Friday, April 30, 2010

Friday!

Today was a totally awesome day.  And because it was totally awesome I am very tired right now.  I'll do my best to describe my day.

We hiked Volcanoe today which started at an elevation of about 4400 ft to a hieght of 7100 ft.  It was a grueling hike again today, but I loved every moment.  Although there were times I thought I might get lost and be left behind.  I managed to get to the top.  The hike down was again much easier.

After lunch I did Total toning again.  It was easier today and I even had a 15 lb bar instead of a 12 lb bar. Then I had curcuit, which again was easier.  I even finishe with a 2 1/2 minute run! Yippee, me.  The Cardio Disco Jam.  We danced for 45 minutes.  Very fun way to end the week. 

Today's lecture at lunch was about calorie budget again and tonight was a question and answer session.  Nothing too exciting.

Tomorrow is the Ironmna 10K and one last class.  Then we are officially done.

The view out my room is particularly gorgeous tonight. The sun is shining on the red rocks, and clouds are covering Pine Valley Mtn.  It seems unreal that my week is about to end.  I look forward to returning someday with my husband.

Calories burned: 3165, put on after breakfast
calories consumed: 1200
calorie deficit: 2000    163,700 to go! 

Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Best Day Ever!

This picture was taken in Fern Gully.  In the picture from left to right, Jon (Miami police officer), Kathy (my friend who talked me into coming here),  Seth (Biggest Loser), Jim (NY police officer and Biggest Loser and a gentleman), Jeff (pharmacutical attorney and suffers from guilt), Deanna (the quiet one and former marine), Bud (Doc), Shirley (most motivational group member), me, Mary (the cool one).

Today we hiked Saddle, which includes a steep hike up a mountain, a steep hike back down the other side and a mile and a half through sandy desert.  The hike up reminded me of Camelback in AZ.  The hike down was like playing on a playground, we climbed through holes and went down imaginary water slides.  We had to watch our language on the playground though.  The "oh fuck" I muttered at the top of the climb was not appropriate playground language.  Of course, I didn't intend anyone to hear me when I said that, but everyone laughed and agreed it was appropriate.

After the hike we had open gym.  I walked on the treadmill and even ran for a minute or two, though I didn't want to because the hike was so grueling.  It was nice to be able to do what I wanted during open gym.  Sometimes I get tired being told what to do all the time.

After lunch I had pool.  Only 6 people bothered to show up for class because it was so cold and windy.  But we had a great class and we spent 10 minutes stretching in the hot tub after.  Ball works was next and I do not like that class.  We had to hold the exercise ball in our arms for about 20 minutes while lifting it up and down.  Then we sat, well hovered really, over the ball.  When we finally got to sit on the ball, we used weights to exercise.  Pain, then more pain and then even more pain.  Treading was last.  And I loved every second of treading.  you bike (walk, elliptical, etc.) for 5 minutes really really really fast, then recover for 5 minutes, then you do it again for 4 minutes only faster, repeat, 3, 2, 1, then 30 sec rest 10 sec 30 sec rest 10 seconds and finish with a 30 second sprint.  I loved it.  I plan to do treading once a week at home.

After dinner the lecture was meant for guests staying over more than one week, but I went anyway since I paid to be here.  It was about taking care of ourselves first.  We can't take care of anyone else unless we take care of ourselves.  It was a very good class.  Sharon, the trainer, told us we needed to continue to do cardio 5x week for 1 hour not including warm up and cool down.  Really puts into perspective all the classes I used to take.  I need much more cardio in my exercise diet.  She also told us to write a goal everyday and use a sticky paper to put it up on the mirror and at the end of the day to write down what you actually accomplished.  That was a WOW moment for me.  I really liked that idea.

Calories burned:  3728 not worn in pool.
calories consumed: 1200
calorie deficit: 2500   165,700 to go!  That's almost 10,000 fat calories burned from my body this week already!  Gotta love that.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

I hate wind!

It is so very windy today.  Desert sand in the eyes with contacts, not so much fun.  Pool class with wind can be very chilly.  Thank goodness the hot tub is just feet away.  After class it was a mad dash to the hot tub.  Walking to my room is a challenge because the wind is tunneled through the building.  Though, it makes me feel skinny because I feel like I am going to be blown away.

