The Good, The Bad and the Ugly: Hump Day

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Day 3:

Technically I guess you can say it’s day 4, considering we checked in and started on Sunday, but it’s day three of the program, and we are officially over ‘hump day’. As of dinner tuesday night, we had run/walked/stepped the equivalent of a marathon. Yep, 26 miles. WA-HOO!

The Good. 

We were blessed with good weather. Not ideal weather, but the thunderstorms that were predicted held off until we were done being outside. YAY! The workouts were a little toned down, which was nice because we are all SO SORE. I think I’ve found my smoothie groove for breakfast. Not too heavy and easily digestible so when the workouts start, it doesn’t come back up! Along with the morning workout, pool time, and stretches, we were introduced to Body Attack. For those of you who are familiar to ‘Insanity’, it’s like that. Holy Moly it’s a sweat producer. We have great trainers, they give us a good workout, we are exposed to great lifestyle education and the other guests here are really fantastic people. I am learning names, (which is not my gift) and getting know them. I hope to keep in touch after camp.

The Bad.

There was a mix-up  and mis-communication about some of the benefits of coming the opening weeks from Biggest Loser. I was waiting to see how the company handled the situation, because the true test of a good customer service business is how they handle the un-forseen complications. It took them awhile, but they came through with flying colors and their clients are happy. My second ‘test’ was to contact the head Chef at the home office about the lack of food presentation and temperature of the food. I sent a FB message first thing this morning and our lunch came out delicious and piping hot. We’ll see how the food is handled going forward. This is the equivalent of a ‘soft opening’ and so I’m sure they are experiencing a learning curve. Another ‘bad’ was the colony of ants that decided to set up home in my bathroom. Um, yeah, definitely not welcome ‘roommates’. Fortunately, the resort manager moved me to a new room while they took care of the problem. YAY! 

The Ugly: 

The Spa. Wow. I really don’t have much nice to say about my experience so far with the spa. They don’t return calls, their computer system is a nightmare, I had one of my services cancelled and then rescheduled (difficult since we are only available after 6:30pm), and then when inquiring about the potential of a 3rd service, I find they have scheduled someone OVER MY ORIGINAL 2nd SERVICE. I understand they have some system changes, and there was some other side issues with BLR (biggest loser resort) but I had triple confirmed my service appointment! I had checked in multiple times, talking PERSONALLY with the desk/scheduling staff. They had 1 time slot left, not for what I had made an appointment for, but I took it anyway. Then, when I showed up tonight for the rescheduled (original appt) I sat in a dark room with peeling wallpaper for a 1/2hour. Yes, sadly, the spa gets an official ‘ugly’ designation. I hope they get their act together and do a little upgrading. When you are sore, tired and a little cranky from both, you want a little pampering. They advertise as a world class spa, but it really hasn’t come across to me as world class. 

So that was day three. Because my appointment ran late, it’s late and this little campers rear end is dragging. I have really enjoyed the basics of the program. I think they have some kinks to work out with the food service, but I expect future guests will benefit from our feedback. The resort itself (BLR shares the space) is nice but we don’t have a lot of interaction with it, other than walking the 1/4 mile back and forth between our rooms and the exercise pavilion. The few times I’ve dealt with the front desk staff, they were helpful, however the Spa needs a LOT of work.

Stay tuned for tomorrows update. 

Day Two: The Biggest Loser Resort-Chicago

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I apologize for no post on day one, I was more than a little overwhelmed!. So here is a brief summary.

Day One: 

Started off with my alarm going off 2 minutes prior to when the group was supposed to meet. Ummm, yeah, not so good. (Note to self, put glasses on when setting iPhone alarm…am is NOT pm!)

After dashing down to them meeting in the ‘Pavilion’, (it literally took me less than 5 minutes to be up, dressed and out the door) I discovered that the distance between our rooms and the pavilion (where many of the classes are held) is 1/4 distance. 

Oh yeah baby! I probably logged 2 miles, AT LEAST, going back and forth to my room during the day! 

After breakfast we started the morning with a 5K run/power-walk (whatever you could do), for which the trainers timed us doing. Then endurance exercises in the park, to see where we were in our ‘fitness’ level. 

The days here seem to be an hour of exercise/warmup before breakfast, followed by 2-3 hours exercise in the late morning, then a class, lunch, then another class followed by 2+ hours of exercise, then another class,  and finally dinner. 

Last night we had the opportunity to go bowling. I thought it would be a great opportunity to get to know some of the other ‘campers’, despite the fact my caboose was dragging. This is a great group of people who have a great attitude and focus to get fit and healthy. 

