Day 26, Last full day of workouts, and thank goodness I am beat!

Comments/Thoughts:
Today was a tough day since it is both the end of a hard week, and the end of my trip here.  After my hike on Thursday through Zuma and my training session on kettlebells my muscles are just fried.  I am once again running out of muscle before I run out of breath, and that is frustrating.  A good thing I found out after doing my RMR (resting metabolic rate) rest is that I burn 2866 calories just resting throughout the day.  That means I can eat 1800 calories a day and still lose 3 pounds a week.

One great thing today was finding out that I helped motivate someone to get another week here. Sam was telling us at lunch that when we push it hard in the classes and on the hike we inspire both the trainers and other guests to push harder.  I think that energy in fact pushed me, and it all kind of builds on itself here.  I really can't express how positive this experience has been.  I would come back no matter how fit I get just to get my head and body in the right place.

I did the grocery trip with one of our dietitians and even though I missed a class because of it I really got a ton out of it.  I am beating myself up now for not taking pictures of everything she showed us, but I will take pictures at my grocery at home and try to share it with you all.

After dinner/lecture tonight I got to hang out with some great people and share photos of home and just hang out.  Usually I have been so tired that just doesn't happen.  I am going to miss all the people I met this week as well.  It seemed to go by so fast.

I also had another great counseling session with Essara, and I feel more and more confident about going home and succeeding.  Setting some near and long term goals and making them part of my life is a  big part of my journey.  Essara has really helped me flesh out things I want, has helped me think through some strategies to help when things are hard.  I highly recommend no matter how long or short your stay you get some counseling.  Essara is great at digging in really fast and providing tools to help you along.

Statistics:
My fitbit was not with me all day!  Argh!

Watch calories burned: 3456 calories!

Hike/Exercise:
Today's hike was Oceanview and it is a difficult hike.  Some think it is the most difficult because of how steep it is, but I still vote on Reverse and Straight through Zuma.  It was a tough hike because my legs were just blown out from all the work this week.  I would push and nothing would happen because they were just exhausted.  The only good part of that is everyone else had the same issue (minus all those fit guides!) and so we all stayed together on the hike more or less.  It was a great calorie burn and a good way to end the week. My Saturday hike will be paramount ranch and I know that will be fairly easy.

As far as exercise went it was not the best day for me.  I missed my first afternoon class because I was late getting back from the grocery, and then I did two pool classes.  I was crazy sore and it is frustrating to not be able to give it your all in classes.  I still burned some decent calories though.

Food:
For breakfast I had eggs and toast instead of the parfait.  Lunch was parsnip soup and a chicken caesar salad.  The soup needed some hot sauce and some liquid amino (soy sauce substitute) and it was good, the salad was amazing.  Dinner was a turkey burger and veggies with chocolate coconut sorbet for dessert.  The burger was great, I love the ketchup here.

Pictures/Slideshow:

USA Today article being shot while I was here is out!

Just thought I would drop this link here on the blog.  This USA Today article was shot while I was here on the ranch.  The photographer was a great guy, and I ended up in the background of some of the videos.  It does a good job going through a stay here.  I highly recommend it for people that are reading my blog before they head out.  Here is the link:

Enjoy!

Dwayne

Day 25, Zumthru (Zuma straight through) accomplished, rest of the week is gonna be cake!

Thoughts/Comments:
Today was a tough but rewarding day.  My big goal for the week was to do the full Zuma hike straight through.  We finished it at 10:30 which was plenty of time to spare!  It has been great setting and making goals while here.  I feel like I have accomplished everything I set out to do so far while here.  I am so ready to go home right now to see my wife and kids though.  I thought at the beginning that I would wish I had another 4 to 8 weeks so I could get much more of my weight goal out of the way, but at this point I think I would go crazy without my family.  I really want to come back, but I will need to prove I can be successful at home to get green lit on that.

I really can't thank the staff here enough.  Everyone from the front desk staff, kitchen staff, housecleaning, to the trainers, hiking guides, dietitians, and life coaches are just the most supportive people I have ever run into.  I think no matter what your fitness level there is something to be gained from being in such a positive atmosphere.  No matter how fit you are you can challenge yourself here and get your mind in the right place for your goals.

Statistics:
I walked 23,164 steps and 11.4 miles and burned 5,258 calories via my fitbit http://www.fitbit.com/user/22B
6S6


Watch calories stats: 4050 calories burned!


