when we lived in West Hollywood. The lifestyle if different here in San Francisco than it was in  LA so I must plan ahead to be successful.

I am truly excited for the beginning the workouts, and getting ready and strong enough to take Trapeze Classes as well as developing my yoga practice.  Beginning the new year on a right note.

Love and Light 

Namaste’

Rose

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Melissa Bender’s Grocery List