Today started my second week here at Fitness Ridge.  Wow, what a difference a week can make.  My hike today was at Upper Gila  --- very beautiful hike, without the guides, I think I may have been lost forever if Id been on my own. (Not really -- I knew the direction of the road , though getting there would have taken interesting navigation I'm sure).  New van assignments, tomorrow I will be doing the infamous stop sign again, I was hoping for a few more conditioning days before this hike, so I can better my last weeks time, but oh well --- exactly one week later, I will see if I break last weeks time of not. Please wish me luck.

Classes -- I returned for stretch, then had core, pool, and circuit.  The first two classes were more of the same, I can see the difference in how I perform this week compared to last.  Circuit on the other hand, I was able to get solid numbers.  Today my treadmill speed started at 4.7 and I finished my last section at a full 2 min of 4.9  (my best last week was 4.2).  My bike RPM moved from the mid 60s last week --- up to sustained 100's with a level 7 tacked on.  I had a great day.

Food -- Breakfast, had the egg mcmuffin thing today --- I substituted out the turkey bacon, for more egg.  Lunch, Sunchoke soup (liked it)  and mixed greens and a tuna salad with sliced yellow sweet potato. Dinner, chicken breast, sweet potato and asparagus. Dessert was oranges drizzled in dark chocolate.

Class today consisted of open gym today --- where I walked down to a park and played kickball --- I didn't do so well at catching the balls --- but I still managed a decent kick or two when it was my turn up.  Week 2 guests have significantly less classes.  There are a few I will go to this week as a repeat, as well as a few new lectures.

Signing off.

Todays post will be short, I had the day all to myself to do whatever.   I sent my roomy off this morning about 7am, we had a nice visit as she finished getting things together.  After my 7 am breakfast, I visited with a lot of the others who were leaving today also.  By 845 I have to admit I was getting a little restless -- I went to the gym.  I know what I would be thinking if I read that last sentence, I was thinking the same thing as I headed that way -- " What???!!!! "  I spent 45 min on the treadmill and 5 min on the bike, just to settle the legs down after my walk.  I took a gentle pace (which is still faster than I walked prior to soming here)... tomorrow marks the next chapter in picking it up again --- for the record they encouraged to rest up today.

I got some geocaching in for the rest of my resting up --- working on finally topping my 100 virtuals -- and can finally sign off that challenge.  Still more virtuals to work on down here, and caches everywhere.  I finally settled back and realized that I wont get much caching done this trip --- next time I may come a day early to get my fix on geocaching before I start.  What I know is that I am also ready to get back home, there are things I miss there --- however, I have one more intense week of caring for myself and I am excited about that.

I figured out how to post a few pics of my hikes, there weren't as many pics as I expected to see on my CD, and I though we don't have much time for photo opportunities, I plan on keeping the camera a little closer this week.

Today marks the end of my first week at Fitness Ridge.  Someone mentioned earlier tonight that it is amazing at how fast this week went, when 20 seconds on a treadmill can at times seem to take forever.  That sums up my week. 
Today was cold and rainy, I had my choice of hiking in the rain or a class called cardio blast --- which equates to 2 hours in the gym at high intensity.  I chose the hike.  Today I hiked west canyon --- good think I bought my rain poncho before I left, because it was a little thicker than what the ridge provided.  My jacket sleeves still got wet however and the rest of the jacket shell seemed to absorb it like a sponge. The inside stayed dry though.  Beautiful hike, in a beautiful place.
I came back and chose into stretch class --- I have really enjoyed this class.  My flexibility has definately lacked -- I have some new exercises to work on that with now, not to mention, it just feels good after a hike.

Saturdays are half days, I got a shower, an hour catnap, a little television/computer time and dressed in something other than sweats.  Who would think putting on jeans could be a reward after a long week here, makes me smile.

This evening we watched a DVD made of the week, I still have yet to see the other one with the still shots --- its a nice memory peice.  It was karoke night afterwards, and though I didn't sing, I can say that I had a great time, its been at least 20 years since I have been in a karoke scenario.  Fun stuff.

Similar food today --- loved the carrot ginger soup for lunch and the tacos that came with it today.

Signing out for the night.

 

Today was a great one, finished the last full day of my first week.  The hike today was to Camelback -- I really enjoyed this one a lot.  I will download a few pics in my free time (whenever that might be) at some point to post.  The good news is I didn't fall quite as far behind today -- but I still had my own hike guide.  Schedule similar to any other day.  I had a new class today -- Zumba, got a great workout, looked silly, sort of managed to follow -- had a great time, interested to see what next weeks class looks like, judgment reserved on future attempts to recreate.  The pool was volleyball --- got good at serving the ball over after plenty of missed attempts, not so good at recovering or keeping the ball up in the air --- or over the net-- it wasn't about that so all was good.  Now the biggest accomplishment for me today came in Circuit class --- 2 minute intervals of cardio followed by 2-45 second weight rounds.  I decided to work on going faster than I had before for that length of time, now up until I came here, I could muster 4 MPH on the treadmill for about 30 seconds before I was sure I would die.  Today my first round was at 4 mph, the rest were at 4.2 (including the last which lasted 3 minutes).  This is near the end of my day when I was already spent, so amazing. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but excited to see where the number is next week. 

