Tag Archives: Losing weight

CRAWLING IN THE DIRT


Yesterday was my first workout with my friend/trainer Mike. He was so kind to offer to help me on my quest to be a better version of myself and help others in the process. I will have more information about him at later dates including photos. Let’s just say I am lucky to have supportive people like Mike in my corner as I continue on the path of fitness and weight loss. I am very grateful for that.

We arrived at this lovely little park with machines, a little path and a grassy area. We started with burpees, and I struggled I cannot lie. I actually ran a little, did some speed walking, did all the machines etc and I crawled in the dirt. Did you hear that correctly? This bona fine east coast girlie girl whose sister claims she brought a curling iron camping years ago crawled in the dirt. You know what? It may have felt a little awkward, a little hard to do but it was kind of like being a kid again. You know when you were a kid you were not afraid to get your hands dirty, and by the end of the day all other parts of you were dirty too. When I arrived home I had grass in my hair, and I felt like a kid again. This journey is going to also be an adventure, so why not approach working out like playtime when you were a kid. After all, in some ways I really am a kid at heart.

We continued on with the workout, and it was a bit of a struggle for me to keep up, to catch my breath etc. I am out of shape but that is changing now. I did my best and I will continue to improve as I venture forward. Now when I reflect on the exercises I cannot decipher if they were super difficult or just felt awkward and funny to do. I expected to feel somewhat intimidated working out with a trainer but Mike is so nice that I  felt relaxed. He is nice but not soft and he gets it done. I respect his manner of training very much. He even plans to do my measurements soon, ( more numbers), and a full body assessment including checking my oxygen levels. How cool is that? 

So I crawled in the dirt, and did my stretches in the grass sans mat and loved every minute of it. I am going to do the workout again this week on my own. I probably for now will work out with Mike on Tuesdays schedules permitting but will perform his workout two times a week to start on my own.  It was fun and I can see how it makes you stronger and fit. Luckily I am not too sore as I wake up this morning.  I never expected to feel so liberated with everything I am trying and doing to make My Change for a Ten a success. I am feeling grateful, inspired, liberated and extremely motivated. 
Namaste’
Rose

BEGINNING WEIGH IN WEIGHT WATCHERS



Yesterday in my blog post I talked about our digits. Those sly little numbers that seem to be our identities. Our we robots or humans? We are identified by our social security numbers, pin numbers, credit scores, weight, age, and our measurements. Ah, the nuances of numbers. It is enough to make a mathematically challenged gals head spin. I am Rose, and I am not a number.

Ok, Enough griping about numbers. I am coming clean with mine, and it is not the easiest challenge. I have accepted the fact that my weight is a high number, but accepting it and admitting it to the world does not mean I have decided to stay in the position of being overweight. Quite the contrary, I have accepted that I am overweight and  choose to lose weight for good to be a healthier, happier version of who I am today.

So yesterday I made my trek to Weight Watchers. The leader Susie recognized me from before. Yes, I had been there before and did not follow through, remember I am a procrastinator and tend to not always follow through when it comes to losing weight. But that has changed as I embark on this journey to lose weight and sponsor a charity with each ten pound loss. To lose weight the correct way, no quick fix scheme. And yes, I am doing it for me too.

Susie is quite adorable, and inspirational. We had a long chat and if time allows I am going to try to make her meetings. She told me stories about the seventies and Weight Watchers. She is very helpful and I felt empowered by her positive energy. I like Weight Watchers because it works for me. I keep a food journal, and eat my healthy meals and track my 26 daily points. It is a reminder to not skip meals, and to pace your points though the day. It works when you stick with it, combined with fitness and working out. 

Here is the beginning weight of my journey, 210 pounds. I do cringe when I look at it, and people always say I do not look it but the scale does not lie. I am coming out today, my name is Rose and I weight 210 pounds, but not for long.

Off to work then work out with my friend Mike who is a trainer. He is kind enough to help me begin my journey.  I will have more information about him and what type of workout I am doing with him as I continue on. More photos to follow. I decided this journey is to be a fun adventure, and so far I am loving every minute of it. I am transitioning, and enjoying the process as well as the final results.

Namaste’ Happy Tuesday
Make today a remarkable day
Rose


MONDAY MONDAY

Monday has come again, like it does week after week. As I wake up, I ponder Monday, a not so popular day and word.  I really do not mind you at all, without Monday there would be no Friday to look forward to. So I awaken to coffee and water, and a healthy breakfast to get my day going.  I wish a sincere Happy Monday to all, as I continue on my journey of getting fit, losing weight, and sponsoring a charity with each ten pounds I lose. Yes, it is Monday, but it is ok.

So now another unpopular word. Weight. I have finally posted before photos and if I do say so myself I took more than I would have thought I would. I have lived through the dreaded full body photo.  Now comes the business of posting my beginning weight. It is not such an easy thing to put all of  your digits out into the world. Your age? 46  I have come clean there. Your weight? Ok, so tonight after work I am weighing in at Weight Watchers so my weight will be here tomorrow morning. No more hiding, no silk screens here. I will post my beginning weight each week after weigh in with more photos.

So Monday, and weight. I am facing my  fears and challenges head on and they are not as frightening as one may seem. I can do this, and I feel exuberant as I make my way through my Beautiful Monday. After all,Monday it is just a few days off from Friday.
Namaste’
Rose


HIGH ON RICHARD SIMMONS’ ENERGY


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

PROJECT CUDDLE



Good morning to all on this fantastic Friday. I wanted to write something about the amazing organization Project Cuddle. I first learned about Project Cuddle on the Jeff Probst Show, one day sitting at home flipping channels and not exercising like I should have been. It made an impact on me, so I looked up their website and have been following their Facebook page for quite some time. It was a natural pick for my twenty pound goal, as I was moved from the moment I heard about all that the wonderful things they do. I understand I am far off from this somewhat elusive number, but I wanted to talk about the huge difference they are making every day in the lives of others, and how I plan to assist them when I do make it to my second ten pound goal. Of course there will be much more information as I get closer to my goals.

My plan when I reach my  second ten pound goal is to have a Virtual Baby Shower, and it will be a big party with appropriate gifts and or gift cards all to be donated to Project Cuddle for the babies. I have been in contact with JulieAnn and Debbe at Project Cuddle and they have been very supportive of my quest. They are selfless workers, in my opinion they and all of the staff at Project Cuddle are angels here on earth. So here is a little taste of what is to come. In the meantime, the journey to get there continues, and I am loving every minute of it;  well everything but the necessary evil of before photos. 🙂
Namaste’ Rose



ABOUT PROJECT CUDDLE

About

Project Cuddle Helps PREVENT Baby abandonment through a 24 hour, toll-free crisis hot-line to help girls and women hiding a pregnancy. 1-888-628-3353. We can help!
Mission

Providing safe and legal alternatives to baby abandonment.

Company Overview
Project Cuddle is a non-profit organization that provides safe and legal alternatives to pregnant teens and women considering abandonment of their newborns. WE DON’T JUDGE a girl/woman. We are there to help her go through this tough time and be proud of the save and legal decisions she has made. 50% give their babies up for adoption, while the others are able to keep their babies because of the support that we have helped give them. We help them find shelter, medical care, volunteer support during the pregnancy and Rescue families that are home-study ready and open to adopting. The birth mom decides if she wants an open or closed adoption, and what families she wants to consider.
We have helped girls/women in crisis from coast to coast, as well as into Canada and the Virgin Isles.
Description

Project Cuddle has saved over 720 babies in the United States and Canada through a confidential, toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day hotline, and through education initiatives across the country. You can learn more about our work, including the efforts of our Advisory Board President and National Spokesperson, John Stamos, by visiting our website.

General Information

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE AND WANT TO REACH OUR HOTLINE, PLEASE CALL 1-88-TO-CUDDLE (English 1-888-628-3353; Spanish 1-888-483-2323). For any other questions, please call our admin office. at 714-432-9681.

Basic Info

Founded 1994

Location 2973 Harbor Blvd. #326, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (admin office)

Awards Points of Light Award, What’s Right with Southern California by CBS, Clarins “Most Dynamic Woman” Award *the first in America, the 50th in the world. People Magazine- Heroes Among Us, Honored by Oprah with the first “CHEERS TO YOU” celebration that was featured on the Oprah Show.



RICHARD SIMMONS VIDEO SHOOT TOMORROW

Today seemed like it was the longest day ever. I went to the Dr. and got the go ahead with my workout plans, went shopping for new workout gear which I have not done in one year. That is a tough one when you are beginning, easy when you start to feel the results of your hard work. Getting over that first hump is the hardest leap to take. Tomorrow I am shooting a DVD with Richard Simmons. I am hoping to get a photo with Mr Simmons. I will tell all tomorrow after the video shoot. I feel it is the perfect beginning to my quest, as he has inspired people for years to be healthy and active. My Mother once said I will live to be 200, and I want to be as healthy as possible and prove her right.

This week I plan on weighing in at Weight Watchers, and I will post my beginning weight. I am a few days late because I was ill but I am starting to feel like my old self again. I will also post a before full body photo or two. I know photos of my face are deceiving, so I will make sure to post those photos by Friday. That is the hardest part in this journey, coming clean and admitting my flaws. Knowing I am helping others in the process takes away the fear of putting myself out there. I am done with fear, and will not have any regrets from here on out. A friend of mine passed away last night, and that reminder of the fragility of life puts everything into perspective. Our time here is short, and I intend to make every precious moment of mine count…living passionately about everything that I am about.  As my late lovely friend Chris Dickerson would say, and so…..goodnight.
Namaste’
Rose




MONDAY NIGHT MISSION, FIRST TEN POUNDS


I have chosen my organization I intend to sponsor when I get to my ten pound goal. The Monday Night Mission has really made an impact on me. I follow their Facebook page and the selfless kind acts they do for the residents at Skid Row in Los Angeles are awe inspiring to me. I have wanted to get involved for some time, so picking their wonderful cause is a natural choice for me. Here is some information on wonderful things they do to make a difference in the world. I am humbled by all that they do and  I wish to personally thank Mel at the Monday Night Mission.

I am going to volunteer my time and donate food. I work in a restaurant and they have offered to help me by donating food as well. I have friends who wish to join me and get involved. It will be an  honor to serve the residents of Skid Row. I am getting healthy and joining in with the best people of Los Angeles to make a difference, what a win win. 

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.


ABOUT THE MONDAY NIGHT MISSION

We meet every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night to feed our Homeless Brothers and Sisters on Skid-row. Please click the about button below for full details and info on how to join us.
Mission

The sole aim of Monday Night Mission is to feed the less fortunate of Skid-Row who are turned away from Skid-Row shelters.

Company Overview

We feed our Homeless Brothers and Sisters on Skid-row every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night.
We meet at the Burger King at 7.30pm at 700 West Cesar e Chavez ave, Los Angeles CA 90012.

Please text (310) 926-6675 for more information or email [email protected] Please let us now via this page if you intend on joining us!

General Information
Monday Night Mission

About

The sole aim of Monday Night Mission is to feed the less fortunate of Skid Row who are unable to find housing or are turned away from shelters.

We meet every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night to feed our homeless brothers and sisters on Skid Row. We meet at the Burger King at 7:30 p.m. at:

700 West Cesar E Chavez Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012

We will then prepare food, organize car pools, and aim head to Skid Row. Anyone and everyone is welcome! Don’t worry about what you can or cannot bring! Bring yourself! Please let us know if you plan on joining us by leaving a comment on this page! Text Mel at 310-926-6675 or email him at [email protected] if you’d like more information.

Please wear close-toed footwear and be prepared for cold or rainy weather. If you would like to bring food, below is a list of food items that can always be used, however, anything you can contribute is appreciated and will make a difference! We aim to feed anywhere from 150 to 350 people every night, but the numbers will vary.

Also, please feel free to bring any clothing items, blankets, toiletries, etc. you would like to donate.

Useful Food Items

Pasta
Sandwiches
Loaves of bread
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Lunch meats
Mayonnaise
Fruit
Packaged snacks
Bottled water

You MUST let us know if you plan on joining us, and you must arrive by 7:30 p.m. If you plan on coming, you can inform us by commenting on our Facebook page or by emailing Mel at [email protected].

We are a non-registered, non-profit organization and don’t accept any monetary donations. We are nondenominational and unaffiliated with any other non-profit or religious organization.