end of week 3 and the beginning of week 4

I haven't blogged for a few days due to being very tired when I get home and also due not making the time when my sisters were here. Last Friday and Saturday were both very good days. On Friday I went on a beautiful hike call "Fern Gully", the only thing that was not great was that there was sooooo much sand. The sand is like walking in the sand dunes for miles. You sink up to your ankles with every step. The scenery however was beautiful. I'm getting really close with a couple of people that I hike with everyday and also the guides. They are so much fun and we help push each other. The exercises class were also fun on Friday: Pool was a lot of dancing in the pool, circuit was the same and total body conditioning is getting much easier for me. Lori and Mom picked me up from Fitness Ridge today and they got to meet Brittney from Biggest Loser season 5. She is going home on Sunday and we have become quite close. It is hard for me to see her go. Played cards with the family on Friday and had some good laughs. It is so good to be with my family.

Saturday was only a 1/2 day which started with a hike to "Galoot". This is the third time that I have done this hike, but this day was a little bit different. The first time I did this hike was my first week and I had a fellow FR guest by the name of Len with me both times. The first time he didn't make it very far, but on Saturday he told me he wanted to do the whole thing. I stayed with him for most of the hike to give him encouragement and he made it through the entire thing. I was so proud of him and also of me because it was an easy hike for me today compared to the 1st time I did it. It feels so great that I am getting stronger. After the hike I had a stretch class and the day was done. Went shopping with Mom and all the sisters Saturday afternoon. We ended up in a store that carried my size clothing and my wonderful sisters purchased two new shirts for me and a necklace. It was really fun to try on clothing that was smaller than I normally wear and have it fit. I have such a great and supportive family and I tell them "thank you" enough.

Sunday: A day of rest. Went to FR for breakfast and took Lori and Julie with me. They got to meet some of the people that I have been spending everyday with and they said it was really inspiring to meet and listen to them talk. We took some pictures at the Biggest Loser sign and then went home. Janet flew out early this morning. Lori and Julie also left to go back home. The rest of the day was very relaxing. Just read and took a nap. Getting ready for my last week.

Monday and Tuesday of week 4: I can't believe that I'm already in week 4. It has gone so fast, but I'm feeling so much better about myself. Monday was a hike that I had been on 2 times before, but never made the entire loop due to time. I guess 3rd time is the charm because I made the entire 7 miles. So excited and felt really good to hit a goal. The rest of the day was more of the same exercise classes that we have daily. Monday's always seem to be the hardest classes and consequently I'm really tired and rundown on Tuesday's. Today was another good hike with fabulous views. The classes seem to be getting easier or I'm getting stronger. Here are a few pictures I took within the last 4 days. Night all.

Week 3: Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday: woke up to a cold and rainy day. We have all been assigned to hikes everyday now instead of being able to chose the one you want to take. The advantage of this is that I'm now forced to get out of my comfort zone and possible do hikes that I think are out of my physical ability and find out that I am strong enough to do them. Our hike today was called camelback, but because of the rain they think there is too much water in an area of it and impossible for my group to handle. Instead we went on overlook, which is a paved trail going down and an incline all the way back. It was okay other than it being really cold and wet. I had a stretch class after the hike and I always love that class. Lunch was BBQ pizza and beet soup..I don't care for the beet soup, but the pizza was good. Afternoon classes were mountain, pool, and kickboxing. I felt like all of them were easier for me, either the trainer was being easier on us or I'm getting stronger and have more endurance. Overall it was a good day. Mom and Dad picked me up after dinner and they had a surprise with them, my sister Janet flew in today to surprise me. It is so great to see her. I haven't seen her for at least 2 years. Thanks Janet for taking the time out of your life to come and support me. I love you very much.

