Fitness Ridge + Giveaway!

Remember how I had the chance of a lifetime to go down to St. George, Utah and go to Fitness Ridge? When I had first heard about this place, immediately I just felt so nervous but very determined.  I knew there would be lots of calorie burning and eating healthy foods.  My only envision of it was something similar to Biggest Loser or Extreme Weight loss.  As scary as this was, I was very excited to be challenged and meet other people who have the same interests as I do.

I luckily only live 4 hours away from the resort.  I drove down on a Sunday and checked in.  I didn't plan ahead and we actually bought Wendy's before getting there.  I knew I was going to get weighed upon arriving, but eating unhealthy was something I wasn't that worried about.  I checked into my room and changed to go get weighed.  The staff instantly greeted me and were very welcoming.  They were very interested in who I was and why I was there.  My room mates were starting to pour in and we were all very excited and nervous.  We really had no idea what to expect, but that was why it was so exciting.  We knew only good things could happen.  I got weighed in and it was 198.8.  I knew I had gone up a few pounds just because I was weight training more, but man I didn't think I ate that much food from Wendy's! I was a little disappointed, but knew that only good things were coming my way after this week.

That evening, we had orientation where the co-owner, Michelle Kelsch, gathered everyone together and explained what exactly we were going to be doing the coming week.  We also were about to introduce ourselves to everyone.  There was about 50 people in the room and what was so interesting to me was almost half of them had been there before.  I was not even thinking people would do that.  I heard stories of people saving up year round, only to be able to come back.  My first thought was why would someone want to do that, but now I understand why! Then there were some people who were there for several weeks at a time.  They had put their life on hold to take focus of themselves and I really admired that about them.  After getting the rundown, we went back to our rooms to call it a night.  That was the best thing for us since we started every morning with a 2 hours hike.  5:30 am comes way too fast!

The next morning, my room mate, Emily from Favorite Family Recipes and I got ready for a long day.  We were both put into the same hiking group which was comforting because then we could together to everything.    We grabbed a few snacks, filled up our waterbottles, and got into the vans.  It was then that we met our guides.  At first glance, they were nice retired men and women who are probably more in shape than I am.  As the week went on, I would learn to really love these people and love what they do.  We started our first hike at Scout Cave.  There was lots of sand and rock.  The hike was fast paced and it was perfect because I could push myself as fast as I wanted to go. We had 3 guides going 3 different paces so you just kept up to however much you could.  It was then that I got to know the other people in my group and hearing their stories started to get me really excited that I was there.

The menu for the day was written out each morning so we could see what we were going to eat

After the hike, we had a simple breakfast.  I chose a protein shake with a side of turkey bacon.  For some reason, it really hit the spot.  We had a class after that taught by Hyrum Smith.  His lectures centered around our belief windows and how we can "clean" them, as well as discovering our inner peace.  After that, I took a triathlon class and then we had lunch.  The other nerve-wrecking part about me going to Fitness Ridge was not being in control of what I ate.  I had to eat whatever they provided and trust that in the end, I would lose weight.  Out of all the meals, I only think I sent back 2 of them and opted for the veggie burger they have on hand in case you don't like what they prepared.  Chef Sam really knows a ton about healthy food and has created some very tasty dishes.  There was also an unlimited salad bar in case you were still hungry and steamed veggies on hand to keep yourself full too.

After lunch, we had 3 more workout classes.  This was the hardest part about each day because I knew that they were going to be a lot of work with little breaks.  The classes are only 45 minutes with a 15 minute break in between.  The class themes vary from Zumba, crossfit, Circuit Training, Step, Boot Camp and Kickboxing. I liked they there was a variety and it kept things interesting.  The trainers were incredible.  Each one had their own style and were so awesome to work with.  They pushed you enough to make you sweat, but never wanting to quit.  I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them all.  After the last workout, we would have dinner and then you were free for the rest of the evening.  I usually took that time to shower and call my family.  I didn't want to stay up too late because the day started right back over with the same schedule.

By Thursday, I was starting to feel a little tired.  My muscles were getting more sore and I was really missing my family.  I did really enjoy the lectures not just because it was a break from exercising, but because they were really helpful.  We had Emily Fonnesbeck, R.D. speak to us on all topics of nutrition and how to properly feed yourself.  We also had classes with Jen Morton who was a life coach and talked to us about emotional eating and how to properly control that.  She taught us a very interesting formula to know exactly how many calories a day you should eat.  First you need to find your RMR ( Resting Metabolic Rate).  That number tells you how many calories a day you would burn if you just laid in bed all day long.  Then add about 400 calories to that number for daily tasks like going to the bathroom, going up and down stairs or running errands.  My RMR is 1600 + 400= 2000 calories.  Then you will decide how many pounds you want to lose a week.  If I wanted to lose 1 lbs a week, I would divide 7 (days of the week) from 3500 (calories in a pound) and you get 500.  I would then take 2000 (calories I burn a day) - 500 = 1500.  I need to eat 1500 a day to lose a pound a week.  If I add exercise, then that speeds up the weight loss.  This has really helped me and I will say since doing this and coming back, I have lost an additional 4 lbs!

On the last day of being there we got weighed in.  I knew that I had put the work in and I was anxious to see that number  I weighed in a 189.9.  I had lost 8.5 lbs!! I was amazed at my results.  I even gained 3 lbs of muscle.  I was burning over 2000 calories a day from just exercise and only eating 1500 so of course I was going to lose some weight.  I just didn't think that much!

My week at Fitness Ridge was seriously life-changing.  I was really sad to leave because I had really seen myself grow and learn.  I was meeting some amazing people and the overall feeling of being there is very uplifting and comfortable.  I am happy to say that it's been almost 2 weeks being back and I weigh 186.  I have really changed my view on exercise and food because of what I learned from these professionals.  I would go back in a heart beat and maybe even take my husband with me.  Having him there would be a really awesome week.  The week there is worth every single cent spent.  I've learned so much and have gained so many memories.

To read the other bloggers post about their week at Fitness Ridge, find them here:
Mique from 30 Days Handmade
Camille from Six Sisters Stuff
Emily from Favorite Family Recipes
Jared from Tone and Tighten
Jess from What Does the Cox Say

The best part about this all is that Fitness Ridge is giving away 1 week to one of you! This is a $2300 value and a very amazing opportunity! I wish I could enter this giveaway, but I am excited to see one of you win a chance to change your life.