Zion National Park

Today was a beautiful day we were able to relax and drive thru Zion National Park the rock formations are wonderful I have never been in such awe... It felt so good to sleep in and I was able to have my best breakfast... Apple Muffin and fruit. Saturday nights and Sunday mornings are the most difficult because of lot of your friends and support are leaving but it is a comfort that new ones are coming in on Sunday afternoon/evenings. We were going to pack our lunch and eat in the park but we were off to a late start so we ate it here before we left. Soup, Tuna or Chicken Sandwich, carrot sticks and cucumber slices and a piece of fruit. Then we were off so I'll let you enjoy my pictures and then we were back in time for dinner of Waldorf Salad Wrap. A lot of nice new guests arrived. I did not wear my heart monitor today. Calories I ate 1201.

Super Excited Today

Of course, today is Saturday which brings the Stop Sign Hike. The weather was high clouds about 38 i guess and for some reason it felt like today was my day, I finished the 4.3 miles in my best time of 1:06:51. I even ran up part of the hill and then at the end to the finish. Such a sense of accomplishment, my breathing was by far easier, however by the time I finished my legs were rubber. We then took a van down to one of the parking lots and walked the trail for another 1 mile. After the hike we had cardio circuit are you kidding somehow I was able to do it just not with any speed (I wonder why). 2:30 I had a swedish massage and my muscles feel so relaxed right now. Now it is pouring down rain outside. Breakfast today was a parfait and fruit. Lunch was chicken tacos and Dinner is suppose to be Chicken Rice bowl with cranberry sorbet for dessert. Intake of Calories 1121 today's calorie burn for all the exercise was 1662.

White Rocks Reverse Hike

6am Kickboxing I just could not get into kickboxing at the time of morning so I opted for Open Gym and I worked out on a combination of weight machines and aerobic machines and I was shocked at how quick and hour went by. Breakfast today was egg sandwich so I opted for dry toast and 12 almonds. Today's hike was White Rocks Reverse and I was really pumped for it since my roommate Merinda talked so highly of it. It started out great and Jerica was with us today too Paulette. (By the way she is doing great) One of the hikers Kelly fell and to make a long story short she ended up breaking her ankle. This is the 2nd time this week I've seen some fall and it tests your confidence on the hikes that is for sure. Kelly is in good spirits and she was scheduled to go home tomorrow now it will be to see an orthopedic doc. After the hike I had a choice of pool or Cardio Intervals and I choose Cardio Intervals, I felt like I really needed to work extra hard after everything on the hike. I ran for 4 of the different times on the treadmill at 7 mph, I've never ran that hard ever before. My strength and endurance is incredible. Lunch was Sloppy Joes (nothing like a traditional sloppy joe) however, it was good. We had potato and broccoli soup. After lunch I chose Circuit back to back classes and finished off with fun friday Cardio Disco Jam, once you get the dance moves down it was a super load of fun and and a lot of sweat...
Dinner was my favorite Salmon Sandwich and beans with fruit kabob for dessert. YUM YUM. Tomorrow the stop sign hike and stretch and 3 weeks done and 1 to go. The picture of me is what they call the Butterfly rock. Today's Calories were 1200 and I burned 3214. Good night

I Believe In Me

This morning 5:00 am came so fast I did not want to wake up or get up I was so tired and it is optional to workout at 6am but if you don't you have to do the 1:30pm class so I opt to in order to get my workout in. If you have perfect attendance at all of your classes you get for your first week a t-shirt, 2nd week at bag, 3rd week a jacket and I'm so close to have it completed just 2 days!!!! I'm so glad I did the 6am class it really gets you warmed up for the hikes. This morning it was total body conditioning. Breakfast this morning was hot mueslix and fruit so I opted for the cold cereal with ALMOND milk, yep Sue I tried it. The cereal seemed like it was way more than a cup and it was so filling a mixture of Kashi go lean crunch, protein & high fiber cereal, Kashi heart to heart wild berry clusters, go lean crunch honey almond flax, quick oats and grapenuts (no wonder my system is working great) the almond milk wasn't that bad. I liked the hike from yesterday that I did it again today. I just love the different rock formations, the cave, they call bat caves and saw the rock that looked like an elephant. Stretch today after hike is so awesome. I do need to do more stretch at home that is for sure. Lunch was mushroom soup (I didn't like it) turkey sandwich and salad, yum. Pool class was refreshing today because the sun came back out and it was really nice. Ball works at 3:30 where you take those big balls and you hold it over your head what seems like an eternity and you have to do don't forget squats and twists and you don't think you have anything left and then you have treading class and if you remember you get on a aerobic machine and after warm up you go all out for 5 minutes, 5 minute recover, 4 minutes hard, 4 min rec and so on down to 1 and today she goes I have a surprise for you and it was another 1 minute and 20 second hard and then when we were done she goes oh that was one minute and 25 seconds. The workouts are done for another day. Dinner tonight was stuffed bell peppers with turkey and couscous, very dry, filling and not that bad, just took a long time to eat. Calories ate today 1,091 Calorie burn was 3,205. Time to shower and get ready for bed. Miss you all.

