Tag Archives: motivation

2013 YEAR IN REVIEW PART TWO

1 Reply

I am a poet and a writer, and I love to blog. I had started two previous blogs before but I seemed to lack a direction or theme. At the same time I was unhappy with my weight, and I questioned why I lacked commitment with losing weight. I lost and gained the same ten pounds over and over. When I do something for charity I follow through. I needed to give myself the same care and respect that I gave to others, I needed to learn to follow through and make a promise to myself. 

In beginning of the summer 2013 it was time to begin anew. The year had a rocky start and I was ready to pick up the pieces. I had an idea and it was like I was hit by a virtual lightning bolt, what if  I sponsored a charity with every ten pounds I lost. I could blog about my experiences of weight loss and fitness and also blog about the charities. I could make a difference in my life as well as the life of others. It would be about making a difference in the world with the added bonus of losing weight and finally getting healthy. I loved my idea and was excited to share it with others and get started. I decided to name my blog MY CHANGE FOR A TEN. I set up a Facebook page so I could link my blog, 

The minute I started to tell people they were incredibly supportive and motivating. My best friend Melissa Bender from Melissa Bender Fitness has been my number one cheerleader and inspiration all along. She loved the idea. 



The first week of my blog I was in a Richard Simmons video. I started to attend his classes and now I am a member at Slimmons Studio in Beverly Hills. Richard Simmons is a fireball of inspiration and fun and I am honored to know him. I have made many dear friends from my experiences of the video and Slimmons classes. 



I used to do his dvd’s and tapes, and I was in his video.

New bestie Francie, day of video shoot




I started to tell people at work, and I met a new yet unlikely friend named Mike. He knows how grateful I am to him for the training, support and friendship.
Mike and I worked together at Seasons 52, but I did not know him personally.  He was a bartender and worked nights, and I worked days. One afternoon he was working a lunch and I happen to mention my new idea.  He offered to train me and help if he could with my charities. It seemed that everything was coming together at the exact time and place. There was no way I could fail, I was extremely motivated and inspired and thankful for the support coming my way.

I started to take Yoga classes with Nicole at Pink Iron, and I join Yogaworks West Hollywood. I worked out with my new inspiring friend and trainer Mike once a week, went to yoga 3-5 times a week. I speed walked, and I even began running and now I am training for a 5k. I cleaned up my diet and my attitude and I was able to lose that 10 lbs plus 20 lbs more since July. I have fed the Homeless at Skid Row, and I planned a toy drive for Alexandria House, a transitional home for women and children. I did all this with the support and help of amazing friends, mentors, and the management and staff at Seasons 52. I could not have done any of these things alone, and I am full of gratitude and love for all those who have helped and inspired me. I have made so many new beloved friends.  My husband James has been my biggest fan all along, and I thank him for believing in me always. I am a better version of 
myself now. James and I stole another get away in Palms Springs. We definitely decided life is too short not to live. As the New Year approaches, I am so grateful for all of the people in my 
life.

Yogi and teacher Nicole


Mike looks on making sandwiches



With Mike, Maria, Courtney, Danny and The selfless souls of The Monday Night Mission
My friend Meagan, Judy and Carlita
With the young residents of Alexandria House. Thank you to Judy Vaughan for all that you do.


This Birthday on December 21st was an amazing day. I decided to always chase my dreams and take the time to make a difference by giving back to others. I have decided no number will ever define me. Not my age, weight, or size. I attended Richard Simmons holiday bash class in the morning. Later that evening we had dinner at the Hollywood landmark Musso and Frank’s and we took a ton of photos. My husband lost 16 lbs and I am down 30, so we were excited to finally take some new photos together and feel good in the process.  Musso and Frank’s was on our LA bucket list. We were not only celebrating my Birthday and the holidays, but life and all of its endless possibilities.


Richard, me and my wonderful friend Dawn



My girls Susan and Joanne



Best Birthday experience ever

Jamesy and me



In July when I began this project I promised if I would follow through with everything I say I plan to do. I have kept that commitment and more. 2013 started off with a sad start, but I did not wallow in my woes. It may have taken me six months to pick up the pieces and follow through with my goals, but better late than never. I have only just begun, I am not even half way done. Bring on the beauty and possibilities 2014. My dreams precede my steps, but I need both to get me to where I am going and I am not looking back. 

Namaste’
Love and Light
Happy Happy 2014
Rose


GOOD LUCK ON FRIDAY THE 13TH

Leave a reply
Where I run in Beverly Hills



This blog is about loving life. Giving back to society and all creatures of the universe, being the healthiest and best you possible, making dreams come true, basking in nature’s glory.  These are the goals I work on daily, and I also have met my share of struggles along the way. When that happens, I just crank up some upbeat music and get moving and reflect on the bigger picture, or sometimes I listen to melancholic music and write poetry. Either way I work through my melodrama and come out smiling again. Trees shadow the sun, but the luminous one above always finds a way to make an appearance.

