Courage to Finish What I've Started

Back in the blogging world again!

2013-04-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

Quinoa and Turkey Lettuce Wraps

A healthy, quick and flavorful recipe from the Biggest Loser Resort.

Per serving: 243 calories, 9 grams fat, 12grams protein, 35 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams dietary fiber

I have been gone for quite awhile! Today is going to be short and sweet. I have missed being accountable to myself and whoever reads this! I have found out the hard way by doing that.. that I little by little as I slacked in tracking my goals and my progress, I FORGOT about my goals, myself and what makes me feel good and alive. I have been back in the healthy state of life again for about a month and everyday is another day to learn, grow and become my best self!! Excited to regain my momentum and this time...keep going!

Tonight for dinner I will be eating one of my favorite Biggest Loser Resort Recipes so I thought I should share it with you!

Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
12 Boston lettuce leafs
2 ½ cups quinoa, cooked
1 cup ground turkey 93/7, cooked
¼ cup pine nuts
1/8 cup fresh lemon juice
¼ cup green onions, chopped
¼ cup carrots, shredded
¼ cup dried cranberries
6 tablespoons Hoisin sauce

Instructions

Place 3 lettuce leafs on each plate.
Mix together quinoa, ground turkey, pine nuts, green onion, carrot and cranberries.
Add 2 ounces of the mixture onto the lettuce leafs.
Drizzle equal amounts of Hoisin sauce onto each cup.
Garnish with fresh chopped green onion.

http://www.dietsinreview.com/recipes/quinoa-and-turkey-lettuce-wraps/

Meg

EXCUSES STOP NOW!

2012-03-12T00:02:00.004-07:00

As my friend Arty from Biggest Loser Season 11 would say, "I'm just keeping it 100!"

Truth Day 101

Have you ever found yourself caught in a PITY PARTY?! The kind of pity party where it feels like everything in the world is against you? Where you question WHY you had to be let down the way you were?

The last 2 weeks I have been letting those negative, defeating voices into my life. I had an OLD injury caused by the stupidest thing you could ever think of creep up on me...

A CAN OF HAIRSPRAY!

Yes, you read this right. I injured my toe back in December by dropping a can of aerosol hairspray on it! The day I did it I continued my workouts at BLR (hike, H20, Mountain) and then right after mountain (one class away from being done for the day) the pain became to much and I started crying and ended up at Urgent Care.

At Urgent Care the doctor X-rayed my foot. Found that I had a hairline fracture on the tip of my toe (nothing could be done about that) and then drilled a hole in the top of my toe to RELEASE the pressure the blood underneath caused. I can't even tell you how GOOD it felt when they burnt a hole right on the top of my nail that day. It definitely relieved pressure.

Just as I usually do, I carried on and continued to not let throbbing and soreness get me down. I was told it would just take "time" and so that was what I assumed was happening.

Shortly after my birthday 5k, I started to notice more pressure and more pain in my toe area. Doing my daily sprints on the treadmill became VERY painful and I noticed myself not pushing as hard during my workouts because the pain was getting intense.

One evening after working out, I came home and just sobbed. I took off my shoe and sock and noticed something new.. my toe nail was lifted. (For those of you who don't like gory details, make sure to pass the first series of pictures I am about to post and don't read the rest until after those pictures. But please read on, cause the video I am going to share may REALLY inspire you!)

I freaked out when I realized that under my nail there was a "growth-like" mushy thing. After the nail came off it was instant pins and needles pain. I couldn't get any relief, I didn't know what to do and I am not going to lie, I was scared by the sight of it. After talking to several people and trying to weigh out all my options I headed to Urgent Care. When I got there, they had just closed the doors for the night. It was such a painful night of sleep and discomfort.

I called into work the next morning (only 2nd time in 2 yrs) and asked to come in later. I went to the doctor at 8am, he wouldn't touch it and sent me to a podiatrist. The podiatrist freaked me out. He had never seen anything like this before..really? A podiatrist?! He was sure there was surgery in my future! He sent me with his nurse for an Xray. When he came back he said he was glad to see that it was a hematoma and not bone coming out of my toe. He gave me several shots in my toe, froze it with some hydrogen and began cutting away and then cauterizing my toe nail. He told me to keep it clean, keep Lamisil on it and take pain meds for discomfort. Also no working out till my toe was healed up and had no pain.

The stages of my toe (NOT FOR THE FAINT)

Today as I put on my Lamisil cream I realized something.. it didn't hurt..could it really be?! I know it is ridiculous that I let something as small as an UGLY toe let my world stop. Of course it didn't totally stop, just my exercise lacked and that has been all I've known for so long and is my main source to stress relief, I let it get to me.. WAY TO MUCH!

Why do I share all of this with you, and record it for me? Because I don't think I am the only one that has let a small thing, a small set back, some pain, some emotional or family problems become a MOUNTAIN in our lives. We let it become so much more detrimental than it needs to be, instead of facing it head on and "adjusting" your schedule to IT, we let "IT" take our schedule away from us!

Now, I am going to be 2 weeks behind on my goals, have a lot of make up to get to where I was... and unfortunately I can't get that time back. But I DO plan on moving forward and that is what matters most at this point!

Tonight as I was planning out what I wanted to do to get back in the swing of things this week, I decided to turn on Biggest Loser Season 7 (back when Biggest Loser used to REALLY inspire us). Sione Fa is my BOY and seriously it was MEANT TO BE that I re-watched this episode tonight!!

ANYONE that needs to be inspired, PLEASE watch this!

I recorded it with my phone cause I wanted you all to see it!

How many times have we let ourselves become a victim to the "I CAN'T FLU?"

I know, I have. This is a battle I REFUSE to lose again. The only losing I am going to be doing for now on is inches and pounds! Thank you Sione Fa for your words on and off the show!

This clip is LIFE! I love it!

FINISH WHAT YOU'VE STARTED!!

That's what I started out to do, and that is what I am GOING TO DO!

I want to give a special shout out to my sweet Biggest Loser family. There are so many people I have met through the Biggest Loser Resort as well as contestants who I can now call friends. You have inspired me, believed in me, pushed me, followed up with me and continue to be my friends.

There are also MANY others of my friends/family that INSPIRE me, encourage me, cheer me on and REALLY just love me through all my follies, successes and trials and to ALL of you I say thank you!

Thank you to my Twitter and Facebook family as well. Your posts sometimes give me the UMPH I need to get to the gym, I hope I can return the favor.

Bottom line: I am doing this ALL for me and nothing else, but your words, comments and compliments ring through my head on days that I just want to RETREAT!

Newest Biggest Loser Resort Announced: Buffalo, New York

2012-02-10T22:04:00.000-08:00

I HEART Biggest Loser Resort and I HEART that they brought one to Buffalo, New York!

BLR NIAGRA!

Could life get any better?!

One of the MANY reasons I think it is SOOO awesome is because each time I went to Malibu, there were loads of Canadians and New Yorkers there! How great is it that they bring their services closer to their clients and can you get a more beautiful place than Niagra Falls area?!

I left a part of my heart at the Biggest Loser Resort Malibu as well as I have as over 30 of my pounds (from my 3 visits)!

Can't wait to see what THIS resort looks like, what they offer, and how many more lives they are able to change!

Check out the OFFICIAL announcement here:

http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2012/02/the-first-biggest-loser-east-coast-destination-to-debut/622463/1

If you happen to live in the Western NY area, they are doing a ONE WEEK giveaway for FOUR guests her is the information on that contest:

To celebrate our newest Resort we are offering four (4) lucky local Western New Yorkers the chance to win a one (1) week stay at BLR NIAGARA.
To enter, email your :60 (second) video telling us your personal story about why you want to lose weight and/or be more healthy.
You can upload your video here: http://www.wgrz.com/life/contests/biggestloserniagara/default.aspx

Ten people will become finalists, but only FOUR will win.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY

BIGGEST LOSER RESORT FAMILY!!

I KNOW that you have much success in Niagra with many awesome people walking in and out your doors changed, as I have also had experienced that change.

If you would like to know more about the locations of the resort and the services they offer read my blog or check out their website at: http://www.biggestloserresort.com/

Biggest Loser: Sam Poueu and Stephanie Anderson's first interview after his accident. True Love has NO BOUNDS!

2012-02-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

If any of you have followed me on any of my blogs it will be no surprise that I am THE Biggest Loser Super fan. I love these people. The Biggest Loser Alumni/Family has my heart! They are warm and kind hearted. They have been where I am. They have conquered their journey's further than I have. They have been PIVOTAL in my weight loss success! There are many of the alumni who will be forever friends of mine because of the returned friendship, love and support they have always shown me!

Steph and Sam (and family) are some of those people. I was a BIG "fan" of them while they were on the show and followed them and their love story after the show. When I was able to go to Season 11 finale, I got to meet Sam in person! I was honored and thrilled. When I found out he would be one of my trainers while at Biggest Loser Resort Malibu (BLR), I was completely ECSTATIC!

While at BLR Malibu, I learned so much from his classes! He was hard core! He was AMAZING at motivating! He could push you further and further than you ever thought possible and until it was over, you didn't even had a clue what you had just accomplished. His Mountain and Water Aerobics classes could leave you weeping they were so hard, yet you felt so accomplished! I couldn't WAIT to get back to do it again!

On September 3, 2011 Sam had a horrible fall while visiting friends in San Francisco. When I found out on the 4th my heart was traumatized! I was so worried and scared about what this meant for someone who was a "super hero" to me. I was stuck to my computer for days trying to find ANY information about him and how he was doing.

Another fan of Sam's, Erin Bowling, was quicker than me to the attack and formed a Facebook group, "Pray for Sam Poueu" https://www.facebook.com/groups/171343502940911/ and the family soon jumped on that group and started leaving information on his well being, giving updates and legitimate articles that we could reference as to information about Sam and his progress.

In the days following I saw them throwing around Erin's idea of getting wristbands started with his favorite saying. I felt that Erin so desperately wanted to head up this idea but didn't quite know where to get started and how to the have the time since she is a full time student. I have headed up many fundraisers in my life and knew I had the skills to jump in and help out. I wrote to Erin and inquired about taking it from her and running with it. She obliged.

I spoke first to Sherry Johnston (Pink team from that season and also like family to him) to ask her if this was something the family could stand behind. She did the behind scene's work and I got an approval call from Stephanie a week or so later.

We got the wristbands ordered https://www.facebook.com/BLTEAMSAM?sk=app_135607783795 (The wristbands are Grey, the color Sam was on BL and Purple, the color of Steph. The quote the family helped pick was, "Family First, God above all"). Once the wristbands arrived the Sam bandwagon started. We sold a lot in the first month! I was so busy processing orders. Every night I spent a few hours addressing, stuffing and recording all the order's that came in.

On the back of each order I hand wrote "PRAY FOR SAM" hoping this would generate some extra attention and a reminder that this is why they are being sold, to get as MANY prayers and reminders to pray for him out there on a daily basis. We all know that when "two or more are gathered" in God's name, miracles can happen!

As time consuming as the process was, it made me so happy to help in even the smallest of ways. The plan, to relieve a little financial stress from the family involved as well as help them feel the love and support they had out there. Update: Order's trickle in slowly every week. And I fill them one by one. I look forward to when I can announce that we met our goal and sold out of them!

