LOOKING FOR NEW INSPIRATION

It is time for me to regroup on all of my New Years Resolutions. Downward Dog For Cats was a month ago and I need to focus on some new projects. I am also still volunteering weekly with the cat rescue, but I need to find something else to do along with the cat rescue. I love the cats so I continue on with my obligation to them, they are my second animal family.

I have earned so many classes at City Yoga, and I am going to start taking the early morning classes. What a way to start the day. I have been writing a ton lately, so I am thrilled about that. My book will be done the autumn.

Time for me to watch the Olympics and get new inspiration. It was a hot day today, and I walked for miles in the scorching sun so I am wiped out. Signing off, love and light to all.
Namaste'
Rose

Third week of January

Good morning to all on this lovely Tuesday morning. Some of you around the country are waking up to cooler temperatures, snow and rain. Be safe in your daily commutes and keep warm. I hope you are all still motivated with your resolutions. January is now in full swing, time to kick it up just a notch. I understand when you live in a winter climate it is hard to stay motivated, but just keep going. It will be worth it as the year progresses. 


The L.A. weather today is a little cooler for our standards, we woke up to 40 degrees and it will be 61 as a high today with sunny skies. I find this type of weather perfect for walking. It is not too hot and just cool enough, as you walk and work up a sweat you are still reasonably comfortable. The sun makes all the difference in the world, as does having a walking partner. We walked for an hour yesterday and clocked 2.9 miles on the pedometer. The time goes much faster when you walk with a friend, and I find you really keep the pace as well. We plan to walk together Mon-Tues-Wed. for an hour each day.Not only is is great exercise and company, but we discuss all of our goals and truly motivate one another. A power walk and a  positive  jam session. Since I volunteer at the yoga studios on Thursdays and Fridays I will have to walk on my own on those particular days.


Speaking of volunteering, one of my other non-fitness related resolutions is to do something to give back, something I am passionate about. Well I will be volunteering at a local no-kill cat shelter starting in a few weeks, visiting and playing with the cats and helping feed and clean. I stumbled across them on Santa Monica Blvd as they were having adoption day at a local pet store. I gave a donation and told them I was open to help, the cats were so precious. I almost walked away with one.


After our walk I did a little additional walking on my own, running errands on foot. I went to weigh in and decided I am going to work towards a weight loss of sixty pounds. When I tell people that is what I would like to lose they look at me with a strange look, but I am going by the numbers and this is the goal I have chosen. I understand I have an hourglass type figure but I still believe it is the right amount for me.Of course the inches I will lose will make a difference as well, and I will be open to change in this journey if I get closer to my goal and I find I am becoming too thin. I will weigh in every Monday and document my weight change each week, loss or gain. 


Off to eat my latest discovery. Post shredded wheat cereal with no sugar/sodium and very high fiber. I know oatmeal is healthy but sometimes you want cold cereal that is quick yet delicious. With blueberries and low fat milk you cannot go wrong. There was a time when I did not eat breakfast, now I find eating a morning meal is so important to get your metabolism and day going. 


Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone. Be sure to take time in your day to enjoy the moment; to enjoy the process of reaching your goals. Try not to let your day speed by, be mindful  and remember to breath and smell the roses. 

January 2nd, Day One

I made a delicious vegetarian lasagna for New Year's Day dinner. I used ground soy and it turned out amazing. Now it is time for me to get back on track, tomorrow I will be following weight watchers points with emphasis on less sugar/fats/sodiums and more whole grains, produce and tons of fresh water. If I eat bread it will only be ezekial bread, or grains with at least four grams a fiber.

I normally eat very healthy, and I was down twelve pounds before the holidays. Then Thanksgiving came along, and our  San Francisco trip and I went a little overboard. When we returned I was terribly ill with either stomach flu or food poisoning, and I am still not 100% yet. My body is craving clean eating since I have not felt well in weeks, it is telling me it is about time. I look forward to the challenge and the bonus of feeling better again, in body and in mind.


Tomorrow will also be the first day of my fitness plan, I will start with an hour long walk which I plan to do Monday through Friday, five days a week. My fitness plan also includes mind/body/beauty transformations. This week I am going to begin with dry skin brushing to my grooming routine.It is believed by Ayurvedic practictioners that dry skin brushing helps the body naturally cleanse itself of toxins and stimulate blood flow and the lymphatic system.
Brushing should be done once a day, on rising before you dress or before retiring at night. If you are taking a shower, skin brush before the shower so that the dead skin and other debris will be washed away. Use upward strokes avoiding the heart area. Not only a terrific way to detox but also exfoliate winter dry skin.


I look forward to beginning my brand new year tomorrow with my first changes for the month of January. Now these resolutions will be ongoing, a routine from month to month I plan to keep up with. They say it takes twenty one days to develop a new habit. I have a month to make this resolution my habit.

One of my best friends has a terrific blog, http://www.fitnessbender.com/ She helps keep me motivated; as well as my wonderful friend Tracy Gittens who teaches aerial yoga in San Diego CA, and her amazing sister Nadiah Gittens who is a terrific personal trainer. You can check them out at http://www.galaxylifestyle.com/. These woman all live health and fitness every day, they are an inspiration to me and role models to be the best you can be for you.
We are all unique creatures, shining our light and living our best life,  authentic and true.

Next month I will roll out new resolutions for February, as well as keeping up  with my new found health habits. Happy New Year's resolutions to all, may 2012 be the best year ever for everyone. Love, light, and good health to all.

Brand New Key

It is almost the last day of the year here on the west coast. January 2012 is almost among us. I do not get sad for the passing of one year, I reflect on my blessings and prepare for the beauty of a brand new year.

For me January is going to be a month of renewal, cleansing, and preparing for all of the possibilities that come with a fresh start. I feel like George Bailey in some ways when he realizes he gets a second chance at living, or Ebeneezer Scrooge when he wakes up to a brand new Christmas morn.

Every new year is another chance to be better than we were the year last. I find it extremely motivating even if I have failed at resolutions in the past. This year is going to be different, especially since I am making my resolutions public, I am now held accountable to my muse.

I will be breaking down my resolutions from month to month, with fitness and diet beginning in January and becoming an ongoing resolution and habit.

In January  I will follow a  new workout routine. I will walk 5-6 days a week, weights 2-3 days a week.Yoga once a week. I am going to start tracking my weight watchers points and watch my sugar/sodium/fat intake. My diet is pretty good since I am a vegetarian but this helps me stay within my calories and have some balance instead of obsessing. I will allow sweets only  now and then, in small quantities and as a treat and not as a staple. My body will be treated like a temple not a rest stop.

It may be January but for me it will be spring cleaning and organizing time. One cannot make changes if surrounded by clutter and chaos. January will be the month that will prepare me for each new month to follow, setting up my year of success. I will make changes in my  health, home and personal life; reconnect with family from afar by remembering special dates and sending cards to those I love. I have dropped the ball on this one in the past and  I feel it is time to stop making excuses and just do it.

More to follow, but that pretty much sums up my first 2012 resolutions for the month of January.

What New Year's resolutions are you making? Does a new beginning inspire you?

Happy New Year to all, wishing you blessings and abundance in 2012.


The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
       - Lao Tse