Food --- breakfast : substituted for eggs and toast today -- lunch: Tomatillo soup (not bad, wont make at home) -- with a sandwich I think tuna --- sorry guys can't quite remember.  Dinner: Salmon burger (had to decontruct it to eat it, really good), and fruit for dessert.

Played a game of scattergories tonight -- was fun (okay gamer friends of mine, erase that last line) -- I taught Flux before hand to a confused group --- should have pulled out No Thanks or Category 5.

Just finished looking at a few things online, finishing up the blog, and it looks like a 930 bedtime for me tonight.

Tomorrow's forcast has plans for rain --- I signed up for a basic level hike -- the other option is 2 hours of cardio in the gym --- if its raining hard, I may change it up to the gym --- but for the time being, I prefer the outdoors.

Okay new verdict after today.  I think I will live --- like many others Thursday is the day where my body started responding a little better.  Don't get me wrong or anything, still sore, however today its more of a nagging sore.  It only required a small groan to get out of bed this morning, instead of the long -- holy cow do I really have to roll over because that really hurts everywhere near scream yesterday.

The hike today was Chuckawalla --- somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 miles or so for me -- stopped caring really --- regardless of where they take me the burn will be good. Got my own hike guide today --- there were only 4 in our van today --- and we split 3 guides  (2 are new so according to them they each counted as half).  Still pulling up last --- the guides will walk side by side for a little bit to make sure Im doing well --- and then outpace me a little --- to speed up the pace I am sure, not sure how well it worked today, but overall it is working.  Today required a little more slowing down, I still hate the ups -- However today they also humored me and I was able to nab 3 caches.  The group had outpaced far enough that my guide and I turned around about the same time they did --- there was a cache I didnt mention because it was .15 up a steep inclined trail,  hill, mountain did I say steep?  We decided to head for that one while the group caught up --- as in my geocaching world, often we take the hard way up, only to find the easier way down --- a little scrambling and crawling over boulders and such we made it to the top --- my guide was so excited (or he was just motivating me) that I had to chuckle a little --- he nabbed that one before I could (better than the time before when the other guide was actually standing on the rock the cache was under).  I think we may have a new geocacher in our numbers soon.  We found the trail down --- although steep --- no boulder crawls or tumbling rocks.

I had my choice of pool class or circuit class --- I really like the pool for less lower leg impact after hiking --I may change it up next week --- but this week when I have a choice, I've gone for the pool.  -- It sill amazes me that I like it enough to get  in and do all sorts of stuff while its cold out --- and its an outside pool.  I was at least able to dip in the hottub for 5 minutes afterwards to warm up, the toss my big white fluffy robe on and head to lunch. Normally I'd change but I was lucky enough to have pool class after lunch too --- in case you are wondering, two different styles of pool class.  Ball works was the next class --- dang you can do a lot with those big silly stability balls --- my arms and legs were burning by the end of class.  My last class of the day was treading -- on paper it sounded rough, in reality it was rougher, by the end of the day its something I will take home with me because I felt so incredible.  It's an interval type class 5 min all out on any cardio ( took the bike over treadmill --new range of motion and my calves still ached )  then a 5 min recovery time, follwed by 4 oall out, 4 recovery -- 3/3, 2/2, 1/1.  Then when I was thrilled to get towards the end, the surprise (always surprises) was that we got to do a 50 second sprint, with a recovery (guessing it was 1 min but not sure0 and followed yet again with a 40 second sprint.  If we had more time Im not so sure we wouldnt have done one for 30.  The thing that was so wonderful for me is this week the highest RPM's I have been able to maintain was 114 --- most of today I was at 100-110 until the final two sprints -- the first at 120, and the second at 136.  The trainer kept reminding us that we could do anything for one more min -- or 30 more seconds, and its true.  Nice breakthrough.

Meals -- Breakfast was oatmeal -- I don't care for the stuff normally, and without milk and sugar it was not any better --- it was sweetened with strawberrys -- Ill choose out of that next week if it shows up again.  Lunch was mushroom soup, but tomato based, another hit on the I would make this at home -- followed by a turkey sandwich (Orowheat rounds are used here a fair amount).  Dinner was stuffed red bell pepper --- I liked that too --- a turkey type stuffing.