I would like to give a shout out to ALL the people involved on the Pray for Sam page. First, Erin Bowling who started the ball rolling and was the brain child of this effort. Next, to all the moderators who help keep all the friend requests accepted, keep all the family information sorted and in the right folders for easy viewing as well as helping get the word out about wristbands available. There several moderators that help and I am afraid I would forget one of them if I tried to list them, but they know who they are! Also to Patti Anderson (Steph's Mom) and Sam's Sister Tracey who were staple's to this page and really helped calm many nerves and troubled hearts with info on Sam's progress. It doesn't take just ONE person to do something for someone else. It takes an idea to get planted and then many willing hands to keep it all going! I give props and love to EVERYONE who had any part in this.

We also had some businesses offer incentives to people to purchase larger quantities of wristbands. Thank you Wholly Guacamole and Shut up and Sweat Gear for your generous donations!! Also to Biggest Loser Resort Malibu who offered wristbands for sale several times throughout the last few months! It is companies like you that make me proud to support you and your efforts! THANK YOU!

Anywho, I just wanted to give you a little background of WHY I was so driven to put a little effort in to helping these two. Their love story is so precious and knows NO bounds. I adore them and was THRILLED to see this update and hear Sam's voice again. He is a fighter! Life will only get better and sweeter from here on out! God is GOOD! We are STILL praying everyday Sam and Steph! Have NOTHING but love for you two!

Here is the real reason you are reading this.. to get the scoop!

I WISH EVERY GIRL KNEW THIS..

2012-02-08T19:50:00.000-08:00

I know I am behind in my blog and you will be see seeing a lot more in the next few weeks but for tonight I just wanted to share this! I think EVERY scale should come with this on it...

Are you hard on yourself?
Do you weigh yourself more than once a week?
Do you forget to remind yourself that you are not DEFINED by a number?
Do you beat yourself up when you have one bad day, one bad meal, one missed workout?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, the time in NOW to take action on how you feel about you!! You will have a lot harder time with success in your journey with negative self talk, self doubt and self sabotage. Maybe, your scale needs a make over!

I do not allow the scale, or a number to determine my success any more. I am not a SLAVE to my scale. I use it ONCE a week to gauge if there is anything I need to try to do a little differently for the coming week. If I have several weeks in a row where the results are not showing on the scale, I try to do something a little different.

If you find yourself in the dumps by the number this contraption gives to you.. maybe you should give it a scale make over and change the things YOU CAN CHANGE!!

You are BEAUTIFUL! I am CHEERING you on! YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS!!!

AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH

2012-01-11T13:53:00.000-08:00

I am in the process of climbing an extraordinary mountain...not a literal one at the moment, but one that is helping me climb out of this "shell" that I have been in bondage to my whole life! It's a daily climb.

I have been switching my workouts up a little bit since the beginning of the new year and will continue to do so as I start to feel less fatigued or bored with what I am continually doing.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday I spend the first 40 minutes on the elliptical and then the last 20 minutes I have been working on a 5K training program that Tara Costa sent me. It is a "conditioning" program which will help me eventually be running A LOT more that I presently am. I have been climbing HUGE mountains (or obstacles) with this already. I start at a steady 3.5 for 90 seconds walking then run for 60 seconds at a 5.0. Then Walk again back at 3.5 for another 90 seconds then run at a 5.5. Go back to the 3.5 and go up on the running minute sprints by .5 every time. I do this for 20 minutes 3 times a week for this week. I have actually enjoyed it and I feel so fulfilled and tired when 6am comes. Then I hop in the shower and head off to work.

On M, W, F at nights right now I just put in an hour on circuit training.. Usually 30 minutes elliptical, 15 minutes bike, 15 min treadmill. I am going to find some evening classes to take to change this up so I don't get bored of my small condo gym... (I will admit it is actually pretty ghetto, but it calls my name if I am home and that is what I need!)

Tuesday is my Biggest Loser, last chance workout..which is funny cause I don't weigh-in that night or the next, but it works so... I will let it!
I stay for 2 straight hours on Tuesday nights (no AM workout) and when I leave, I have to practically mop every machine in the place of my nasty sweat. I made a choice when I moved into my condo that I was NOT going to get cable. It was the BEST choice I made FOR MY LIFE!! Now If I want to watch a show (Biggest Loser or Celebrity Wife Swap as an example) I have to go to the GYM! It works! And 95% of the time I am the only one there and don't have to beg for the remote :) On Tuesday I do a lot of Circuits on the weights mixed in with the elliptical.

Thursdays, at my 5am morning workout I do The Biggest Loser Resort Mountain class. I will tell you this was my LEAST favorite class and the reason why is because I knew how HARD it was and I would PSYCH myself out that I couldn't make it to the top of the "mountain". What I forgot to focus on, is when you get there, it is SOOO rewarding! Now I push myself to do it time and time again. Because Thursday mornings has proven to be one or my most challenging mornings for pushing myself I have chosen this day as the day to CLIMB THAT MOUNTAIN and it has worked well.

Here is a video of how "mountain works". You really should try it, you will be surprised how you push yourself to get to the top. Great way to FUEL your day, knowing you accomplished a hard thing.

Thursday evenings I have been doing a switch between elliptical, stationary bike and weights.

Saturday's (as long as the weather lasts here in AZ) will become my hiking/outdoor day. I want to enjoy Arizona more and see things I have never seen. I also don't just want to sleep all day (which I have been doing). I want to keep a routine so that I can get ALL the things done I need to for the next week (Shopping, food prep, laundry etc).

Sunday's is my day of rest both for religious purposes and for exercise purposes...oh how I love you Sunday! :)

Here is a real life picture of me after one of my mountain classes I did for myself..It is a serious workout!

I think it is important to remind myself of the "mountains" I am climbing in my workouts right now as well as reference it later as I change things up as well, to see how hard I worked to get to my goals.

This is a lifelong journey. One of much sweat and tears. I love that I can feel my heart conditioning as I climb through this journey. My breaths are smoother, my moves more consistent. I am making progress each and EVERY day!

As cliche as it is, I wanted to share the words of the song The Climb by Miley Cyrus... I feel it every day when I hit my feet at 5am. I use it to propel me through my first one hour workout of the day.
Here are the words so you can see how much it applies to MY journey:

I can almost see it

that dream I'm dreaming

But there's a voice inside my head saying "You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking

Every move I make feels

Lost with no direction

My faith is shaking (in myself)

But I gotta keep trying

Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be a uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose (weight)
Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing

The chances I'm taking

Sometimes might knock me down

But no, I'm not breaking

But these are the moments that

I'm gonna remember most, yeah

Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong

Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be a uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb...

Keep on moving, keep climbing

Keep the faith, MEG

It's all about, it's all about the climb

Keep the faith, keep your faith.. (in your journey, in yourself)

I work on believing in this dream, this journey everyday while pushing all the negative talk that I have told myself all these years out of the way. I AM worth this! I can do this! The mountains will start feeling smaller and smaller, all I have to do is...

KEEP CLIMBING!

IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL

2012-01-05T23:28:00.000-08:00

This picture and caption PERFECTLY depict how I feel today. For those of you who haven't guessed it yet, I am not perfect. I am a normal, overweight since childhood, girl trying to overcome a lifetime of bad eating choices and sometimes, I fall short! Today was one of those sometimes.

I have the appropriate tools. I have been given such amazing opportunities and MOST OF THE TIME live up to them, yet sometimes I have a temporary lapse in judgement, where the IDIOT comes out and takes all my goals for that day and puts them on vacation. Today was one of those days, a day I will never be proud of.

Today I freaked myself out by a choice I made. And after all was said and done, I spent the rest of the day beating myself up about it. Instead of moving on, going forward and recommitting to NEVER let that happen again! Why do we do that to ourselves? Why can't we move on instead of keep torturing your already weak self. I think the reason for me is that I KNOW I CAN DO HARD THINGS, and yet I showed myself today how weak I still am.

Let me explain my dilemma. And for those of you who think I am "AMAZING" you might reconsider after the truth be told.

I have been VERY ill since Friday. I have been pushing through migraine after migraine and stomach aches after stomach aches until I just broke down yesterday and couldn't push anymore.. I was hurting and exhausted. I came home from work at 6pm and collapsed on my bed asleep for nearly 3 hours and slept hard. I stayed in my bed the rest of the night, no dinner, no workout...I was too sick to even move.

I woke at 6am this morning and knew I was not going to make it out of my bed, let alone to work. I texted my bosses and waited for a response. They suggested that I try to sleep it off and check in at noon, so I went back to sleep. I set my alarm for 11:45am, woke up a bit to see if I felt any better, I did not. I told them I was sorry but I needed to go to a doctor. I HATE GOING TO THE DOCTOR! I don't know why it trips me out so much, but I just absolutely hate it!

That decision made me have to leave my bed to get on the computer and look up a doctor that my insurance accepts (I have lived here over 2 yrs and other than the dentist and chiropractor, i have never been to a doctor). Called a few local friends and tracked down an office that has plenty of family practice doctors to help me out and got an appointment.

After booking my doctor I realized that I hadn't eaten in over 24 hours and I was so hungry my other part of my tummy hurt. I was tired, I was weak and I didn't want to make anything (or so I told myself) and the next thing I knew I had a medium pizza delivered to my door. I paid the driver the $9.38, (they said they don't normally deliver under $20 but they had someone else in my complex just order so they would make an exception...oh how convenient, right?!) shut the door and got back on my couch, under my cuddle blanket and started to eat this pepperoni, pineapple and tomato pizza (with no cheese.. not a big cheese fan on pizza's). I am ashamed to admit that it wasn't till I got to piece FOUR and started feeling OVER FULL that I became a "conscious eater" and said to myself, WAIT A MINUTE, what just happened here?! SIDE NOTE: I will be honest with you, NEVER in my 33 yrs of life have I EVER ordered a pizza to my house all for myself...EVER! This was the moment I FREAKED!! What was I doing?! What was I thinking?! WHAT AM I EATING?! I picked up the pizza and walked it and the box to the dumpster outside. I then proceeded to mentally beat myself up for the rest of the day!

Now don't get me wrong here, I haven't sworn off pizza for the rest of my life. Although pizza wouldn't be my first choice in food to indulge in usually, if I were planning to eat pizza I would save up my 10% (I have talked here before about The Biggest Loser Resort 90/10 plan..90% of the time you eat on target 10% or 2 meals a week for me you can have an indulgence) and have my pizza as a planned splurge. But this was NOT in the plan, this was very UNPLANNED and very unconscious and that is what scared me!

After a couple hours I tried to move on, move past and go about my planned appointment hoping this would all go away.

I went to the doctor. We talked about how sick I have been feeling, what my symptoms are etc. After doing a few tests on me and checking my stats etc he determined that I was severely dehydrated! I was shocked. We talked about my exercise and how I had come home from the resort and then continued 2 hours a day pretty consistently and he was then pretty sure of it. So I was given some migraine medicine so I could function and assigned to come back on Saturday (after drinking OODLES of fluids) and take a hydration test and do a series of labs and he would determine if I needed to go get an IV or not.

On my way home from the doctor it had STILL not gone away so I decided to come clean with my battle buddy Joni and tell her what I did. It felt good for a moment and she didn't act as though she thought it were too big of deal. Then I spent 2 hours pacing the floor of the grocery store waiting for my prescription. I was walking and looking at foods, sugar contents, sodium content etc. As I was filling my cart with good options (like I usually do weekly) I was back at beating myself up for losing sight of what I know is most important for me, my journey, my life, MY HEALTH!

I still cannot understand what came over me this afternoon. I REALLY am committed to this lifestyle, I am. I am not looking to make excuses. I thought that I trusted myself, my decisions and then I was side swiped. I tend to have a really hard time making "good choices" in social situations, but there was NO social situation here...just me, myself and I. I think this is really what upsets me, I want to trust my choices, especially ALONE.

