My Last Day at the Ridge.

Well, my two weeks have finally come to an end.
Whatta ride!
I survived and am very proud of myself.

I weighed out this morning and here are my stats:
Weight: 7 pound loss (tho I stepped on the scale an hour later and it was actually 8! hmmm....)
7 inches forever gone!
and my BMI dropped by 2% (this means that 2% of total body fat are also gone forever!)

I didn't really go in with a goal number to reach by the end of two weeks and am not disappointed with the number (would've been nice to have a bigger number but...)...the other two numbers are much more important to health.  It is really difficult to not get fixated on the weight number but concentrate on the wellness of all numbers combined.
The reality is that I survived, and I did things that I've never done before and probably never would have attempted on my own.  I have made lifelong friends that I never would have met (this was a surprise for me becuz I really didn't go to make "friends"...amazing what happens when you let it!)

I feel that after two weeks I have a very strong foundation to continue on my journey and be sucessful.
Though two weeks was a long time to be away from my family, I'm glad that I stayed two for my first time there.
I feel that one week would not have been enough for me. 
At the end of my first week I was so tired and exhausted that though I'd learned a lot I hadn't absorbed the lessons which I needed to get to be sucessful.
Everyone is different and must decide for themselves. 
I am planning on returning in May for a one week kick in the butt and another in October (when it will also be a reunion of sorts as many of the guests I met this week have all made reservations for the same week!!)

This was an adventure of a lifetime for me made possible in part by my loving husband Michael and my son Parker. They have been holding down the fort at home and making it all work.  With their love and support I was able to leave them knowing that they were ok and all would be taken care of.
That is huge....if you went to Fitness Ridge worried about what was happening at home you'd be in trouble and wouldn't get much out of the visit. 
Being there really means concentrating on yourself.

So my Thanks and Hugs to my Husband and Son!! I love you both soooo much and can't wait to see you!

I boarded the 10:30 shuttle from St. George, Utah to Las Vegas, Nevada arriving safe and sound.
Tomorrow morning I return home and begin the Christmas season.  Can't wait!!
                                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are just some random pix that I took this morning.  This first one was taken in the parking lot of Fitness Ridge.  It is just a reminder that this is desert country and can (and does) get very hot!

This is the road in front of Fitness Ridge....You're in the middle of no where.  Definately not running down the street to get an ice cream! lol

The nearest neighbours to Fitness Ridge!

The front of Fitness Ridge. 

The last Saturday....

On Saturdays you only have to do a hike and a cardio class. The day ends around noon and then you're free to do whatever you want.
The hikes are limited on Saturdays becuz a lot of guests leave on Sat morning. I chose to do the West Canyon hike which is fairly flat and more of a walk than hike.  This was the second time doing this hike and I still didn't reach the end which is about four miles in.
The hike starts and at 0930, no matter where you are, you have to turn around...so on that day I think the total distance that I did was about 6.5 miles!  It is my goal to reach the end of this hike the next time I visit Fitness Ridge...even if I have to run the dang thing. 

This is me and Eve (my roommate)...this was at the 0930 mark...had to turn around!

This is West Canyon. Very pretty.

So the other thing that happens on Saturdays is Graduation.  This is for all the guests who are leaving and for those staying. Throughout the week there is a camera man filming all the guests in the classes, in the pool or on the hikes.  This is then combined with a bunch of still photos to produce a dvd that all the guests get to keep.  We get to watch the dvd on Saturday nite and it is really enjoyable to see everyone working out, clowning around or just hangin'.  So Saturday nite, dinner is served and then a microphone is passed around to each guest to stand and say what they learned or what made the most impact for the week. For many this can be an emotional moment and tears are often shed.  For some it is a good bye and others it is just the beginning of the next week. After all the blubbering and the dvd then there is some activity planned for all guests to participate in if they chose to. Last week was Karaoke and this week was bowling. 

Here is a pic. On the right is Kristie.  She is a special person with a smile so big that it lights up a room.  I will be seeing Krisitie again in Oct 2011! She went home with a 20 pound weight loss after three weeks.  In the middle of course --is me! and then Karin from Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. She still has one more week to go.

This is Brendi.  She got a boo-boo on a hike.  She fell face first on the Camel Back hike...this is a few days later but she did sport a pretty good bruise for a while!

Ahhhh....pretty Christmas tree at Fitness Ridge.

This is the lobby....we're all waiting for the van drivers to get their act together and take us bowling.

Alrighty then!!!  Here is Ginny.  She was soooo excited to go bowling as she hasn't done it in over three years. 

Kridtie and Karin.

My Long Island Joanne.

