Tag Archives: poetry

WEIGH IN WEDNESDAY

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Today is Weigh In Wednesday and I’m happy to report I lost 1 lb this week. That brings me to 167 lbs. I’m starting new! From now on I’m only counting my weight loss from this second half of my weight loss journey. I’m not looking back but looking forward. Here is the stats. SW is my starting weight. CW is my current weight. GW is my goal weight

SW 173

CW 167

GW 135

What am I doing different this time? I am counting every bite and point on my weight watchers app. I’m sticking to the same weigh in day always. I’m making healthy choices but with a bit of wiggle room and counting every thing always even if I go way overboard. I snack it, I track it. I bite it, I write it, I devour it, I empower me. Lying to myself is not empowering. Being accountable is. I got this. I’m also looking for a local charity here near my new home. Moving and sticking to your goals is not easy but I’m finding my new path.

I am not a before, I am not an after. I am a now. Now is the time and living in the present will keep me moving forward in my goals. Give up? Hell no!!

How are you making changes in your weight loss journey? Have you had ups and downs? We can do this.  Let’s do it together. I’m your biggest cheerleader.

 

 

3 BOOKS THAT MAKE YOU THINK

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As I sit here typing on this keyboard there are a million things for me to do, a million and one to get done in a little time. All I wish to do after my run is to sit outdoors with a book that leaves me feeling better about life and the world around me. A book that makes me think and feel deeply.

Here is a list of the top 3 books that make me think, books I often go to over and over again. Some of these books may be inspiring in a different way, maybe motivating you to do more for someone else or to volunteer with seniors. These books make us reflect about the beauty of being alive and the consequences of our actions, and whether or not we use our time to give back to those who need it most. Life is about the connections we make. These are 3 of my very favorite reads. I hope you like them as well.

MATTIE J.T. STEPANEK

Reflections of a Peacemaker

“I want to be a poet, a peacemaker and a philosopher who played.”

https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Peacemaker-Portrait-Through-Heartsongs/dp/0740756257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494620124&sr=8-1&keywords=reflections+of+a+peacemaker

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Before I ever embarked on my poetry writing journey I devoured Mattie’s books. Mattie was so wise beyond his years. His optimism for life was contagious, he knew the disease he was fighting was terminal but he always showed a reverence for life and living. All he wanted was to spread peace, kindness and compassion to all, He was an angel in human form. I recommend all of his books, but you can start with this collection of his profound poetry. It will make you think, it will make you cry, it will remind you how beautiful it is to just be alive, to hug your favorite dog and share laughter and love with those around you. He will teach you how to be a peacemaker.

I write about anything that touches the essence of my existence. What I witness, what I feel, what I think, what I fear, what I treasure. I write about life, which is our greatest gift.” –Mattie Stepanek, 1990-2004

 

MANY THINGS TO TELL YOU

Natural poetry by people living in nursing homes.

Thomas E. Heinzen Ph.D.

https://www.amazon.com/Many-Things-Tell-You-Collection/dp/1885778147/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1494619954&sr=8-7&keywords=many+things+to+tell+you

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This book I came across while browsing a book store in Astoria, Queens. It was then I first got an opportunity to publish my own work by the publisher that published this book; a book that will totally make you think and cry. It is natural poetry from elderly people living in nursing homes. Thomas E. Heinzen goes into nursing homes and takes down the poetry, the feelings, the remembrances of those living in nursing homes. A profound read. Make sure to have a box of tissues nearby.

 

THE RED LETTER DIARY

Reclaiming a life through the pages of a Lost Journal.

Lily Koppel

https://www.amazon.com/Red-Leather-Diary-Reclaiming-Through/dp/0061256781/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1494620609&sr=8-2&keywords=lily+koppel

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Lily Koppel found an old diary in a steamer trunk in a dumpster in New York City, what follows is a fascinating tale of a young woman named Florence Wolfson and her diary from 1929 to 1934. The diary was reunited with its author in 2003 and it gave an aging woman a new lease on life and living in the twilight of her years. A must read. Everybody has a story, and this is one to definitely add to your reading list.

 

NEW MONDAY

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Sometimes it is so easy to get side tracked, everything just seems to pile up and there is little time to do what you want to do because of adult responsibilities and pressures.The good news is my Mother is home and on medication and feeling well. I made my best time at my 5k and now I am looking for a 10k to do before the year ends.

I am wearing so many hats of late; wife, waitress, author, weight loss/philanthropic blogger, fitness enthusiast, yogi, not to mention I am a poet and writer and I prefer to have some alone time to get out of my body and into my head to translate my thoughts into words. My book is getting great reviews and it is low on stock at Bookshop Santa Cruz, so I am incredibly grateful. There is a lot more work to do on the book front, (marketing wise) but I am taking it one day at a time. I will be heading back to Santa Cruz soon, and soon to LA as well. 

