This Ain't Yer Granny's Water Aerobics Class....Move!! Move!! Move!!

Phew....what a day.
Again started at 5:30 and just finishing up now at 7pm.
Wow...what a day.
After a beautiful stretch class first thing this morning I did a five mile hike. The pix are below but don't really do justice to the beauty of the area.
Breaky today was a smoothie....I asked for toast and egg....much better.
Lunch was an awesome squash soup and then a pita with turkey.  Awesome. Filling. Delish!
A "total toning" class ...almost did me in. Can you say squat? omg...then pulse! then upper body with weights then back to the lower body.  My legs were literally shaking!
Then the pool....the pool is a lot harder than I anticipated. Today was all in the deep end ....try water walking by doing opposite arm to leg and GO! across the deep end. Don't stop or your gonna sink. It's definately not easy. 
Then I had a "cardio interval"...wow what a work out. Forget about running on the treadmill for an hour, just get on and find a nice speed....warm up for five mins then begin 30 second intervals by either increasing your speed or incline every thirty seconds.....Do this seven times.  Then when at the top of that seventh...do one full minute...and then you begin the decline by 30 seconds intervals...rest 2 mins; Then ...take the treadmill to the highest incline possible and do one minute...then come down...rest one...then speed interval for one minute...as fast as you can....then do it all again beginning with the 30 second intervals.  Just try it...you'll like it! Oh and this can be done on any cardio machine...bike, elliptical or treadmill.

Here I am on top of the world.

My hiking partner Debbie from Chicago.  This is her second time here and she'll be back in May again.

This is "Van 3" Group.  Really great people.

 The scenery is so spectacular. The red sand and the rocks and hills. Amazing. Today was a tough hike....5 miles with lots of sand and steep inclines.

The Menu for the day....

I'm not much of a soup girl but omg this soup was awesome....so tasty.  I plan on making it when I get home.

Didn't like the salad so didn't eat it but the turkey pita was awesome. Put in a little mustard and voila!

Dinner....the brown rice and shrimp were very tasty and satisfying. The veggie skewar was ok.

These are the famous chocolate dipped strawberries....sounds pretty simple but let me tell you after working so hard all day it was the most scrumptous thing on earth. It was mouth watering and soooooooo good.

OMG!!! The trainers really push you and help you focus so that  you are doing all you can. It's really awesome!  I definately pushed myself today and now its time to ice my shins and knees...
Happy last day of November.  Thanks for all the support.

First Day Down....

Phew....I can't believe this day! Holy moly what a work out.
The day began at 5:30 for a 6am yogalates class.  This was hard but the trainer was awesome.
Breakfast was a bagel served with egg and "bacon"...it was really tasty and filling.
Then we were all put on vans to go for an assessment hike. This was just so that we could all be in a suitable group. The hike was stunning! Amazing. Five miles over rocks and difficult terrain but very satisfying to complete. The hills were toughest going down....tough on the knees.
If you're  coming to the ranch I strongly suggest that you get out and start walking. Incorporate some hills and keep going. My roommate didn't do any type of walking or anything before coming (she says she came in green)...and has been suffering with her knees (swollen and having to ice every night) ever since.  Get moving.
Anyways, I really enjoyed the hike and was place into the Intermediate group. there are three levels of Intermediate...fast, med and fast...: the other groups are Hiking 101 (beginner...I like the name they give it tho) and then the intense advanced group. 
The morning I felt very scrambled and unorganized. The wind was howling like the dickens and the nearby mountains were full of fresh snow. I didn't bring a lot of really warm clothing and was a little paniced that I'd get out there and freeze my patooty off.  It ended up being ok becuz the hills sheltered us a bit and it wasn't too cold at all.
After the hike we ret'd to the Ranch to do Total H2O.  This was an awesome pool class.  The pool is heated to 85 and is actually very nice.  A quick dip in the hot tub afterwards and then run back to dry and change for lunch. 
Lunch was this AWESOME chili. OMG it was good. Gonna get the recipe and make it. Yummy.
After lunch there was a lecture on calories.
Then back in the pool...by this time the wind had kicked up again and wow it was cold. If you're coming to the ranch in the winter you may want to invest in a swim cap....that would at least protect you against the bone chilling cold on your head and ears.  This class had a different instructor and she was brutal.
I'm not a swimmer and most of the class was treading water in the deep end. Almost the whole class was spent like that. It was REALLY hard. 
Straight from the pool to the hot tub....awwwww. But only for a minute becuz had a class 15 mins later. The next class was Circuit.  That was my fave of the day. You do two minutes going hard on cardio machine (treadmill, bike, eliptical) and then switch to weight machines for two minutes...we must have done this at least 12 times. REally a great challenge and I thouroughly enjoyed it.
Next was core....with a ball and mat. Yikes...hard. And I know I'm gonna be feeling it tomorrow.
That was the day.
We headed for supper and then there was a Nutiritionist lecture and then Amanda from the Biggest Loser spoke and told us all her story. 
I am totally exhausted. I'm a bit concerned about how I'm gonna feel tomorrow morning but plan on taking a couple of motrin and tucking in pretty quick.

