Here are the Bender Fitness videos we filmed in the Bay Area

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Hey guys,

Sorry for the delay in posting this week. As you know if you read my last couple of posts, my friend Melissa Bender and my other friend Nicole were out in the Bay Area (where I currently live) last week. We essentially had a one-week fitness-focused boot camp. My big takeaway was learning to love running (which I normally hate). I can now run about 3 miles without stopping to walk (intense for me) and I can do it without music (right now, I like to focus on my breathing and pacing).

We filmed a bunch of videos while Melissa and Nicole were in the Bay Area, and those are below; you can find them all at the Bender Fitness YouTube channel as well. I hope you enjoy. Oh, and hey — I struggle in a few of these (LOL), but remember I often ran right before filming them. We’re all human, right?

I’ll be posting some workout plans, recipes, and potential 5K plans in the coming weeks. I hope you keep coming back!

Love and light.

Namaste,

Rose

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5 Things BenderFitness taught me about running

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1. Pace yourself, and start slow. I used to fear running even though I did a 10K last year. It was such a proud moment for me but I had to stop and walk/run. I never fully embraced running like I am now. I want to keep going and see how far I can go. Run a marathon someday? Why not. It is all in the pace.
2. Listen to your breath and turn off the tunes. Ok this was a hard one for me and I resisted. I am a dancer and I love my music, It motivates me. Now I find I am motivated by running for the sake of running, not drowning out the sensations with music. There will be a time when I become a seasoned runner when I can listen to music as I run, but for now I run and listen to my breath.
3. Keep Moving, sounds so simple and so difficult, but honestly if you just keep moving you can do it.
4.Dress for the weather, and have on layers that can come off if you get hot. Here in the Bay Area it can feel cold with the wind but as you get moving you become warm.
5. Start with a small race. I am signing up for a 5K in a few months. I can already run over 3 miles and I will definitely be ready. Once I have a few under my belt I will graduate to a 10K and then maybe a half marathon.
I am really loving running now, and I am so grateful she taught me how to run the correct way. Now I feel like the sky’s the limit. I also discovered after I run I have this incredible zen like euphoria that relaxed my whole mind and body. It really is helping me handle the day to day stress.
Namaste’
Rose
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No one is a failure who has friends. I underscored that last week.

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This past week I was at home in the Bay Area, but essentially on a fitness retreat. My friends Melissa (of Bender Fitness) and Nicole came to town to spend the week with my husband James and I. It was truly a special week — full of sightseeing, reuniting, fitness and fun. I learned so much to take with me as I progress in my fitness goals and weight loss endeavors.
Everything I learned I will be sharing all week: what we ate (along with recipes), my new running and workout schedule, and all of the fitness forward things we did.  Most of all I reunited with my wonderful friends and I learned a lot about myself. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to see my friends and have eight days off and rejuvenate my mind, body and soul.
Going public with a weight loss and fitness journey can put you in a vulnerable state of mind. When I began working out with my Los Angeles trainer Mike in 2013, I was at first intimidated  and feeling embarrassed  if I could not do all the moves he asked me to do. Soon after we got into a rhythm and I realized there was no embarrassment; he just wanted me to do the best I could.
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Flash forward to this week. I learned a lot about how I view myself, even after losing fifty pounds I am still a work in progress; coming back from a broken toe and a difficult move from Los Angeles to the San Francisco Bay Area. I am now a BenderFitness Ambassador and I want to really progress and do the best I am capable of.  I had a couple of self-bashing moments that I quickly tried to check at the door. I realized that I am not letting anyone down, especially myself. Having role models — and friends who believe in you — makes all the difference in the world. I will continue forward and realize I am human, and I have come a long way. I have said from the beginning no one is a failure who has friends. That’s my favorite quote from the film It’s A Wonderful Life.
Here is one of the videos we did this week, in my new running spot by the Bay. I am so motivated and inspired from this week, and I am ready to conquer the next phase in my weight loss/fitness journey. I am grateful to Melissa for really pushing me always and believing in me, and Nicole as well. Beautiful ladies, inside and out. This was one of the best weeks I had in a very long time, and saying goodbye was not easy.
When you believe, you achieve. It helps to have friends who also believe in you. I am surrounded by the best of friends.
Love and Light to all
Rose

My love-hate relationship with running

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I have a love/hate relationship with running. When I first started this program in 2013 in Los Angeles, I resisted running with my trainer Mike. He would try to get me to run, and I would hem and haw and take my time transitioning from walking to running. He was incredibly supportive even when I whined about running.

