Last Day

Well, today is my last day here at The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge. I can't get over how fast these past four weeks have flown by. Even though it has been hard, I have had a great time. Well, here are my results: I lost exactly 30.2 pounds in 4 weeks, and right at 20 inches. It is more than I expected....so needless to say I am pleased. But now the real journey begins: DOING IT AT HOME!!

I have learned so many things while being here at the BLR at FR:

1. Healthy food gets stuck in your teeth much more than fried chicken and french fries.
2. It's simple: eat less, move more (but as most of us know, its not so simple)
3. You will not die on 1200 calories per day.
4. I am capable of so much more than I ever dreamed.
5. "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable"
6. Relaxation is necessary for a balanced lifestyle....and its ok
7. The word 'funner' is not a word
8. I can do anything with the power and grace of God...ANYTHING

I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity. Thank you all for your constant prayers and words of encouragement. I would not have made it here without them both.

This is my last post for now. I may post about my journey at home.....but I am not making any promises :)

Thank you all again!

Marla

Friday....sigh

Well, today was my last full day at the Ridge. I must say, I am excited to come home....but I am sad to be leaving. I have had such a great experience these past four weeks. Here are some pics from today:

SAT, SUN, MON, TUES, WED

I still can't believe that I will be home in just a few days. It feels like my time here has flown by. I am ready to come home, though. As much as I am enjoying my time here, I am missing home too. I am finding that the longer I am here, the more tired I become. Bedtime is getting earlier and earlier each night...hahaha.

Well, speaking of bedtime, I am going to bed. Thanks, as always, for your words of encouragement and prayers.

Marla



From a very big, large, mean animal, I'm sure





John Yohman, one of the trainers

Friday

Hiking....parts of the hike were pretty steep.


Me and Robin. We were looking at the petrogliffs (sp?).

Exhausted. Sweaty.

The name of this hike was called Slots. Now you can see why. We were in a slot in the mountain. One of the coolest hikes I have been on since I have been here.

Me and Jim

Me and my pals Ephriam and Renese. Ephriam is an NFL player, and plays for the Houston Texans. Renese is a backup dancer, and has danced for celebrities like Beyonce, Ricky Martin, and Christina Agulara.

911

Today I decided to push myself beyond anything that I have done since I have been here: RUNNING. I have stayed safe, always using the bike for all cardio classes instead of the treadmill or elliptical...and I DID IT....I ran for the first time in years....then I passed out, the paramedics came out (all 5 of them)....yep, it was something to see. But I recovered. They said I just pushed my body too hard....but I DID IT! hahaha..... (PS. I wanted someone to take a pic of me with the oxygen, stretcher and all....but no luck).

Today I went off site to a cooking class. I learned how to make chicken pasta and zucchini soup...and all for 310 calories. It was cool to get off campus for a change. Things start to get repetitive here...

I am sad that I will not be in LA for the superbowl. Just to be there with the excitement in the air must be fun. There is one girl here from New Orleans, and she is more into the Saints than I, so she has been keeping me updated with things going on in NOLA. (Thanks Shanda for the Saints shirt. I got it today. I will wear it proudly on Sunday!!!!)

Hiking Turtle Wall

See the Turtle?



Me seasoning my piece of chicken at the cooking class

Thank YOU!!

During lunch today, I received a very nice surprise....a package!! Thank you to everyone who wrote me a note of encouragement. I actually teared up reading all of the letters. It really meant a lot to me that you guys took out the time to do that....so thank you again. I can't wait to get back into the swing of things at ABC....




I have been enjoying the hikes each morning that we go on. Yes, it is hard....yes, I am sweating profusely....yes, I am tired....but it has been great to be outside...seeing all of the mountains. Each hike has great views....and hiking has become my "quiet time" each day. When I am out there, I am usually walking by myself....listening to worship music....praying....grunting as I am trying to get up the hill :)....

The weather has been nice...cold, but nice. The resort is really out in the middle of nowhere. There are a few houses around...but not much more. A lot of mornings as I am walking to my 6:00 am class, I hear roosters crowing in the background...It always makes me stop and smile....

Well, I am going to rest before my three afternoon classes. Thanks again for all of the letters. It meant a lot!

Marla

Monday Monday

Today was a typical Monday for me....I felt sluggish. I didnt think I was going to make it up to the top of stop sign hike today....but I did thanks to my friend Robin for pushing me. I didn't beat my time from Saturday (I was two minutes slower), but at least I made it.

Me and my friend Robin just after we finished the hike....YES, we were exhausted!!

For lunch today we had sunchoke soup. I had never heard of a sunchoke before....but apparently it is a veggie. We asked the kitchen to bring one out so we could see it....it kind of looked like ginger.....just thought I would share that. Below is a pic of a sunchoke...

I still have the rest of the afternoon classes left. We have a break after lunch, so I am just chillin in my room trying to rest before the torture begins :)

Marla