Everyone had a really good time.

I just gotta say that the bowling balls for ten pin bowling are really, really heavy.  This is the first time that I've ever 10 pin bowled...it was so funny becuz people had to show me how to hold the balls....You really do have to get your fingers into the right holes!! We all bowled two games and ended around 9:30 pm!! Wow...that's the latest I stayed out while in Utah. Normally you're in bed and half asleep by that time! 

Another first for me and one I won't soon forget!!

Too much fun:-D

Doing the Saddle on Friday.

Friday morning brought with it a new sense of energy and no upset tummy! Thank God!!
Our van was assigned a hike called "Saddle"...I think thats the whole name. 
Anyways, the hike is about 4 miles straight up to a section in the rocks that (from a distance) looks like a horses saddle.
The pix below show the hike...let me tell you, this was a difficult hike. Lots of hands-on climbing. 
By the end of 2.5 hours we were winded, sweating and so proud of ourselves for doing this hike!  I think this was the most challenging hike that I've done.
It's such a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when you're done...and while you're doing it too!

This is Tom. He is a fantastic hiking guide and such a gentleman. This was at the beginning of the hike and it went straight up from there!

This is a pic taken immediately upon reaching the top.  It doesn't show in this picutre but we were just drenched in sweat...unbelievable climb.

Me at the top. YaY!!!

The rest of the gang made it up a few minutes later. 

Hamming it up for the camera! 

Looking back to where we came up....

Me!! After we reached the top, the guides took us about another ten minutes to this beautiful little cut out oasis!  You come around the corner and boom --there it is! Mother Nature is just so amazing.  And it seems as tho I got in the habit of climbing on top of rocks to have my picture taken.  This doesn't look like a very big rock but it took a bit to get up!!

Van 3 hikers in front of the oasis in the rocks.

Just me!!

Sooooo....what goes up must come down!! This was a challenging hike and not one for the faint of heart.  Here we are walking on the side of a mountain.

This is nearing the end...

Simply Fantastic.

I was so thankful to have completed this hike after feeling so sick and yucky on Thursday that I was able to join and enjoy this hike.  Let this be a lesson in that there is always tomorrow. Just becuz health or circumstance keep you down on one day doesn't mean that it has to keep you down the next.

I'm so proud of me:-)

Some sort of stomach thing....

My massage definately helped my leg and I was feeling pretty good thru Wednesday and then ...Thursday morning came!
I got up just feeling like crap!  I went for breakfast and ordered toast and eggs....the smell almost made me throw up. I ate a piece of dry toast and drank some water...I couldn't stomach anything else. 
One of the guests told me that I was green around the eyes and I believe it becuz I sure felt green.  I decided in all of my wisdom, that I would go on the hike and just tough it out.
(I guess I didn't want to make any excuses and really didn't want to miss out on anything.  You see, at each class or hike, attendance is taken and if you don't show for your assigned workout or hike the staff will track you down...it's to make you accountable but also to make sure that you're ok.  They don't want people missing workouts just becuz they don't feel like going.  They will talk to you about what's going on and not let you just duck out for the sake of being lazy or  uninterested...so I guess with this particular hike and the way I was feeling--I didn't wanna cop out for a sore little tummy ache).
So...at 7:50am everyone meets in the dining room to get the hike assignments for the day and then off you go.
Well...I made it to the dining room...filled up my camelbak with fresh water and headed to the van.  I got in and one of the hiking guides looked at me very strangely and asked me if I was ok...I told him I wasn't feeling great but I'd be ok. It was then that I then realized I'd left my camelbak hanging on the back of a dining room chair, so I told the guide that I'd be right back and I ran in to retrieve it...
oh oh...
...that tiny little run almost left me heaving all over the place so I grabbed my bag and went and told the guide that I wasn't going to join them on the hike. 
The look of relief that swept over his face was unmistakable! 
I then went to my room and called the front desk to inform them of the way I was feeling and that I wouldn't be going on the hike.  They were very understanding and didn't push me to head to the gym or anything.
I laid down with my shoes on and fell asleep. The next time I woke up was when my roommate came back from her hike....about 2.5 hours later.
I ended up taking the rest of the day off and stayed in bed and rested.  One of the coaches recommended "Propel" which a drink filled with electolytes to replenish your system; I did drink it and then my roommate got me another which I also drank...I'm not sure if they made a difference or whether it was just rest that I needed but by dinner time I did feel better. 
My roommate Eve, came back at the end of the day and told me that there was a beautiful sunset.  We walked to the dining room together and enjoyed the delicious lightness of a Woldorf salad served on individual lettuce leafs...it was soooo good...crunchy, satisfying and filling.  Amazing...it will definately be a salad that I make at home!  Though I didn't have much of an appetite I ate the entire dinner and enjoyed it and of course still partook in the chocolate dipped strawberries that were on the menu for dessert. (I would've dragged myself to the dining room just for dessert...sooooooo good!!)
Overall, it was a nice way to end a rather sickly but restful day. It was soon after dinner that I headed to bed and slept like a baby!

