Charmlee Wilderness Park

Today we hiked at Charmlee Wilderness Park and the joke is that it isn't charming. So, you know what that means! Actually it was really a beautiful hike throught some meadows and up to to peaks that overlooked the ocean - way, way up high- with some hills that were like steps. But, all in all it was a pretty nice hike. Of course it was still hard and I was a super sweaty Betty. So, I made it through another day. Tomorrow we have one last hike and a Last Chance Workout, that scares me espeically since Sione, one of the contestants on the Biggest Loser, is rumored to be teaching the class. But, then after that this girl is getting a massage. YAY! More tomorrow - this girl is going to relax for a bit now.Charmlee Wilderness Park

A rattle snake, a big red ball and a strawberry

That is what day four at the Biggest Loser Resort included for me. We went on a hike today, like every morning here at the resort, and I was just not having it. I was hurting, I couldn't breath and I was just not wanting to be on the hike. I ended up at the back of the group feeling awful and huffing and puffing my way to the top of a spectacular summit with a beautiful view of the ocean overlooking Malibu. By that time I was feeling better because the rest of the hike was mostly down hill. Then while walking along the trail I heard some behind be scream and run up towards me. They had seen a rattle snake, which means I walked right by it and didn't even see it. Yikkeeess! Today was by far the hardest hike so far for me, they say the get easier - but not today for me.

Then we had stretch class, lunch, pool class (sounds easy but it isn't the kind of swimming I usually do when I lounge around in a pool), and a class called Ball Works - this is where the big red ball comes in. We were throwing the big balls back and forth with our partners when out of nowhere another twosome's ball comes flying at me landing right on my thumb. Needless to say it is now black and blue. Darn Big Red Ball!!! I am hoping for a miraculous recovery tomorrow. Then we had a class called Treading - OMG - five minutes as fast as you can go, then a five minute recovery a lower level, then the same for four minutes, then three, then two and finally for one minute as fast and hard as you can go. Glad that is over with!

For dinner the big prize was two chocolate covered strawberries. Nummy! That made all the trials and tribulations of my day all worth it! Now on to get some rest for the hike tomorrow morning.

2nd day at Biggest Loser Resort

Today I went on a beautiful hike on Zuma beach. Yes. That sounds wonderful and fun, and it was fun and wonderful, but it was also very difficult.Walking on sand for a a mile or so, not so easy and then hiking up hill in sand and down some very steep stairs, again not so easy. Then the rest of the day consisted of a stretch class using a foam roller, if you have ever used on of those you know that can be very intense. A Total Toning class, sounds easy, but those weights get heavy after about 70 reps. or more, then the pool class, which was refreshing and fun - I have decided once again that I do like swimming. The last class was the Cardio Circuit Class - up eight levels on the treadmill, then a sprint, then down eight levels, repeat and then two more sprints. So, needless to say I am pooped.

Being here again, and listening to a speaker we had today - Dakota Meyer, a Marine that won the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism in the war in Afganastan, really made me realize that I need to fullfil my purspose in life. Life is to short and unpredicatable to not live every day to the fullest and do all the things that you desire. Right?

Also, while driving in the van back from the hike this morning it occured to me had I stayed with my exercise and eating plan, I would have been at my goal weight now, and not here again at the Biggest Loser Resort. Not that this isn't a great experience. I'd would just like to be here at my goal weight! If I had kept with it I would be helping others to reach their goals, as I had reached my goal.Well, now this time that IS what I am going to do. I am going to get to my ideal/goal weight and I am going to then help others to do the same. With my Holistic Health Coach certification, and my ISSA personal training certification (which I am working on right now) I should have the knowledge to help others. And, of course, with all of the personal knowledge I will have from doing it myself. I can't wait to get on to living my purpose - helping others to Belive.Eat.Move and live the life they desire.

Biggest Loser Resort - one more week!

Okay, here I am again at the Biggest Loser Resort! I am all checked in and I had my dinner of a chicken tamale with back beans, which was actually really good. Now on to get a good nights rest so I can make it through the two hour hike and five classes tomorrow. It is weird because I know what to expect and after a year of health coaching studies I am really ready for tomorrow. A little anxious, but ready..... I will posting during my journey with my insights and thoughts so stay tuned.

We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far. -- Swami Vivekananda

Here I go again! Well, it's true! I BElieve it is anyway! Keep your thoughts good and good will come to you. I try to find the best in everything. Of course I am not perfect at this yet. I am still in training so to speak. But, I am certainly getting better at it. Here is a list of things that I have incorporated in my life (more and more anyway) to help me keep thinking positive thoughts:

Gratitude Journal - Every morning I jot down (well not every morning, but I try to do it as often as possible) the things in my life I am grateful for. Especially, if I am having a not so great day - then I will remember that I have a lot of blessings in my life!

Affirmations - When I wake up I start telling myself it is going to be a wonderful day, and telling myself all the wonderful things that are in-store for me. Again, especially a good thing to do if you wake up and for a moment think "Oh no I don't want to go to the gym and then to work." I switch my thoughts to be positive - "I will have a great workout at the gym this morning, and then I will feel wonderful - full of life and energy  - all day long! And, I will get a lot accomplished today!"