Then, honestly, I went to bed. My head hit that pillow at 9:30pm and I was out like a light. 

Day Two:

Today started with an hour walk through the golf course doing exercises and warming up. Yep. Check. I was warm. 

Then it was breakfast. I chose a smoothie today, because the oatmeal yesterday was runny. I love chia in my breakfasts, which it had, but not runny tasteless oatmeal. Todays choice was much better. The smoothie was full of protein and was easily digestible. That worked to my advantage when we then went off to a local park to sweat and breath hard for the next 2 hours. There is nothing worse than working out hard, and having a partially digested meal come back to haunt you. 

Then back for a class (thank goodness for the cool-down time!), then lunch. 

I’ll be honest. I’ve been disappointed with the food. Not that I had high expectations that it would be uber flavorful. This is a no salt, very little fat menu. But I cook. As such, I know that one can make food flavorful with the addition of fresh ingredients, flavorful herbs and the use of vinegars and citrus to mimic that sensation of ‘salty’. 

As such, it was not only disappointing in flavor, but it was not hot (which has me a little concerned about WHEN they have prepared it, and how long its been held at that temp) and the presentation was downright gross tonight. 

Chicken Jambalaya does not have to look like slop. There are easy ways to portion and present, but that seems to be lost on the kitchen staff here. If it doesn’t get better tomorrow, I might have to say something. I understand this is the opening month, but I can’t imagine the head chef of the company would be happy with this presentation as well as inferiorly presented vegetables. I am not posting a picture, you can find that on my FB page. (see FB  ‘like’ link button) I have been so busy, I have forgotten to take pictures of some of my food. I might do a post at the end with the meals I have photographed. I think that would be the best time, since I don’t have alot of time at night before I fall in to bed exhausted!

So, that is day two in a nut shell. It’s already 9:30pm and I’m exhausted! Tomorrow, if I survive the workouts, I’ll post again. 

Me, Myself and I

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With the graduation of my youngest from High School and my turning the big 5-“O”, I am now officially weeks away from becoming part of that ‘empty nest’ group of parents. For 20 years, I have dedicated my life to my children, my husband and all the various animals that have gone through our home for 20+ years. 

 Funny, I really had not thought much about turning 50. I guess, part of the whole mystery of father time is we never really ‘feel’ the age that shows on our drivers license. But no matter what I feel inside, the march of time and the abuse of life has taken a toll on my body. I’ve had quite a number of surgeries, and battled the roller coaster life dishes out as I’m sure a majority of people do. My mind might feel fresh and young, but my body lets me know I have all 50 years of living life in it. 

I love to cook. I love to entertain. With some of the physical limitations I’ve dealt with have over the past few years combined with the natural slowing of a metabolism, changes of hormones, and a state which boasts weather I’m not a fan of,  a few pounds has settled around the waistline. Any other time in my younger years, I would just cut a few calorie, increase my exercise and BAM, the weight would drop. But, over the past 2 years, my exercise ‘enthusiams’ has resulted in blown out knees, severe back pain and a frozen shoulder. NOT. GOOD. Most certainly very discouraging.

 So, out of desperation, I called a friend of mine who went to a health and fitness camp and who had great success in achieving what I am desiring….a mental reboot. A treat to myself. A controlled environment that is supportive, encouraging, motivating, and a place to lose a couple of pounds, all under the close supervision of personal trainers, nutritionists and cooking experts. 

So, that is where I find myself right now. Sitting in my room after orientation, at the Eaglewood Resort and Spa, working with the staff and crew of The Biggest Loser Program. This is the beginning of my journey into a new phase of my life. My goal is to get fit, so that when my grandchildren want Grandma to hike up Black Butte with them, Grandma can. I don’t know how much energy I’ll have to post every night. I have high aspirations to share as much of my experience as possible, but the agenda is pretty full and packed with exercise and movement beginning at 6am and ending at 6pm. I might be crashing by 8pm!!! 

I am quite excited, if not a little nervous of the unexpected. What a novelty this is for me, doing something completely on my own, (with the wonderful support of my loving hubby I might add) not with anyone, just me. I do this for my husband, I do this for my kids and their future children. But most of all, this is for me, myself and I.

 

ps) I will be trying to post the delicious, and healthy, food they will be serving us. You can follow me on my facebook page, see the link button. If I have the energy at night, I will try to post the photos here also. Wish me luck!

pss) I will be changing the look of my blog very soon. I will be the same me, just an easier to read look. Just a heads up!