Yoga and working out gets me out of my head and into my body, and my writing takes me deep within. When I have to work extra hours waiting tables, it takes me to a place of chaos and stress. Do not get me wrong, I am appreciative of the ability to make some extra cash since we live in the most expensive city in the states, but to say I am burned out it is an understatement. I do not get home usually until 11 pm and i have felt physically exhausted. I had a mini meltdown last Thursday and I ate a bowl of pasta Alfredo. My first pasta in one year. I deviated from my workout routine and I was beginning to feel out of control. I spoke to Melissa from Melissa Bender Fitness and she suggested I just pick up where I left off.

It took that phone call and  a beautiful day in the city along the coast with my husband James and our dear friends Sara and Tor to help me regain my balance. When I am in nature and with amazing souls, I find my zen and my meditation place.  I also realized no matter how late I get home, I need to be in bed within the hour. It has made all the difference and today on this brand new Monday Morning I begin anew. 

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I went to bed I believe before one am, and I woke up by ten am. I am now writing and having my coffee and ThinkThin bar and soon I will do my workout. I have plenty of time before work and I feel like this week I may regain my center. I have chosen to really focus on the fitness after my first over 50 lb weight loss, since my weight has been forever stuck in the 160’s. I recently found out all the female members of my immediate family are on medication for thyroid issues, so that is something to explore in the future. As soon as the chaos and money issues quiet down and I am able to slow down I will be deciding on my next charities.  In the meantime, eat healthy, workout, work, do yoga, run off the stress and repeat. One day at a time is not a cliche’ it is the best way to get through any difficult situation. Keep going and never give up!! 

Namaste’ love and light

This week I am repeating week five.

So here is week 1 Month 2 of BenderFitness Bikini Prep Workouts

 
 
Tuesday Day 2: Bikini Ready Tummy Workout and Body Definition Workout (Body Definition Workout was done interval style, 2X through. The breakdown is listed in the information above the Bikini Ready Tummy Workout). 
 
Wednesday Day  3: Strong and Toned Lower Body: Legs, Thighs, and Butt and 30 minute run on the treadmill. Day off from work
 
Thursday Day 4: Ab Exposure Workout
 

FRIDAY UPDATES

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Good Morning to all, I have been out of commission and I have not updated in two weeks. That ends now. I plan to not only update my social media, but to spend more time writing here. I was sick with a kidney infection and believe it or not this week I have caught a bugger of a cold. That will not stop me, but it has slowed me down just a pinch. On top of that this brand new computer was a lemon. Time to make lemon-aid since it has been a scorcher here lately. 

My first update is SFYogamagazine featured my weight loss story on their website. It was quite an honor and I will include a link when I have more time.

I am an author now. Yes, I can finally say my first book Camellia in Snow has been released and is now available on amazon and barnesandnoble.com b
I am thrilled and beyond grateful to my amazing publisher Finnlady Press. My book will also be available at select independent bookstores across the country, this is why I have been busy. The first book store you can purchase Camellia in Snow at is BookShop Santa Cruz 1520 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95060 #831-423-0900. The other book stores I will announce as I make the rounds. I have been very busy with my workouts and training and work.

Speaking of my training. Tomorrow is my first 5K since my 5K in 2014 that turned into an accidental 10K. I am so excited, I am running with my boss who has run 26 marathons. Yes, 26 marathons. I am a bit intimidated but I plan to run without stopping. We are running in the Rock and Roll Marathon series San Jose 5K. He is also doing the half marathon on Sunday, I think he is not of this world. He is inspiring to me especially because he started running during a crisis. I will write more about him later.

Ok I am off, I will begin posting my Melissa Bender Workout schedule next week after the race, and I plan to update my sidebar with links to my book etc. Today I work and I have to go pick up my race packet so I must get moving quick. I need a caturday soon. 

Much Love and Light to alL

Namaste’

Rose

 

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

 

 

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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NAMASTE’

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Here is a poem I wrote when I began my yoga practice a few years ago. Happy Weekend to all. xo



NAMASTE’
Coming from me, a poet and former ballet dancer,
yoga combines the cerebral aspects of my brain with the physical reality of my body;
stanzas gesturing in motion.
As I transition from asana to asana, my mind poses that
age old question; am I one with the universe?
The answer is always a definite yes.
I feel as if I am the salt of the earth below my toes, the clouds hovering above my head.
I realize not only am I one with the earth and the universe, I am so with all creatures;
and one with my sometimes puzzling psyche.
By the time I reach the elusive state of savasana I feel as if I am floating above my body.
I finally return back to earth in prayer pose to recite that final namaste,
in that belated moment of clarity I am reminded of the gratitude I have for being heaven sent yet earth bound.
Rose Bruno Bailey

TO DO LIST

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Good morning to all and a Happy Friday. We were away in Vegas with James’ good friend Ted and we have an awesome time. It was amazing being reunited with Ted and I am so grateful for the wonderful get-a- way we had.

