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

Results!!!!!

I did it! I made it to through 4 full weeks. A bit of blood, tons and tons on sweat, a few tears here and there.

I have had the most amazing experience of my life. The resort is a 5* Establishment that everyone should have the opportunity to experience. If you are on the fence about going ........... pick up the phone and call!

My last day was nice. I slept in. Packed, did my weigh in, ate breakfast, went to stretch class, bike ride, VO2 test ( I found out where my heart rate needs to be for my body to burn fat) they put a mask on your face attached to the treadmill and make you work hard enough to get to your anaerobic threshold. Lunch and then just floating in the pool. Got a hair cut and then dinner and graduation!




Day 1- August 1st 245 lbs













Day 27 - August 28th 216lbs












my goal outfit at home the day I left

my goal outfit last day

the pants zip up the side and that is as close as I could get them to zipping up.

fitting with no problem!

My Results of 4 weeks of very hard work!

Weight 245 - 216 = 29 pounds!

Chest - lost 5.5 "

Waist - lost 6.25"

Hips - lost 5.75"

Total inches lost 17.5 inches

Body Fat - lost 4%

BMI went from 38.4 to 33.8

It was worth leaving my wonderful husband and children and giving up a month of my life to get back my life! Thank you all for your support and cheering - it made all the difference.

Challenge: If you need to lose weight - my suggestions would be to do the following:

Make a plan to lose 10% of your body weight - you get significant health benefits from just losing that much!

Try to reduce or eliminate artificial sweeteners. They are in diet everything and no one who uses them are skinny! Eat whole foods, try to cut back processed foods and eat clean.

Get 7 - 8 hours of sleep a night

Drink tons of water!

Listen to your body - eat when you are hungry. Think of food as fuel for your body. Would you put a bunch of crappy gas in your car? Your body has to get you everywhere - take care of it, it's the only one you have.

Until you feel that you are worthy of more, you will have to settle for less

I am not settling anymore.

This is just the start of this journey and my first full day in "Life" went perfect, smorgs and all! It all comes down to choices! Choose wisely - choose LIFE!

I will continue to post weekly about how things go at home. My goal is to get to 170 lbs - but the number is really not important. Feeling good in your own skin is what's important!

Good luck on your journey - you can do it!

Day 26 Breakthrough Moments

Today was an awesome day for me. We did "White Rocks" for our hike. I took it pretty slow the first half (the group went much slower today than yesterday - Zac leads a slower pace). The scenery is gorgeous and it was pretty easy - a few tough climbs but the views at the top was worth it.

Breakfast

After breakfast I chose to go biking instead of my scheduled classes ( I got 2 new blisters yesterday so it was nice to get the running shoes off). I was biking up towards west canyon and as I came to the spot where I needed to go on the trail.... I had an moment....

If a van full of quite overweight / out of shape individuals could make it up stop sign ( I saw them as we finished up our hike and was very inspired) surely I could bike to the top. On our first week - I needed to stop 3 times to get to the top of stop sign and admired the fit bikers that just cruised up that monster hill. So I set off to conquer the hill! Long story short - I made it to the top and only needed to stop once. I can't describe the overwhelming emotions that overpowered me when I reached the top and grabbed that pole!

I chose the hard way. The 19 mile west canyon ride is not easy, but quite do-able for me. The stop sign ride was a major challenge and pushed me into that ugly and uncomfortable zone that we do not like to go to often. I had nothing to prove to anyone else - just myself! I cruised down that hill (and probably wore out the breaks on that crappy mountain bike) and felt like a whole new person coming back out of that canyon!

Lunch

I did 2 circuits as the zumba girls were not there today. Then tried cardio dance and left half way through - hated it and came back to rest.

Went for a dip in the pool and steam room

Supper

Went to Tarzan production at the open air theatre here - it is amazing. 5* production and facility. You are at the bottom of the red rocks and it was absolutely stunning! I think I will make a trip out here to see the little mermaid next year!

Well that's about it. Tomorrow is the last day. I am planning on sleeping in. I have my test out at 930 and then vo2 test at 1130 and you can't do any strenuous exercise before that. After that I'll do 30 min jogging on the treadmill and enjoy the afternoon at the pool, get a haircut, supper and graduation and then have my shuttle pick me up and wisk me away to Vegas for my 24 hour summer vacation!

Day 25 Getting Worn Out

Another day done! Fantastic Hike. We did Upper Gila. They used to do a hike named Slots, but now some of the trail is closed, so we accessed it a different way. Our group split in half and the faster half went to the end and back and the other group turned around part way. I acquired 2 new blisters on today's hike? Ugh!

Breakfast

Nutrition workshop about snacking

Stretch Class - worse one yet, didn't like it, did most of it standing up.

Lunch

Departing Guest Workshop - we learned how to face the challenges of living outside the bubble of Fitness Ridge.

Treading Class - I put a roll of moleskin on to cover up all the blisters and I was feeling quite hot and not well, but I did it and gave it my all! The old me would have chose and pool workout or bike ride, but I tried even though injured and I DID IT!

I skipped the pool class and went for a bike ride alone

Ballworks - I did the pool instead

Dinner

After dinner we had nutrition Q & A and menu planning workshop.

Then I watched some tv, helped a friend with some pics on the computer and now heading to bed early as I am getting my Resting Metabolic Rate done tomorrow morning at 5:30 am.

Daily Challenge:

It's important to make goals with whatever part of your life that you want to work on. Set a goal for 30 days from now. This gives you enough time to screw up and get back on track again. Whether it's a weight loss goal or any other health or life improvement goal ..