So tonight as I lay in bed, still beating myself up.. I decided to reach out to a couple other friends along the way. Heather and Bri, you helped me more than you know!!! Thank you for listening, not judging me and understanding the place where I was coming from. Bri said to me, "If this were easy, I would be wearing a bikini right now!" That made me smile. Then she said, "Funks are good for you. It shows you how much your health means to you!"

I love my BLR family, My battle buddy, and all my friends who support this journey!

Their wisdom and reassurance to me basically says this:

And tonight, I believed them..

I am strong enough! I have enough courage to go forward and with the support I have, if I PLAN I have

NO ROOM FOR FAILURE!

So the rest of this evening I went back to the drawing board. I restocked the cupboard where I go when I am too starving to make good choices on meals. There I have almonds (in 100 calorie servings), Mint Chocolate Zone Bars, Wasa Crackers, Freeze Dried apples etc. Now when I feel that WEAK side come on, I can curb that hunger until I am confident I make the right choices again. Its ALL about CHOICES!

And Still.. I Rise! NO EXCUSES!

2012-01-03T08:40:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling very under the weather since Friday (right in time for vacation). At first when I started to come down with my cold, I thought, not me...not NOW! I LOVE the start of a new year. I love refocusing (even though I refocused when I went to BLR in November) I love challenging myself with goals and making lists and plans etc.

By late Friday night I knew that my normal preparations for my New Year might just be put on hold, I was sick..really sick. The first thing I wanted to do was just feel sorry for myself. To forget about my goals. To eat my way into a New Year coma (although I did use my 10% this weekend for sure, don't get me wrong!). I spent ALL of Saturday in bed or on the couch doing nothing but watching Netflix and chatting on Facebook/Twitter.

By New Year's Eve I was still feeling pretty bad, but I had made a commitment to a friend that I met through twitter that the two of us would work out ringing in the new year (even though we were states away from each other) I wasn't about to let her and myself down...I am LOYAL through and through.

At 9:30pm I pulled myself off my couch and got into my workout attire and started making my way to my gym at my Condo. I didn't feel any better what so ever, but I had changed my mind set, I was going to do this NO MATTER WHAT! Here is a picture of me at the gym that night. I looked and felt like death but I pushed myself hard!! I even ran and beat my personal best with THREE one minute sprints of 7.0 on the treadmill (I have to hold on to the front bar to do this..but I do it!)

When all was said and done, I felt pretty ill but my spirit felt MAGNIFICENT!

Sunday I woke up feeling just as awful as the previous day and I layed in bed to the VERY LAST MINUTE before I had to be at work. It was a chill day with the girls which I was sooo thankful for it helped to not have to go anywhere or do anything. Sunday is my rest day for workouts so I was fine with that!

Monday, I was SOOO sick. My stomach ached and felt in knots. My cough was out of control. I had the headache the size of Texas and my body felt like a train ran over me. I was just sick, that is all there was to it! Again I cancelled all my plans and went between my couch and my bed all day, it was all I could do. I was starting to have a REALLY BIG PITY PARTY for myself and then I saw this video from one of my EARTHLY heroes!

Thank You Maya Angelou for your wisdom! You always speak to my heart, you gave me the courage and the will to RISE this night and keep my commitments to those who are doing at least a mile a day challenge in January..so I hit the gym!

I put an hour in the gym at a very slow pace and a high incline on the treadmill, but I did it! I didn't make excuses, I listened to the wisdom of Maya and despite a difficult situation, I arose to do what I needed to do for me and the people counting on me!

How different would our lives be if on every situation we had this kind of attitude. That when life tries to get us down, people try to shut us down, our own brains try to put us down we would say, "And still, I rise" and go on with our own life journey and not let it get us down?! The world would be changed... I would be changed!

Today with the start of Biggest Loser Season 13 and their theme, "NO EXCUSES" my prayer is that I can continue to adopt this phrase, NO EXCUSES. That I won't allow ANYTHING to come in the way of the journey of health and well-being that I have been on for 2 years now. That I will be able to keep the mindset of Doctor Angelou, and RISE in any situation to achieve my fullest potential!

What have YOU done today, to make YOU feel proud?!

I HAVE DONE IT, I HAVE GONE AND LOST MY MIND!

2012-01-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

I think my weekend sick has gotten to me. I just did the craziest thing... I texted my friend Heather in Sacramento (who said she would help me keep my New Years Resolution by participating with me in one of my FOUR 5k's) and asked if she would be interested in this Midway, Utah Race 5k that is on my Birthday, February 4th! She said, YES!

Now, I am always up for an adventure and an adventure with a challenge is even a little more intriguing, but I think I have officially done it, I think that I have lost my mind!

Here is how the website explains this race I just committed too:

"The snow crunching under your running shoes, as you breathe in the crisp mountain air. You and your closest friends are racing (and sledding) your way over the groomed trail, conquering its several obstacles. Whether you are an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, this race is for you."

The first picture is the one I saw when I texted Heather ( I HEART sledding..and doesn't she look like she is having the time of her life?!) ...I should have looked at the rest...EEK!

Course is a 3.1 MILE, Military Style Obstacle Course with over 10+ obstacles.

Why did I think this was a good idea again? Someone remind me where I thought I was ready for a race of this sort? Maybe this Musinex has some chemical that is stopping the functioning of my brain!

HELP!

I am neither an "elite athlete nor a weekend warrior!" I am a fat girl in spandex still trying to loose this outer shell.. but you know what I do have?

I have...

heart, laughter, joy, the best support group and friends in the world, determination and...

I CAN DO HARD THINGS!

Okay, okay, maybe I just talked myself into it, although I do still think I have gone and lost my mind!

You are ALL invited to join me for my first HEALTHY Birthday Celebration...who's in?!

February 4th, 2012

Midway, Utah

(by Park City)

$40

As long as I am losing my mind...here is one of the 5k's I will ALSO do this year, just don't know which location yet! Thanks for loving me and reading about my crazy adventures if I don't make it through this!

I am ONE STEP closer to meeting my goals of four 5k's...but I have already stayed up past my 10:30pm bed time and thus broken another goal. Oh well, no work tomorrow, so it counts as a weekend, right?!

Courage to Finish What I've Started?! OH YEAH!

A New Year...New Possibilities...New Goals...NEW ME!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Believe in yourself. Trust the process. Change FOREVER.

Looking back on my year I've confirmed what I already knew, 2011 was sooo good to me!! I have no idea how this new year is going to top it... yet, I know it will and I am looking forward with anticipation for GREAT things to come!!

HIGHLIGHTS of 2011

Caribbean Cruise with my Girls

Twins First Birthday

Baby Ellie Jane was Born, my niece

Nephews and Niece and Joni's family came to visit (This is an ALL-TIME fav pic)

Winning the Wholly Guacamole Battle Buddy contest with Joni.

Biggest Loser Finale for Season 11 and finally meeting my FAVS!

Cali trip with Jen, Ghetto and Joni

One Week at Biggest Loser Resort Malibu

Hiked Y Mountain

Stadium of Fire

Freedom Festival 5K with friends

Les Miserables with my Mom, Auntie Kay and Cousin Val in Phoenix (Later this night, we found out that Grandpa wouldn't make it much longer...he passed early in the a.m.)

Moving into a place of my own

Working with raising money for BL9 Sam Poueu with the Wristband Campaign.

Holli and kids came for a visit

Home for Thanksgiving

Two more weeks at Biggest Loser Resort Malibu

A week with my Biggest Loser Buddies (PRICELESS)

Amanda and Arthur came to visit in AZ (At different times. Arthur May, Amanda December)

I have been blessed more than I could EVER imagine. Thankful for a year full of many ups and only a few downs, although the downs were some pretty hard ones. I want to note two of those downs for the record. I want to remember that even though some days this year felt extraordinarily dark, most days were light and very blessed.

The darkest day of 2011 would be the passing of my Grandfather (who was more like a father to me).

I thought I was better prepared for his passing because he was so willing and ready to go, but it was very hard because I didn't say goodbye and strange to think that on the earth I wouldn't be with him again. I think of him so much. I miss hearing him breathe, hearing his teasings and just telling him what I have been up too. But the brightness of that situation comes because I KNOW I will see him again and he is not suffering as he was. That brings great peace and comfort to me as we move on to another year. We have passed all the firsts that are the hardest and if Grandma can do it cheerfully, SO CAN I!

Another hard time for me this year would be my move from Gilbert to Phoenix. I have truly the GREATEST friends in Gilbert.

Stephy is one of them :)

When I am with all of them, I feel like I am with family. I don't feel homesick, lonely or afraid. I thought I would come here (less than an hour away) and make friends just like them and it hasn't really happened for me. Going from four roommates to NO roommates and having no friends close by was a VERY lonely place. For months I struggled to find my place in Phoenix. After a few dark months in the hottest, most miserable time of year in Arizona I found a friend, her name is Rae and she is a RAY of sunlight in my life and has blessed me to not feel so isolated here all the time. (See, it doesn't stay dark forever!)

I am going to take ALL the things that I learned from in 2011 and turn them into positive energy moving through this new year! I have high hopes, dreams and goals. I have been doing a lot of thinking through this holiday time and think I have found some solutions to help me obtain and keep some of the goals that are most important to me. I am armed with AMAZING tools. A gym at my condo, supportive friends and family, information and knowledge from my stay at The Biggest Loser Resort that I am already applying in my life and most important, HARD WORK AND DEDICATION!

I have decided that in 2012 I am going to do the following not in ANY particular order. Some are one time check off's and bucket lists where others are things I will work on daily.

BUCKET LIST OF 2012:
Go to the Balloon Festival in New Mexico
See Disneyland at Christmas time
Visit Washington DC area
Freedom Festival 10K
Meet my BLR friends in Cali for BL13 Finale and a check in on our Journey's
Christmas in Utah

MIXTURE OF ALL MY GOALS: (I have a more detailed list of how I will accomplish that for myself)
Work towards getting a new car
Build my Paparazzi Jewelry Business
Get out of Debt
Lights out by 10:30pm (everyone knows this is going to be the HARDEST...but I Can Do Hard Things, right?!)
Volunteer for Make-A-Wish-Foundation
Find a social life haha
Four 5K's
Workout twice a day, 5 days a week
Loose 80lbs (20 lbs a quarter is my goal. First 20lbs will be by March) I know this is achievable that is why I chose that number!
Find and meet with a counselor who specializes in Childhood Obesity, work on past issues that are creeping into my NOW.
PAY IT FORWARD. Support, encourage, motivate and most importantly LOVE those trying to do similarly hard things.

Here you have it. It is written down. I am accountable and I will report on my progress on all these goals through out 2012. I WILL do these. You just wait and see!

My Motto for this year is going to continue, "I CAN DO HARD THINGS!"

My verse of STRENGTH comes from Ezra in the Old Testament.

Ezra 10:4 "Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it."

I am going to do just this.. .I am going to ARISE. I am going to take ownership of my own life. I am going to TRUST THE PROCESS. I am going to DO IT!

BRING ON 2012...I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT I'VE GOT!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

SUNDAY: TRUTH DAY, YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM THE SCALE!

2011-12-04T21:23:00.000-08:00

I love these women that are all lined up to see what results they are going to have this week. They are strong and they are on a mission to lose the pounds just like me! One thing is for sure, I know they will do it!!

Today was our weigh in. If The Resort teaches one thing that I wish everyone would realize is, OUR BODIES ARE ALL DIFFERENT! Here is a perfect example of just that. We eat ALL the same food (minus a few variations...but we have the same chef), we do the same workouts and live close to the same lifestyle while we are here. Yet, some people loose really big and other loose a little. Does little vs. big weight loss take away ANY of the glory? No! You have to think about where you were before, how different and better you feel, and if you would be making this change without such a jump start. If all of those facts are positive then NO MATTER WHAT your results are just where they should be!!

