Tag Archives: weigh in

WEIGH IN DAY

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Happy Saturday to all. It’s been two weeks since I last posted, and even though I did not post here last week I did weigh in and I lost 2 lbs. Today I weighed in for this week and I’m down another 2 lbs bringing my weight to 193 lbs. I’ve lost 7 lbs total so far. Can I get a high five? 

I started at the 200 lb mark, and I’m doing things a bit differently than I’ve done in the past. I’m changing how I approach this particular weight loss journey. It’s different from the one large success I had when I began this blog in 2013, and very different from the many fails and yo yo diet moments I had in the last six years, in six years I steadily gained 50 lbs.

Here’s what’s working for me now, what’s different from my many attempted diets, and how I’m now navigating this new weight loss journey autumn 2023. 

1. I’m down 7 lbs so far. I decided WW wasn’t for me as a vegan. I think it’s a wonderful program but as a vegan if I eat something that has high points but not that high calories, I end up eating too low calories. I’ve switched to the Loseitapp and I set my goal within the app and it calculates the calories I need to lose my weight, and when I should reach my goal. My calorie budget is 1,585 and I try to keep my calories within that parameter. I’ve sometimes reached up to 1,685 but never under 1,200 calories. It’s easy to track and see my accomplishments as I trek through this process.


2. Have you noticed food is really expensive? Another thing I’ve changed this time is I do not freak out if I don’t get all the healthy food in daily that I believe is crucial for good health. You are probably thinking, what does that mean? When I was young I struggled with major eating disorders and as I got older my eating disorders went from not eating ( starving) to nitpicking the values of food; good food vs bad food. It creates problems as someone who already chooses to be vegan ( it’s my moral compass) and it can make you crazy. So instead of worrying if sourdough bread is ok to eat, I eat it and count it in my daily calories. I do try to eat 80/20, the majority of my food is healthy and the other 20% might not be as nutritionally beneficial. We are all trying to get by these days, so if I eat a sandwich for dinner instead of a big salad so be it. As I type this I’m about to make sourdough toast and coffee. It’s all about balance, right?

3. The only food that is off limits is a big spaghetti dinner, or vegan pizza, or any food I believe I will binge. Just a month or so ago I was becoming a binger,I started overeating and in bit of a mood. I’m happy to say I’m facing those bad habits, starting new ones and a brand new routine. Pasta and pizza are my trigger foods. One thing I know is in the beginning of a weight loss journey you have to be strong to get to the next level. I can count my calories, and eat what I wish, but I also know myself. In the past eating virtuous all week and having big cheat meals on the weekend has never worked for me. I would lose and gain the same 5 lbs over and over and never get to my goal weight. It’s like being a hamster running on a wheel. I stopped that crazy pattern, and recognized certain foods I will overeat and I will not count, so I’m abstaining from pasta and pizza for now.

4. In the past I’ve done charities with each 10 lb weight loss. I plan to begin this format again, I just have to decide how I would like to go forward. In the meantime we are working on my group Letters From Uncle Louie, we send cards to seniors that need cheer.

5. I am starting new routines and new habits as I go from being a night owl to a morning person. This includes fitness, but more to come on this subject.

Start strong and stay consistent, and remember it’s just food. We can do this.

 

 

STARTING OVER 2023

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It’s my first weigh in day. Starting over isn’t easy. Here’s my thoughts after returning to this blog and trying for the millionth time to lose the fifty pounds I gained over the last six years.

Transition isn’t easy, and besides the pandemic I’ve been the queen of changes. When I was in Los Angeles I had a community behind this blog, I felt the support on a deep level. Now in our first house as I start over I realize I need to look to myself for inspiration and make the commitment on a deeper level. I need to be able to stand alone and get it done. That means home workouts and meal prep.

Those late night junk food days are over. In the last week I’ve lost 3 lbs weighing in at 197 lbs. I made it to onederland as they say, and I hope to never see 200 lbs again. I set my plan with the loseitapp and my maximum calorie budget in a day is 1,610. This week I’ve hovered under 1,400 calories. Last night my husband James wanted beyond burgers with the bun and fries etc. I chose to eat mine bunless with a salad. I’m also limiting my breads. I feel for me bread is the gateway to my binges. First it’s bread, than a ton of pasta and finally I find myself reaching for sweets. Those things are not off limits permanently but limiting them now, especially in these crucial first days of my diet is so important as I build my mindset momentum.

In the early days of this new journey it’s important for me to build my willpower back up. If I slip up too early in this process I will keep yo yo’ing and gain five lose five pounds over and over. I had a revelation. When I eat or overeat junk food, it’s usually gone or over in five to ten minutes. Those five to ten minutes of satiation are not worth the sacrifice of my goals. I’m trying to be mindful of this lightbulb moment each time I have a craving to overindulge.