Meditation - Taking the time to do this daily, or as often as possible really helps keep my thoughts positive and uplifted. Plus, it really helps me be more calm and focused. There are some great mediation CD's out there.

Love - Love everyone and everything. Send love out into the world. You can't help but get some back! I know it sounds a little cliche, but I BElieve it works. I sure have a better day when I send love to everyone then when I am in a bad mood and send bad vibes. You know the kind of day that starts out bad and gets worse. When that happens, stop and take deep breath and change your thoughts to love.

Deep Breathing - I find that this brings my attention back the right now, and back to my body, so I can more easily get back to thinking good thoughts.

Exercise - Get those endorphins going for good thoughts. In my many years of exercising, I finally figured out (after trying all sorts of things) that I just need to do it. I know I will enjoy it once I get started and then I will feel great afterwards!

Eat Real Whole Food - This so key too. I know what I eat affects my mood and the way I feel. A pizza seems like a tasty and good idea when you are eating it, but later the "carb" hangover isn't worth it. Not to say I don't have the pizza anyway sometimes, but I do pay the "carb" hangover price later, which doesn't make it so easy to think those positive thoughts. 

I'll post more in-depth on each of these in my next few posts!

Life is a Journey! Not a Destination.

So often we seem to think that life is a destination. For example, I have on more than one occasion in the past  said that I am going to do this or that when I get to my ideal weight, when I get a new job, when I get married, when I move, oh and my favorite next week or on Monday - whatever the "destination" might be.  My husband, for example, always says he will go on vacation, go to dinner, play golf,  learn to play the Saxophone I bought him for his birthday last year - whatever the activity may be - when he retires. He is TOO busy now  - or so he says  - to do any of these things. I keep telling him that life is a journey and the destination is not retirement. And, that in not doing things he enjoys NOW that he is not getting to his destination because the only destination there is is NOW.  I have learned over the last few years on my "weight release journey" that life is just that a journey - with highs and lows, laughter and tears. So many people think that when they get to a certain point in their life, their life will be just they way the want it to be - in other words "perfect."  But, I have learned that enjoying every day to it's fullest is the goal - the destination so to speak. I know I have written about this before and the reason I probably keep feeling compelled to keep writing about it is that I need to remind myself that life is a journey, not a destination. And, that I need to take time each and every day (I probably should say each and every minute!) to be right where I am observing, participating, being, enjoying this life right NOW - not my life tomorrow or next year or next week. So, today I made an effort to enjoy my day.  It was a pretty busy day - leading a conference call in the morning, then recapping for the participants, numerous phone calls about real estate, marketing, etc., studying for my Holistic Health Coaching Certification for a hour or so, preparing to teach my Small Business Management Class, and then picking up my granddaughter from school. I really worked on being present in all the moments of this day. And, I found I was more alert and creative on the conference call, digested more of my study material, and I think I have a great class planned for tonight, plus I had a great time with Makayla. I was even able to take in the beauty of the flowers in my yard because when we arrived at my house she wanted to see if there were any birds nests in the yard. I might have just told her to go look herself, but instead I went with her and really enjoyed the beauty of the flowers, plants, beautiful blue sky and perfect weather. Then I came into my office and decided to write about it here. Now I am off to teach my class - at which I plan to be completely present and observant. What I great day I have had on this journey called life! How was this day in the journey of your life?

Sugar Sucks!

I attended a conference for my holistic health coaching school The Institute of Integrative Nutrition over the weekend in Long Beach. And, it was the most AWESOME experience ever! Great speakers, wonderful energy and 4000 like-minded people made for a uplifting and informative weekend.

My biggest take away from the conference was that Sugar Sucks! Sad to say, but true. Thanks to lectures by Julia Ross , John Robbins, Mark Sisson, Paul Pitchford and David Wolf
I am now convinced that sugar REALLY is the devil. One of the lectures actually revealed that sugar used to be a controlled substance under lock and key, and that sugar is four times more addictive than cocaine. WOW! That is crazy! Isn't it?

I am pretty sure that I am a sugar addict! Argh! I am going to be working on that for sure! And, according to many sugar is not just sugar that we know as cane sugar, or beet sugar or even the extra evil high fructose corn syrup, but also the refined carbs like my beloved pasta (Which turns to sugar in your mouth. Again, crazy!) and even whole wheat pasta. Anyone that knows me knows I love my pasta. Well, now I am really sure that I must cut way back on my consumption of pasta. Plus, wheat in the U.S. is way more glutenous than in other places around the world.

So, the moral here is read those labels and don't buy products with added sugar (of any kind) in them. Better than that the moral is eat REAL FOOD - vegetables - there are hundreds of different types - try a new one a week, fruit - again there are hundreds of varieties, and healthy fats - avocado, coconut or olive oil, and eat a very moderate amount of protein - mostly fish or eggs, followed by chicken and turkey and a very little beef (if you do eat it at all). Of course, we all need a little treat every now and then. But, the key here is have that treat only on occasion.