This week I lost a total of 5 lbs. The last time I came I lost a total of 8 in week one. Why didn't I loose more? I don't know. But I am going to celebrate every pound that was shed because since May when I was here last, my body has been losing inches, but the pounds were holding on to dear life! I was THRILLED that the scale budged!!

I need to give a shout out to two of my BLR friends! Bri (aka Danielle I tend to call her that, no reason, just do so now it is her nickname whether she likes it or not!) you knocked it outta the park! 12 lbs!! You fought through every single lb. You never gave up. You kept yourself positive and even hiked your butt up mountains when you wanted to throw the towel at the mountain! You inspired me OODLES and you're a bestie for life! Jim lost 11 lbs. He inspired me every morning on our hikes. He has had health problems and instead of sitting around letting it make him bigger he got off his couch and got active! He was at the top of the pack in all our hikes and always brought leadership and team love when he was around! WAY TO GO! (Jim is the cousin of Jerry Hayes, season 7)

Sunday breakfast is a FAVORITE!! It is a omelet bar! So delicious! Who knew feta cheese and an omelet is a bit of heaven?! Then the resort packs you a sack lunch...Today we had a Almond butter spread on a Orrowheat sandwich thin. Along with some string cheese, cut veggies and an apple. It is packed like that so that people traveling will be prepared and not have to go through the temptation of airport food, etc. I appreciate that this is part of the program and it is nice to have a lunch so that you can do your own thing and not have to be there at a certain time.

After saying goodbye to departing friends, with my lunch in hand I went to my room to set some personal goals for my week. My Sundays each week will be dedicated not only to my Savior but to bettering myself and choosing goals that will get me where I want to be in this journey.
My first activity this Sunday was to:

WEEK TWO Goals for myself:

Be HONEST with myself.
NO EXCUSES

PUSH myself further than I ever have
ENJOY the journey

Make time for MEMORIES

TAKE IT HOME

After goal setting, pondering, a nap and a few phone calls, the long awaited moment was here! Since booking my stay at BLR I have been anticipating being with some people I really adore. My Courtney, My Amanda. My Arthur and My Sarah ARRIVE TODAY!! This week is going to be AWESOME! I honestly cannot wait! I get to pick Court, Mandz and Arty at the airport and want to squeeze them all! This will be the FIRST time I meet Amanda yet we text each other through out each day and she is my adopted lil Sister!

This week coming up is gonna be a week of GREATS...EPIC really!! We are all going to do things we never before have done and meet personal goals and maybe even go beyond them, we will see! This week is going to help me get closer to my goals.

I am looking forward to getting to know Sione better and Tara the "iron woman!" Plus, I hear a few surprise "Loser's" will be dropping by (this is the week before finale) to say hi, so it is a week never to be forgotten I am sure. Last week would be pretty hard to top, I love all the new friends in my journey...there is a HUGE support system here!

Picking my sweet friends up at the airport was awesome! I loved having them all in the car with me. We were talking a mile a minute, laughing, sharing stories about all the CRAY CRAY people in this world and just loving spending time with each other. When we arrived to the resort, the excitement in the air was intense! SOOO excited for this week!

These people warm my heart! I am so blessed to be part of their lives!

Last Chance Workout...No Joke!

2011-12-03T23:27:00.000-08:00

(My friend Heather from the resort would text us daily motivation she was getting from her trainer back home.. THANK YOU HEATHER, you have no idea how much this helped!)

The last time I was at The Biggest Loser Resort, Saturday was an "optional day". Lots of site seeing, shopping and sleeping went on. The new schedule at Biggest Loser Resort sticks more to the purpose you are there..TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE, not to be on a vacation, and it is NO JOKE.

I am not going to lie. I was planning to spend my Saturday at Disneyland. I have ALWAYS dreamed to be at Disney at Christmas time. To feel the magic even more through Christmas decor and festivities. I was disappointed at first when I found out that Saturday was a PACKED schedule and my dreams were going to be put on hold for yet another year.

Those feelings were before I experienced what a HARD workout Saturday there would feel like. A bonus day to get one last chance to get your body shedding the much needed weight! It was some hard work, but I am glad I participated!

(This is an example of some of the things available in the gift shop at The Biggest Loser Resort. Lots of products with this saying..love the message and reminder. I should've bought it!)

I opted to rest from Hiking and after a morning Yoga style class chose to do the 2 hr workout back at the resort. We had asked if a pool class could be offered for that time and they agreed, little did we know that is when the pool guys were there. I was already in my swimsuit and so me and my friend chose to do our workout in the hot tub... you may think, that is not a workout.. You better believe it was!! were running around that hot tub, doing weights, using noodles and sweating to death just like a Birkham hot Yoga class...no joke. We did it for an hour and then we moved to the pool. Did I mention that it felt like it was 50 below outside. It was soooo windy and cold but I just couldn't bear another gym class today, I needed to be outside and was willing to ANYTHING to stay there. Right after we started our aerobic routine we had a bizarre interruption..an emergency helicopter landing!

As we were in the pool, a firefighting helicopter was hovering lower and lower to the resort and for a minute I thought they were having a malfunction and were going to land and take out the entire Biggest Loser Resort. I didn't know whether we should run for our lives or just stay put. They ended up landing in the field a few feets from the back of the gym. Apparently there was a bike accident in the canyon by us and the ambulance brought the victim to that field. We all left the pool and the gym and rushed to see what was going on...brrr it was cold! It was so amazing to see what an organized mission this was. The helicopter had barely touched down when it was off again with the injured person and we were back to our workouts!

After 2 hours in the water and the people on the hike returned, left the pool to get dry before our "last chance" workout! Do you even know how hard it is to get a sports bra on when you are wet...let me just say contorting your body in that many ways to get your bra on is AMUSING!

They don't mess around with this last chance workout! We were doing suicides, ladder runs, medicine ball routines, Running up a hill with weights in toe, Resistance ropes and the double heavy rope exercise (wish I knew what that was called) and last but not least yoga ball sit ups. We did this in circuit like rotations. I am not gonna lie 90 minutes of this and I wanted to lay down on the floor and kick my feet in a tantrum...if only I had energy to do that! ha ha In fact I had drank my entire water bottle before we were even half way through.

My team was Jerry and Estella Hayes from Season 7. How I love them and they are the best sports, cheerleaders and loves ever!

We get a little break after the Last chance workout and lunch before the graduation festivities start. It was nice to just be in my room and talk with friends. Felt like a great end to an AMAZING week!

Graduation is a great time of the week. We watch a DVD that they give to each of us that is coverage of our entire week. If I can figure out how to post it I will, but my guess is it is TOO big of a file. It basically is a great way to come home and show all your family what you went through and also a reminder to yourself of the new friendships and the new YOU that you found. There also is a part for the people departing to share thoughts, hopes and successes with everyone, some tears are shed as well (yes, I am one of those crying).

I spent the remainder of my Saturday with my new found friend Sandi who volunteered to help me fill the orders for Wristbands for Sam Poueu (Biggest Loser season 9 contestant and trainer at BLR who had an accident in the fall and is still recovering from serious injuries.) It felt very humbling to be filling these orders right there at his workplace where he had inspired and loved so many of the people that had come through those doors. I was SOOO happy to have Sandi's help this week. I had 74 orders to process. It took us 4 hours to complete, but Sam is worth EVERY HOUR, I love that guy!

I think a cool side note to Sandi helping me is that one of the main purposes that she booked her stay here at The Biggest Loser Resort was she wanted Sam to be her trainer. She was so disappointed and considered rescheduling when it ended up differently but came anyway. Here she was able to serve him and kind of pay it forward to him...she is THE BEST!

Saturday Stats:

Calories Burned: 4321
Steps: 9,478 (minus the 2 hour workout in the pool)

Menu today:

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs and toast
Lunch: Tuna Nicoise Salad with Pita and Squash Soup
Dinner: Salsbury Steak with Chocolate Banana, Strawberry and Pinapple drizzled in dark chocolate.

YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS!!

2011-12-02T23:48:00.000-08:00

Out of anything that comes out of my mouth to myself and others, this one is BY FAR my mantra to all that know me. I preach it and I BELIEVE IT! "YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS!" Today was one of those days that I REALLY needed to practice what I preached and reach DEEP down and find that belief in my core, for today I hiked what months ago I would have believed was going to be the death of me and I would never survive it, I hiked SOLSTICE!

This hike started off flatter and then continued to climb and climb and weave all the way to the top of a very tall mountain. I felt my "exercise induced asthma kick" in as we got higher and higher up and I kept saying to myself, "Don't you DARE stop Megan Christine, YOU can do hard things, quitting is NOT an option!" The hike guide, Michael must have saw the fear and doubt in my eyes and so he held up and waited for me and continued to stick right next to me step after step for the duration the hike. (I think he did it cause I told him I was gonna blog about him and give him the credit for sticking with me!)

(That lil' separation in the mark, that is the thumbs up I will be talking about..this was taken about half way through the hike.)

I will admit that hiking is NOT my most favorite thing. And sometimes I catch myself looking down the whole time trying not to see the GREAT task I have before me of making it to the top of a mountain. About middle week this week though, I started realizing, if all I do is look down, I never see the MAJESTY of what I am doing. I never see the beautiful creations God has given to me. I never feel the amazing amount of confidence when I finish knowing how far it was to reach the summit, really. So I started looking up. I started taking note. I made time to stop for a picture or two. I identified landmarks ahead that I would say, "if I just can make it to that, I can finish". Today those landmarks were VERY VERY important. I will be honest, I was struggling. My breathing was terrible and I really thought making it to the "thumbs up point" that hike guide Michael kept telling me about, was going to be the place where I lay down and die...literally!

But something happened today, something quite miraculous. Not only did I make it to the "thumbs up rock" I made it all the way around it down back, did an additional climb up to a waterfall and went back down to the base of the canyon and hiked out of there and guess what?! I wasn't the last. I was still smiling and still breathing. I had awesome conversations with Michael the hike guide about things I want to do, things I have done so far and things he has done. It was QUALITY, it is what got me through the hard.

When I got back to the van, I had an inner conversation with myself, "I CAN DO HARD THINGS!! I just did one of the HARDEST hikes in my life. I didn't die, I didn't even come close. I am LIVING, I am REALLY LIVING!" At this moment in the van, I was completely overcome with celebration of MYSELF. I have this problem where I celebrate for EVERYONE else and I never celebrate when I accomplish something. Today I did. Today I proved, I CAN DO HARD THINGS!

I was thankful for when it came time for lunch just to have time to laugh and chat about things with MY girls Yes, that is right...they are MINE!! They are never gonna get rid of me. I love them forever. It is though they were my childhood friends.

Bri, Cara, Kelly, Heather, Kim, Sandi, Susan, Sue, Haley,Zenia, Regina Becki and my sweet Shelene YOU GIRLS ARE AMAZING! Oh and our honorary males..Keith and Chris.)

After lunch the "Stay Overs" had a meeting pool side. My heart was so full and I felt sooo blessed that I got to stay ONE MORE week with these people, SERIOUSLY that was like Christmas thinking about it! LOVE THEM!

This wasn't the only hard thing I proved to myself. Not only did I climb and conquer Solstice, I conquered fears in my Circuit Training class. I did my first real run on the treadmill (since being here), I got myself on the Arc trainer again, I lifted heavier weights than I ever had and sweated profusely.