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When I signed up for my first 5K, I actually missed the turn and did the whole 10K, and it was the best feeling ever crossing the finish line. It was such a sense of accomplishment and a natural high. I was so proud of myself but there were times when I had to walk/run. I had never developed my running pace and my running was inconsistent. Soon after I broke my toe and my running schedule was off and on. I remember that high I felt and I have been inspired to push my running to a new level.

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Now I am running again, with the help of Melissa  Bender of BenderFitness. She is in town and not letting me rest on my laurels. I am her fitness ambassador and I want to make her proud, and push myself farther than I have before. I am only competitive with myself and I am ready to take it to the next level. I am appearing in a few of her workout videos and I have a new sense of motivation.
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Melissa is also my running coach and we have been running now all week. She really is pushing me and I did not think I could do what she got me to do.  Melissa and Nicole got me to run the first day for 1.3 miles nonstop run, and another 1.3 run/walk. On Wednesday afternoon we ran a total of 3.1 miles, the equivalent of a 5k. I am so proud that I can do this. Again, I hemmed and hawed and gave Melissa looks that could kill the whole time she pushed me. I did it, and I am so proud and this is just the beginning. I plan on signing up for a race this summer and I am beyond excited.
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I will be sharing my workout program and schedule soon.  I plan to run three days a week. of course the beautiful bay front park that we discovered in my neighborhood  makes my destination worth every mile. I was so sore afterwards and later I was caught crawling up my stairs. Soreness will not stop me though and I am looking forward to working harder for all of my fitness goals.
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When you believe you achieve, even if afterwards you have to crawl up stairs.
Just one step in the staircase to my goals.
Love and Light to all
Namaste’
Rose
Melissa Bender Rose Bruno Bailey

Melissa Bender’s in town, and we’re both learning new things

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It can be frustrating when you are on a roll losing weight — and then, all of a sudden, your weight loss comes to a complete halt.

My move from Los Angeles to San Francisco (about six months ago now) has caused some struggles, yes, but I have found a new sense of motivation. Melissa Bender from BenderFitness is in town with our friend Nicole — and it is so amazing having such wonderful company. Melissa is really breathing new life into my routine. I did my first workout video with her and it was challenging yet awesome. I now have a new barometer where to begin and I will be posting my new fitness plan in the near future. Working out on video is completely different but she makes it look so easy. I was able to watch it and see how I am actually performing the exercises. It is amazing I thought my squats were low enough and the video was a real reality check. I will not be hard on myself though, I had a broken toe and I slowed down yet I never once stopped. First fifty pounds is off and I am now working on my next 40 lbs. I know I can do this, and it is wonderful to have such a support network. I love fresh starts.

 

Rose Bruno Bailey and Melissa Bender

Melissa and I.

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I am also eating a lot more — healthy of course — but my meals are definitely more consistent. I have learned some amazing recipes and I will post the recipes. Melissa Bender made me the most amazing cauliflower mashed mock potatoes. I am seriously obsessed with them and I love them cold too. I will post my recipes as well as some of the recipes Melissa shared with me. I understand to lose I need to eat more, a concept I know yet I fail to follow it on a regular basis.
I am well into the second phase of my project and blog and pumped for what is to come. Losing weight is no easy feat yet I believe I am up for the challenge. I am taking my next forty pounds on and I will not give up.In a way this is like starting all over, and the beginning is always the most fun.
Love and Light
Namaste’
Rose

 

Rose Bruno Bailey Rascal The cAT

ThinkThin Thursday: A Product Review

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I have learned what works for my body in the time it took to lose fifty pounds. I go back and forth to extreme dieting to moderation. I find I feel most comfortable when I track my food and follow the 80/20 rule. I eat clean most of the time, but count in little splurges within reason. When I track and count, I do not have the psychological battle with myself. I snack, I track. I bite, I write.

I have decided to start a segment of my blog of product reviews. People are always asking me what I eat and what products I love to keep on hand. I am always trying new products, so this will be a fun segment for me.

This week I have decided to review ThinkThin Bars. It is the most natural pick for me to do my first product review, since I have had one daily for breakfast for over one year. I can honestly say I am a little obsessed with these delightfully decadent bars of heavenly deliciousness. Did I say I was a bit obsessed?