Hike/Exercise:
The hike today, as I mentioned above, was Zuma straight through.  Zuma is usually split up into Zuma Ridge and Zuma reverse.  They are out and back hikes and are two of the toughest here in my opinion (and others.) Starting last week they have been doing a straight through hike where you start at Zuma ridge and go all the way to the end of Zuma reverse.  They actually have to leave a van at a different place to get us back.  It was so awesome to conquer that hike and to keep up with so many quick hikers today.  I last did Zuma reverse my first week and it nearly killed me.  


I had a personal training session with Michael and 3 other people today.  I am getting very comfortable throwing the kettlebell around and I think that the other people there were impressed by it, and hopefully motivated.  Michael has taught me so much so quickly, and I am very appreciative for it.  Again I recommend a personal training session to challenge yourself here.  It really does take you to your limits.

The rest of the day was pretty normal.  I did a stretch class after the hike, then treading class after lunch.  For my last two classes I did two water sessions, one with Sam and the other with Megan and they really kicked our collective butts in the water.  Good stuff, and some great calorie burns.

Food:
Breakfast was an egg and bacon sandwich which was good as usual.  Lunch was a greek pita with a side salad and french onion soup.  That lunch is awesome! Dinner was stuffed chicken with marinara, rice and broccoli.  Very tasty, and once again I added a little ketchup and pretended my broccoli were fries.

Pictures/Slideshow:

Day 24, Last hump day at the resort and I survived.

Comments/Thoughts:
Today was a pretty good day all things considered.  I was kind of out of it after I got back from the hike and one of my trainers suggested that I try eating fruit after my afternoon classes.  They explained that I might just be out of it from lack of calories because of my relative size and how hard I am working out.  I have to say I think they were right after my first class and extra fruit I felt more into the classes.

One of the great lessons you learn here is how to actually interpret what your body wants.  I think I had things so out of whack I never knew whether I was really hungry, bored, stressed, or thirsty.  After getting away from the fat and salt and eating what I need I am really becoming confident about choosing when I eat more, and what I eat.  They tell you here to try to make the best choices 90% of the time, and you have 10% to make less healthy choices.  They don't call it cheating, they call it making less healthy choices.  It is a different mindset and one I am trying very hard to adopt.

Statistics:
I walked 22,838 steps and 11.6 miles and burned 5,300 calories via my fitbit http://www.fitbit.com/user/22B6S6

Watch calories burned: 3600 calories (I did a stretch class extra today, and my watch stopped working for a bit)

Hike/Exercise:
The hike today was at the beach and it was freezing and the winds were about 20-30 mph gusts.  I decided not to walk in the sand today just because it really messes my toes up.  I did walk in the sand on the second beach because that is the only option.  It was a decent hike, but the people of Miller Lite were there filming a bootcamp commercial (probably for the superbowl) and there were some really cool tents and things set up.  Also, there were about 50 models there freezing in their swimsuits doing exercises all over the place.  Not necessarily a bad day at the beach if you are a guy.

As far as exercise went I woke up and did Sam's stretch class, then after the hike I did Micaela's stretch class.  The two different stretch classes are completely different.  Sam stretches you after his has given your muscles a slight workout so they are warm.  Micaela's stretch is a calm down stretch class which is amazing after a rough hike.  It almost puts you to sleep you get so relaxed.  My post lunch classes were H2O intervals, kickboxing with Ursula and finally Mountain with John.  Once again, mountain is a cardio class with 12 increases that you decide on.  You increase speed and/or resistance 12 times for 3 minutes each and then cool down.  John tried to make us do the 10th increase 2 times, and we argued and whined and he said his watch was at 27 minutes and he thought we were messing with him....  Well two minutes later he just says, "Ok, my watch is stuck at 27!"  So we all shared a laugh and ended up not doing the extra increase. Guess you had to be there, but believe me it was funny.

Food:
 Today for breakfast they were serving a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with berries.  I decided to go the eggs and toast route instead because the PB&J is not worth the calories to me.  For lunch we had pumpkin soup, which is fantastic, and greek pizzas.  The pizzas are good, and I like to put hot sauce on mine believe it or not.  For dinner we had a salmon filet with asparagus and orzo pasta.  That is a truly great meal here if you like fish.  Dessert was a simple fruit skewer with some raspberry sauce on it.  Once again, no chocolate covered strawberries, but still good.

Pictures/Slideshow:

Day 23, fast van and all...