I am back now, and back to the grind and a list of things to accomplish between now and the end of September. These are lists separate from my charities. The books are coming in for my book drive as I type, and I am grateful to the wonderful friends and new friends who are donating.

There may be a transition happening so I have been a little stressed, but in my eyes it has not happened as of yet so my focus is forward with everything I have planned here in Los Angeles. I refuse to worry about something that may or may not happen. I will deal with that storm if it occurs.

In the meantime…..Here is my list to get in gear now that I am back.

1. I want to surf, and my trainer Mike said whenever I am ready. So I need to purchase either a wet suit or a sporty bathing suit with swim pants and a vest or rash guard and take him up on his offer to teach me one of the first things that were on my first fitness bucket lists. The swim clothes will come in handy because James and I love to go to the beach, and I like nothing more than to swim and be one with the ocean.

2. I am going to sign up for Align Ballet Method in September. Over one year later it is time. 

3. I am going to take at least one class at the Cirque School in Hollywood, a 101 class and then maybe sign up for 5 more to begin. 

4. I may have some professional photos taken to update for my blog, plus I need a book jacket cover.

5. This is not blog related but I will have my poems picked out and sent to my publisher FinnLady Press back east. This book will get done.

It is early and I cannot think of what else should be on this list, so this is it for this morning. Coffee will jolt my memory.

Happy Friday to all.
Namaste’
Rose



Here are a few Vegas pics

The Pool at The Bellagio



Tree at the Bellagio Hotel, view from the pool.


James took this, not bad. Showing progress is fun, I admit it. At the Bellagio.
Good friends having a good laugh in front of the Bellagio in Vegas.
Teddy, James, and Me, reunited again. 

One selfie to see progress, and my legs are so much thinner now.


WEIGH IN SATURDAY

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NEVER ENDING WAR

Trapped in a golden shell,

Zero escape;

Nobody can tell,

My will has been raped.

Never-ending war,

Without a win;

Cuts me to my core,

Again, again.

Another day appears,

One more battle to fight;

Conquering endless fears,

Taking just one bite.

I admit to being a little frustrated that my weight loss has slowed down. I am holding steady at 169. I am focusing on fitness more than the numbers on the scale but I am human and I do get disappointed when I do everything right and the scale does not budge.

Do not get me wrong, I am very pleased with my results and happy where I am at the moment but I really wish I would have done my inches in the beginning. People who I see often in the neighborhood have mentioned my weight loss and asked if I work out so I know it shows in other ways besides the reflection of the scale. I also vowed I was going to focus on my fitness goals and that is true, but I am human and I would like to be successful on the scale as well as off.

Now that my toe is healing and I have new shoes I am going to up my cardio. I have signed up for The Color Run in June with some friends and that gives me something to work towards. I will do some other cardio besides running and walking. I am going to try cycle classes and swimming some laps but the bulk of my cardio will be running and speed walking.

Off for today. It is the weekend and I am hanging with my husband James, and getting a workout in of course. We leave for Las Vegas on Thursday so that will bring those out of town challenges. 

Love and Light to all,
Keep Moving Forward
Rose


BRAINSTORMING

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Last time I was on a dance team in 2005-2009



Good Morning. I am up with the sun and contemplating my fitness bucket list, which one can I tackle soon? It is going to take a lot of thought. In the meantime everyday fitness is rolling, and I had a long walk with some running last night. I also did a lot of leg lifts at the park. Tonight I work out with my trainer Mike, and it should take me a week or two to really feel strong again. I learned something over my Christmas Holiday, do not stop resistance training. I was actually having some aches and pains, and then we worked out and they all subsided.

One of the items on my fitness bucket list is to audition with the LA Sparks over 40 dance team. I am on the lookout for dance auditions. It was something I wanted to do but I did not have the guts to do it, so I skipped it. Thank goodness I did not do that with the Richard Simmons video. Saturday is class and then we are all going out to lunch for Gerry’s 92nd Birthday. She is such an inspiration, she works out daily and never stops.

Off for more coffee. I am also brainstorming for a new title for my poetry collection. My original title was too long. I am thinking maybe Lapses in Time, or Winter Solace since I was born on the winter solstice. This is the hardest part.

Wising you love and light.
Namaste’
Rose