Week 4 - 1 month Back Home

A fall hike to Allstones Lake

I did this same hike before I went to Utah. It was tough. I had to stop every 10 steps
to catch my breath. My heart rate was at 180 climbing up and up and up and up. 

This time - I did not have to stop - I did to admire the view and take pictures - my heart rate average was 126 this time - last time it was 156! Wow - so much easier not carrying 35 extra pounds up the mountain.

 Gorgeous Fall Colors

 Eating Lunch - I packed a healthy lunch full of nuts, veggies, fruit, whole grains,

lean protein and washed it down with lots of water!

What a fantastic and busy month it has been. I got home 1 month ago today and all is going 

 I am 11 lbs down from the morning I got home.  I am enjoying "living". My life before consisted of  an All or Nothing " on or off" attitude.  It feels so good just to live! Food is something you need for fuel and it doesn't rule my life anymore. Don't get me wrong - I am enjoying my treats - but ... I know that they are in moderation and that they need to fit into my calories if I want to continue losing weight.

Our local newspaper ran a page on my experience at The Biggest Loser Resort. It will be good to have public accountability. I imagine that there will be a few eyes (we live in a small town) watching what I put in my grocery cart and what I choose to eat while I'm eating out. LOL.

I am doing 2 presentations in the next 2 weeks on my experience.  I am looking forward to sharing the valuable knowledge that I learned with as many people that want to listen.

Clothes shopping has been fun . I now buy what I like and what I want instead of WHAT FITS! It's a great feeling.  I am taking more pride in my appearance. I am spending more time looking better on the outside - which reflects how I am feeling on the inside.

This journey will be forever and I am just taking it day by day. So far - it's gone well and all the valuable brainwashing that I got at BLR has been working.  The sense of control that I have over my life, food & habits is great!

Until next week - Keep fit and have fun  - You are worth it - it is worth the hard work and sacrifices to feel this good!

Week 3 At home

The gorgeous fall scenery close to home

my brave kids making mom proud climbing and rappelling

It has been another great week. I have lost 2 more lbs.  A total of 45 lbs exactly since January when I signed up for The Biggest Loser Resort.  I am so proud of myself for making it this far.  I have a lifelong journey ahead of me - but it's not about the destination - it's about the journey. There is going to be U turns, wrong roads, flat tires, pot holes - but as long as I keep going - I will get there !

I have not been working out as much as I should be ( but really who says how much LOL) I did boot camp Mon and wed, jogging Tuesday, treading on Thursday and then that's about it. I need to get lifting more weights and doing more core work.  I need to make myself a schedule and just do it!

My boot camp classes are going great. It is really full -but it's working.  I am burning @ 630 calories during my class (that's even with my heart rate monitor set at 210 lbs (it was at 228 lbs still))

I am having more sweet cravings this week - maybe because of the hormone monthly thing?? Who knows - so I've been having a few treats - making sure that they fit in with my calories and it has been OK, I am learning moderation and not being all or nothing lately! Feels good to be in CONTROL!

I took new pictures in a Bikini that I wore when I signed up for the BLR in January and OMG! It's scary to look at how fat and big I was and am so happy to be where I am. I will keep working and it would be great to get another set of pics in a few months ( if there good enough maybe I'll post the bad ones !)

I will keep on keeping on.  My husband has been gone for 6 days so I'm looking forward to having him home so that I can get to the pool at nights, jogging and maybe some biking. But I have no excuses as I have a whole gym in my basement - so i can workout at home anytime.  Well better get the slow cooker supper ready for tomorrow night!

1. Have a great week - I hope to report a number (not that the number is important)  that is under 210 next week!

WeeK 2 at home

Me at the top of the 30 foot climbing wall

Having fun rapelling down the 30 foot climbing wall - the best part about making it to the top!

Enjoying a horseback ride even in the rain and in the mud

A wonderful group of women at this years Women's Wellness Retreat

me horseback riding at the retreat last year ( it was a good weight loss motivation pic!)

It has been a very busy week. I had my Women's Wellness Retreat this weekend. 30 ladies come and enjoy the weekend with opportunities to go Horseback riding, archery, wall climbing, biking, hiking, canoeing, yoga, pilates, bootcamp, stretching, core camp, bellydancing, or doing whatever they wanted while they were served 5 meals and 3 snacks.  It was very busy organizing and supplying and I taught bootcamp, pilates, core, stretching and managed to get to climb the wall and go for a horseback ride.


The food was not overly healthy - I did pack my own and used it a bit. I made substitutions and used protion control. I did fine - I still ended up losing 2.5 lbs this week.