So here are a few pix of the day....

This is the hike.  Started out as a group but spread out pretty quick.

 Overlooking St George Utah.

More of the front lobby.

This is the Ranch "store"....they run a tab for the residents.  Lots of stuff available.

The days menu and calories count.  I forgot to take my camera at Breakfast and Lunch. Will try and remember tomorrow.

What they want you do here is eat your meal provided to you and then if you're still hungry you can help yourself to the salad bar. Many people have this before their meal too. Here is Amanda getting some sald.
We also get two fruits. After the swim class and before the circuit I had a banana. Best tasting banana I've ever had.  I also got 10 almonds at breakfast which is 100 cal and an alternative snack for protien to help rebuild the muscles.  (choice is almonds or boiled egg)

The chicken is served on top of mashed sweet potato. I don't like sweet potatoe but omg they were good! Very tasty and filling.

Fresh pineapple for dessert. It was ok.

It is now 8pm and I'm ready for bed. Gotta get the muscle rub out and slather it on. Tomorrow begins at 5:30 again.  Oh I hope I can walk tomorrow.
See ya then.

Safe at the Ranch....

Well after a rather bumpy (not to mention scary) ride via shuttle from Vegas, I'm here safe and sound. Phew...
It is substantially colder than I figured it would be but as a hardy Canuck I'm sure I'll be fine.
The first order of business upon our arrival was to get settled in our rooms. We were given a package of information regarding the workings of the Ranch and also a time to return to the front for your first weigh in, measurements and bmi analysis.
We were then introduced to the Life Coach Jennifer.  She is a bundle of energy. She was over 220 pounds at one time and is now just a bitty thing. She lost her weight here and then came to work here.  Very nice to have a person who actually has been there and lived the life of an obese person. There is a difference in understanding, I think, when someone has a first hand experience.
My room is adequate. Nothing fancy. Two queen bed, open closet, 20 inch old type tv, one desk and chair, two sinks and that's about it...oh theres a shared dresser too. My roommate is Sheila and she's been here for two weeks already and is a true wealth of information.  She has one more week and then is heading home to Ohio.
Dinner was at 5:30 in a communal dining room. The menu and pix are posted below. After a great dinner we were given an orientation of all the classes, hikes etc. My brain is literally spinning as I try and take all of this in. I'm tired from the travel and am actually looking forward to a long hike tomorrow and being pushed in the gym.
If you're coming to the Ranch....bring an extension cord if you have a laptop that you plan on using.  I'll go to Target on Wed nite and pick one up. The plug-ins are in short supply and are too far away from the bed....if you can type at a desk then you're ok but I like to have it on my lap in bed.


So here's my bed and closet....pretty boring. The rooms are cleaned daily and restocked with clean towels, soap, shampoo and conditioner. There is a hair dryer supplied.