Comments/Thoughts:
Today was a rough day for some reason.  The hike through Chessboro really took a ton out of me today, and I am wondering if I am getting enough sleep.  I am usually in bed by 8 or 9 but I get up around 4:30. You know it is a rough day when several people ask you if you feel okay and if you are getting enough sleep.  Leslie told me that usually I am chipper in the afternoon and that I looked ready to go to bed.  After my training session with Michael and Sam I was just going through the motions for the rest of the day.  I made it to all of my classes so that is a plus.  No double pool for me on Tuesday.  I have a fear Wednesday may not be the same considering all the aches I have right now.

I spent a big portion of my hike worrying that I was not going to be able to keep up with the group, and I did end up at the back of the group but stayed with them for the most part.  I think I just let myself get mentally taxed as well as physically.

Statistics:
Fitbit stats were, 23860 steps, 13.36 miles traveled, and 5520 calories burned.

Watch calories burned: 4100 calories (estimated since my monitor was off during my training session)

Hike/Exercise:
The hike kicked my butt today.  It was Chessboro (sp?) canyon and we did a few optional hills.  It ended up being a 6 mile hike but at the pace we went it just wrung out my strength for the day.  After the hike I did a training session with Michael with kettlebells which was amazing as usual.  This time Sam joined so he could get some training in with them and that was actually more fun.  Sam had not done them in a long time so Michael let me teach him the two handed swing to show that I had learned it properly.  Sam picked it all up pretty fast and he was passing two kettlebells at the same time by the end of the class.  I think partner passing is such a great way to burn calories and not notice how hard you are working.

My classes for the day were, pool, cardio circuit, total toning (Abby and Carol kicked our butts) and finally a pool with Ursula.  I got through them all just barely.

Food:
Breakfast was eggs and toast since I didn't want the muffin.  Lunch was quinoa lettuce wraps which are amazing here.  You just need to add either some hot sauce or ask for the liquid aminos with them.  That is a soy sauce substitute which is great.  Also we had some tomato soup which I had to put hot sauce in again.  Dinner was Sheppards pie, mixed veggies, and a chocolate parfait for dessert.  The  sheppards pie was good, but I did put a little ketchup on it.  The chocolate parfait was amazing, and Willie at our table found all sorts of new ways to get every last drop of it out of the champagne flutes.

Pictures/Slideshow:

Day 22, Last Monday and last assessment hike of my stay

Thoughts/Comments:
It is weird starting out the last week for a few reasons.  The first being that 44 people left last week and only 53 (of 80 possible) people are here at the resort this week.  So many new faces and small classes.  Though I have lost many of my friends here through attrition my bonds with others are growing stronger so all of that works out.

For people that are reading this and are planning to come out here a few things I recommend you try before you leave.  A personal training session with someone that will push you past your comfort zone.  Try a difficult hike so that you go home knowing you can do it.  Also, I recommend at least one 2 minute cardio session on the Jacobs ladder in the gym.  It is this crazy 45 degree infinite ladder that moves at your speed.  It is intimidating, but as with all things here you will discover that you can do more than you imagine.  It is amazing what the body gets used to.

Statistics:
I walked 20,986 steps and 12.6 miles and burned 5,395 calories via my fitbit http://www.fitbit.com/user/22B6S6


Watch Calories burned: 4300 calories!


Hike/Exercise:
The LAST assessment hike today was Newton Canyon.  Sorry I didn't take many pictures but I have taken them there before and I was really hoofing it today.  I kept up with the front guide and was rewarded by backtracking up hills to make the hike last longer. Also, I was informed I was in the "fast" van this week.  I am pretty nervous about that since I know how fast some of the hikers here are.  This week there will only be 6 of us in that van.  I know we are doing the FULL zuma hike this week which I actually am sort of excited about.  It is one of the few things I have not done here that is still intimidating.  I will feel complete leaving here with that crossed off.  It is also cool to think that someone will have to drive a van around a few mountains to pick us up.  Who would have thought I would be doing this week 1?


As far as classes went I had stretch with Sam in the morning and ended up burning 400 calories (that is more than my pool and some cardio classes.)  After the hike I went to stretch, then the afternoon classes were,  core with Megan where I had a great core workout and will be sore today I bet, then the last two were water classes, and finally circuit training.  In circuit training I did my last two - two minute intervals on the Jacobs ladder.  It was crazy hard and my heart rate was 170 most of the time but I did it.  I plan on doing more this week since it is really challenging and yet still less intimidating now.