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I love these bars first thing in the AM, with my coffee, banana and water. I am very sluggish when I wake up, so making breakfast is out of the question for me, and since I became a morning exerciser I find a smaller breakfast works perfect for my lifestyle. My favorite flavors are Brownie Crunch and Peanut Butter Crunch. I have a Siamese cat Rascal who loves Fancy Feast canned cat food (that’s him in the main pic of this post), and if I do not have it for him in the morning he is beyond cranky. One morning I did not have my bars, and I was crankier than my cat. I am surprised I did not scratch my husband James’ eyes out. ThinkThin Bars are sugar free, gluten free and each bar has about 20 grams of protein to get you happily meowing through your morning.
When I travel I take these bars, and I order room service of coffee and fruit and enjoy my ThinkThin Bars in whatever hotel I find myself in. Vegas was much more enjoyable when I woke up to this amazing sight. I never tire of my bars and they are the one reason (besides the glorious  California sun) that I look forward to rising early in the day.
If you are looking for a Protein Bar that does not have sugar and gluten, I think ThinkThin Bars are a win win. Perfect for before and after your workouts, or if you are not a breakfast person like me, perfection with coffee.
Happy Morning
Rose
thinkthinbars

 

Rose Bruno Bailey Greek Salad

On the weekends, party “healthy” with this Greek salad

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It’s the weekend, and now that my schedule is on point I am feeling better about that concept. I think we are going to drive up the coast again, and take in the sights. We usually go for seafood but this time we are packing a cooler with snacks and drinks. It is easy to be lazy and just bring things like chips and pretzels but I have come up with healthy picnic/party alternatives to take to whatever party/picnic you are heading to.

I love to make an easy Greek Vegetable Salad. When I say easy, I mean simple, easy peasy, cut up a few veggies and bam. So here is the Greek Vegetable Salad I will be taking for our joyride later today up the Pacific Coast Highway. Hope you enjoy.

This is how you make a wonderful Greek Vegetable Salad. Recipe is below photo.
Namaste’
1 container cherry tomatoes
Kalamata olives (as many as you prefer)
one small chopped red onion
1 chopped green pepper
half cup low fat Feta Cheese
a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
red wine vinegar
oregano
salt and pepper
Juice of half lemon
Mix all the ingredients together and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a tablespoon of vinegar
Squeeze half lemon over mixture
Salt and Pepper to taste and add a shake of oregano
Mix well
Store in a container and keep cool in your picnic cooler and recipe can be doubled for more picnic guests.
Enjoy it with healthy sandwiches or add chopped chicken or Beef or Tempeh.
Rose Bruno Bailey Fitness Ambassador for Melissa Bender Fitness

What it means to me to be a fitness ambassador for Melissa Bender Fitness

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I began my project to sponsor a charity with each ten pounds back in 2013, and I am proud to say I have lost 50 pounds. I had the help of an amazing trainer in LA named Mike, and he gave me the keys to fitness and opened so many doors for me. At present, I am far from done — yet I still consider myself to be a success, or, well, a success in progress. Not quite an after, but so much better than before.

“I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” — Lewis Carroll

Rose Bruno Bailey Weight Loss

Now I find myself navigating a new city, and making my goals happen here in the San Francisco area. Melissa Bender Fitness asked me to be her first fitness ambassador and of course I said yes. She is such an inspiration and has guided so many people with her amazing workouts online. She has shown it can be done at home and has been very successful helping others reach their goals. She is a nurturing human being, and to me that is a prerequisite to helping people learn fitness; and she is a perfect fit for me as I continue to blog about the weight loss/fitness/philanthropic journey I am on.

Here is what it means to me to be a fitness ambassador for Melissa Bender Fitness.

1. It means I am dedicated, but I am not perfect. I have come a long way already when Melissa asked me to represent her as her fitness ambassador. I have lost 50 lbs and did it while helping charities with each ten pound weight loss. I now do her workouts daily, and I have recently begun AM workouts. I run/walk and I do yoga. I am a former dancer and I have always been in tune with my body; I was just on a little hiatus. If I stumble I catch myself before I fall. It does not mean I have a perfect body, but I am striving to be in the best shape for me. I still have a ways to go and my goal is to lose 35 more pounds. Melissa Bender Fitness home workouts are a lifeline for me and my new schedule in my new city.

2. It does not mean I have the best workout clothes and shoes. To be honest I own one pair of running shoes, but those shoes lace up and get me to where I need to go. One is enough for me for now.  As long as I have my music, my computer, and my sunny outlook I am raring to go. I have never even tried on a pair of Lululemon. I am sure they are amazing, but I am yet to find out. One day maybe.

3. It means even though I have injuries, I keep moving forward. Maybe this is not the right way, and maybe my progress has been slowed a little with my injured toe, but I have never stopped nor will I ever give up.