Here is the menu that was on for today.  I only got dinner and dessert.

Here is my new water bottle and place setting.  Phew...tonite the veggie was brussel sprouts but as you can see...it's on my forbidden list! YAY!!

So here is the entree:  Chicken severed over spagetti squash with some sort of tomato sauce and in place of brussel sprouts I got steamed brocoli.  It was so much food I almost couldn't finish. Very tasty and filling.

Sorry this pic is over exposed!  I almost forgot to take one...I dug in too quickly!  This was the tiramasu.  OMG...it was sooooo good. It was served on some sort of granola base and apparently was made with tofu.

This is just a pic of the front lobby. This is part of what greets you as you enter the Ranch.  The decor around the Ranch is very tasteful and beautiful.  I'll do random shots and post them on a regular basis.

So tomorrow morning is going to come very fast. First class is at six am.  It is a yoga/pilates; then breakfast; then a hike, then pool, and more classes.

See you tomorrow.

I'm about to jump State lines...!

Well, I spent an uneventful (boring actually) night at the Mirage.  Seems too weird to be travelling without my hubby...especially in Vegas.  So...now am back at the airport and have found "ground zero" where the shuttles come in. I still have 30 minutes so am just killing time.
I'll be meeting fellow Ranch goers I'm sure.
As I sit in the airport my imagination is getting the best of me....wondering who's gonna be there? will they be nice? will I be completely out of place? perhaps I'm too big? what if no one likes me?
The insecurities surface quietly to keep me humble I think.
I already know that I'll be fine and that this is about me and no one else. I really have to remind myself constantly, that this is not a contest or competition.
I have my water and subway sandwich in my bag and am ready to get going.
I'll write more tonite as I learn more.
Later!

One should never ask a lady her weight....

Quick story...we finally boarded the plane for Vegas only to be told that they would be waiting for a connecting flight and thank you very much for your patience!
It's bad enough to be flying but even worse when the plane is sitting on the tar-mac...it gets so hot and stuffy very quickly!
So I have a window seat sitting uncomfortably close to a strapping, beefy, farm boy from the Praires...I plaster myself against the wall and read my book...praying to take off and then get me off this dang plane!
The announcement then comes--after 30 minutes of waiting--telling us that we can't wait anymore and away we go.  YAY...not only are we finally moving but right across the aisle are two empty seats. As soon as the seatbelt sign is turned off I move myself over!  Ahh....
After a bit the flight attendants come around with beverage service. They indicated that everyone's first drink was complimentary becuz of the delay. I turned to the young man sitting in my row and tell him that he's welcome to have mine if he likes....he likes!
So we start chatting and he asks why I'm alone and where I'm going. I end up telling him about the Ranch and my goals. He is really supportive and is really excited for me. 
We continue to chat about Vegas and travel.
All of a sudden he says: "what do you weigh?"
I looked at him and said that "one should never ask a lady her weight!"
He's a little bit confused and then started laughing....he said...."no, no....I was asking you what you PLAY!"
I guess I'm a bit preoccupied! :-D

In Prep for the Ranch....

This is a post that I meant to do a bit ago but time got away from me.

I have no idea (except for the refence to the TV show Biggest Loser...) really what I'm getting myself into. I've read and asked questions but still don't really know.

There were a few things i knew I had to get done tho before I could move forward in anyway.

First was my feet! They are lovely little things and I'm very attached to them. They carry one heck of a load every single day and about a year ago it almost put me down. My main problem was that my feet supanate(hope I spelled that right)...which means that my feet tend to shift the weight to the outside of the foot as opposed to the inside. Most people pronate (inside) but I've always liked to  be a little different. So....long story short...my feet were beginning to affect the tendons and ligaments on the outside of my entire leg. Excruiately pain in my ankles and legs could (and sometimes did) put me down.
I went to have my feet analyzed (they taped it and showed me...) and what I saw was amazing! Yikey doodles...my entire leg was warped!  So with orthotic inserts and a really good stable shoe I am able to walk almost pain free! It's a good thing!!