Food:
Well breakfast was turkey sausage, eggs and soy cheese on an english muffin.  It is so much better than it sounds!  Lunch was tortilla soup, which is thick, rich and full of flavor and a turkey sandwich with a dressed salad.  Finally, dinner was chicken, polenta and asparagus which was decent and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.  


Pictures/Slideshow:




Here are three from yesterday I did not post:

Day 21, Sunday... a day of rest

Comments/Thoughts:
Today I did very little resting up for my last week here at the resort.  Last week I over trained a bit so this week I am focusing on getting ready to go home by attending lectures and all of my classes as they are offered.  I will train once with Michael on Tuesday and maybe join Darius in a dual training session with Sam if my legs and ankles feel up to it.  I wish I had spread the training out more throughout my stay because you take so much away from each trainer.  Megan, Sam and Michael are amazing both in and out of the gym and I encourage anyone coming to spend some time with them and absorb the motivation in and outside of the workouts.  They all stay after workouts and spend time with you during meals and are very approachable for anything.  All the trainers here seem great, and I wish I had time to train with them all!

Anyway, today was laundry day and I think I am going to ship some stuff home this week.  I spent a big part of the day doing a meal plan and grocery list for my first week back.  It is more difficult than I imagined, kind of like starting a resume from scratch.  I got it done, but I wanted to get 2-4 weeks completed.  I think I will have to spend much more time on this during the week.

It is a completely different place here this week with 44 people going home, and only 53 people being left for this week.  I am used to 70-80 guests!  More time for one on one in classes I bet.  It is odd being one of the veterans left here, but it feels good to be able to make the new people more relaxed.

Anyway, there is not much more to add to this day since it was rainy and non-workout.  Hope you all had a great weekend.

Day 20, Saturday, a day for hiking and relaxation

Comments/Thoughts:
Today was a great day except for a little bit of soreness in my legs during my hike.  I enjoyed the hike and afterwards I went to lunch with Cody and Debbie.  We went to a place called Islands which is known for it's burgers.  Before you get all worried I ate off their light menu and had spicy chicken tacos in corn tortillas, and a small bowl of tortilla soup.  It was about 300 more calories than the planned meal, so I guess I hit 1500 calories today... Oh no!  Seriously though it was fine.  I did get a chance to buy some more propel, but now I am worried that it has sucralose (splenda) in it and I am going to have to talk to the dieticians again about that.  I believe the non zero calorie propels did not have it.  Anyway, I will update when I figure it out.

Graduation night was both sad and happy as soooo many people are leaving.  I will miss them all, but I have already increased my facebook friends by a TON.  I know many of us will keep in touch and continue to motivate each other to attain our goals.  I am going to try to get Teri to give me the quote she read at graduation tonight.  It was very inspiring, and I think people could benefit from it.  We also were serenaded by Sara who used to sing opera.  She is truly amazing.  I have two videos of her singing on our hike (one after a very vigorous ascension.  You should check them out in my picasa album.

Statistics:
I walked 14,800 steps and 7.5 miles and burned 4,594 calories via my fitbit http://www.fitbit.com/user/22B6S6


Watch Calories burned: 1361 calories


I took the watch off before lunch today so that is why it was so low.  Today's only activity for me was a hike since it is Saturday.

Hike and Exercise:
The hike I chose for Saturday was Solstice.  It is a challenging hike, but also one of the most scenic ones.  It is only difficult in the beginning and it is a nice loop trail so you don't have to go back the way you came and that is very nice.  One of our treats this hike was Sara agreed to sing if all of her group made it up to the chimney on the second half of the hike and she did not disappoint.  She did some opera singing at the top and down at the creek for others.  Our hiking guide Mikaela pushed the button on her walkie talkie so everyone could hear.  It was amazing.  I have videos of it she allowed me to post.







It was a great hike day, Sara also sang for our graduation at our request and it was amazing to watch the kitchen staff and everyone come out to watch.

As far as the rest of the day I took it easy and plan to do nothing till Monday and recuperate.

Food:
Since breakfast was the peach smoothie I opted for eggs and toast.  The smoothie is not so great in my opinion.  For lunch I went out with Cody and Debbie and had corn tortilla spicy chicken tacos and tortilla soup at Islands for about 850 calories.  Dinner was salisbury steak with mashed sweet potatoes and veggies.  It was a good food day even though I got to 1500-1600 calories.  That is still diet level. =)  I won't mention what Cody and Debbie had but it looked delicious!

Pictures/Slideshow: