Days 5-7 Wrapping Up Week 1

Friday and Saturday were completely different from Thursday.  I felt so much stronger, physically and emotionally, and my performance was evidence of this.  My speed increased on the treadmill, I pushed myself harder, and I tried things (i.e. spinning) even though they scared the crap out of me.  I saw the therapist on Friday as well, and I am so glad I did.  I sobbed the whole session, but it felt incredible and I walked away with a lot strategies. I am supposed to be working on being more "authentic", meaning my outsides need to match my insides.  When I'm sad...I need to be sad and stop worrying about how that might impact other people.  It is not an easy task given that it is something I have been doing since I was a kid.  Growing up with parents who are addicts, I was constantly walking on egg shells. I didn't want to provoke depression in my mother or rage in my father.  It was a stressful existence, but one I learned to manage. Here, I find myself not wanting to put my "stuff" on anyone else because I know they are all here to better themselves and have their own mess to deal with without listening to me whine, complain, cry etc.  According to Essara (the therapist), I am not responsible for everyone elses' ability to set boundaries.  There is something freeing about that...of course I have to remind myself of it about 10 times a day.

It has been nice to have a full day of rest today, but I am really going to miss the dear friends I made who left this morning.  Erica, Amy, Ellen, and so many others.  I can't imagine hiking without you girls, but I will be carrying you with me.  It will be Erica's contagious smile and encouraging words, Amy's perseverance, and Ellen's positivity.  I don't know if you fancy-ass lawyers will ever make it over to this site, but if you do... thank you, thank you, thank you!  You have forever had an impact on my life, and I love you.

In other news, I lost my iPod during the beach hike Thursday...big bummer.  Not a huge surprise since I kept dropping shit out of my pockets like Hansel and Gretel. If you look at the beach pictures you can see a packet of tissue on the ground between my legs.  Of course I came home with the tissue. So my sweet wife surprised me with a new one!  She is loading my music and overnighting it tomorrow.  I am very excited since I have some open gym time this coming week where I will need to find my own motivation. 

I have also been experiencing a lot of pain in the arch/inner ankle of my left foot.  After the most delicious reflexology appointment (where I learned that it could be related to the kidneys), lots of ice, and Doctor HOY'S Natural Pain Relief Gel it is feeling much better...or at least like I am going to make it through the day tomorrow.  Em is going to be sending me some KT Tape, and I ordered a new pair of shoes for hiking.  It has been suggested that I try some Trail Running shoes, but they won't arrive until Tuesday.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Speaking of hikes, we will be reassessed tomorrow to determine at what level we will be hiking during this upcoming week.  I'm not sure what this is going to look like since it is POURING RAIN and FREEZING!  Wish me luck.

RECENT EPIC EVENTS

• I referred to a workout as "Awesome" and "So much fun!" and meant it.
• I met my facebook buddy Jennifer today for the first time.
• I hit my top speed in Cardio Circuit
• Finished all of my laundry
• I turned on my TV Saturday for the first time since I got here

Lastly, here are the pictures from Friday's hike at Malibu Creek (Fun Fact - M*A*S*H was filmed there)...

Hi Erica!

Look at the deer...so pretty.

Me at the 1/2 way point.



Me, Stephanie, Erica, Anne, Amy, Ellen,  Jason, and Others. Van One's Last Hike.




 Baby's Got CamelBak



Way to go Team!

Day 4 - Tears, Fears, and Chocolate

It is Thursday, and I'm still waiting for things to click.  I had a total panic attack during Treading today, which kept me from finishing the class and sent me into tears.  I left the room, returned and finished the last 2 minutes.  It was so embarrassing and frustrating, but this time I actually asked a trainer for some support.  Sam was a contestant on Season 9 of the Biggest Loser and is quite the inspiration and hottie around here.  More importantly, he knows what we are going through because he has been there.  He reminded me that that when my heart rate increases, it is going to trigger my fear and anxiety, but nothing bad is actually going to happen to me.  The only way something bad is going to happen to me is if I stop...if I don't actually make this change.  We also talked about chunking my workouts into 15 minute intervals and celebrating my success at each of those 15 minutes.  Then he reminded me that when I think I can't do it, to remember that I have already proven that I can handle 2 1/2 hours of physical activity everyday on the hikes. 

Sam's before picture.

So in the spirit of celebrating successes, I am going to start identifying at least 2 things that I am proud of and/or excited about everyday...introducing "Today's Epic Events"!

Today's Epic Events

• I completed a 5 mile hike!
• The hike was on the beach.
• I worked out w/out taking a break in "Ball Works" (This is sort of like basketball drills with a large exercise ball.)
• I ate 1295 calories today and burned so many more
• We had the most delicious chocolate covered strawberries (90 calories) for dessert...CHOCOLATE!
• I asked for help when I needed it.
• Stretch class felt awesome and worked out a horrible cramp that I had in my left leg

Lastly, here the pictures from our beach hike today.  You can also see some current shots of Sam.  Enjoy!

Sam...contemplating life...or just trying to look good.






The flowers were really pretty.



A view as we started to climb.





View from the top.



The Ladies lookin' and feelin' proud!



The Surfer and the Sea Lion.



Sam being crazy!



The dolphins...you just can't see them in the picture I snapped.

Days 1 - 2

I don't know if I have ever been so completely exhausted  in my life!  Last night I was really tired and tonight it is almost painful.  Don't get me wrong, there is pain.  For me it is my knees, feet, back, and lower abs.  For others it is their shins, shoulders, quad, and/or some other muscle I didn't even know human folks had. I would say this is true for all of the newbies...word on the street is that it gets better come Thursday.  I will let you know if that statement holds true.  Despite all of this, I feel AMAZING and can't stop smiling.  Ok, maybe I did cry at 8:50am on Monday morning during my first hike when I was dead last at the bottom of a steep incline when I realized it was either push through the pain or lie down and wait for the coyotes.  I got ahold of myself before it turned into full-blown ugly cry, found it somewhere deep inside to keep going, and I finished...last...very last...but I finished. 

My very first hike!

Monday's hike was an "assessment hike", so today we were assigned to groups based on ability.  My group hiked Paramount Ranch, which is a movie ranch.  It was so beautiful and a lot of fun.  Val Kilmer is currently filming a western there and we stumbled upon a shot.  I heard "cut", "quiet on the set", and "action".  It was all so official and not all what you'd expect on a 2 hour hike in what appeared like the middle of nowhere. 

Paramount Ranch

Is that Val Kilmer?

This afternoon I got my but kicked in back to back classes of Cardio Intervals and Total Toning. I was pushed so hard...but my goodness I was running!  I thought I was going to straight up puke, but I felt pretty damn proud too.  In the total toning I worked with a 15 lb medicine ball among other things.  Really tough, but really awesome.  Because I know there are some future Biggest Loser Resorters reading my blog, I thought I would try to incorporate little tips as they cross my mind.  Here are today's tips...

TIPS OF THE DAY

• YES...you must bring a CamelBak (or buy one here) and you definitely need at least 2L.  You will and should drink the entire thing on the hike.  I got sick on my first day from not drinking enough water.
• You don't really need to bring a water bottle.  They give you one.  If you do it really needs to have a pop top of some sort.  When you are bustin' booty on the treadmill there is no time screw off the cap of a Sigg.
• Duct tape is a lifesaver for your feet!  It really works to prevent rubbing and to protect areas that have blisters, sores, etc.
Here are some more pics from today's hike....



My new buddy Stephanie.



The guides are in the neon jackets.  One leads, one is in the middle, and one is always at the end.