= write down your goal

= make some action plans on how you will achieve this goal

= schedule your first 7 days with specific times and dates . ie. if it's working out - say when, where and with who - schedule yourself in - you are important and shouldn't put yourself on the back burner.

gnite!

Day 24

It's late - so this will be short - photos will follow tomorrow.

Daily Schedule:

Hike: We did Volcano. We had a split group so there were 2 people trying very hard to keep up but always falling behind a lot - so it was frustrating for all of us ( including them i'm sure),., I wanted to keep my heartrate up so i kept backtracking everytime we stopped to wait for them to catch up - ran up and down lots of extra hills. Only 3 of us went to the top of the Volcano - that was cool!

Breakfast - I chose cereal & milk - they served Warm Museli ? Like oatmeal - yuk!

I skipped stretch and Circuit and did my 19 mile - 31 km bike ride again - I love it and I challenge myself and work hard and keep it in hard gears!

Lunch

Mountain - I ran the whole class - and ended up running 10.5mph for 30 sec at the end

Kickboxing - gave it to that bag - luv it!

Pool - I didn't go to the pool - I did mountain again. Hopped in the pool after and floated in the sun for 20 min before dinner. (I hear it's cold at home in Canada)

Supper

I used Heather's truck and went shopping to the Outlets here, Target, TJ Max, Old Navy - exhausting! But ......... an XL at old navy, eddie bauer fit me ........... yeah! One store "avenue" had amazing clotes and the 18/20's were too big for me , the 14/16's fit ( I think I was 12 the last time that happened!)

to tierd to think of a daily challenge - take a rest day

see you tomorrow with more hiking stories and photos



I had so much energy today and was soo

Day 23 Don't Stop Believing - Hold onto that feeling

Stop Sign This Morning - My goal was to get it done in under an hour........................ drumroll please......................... 0:55 min - whew hew! Rocked it - not only did I get it under but I shaved off 6 minutes. I ran and walked quickly - it was an awesome feeling. I cried half way down the hill - just cause I tried really hard and actually did it! I was listening to "Don't Stop Believing: while I was walking down and boy lyrics sure can be powerful when you're in the right frame of mind.

Daily Schedule

Hike - Stop Sign

Cardio Interval Class - I got blisters on my hike so I did the treadmill on incline and my right calf is all bruised and hurts so I didn't want to run, but still left the class soaking wet

Pool - good workout and then layed in the pool for 1/2 hour

Lunch

Open Gym - Went on a bikeride by myself and then with Heather

Emotional Growth Workshop

Total Toning - I didn't go - I stayed in the gym instead and did the gym circuit and then 1/2 class of Sharon's Cardio interval

Pool Class - I stayed in the deepend and did my own thing

Personal Training Session with AnnaMarie - it was awesome - she is making me up a weight lifting schedule - she is so strong and amazing - lifts 10's and 12's when the guys in the room have 8's and can hardly lift them up.

Supper - was lasagna - awesome - with 2 choc covered strawberries - I can't believe that they are less than 70 calories??

I have a massage scheduled at 9 pm. I am going to roll of the massage table right into bed. I think there is a hard hike tomorrow. Then I'm going to skip the morning 2 classes (stretch and circuit) and do the 19 mile bikeride with another girl tomorrow. (Better calorie burn!)

Daily Challenge: In our emotional workshop today - Jen made us do I am statements.

I am ....................... not a mother, not a dental hygienist
but .............. beautiful, strong, independent, adventurous, stubborn etc.

make your own I am statements............... do 8 then pick your top 3 and make your own I am statements, use this to validate yourself when times get tought (instead of stuffing your feelings down with food)

Daily Totals : Exercise Calories: 2569 + 1200 (food) = 3769 should be another lb gone!

Day 22 Another Full and Amazing Day

Only 4 full days left! Whew hew! I am so excited to go home. I am doing my all and best this week to make the most of it.

Daily Schedule

Hike: we got put in a van with returning guests and there was quite a mixture of hiking levels. It was really a disaster and the one guy wanted a better burn so climbed up in the hills and got lost so we left without him and they picked him up later. ( Burned 937 Calories)

Tomorrow's hike is stop sign and I am going to make that time under 1:00hr so i will have to jog a bit to make up a few minutes. Jogging on the treadmill has been easy but jogging on pavement? We'll see how that goes.

Breakfast was that greek fritata thing - ugh - but I ate it.

Mountain - you increase your speed every 3 minutes for 12 x and I jogged through the whole thing (burned 455 calories)

Stretch - was good ( burned 173 calories)

Lunch - I ate quick and then headed out for a 19 mile or 31 km bike ride - to the end of West Canyon (up where we hike) there are cougars, mountain lions, rattle snakes and tarantulas out there - I guess I"m either brave or stupid to go alone. I made the bike ride in 1 hour 30 min, it was awesome. I felt like I had felt a finish line! (Burned 838 calories)

Core Class - was awesome - taught by Paige (Burned 212 Calories)

Circuit Class - was good - I did it in my sandals but it was good ( burned 308 calories)

Water Aerobics class - deep end suspension ( burned 300 calories)

Total Calorie Burn from Exercise 3223 + 1000 (from RMR that I didn't eat)=

a calorie deficit of 4223 - so should be good for another pound gone on Saturday's weigh in.

I started packing last night - it's amazing that I have my favorite clothes that I like to wear and do the wash every 2 days - oh well. I am leaving a lot of my clothes for my Friend Heather who is staying longer.

Daily Challenge: I was listening to music on my bike ride and the song "Proud" biggest loser's theme song came up and I just love those lyrics.

so - What have you done today - to make you feel proud? Make a list - I"m sure there are a few things you can think of - fitness or not related - if not - do something tomorrow!