It’s a vicious circle, a cycle I overcame the first time I began this weight loss blog in 2013. I know what I must do to overcome any chance of an early setback. I’m going to choose a charity for my first ten pounds, something attainable. Maybe a can food drive for a local food bank. I’m open to suggestions. I’m also reinventing my passion project of Letters From Uncle Louie, we give back by sending snail mail to those who need cheer. I’m working on many writing projects and I started a part time server job so I’m busy, but I am so excited for fall. Fall to me is new beginnings, autumn 🍂 decor and fashion, and more social time because we will finally cool down here in Texas.

So if you find yourself thinking you can’t start again for whatever reason, I’m here to start again right beside you. We can do this, connecting virtually and cheering each other on from our little corner of the world. It’s not our location that makes us achieve great things, it’s our dedication. Happy Weekend to all. 

SUMMER SOLSTICE NEW BEGINNING

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June 21st 2021

Monday.

Good Morning to all. Happy New Beginnings. It’s the week of the Summer Solstice, and to me it’s the perfect time to start over. Yes, I have been starting over for four years now, usually with zero success. I’ve been a literal yo yo, up and down, lose ten gain five. After the pandemic and a lot of soul searching and feeling like €&@%, I decided to have another go at it.

I have a lot of plans and goals, but I’m starting with the basics first, fitness, fun, and food. I now have a personal trainer I’m working with named Kristi, Tuesday’s post will be all about her. I’m also looking to my bestie and fitness expert Melissa Bender Fitness. I’m using the lose it app and cleaning up my act. I’m plan to work on new routines, planning and living life to the fullest. I want to love the skin I’m in again. It all begins with a commitment to health. My plans will include ballroom dancing, yoga and meditation.

This post today is a short one, just to announce I’m back, and I’m counting down from the summer solstice to my winter solstice Birthday. I love time challenges, they really motivate me.

My starting weight is 186 lbs. I plan to take a fat measurement test and do measurements. To mark my starting point.

This time I will get it right. My favorite quote as if late is actually from my husband James, “Don’t think, just do.”

Happy Happy New Beginnings.

Love and Light,
Rose

 

 

 

 

2021 RESET

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  • Happy New Year to all. Let me begin with prayers and thoughts for all of those who lost loved ones, battled illness, and had anxiety and depression in 2021. It was a collective difficult year for all, and I send love and healing to those who are feeling the wrath of the past year. For some of us, like myself, we let our healthy lifestyle slip by the wayside during lockdowns and endless emotional, physical and financial stress. It was not an easy year to say the least.

My healthy lifestyle held on until the end of summer. Since August my weight went from 169 to 187. That’s a lot of weight. I didn’t exercise and I ate a lot of sugary vegan junk food. I’m human and it happens. I forgive myself and I’m moving on. I’m so ready for a healthy reset in January and I’m starting today. It’s about my health. I plan to document everything and share everything I do. I know I’ve dropped the ball many times since 2017, but my why is different now. I want good health, happiness and the ability to be creative without stress and anxiety. I’m going to really do my best to tackle my whole mind/body/spirit/creative passions.

To start January we cleaned the apartment, took down all the Christmas decorations and bought new flowers for the balcony and master bath. I meal prepped and we bought a blender. James my hubby gifted me a fit watch and a cleverfox planner to really get the new year going. My first goal is my health, to feel well in mind/body and spirit, so I begin this new blog journey with that. It begins with clean plant based food and movement, with stretching and meditation. Here’s the plan.

Current Weight 187 lbs

First goal 165, second goal 150, third goal 135-140.

Here are five things I’m doing in January to reset my body

1.Dr Greger’s Daily Dozen and a food journal, I will go into detail on my next post.

2.Meal Prep

3. Daily exercise, stretching and meditation, using my fit watch to track steps.

4. Smoothies! We bought a new blender and I am so excited to make nutritious and delicious green smoothies. 

5. Whole food vegan diet no oil, with 1/3 tsp salt for iodine and no sugar except 1 teaspoon in my coffee with my soy milk. I plan to food journal.

This is the beginning. There’s so much more I plan to do but this post is about the basics. This is the reset, with brand new beginnings. January is for starting over brand new.

“Let Food Be Thy Medicine and medicine be Thy Food.”

Hippocrates 


I wish you healing, love and light.
With Gratitude,

Rose

 

FIVE POUNDS CHALLENGE

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Happy Friday to all. I have been a bit under the weather through lockdown, allergies and now I’m being treated for a Candida infection. I got oral thrush. I’ve been on anti fungal meds now for one week and will continue to take them for another week. I’m finally starting to feel better. I’m not completely healed but I’m improving. My health anxiety through all of this has been a bit incapacitating. I haven’t been happy and worry consumed me. I’ve been somewhat productive in these last months, a few of my articles were published in VegWorld Magazine, and I’m writing three more for the year, and my poems were featured in two literary journals. However, I dropped  the ball with working out, blogging and health. Anxiety held my happiness hostage. 