4. It means I practice what I preach. I really eat clean and I drink a lot of water, and strive to treat my body as my temple. Melissa Bender Fitness reminds me to eat more, in that regard I struggle. When I eat out I make healthy choices that do not derail my lifestyle. That is the key, this is my lifestyle and not a fad diet.  I believe fitness includes achieving a mind and body connection. I call outdoor exercise mobile meditation. Helping others through my charities gives me so much more back then I give. I blog about the ways I believe one can find calm within the chaos. I am all about the mind/body/spirit connection.

5. I do not play the comparison game. I am in competition with the me from yesterday and that is it. My weight loss may be slow because I am not as young as I once was, so I have learned to practice the two Ps, namely Perseverance and Patience. Time passes anyway, and I soon will get to where I am heading. I am in no rush nor will I succumb to the pressure of a time limit. This is for life.

6. I try to silence my inner dialogue of body bashing. I also have decided not to be a slave to the scale, and not obsess as much as I used to. This is probably the hardest accomplishment and I still struggle with self-shaming. We can be our biggest fans or our worse enemies. I strive to be my biggest fan but I am human.

7. I  try new things and I live ageless, fearless, and full of enthusiasm for fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. I shared Melissa Bender Fitness workouts before and I do now, because I believe everyone can benefit from her help. I am sincere and I am one of her biggest fans.

8. I have a fitness bucket list I am working on, and it may take time but I will make my dreams a reality. As long as I am breathing I have the opportunity to begin anew.

9. I do the exercises and modify those I cannot do due to injuries. For example, I have an injured toe so plank jumps are difficult so I just do a normal plank. I have a very strong core and I once planked in LA for over five minutes, and I beat my trainer Mike once. I know my weaknesses and I work on them. I may not be able to master every exercise, but I always try my best.

In essence I am the best me possible, and even though I may trip from time to time, I stand up and dust of the dirt and keep moving in the direction of my destination and I enjoy the ride.

A body in motion stays in motion, and a body at rest stays at rest. That is Newton’s Law. Keep it moving.

Love and Light
Namaste’

For me, being ageless means being in love with life

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Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life. — Wayne Dyer

I had a discussion at with a bartender I work with. I asked him this: at what point does one become old? Do you wake up one morning and all of a sudden like clockwork everything shifts? His answer was brilliant.

“When you think you are.”

That statement goes back to the law of attraction for me. You are your thoughts. I try to practice this but I am human and sometimes my thoughts stray. At the end of the day I catch them, reign them back in and try to stay on the course of positive thinking.

Anti-aging means you are in love with life. To me aging is just as much about your inner beauty as your physical shell. If you cultivate an open mind, and connect with others of all ages and walks in life you will find that you are young at heart. I have seem some very old twenty-somethings and some eternally youthful woman in their 70s.

A 96 year-old yoga teacher I admire,Tao Porchon-Lynch, said these two things:

I do not believe in age.

Tomorrow never comes. Don’t procrastinate.

To be ageless is to be in love with life,  fearless and relentless. Do what you love, and surround your self with people who light your fire. Live with passion for life and love and do not be stingy with your gifts. The universe will put you in a direct collision with those people you need to continue on your quest for illumination and greatness. Ever notice when you are with someone who gets you, well it feels like the sky opens up and the sun came down for a big passionate kiss? I live for those moments and encounters. It is a lot like being in love and I sometimes feel like I fall in love with everyone that touches my world. I am in love with life.

Dr. Wayne Dyer once said — and I am paraphrasing — if you take care of who you are inside, your shell will follow. You will find yourself eating well and exercising because you want to be healthy. That is where the mind body connection comes in for me. You must nurture both your mind and body as they are one.

We are all one, my weight loss success is not only a result of my hard work and perseverance but of the support I got from so many. I continue on now and I still evolving. It can be done, as long as you believe you can.

Much love and light to all, and remember when the sun comes down for a visit to give it a big passionate kiss.

Namaste’
Rose
My Change For A Ten Charities

Added the charities I’ve helped to my site

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If you read about why I launched this site (look at this post), one of the reasons was to tie my own weight-loss efforts to charities in the communities I live in. I decided to make that more clear to new readers by adding a sidebar of charities I’ve worked with on the right side of my page; you can see the charities there, with links to their homepages. I’ll be adding a new charity soon, as well.

Overall, things are good. It was a hectic weekend and I’m still struggling to get my schedule completely in line with what I want. I feel better about the direction that’s headed in, though. My husband has been stressed at work but that is also getting better. And, as always, I’m staying true to my Melissa Bender Fitness workouts. That first trapeze class experience is only a few months away.

I’ll be back with more later this week. I hope everything is doing great.

Love and light.

Namaste’