Tag Archives: goal setting

HIGH ON RICHARD SIMMONS’ ENERGY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Namaste’
Rose

ABOUT MY CHANGE FOR A TEN

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Changing the world 10 pounds at a time: this is the story of a procrastinating philanthropists journey to lose weight and change the world. This is my story.

Time is a subject as a poet I write about often, the lack of it and how to find more of it. With that said, I am a self professed procrastinator and it is probably my Achilles heal when it comes to getting a project done on time. I was a dancer most of my life and I have wanted for the longest time to take some classes again to appease the hole in my heart that was left since I quit dancing a few years ago. Since then my weight has gone up and down and I have not been as consistent as I should with working out and staying in shape. One thing I noticed about myself though, when I do a project that involves helping others or animals I do not procrastinate at all, because it is not about me but about helping the underdog, the less fortunate. I love to get involved and I have done some good in the recent years but I have had that nagging feeling that I can definitely do more, and give more of myself. 

I started Weight Watchers about a month ago, and I have done pretty well so far. I have dropped ten pounds. I know myself though, something will distract me and I will regress. Now that I am a bit older all I have to do is slack off just a bit to gain weight. It is hard work and I have not been putting in the dedication and time that is needed for me to get to where I want to be, to be in the best shape of my life. I have decided that will no longer be the case. I recently was reminded about how fleeting life can be and time is not always a given for all, and I do not wish to have regrets in my life. I also want to be as strong and healthy as I can be for the rest of my gifted days. I want to be here to make a difference.

A light bulb went off in my head. What if I was to make a challenge to myself, and every ten pounds sponsor a charity or an organization? I would have to be successful, because my success would be making a difference not only in my own life but in the lives of others. I would blog about my journey and at the same time raise awareness for the organizations I have chosen to assist. This would mean putting my successes and struggles out for the world to see, but since it for the good of something bigger than myself that concept is not as frightening as it seems. I have taken the E out of the word EGO and decided to GO after my dreams, GO make a difference in the the lives of others. I decided to just GO for it.

So here I find myself on this new path to find myself and change myself for the better by helping others. I have already contacted my first two charities and they are on board with my new project and thankful that I have chosen to give some of myself to help their wonderful causes. I have only at this moment chosen the first two organizations but there will be more to come after I get to twenty pounds.

My first organization is The Monday Night Mission, the selfless angels that feed and lend a kind smile to the residents of skid row. They are my ten pound goal.https://www.facebook.com/mondaynightmission?fref=ts

I will write more about the wonderful organizations in a future post and how I plan to help them as I reach each ten pound goal.  I am really excited to get started on my new path of self discovery and giving back to society. I will also make a future post on how I plan to get to where I want to be, who will be helping me get there and inspiring me to continue. No man is an island, I am not in this alone and I am very lucky to have supportive friends who want to help me fulfill my goals. I will include before photos and a document of my starting weight.  This blog is by no means instructional, it is just a document of my journey to be a better person by giving back and changing myself for the better in the process. This is My Change for a Ten. Making a difference, ten pounds at a time.
Namaste’
Rose Bruno Bailey