I have had an awesome time here.  The people are great.  I feel like I have been blessed with meeting so many people.  The lectures today were really informative.  We talked about barriers to a healthy lifestyle this afternoon.  Each barrier is a brick wall and you have to ask yourself, how badly do you want it.  Tonight we talked about intuitive eating and other types or eating (emotional, chaotic, etc).  Emily, the dietitian is a big advocate of the 90/10 rule.  Make healthy food choices 90% of the time and eat what ever you want 10% of the time.  I can live with that one!

Today we hiked the stop sign hike.  I now know why everyone complains about stop sign.  It is a paved hike, but you climb 1,000 feet in 4 miles.  It gets steeper the closer to the top you get.  My feet felt like I was lifting a piece of lead with each step.  I wanted to quit, but knew I could finish and so I did it!  It took my an hour and 10 minutes, but I did it.  After arriving at the stop sign, I had 50 minutes of walking that I still needed to do.  I could walk back down the hill, boring.  Or I could walk the flat trail that I had not yet traversed.  So I took the easy route and went flat.  It was a boring walk.  Going back down the hill would have been prettier, but I was alone on the trail with my headphones so I danced my way down the trail.

After hiking, we could do pool or curcuit in the gym.  I choose pool because I thought it would let my legs relax.  Marjorie, the trainer, had other ideas.  I don't know why I keep thinking pool is easy.  Maybe because it looks easy until you actually do it.

After lunch I had kickboxing which I loved.  We used the kickboxing bags which really helps you work your punches and kicks.  It is a great stress reliever.  I wish the Y had bags.  We then had the dreaded Mountain class.  In Mountain you ride, bike or walk on a machine and every 3 minutes you increase your intensity for 12 increases.  Everyday, there is a class that makes me want to cry and today it was Mountain.  But I did it.  And I am glad I don't have to do it again. Those 3 minutes are really long!

And then I had pool again.  It was easier this afternoon, but that was because I was so out of energy that I had nothing left to give so I didn't put in much effort.

The meals here have been amazing.  And, until today I have not felt hungry.  I was hungry while hiking because I had forgotten to take a break and eat my banana.  It was kinda funny.  I had to stop and think when the last time I had actually been hungry was.  And all on only 1200 calories.  Who knew 1200 calories could fill you up.

Todays totals:
Calories burned  2672, but I quit wearing my monitor at 4:30 pool class and didn't start it until actually hiking.
Calories consumed: 1200
Calorie deficit: 1400   168, 200 calories to go! 

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Camelback number two, check!

When groups for hikes were announced today, I found out I got to climb Camelback.  It is the one hike I really wanted to do.  I wanted to be able to say I had climbed two Camelbacks.  This hike was an actual hike not a vertical climb compared to AZ's Camelback.  But this hike was scarier.  I froze up at one point on the decent, I just couldn't figure out where to go.  I stood there and shook with fear.  Ky, the guide told me to go down on my butt.  Fear gone and away i went.  This hike really was about conquering fears and having faith in yourself and knowledge that the guides wouldn't take you someplace unsafe.  That said...

The hike began with crossing a raging river.   Then we hiked through desert sand and up sandstone to the top of Camelback mountain. 







Along the way we some interesting vegetation, including the tequila tree (well that's not its name but what it is used for). 




 At the top we stood around the "toilet bowl" and made our own petroglyphs







We were given the opportunity to climb down into the "toilet bowl."  I was the only one to do it. 



After the toilet bowl we climbed one of the camelback rocks.  I did not want to to it.  But the guides talked me into it. 

 Once at the top we had to climb down doing the butt and slide as we called it.  after that my camera batteries were dead, so no more pictures.






When we got back, we had a stretch class which was needed after that hike.  Lunch was tomato soup (best I ever had) and a turkey sandwich.

My afternoon classes were Total Toning, which was a Mercedes class on steroids.  Pool: I just love pool class.  Dont' let the name fool you, it is very hard.  And the Cardio Intervals.  I was on a bike where you pedal for 5 minutes to warm up then increase your intensity or speed every 30 seconds for 8 times.  At the highest you go for 1 minute then come down for 8 30 second intervals.  one minute of rest the pedal like hell for 2 minutes, two minutes of rest, then pedal like hell for 1 minute and then repeat.

Dinner was enchilada and chocolate coconut sorbet.  I love sorbet.  Even with chocolate.

