Time Flies....

Wow...I've been home a week already.
According to my scale I am down 17 pounds since my first weigh-in for Fitness Ridge.  That is amazing.
Coming home and readjusting to a normal schedule is not easy and even harder, I think, when it's around the time of the Holidays.
The funny thing for me though is that I am not finding myself tempted by sweet treats or fattening things....it's like the detox from sugar and processed goods has cured me of those cravings.
Where I'm really having trouble is in the exercise department.
Yikes...I can't seem to get myself moving!  I just have this desire to nest and take it easy. 
We've recently had snow which of course makes walking outside near impossible....but I do have a treadmill.
**heavy sigh** ...just don't want to!
I thought for me it would be the other way around.  I love to walk and exercise but can't get my butt moving.
At this stage of the game I'm not going to beat myself up but will continue to monitor my weight and calories.
I reset my polar watch to reflect the weight loss...this will give me a better picture of what calories I'm burning.
I went to shapeup.org. rmr calculator and my rmr is 1527; so anything over that amount is bonus and goes towards the 3500 it takes to burn a pound!
So...I'm gonna snuggle in with a good book and just enjoy the holiday season. We have such busy lives normally so with school out for the holidays and things a little quieter...I'm gonna kick back and enjoy!

Referrals.

If you are planning on going to Fitness Ridge there is a referral program.
Mention my name: Faye Arcand and you will save $100 off your stay and I will recieve $100 on file for a future stay....pretty cool!

Are you going to Fitness Ridge? A few tips....

So I just left Fitness Ridge yesterday and I'll arrive home this afternoon.  Can't wait.
So here's a few tips for you....

• there's no need to take a bunch of cash. They'll just run a tab for you at FR so anything you need or want goes on your credit card on file.
• don't bring laundry soap.  There is a cupboard above the table in the laundry room (this is Utah) that is full of products that past guests have left.  There is laundry soap, shampoo, blister kits, sunblock....etc. The stuff will always change but why lug heavy stuff in your bag if you don't have to.  The FR store does have little boxes of Tide and Bounce for $1.
• don't bother with your high heels and fancy dresses....unless you're gonna party up in Vegas before or after.  Believe me...there's no time to go out on the town while in program at FR.   The same goes for all the make-up and hair stuff....bring the minimum.
• There are no safes in the room but documents such as passports/credit cards/cash etc can be put in an envelope and kept at the front desk.
• don't forget the chargers to all your electronic devices!!  I forgot my ipod charger....this was a popular enough item that someone else had one but still caused me some angst before I found that person.
• clothes: winter...you need a head band to cover your ears and gloves...gets pretty chilly.  Make sure you can layer becuz when that sun comes out it warms up pretty fast...especially when you're climbing a mountain.
• bring enough work out clothes so you don't have to do laundry for a few days.   I went out a week before I left and bought a bunch of dry wick tops...I tried them on and liked them....then when I got to FR I didn't wear any of them becuz they felt uncomfortable and too tight. So t-shirts are always good if you're not comfortable with the tighter stuff....but t-shirts get wet and stay wet so be sure to have back up becuz you could be changing your clothes a couple times a day.
• If you have two bathing suits...bring 'em along. You'll be in the pool daily and sometimes twice a day. It's not fun to put on a wet cold bathing suit.  But don't rush out and buy another just becuz you're going to FR it's really not a big deal...you can always run it under hot water and put on a wet,tho warm, suit.
• Take baby powder!!  This can be a saving grace when trying to get a sports bra on after finishing in the pool.
• Don't go in looking for double digit weight loss like the Biggest Loser show. While the program is similar, it is my understanding that on the show they work out even longer than what we do at FR. An average person may do 4-6 lbs a week at FR...at least that's what I saw in the two weeks that I was there.
• They'll give you a Biggest Loser water bottle so you don't need to bring on from home.
• Don't bother bringing a bunch of books...you won't have time to read believe me. You'll be in bed by 7pm!!  But if you just have to have something to read there is a small library located just off the front that has a bunch of books, dvd's ($2 for rental...unless it's a workout video) and two or three computers for the guests to use.
• Do remember your sun glasses! Very bright. Most people even wore them in the pool too.
• Try your best and don't compare yourself to others at FR. Some are very fit and others are just starting on their journey....just remember it about you and no one else.
• If you've signed up to share a room...be prepared and open minded.  You don't spend a lot of time in the room with your roommate but it can still be difficult...they may snore or simply not want to talk...It can be very difficult to change rooms becuz they're packed to the rafters...so be prepared for anything and everything.
• There was only one hike (West Canyon) where I saw bathrooms.  Be prepared to squat on a cactus if you have to. Bring along the small packages of kleenex.
• Take care of your feet. Make sure you have non-friction sox.  This is a must.  Go to a sports store and get some before coming (tho they do sell them at the FR store). The most popular brand is Wright Socks. You can get them in any running, hiking or sports store...or online.  The cost is about 12-15 dollars/pair....worth every penny.

Have fun. Enjoy.
If I think of more I'll throw them in.
Happy Days.

It's All About Eve....

So...my roommate for the second week that I was at Fitness Ridge was "Eve"....
She put up with my snoring, coughing fits and whining.
She probably doesn't know it yet but I believe that we'll be life long friends cuz I really like her.  She's pretty cool in a dorky sorta way....I'm pretty sure I told her that too.
She is gonna be my Apple advisor for life and I'm even thinking that I may have to join her on one of her little half marathons that she does...only for the medals (seriously!!).

I am a firm believer that all things happen for a reason and she was thrown into "my" room for a reason.  She is so caring and kind that I was sincerely impressed (I don't impress easily--I'm always sceptical) with the fact that what she presented was really what she was.  There was no fake nicey-nicey crap...just a genuine person.  I think I was pretty lucky to actually be able to witness that and hope that I too can learn from her and her generous attitude with a quick smile or kind word.  Thanks for that Eve!

So a little about Eve!  She has a twin brother named--what else?--Adam!
She is getting married in Hawaii next September.
She is a marathon and half marathon runner and completed the Las Vegas half marathon the day she came to Fitness Ridge...and only becuz she wanted the medal!
She is a nice person (and I think we actually share a lot more in common that we realize...but will have to explore that reality over time---)
That's all!
And....Here she is....

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:-)