It’s time for me to take back control of my thoughts and my health starting today. It’s time to get it together and chase happiness and peace of mind. I’m starting an after lockdown weight loss challenge and you are welcome to join me. I’m going to lose 5 lbs at a time, drawing this diagram in my notebook. My goal weight is 137 lbs and I’m currently 172 lbs. So in my planner I will draw 8 squares. Each square is 5 lbs. That doesn’t sound that difficult. I’m watching my calories on the Loseitapp. Dealing with Oral Thrush has caused some difficulties eating but I will get through. I’m also going to work on my fitness. I’m starting with 1 mile a day of running or walking. I will probably do more but that’s the goal. More meditating, yoga and finding my way back to myself. So much to work on but health is my why. I want to be healthy, and I’m talking control of that with healthy vegan eating and getting my mind and body back into shape. Are you with me? If you find having a lot of weight to lose is intimidating, start with me the 5 pound challenge. We can do it, our health depends on it. Daily small steps become big leaps later. You just have to make the decision to start. Love and Light, Rose 

 

 

QUARANTINE WEIGHT LOSS

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Happy Thursday to all. My quarantine started rocky in mid March when my allergies sent my health anxiety to new levels, coupled with a world pandemic. I had goals for the sequestered time, but all I did was worry and fear, and complain about my symptoms while watching Netflix with my hubby James. Ozark is really great btw, a world more messed up than the one we are living  through.

I decided this week as I am starting to feel better to get off my but and start blogging about my new quarantine weight loss journey. As many of you know I had weight loss and fitness success, and a few years later gained half after some personal losses. I’ve tried time and time again to start over and I dropped the ball. That’s the beauty with dropping the ball, you can pick it up again and try harder. That’s where I am now.

in the last month I ate more pasta than usual, and I didn’t even attempt to count my points. Today is weigh in and I currently weigh 175 lbs. Today is day one, I’m up 3 lbs. I’m hoping my allergies have cleared up so I can focus on all my goals, fitness, weight loss, wellness and creative goals. I plan to start fresh with the WW app (Weight Watchers) because I plan to incorporate the 80/20 rule. It’s always worked for me in the past. 80% of the time I will be eating clean vegan with low salt, sugars, and oils and 20% or less of the time I will count in occasional small splurges like vegan cream cheese on my toast. The idea is to eat highly nutritious vegan food but also enjoy in life’s little indulgences, counting them in as part of my daily points. I believe Friday we are grocery shopping to stock up for the week. I’m cooking a lot more these days. 

Tonight I’m making Split Pea Soup for dinner. I’m going to bake some vegan treats to enjoy with coffee or tea. I will be posting more about what I eat in a day, my grocery haul and my quarantine fitness routine. All things I’m doing to try to find wellness, joy and fulfillment during these unprecedented times. I’m making a commitment to myself and accountability to anyone who is reading my words. I’ve fallen before but I keep getting back up, bruised backside and all. There is no failure, only the fear to begin again, so just pick up where you left off. With love and light Rose Bruno Bailey

I will leave you with a few quotes about failure and starting over fresh by some very important historical figures.

 

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
― Thomas A. Edison


“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”
― Theodore Roosevelt

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
― Winston S. Churchill

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” 

― J.K. Rowling

“It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts.” 
― Zig Ziglar

 

 

Injury and Weigh in Update

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It’s been a minute and a day since I’ve posted. I’m in the process of healing from an injury to my knee that’s taking much longer to heal than I expected. It’s a bit easier to walk on but it’s still pretty swollen. Today is the first day I’m going to try to do some cardio and see how I feel.

My weight has been fluctuating, I’m now 176. I was 174 a few weeks ago but I also stopped taking a diuretic I was on for years, so I’m not upset over a 2 lb gain. It’s incredibly humbling to backtrack from fitness and weight loss, but even more humbling to get hurt and have to stop all together. I never had an mri, just an ultrasound and an X-ray, so I really don’t know exactly what I did to my leg. I’m listening to my body and I’m going to go slow with cardio and see how I feel. My mind tells me if I can walk all night at work I can try to start getting fit again.

My vegan lifestyle is a lifestyle and not a diet, so that will never change. I’m eating mostly whole foods and plant based with low salt, sugar and oils. I do have an occasional boca burger without a bun on days I’m in a rush. I’m balancing my food, meal prepping and having a kale/ fruit smoothie every day; with chia, flax seeds and coconut water. Eating healthy is easy, the weight stalling has everything to do with the fact I haven’t worked out since I injured myself last November. Even though my knee is swollen I’m ready to begin again starting today. I was featured in two issues of VegWorld magazine and I’m really chasing all of my goals. I haven’t given up even when challenged. My sweet husband James said I’m beautiful but I’m stronger then people expect. He said I’m tough as nails. I don’t know about that but I try to never ever give up.