My bootcamp class has started up and it is very busy. I shouldn't complain as it's very popular (37 ladies) and a big waiting list. I had a compliment from a student that said that it  was very professional and I did learn a lot about presentation with being in fantastic classes for a month!

I am running now.  Friday was a busy day with the retreat starting and I knew that I would not be able to get my workout in if i put it off, so I dropped the kids off for school and ......... went to the trail and ran 5.6 km in 34 minutes and burned 400 calories and had a great workout! YOu really have to plan - food exercise - it's a great way to succeed!

I have been having some chocolate in the last few days ( leftover halloween bars from the retreat ) and they are almost gone so i will make a promise - no chocolate tomorrow!  I have been counting the calories and making sure that they worked in with my calories.

Life is busy but great. My new lifestyle is working out great. I am not getting enough sleep - I need to work on that.

I am itching to go on another vacation - I have time off Nov 11-16th and not sure if I should go to Mexico or Las Vegas. If i go to vegas I will drive to Utah and get a massage from Tyler - Oh yes I will and go and see if I can do Stop Sign in 53 minutes this time!

Have a great week ........... see you next week

Week 1 at home

I am it home and things are going extremely well. I am down 4 lbs since I've been back. More importantly, I am mentally and physically on board with the new Healthy Eating Program.

I learned so much at The Biggest Loser Resort and I am using it all.

I got home and my husband had sold my old smaller motorcycle and bought me a newer bigger one. I love it and my motorcycle jacket zips up - yeah!

We have starting having regular family meals. I realized that that was something that was missing from our family life and they stress the importance at Fitness Ridge so I thought I would try it. We have gone from eating out as a family @3 times a week to none! Our plan is to go out 1 night a week and each family member can choose the location once a month.

My husband and I went out for lunch one day. We chose a broiled salmon meal and shared it. We each had a side salad and a big glass of water. We went over to the Dairy Queen after lunch and I ordered a small sundae and only at 1/4 of it (that was enough of a taste and satisfied me) and I threw the rest out!

We also went out to a movie in the city on the weekend and went out for dinner with Friends, ordered poached halibut and veggies. At the movie, I had some popcorn -we shared a bag, I picked up a 100 calorie chocolate bar and I had a diet coke. I was scared to take a sip - I thought it might be like an alcoholic - but I drank only 1/2 and enjoyed it and have not had another drop ... nor have I been tempted. Only water for this girl. .... a few lemon slices here and there, but mostly water!

I have made plans with my workout buddies and have had 5 fitness dates since I got home. I climbed a mountain with a friend on a day off (having hiking withdrawals), weight training workouts, running the stairs, family walks to the waterfall.

Today I RAN! There is a 5.6km trail and I always walk it and can do it in about 45 - 50 min if I walk it quickly. Today a Friend and I ran 5 min and walked 1 min and did it in 36 minutes. Wow! I can run!

I am facilitating a women's wellness weekend retreat this weekend. The ladies have the opportunity to go horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, archery, wall climbing, yoga , mountain biking, belly dancing. I am leading bootcamp, core camp, stretching, nature hike/ walk.

I am also doing a keynote presentation on "My Experience at The Biggest Loser Resort". I have 70 slides done and it's looking good. I am going to share all the knowledge that I came home with and can hopefully educate and motivate a lot of people to start taking control of their health! I will also be presenting it 3 other times in the community over the next month or so - which will be awesome accountability!

It has been hard to log my food into http://www.fitday.com/ . I have been better this week. When I don't keep track on paper or computer - I am using the plate method and filling half the plate with fruit and veggies, 1/4 lean protein (3 oz) and 1/4 whole grains.

I am sticking to following 1800 calories a day. I am preparing my food ahead of time. There are always lots of good snack options and I keep emergency food with me. Nature Valley Granola Crunch Bars, Apples, Oranges, Almonds.

My husband is on board with the program and is doing quite well with his weight loss as well. I am very proud of him for making the changes and for supporting me. The kids are getting much healthier meals and snacks and lunches as well. They are constantly hugging me - they like being able to wrap their arms all the way around me ... awe and still tell me that they missed me.

It was so exciting going through my closet. I got rid of 2 big garbage bags and passed them onto a Friend who has done great losing weight and can use them. I went shopping and it felt amazing - to go into a store and fit into a regular XL - I'm just into the plus sizes and just at the top of the regular sizes! I didn't buy too much as I hope that the new clothes will be too big soon!

It was the best thing that I have ever done for myself and I have no regrets and am excited to see what new challenges will be ahead for me!

I hope that you are motivated into finding healthier choices in nutrition and exercise - because you are worth it and you can do it!

Until next week!

Donna