The sunset at Fitness Ridge.

 Here is the Waldorf salad.  If you're coming to my house for dinner...don't be surprised if this is what you get.  Doesn't look like very much but believe it or not it was very satisfying.

This is Ginny!!  She is such a sweetheart and works so hard and all that she does. 
Well...on this particular night I think she made that chocolate covered strawberry last at least ten minutes.  She licked and savoured that lovely dark chocolate for as long as she possibly could!

This is just a candid shot of the dining room. There are three long tables where all the guests sit.  All meals are served to you and if you really don't like the menu choice then the servers always have alternative selections that you can have.  It makes it nice becuz you don't need to force yourself to eat something that you really, really don't like....brussel sprouts for example!

So that was Thursday!! What a Day!!

Tuesday at the Ranch...

Phew...made it thru yet another day at BLFR. 
Only a few more to go and then I head home. 
Today was a little bit of a rough day for me as I pulled something in one of my leg muscles.  I did the majority of the day and then towards the end had to head to the ice machine to deal with it.  I just finished having a massage so am feeling better and ready to rest in prep for tomorrow.
The weather has finally turned around and we've had our first full sunny day in a week.  The sun goes down so early tho that having pool as your last class of the day (4:30-5:15)...it can get a little chilly.
I've got a cold and am fighting that...cough and sniffles...just a real pain in the butt.
I guess tonite I'm feeling whiney and homesick. 
Tomorrow will begin again at 0530 so am gonna snuggle down into bed soon.

Here's some pics of today's hike.

Glide is my friend....

Phew...made it thru my second Monday.
Woke up at 0530 this morning only to find it pouring rain! Couldn't believe it.  We ended up doing a trail hike for safety reasons. Was still a good workout.
Tomorrow the regular schedule for hikes will resume.

So...if you're thinking of coming here I just need to talk to you about shoes. 
We work out seven hours a day...two and half of that is hiking.  The last thing you need is blisters or sore feet.
Make sure before you come that you break your shoes in...don't come here thinking that you'll break them in here...BIG mistake! 
Also...invest in a proper pair of shoes from a sports shop. Don't depend on cheap department store shoes. You really want to make sure you have a good fit and the proper shoe for your gait.

I brought two pairs of shoes...well three if you count flip flops for going to the pool...but my main shoes...I have one pair specifically for hiking and one for the gym.  It's always good to have an extra pair in case one gets wet or whatever.

Also get yourself some glide.  This is an anti-chaffing and anti-blister product that you can buy at sport shops.  I love it!!  I plaster my bare feet with Glide and then put my socks on...perfect.  Glide also comes in handy if your undies rub the top of your leg when you walk. Sometimes theres a seam or elastic that rubs but if you plaster the Glide on it will be much better and let you concentrate on your workout as opposed to the rubbing of clothes.

This place is really something and the people that I've met to this point have been truly inspiring.
A lot of people left on Sunday and a new group came in.  Interesting assortment. Many are fit...my new roommate just finished the Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon but is here to work on nutrition and weight control.  Then there are some older folks who certainly had their eyes opened this morning after some of their workouts.  This place has a rule in which no one is to judge another.  Last week for example we had a woman who has battled an eating disorder for many years....she needed to learn about nutrition and proper exercise to gain muscle mass; We also have people who have excessive amounts of weight to lose....one that I've gotten to know a little bit is such a sweetheart and today for the first time in her adult life she walked four miles (this is her second of four weeks here) ...she weeps tears of disbelief and joy every single day becuz she can't believe that she is actually doing this.

Amazing program and amazing poeple.

Here is what a thing of Glide looks like....

Talk later.

A Day of Rest and Reflection....

Sundays at Fitness Ridge are very quiet.  Many people are leaving and new guests will arrive this afternoon.
Breakfast is served until 9am and lunch is a "sack" (bag) lunch....Dinner tonite will be with the new guests and the new week will begin tomorrow.

It's been a week of confusion, fear and stress...but also one full of emotion and triumph.

