The last 3 days I have started my blogs by placing ice bags on my foot. It seems to help me get through the next day no matter what terrain I may be hiking and no matter what I do in the gym. This morning we had facon and eggs on english muffins for breakfast. No I didn't spell facon wrong, it is a fake bacon, we like to call facon. Paige started today by saying that the method in which we are hiking seems to be working, and she is absolutely right. I never would have put myself out there to go on the hikes I went on this week. I am super pleased with myself that I got out of my comfort zone and did the hikes requested of me.
Todays hike was Volcano, I really feared this hike a lot. When it came down to it, it was so much easier than yesterdays hike on Saddle. I have become fairly comfortable with not only climbing to the top of the mountains, but with coming down. You see, I have had a phobia since I was in girl scouts about falling face down into a rock. When I was about 10 I was on a trip to Lake Arrowhead, California with my troop and I tripped face first into a rock. That was the biggest fear I have had here with the hiking, well that and falling off a mountain. So pushing through that phobia all these decades later has made me a new person. A lot of guest have fear of heights but leave here conquering their fears and going home a stronger and more confident person. Those that chose not to overcome their fears are still able to ask for hikes within their comfort zone. For me, I have chosen to give 100% to the program not only on the hikes and gym but with the food. If I don't care for a food, I eat it anyway as I know it has the nutrients I need for my day. Some people chose not to eat the food and get substitutes such as toast and 12 almonds or boca burgers. I even ate the sloppy joe's today which were mostly beans. And anyone who knows me will tell you I am not a fan of beans.
Friday afternoon, those leaving meet in the dining room for a Budget Review Lecture, and those staying another week meet in the aerobic room and discuss their greatest accomplishments and words of wisdom. I told everyone that last Thursday I hit a wall here, I felt I could go home, then later that night I noticed my face and legs were thinner and I remembered why I was here. I told them they would hit walls, either at Fitness Ridge or at home and they need to remember why they are doing what they are doing. And also, to remember what they looked like and how they felt when they were heavier anytime they felt like eating bad or not working out. I looked across the room at Eric Chopin, Season 3 winner of the Biggest Loser and I said to him, I was you. I weighed 216 pounds at the age of 38, and ate right and worked out and got myself down to 145. But 10 years later I was almost 200 pounds and starting over again. We both discussed that fear of falling back again since we both have experienced it. I think we both realize how easy it is to miss the gym more than a day or two, or eating wrong and doing it anyway. I think that will keep us both on track this time.
Fridays are kind of laid back, we get to pick all our afternoon classes. A lot of people chose the Total Body Conditioning class which left very little room in the aerobic room. Many others did a cardio circuit class. Following that class those that did the Total Body Conditioning class ended up in the cardio circuit class, and visa versa for those that were taking circuit. Are final class on Friday was either Kickboxing or Pool. I chose pool because I slipped on the treadmill and my knee needed a break. Pool was fun we danced the class away and it did raise my heart rate.
Dinner tonight was the salmon burgers which are loved by many. We also had fruit skewers that were pretty tasty. It is nice sharing dinner time with the new friends you make here, although it is a bit different drinking decaf tea instead of a glass of wine.
Fletcher, handles the activities which I rarely seem to have energy for. Tonight was pool volleyball, and for a while there it looked like Fletcher was going to be in the pool alone. He did find a husband and wife team and Jennifer who has been here longer than me to join in on the fun.
Today if you get to the bulletin board quick enough you can pick your Saturday hike from the hikes offered, and if you are one of the first ones to get to it, you will get the hike you want. Tomorrow they offered, Stop Sign, Gallup, West Canyon and Overlook. I managed to get on the Stop Sign hike, which gives you the best calorie burn. I find it a great hike to end the week since I have a day and a half to recover.
Reflecting on this week, I am amazed at my accomplishments and know I will be going home a stronger, healthier, more confident person. I have broken barriers that I have had for decades and will be forever grateful for all that I have conquered here at Fitness Ridge. If I could recommend one thing to another person it would be to push fear aside in you life and dive in. The fear we allow to be present in our lives is nothing more than walls that we must break down.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear".
"You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear does not exist anywhere except in the mind".
"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith".
"Try a thing you haven’t done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not".