Thursday: Another cold and rainy day. My hike is called West Canyon and is a gravel trail through some beautiful country. I am really tired today because I didn't go to bed at a decent hour last night. I talked to Bob, Jessica and Alex before the hike and for some reason just couldn't get them out of my mind during the hike and my knees were really hurting today. I called Bob while doing the hike because I was by myself and broke down a little with him. I have been really strong this whole time but, for some reason hit a wall today. Thanks Bob for being there for me this morning. I had a swim class after the hike that put me back in a good mood. Also met with a life coach today that was very helpful because I don't want to get back home and not continue this journey. Lunch today was a turkey sandwich and mushroom soup (both very good). My afternoon classes are ballworks, treading, and pool. Ballworks and treading are probably two of the most intense classes here. I can't believe that week 3 is almost done. Dinner was a stuffed pepper that was okay not great. I had a wonderful surprise when I went to the parking lot to go home tonight.....All of my sisters came into town to support me. WOW!! It was a teary reunion in the BL Fitness Ridge parking lot. I then took my whole family on a tour of the place. It was really great to get in the car and have my parents and siblings there. Thanks everyone for taking the time out of your lives to come and support me. Love you all very much.

Week 3: Monday and Tuesday

Monday started out like every other Monday. We have quite a few new people this week and we were assigned a hike. I went on barrel roll (not my favorite), but it was approximately 5 miles of winding around a brush covered hill. It was a very hot hike today, but I took the advice of one of the trainers and she said to where my headset and I wouldn't hear myself breathing which should make it easier to hike. She was so right. I did very well today. One of my fellow hikers got sick in the middle of the hike and I felt so bad for her because we had approximately 2 miles to walk back to the van. We all think that she came down with the flu. After the hike I did a mountain class on the recumbent bike (thought my legs were going to fall off). Lunch today was chili and a corn muffin. My afternoon classes were pool, step and pump, and circuit training. Overall a really good day.

Tuesday: I was assigned a hike today that is called Reversed White Rock. It was a hike that went down over some lava rock and then turned into a lot of sand. It was a beautiful hike and I loved it. We did run into a rattle snake today however, the hike guide almost stepped on it. We just stood there and took pictures while it made its way across the path and then we continued on. I did pool after the hike which always feel great after a long hike. After lunch I had pool, circuit intervals, and then total body toning. Everyone in my group seemed to be really tired today so the last 15 minutes of toning class the trainer turned into stretch class. It was wonderful. The days here seem to be flying by and I feel that things are getting easier each week. Thanks again to everyone for their support. Love you all.

Week 2: Friday and Saturday

Friday started with open gym time or kickboxing. I chose to do open gym because kickboxing at 6am is just too early. The hike followed and I did one that I previously did last week called West Canyon. Beautiful scenery and a walk that is approximately 7 miles round trip. I did much better this time because I went much farther and at a quicker pace. My breathing is what I have a hard time with. It seems to be getting easier each week and that excites me.

Cardio intervals followed the hike and then lunch. After lunch was a class on prep for next week. There are about 20 of us that will continue on with this journey next week. It amazing how close you become with the people that are here. Everyone is always encouraging each other.

Circuit training came next followed by cardio disco jam (fun class, but also a good workout), and the last class was pool (Fridays in the pool are pretty easy) where we played games.

Food for the day: Parfait for breakfast (I opted for toast and almonds), lunch was ceasar salad and parsnip soup, dinner was a turkey burger and for dessert cranberry sorbet. My pictures today were just of of the hike and the two girls are Zoya and Ivy (great friends..will miss you Zoya).

Saturday is always just a half day. You have the choice of hiking or doing a last chance workout in the gym with a trainer. I did the gym. I spent 1 1/2 hours on the bike doing mountain and then treading (both great workouts). Then we did circuit training followed by an aerobics workout. I had approximately a 1/2 hour to change before I ended my workout in the pool. In the pool she had us doing a lot of upper body and core work.

We then had lunch and after that the rest of the day was free time. Dad picked me up and I just relaxed for the rest of the day. Went to a couple of stores with mom and then back to Fitness Ridge for dinner and graduation.

At graduation you get to see a DVD of everyone doing their activities for the week and people can pass the microphone around to share what their week was like. It is very emotional for some and also very inspirational. We all then receive a reward for attending every class depending on what week you are finishing.

You receive a t-shirt for your first week, hat for the second, gym bag for the third, and a Brooks jacket for the fourth week. It is amazing what people will do for a t-shirt..LOL!

After graduation about 25 of us went bowling. It was a lot of fun and a chance to do something together besides workout.

Then end of another great week. The only thing that I hate about the end of the week is saying goodbye to those people that are leaving and you have become very close to. Sunday is a rest day...YEAH!

Week 2: Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday started out with a 6am class called yogalaties. This was my first experience with yoga, I liked some of the things we did, but not all. Breakfast followed and I chose to have granola with almond milk and fruit.

My hike today was called "3rd ravine". It was hiking up a ravine and making it into a really cool cave. This hike was the most challenging one that I have taken and it kicked my butt, but I was also very proud of myself for making it. Everyone here is so positive and encouraging. If someone is having a difficult time on a hike or exercise class they will here nothing but encouraging words from those around them.

Lunch today was pumpkin soup and greek pizza. After lunch I had approximately one and a half hours to relax. Last week during this time I attending lectures or cooking demos. This week is a repeat of those so it is really nice to have some free time to relax by the pool or hang out with new friends just talking.

My 3 afternoon classes were pool, kick boxing, and mountain (using a piece of cardio equipment and increasing the intensity level 12 different times in 45 minutes). All three classes were intense, but I feel really great when I'm done.

Dinner was a very yummy salmon fillet with orzo and veggies.

Very tired all day, but I know that it will all be worth it.

Thursday was another early day. I didn't do the class, but instead did open gym. I was on a bike for 45 minutes before breakfast.

Breakfast today was an egg sandwich with turkey bacon and a little bit of cheese sprinkled on top. Hike followed breakfast and I took one that was call "overlook". It is a hike that you can just put your Ipod on and go at your own speed. It was just what I needed after yesterdays hike. Stretch class followed the hike and our trainer for this great. I'm sure that all the stretching we do has saved us all from being extremely sore.

Lunch was french onion soup, salad, and a greek pita. After lunch it was relaxing time, which was very nice.

My afternoon classes were treading (cardio), pool, and followed by a class called "ballworks", Nicole was the trainer and she doesn't even give you a 15 second breather. It was a tough class, but I made it through.

Dinner was chicken breast with wild rice and peach cobbler for dessert.

Today was the first day that I'm starting to notice that my clothes are starting to feel looser..YEAH!!!

As always very tired so, I'm going to bed now.

I truly believe that this place is changing my life.

Week 2: Monday and Tuesday

What a difference a week makes. Monday was a great day for me. I started out at the 6am pilates class. Breakfast was a very tasty peanut butter and jelly with banana panini (yummy), it was wonderful. Went on a new hike today that I loved. It was approximately 5 miles and I went at a much faster pace than I did on the 1st day. I even had a hike guide tell me that I was flying compared to the week before. It is amazing how fast the body can become stronger. Had a fabulous stretch class after the hike and then lunch which was a turkey sandwich and tortilla soup. I then had my 3 afternoon classes which were circuit training, pool, and then step and pump (some call this class step and puke). Dinner was chicken and polenta, brussel sprouts, and desert was a parfait. All in all I felt strong today.

Tuesday started out with alarm going off and I did not want to get up. Sooooo tired this morning. I went to a 6am hardcore class that only worked on our core...killer. Breakfast was a yummy apple muffin and fruit. Hike followed and I did a hike that I did last Tuesday called "Goloot", it is most walking up three sandstone hills and it is really beautiful. I had the same hike guide as last week on this guide and I did the entire thing plus 1 extra uphill section. She told me after the hike that she was really impressed with how fast I was doing today.

I had a free weight class today that was very informative and makes me want to get some kind of routine with free weights at home. My final 3 classes were circuit intervals, total body toning, and then pool. Tuesdays seem to be my hard day because I seem to be extra tired on Tuesdays. Finished up the day with dinner (shepards pie, broccoli, and chocolate dipped strawberries).

Fitness Ridge is really great. There is absolutely no judgement by anyone here and I'm making some great friends.

Thanks to everyone for their support and words of encouragement. Night all.

Friday and Saturday

Friday:  Started my day with breakfast and then left for the hike.  I did a hike called "West Canyon"  It is a path that you can just put on your Ipod and go.  There are a few inclines, but for the most part it is a beautiful walk or run that you can really get your heart rate up.  After the hike I had a stretch class for 45 minutes.  Lunch was next and it was a tostada and mushroom soup that was really good.  

Then it was on to the 3 hours of exercise:  Circuit, Cardio disco jam (it was a blast), and then pool.  Fun day with workouts.

Dinner was meatloaf and veggies.  Home to bed.

Saturday at Fitness Ridge started out with breakfast for me.  It was a fruit parfait that was granola, yogurt, and fresh fruit on top.  I will say that it is was not my favorite.  Next you had the choice of going on a hike or getting killed in the gym for 2 1/2 hours.  I chose to get killed in the gym.

Marjorie was our trainer, we pick a piece of cardio equipment to work out on for over an hour.  I choice a piece that is like a recumbent bike combined with eliptical so, your arms are going as well as your feet, but it is not hard on your knees.  We started at a fourth of the level for five minutes and then went up to half for 5 minutes then to 75% for another 5 minutes and finally be at the top level for five minutes.  After that you went down to 75% for 4 min. and up to full for 5 min. and so on.  I will have to say that I don't think that I have ever worked out that hard in my life.  I had sweat dripping off the end of my nose.  After finishing with the cardio which was over an hour we had a 5 minute break and then back to the aerobic room.

In the aerobic room we had different stations we rotated through.  I started on the ball then kick boxing and finally stepper with weights.  We then had everyone on a ball (I can't believe everything you can do with a ball for exercise) working our cores.  We moved to the floor and layed flat on our backs with legs in the air and passed the ball to each other with our legs.  All I can say about that entire workout was WOW!!  I felt like I was having a last chance workout on the Biggest Loser. 

Fifteen minutes later I found myself in the pool doing an arm workout.  After pool it was lunch which was butternut squash soup and a turkey sandwich(yum).  

Because it is Saturday we are free do lounge around until dinner and graduation.  I went back to mom and dad's for the afternoon and just relaxed.  I fell asleep sitting up on the couch watching golf and listening to the fountain they have in the backyard.  

Back to the Ridge at 5:30 for dinner which was a yummy turkey salisbury steak and pea pods with pineapple sorbet for dessert.  We then got to listen to everyone tell about their accomplishments for the week.  This place is inspiring and feels so safe.  There is no judgement just encouragement.  Your fellow guests inspire you to do things that you thought you weren't capable of doing.  

Sunday is a rest day so, the only thing that I will be doing is eating  my meals at FR.  

Days 4 and 5

My schedule for Thursday was:

6am- breakfast- it was english muffin with scrambled egg on top with a bowl of fresh fruit.

8am-10:45- hike, I did a hike called chukawala.  It is a pretty basic hike, but I struggled on the inclines of it today because it felt like I couldn't catch my breath.  I did this same hike on Monday, but went farther this time.

11:15am-Pool class

12:15pm- lunch- it was soup and a tomato sandwich.  Really good.

1:15pm- cooking demo from chef Cameron.  He showed us how he made the potato salad that we were having for dinner that night, turkey meatloaf, and chocolate pudding.  

2:30pm- pool again

3:30pm-ball works (this is a class that where you use an big ball the entire time.  He does a lot of arm work with it just by holding it over your head and moving it all different directions.  We also lay on it stomachs facing down, and do pushup.  It was a very good class.  

4:30pm-treading class (this is where you pick a cardio machine and you go all out as fast and as hard a level as you can for 5 min., cool down for 5 min, all out again for 4 min, and cool down for 4 min.  It goes on like this all the way down to 1.  It is a very hard class, but I'm finding that I can do more than my brain says is possible.  

5:15pm-dinner (it was really good potato salad, chicken breast, cauliflower and carrots.  Dessert was apple cobbler)

Friday:

Breakfast today was a toasted enlish muffin, smoothie and a bowl of fruit.