In Cardio Disco Jam (I am NOT a coordinated person, especially on the dance floor) I just let loose and didn't care who was watching...Fetch, I even galloped like a horse hitting my rear end with my hand down the "soul train line" and to make matters worse, it was captured on video...and I could care less! Now that is SUCCESS!

Liquid moves, is a fancy way to say Water Aerobics, but on Fridays we play Water Volleyball. I LOVE THIS part of FUN FRIDAY. I love Volleyball. I am not good at it other than serving the ball, but I love it! Our team this week was amazing! We worked together, we cheered for each other even on a bad play, we had the best non-confusing rotation and we WON! A few of us even stayed later to continue playing...in the water, you can't really do that..a few people doesn't work when you can't move fast..but it was fun and burned a few extra Calories!

Tonight a took my friends Becki and Susan to the mall. It was good to just go and feel the Christmas hustle bustle of everyone. We went to JCPenny's where Susan spoiled me and bought me the most AWESOME wallet (She is my Mama at the resort. I love her!). I bought the twins the cutest jean jackets and Susan got somethings for her grand kids. We went to Charming Charlies, Coach, the Apple Store etc. It was great to just walk around, and feel like we still can dress up like a normal person!

Tomorrow is a BUSY day for Saturdays at the Resort! Hike or 2 hr workout and a last chance workout plus Graduation for those departing. Gotta be geared up and ready to go, this is a new change since I was here last, I better be ready for anything!

Today's STATS:
Burned 5,356 Calories (not including 2 water aerobics classes)
Steps: 20,349

Menu:
Breakfast: Pancake Breakfast
Lunch: Caesar Salad Pizza and Mushroom Soup
Dinner: Chicken Tostada with Pineapple Sorbet

By Popular Request: Biggest Loser Resort Southwest Cafe' Salad

2011-12-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

Southwest Cafe' Salad

Servings: 4

473 Calories per serving

Fat: 11g

Protein: 36g

Fiber: 17g

Carbs: 66g

4 Whole Wheat Tortillas (Don Pancho is the brand they use. I use Orrowheat)

1 Cup brown Rice

1 Cup Black Beans (heated and drained)

12 ounces chicken breast, cooked and sliced

4 oz cheddar flavored soy cheese (I use fat free feta)

8 cups chopped Romaine Lettuce

6 oz Pico de Gallo

8 oz BLR Southwest vinaigrette ( I will post this later...I use Hernandez verde sauce)

Chicken seasoning:

1 tsp Onion Powder

1tsp Garlic powder

1 tsp chilli powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Add seasoning to chicken, and place on sheet pan. Bake chicken for 20 minutes, and then cut into 1/2 inch strips. Steam the brown rice, and heat up the black beans in a saute pan. Warm the tortillas, and place one in each bowl. Add 1/4 c of black beans, 1/4 cup brown rice, 5 strips of chicken (approx 3 oz), and 1 oz of cheese in each bowl. In mixing bowl combine the lettuce and with the vinaigrette until coated. Split lettuce between 4 bowls and add Pico del gallo to garnish.

NOTHING IS GONNA KEEP ME DOWN!

2011-12-01T23:20:00.000-08:00

Today started out a little rough. I had stomach issues and was running to the bathroom every 15-30 minutes for the first 5 hours of the day (5 am-10am). I believe it was due to my session of Reflexology last night. I think she was able to work the toxins and waste out of me, so that is a good thing! As tired as we all are, I could have used that time to sleep my morning away but I refused to waste it like that. Instead I spent it awake and blogging, catching up on emails and all the emails people are sending me with questions, etc.

I was happy to join my group again at 11am for our stretch class! It felt good to be back in the program and that class was awesome! I left feeling like I could go climb a mountain! (Sure wish I hadn't missed the hike..it is the biggest calorie burn of the day!)

Since I missed breakfast, I was ANXIOUS to get Lunch and it didn't disappoint!

While we were at lunch Jerry and Estella Hayes gave us the most inspiring presentation about their experience and how they got on the show. We were all in tears and so proud of them for saving their lives. I will share that in a different post a little later. But here is a little snippet in their presentation! As many of you Biggest Loser fans know, Jerry went on after only losing 26 pounds on the ranch to winning the at home prize!

Following this amazing lecture there was a space of time for me to go to open gym. On my way there I ended up crossing paths with my new friend Shelene (who I talked about in day one, and will tell you more about her later). We ended up talking about God and how he is in the details of our life. She is a dear soul and I feel safe and loved by her already. I opened up to her and had a little cry session, telling her my story a bit. After we had a very good talk she said to me, "Hey, I know you love Candace Cameron, she just texted me and told me that she was right behind our housing shooting a movie, do you wanna go meet her?!" I was ECSTATIC of course! So we walked at a good pace over to see where she was filming a new Lifetime movie "Puppy Love." Candace was so gracious and made me feel loved right away. It was also fun to see how the set ran and such. One of the funny things is that it was a FREEZING day and they were filming pool side. All the cast were dressed for pool weather and the crew had on Eskimo type hooded coats, I got a kick from that!

The classes this afternoon were KILLER! We had a ball works class where we did a combination of weights, cardio and stretch all using yoga balls (I will be posting the worded workout for this for some people who are looking for a ball workout soon). My left arm is a lot weaker than my right so this class challenged me!

Next class is called "TREADING." In this class we start on a machine and go AS HARD as we can go for 5 minutes. Then we have a 5 minute cool down. Then go as hard as we go for 4 minutes, with a 4 minute recovery. The go as hard as we can go for 3 minutes, with a 3 minute recovery. We go all the way to 1, but I think you get the picture. After that we do a 30 second sprint with a 30 sec recovery and end with a 30 second sprint with a 3 minute cool down. It is challenging, but you feel AWESOME at the end! Today, because of my calves I choose to use the bike. But at recovery 3, I hopped on the Arc Trainer and did that the rest of the time. Here are some of my teammates using the spin bikes as their treading machine of choice!

After those two challenging classes we has a water class that was more of a cool down this time. And cool down it was! It was FREEZING outside. Our instructors don't get in the water, they stay on the surface and show us what to do and walk around to make sure we are doing it correctly. Our instructor was wearing a ski parka, a scarf and gloves and we were in swimsuits in the pool...it really was cold!

Dinner tonight was scrumptious! Grilled Chicken with a green fruit salad and Apple cobbler for dessert! MMMMM!

Tonight as I was at dinner, I was thinking about how I missed one of the most important parts of my workout today, the hike. The Calorie burn from my hike helps me to meet my goals. I was going to let stomach issues keep me down, so I hit the gym for one solo workout before bed and while my clothes were in the wash, it was perfect!

I finished the night with an AMAZING talk with two great girls here, Heather and Haley. We talked about life in our fat shells, we talked about weight loss and gain. We talked about Dr. Huizenga's Book, "Where did all the Fat Go" and how there are some great suggestions on how to know your calories for your body etc in there. But most importantly we talked about US, our journeys, the things that are hard, the challenges of doing some of the routines as a fat person. Sometimes it is hard because most of the trainers haven't been overweight themselves and they try to put you in a position that is nearly impossible for you to mimic because you have a belly or fat getting in the way. It was awesome to talk to some girls (much smaller than I) that knew what I was talking about and knew the discomfort and pain that does cause.
Today I had increased energy and felt rejuvenated! I think the reflexology from Rosa really contributed to that! It was a wonderful, soul searching and accomplished day for me! I love being away from the pressures of life for a bit and being able to focus on me, I never do that and need to be better!

Happy Thursday everyone!

Salmon Burger Recipe

2011-11-30T21:22:00.000-08:00

I am going to post a few different recipe's from the Biggest Loser Resort for all you out there that are looking for some healthy options.

SALMON BURGER:
Servings: 6
Serving size: 1/2 cup scoop

1 pound salmon, approx 2 cups
1/2 cup roasted peppers, diced small
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1 TBSP mustard
6 TBSP Vegenaise
6 TBSP Nasoya Nayonaise
3 TBSP lemon juice
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, diced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 Lrg egg
Orowheat sandwich thins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake Salmon for about 18 minutes or until cooked. Place cooked salmon in mixing bowl and shred with fork. Fold in ingredients and mix well. Make 1/2 cup size patties with the mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until hot in the middle. Serve on Orrowheat thin with sliced tomato, onion, and lettuce leaves.

473 Calories
12g Fat
38g Protein
57g Carbs
11g fiber

Kicking the butt of obesity!

2011-11-30T09:40:00.000-08:00

Who says "fat people" aren't athletic! I am here to tell you they are and in fact, some may be in better shape than the thin people out there! I am a witness to this every day here at Biggest Loser Resort! Me and my new friends are not fooling around... we have a purpose, we have a reason, we are here to kick the butt of Obesity!

We are enduring many very difficult obstacles. We are climbing mountains, the same mountains, whether we are 130 lbs (yes there are some here that are quite small) or whether we are 400+ lbs. We all go on the hikes, we all make it to the top. We all high five and take pictures...that is what we do! If one of us doesn't succeed, we aren't happy! It's a group/team effort and we are cheering each other on!

Some days are a little more difficult than other days. Today was a difficult day for me (however I never gave up and I kept going). My calves are as tight as I have ever felt them. They feel like there is a permanent charlie horse in them. It was fate today that Josh, the Yoga and stretch instructor, was on my hike with me. He was with me the whole way. He stopped me and kept doing stretches with me and really made the big, uneven terrain, hilly hike seem like a breeze. I was huffing and puffing up those hills but my body rarely hurt. Josh helped me to stay right on the backs of the strongest hikers (even though my limitation today didn't make me feel as strong). He had me talking, was asking me questions and answering mine. It was what got me through today's hike and made me PROUD of all that I accomplished. And even through my horrendous tight calves, I wasn't even in the last few to finish, although if I finished last, I still would have been proud.

I love all the water workouts here at the resort. However after having such calves trouble I attended ANOTHER stretch class right after the hike and gave up my morning H2O class to hopefully help gain more fluidity in my calve muscle. Josh is an excellent instructor and I a can tell that he cares about us as people not clients...stretch was a help today.

For lunch it was one of my favorite soups. Beet soup and then we had Meatloaf with a wild rice and veggies. all around an AMAZING lunch.

I got to attend a Grocery class with our dietitian here Jessica. It was a small class for people who have been here before and she gave me some good suggestion on VOLUME food to help in those week moments. Things that you can get a lot of but have less guilt about. For example better choices for time where you feel "mindless eating coming on". She actually spotlighted some of my favorite things like Plum Tots (baby snacks) cereal and dried strawberries and Pop Chips. We talked about these things would be better to eat when you aren't really paying attention to what you are eating for example at the movie theatre in the dark. Also I found a couple new things I am going to add to my pantry. Wasa crackers. They actually taste pretty good and are low in calories. The other for all the people with Trader Joe's around is Egg White salad with chives (like a egg salad) it is only 110 calories for the WHOLE container and is packed with protein. I think one of the most important things to do when you are trying to change and keep up a healthy lifestyle (especially for a foodie like me) is have things that actually appeal to your appetite...not just that they are low in calories, high in protein!

Did you know:

Your SALT intake for the entire day should not be over 1500mg?
Your SUGAR intake for the entire day shouldn't be over 25g for females 37g for males (not fair!)?
Your taste buds can change and adapt in less than 2 weeks. Things that you think are nasty you can change your taste buds to like by changing your habits?!
Close to 80% of the American Population have an insufficient ability to digest the sugar in milk products?
There is more protein in an 8oz Greek Yogurt than there is in 3oz of steak?