The thing about this place is the people. I am so fortunate to have connected with some very, very special people that I would otherwise not have had the opportunity to meet. It is amazing what this place does for you. Really what it's all about is learning from each other. 
The Ranch takes care of your food, accomodation and work outs but so much of the rest comes from the other guests. 
This week for me has been a huge learning experience. 
I've always felt that I knew all there was to know about losing weight and all that goes with it...but here you see and learn the truth about yourself....Like one of the instructors (Anne Marie) says...you need to discover your why....
Why did you come here?
That seems like such a simple question...I came to kick it up and lose some weight...maybe get a jumpstart for my new program. But really it's so much more than that....That's why I thought I came here...to give myself a jumpstart on weight loss and exercise but really I came here to rediscover who I am.
After ten years of marriage to a fantasticly generous man, mothering our son fulltime for nine years....I got lost somewhere. Well guess where I was...yup...at Fitness Ridge.
The thing about this place is that it is completely safe. There is no judgement. There is no preconceived notions or expectations--It's just all about me! 
My personality is that of a perfectionist and "all or nothing"...and what happened somewhere along the way is that the all or nothing took over everything in regards to my wellness.   I can't remember whether I put this is my blog yet or not but it was something this week that really resonated with me personally:
Here is the metaphor for the all or nothing:  The all or nothing person will always begin a diet on a Monday and often blow it by Wednesday...often with the mindset of oh well...I'll start again next Monday.  At this point theres no holes barred becuz you gotta eat it all before the following Monday begins and then the cycle repeats.  Sooo....the nutritionist here says:  take the decision to go "off" the diet/binge/cheat (whatever you want to call it) and compare it to breaking a piece of fine china.  There you go...you cheat = a broken china plate on the floor....Now, if you broke that piece of china would you then go to the cabinet and throw the rest of it on the floor to make sure it's broken too? 
Bingo Boppo!!! Bells Ringing!!! Lightbulb Moment!!!
My floor is full of broken china...everywhere. 
This realization for me is huge. Seems so simple but something in me clicked and it all of a sudden made sense.  This was very emotional for me and actually made me have a bit of a melt down.  Once I opened those floodgates I couldn't stop.  The tears just kept coming...especially when you hear other peoples' stories and they're all bawling!! yikes!!
The support and the kinship that you find here is truly amazing. I feel like I'm one of the luckiest girls in the world.
I am missing home tho too.
I have one more week and originally was to return in March.  I have since changed that reservation to return in October 2011 and make it a reunion of sorts with my new friends from Chicago, New York and Baltimore.  We all booked last nite and are returning the week of Oct 16th. 
Here are some pictures from the last couple of days.

The veggie soup....had brussel sprouts!!! I ate around them.  The soups here are fantastic and are all around 50 calories/cup.  Fantastic to make and freeze!  That's my plan.

I didn't want the salmon burger so had the garden burger instead.  It was really tastey and satisfying.

Amanda from the Biggest Loser show and Long Island Richie.

Last nites dinner...chicken served over brown rice with steamed veggies and a light teriaki sauce. Yummy.

Now these two....this is Denise (l) and Debbie(r).  They are my friends for life.  Debbie of course was my hiking partner for the week...Denise is her twin sister tho they are actually are part of triplets...the third sister wasn't here. These two crack me up.  We had so much fun and we really connected on a level past mere acquaintance...in fact I better warn my hubby to get the guest room ready cuz I think Chicago will be coming soon!

Now this is Richard (aka Long Island Richie) and his sister JoAnne.  These are two of the most lovely people I think I've ever met in my life.  The love between these two and the strong family value that they share is amazing.  JoAnne told me that Richie paid to bring her to Fitness Ridge...so I say to Richie...You are one great brother to do that and his reaction is that he has the greatest sister in the world.  Last nite they made me cry (tho really I am to be in charge of my own emotions and it is me who couldn't hold back the tears) when they shared about their caring for two elderly parents until their death.  JoAnne renovated her house to move her parents in and Richie basically moved in as well to care for them.  Even now it chokes me up because they are such big hearts.  They've come to Fitness Ridge to regain their health.  It was their parents wish that they begin to care for themselves. 

Richie has been running--yes running--on the treadmill and is such a source of inspiration. I feel so fortunate to know them.

Lounging by the pool on a Sunday.

Alrighty then...This is us outside the front of Fitness Ridge. We will be returning on Oct 16th and take this same picture for the sake of comparison. So left to right:

me (blue shirt); the Melissa from New York (another true source of inspiration as she continues to put one foot in front of the other and not give up.); Chicago Debbie; Denise -Chicago; Long Island Richie and sister JoAnne...then Charlene from Alberta, Canada;and sitting ...that is Lori from Baltimore.

What a great group of people!