Started out with a hike to West Canyon.  This hike is a walking path through Snow Canyon that has some inclines.  You can just put on your ipod and enjoy the scenery as you walk as far as you can in 1 hour and then turn around and go back.  It is not a hard hike, but I have come down with a chest cold so if I got going to fast my breathing wasn't great.  Coughing a lot today.

After the hike I had stretching class that is fabulous because our trainer finds muscles to stretch that I didn't know existed.  

Lunch:  was a tostada and mushroom soup.  It was wonderful and very filling.

After lunch we had a lecture for people that were staying on for another week.  Everyone got to tell the group what their biggest accomplishment was for the week.  It was very motivating and emotional for some people.   My biggest accomplishment has been hiking for 5 days and I'm not a hiker.  

I then had my 3 workout classes:

First was Circuit training.  I walked out of that class drenched.  Fifteen minutes later I had cardio disco jam, it was a blast and also a great workout.  And the last class of the day was pool.  

Dinner:  It was turkey meatloaf with fresh green beans.

The food here is very good.  

My first week here is almost done and I would have to say that it went very fast and I'm feeling stronger every day.  The trainers are fantastic and they really care about every single person here.  Not one judges anyone because we are all here to overcoming fears and make lifestyle changes.  I'm making some great new friends and they almost feel like family because you spend so much time with them.  It is hard to see people go home that you have become close to. 

I decision I made to come here I believe will change my life for the better.  Thanks for the comments that you all make on my blog and Facebook.  It helps me more that you know.

Day 2 and 3 completed

I need to start by saying that this is the greatest place for fitness that I have ever been. The staff is so incredibly accommodating. Day two started out with a hike that was beautiful, but also challenging. I had 5 people on my hike with 3 guides (the guides are fabulous). It was approximately 3 miles. Back to Fitness Ridge for a 45 minute stretching class. I stretched areas that I didn't know needed to be stretched, it was great. After lunch we had a cooking demo from Chef Cameron where he showed us how he made salmon burgers, and a homemade dressing from mango's, vinegar, sesame oil, and water (yummy). Total toning class was next, it is nothing but a step w/risers, a weight bar, and weights. This class kicked my butt, but I know it will help tighten muscles that I didn't know I had. Pool was next and can I just say that I LOVE the pool classes. The water is warm and the air cool and the class really gives you a great workout. Fifteen minutes later I was in a circuit interval class where you pick a cardio machine and every 30 seconds you need to increase either your speed or your level. You do that 8 times and then decrease every 30 seconds until you get to the lowest level. Then you do an all out sprint for 2 minutes, rest for 2 minutes, all out sprint for 1 minute and then start the process all over again. It was a great workout and my legs were shaking when we done. After dinner we had a lecture on nutrition that was very enlightening. I will be changing some things when I get home on how my family eats. (get ready family..lol),

Day 3:  I started the day out in the gym doing my own thing for approximately 15 minutes to get warmed up for the hike.  We headed out to vans to go to the starting point of our hikes.  My hike was called Barrel Roll due to all the barrel cactus.  It was very skinny trail that just wound around and up and down.  I'm struggling today because I'm so tired...I haven't been sleeping well and they also say that day three is usually a day you hit a wall.  Got back to the ridge and went to a circuit class.  After lunch I did my first ever kick boxing class..WOW it is a workout, but I loved it.  We were paired with a person for one part of it where one person would hold the bag while the other person hit the bag as fast and hard as they could for 30 seconds.  Then we would switch.  My partner was Brittney from season 5 of the Biggest Loser..She is here for 3 weeks and we are getting to know each other pretty well.  FUN!  Next class was 15 minutes later and it was cardio machine for 45 min. and every 4 minutes increasing the level intensity.  The last class was pool..I love the pool!  

The meals here are fantastic.  I have posted some pictures of what I'm eating, and some landscaping scenes.  It is 8:30 and I'm going to bed.  

Maybe I will get better at posting pictures before this trip is over.