I thought I'd share those things with you that I learned today in the Grocery class. One more thing that I am pretty sure most of you know already. Never go grocery shopping hungry and always shop the perimeter of the store. The perimeter carries nearly EVERYTHING that you would need to live a healthy, less processed food lifestyle.

Wednesday around this part of woods is HUMP DAY! We are all so proud that we made it to the half way through mark. It is also PROVE YOURSELF day! Our classes are gruelling! We had LOTS of ways to show that we are here to change our lives, we are here to KICK THE BUTT OF OBESITY! Our afternoon schedule today was Kick Boxing with Carol and Mountain with John and then Water Aerobics with John then Dinner. Kick boxing and Mountain are the two hardest classes here, in my opinion! Having them back to back was quite the feat...in fact it almost had me, I nearly lost my lunch in mountain.
Here is Proof:

Kick boxing is self explanatory. It is hard core punch, punch, punch...kick, kick, kick! Our instructor Carol is amazing and she is in some serious shape! She teaches the moves and isn't breathing hard at all. This class it self is very challenging, but fun. When you add to a gym that is way too hot, you can sweat GALLONS of fat off right?! I hope so! This class was like hot yoga kick boxing style! Carol was very encouraging to me and came and helped me in the combination parts (I lack coordination) and was so encouraging to me throughout the whole class and that is just what I needed, THANK YOU CAROL, loved your class!

Now Mountain.. I don't even have words to explain this to it's full capacity but this class isn't for wimps.. it is for people on a mission. Basically this class is similar to Cardio Intervals but with a different twist. You are on the SAME machine for the full class. You start at a certain level and then every 3 minutes you but up the intensity and you do this 12 times! By the 12th change in intensity you push yourself harder than you have for the last 3 minutes. It hurts SOOO good and yes, sometimes you may puke! (but of course that isn't the intention!)

In H2O today I think they were having a little sympathy for us after those two hard classes cause it wasn't as challenging. One of the relays we did was a team relay and we did a set of three different things and the last part we were supposed to get back to our side and get our teams to all be at the other side with their hands raised to win...but there was a twist, they could choose to go to the opposing sides team and detain them from reaching their walls. So who does the "other" team go after? Season 7 Biggest Loser Contestant and 66 yr woman Estella Hayes. They honestly looked like they were ripping here arms off.. tugging back and forth. I couldn't believe that they would do that to her! I was right there yelling at them to stop pulling her like that (could be the granny nanny in me). I eventually told her to grab me around my neck and I would pull her to the other side.. it was a water game gone wrong, in my opinion. Most of the games they play are great..just ripping apart an older woman, not classy!

Dinner tonight was one of my favorites! Cafe Chicken Salad. For those of you that are familiar with Cafe Rio, it would be a good substitution for one of their salads on a healthy side! I will share the recipe with you, that is a promise!

Following dinner I took a couple people to target to get deodorant, laundry soap etc. We ended up going WAY FAR and ended up at a Simi Valley Target, my bad!

I came back in time for a session of reflexology hoping that it would help loosen the calves so I could have a full and productive day tomorrow. BIG SHOUT OUT to Rosa in the Spa Department of the Biggest Loser Resort! She used Essential oils and rubbed those calves, pressure pointed those calves and made me feel like a new woman tonight! 60 minutes with her, is like HEAVEN! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Thank you to all my readers and friends who have sent personal messages about how my journey is inspiring you to get up and move. That really helps me even more want to continue, get out of my bed at 5:30am every morning and kick the butt of obesity! THANK YOU!

No Pain, No Gain.. or Weight Loss! Day TWO

2011-11-29T21:05:00.000-08:00

Day TWO I have a love hate relationship with you! Why does something so good for you have to feel so bad at times? Today I have had a lot on my mind about the process by which many of us becomes overweight. For each of us it is a different story, a different pain, a different lack of love for yourself. It may have started from childhood fears or trauma, you may have started to use food to hide from things that were really troubling your heart. It may have started from just pure laziness. I don't know your story and I am still trying to figure out my own. But what I do know is eventually we all must come to a tipping point when we have had ENOUGH of the fat on our bodies, ENOUGH of the added stresses applied to them because of it and the inner turmoil, and ENOUGH guilt and pain that are connected with it!

I had enough starting back in the Spring of 2009. I started to change my life then and I am still continuing that path 2 years later. It isn't an easy process, but it is a valuable process...it is a life or death process if you think about it. I chose to live and live for a long time! I love living! It feels good and even when the hard times come, there is always something worth living for.. YOURSELF! I still have my struggles, but I keep going. I have my set backs, my gains and losses, but I keep going. I have my days that working out is the furthest away from my thoughts, but I keep going. Being here at the Biggest Loser Resort, I have found others just like me. Other people who are fighting for their life. Fighting to find their definition of FIT! Fighting every day, 12 hours a day (with classes) to figure out how they can tweak the way they are living just a little and get BIG results. That is one of the greatest blessings of this place. It is a place to find YOU again, or even to discover the person you never knew was waiting to come out!

Already in day TWO I have seen awakenings (that I felt my first time ever here, and hope to find even deeper parts of it on this stay) in other newly found friends. It has been so neat to hear how this program is affecting them, and how they plan to incorporate that into their lives and BELIEVE in themselves again! My new friend Danielle (I talked about her and her Sister a few posts ago) posted this last night and I think she said it beautifully, made me shed tears as I read her words:

"I have never been pushed mentally or physically like this in my entire life. There are no words to describe how life changing this has been and it's only day 1...IF I ever go back to an unhealthy lifestyle....SHOOT ME DIRECTLY BETWEEN MY EYES WITH A LARGE GUN. There is no pain in eating healthy, but the pain felt today has changed my entire outlook on the rest of my life. Worth every cent, second of time, and ounce of sweat and vomit, but HOLY CRAP...I surrender. No more."

I couldn't agree with her more! The amount of work we are doing 8 hrs a day to get this weight off is not worth all the food on the planet! Every ounce of unhealthy living is beaten off us in the gym or pool ounce by ounce, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. The emotion of awakening to such a realization that you are the one that did this to yourself is quite a hefty load to bear. But knowing that choices now can change the way your future is lived is what gets us to our classes all day.

Biggest Loser Resort isn't naive enough to act as though we are going to do this amount of workout every day for the rest of our lives, and that is why they hammer it into us why we are here. Not only are we being worked out, we are being taught ways, products and plans that we can incorporate into our everyday life so that we still don't have to be deprived, we still can live lives, attend and eat at social events and still keep working toward our goals to live a healthy lifestyle. It isn't an all or nothing, it is finding a balance.

My calves are so tight right now that I feel they may break apart. My arms are heavy and if I tried to lift them above my head, I may tip over. But, my heart is happy. My spirit is rejuvenated. My self love and determination is still in check and even stronger each day that I make it through these challenging workouts. I CAN DO HARD THINGS! I know this. I feel it every day I fight through a challenging workout, walk with very tight calves, hike a long steep hill, run a sprint on a treadmill for 2 minutes, or hold 8 lbs weights above my head. I am a fighter for things that are right. Taking care of my body is right and I will fight and see it through to the end! For the first time in my life, I am learning to put MY NEEDS first and not feeling guilty about it! I AM WORTH IT!

So today, I gave it my all. I went to my classes and enjoyed them. Fought through the pain and exceeded my expectations. Here is a run down of DAY 2:

Breakfast today was Banana Muffins and fruit. The muffins were delicious but I didn't even finish all of them cause they were so heavy and filling, it was a great way to power up my body for my hike.

Hike was today lighter than yesterday! The weather was warm and BEAUTIFUL!! My hike buddies were AWESOME!

Yes, we are ALL still smiling after the hike!

These are my new found friends! Danielle, Cara and Kelly!

After returning home from the hike I hit the water H2O class! It was quite the workout, never a doubt!

For lunch today we had a simple turkey sandwich on orowheat thins with a green salad with a very light dressing and fruit.

After lunch is when the beatings began.

Total Tone Class was KILLER. We had 6 stations set up using weights, medicine balls and squats. Let's just say there was lots of grunting and near tears today, but we ALL pushed our bodies through what we thought we couldn't do!

Cardio Intervals is a class ANYONE can do with ANY equipment that they have! You warm up for about 5 minutes on a machine of your choice. Then you bump up the level on the machine one up every 30 seconds till you do that 8 times. Once you have done that 8 times you stay at the highest level you got to for 1 minute. Then you start to go down one level a time, 30 seconds apart. You do that over and over for 45 minutes. It is amazing how doing that little makes you sweat A LOT!

Last class of the night was H2O intervals. We all got in that pool completely sore, fatigued, and feeling like we couldn't do ANY MORE. But as always, we pulled it out! Our shaking arms, did more weights, more push ups (using a metal bar around the pool and pulling our bodies out of the water), jumping jacks, running around the pool, and more. Even when you think you have nothing more, they show you YOU DO!

Dinner tonight was delicious as always. We had Veggie Lasagna with steamed broccoli and cauliflower and key lime (tofu) pie for dessert.

Now I am sitting on my bed, in my Biggest Loser sweatshirt watching the current seasons make over show. I am feeling proud of the calories I burnt today, the steps I took and the attitude I have! This journey is up to me! I have to put in the work and determination! No one else can do it for me!

Today's Calories Burned (minus those in the pool): 4,544

Steps taken: 18,478

Very sore but happy Meg!

DAY ONE JITTERS AT BIGGEST LOSER RESORT MALIBU

2011-11-28T20:27:00.000-08:00

When you're talking about the Biggest Loser Resort experience a case of the jitters isn't nervousness, it is actually your body jittering! Today I had ALL sorts of jitters. After the hike when I sat down, my legs were shaking by themselves, I didn't know how to stop them. During "Liquid Moves" class my calves decided to jitter by getting the hardest charlie horse I have ever experienced in my life. Following our circuit class, my whole body seemed to have a jitter in it and was ready to loose my carrot soup we had at lunch time. I am not the only one getting the "jitters", the charlie horses and jittering bodies are all around me!

Monday at the resort is full of firsts for people! Many go on their first hike of their lives. Some people have never run on a treadmill. For others, its their first time being pushed to a breaking point. The people who come to the resort are quality! I enjoy meeting them and hearing their stories. Some rip your heart out and others inspire you to try even a lil' harder. Anyone looking for a change of lifestyle should look into how they can make the Biggest Loser Resort work for them. It is well worth anything to find a program that helps you get your health back!

Many of you have asked about the ins and outs of the program. So today I am going to give you the play by play of what takes place on day at The Biggest Loser Resort.

6am: WAKE UP
6:30: Stretch Class
7:00: Breakfast. Today's breakfast was Waffles with a blueberry puree and some fruit.

8:00: Leave for Hike. Today we went to Newton Canyon. We did a really long version and went all the way today (Apparently they don't usually go that long but we were all doing so good they did a bonus one..lucky us! LOL)
11:15: Liquid Moves (water aerobics on steroids)
12:35: Lunch. Today we had Carrot Soup, A delicious fruit green salad and A bean and rice burrito ( I will be posting this recipe..stay tuned)

1:15: Lecture on Budget (How to know how many calories you need to burn to get to your goals)

2:30: Circuit Class. In this class we get to try out a lot of the machines that are commonly found in gyms. The trainer has us start with Cardio and we push AS HARD AS WE CAN for 2 minutes. Then we switch to weight training machines and work 45 seconds, rest for 30 seconds and then work 45 more seconds. We go back and forth for the hour. Tonia (the trainer who is the closest thing to Jillian you will find here) was pushing us all to the breaking point...we were fighting HARD for those 2 min each time. A couple went out to throw up.. I almost joined them.
3:30: Core Training. Can I just say MAIN IN THE BUTT! Yeah, cause that is where it hurt! I had sweat dripping down my body. I was shaking while holding my core pose...I was ready for this class to be over!
4:30: H2O Intervals. This class is a high intensity water aerobics style class where we focus on getting our heart rate to spike and then we recover then we spike and recover for the whole hour class. We did things like shooting our bodies out of the water, squatting and rolling our hands in front of us as quickly as possible, boxing style moves as quickly possible etc. all while your body is immersed under water (not your head). I LOVE the water classes, they are my favorite!
5:45: Dinner. Tonight was Salmon Burger and 3 spears of grilled zucchini. With a cranberry sorbet that was only 20 calories. I am NOT a fan of Salmon, but our Chef here is AMAZING!

