Getting Stronger Mentally & Physically Everyday

Getting Stronger - mentally and physically everyday!

My Family - at the 2nd Falls at Johnson Canyon 1.5 miles in

April 2007 at 252 lbs
ughhhhhhh this was a motivational photo that I used to get my butt in gear after seeing it! Sometimes those pics are useful for something. Everyone comments "You are looking great - how much weight have you lost"
Why don't they say - you are looking like you've gained a few lbs???
( When it's needed)







Oct 2010 at 205 lbs
Life is so much easier and more fun at a healthier weight!

It has been a good week. I did my 2nd presentation about My Experience at The BLR and I educated 60 more people about Diet, Nutrition, Psychology, Motivation.  I am glad that the presentations are over so that I can start to focus on me. I need to get a good schedule going and work on some bad habits (going to bed to late is the biggest one)

Boot camp classes are going great. I did a free class on Monday and it was fun! I had an old friend show up with her husband and we had a good fun and hard workout.

We are in Canmore & Banff this weekend. I was supposed to have a nice Girls weekend away - but that fell apart - so I used the opportunity to have some nice family time.  I was going to hike up the Sulpher Mountain Gondola (right up a steep mountain 2500 feet with an average grade of 17%) but did not. Was scared about hiking alone with bears and the kids acted up and I didn't want to pay a lot of money to "reward them" with a nice trip up the hill. They came home and I looked at some bikers on the side of the highways on the way back to the condo and thought.......... I want to do that. Decided not to rent a bike but.......

decided to WALK from Canmore to Banff. Hilly and it was 16 km from our condo to where I was picked up in town.  I did it in 2 hours and 21 min (after I had done 5 km's hiking into

Johnston's Canyon) It felt great just to DO IT. I can't imagine ever even thinking about doing that before FR!

The scale is still going down. It's almost surreal. I get a glimpse once in awhile in the mirror and go..... is this really happening - fold my laundry and they are 1/4 of the size ... it really is happening. So happy! So worth it!

I have decided to do a Full Day Seminar called

"New Year - New YOU"

Weight Loss Jump Start Seminar

Jan 22, 2011 in Rocky Mountain House (home)

at the Community Center

including

Zumba, Yoga, Bootcamp, Stretching

Resistnace Training Seminar with Band to take home

Nutrition & Exercise Planning Worshop

Emotional Eating and Self Assessments

Resource Manual

Healthy Lunch and Snacks

so there goes my .... time to myself.... oh well - it will keep me ACCOUNTABLE to standing up in front of another large group of women!

You can check it out on Face book at

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=631753611#!/event.php?eid=116951761697315

I won't weigh in until Wed - number really doesn't matter to me - the clothes are fitting great - that tells the story.

Have an awesome week!



My Biggest Loser Resort Experience Video

Another great week. Another 2.5 lbs gone. I have now lost 49 lbs since signing up! Yipeeeee!

2 ladies that have never hiked before asked me to take them up Allstones so... I delivered and had another great hike 

  I am looking forward to my 2nd presentation tomorrow night. There are a lot of things that I need to get started on and I haven't been able to focus on me much lately.

Thanksgiving came and went in Canada. I used the plate method ( I can't remember if Emily said anything about the height of the divisions LOL.  I have a lot to be thankful for this year - that is forsure.  We went to my sister in laws for dinner - which is great - no left overs!

I was doing research for my presentation and diets.com say that the average thanksgiving meal is 4500 calories, so it takes the gal on the video 6 hours and 40 minutes of jogging ( so basically a marathon) to get it off. Much easier to not put it on I do think!

Have a great week

Week 5 at home

 Another great week. I had the opportunity to go on an amazing hike with a great friend. I am so lucky to have such great support and workout buddies.  Coliseum Mountain was an elevation gain of 2000 feet and 13 km. I burned 2000 calories and had a great fall day!

I enjoyed too many sweets this week. My sweet tooth has returned and I was able to enjoy them in moderation.  I am counting my calories pretty well and putting in extra cardio if I have to to wear off the extra calories. If you wanna play - you have to pay!

I was featured in our town newspaper this week. There is a whole page on my experience in Utah at the Biggest Loser Resort.  So now - the whole town will be holding me accountable at the grocery store and in the restaurants.

I am giving a presentation tomorrow night for the ladies at Curves and whoever wants to come. Next week I am doing the presentation again at The Church of The Nazarene on Tuesday at 7 pm.  I am looking forward to sharing all the knowledge and information that I got at the BLR.  Canadian Thanksgiving is coming up this weekend - it may be 1 bigger meal -but that is about it - I can do some cardio to get some extra calories for the gravy and mashed potatoes. I may get a chance to go hiking again on Saturday as well.  Next weekend I am taking a girlfriend to the mountains and we will go hiking again - I am so addicted. I guess it's not a bad one though.

This is coliseum mountain. We started from the bottom and hiked up on the right hand side and then walked up around the top part in the middle and then up to the top of the knob on the left! Great place for lunch.

 Have a great week and I'll keep on keeping on! I lost 1 lb this week. I went clothes shopping and am fitting into a size 16 pretty well at Sears, Walmart etc. yeah! Oh what a feeling!

  We met my parents for an anniversary dinner and my mom did not recognize me walking through the door.

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