Calories was approximately 1200
Calories burned was 3600 (not including pool)
gives me a 2400 calorie deficit, putting my total to loose at 169,600 to reach my goal.

Ta ta for now.  I am heading to the hot tub.




Monday, April 26, 2010

Monday at Biggest Loser Resort

I walked 5.7 miles today on Bull Run trail.  It was a much easier trail than what Kathy and I did yesterday on our own, but we still worked very hard.  Megan was our guide.  And both Kathy and I were in the front group along with Jim and then later Bud joined us.  At first, Kathy and I were not happy with Bud when he joined us.  He wanted to go faster.  I felt that we had been going faster from the first step out of the van and who was he to take control of our speed.  But in the end we enjoyed being pushed and managed to complete the trail 12 minutes ahead of schedule.  Well done!  I am happy that the four of us have ended up in the same hiking group for the remainder of the week.

After hiking Kathy and I both chose to attend pool instead of mountain class.  I thought I was taking the easy class.  Erin was tough and I have greater respect for those who do the pool class at the ymca.  Much greater respect.

We then had lunch, tilapia tacos.  After lunch there was a lecture for the newbies.  The lecture was talking about weight loss in comparision to financial planning.  Long story short, I am carrying 175,000 extra calories on my body.  Ouch!  It will take some time of saving calories (by not eating as much as I burn) to eliminate that weight.  Interesting way to look at my weight loss.

After lunch, my "green" group had pool class.  Yep two today.  Loved it.  Then I had curcuit training and step and pump.  My heart rate monitor quit during pool class and i couldn't figure out how to get it started again until after curcuit.  Bummer!

Dinner was chicken, wasabi potatoes, aparagus and pineapple sorbet.  Loved every bite.

I burned 4000 calories + what didn't register on my monitor.
I consumed roughly 1200 calories (I had some cucumber slices and pepper slices in addition)
so I removed approximately 3000 calories from my body today!

My calorie deficit is now 172,000 calories.  Just an interesting way to look at what I need to do.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

My Adventure begins now

Kathy and I decided to leave early to go to Zion National Park.  But first we had to detour play $10.00 of our friends money in the slots.  Kathy puts $10.00 in the machine and after a couple of rounds wins $205.00 for Peg.  I put in $10.00 and won $31.00 playing the penny slots, but then lost it again.  Cheap entertainment!

Zion was packed today.  I guess it's National Park week, so all National Parks were free to visit, that was good.  After lapping the parking lot, I finally found a prime spot to park :).  We picked a trail, Watchman Trail.  It was posted as a moderate hike with some inclines and 2.7 miles round trip.  Sounds good.  We head off down the trail.  Stop a gentleman to ask him to take our picture.  He asks if we're going to the top and points to a mountain "right over there."  I said no, I'd gotten suckered into climbing a mounting in Scottsdale and I didn't want a repeat of Camelback Mtn. 

We head down the trail which is fairly flat with some inclines in the beginning.  looks good.  Then we go up, and up and up and up.  At one point we thought we had to be at the end of the trail until an older couple comes around the corner.  They told us were were 20 minutes from the top and after one more switchback the trail leveled out.  So, once again I was tricked into climbing a mountain.  And Kathy wanted to skip Zion and shop in town, go figure!

We checked in, got weighed in and measured.  I like my scale and measuring tape at home better, but it was the end of the day and I had just drank a ton of water.  Kathy didn't think we need our Camelbacks at Zion, so we were without supplies while hiking.  We bought water bottles at the gift shop and proceeded to drink water the entire way to BLR, and hour drive.

Met briefly with the lifecoach with 3 other people.  For those Biggest Loser fans, one of them was Jim from a couple of seasons ago.  He won with his twin brother.  There are 3 BL formere contestants here this week.  Ivins is hosting the Ironman Triathalon on Saturday and BLR is participating in a Fitness Festival.  So the three former contestants are here to help with that.  But I do have the opportunity to participate in the 10k or 5k on Saturday as part of Ironman.  I'll definately do one, just not sure if I am up for a 10k, yet.

Dinner was a waldorf salad, yum.  And, chocolate pie made from tofu, yuck.  I don't like chocolate except in candy form to begin with.  After dinner we introduced ourselves to the group.  You know me, too shy to talk.  Then we had orientation. 