6:15: Lecture tonight was spending your Calories Wisely. Here they introduce the 90/10 plan. They teach that if you eat on plan 90% of the time then 10% of the time (if you eat 21 meals a week that would be two meals.. . unfortunately not two DAYS...that you could eat what you were craving or want. This takes away guilt for those splurge moments). They also talk about the plating method (1/2 your plate vegetables, 1/4 meat, 1/4 Grain).

7:00pm FINALLY retire to your rooms. Take a shower, get in your pajamas and do whatever you need to in "real life" (this makes a 12 and half hour day till you get to go back to your room...other than for swim wear changes)

At the end of the first day my stats are:

5, 296 Calories Burned (this doesn't include any of the water aerobics exercises)

21,878 Steps

ONE TIRED GIRL

This is a WHOLE lot of information, I know. I just wanted to give a sample of what a FIRST day pparticipant at The Biggest Loser Resort experiences.

One last mention before closing today's post. I would be an ungrateful person if I didn't mention that not only am I thankful to my bosses who allowed me to be away from the precious twin babies for two weeks while I am slaving away closer to reaching my goals and becoming more healthy. I am thankful for Grandma Janice who came in to take care of those two cute babies for me. I am thankful for ALL the staff and owners here at The Biggest Loser Resort that made this trip a reality for me. I am thankful to ALL of you who support me, love me, and are excited for all the positive things that are now coming to my life. I know from whom they came and I am thankful to a loving Father in Heaven who is involved in the details of life!

Sleep is the next important part of this process, so off to wonderland I go!

Biggest Loser Resort Malibu, Are you ready for me?! CHECK- IN TIME

2011-11-27T22:25:00.000-08:00

Today is the day! I get the opportunity to return to the Biggest Loser Resort for PART II of my journey towards a more healthy and fit me!

The morning started very early. I loaded up my friend Rae's car (THANK YOU Rae for your willingness to take your sweet ride with me all over without a second thought) and headed on my long journey from my family home in Utah to the Malibu, California which is supposed to take 10 hours.

I was cruising along until Vegas.. and this time what happened in Vegas is not staying there I am going to tell you! Once I hit Vegas I hit traffic, horrible stop and go and stall traffic. In fact, it took me 3 hours to get from Vegas to Prim, Nevada (which is usually about a 40 min drive!).

But there were billboards to entertain me and make me chuckle (even though they weren't meant too) as I sat in non moving traffic...I know potty talk, but it was quite a fun chuckle!

After much effort, I made it to the happiest healthy living resort in the country, The Biggest Loser Resort to recommit and continue myself with the journey I started a couple years ago.

I was greeted by staff like a long last friend. I was helped with ALL my luggage (we won't talk about my travel hoarding ways) and I was given my work book, name tag and my private room to retire with for the night.

I didn't get a chance to be at dinner or orientation which is where you get to meet a lot of the other guests here by one thing I know for sure, this week I am blessed enough to be side by side with many great people, here are a few of their bio's:

Jerry and Estella Hayes Season 7 of the Biggest Loser. They are the oldest couple to be on the Biggest Loser, but they showed America that you are NEVER too old to get in shape and loose the fat. Collectively, they lost 262 pounds! They are here with cousin Jim and his cute Wife.

Sharlene. She is from this area and a movie producer. She went all the way through season 13 casting and was cut at the last minute. She is my neighbor across the grass from me here at the Ridge. She also runs an AMAZING non profit organization which I will share with you at a later time cause I think it is AWESOME!

Cara and Danielle are sister's who also tried out for season 13 of The Biggest Loser and weren't cast. Cara was turning 30 and really wanted to redefine her life in her 30's year and shared that with her husband. When they missed out on the opportunity to be on the show he sprang into action and booked them a 2 week stay. You can read about their journey's here. http://www.phatchances.blogspot.com/

One that haven't got to meet but know she is here and can't wait to meet her is the current season 12 Courtney Rainville's sister Kelly is here the 2 weeks with me as well. For you avid Loser watchers, Courtney won a challenge on the show which allowed her the chance to give a gift of Biggest Loser Resort to a family member for a 2 week stay, she chose her sister, and she is here!

I am now officially excited, unpacked and anticipating the hard, grueling, life changing work tomorrow! Nothing says you love yourself than letting someone kick you into healthy living, and the best person to do that is YOU!
Ready to start this time's week ONE! It is going to be hard work and amazing.. I do have one thing on my side, EXPERIENCE. I have been here one week before and look at me, I came prepared this time!

Now, the best thing I can do for myself tonight is to get a GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP I will be up at 5:30am for a shower with stretch class at 6am!

Good Night!

A Whirlwind Girls Trip...Utah to California to Arizona (The Inside Scoop)

2011-05-29T19:04:00.000-07:00

Have I told you that I have the best friends and family in the WORLD!! Well, just in case I haven't, I wanted you to know that I do!

I need to give you a lil background on some life behind the scenes items that were going on to even make my way to the finale or the Resort.

In my former life, before becoming a Full-time Nanny, I had my hand in MANY TRADES. One of the things that I did was I was a Wedding Planner and Caterer. When one of my Arizona friends heard that they asked me to cater their daughters wedding. I told her that I would do it if I could fly in my old crew (This crew actually was my friends who volunteered out of the kindness of their hearts to help me with my business, but they were the best out there!) I got to work to decide how I could convince them they wanted to come all the way to Arizona to help me :)

Decided that we ALL could use a vacation and my nanny family was going to be gone the week after the wedding (so I had it off). So I enticed them with a plane ticket to a work/girls week. I would fly them in here, we'd do the wedding and then that night we would whisk away for a fun week in California, Disneyland and the beach!! We all agreed on it and were excited to get to spend that time together!

Well, my AMAZING prize winning in the Wholly Guacamole Buddy up and Win contest, kind of through a niche in that plan. So it had to be worked out ALOT the lil bugs of this former "great idea!"

First, NO WAY was I going to turn down a trip of a lifetime and experience of a lifetime, and they didn't want me to either.

Second, I couldn't leave a bride and her parents (my friends) high and dry and 3 weeks before the wedding tell them, by the way... I can't do your catering anymore.

Third, I knew it was going to be inconvenient for some of my most favorite bestie's ever..how was this going to work for THEIR own schedules.

There was A LOT to think about.

I got on the phone and worked out MANY scenarios and ways that we could still make our Girl's trip happen and cater a wedding. None of the ways were ideal or what ANYONE originally planned on doing, but my girls all conceded and we made it work.

Here was the plan:
I would leave at the crack of dawn the Monday BEFORE finale from Arizona and drive to California where I would pick up Joni at 8am.
Joni would fly from Utah and meet me in Long Beach at 8am.
We would spend the day in Hollywood and hike the Hollywood hill then meet up with one of her childhood friends, who would also give us a place to stay for the night, and stay outside of LA for the night.

Tuesday:
We would leave in the AM and early check in by 10am to our Hilton Universal Hotel and get ready for the finale and our lunch date with the Wholly Guacamole team.
We would meet them for lunch and then head to the finale with them.
Go to the finale and have the time of our lives then visit the after party with ALL previous and current contestants for the rest of the night.
While we were at the first part of the after party "Ghetto" and Jen would arrive and take a taxi to the hotel (where we would hide a key in the foyer for them to get into our room).
They would then come and meet us at the next hotel over and also get to meet contestants! We would party like rock stars ALL NIGHT and then, crash and burn at the hotel (which we did).

Wednesday:
This day was up in the air. We REALLY wanted to go to the Ellen Show and I even woke up EARLY so I could call the same day ticket hot line a MILLION times hoping that my luck would continue.. it didn't. Just when all hope was gone, we got a call from The Leno Show and scored tickets there.
After the taping we went to frozen yogurt and then headed to Anaheim...we were going to Disneyland the next day!
(Oh I failed to mention that I got HORRENDOUS shin splints wearing ridiculous designer heals that my bosses Mom gave me. I was in so much pain and knew that Disney may not happen for me!)

Thursday:

All the girls got up early to head into the happiest place on earth! I knew right away, that $100 to go in the park and be miserable and ruin the time for the other's was NOT worth it, so I opted out. Although, they wanted me to come go in a wheelchairs they could be first on the rides...well they said it was so I could still be with them, but I knew better ;) I instead told them that I would meet up with them for dinner and call it good.

They went to Disneyland, I went to the hot tub! It was relaxing and felt good, I knew I had made the right decision for my body and so even though I was sad to not be playing with the funnest girls on the planet, knowing I was letting my shin's have a break (I was going to the resort after this week) made it worth it.

I sat outside at Downtown Disney for several hours and people watched. Saw a lil boy having a seizure, a little girl eating an ice cream cone, families so happy to be at the Happiest Place on Earth together.. it was awesome.

We met at to eat dinner and it was great food. It was a good day all together.

Friday:

We headed back to Arizona today. We had a wedding to cater tomorrow. Had lots of food prep etc to get done, none of it I could have done without these ladies!

Before we started our road trip back to AZ we got to have brunch in San Diego with some ADORABLE friend Jen and I met on a cruise a year or two earlier. Rondi, Amy and Andrea. They are so much fun and we had SUCH A BLAST with those three!
On the road trip to my house in AZ there was much laughing, singing, some sleeping...it was heaven to me. Oh how I miss being around loved ones all the time.

Once we pulled into my town we immediately went to Sam's Club with the shopping list I had prepared before we left and did some major wedding food shopping.
When we arrived on the home front the wedding chaos began.

Sat: Cooking, food prep, running like chicken's with our heads cut off began. Yet, with all of them by my side it seemed doable.
We arrived to the reception on time, had our food set up and prepared on time, and we worked our rears off keeping it all stocked (and keeping all the flies that infested this back yard wedding away from the food.) and full so the guests could eat to their hearts content.

Here is the picture of the food we had. It was simple, but very good, yes I will toot my own yummy food horn!
After we cleaned up (in record time I must say) we went to Red Robin and ate to OUR hearts content and unwound and just enjoyed each other. I am going to miss these ladies.. I hope they come back, when there is NO WORK, only PLAY to do!

Sunday:
Bright and early, we all headed off. Jen and Ghetto left for Utah and Joni and I headed to California on our way to The Biggest Loser Resort Malibu.

Within miles of Joni and I leaving my trusty mini van made a horrible sound (it sounded like there was a muffler in my engine) on the freeway on ramp towards our upcoming week long journey, and we had to back down the on ramp and park in a hotel and make a decision of what now.

I called my a friend that know Phoenix very well and asked for assistance which she so generously gave me.

I called the Whiting Family who is like family to me and the graciously allowed me to use their teenagers car to go to the Resort.

We had my car towed to my house and Lorrie took us to Gilbert to pick up the other car. Our trip started a few hours later than we expected, but we got on our way!!