Yesterday was Friday the 13th, and depending how you perceive things it was a day of good luck for me. I fell, and I fell hard on the cement. My friend was driving down the street and beeped for me. I noticed her, and in a split second I tripped and landed on my hands face first. My hands broke my fall. A driver of a bus stopped to see if I was hurt, and I was no worse for wear as I stood up and dusted my embarrassed self off.

Was it bad luck that I fell or good luck that I was not injured. I look at it from the latter point. From my vantage view the glass is always more than half full, and I am sure the fact that I am becoming fit and strong had something to do with my injury free tumble.

So as I put lotion on my scraped hands, I reflect on the cry baby moment I had about my weight staying the same for a few weeks, I realize in the scheme of struggles this is not one. Yesterday I was asked for a quarter by a homeless person, my weight plateau is not a true struggle and I was shamed in an instant.  I will tackle this challenge and make it happen, it is just a plateau and just another dare for me. I accept.

Love and Light
Namaste’
Rose


WEIGH IN, PLATEAU? STRUGGLING

2 Replies
Photo Linda Monteleone’
My Mood this morning
My optimism is shrouded in a veil of grey
Just for today
I am Human
Afterall



Good morning to all, I am so happy it is Friday. I woke up, brewed my coffee and got on the scale with high hopes. I feel lighter, but that damn scale said I stayed the same. Still holding at 20 pounds. I am so frustrated I could scream, but instead I will try to address the issue and forge forward. I need to make it to the New Year with a few more pounds off. I am not splurging at all.  Come to think of it, I noticed the last few days I am not eating that much. I bet I am hovering at about 1,000 calories a day, not good. I always forget eating too little will stall your weight loss. I am reconsidering splurging on Christmas Eve and Christmas. I may start a food journal again and track my points, it helps me to make sure I am eating enough.

Eating too much, eating too little, dieting feels like a science experiment and I am the lab rat. I am grateful for how far I have come, I am 30 lbs lighter than I was at this time last year but I want to go all the way, and I am so competitive with myself and lately I feel like I am letting me down. Or that is how I feel at this particular moment. This fleeting feeling will pass, and I will take this as a challenge to work harder. I am buying a pedometer with a heart monitor so I can track how far I run and walk and get my heart rate up. Also, I am going to go to the gym and have my fat and measurements done. I will post those as soon as I have the chance to check. I have to hang in there, and work even harder.  I will work out like a fiend tonight. I wish my glands did not feel swollen.

Ok , so a second cup of coffee is needed. I am hoping it is a short shift so I can run before the sun goes down, today the high is going to be only 64. 
I feel like crying or screaming just a little.
Breathe in, breathe out.
I need to meditate.
Namaste’
Rose


HANGING IN THERE DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Leave a reply

Yesterday I went to buy tuna and some healthy vegetables at Trader Joe’s and everything there is decked out for Christmas. The temptations are endless. I am splurging at Christmas but it is not easy. The holidays are such a weak spot, but I am staying strong and not giving in. They have these delicious Christmas cookies I want to buy, and I am hoping they are not sold out right before Christmas because I am holding off. Bring on the New Year and a drop in the scale.

Tuesday I did my workout with my friend and trainer Mike, and today I am feeling the after affects.  I am so sore. It is good though, I know I need to be a little sore, and move new muscles. It was a great workout, challenging. I got a little cocky on one of the exercises and Mike could see it was just to easy and he nipped my cockiness in the bud by making it harder on a higher bench. There I was, awkward moves and all. I always say you can be humbled in a second, and in my case it was through exercise. Mike is leaving to visit family until after the New Year so I need to be up on my workouts, and make sure I do what he has taught me so I do not get soft. Motivation, and the holidays but I will hang in there and make it happen, with maybe a cookie or two.

I have not posted in two days, my allergies are bothering me and I slept in too late. This weekend I will do a post about my 20 lb charity. I am really excited.

Off for now, I am in dire need of coffee today. Love and light to all.
Namaste’
Rose

HUMP DAY

Leave a reply
Happy Wednesday, it is hump day. I always laugh at that reference but I am happy it is here. I work today, and then a run/walk and a night class of yoga. I am trying to get back on track with everything since the holiday weekend, and another is approaching us fast. My diet will be clean until Christmas.I am also looking into holistic ways to supplement vitamins. I have been slightly run down.