Now I am unpacked, showered and ready for bed.  Day one was awesome.  Can't wait for tomorrow. 

I do miss my girls and Al.  I hope they are having a good time.  Love you guys.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

My Adventure begins with a great big thud!

My flight from Minneapolis was delayed.  They never told us why or even informed us that it would be delayed.  Got to Denver to find that my flight was delayed there because of a loose bolt on a seat.  They worked on that bolt for 45 minutes!  Finally, we take off.  I meet Kathy at baggage claim.  We are upgraded at Hertz to a Prius.  But neither of us can figure out how to drive the damn thing!  Got to the hotel and couldn't figure out how to turn it off.  Checked in and found out there was only one bed for us to share.  Decided to go to dinner, Kathy was starving.  Ate at Mephis BBQ.  Worst BBQ in the history of the world.  Couldn't eat it. Went to McDonld's afterwards for ice cream.  Met  wonderful gentleman who wanted to share our ice cream.  When we didn't, he left and took an already smoked cigarette butt out of the ashtray.  When we left, I was reaching to open the door at the same moment another gentleman was reaching from outside to open the door, I nearly screamed. 

Kathy and I do tend to laugh a lot whenever we are together.  But I can't remember a time when we have laughed as much as we have tonight.  It's a good thing she is such a good sport. (Tho the Lord only knows what she is saying about my on her blog right now!)  We've decided to get up at 5 to get the hell outa Dodge, lol!

Looking forward to getting to the Ridge.  It can't be any worse than what we've already exerienced.  It is the light at the end of this tunnel.

But seriously we do intend to get up and drive to Zion National Park to hike before we give ourselves over to the Ridge.  And I can't wait to meet my friends who are there or arriving there tomorrow.  Until then...

Friday, April 23, 2010

The end of the beginning

I am packing for my Adventure today.  Work out clothes...check, camera...check, underwear...oops not on the list, time to revise my list.  Ughh... This is why I procrastinate.  I hate having to deal with all this stuff. But enough of that.

I drive 4 hours to my mom's house tonight and then fly from Minneapolis to Vegas tomorrow afternoon.  from there, Kathy and I are driving to Zion park on Sunday morning to hike before we check into Fitness Ridge.  (I gotta get my miles in for the month.  I still need 18.6 miles to walk/bike for the month.)

I am full of anxiety.  Am I getting nervous? About what?  I don't know.  All i know is my heart is pounding and I can't stop moving.  Can't wait to get to Utah and meet my friends.  My Girl Gang.  I think i really must be nervous because I haven't blogged since the beginning of the month or read any other blogs for that matter. 

I can do it!  I CAN do it!  I can DO it!  I AM DOING IT!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

I'm off to Kansas City

My two older girls compete in the Region IV gymnastics Championships on Sunday in Overland Park, KS.  They are both very talented gymnasts and will do very well this weekend.  But that means 10 hours of driving each way.  I have purchased some protein bars to help curb the munchies.  Driving usually means munching on chips and candy bars and lots of pop.  That will not happen this weekend.  I continue to make healthy choices each day and traveling does not change that.

I completed w2d1 of C 2 5K.  I loved running for 90 second intervals.  It seemed so much easier than the 60 seconds last week.  I hope that continues to be the case as I progress each week.  Less shin pain today but more knee pain.  But then I have had knee pain all my life.  I figure once I lose all the weight I want and keep it off for a year then I will finally consider surgery.  For now, the pain is minor and I can live with it. 

My Girl Gang April challenge is going quite well.  100 miles walking/biking is going to be a breeze and I may even complete it before heading to Fitness Ridge.  But if not, I will definately finish it there! 

Yesterday was a Carb overload day.  I was craving all the unhealthy foods and I gave into them.  I even had a DQ Blizzard.  But I feel good.  I didn't allow myself to feel guilty and enjoyed what I was eating.  My boby obviously wanted carbs.  Could I have choosen better carbs?  Sure but I'm not going to worry about one day of poor choices.  I have a lifetime ahead of healthy choices ahead of me.  Yea, Me!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

I'm so excited!

I'm so excited because there's only 20 days till Fitness Ridge.  I can't wait!  Every time I think about my up coming trip, my heart starts to pound faster and I get fidgety.  I just get so excited.  It is going to be such a wonderful experience.  I get to hike everyday.  Which I have done this week (except today).  I get to try a variety of classes.  And I get instructors who will push me to do more (let's face it, on my own I give up much faster!). 