I admit the injury left me depressed, but I’m coming out of it with a positive mindset, and meditation. Controlling negative thoughts is key as is living for the present. I’m just going to get out there and move my body. I’m not going to begin with running or try to move too fast while walking. My goal is to move a little more each day, try the rower, and stretch my body. My first goal is to move to heal and get better, each day getting stronger and stronger. I have a long term goal to get in the best shape of my life, but for now I’m taking baby steps. Day one is today and my goal is to just move. I would like to try for 30/45 minutes but I’m going to listen to my body and let pain be my guide. Update tomorrow!!

Love and light and healing to all who need it.
With Gratitude,

Rose 

 

 

MAKING PLANS

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The end is December is upon us and all I really want to do is to get a head start on my goals, and take it up a zillion notches in January. The holidays have not been an easy time for me, but I’m trying to chase light and be merry.

I realized a few changes are needed recently. I’m changing my ww plan from purple and blue to the green plan. It has less free food and more tracking and accountability. My sister Frankie is doing the green plan and she likes it. I feel with green I can stay in control always even when I’m out of control. I will track my chaos. So I’m weighing myself ( again) and going forward with weigh in Wednesdays. My cardio and workouts are good but I’m going to attempt more walking miles. My knee has felt a little odd so I’m sticking to walking for now. Running can happen when I get back into shape. 

Exciting news, I’m now a regular contributor for Dallas VegWorld Magazine. My first article will be in the January/ February issue. It’s all about my vegan beauty favorites. My mood have been up and down lately, but it’s so much better when I exercise. It’s not just for my body but for my mindset and wellbeing. This time of year I falter a little. Funny it used to be my favorite time of year. I miss those days, but onward and upward. Those of you who have followed me for years know that I don’t give up. I may stumble and sometimes I fall flat on my face, but I always get right back up and at it again. I’m going to start reading some inspirational self-help books. I have a few on hand and I’m always open to suggestions.

I’m off for the day, love and light to all. Rose

WEIGH IN WEEK FIVE

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Happy Monday to all. Today begins my week five and it’s also weigh in day. Today my weight is 172 lbs and I lost another 1 lb and 5 lbs total in 4 weeks. My true focus has been on consistency and balance. My fitness goals are revolved around progress not perfection. My short term goals with my workouts are to be able to do all the exercises with ease. I want to be able to hold planks and side planks longer. I once planked for over five minutes and I hope to do that again. I want to be able to do 20 pushups, first the easy versions and later the more difficult pushups. I’m focusing on fitness and clean eating and allowing my Monday’s to be my vegan splurge days. Like I said, consistency and balance.

This week I’m going to take my #benderfitness workouts up a notch with more intensity and three rounds of workouts, and if it’s warmer I’m planning on taking my cardio outdoors. I’m going to add a little running to my cardio. It’s been four weeks and my joints feel better, I already feel more flexible and I do not get winded going up stairs. I have more energy and overall I feel like my wellness is returning. On my work days I eat clean vegan food and I meal prep so I never go hungry. I have found my stride but I also understand this is only the beginning and the last four weeks were a warm up for the real work that is to come.

If you are on a fitness and weight loss journey I would love to hear from you. What inspires you to keep going and overcome obstacles and challenges to get to your goals? I love feeling healthy and ageless, so fitness and nutrition are so important for my life. Life can be messy but consistency is truly rewarding. That feels like the biggest accomplishment, the fact we keep going no matter what comes our way. Bonus points for those sharing smiles to whoever comes in our paths. Yes, it’s a challenge. Yes, we can do it.
Love and light to all. Rose 

WEIGH IN MONDAY

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Happy Monday. It’s week three since I’ve totally recommitted to my fitness and health, it’s also weigh in. Today I lost 2 lbs and my weight is 174 lbs. I’ve lost 3 lbs since I started over. It’s also week three of consistent #benderfitness workouts with cardio. Working out late is a game changer for me. I’m doing it my way on my time, and I believe that’s one of the secrets to achieving my fitness goals. I’m no longer skipping or making excuses. So far I feel fantastic.

Last night when I went to work I forgot my dinner, but I had my hemp smoothie. I was so hungry when I got home so I had to eat a quick bite of tofu scramble. There was a second I almost skipped my workout, but I walked out that door and got it done to a new fun playlist. I’m in Texas for now and they use the term Y’all a lot. It kind of grows on you. So I’m here to tell you, make it fun y’all. Make what you are doing fun, make it a game, use music, get excited. That’s what I’m doing and it’s working so far.

Well I’m off for the day. Crush those goals y’all!! Happy Motivational Monday to all. With Gratitude, Rose