I have my twenty pound goal almost set, I am just waiting on a confirmation from the charity. I have learned it is not an easy task to get involved sometimes, it could take weeks. Plus I have been without a phone for some time which does not make things easier. Mine broke and I decided to not worry about an extra bill, and live old school. My friends and family have not liked this choice. I am happy to say I am researching which new smart phone will be best for me and my blogging. I will make a choice most likely in the New Year.

A few days ago I was inspired to add fire dancing to my fitness bucket’s long list of things I would like to accomplish. I was having a discussion with Mike my trainer and friend and he made a suggestion that I accomplish one before adding another, so I have decided to do one a month starting in the New Year. Some are easy, others will be difficult but the point of a bucket list is to have the experience and adventure and then cross them off. You are then left with the memories and the fulfillment of the moments. 

Off for now. The days are starting to really get cooler, for California standards. Last night I went for a walk/run after 7pm and it actually was cool but it felt refreshing. Happy Hump Day to all.

Namaste’
Rose

TUESDAY WEIGH IN

1 Reply
Vegetable juice to help me reset my body 



The Thanksgiving Holiday was amazing, and having all of the time off was great but now it is time to get back to work. This week is a short work week,which I love. I think the weather may get a little cooler, which always makes it challenging to go and work out but I will get through the December temptations. I am about to weigh myself, I cheated on Thanksgiving but to be honest even though I only cheated one day, I did not watch my sodium as much as usual over the weekend. So I will see how the scale reacts, also I may have some female water weight to boot. Female water weight with Thanksgiving, a double weight whammy. So, in essence I need to make sure I am right on track up until my birthday in three weeks, I am going to be extra diligent with my diet until December 21st. We are going to Musso and Frank’s for my Birthday, a LA bucket list must. I want to get a new outfit and celebrate all that I have worked hard for, and take lots of photos.

Ok so the damage is two pounds. It is disheartening to see the scale up, but I know with female water weight and the holiday that may not be permanent. I am just going to push harder up until Christmas, do the December challenge to work out every day this month that Melissa Bender Fitness suggested. When the New Year hits I will even work harder. I have this, for me at my age it is taking some time but I am getting there. When I was younger I lost weight so quickly, but I understand the challenges of being a woman in my forties. I am just going to reset with healthy choices and work out and clear my mind and body.

Off for now, workout or yoga tonight, and if I go to yoga I am running all the way there. I will conquer this just in time to do my twenty pound charity. I am just waiting on an email and checking a few details before I reveal what I am doing this month.

Namaste’
Love and Light
Rose

DREADED LEFTOVERS

2 Replies



Happy first day of December to all. I am having a low key day, I am not feeling like myself and the dreaded leftovers are trying to tempt me. My husband James just had a piece of my chocolate and pecan pie with ice cream and I admit I would love a piece but I am not giving in. I just had some Ezekial toast instead and I will be going for a walk/run this evening. It is hard to be good when there are so many treats trying to vie for your attention. I am staying strong though, I am not giving in no matter what.

December, I will make it through with flying holiday colors, with extra workouts and keeping my eye on the prizes. I can do this, even when my will gets tested. I love the holidays but there is more to this time than food. I will persevere.

Happy December to all. 
Love and Light
Rose


RUN IN THE PARK

Leave a reply



Good morning to all, I have been so busy and I really want to write a post about all of the things that are flitting through my mind. Thanksgiving, and what it means to be grateful. I will have to wait for downtime tonight and tomorrow to write the way I wish to write, for now just a quick update for the week.

Yesterday at work Gigi from the Richard Simmons video was having lunch at Seasons 52, it was such a surprise when my co-worker Ryan told me I think these ladies know you. I also met her lovely friend Dawn who happens to be best friends with one of my amazing friends Jami. I love the way the universe dishes out inspiration. I promised to attend another Richard Simmons class Saturday Morning with them. It made my day and talking with Dawn gave me some wonderful ideas for charities, more to come on that note soon. My mind is spinning a bit out of control.

I worked out with Mike, my trainer and friend last night at the park. We are going to take some photos in the near future so I can share them here. We ran, and I was so proud to say I ran twice around the track at the park. I am not sure how far that is but it was the first time I ran that far without stopping. I was shocked, excited and surprised but of course Mike said he knew I could do it and I did. My anxiety about running was in my head. So onward, training for a 5k in March with the crew and management from Seasons 52. I think we are doing the Bad Prom Run, and even though it is a theme run I convinced Mike to do it with us, he is my trainer after all and it will be tons of fun.