I'm excited because I have walked 19 miles this week and biked 17.  Wow.  I feel ready to take on the world.

I'm so excited because I have started a running program that is so totally awesome.  I can't believe that I am running.  Okay so only for 60 seconds at a time, but still I'm doing it.

I'm excited because I didn't overeat this weekend.  I wasn't a calorie counter, but ate healthy choices in a healthy quanity.  Maybe a little too much champagne, but come on it was Easter.  And I haven't totally devoured my daughters' Easter basket candy. 

Friday, April 2, 2010

Easter is upon us.  But the good new is that I am in control of the menu.  I have choosen Turkey this year with yams, salad, squash and a blueberry jello desert.  But just because it is there in front of me, or even on my plate, doesn't mean I have to consume every last bite.  I will choose to let my food go to waste rather than my waist! 

Today, I biked for 4 miles.  Really, I did.  Once I got out of the neighborhood (I live at the bottom of several hills) it was very easy.  I'd forgotten how much I like riding bike.  I still hate the hills in my neighborhood.  And they are a tremendous mental hurdle to get over.  But my Mom was riding bike with me and i figured if she could do it at 63, I could do it at 39.  So I did, we did.   I love that I am doing things I wouldn't do a year ago.  I love that I want to do those things.

Things are really going good right now.  I am choosing to ignore those Negative Nellies in my life who want to rain on my parade or stop the party.  Nope, I won't listen to them.  It is spring and I have a spring in my step.  Besides, I love what I am doing.  And I love what I am attempting.

By the way, I got on the scale this morning.  190.4, yipee.  Only 4/10th of  pound to meet my second Fitness Ridge goal.  When I first started, I wanted to be under 200 by the time I went.  Then when I met that goal in January, I set a new goal of being under 190.  February didn't get my anywhere.  And March started much the same.  But the last week and half the pounds have been falling off again! 

But even more than that.  When I look in the mirror, I see a fit woman. I love what I am seeing.  about 8 years ago I was down to 163 pounds.  But when I looked in the mirror I still saw how much fat I had to lose.  Now I just like looking at how healthy I look.  I'm not so concerned about the scale (though I still stand on it every morning).  I love taking my measurments each week.  It's so fun to see how many inches I have lost.

So my adventure which started as a means to lose weight has really changed.  I still want to weigh 145 pounds, but what large woman wouldn't.  I am more focused on enjoying the process and the end result will be a healthier more active me. 

Go Me!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Who am I?

We ask ourselves this question many times in our lives.  Who am I?, What do I want with my life?, etc.  But, today I ask myself: Who am I? because I am going to start a running program.  Thanks to a fellow blogger, Annalise, I am going to start the program called Couch to 5k.  Ugh, I hate running.  Why am I doing this?  Because, while I hate running, my body is asking me to do it.  And I have to learn to listen to my body.  So today, I am putting on my running shoes and actually going to use them to run.  I'll be back afterwards to let you know how I do!


I DID IT!  The program is a great one.  I downloaded a podcast that took me through my first attempt at running since, well I can't remember the last time I ran.  The podcast warms you up for 5 minutes, lets you know when to run for 60 seconds, walk for 90 seconds, repeat for 8 times, then cool down for 5 minutes.  You do this 3 times in week one.  By the fourth repetition I was ready to give up.  My shins were killing me, I could hardly breathe, and I didn't know why I was doing this in the first place.  But then the guy would remind me it was for only 60 seconds and I could do it.  And you know what...I did do it!  By the last 60 second interval, I found it much easier.  Of course that interval was down hill.  And I swear all the others were uphill.  Well number 4 was flat, but it wasn't that easy.  I am actually looking forward to do this again on Saturday morning.  Which bring me back to...

Who am I?  I keep doing things that I never thought I would do.  But more importantly, I keep wanting to do things I've never wanted to do before.  So, am I changing?  Am I becoming a different person?  Or am I finally becoming the "real" me?  Maybe that not so active woman wasn't really me.  And, maybe, just maybe that's why I wasn't so very happy.  I know I am happier when I exercise.  And not just because it burns calories and makes me skinny.  I am just plain happy when I exercise.  I am looking forward to exploring new forms of exercise in this adventure of mine.

I am not done yet...