With my feet  being so outta whack for such a long time I booked three sessions with a stretch therapist. OMG!! Fantastic. With her assistance and push I was able to unlock some of the tighter than tight muscles --especially in my hips and knees--and can now move much easier.  I do plan on seeing her when I return and make it a regular form of muscle maintenance.

Then...there was my shoulder!  I've had rotator cuff issues in  both shoulders for many years but they haven't bothered me until lately. One day while on a walk it felt like someone suddenly came up and stabbed me in the shoulder!  It almost drove me to my knees.  This scared me becuz I knew that the main course of treatment is rest and heat. I didn't have time for that so chose to seek out acupuncture.  Well...this was definately a new experience for me and I definately got some relief.  With two treatments I already have more mobility and significantly less pain.  I'll let the trainers at the Ranch know my issue and I'm told that they will modify the workout for me.  My next appointment for acupuncture is booked already for when I return.

The Doctor...Yup...had to make sure that she knew I was going. She was a bit concerned with the idea of going frrm zero to sixty for exercise but I assured her that it was all individual and not a race or contest.  She did all my blood work and was happy to say that my cholesterol was "fantastic" , fasting blood sugars were "excellent" and blood pressure was "normal"!  Weeee Haaaa!!

So I'm sorta ready... I guess I am....
Oh...just bring it ON!

And Off I goooooo......

Phew...what a morning already! 
I survived the tiny little airplane ride and now find myself at YVR.  So many interesting people to look at and listen to...
This is the first time in at least a decade that I've actually gone anywhere by myself. Even when I went thru Customs this morning...they'd look at me and seemingly incredulously inquire as to whether or not I was alone?? Hmmmm....maybe not many single women travelers make their way to Vegas!

For now I've done my workout for the day...I walked (what seemed) miles thru the airport...I'm pretty sure that it was up hill all the way; Tugging my overstuffed carry on and lugging the dead weight of my purse.  I did several squats as I had to get my passport...then they decide that they want your boarding pass--squat, squat---oops now they want the customs dec--squat squat....Ahhhh....I'm sure the trainers at the Ranch would be proud! lol.
So having reached my gate (#83---and I swear ...well ok not swear--but sure seems like-- the gates begin at minus 100!!) I'm much calmer and I've now ditched the wool scarf and jacket  as I sit near the window in the beautiful warmth of the sunshine.  I'm a very lucky girl!

I have about three hours before I board my plane and I plan to just read my book and relax.
I forgot my charge cord for my ipod. Sure hope someone has one at the ranch....I'm sure it'll be an item that I can borrow.
This whole thing seems completely unreal.  I'm still not sure that it's real. 
The Ranch seems so far away right now and though I was nervous yesterday, I'm fine today.

So on we go....Next stop Vegas!

A Camel What???

Well, I figured out how to post a picture.  Before I started this whole BL thing, I'd never heard of a camelbak!  I kept seeing them referred to in blogs and was wandering wth people were talking about. So I finally found out!  When I spoke to Ryan at the Ranch I asked him specifically if he felt the Camelbak was necessary and he said that  he thought it was. The camelbak will hold 2L of water and hang on your back which allows your hands to be free.  This is important on the hikes as some of the terrain is apparently a bit of a challenge.  He did say that if I wanted to carry a big water bottle that I was welcome to do that too.  But here it the beautiful pic of my beautiful Camelbak for the world to see. I'll let you know how easy it is to use and carry.  Should be fun. Just gotta remember to pack it!! I wonder if they'd allow me to wear this thru airport security!! lol.



Getting closer....