3rd Ravine Hike

Wednesday 6am class always brings Yoga, the only difference I can see in the class is my balance is getting better, it's almost comical I'm sure if you were watching me in class because the instructor will say jump your feet out and my hands go up and my feet are planted, it doesn't help that I already have put body glide on my feet so I keep my tennis shoes on so I don't slip on the mats in my socks.
Today's Hike was 3rd Ravine oh it was so beautiful we had to climb up and over rocks the incline was pretty steep at times but the view was incredible looking across over to the red rocks. We went in a cave that was pretty awesome, hung from rocks as you can see in the picture.
After the hike today we had a choice between pool and circuit and I choose circuit.
Circuit class to me goes really fast.
After lunch the third weekers had the opportunity to go to Albertsons to learn how to shop. Some of my notes: Find the entrance closest to the fruits and vegetables, Don't go hungry, Have a plan, Perimeter shop, you want to try and get 5 ingredients or less in foods, your shopping cart should be like your plate 1/2 fruit and veggies, 1/4 protein, 1/4 carbs. Healthy people shop 2-3 ays shopping because they buy fresh and just what they need. Deli turkey is better than packaged turkey meat. Frozen is better than canned. Have measuring cups on all counters and measure everything. Eat alot of fish. No coloring added to Salmon. Turkey is much lower in fat than chicken. Careful of yogurts yoplait has too much sugar.
After that we had Mountain class, you are on a cardio machine and you start for 3 minutes after warm up, and you either increase speed, or incline (cuz I was on the treadmill today) or you can do both for 12 times and then you are done, my heart rate got up the highest I've seen it and it was 174, on the last increase I ran on an incline of 10. Then pool oh how I wish I could swim or at least kick better, I tend to get no where fast in the water. I try hard though. Kickboxing was the last class. Hit that bag...
Breakfast today was oh sausage with egg sandwich, BBQ Pizza and Beet Soup, Cafe Salad, Chocolate Sorbet with 2 raspberries. I ate 1097 calories and my calorie burn 3572. Well I need to get in the shower so I can get some rest and do it all over again tomorrow. I'm starting to get homesick. Good Night

Tava'Atsi Ridge Hike

The picture this morning is of sunrise it was so beautiful and the hike sign.
This morning at 6am began with Hardcore - Exercises to really work your core both stomach and back. I was able to hold plank position for however long she had us hold it. Today was a day I really pushed the muscles past to the point of weak. They say this is what you want.
Breakfast was delicious - Raspberry fruit smoothie and english muffin.
I did the 101 Tava'Atsi Ridge Hike today it was mostly dirt, some rock, we climbed a couple of rocks to see Petroglyphs and we overlooked the dry river bed of the Santa Clara River. I wanted to take it a little gentle we are not suppose to say easy. I had not been on this one yet and I wanted to see the Petroglyphs however, my camera's battery died and I didn't get pictures. Maybe another time.
After the hike the pool was closed so I took Free Weight Workshop again. I'm glad I did because I was able to get my notepad and take notes and I actually videoed some of the instructions so I won't forget when I get home.
Lunch was Squash Soup, Italian Herb Tomato Sandwich with a side salad.
Afternoon class was pool, Cardio Intervals and OMG I was on the recumbent bike and I when we get to where we have 1 minute on a high resistance I was on level 18 it only goes to 20 and it was tough that is the highest I have ever had it. My quads were on fire and I tried to maintained 75rpms. So after 45 minutes of this class it was off to total toning and what is the first thing we have to do, yep SQUATS I am going to have to learn to love those darn things, muscles are very fatigued tonight and yes I am going to do it all over again tomorrow.
Dinner was Baked Penne Pasta with snap peas. Best of all was dessert - Yes it is Tuesday night, 2 Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Then it was off to phone my honey, shower, write my blog and go to bed.... Oh I did by a Caribbean Spa Cd that is very relaxing music that I have on my headphones.
Calorie Burn - The reason it is so low is because you need to reset your current weight and I have not weighed yet so it is really not accurate. I could have one of the front desk weigh me without looking and they would update my watch so I could get a accurate reading but I haven't decided. My burn was 2430 and Calories ate was 1223 today. I need my rest so I can go at it again tomorrow. I love and miss all my family and friends. Tomorrow will be exciting as we will be heading to Albertson's to get a lesson on reading food labels. Have a great Wednesday!!!!

Brrrrrr Cold -

I want to shout out to all the new girls I met on the BLFR blogs before their arrival, Kay, Rochelle, Bobbi and who am I forgetting oh Paulette's daughter Jerica. You all did great today! I am very proud of you all! Hang in there.

I have no idea what the temperature is but the wind goes right thru you and it has been that way all day.
It started out with yogalates at 6am. I was so excited because it is mostly pilate moves and I was able to do more of the positions that I couldn't do before.
Breakfast was the frittata (not my favorite) I opt for toast and now we also get 12 almonds with it.
It snowed overnight in the higher elevations and today was the stop sign hike. I was totally able to make it to the Big Stop Sign in 1 hr 22 not bad from just coming off all my injuries and I was able to do it without limping.
We came back and my group's class was stretching.
Lunch was delicious - homemade chili and cornbread. I will make this at home it was scrumpcious (is that a word).
After lunch my roomie and I took a nap for a quick 1/2 hour before step n pump. It is so exciting to see my improvement. It is a step class with 200 squats and you have a weight. The instructor by now knows what weight we should be at and I had to use 7# weights I have never had muscles burn so much. What a great feeling of accomplishment.
After that class it was POOL... it was so cold getting out the poor instructor Nicole was just freezing she was gentle on us.
Next was Circuit and I even ran one time on the treadmill and used the heaviest weights so far on the machines.
Dinner was fantastic Grilled Chicken, PURPLE Mashed Potatoes that were yummy! 4 asparagus. Dessert was Grilled Pineapple (Pucker Power).
I am feeling real great about this week and remember anyone can do anything for a minute, for 20 seconds. This is what the trainers continue to remind us.
It is just about bed time. I appreciate everyones comments and I miss you all.
Calories ate 1093 Calorie Burn 2786 They say the burn isn't as high as it was in the beginning because I'm getting in shape WOOHOO that means the experience is working.
Good Night