As you can see, if you are still with me in this LONG post, everything was complicated but in the end, it all worked out, we were able to spend time with those we love and I was once again supported in my crazy life!

I am so thankful that I have such wonderful people in my life who always come to my aid and are patient with me. Also thankful that for the first time in my life, I WON SOMETHING! Stay tuned for all the posts on The Biggest Loser Resort.. it was AMAZING!

California Dreaming Continues... Jay Leno Show

2011-05-26T23:23:00.000-07:00

After a long night partying with some Losers, we came and got a good nights sleep. First thing in the morning Stephie's phone rang and it was The Jay Leno Show!! They asked if she would like tickets to the show today! (We had been trying to get in to the Ellen show, but she had put her name on the list for Leno) We told them ABSOLUTELY!

Immediately, we started to work out how we would get there etc. Could we get any luckier?!

We got the Leno show and there was A LOT of people there waiting for the show (including the twins Don and Dan from Season 11...one of their son's works security there). We even saw Bono!

We were waiting and talking to all those who were waiting and it started looking like they weren't going to have room for us because we were the last one's waiting...but no, we got FRONT ROW tickets!!

We were actually the very first people to shake his hand at the top of the show! We looked cheesy! But we were having fun, so why not look cheesy! There was no one that we were super excited to see on the show. Chaz Bono, some animal whisperer guy (Brady Barr), and the band Foster the People.

It is always fun to see what goes on behind the scenes of the show. The ONLY interaction Leno gave was that little 1 min at the beginning where I got to be the first to shake his hand. No one on the show interacted with anyone. Not Chaz, not animal guy, not Foster the People. I always thought that if you went on to the show there would be "audience moments" behind the scene, there was not. In fact, there were all kind of security guys every were looking for cameras etc.

We loved dancing to the Tonight Show Jazz band though, they were REALLY GOOD! All in all, it was a fun experience and such a fun memory to have with these ladies.. HOW I LOVE THEM!

More adventures to come on this trip with my sweet Besties...stay tuned!

Biggest Loser Season 11 Finale: Partying with a bunch of LOSERS!

2011-05-25T01:17:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I can even explain the feelings of this day!! It was surreal at the least. I NEVER imagined that I could be at the same place with ONE of these warriors, let alone MOST of them!! When Courtney Crozier (Season 11 Aqua team and dear friend of mine) told me that there was always an after party at one of the hotels and I could come, I was THRILLED!! Even more thrilled when I learned that lots of previous contestants come.

We went to the most AMAZING, INSPIRING and MOTIVATING finale and still got to spend a WHOLE NIGHT playing, sharing and talking with the contestants! It was a dream!

To make this experience even SWEETER Jen and Stephanie (Ghetto) flew in to spend the time at night with us as well. LOVED seeing my besties in the same place!!

Seriously, this picture makes me want to sob!! I never thought I would have Besties with Courtney!! My cup was so full that night... felt like 2 worlds had collided.

Let's start this out with the cute Allison Sweeney!! She is seriously a SWEETHEART!

Meet Holland..She is the one that finds all these WONDERFUL people. She is a casting director!

We met SOOOO many people. Didn't have a chance to get a picture with all of them, but here is just a few to share...

Love these people!! THEY INSPIRE ME!!!

Wanna see how other seasons are holding up? They are still going strong and looking good...

Do you recognize any of these Losers?! Don't they look AMAZING!

Here is one of the people I am going to see a lot of next week...my Biggest Loser Resort Trainer:

SAM POUEU!

Steph aka Ghetto said to Sam before we left..."Sam, you makes sure to KICK MEG'S BUTT!" Sam replied, "I won't need to kick her butt, We will have her kicking her own BUTT!"

It was a great night, full of memories made for a lifetime! I didn't get to meet the final THREE they were sooo busy and Olivia took off on a plane right after so I didn't get to meet that cute girl! But it was SOOO exciting to be there for an ALL GIRL FINALE!!

Biggest Loser Season 11, You will be ALWAYS in my heart!

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TODAY TO MAKE YOU FEEL PROUD: BIGGEST LOSER SEASON 11 FINALE!

2011-05-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

The only sad thing that happened today was that camera's were not allowed in the studio! So we couldn't capture the fun things that happened. Here are some of the highlights:

We were all given VIP room passes and I got to sit and talk with Sherry Johnson, pink team from season 9. She is a southern belle with the cutest accent and the sweetest heart. We had a lot of laughter back stage as well.

When they came and got us to take us to our seats right before filming began A few of my FAV Loser's poked their heads out of the tenting to wave at me and blow me kisses, while putting their fingers to their mouths so they wouldn't get in trouble. Courtney, Mama Marci and Sarah Nitta made me ECSTATIC to see their beautiful faces!

They had our names on the seat at NBC studios where we were supposed to sit, it was a fun feeling to be part of such an exciting day in these people's lives!

We brought in all our signs (this is only the one side of our signs. We had some for all our fav's. Sarah and Deni and Hannah and Olivia are some missing. Plus our ALL GIRL FINALE!) the "cheer generator" guy started giving away prizes to those with the most vibrancy etc. I tell you what, I tried EVERYTHING to get a year of Wholly Guacamole, a year to the Biggest Loser Club, case of oatmeal etc.. I was standing on my chair, dancing, whooping and the guy always said, "Wholly Guacamole, you are all so energetic!"...referring to my sign...and always picked someone else!! I could have swore he was saving the best for last for Joni and I.. and never ever gave us anything!! haha Oh well, you can't be too greedy, I mean we had the best prize of all ALREADY and heck, he helped me burn A LOT of calories that day! LOL

Here are the STATS for the entire season of Loser!

Name	Age	Height	Begin BMI	End BMI	Start Wt.	Week																					Wt. Lost	% Lost
Name	Age	Height	Begin BMI	End BMI	Start Wt.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	Final	Wt. Lost	% Lost
Olivia	35	5'9"	38.5	19.5	261	245	239	233	228	224	208	206	202	190	188	185	180	176	174	172	168	162	158	153	149	132	129	49.42%
Hannah	32	5'8"	37.7	19.5	248	232	226	220	217	210	201	194	193	182	180	176	172	172	168	164	161	156	154	150	146	128	120	48.38%
Irene	26	5'4"	43.8	23.9	255	242	232	224	230	216	204	198	195	185	180	178	173	170	164	161	157	154	152	147	144	139	116	45.49%
Jay	53	5'11"	55.8	30.5	400	374	364	350	341	331	317	308				289	282	276	270	272	265	258	255	246	242	219	181	45.25%
Austin	21	6'1"	52.2	29.3	396	369	362	347	342	326	316	306	299	289	283	275	272	265	263	255	250	243	236	235		222	174	43.94%
Kaylee	20	5'5"	38.8	29.8	233	218	214	209	204	195	190	187	180	179	174	176	174	169	168	172	163	165				179	54	23.18%
Rulon	39	6'2"	60.9	X	474	442	425	415	411	394	382	371	367	350	342	335	330	325	318	311	301	Quit				did not attend
Ken	49	5'11"	52.6	30.5	377	364	357	344	335	321	307	296	291	286	277	270	263	257	253	247	243					219	158	41.91%
Moses	47	6'0"	59.7	38.9	440	399	387	376	365	351	340	333	322	317	309	303	300	293	286	286						287	153	34.77%
Courtney	21	5'7"	50.6	33.4	323	308	298	292	282	275	265	258	256	246	241	237	234	232	231							213	110	34.06%
Jennifer	28	5'10"	39.9	23.5	278	258	250	242	236	232	218	211	213	197	196	191	187	187								164	114	41.01%
Justin	39	6'3"	45.6	24.0	365	338	326	316	308	292	282	277	270	262	254	249	247									192	173	47.40%
Marci	49	5'8"	36.2	23.1	238	224	218	211	208	200	187	181	182	167	162	162										152	86	36.13%
Sarah	27	5'5"	43.4	25.8	261	247	243	235	231	222	212	208	204	194	190											155	106	40.61%
Arthur	34	5'8"	77.1	52.3	507	476	463	459	450	444	435	415	406	390												344	163	32.15%
Jesse	61	5'8"	44.6	31.9	293	286	278	269	266	257	246	238	241													210	83	28.33%
Deni	59	5'6"	41.3	21.1	256	237	233	224	221	210	201	196	204													131	125	48.83%
Q	27	6'1"	57.7	45.4	437	426	420	401	398	385	378															344	93	21.28%
Larialmy	26	5'7"	47.1	34.0	301	289	283	275	270	259																217	84	27.91%
Don	54	5'8"	47.0	27.2	309	288	280	289	286																	179	130	42.07%
Dan	54	5'8"	43.6	24.8	287	268	263	272																		163	124	43.21%
Ana	50	5'3"	45.2	25.9	255	246																				146	109	42.75%
Leann	52	5'11"	43.9	35.0	315												270									251	64	20.32%
Vance	19	6'0"	51.4	41.4	379												349									305	74	19.53%

The EXCITEMENT was sooo electric in the NBC studios! It was so fun to see how they do everything behind the scenes, how they build the excitement, the makeup crew that always came up to powder foreheads and noses, and the love and camaraderie of past and present contestants. they really are family.

I was hoping from the last episode that this year would be an ALL GIRL FINALE (no offense Jay)! I even made a sign that said, ALL GIRL FINALE!! And waved it several times! Of course the only sign that was shown was the one I made that said WE <3 BOB! Joni, became famous! LOL She was shown on TV holding that sign and Bob actually waved at us an SMILED huge when he saw it! Yes, Bob is just as adorable in person!

One of our entourage snuck in his camera phone (names will not be revealed) and got us THIS awesome capture at the end of the finale! There was silver, red and green shining papers coming down ALL AROUND US! It was magical!

WHOLLY GUACAMOLE, I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!

2011-05-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

Ever since Wholly Guacamole hit the shelves of Costco, I have had a food affair with it! All the families I nannied for always had it tucked away in their freezers, somewhere. I would pull it out and eat taquitos, quesidillas, chips and Salsa and frozen burritos with it while at their houses. (I know, the processed food are not healthy but the Guac is!)

Today We got to do something, I never even considered being an option or a possibility. Joni and I were invited to lunch with the Marketing big wigs of Wholly Guacamole! They treated all the different winners to lunch at Buca di Beppo before hitting the finale.

They had ordered SOO much amazing appetizers, salads and dishes I was in food HEAVEN...I know kind of funny to be in food heaven right before The Biggest Loser Finale, but as a thank you to them picking me as a winner, I couldn't refuse, right?! LOL

Right away we clicked. They had us rolling. Tracey, a VP is one of the funniest women I have ever met in my life! I wanted to take her home with me! Pictured above, she is an awesome, animated story teller with a Bostonian accent! When you add the three together; Jennifer, Tara, and Tracey, you have a constant well of gut laughter flowing. I was afraid to drink, in fear that it would come out my nose in a moment of hysterics!

I made ALL these signs for The Biggest Loser Finale so we had to get pictures at the end with all the different winners and the Wholly Guac signs. I have decided to officially invite myself as an honorary member of the Wholly Guacamole family, hope they don't mind! hehehe

Below is a picture of all the Battle Buddy Winners! We absolutely adored them and plan to continue following their journey's as well!

After our photo op we were ready to hop in cars and go! The sad thing is that my feet were already in excruciating pain from the Jimmy Choo fancy heals the family I worked for gave me. We walked really far and fast to get to lunch to meet every one. ( on the cobblestone streets of Universal City Walk and that did it!). I knew that as soon as we got to the finale, my fancy shoes were coming off!