After we ran we did the most creative workout to date. The park in the autumn after 5 pm is perfect for that, there are not a lot of people so you can really utilize all of the options there. We actually went into the children’s playground and he came up with exercises there. The artist in him comes out in his unique workout ideas. I did stairs on the kiddie stairs and did some other moves too, some a little more awkward than others. I do think sometimes your mind holds you back, so I am working on correcting that. We had a lot of fun and by the end we sprinted for a short time, and I ran pretty fast if I do say so myself. I told him I was not delicate and kind of disagreed with me, but really I am not delicate. I will prove myself and I am a work in progress. I am beyond grateful to him and happy to have made such a new and wonderful friend in the process.  Working out with Mike at the park makes me feel like a ten year old kid, getting dirty and not caring a lick what people think. It is a lesson in life, never letting go of the child inside. 

Like I said, my mind has so much going on at the moment, and I wish I had time to really write, to delve deep into the emotions and thoughts that ramble through my muddled mind. I was thinking about all of the wonderful souls that have crossed my path since I started this last July, people I would have never met. I am so grateful for all the people in my life. More on that later. For now, I am off to work, then shopping for some last minute items for Thanksgiving. Later in the evening I will be baking, cleaning, and hopefully I can sneak in a run and some writing time. Whew, I am just tired writing all of that.
I wish you a beautiful day full of sunshine and smiles.
Namaste’
Rose


DANGER ZONE AHEAD

1 Reply


Good Morning to all on this sunny Thursday here in Southern California. I must do a short yet sweet post since I am running a bit late today. The cats are so happy we are home from Palm Springs, and the holidays are approaching so it is mandatory that I push even harder because this is the danger zone time.

You know the time of year, you want to snuggle at home with your honey and watch Christmas movies, and that takes time away from your routine. I need to stick to my routine and get through the next few months. If I can lose another ten pounds by the New Year I will be very happy. I gained a pound this week and I did not even cheat while I was in Palm Springs, and on Thanksgiving and Christmas I am allowing myself to finally cheat, so this time of year may be difficult if not impossible to lose weight but I will make it through and make it happen.

Tonight after work I am working out with my trainer and friend Mike and if I have time I am going to try my best to make it to Nicole’s Yoga Class at Pink Iron at 7:15. So I will be running with Mike, and then running to make my Wednesday yoga class, but it is so worth it.

Off to work in a bit, my cat Spanky is snuggled on my feet. These are the times when you all of a sudden want to stay home and play homebody.  Coffee is so needed for an extra nudge out the door. Wishing everyone love and lots of light.
Namaste’
Rose

WORKOUT, YOGA, REFLECT, REPEAT

Leave a reply
Good Thursday Morning to all and a very Happy Birthday to my husband James. I owe so much to him, and everything I have evolved to be is because of his influence. We are two adventurers of life, never knowing what destination we will call home. I love living life like it is a big adventure. Happy Happy Birthday Jamesy!!

We are Palm Springs bound tomorrow, so I will take lots of photos and share them. I am so excited to have a get-a-way, and I look forward to eating healthy yet delicious. I did promise my husband James I would eat some Birthday cake, even though he wants to me indulge more with him but I am not giving in. My first real cheat day is Thanksgiving. My healthy lifestyle does not slow down for weekend get-a-ways. That does not mean I will not enjoy myself, but within reason and with healthy and delicious choices.

James and Rose 1998 at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio

Yesterday was my workout with Mike, and it is now getting harder. He actually said he has never seen me sweat like that. No complaints though, I know when things start to get too easy or simple it is so important to climb to the next level even if the challenge makes you feel like you are right back to being a beginner. We did the circuit machines and the TRX, and I planked on my arms with the TRX in my legs. I thought I was so good at planking, and then a new challenged fed me humble pie, it was so so hard. We ran, and we keep running more and more each time and I think I may be improving. I still struggle with my breath but I think it may be getting a little better.

I love the park at that time of night, it is dark but the whole park is illuminated my lights. People are there doing their own personal workouts or practicing softball. There is the distraction of dogs everywhere. As we were running my eyes caught this beautiful black lab leap mid air for a softball. Right there was inspiration, grace in motion from a canine. There is a feeling of camaraderie, that spirit envelops the air you breathe and you almost feel like you are a kid playing outside after hours. I am so grateful for Mike, not only does he take the time to train, motivate and teach me, but working out with him is just plain fun with lots of laughter and it never feels like a chore. 

I love feeling like a kid again, and I believe since I have moved here to Southern California I have truly become the epitome’ of a Californian. I wonder if a lot of the New Yorker in me is fading. I am a true outdoor girl now. I am making progress and that makes me very happy indeed. Life is always evolving, and it is never ever to late to learn something new and be a better version of yourself. I will continue to always have this zest for life no matter how old I get. I love life, living, and the people and animals that make it so worthwhile.

Tonight I am just doing some cardio after work than getting ready for our weekend trip, and hanging out with that cats and James. 
Wishing everyone a beautiful Thursday of love and light.
Namaste’
Rose