So here it is Friday morning and I certainly don't feel very organized. 
Yesterday was a bit of a gong show and did not help in the quest to be ready!
First my computer crashed...it is still at Staples getting debugged!
Then my hubby who's out of town on a quick business trip before I leave...gets snowed in and was unable to make it home last nite. Hmmm....not good. 
And then....While I'm getting snow tires on my vehicle I get a call from our Office Manager saying that there is an alarm going off and she didn't know why! Yikes!! So as it turned out, a sprinkler system in the building had broken and within minutes of the alarm starting water was pouring thru the ceiling light fixture in my husbands office.  Not a good thing!
So....once the dang tires were back on the vehicle, I made my way to the office and found the resstoration people already there and the damage will be assessed later. Not much we can do about it at this point.

So...I need to get myself regrouped today and be ready to fly out tomorrow morning at 10am.

Thanks everyone for your patience and understanding as I get used to this blogging thing.
Some have said that they were unable to leave comments....I'll be checking and making sure that there isn't some block on or something.  And...I still have to figure out the pic thing....
Ah...it's all good.

A little bit of history....

So to figure out how you ended up the way you did...you gotta look at the history!

I'm one of eight kids...actually I'm lucky number seven, though I never really felt very "lucky" as I moved through life.  I was very, very shy; referred to as "chunky", had few friends and even less self esteem.
I was good in school tho and kudos to the teachers who recognized something in me...but that's another story...
History...
Basically, I would say that we grew up poor. There wasn't a lot of money and therefore not a lot food.  To this day if I see canned (or stewed) tomatoes in boiled macaroni, I'll start to gag! It was served all the time and there was nothing else...that was it!
Memory: We ate well when the out of town relatives came though. A little extra money splurged on food and extended family. Interesting eh?
Memory: I was never taught moderation--in anything and definately not in eating. Get it while it's there becuz you don't know when, or if, it'll ever resurface!!
Memory: When I was a kid...we had the milkman come and deliver milk and cheese... The milkman would deliever right to the door and run a tab. That worked well in our house because mom never drove a car and the tab--well it allowed us stuff that we otherwise would not have had.
I remember the family getting these HUGE blocks of  cheddar cheese.  As a kid I didn't care for the taste of cheese...it sorta stuck in my throat...wish I could say the same now! Anyways, though I wasn't overly fond of the stuff, I learned how to make mac and cheese from scratch....still a fave to this day!  Little did I realize how much I was being set up for problems in the future.  It was filling,  and tasty but not overly nuitrious (oh...just feels like a warm blanket being put around your shoulder making everything ok...soo good).  I am now a cheese addict and actually crave it! I've gone cold turkey before and ran away from it but mysteriously it finds its way back onto my plate.  Sneaky, sneaky cheese!!!
Memory: My mom baked bread almost every other day.  I didn't appreciate that as a kid because all I wanted was Wonder Bread! I'd go to school with bread that was cut too thick and filled with either catsup or brown sugar....There was no wonderful ham and veggie sandwiches for us....nope, school lunches basically sucked and never really got much better.
So now as an adult...I don't want Wonder Bread but have developed a taste for all kinds of freshly baked breads....ahhhh, there's that hug again....not good.
Memory: I remember watching my brother chow down on Chinese Food once....he was older and working so had his own money to spend.
He'd bought the meal himself and brought it home to eat.
The smell was so devine and yet it was forbidden becuz it wasn't mine.
I'd sit very still and pretend not to even notice that anything was different. Sometimes I'd be offered the leftovers and gobble them up quickly before he'd change his mind or someone else would come along and want some too. 
Thinking of those incidences now really pisses me off because I know that they had a profound impact on me. I don't know if I consciencely made any decisions to not allow this to continue to happen in my life but it was definately a catalyst to making sure that I could eat what I wanted, when I wanted and at whatever cost. (that's huge for me to recognize this at this point in life....I hadn't really given it much thought otherwise.)
That lack of control as a little girl continued thru to my adult life as I'd heartily gobbled up any (and all) goodies...quickly to make sure they weren't taken away.
It's very sad really.
Memory: When I was old enough to start babysitting I didn't spend my money on make-up or hair accessories...I spent it on food.  I clearly remember buying Kraft Dinner (do you see a theme happening with the white pasta?); and anything else that would have been considered a "treat" (McDonald's was a big one too)...I made sure that I always got first dibs and if anything was left then a sibling could have it or perhaps I'd save it for later--but it was under my control. A kid should not be spending their money on food like this...so unhealthy and I realize all this now as I begin this journey.
Memory: I was feeling really good one day (about five years ago)...I felt pretty and together...happy. I was wearing a new skirt--I asked by friend with whom I was driving with on the way to lunch...So...does this skirt make me look fat?  Yikes...perhaps a bit of a set up...not too smart. My friend said to me ...well you are fat.
Hahaha:-( ...yay...let's go for lunch--I ate everything on the menu! So much for a feel good sorta day! She has no idea to this day how her words affected me that day--and even now.  I guess I shouldn't have asked the question:-(
A little more history...
I have really, really lousy genes!!
You name it...my immediate family (we're talking brothers, sisters and parents...not distant cousins!) is prone to it....let's look at the list:

• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Cancer (all kinds including Breast)
• High blood pressure
• Aesteoporosis
• ALS
• High Cholestoral
• and obesity to a degree...not all but some. (me for sure).

So...at this point I'm still pretty healthy.  I do take meds for High Blood Pressure and Cholestorol and have them both under control.  I can tell myself (and perhaps try and justify it a bit...) that these problems are genetic but they are also real and a reflection of my current life style of poor eating addictions and lack of a regular exercise regime.

I have a feeling that I will be building some new memories and leaving the old ones in the dust.  I have so many memories that involve food. I'll share them when pertinent but also want to try and heal that little girl who needs love and direction as a 47 year old woman.

Six days and counting....

Well it's definately inching closer.
I'm trying desperately to get everything done before I go but alas the proverbial "in-box" is always full!
My hubby asked me this morning if our son had two weeks worth of clothes! lol....should prove to be interesting.
I'm trying not to dwell on what will be happening here and instead concentrate on what I need to get done to have a sucessful tirp.
I've sucessfully weaned myself off coffee.
The ranch doesn't serve any caffinated beverages! Really need to find out why becuz I don't think one cup of coffee is a big deal but for now I have to play by their rules but will miss the morning java.
I know these first posts may be boring...(does anyone really read these?) but am just getting the hang of this and will share more as we go on.
ttyl.
Thanks.

Owning up to the truth...

This decision to go to Biggest Loser Fitness Ranch (BLFR) in Utah was not a spontaneous one.
I remember seeing it referenced on the television show Biggest Loser a couple of years ago and thinking to myself that I would love to do that!
Though the show doesn't tape there, they do use the facilities at times and it is apparently not unusual to see past contestants in the gym.
I never actually thought that I would be able to attend  but here I am...packing and getting set to go.

I am struggling with myself and the honesty factor with the whole weight thing.  The one thing I've always admired about the contestants on the show is that they own their number. You can't hide from it...people around you already know that there are...how shall I say...issues! But to actually stand up and say...I weigh blah blah blah...isn't easy.
I've read several blogs about going to the ranch but not one person told their weight. I don't really get that but must respect someone else's journey. I must make this decision for myself and then go with it.

The blogging thing is very interesting to me as I learn to navigate the sight and must remember to have someone show me (before I go...)how to put pictures up on the blog!
I have one more week to get the house together, make sure hubby knows the scheduel for our son and mentally accept this reality. 
So much to do...so little time!

The Countdown is On....

A week from today I will be in Las Vegas!!  Yeeeee Haaawwww....

Then the next morning I will begin my journey by getting on the shuttle to The Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge ranch!  This journey didn't just come out of nowhere and I will share as I go along in this process but for now I just want to get this blog started!!  It's been a bit of a learning curve but here we are. 

One week and counting...

I would really appreciate comments and/or questions from anyone viewing this.

I'll let you know how this whole thing started....tomorrow!