For class another cooking demo -- lilked it, and a prep for next week class for those of us staying over.

Laundy on the agenda, and although it was supposed to be done by now, the washers were full right before dinner, and before class --- and it was just worth doing it a little later, to not crawl into sweaty gross sweatpants first thing in the morning. (I have found later in the day I can do it, sounds gross I know, but for the record -- its done when swimclass isnt the last class of the day -- and what does it really matter, within 5 minutes the new ones would be sweaty too.

Okay off to email or something for the next 30 til my clothes dry, and another before 10pm bedtime.

This morning came way too early today.  I did muster the morning stretch class (it is optional -- however since I made so much noise just trying to get out of bed I figured it would help, it did).  The hike today was beautiful -- around 5 miles, but messed up my GPS tracking -- and the guides' GPS tracking malfunctioned as well.  We did a hike to a place called Johnson's Arch, then wandered around a mountain to Scout cave -- very beautiful walk --- still at the back of the pack, but only by minutes they tell me --- the guides tell me it is better to be in a van that challenges me by being a little speedier than to be the lead in a group where I dont -- they are right and I will stand by thier judgement.  The lectures and classes here are pulling me to a level already that I never thought would be possible.

Exercise today was comprised of 2 pool classes ( I had the choice for one between pool and a cardio circuit I chose pool).  I am finding that I really enjoy the pool, I am getting a great ab workout, as well as a great upper body -- I get to figure out where to maintain this at home, loving it. (even though I hurt like the dickens).  My other two classes were mountain ( increasing resistance every 3 minutes for 12 rotations -- thought about cheating on the last 2 but mustered up the strength to push the button when instructed -- I am here to be pushed so I get to dig deep and trust) -- Kickboxing was the other class I attended -- not as committed to that one, however I did enjoy it -- can you say arms that wanted to fall off by the time I was through?

Meals today ---  Breakfast  was mixed fruit like yesterday, french toast and egg  -- okay.

Lunch was a type of chicken pizza and beet soup --- enjoyed the beet soup but would never prepare it, but willing to have it if someone else did, enjoyed the pizza things.

Dinner was a taco salad with chicken style meal  -- very good, loved the sorbet we got for desset too.

Okay time for bed -- Im ready for Sunday when I will be able to sleep in until Sunday -- and have a nap if I want --- if the weather is decent (supposed to be snowing)  I plan on actually grabbing a cache or two.

Night

I know now why they call it "Terrible Tuesday".  I am still happy to be here, but dang I feel it.  Today my hike was the infamous stop sign hike.  4.3 miles srait uphill( about a 1000 foot elevation gain)--- well the bottom 3 miles had a litte roll action going on, a lot up, a little down, back up, a little down.  I managed to get to the top in 90 minutes, which was better than I anticipated -- all in all a 7.1 mile hike (its on or close to a road with a lot of parking areas, so they gave us a time to make sure we were in one to be picked up),  The downhill was quicker, not so sure it was easier though.

My next 4 classes were --Stretch, which helped me get through the day (glad I did the optional stretch class at 6am the past two days too).  Total Toning -- Deep Water suspension (yesterday I loved the water classes -- today was brutal -- at least I didn't drown, or throw up in the pool -- at times I thought both might be options), and the last class of the day was Cardio Intervals ---

Food was pretty good today too. Breakfast was a smoothie and english muffin. Lunch squash soup, a salad of greens and blueberries, and a salmon burger type thing.  Dinner was spaghetti squash (liked this prep and its a squash I usually don't care for) topped with a chicken breast, and a tomato based marinara with some veggies and turkey.

The classes were on emotional eating and intuitive eating.

I got a massage at the end of my day today --- I think I can make it through another day tomorrow.  Off to bed, this place my cure my desire to stay up late.

Made it through my first day at Fitness Ridge --- Im tired, a little achy but overall thrilled.  My hike this morning was in Snow Canyon somewhere --- I was hyperfocused on getting where I needed to be rather than the name of the trail.  It was great, I may have underestimated my ability when they had me self assess --- okay one of my big flaws,  so moving up higher than I would have anticipated - I am excited about that as I get to be pushed more.  Today the trail was more of a service road, not much up and down, pretty level, I managed 5.66 miles with an average speed of about 3.2 -- good calorie burn with that one I had 2000 calories burned by lunch. My other classes today included 2 in the water, which made me realize I want to find a pool and some pool wieghts to use once I get home, my heart rate was up and we were sweating in the pool --- I know it does sound disgusting, but I guess its part of what I signed up for.  During circuit training I thought I was going to fall over, we started at a good clip then pushed it up every 15 seconds for 2 min --- how does someone run at 5mph when at home 4mph for more than about a minute is enough to push her over the edge ? (my final 2 min burst started at 4.3) So, yeah me, 2 minutes over 4mph, its a start.   Im not going to ask the trainer or I might be running at 6 tomorrow --- Im guessing I will most likely surpass that by the time I get home in 2 weeks - minus the day.  Final class was core, I definately need more work in this one, but it was a slower class for the end of a long day, I did appreciate that.

On to food -- breakfast was pretty good, egg mcmuffin type thing with turkey bacon and eggwhites. The whole grained bun thing was very filling, to the point I couldnt finish it.  It came with a mixed fruit side of watermelon, berries and pineapple.  I took an orange and a boiled egg on hike with me, finished them both.  Lunch was incredible --- we started with a veggie soup that was fair,  the main course was chicken over brown rice, with a chile verde style sauce, loved it. -- I would make that at home too --- unable to finish the rice.  Dinner was a mixed bean chili --- delicious, with a muffin not bad, the dessert was a wedge of pineapple with a strawberry (I think) sauce drizzled over it --- now that was heaven.  Didn't finish the chili.  The thing that is amazing me is that the food they served (minus the boiled egg) comes in a little over 1200 calories total --- and today it was a little too much food, I dont think Ive ever said that at home.

The lectures were good, one was about budgeting calories -- the other was about volume eating  --- good info.

I rounded the day out with a trip to the hottub and some ibuprofen --- sore and achy.  Off to bed now its a little after 9pm here, however another long day is in store tomorrow, and my first class (stretch- though optional but highly recommended by my sweet roomy) is at 6 am.

Well so far so interesting.  The drive down was pretty uneventful, however somehow my GPS didnt load correctly and I didn't get to pick up any caches along the way.  I arrived at Fitness Ridge at about 245, got my nametag, room assignment, room key and workbook.  I also got my time to be measured --- 425. Who would have known it would take me that long to get the suitcases in and unpacked.  The good news is, I know my starting point, the great news is -- the joy at never having to see those numbers again.  I don't remeasure until I leave in 2 weeks, including weight.

I was a little out of sorts on dinner -- little groups were forming, I managed to find a group of newbies who also weren't quite sure what we were doing.  Dinner was a stroganoff, I couldn't quite identify the flavor of the meat, ended up being turkey (instead of ostrich as I was told, seems they revamped the recipe to make it easier for people to create at home).  The vanilla dessert well it's not one that I would make at home, I didnt mind the crust, which seemed like a grapenut/granola combo, or the strawberry swirl stuff on top ---- the vanilla part was what seemed off to me.

We had a short what this place is about lecture and a guided tour, and now its off to personal time and bed soon.  Tomorrow is the first official day.  Im still pretty excited.

I have spent most of my lifetime being overweight.  I have tried numerous ways to change this fact. Some things worked (for a time), and others have not.  Regardless, Im nearing my 44th birthday -- if I don't figure it out soon my later years might not look so pretty.  I work in the medical field, I see the effects of obesity everywhere I turn, I choose not to have that in my future, so its time to act, and succeed.

I have evaluated my issues, I know how I got here, and I know many of the whys, although this information is insiteful -- it doesn't solve the problem.  My biggest problem is not how I got here, it is what to do now.  Like many people out there, I want it to be easy, fun, and something that just falls into place.  It hasn't happened that way for me.

The last few years I have learned to play at it, and that has worked, I maintain a 35-40 pound weight loss from my highest point.  I did this by becoming more active -- dare I call geocaching a sport?  Geocaching has been my way to get outside more, to learn to be a kid again, to climb trees, fences, wander down paths all for the satisfaction of signing my name to a peice of paper.  I know its not for everyone, but the places I have been, even in my backyard that I never knew existed have made this a great hobby for me.  However, the weight loss has now plateaued over the past year so its time to add something new.

A few months back, I found the perfect setup.  A trip to southern Utah, where I can try all sorts of different styles of exercise, add in education about where I go from here along with suggestions on how to get there (I am always the final say), throw in cooking demonstrations, new recipes to try (that are good for me). Toss in the onsite pampering and it fit. ( The biggest issue was the waiting list).I found a great solution for taking it up a notch. I write my first blog as I am moments away from leaving on my adventure,  http://biggestloserresort.com/  Fitness Ridge.   In deciding to take this on, I read a lot of blogs and found them to give me the added confidence to know that this was something I would enjoy.  As I have told friends and family about my "vacation" and about all the things I have read about people accomplishing there, many have expressed interest in hearing about mine.  Blogging intimidates me a little, putting it out there, but it also adds a level of accountability for me , in addition with sharing it with others who are looking to find out a little more about what they can expect -- so here I am.