Link to Links

My continuing journey starts here...this blog has ended with this new one beginning:

http://cats1ife.blogspot.com/

Also if you haven't friended me yet on facebook my facebook link is:

http://www.facebook.com/cat.chez1

My daughter the nutritionist started a blog, to share her knowledge, follow her at:

http://ifyourfoodcouldtalk.blogspot.com/


(PS you can ask her questions about nutrition and leave her comments as well)

Hope to see you all on my new blog...

Thanks for following!!

Love, Cat

Viva Las Vegas!

(pictured me on the far right, my first week at Fitness Ridge)

This is my last blog entry for my Countdown to Biggest Loser Resort.  The only one that will follow will be my new link to my new blog that continues my healthy journey.  Working on the new name for my blog, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated?  We all don't get to go to the Biggest Loser Resort, and those that did still have to continue what they learned when they get home.  I hope to have my new blog guide me and those that want to follow through the perils of my persistence to good health.

I arrived in Las Vegas around 5:30pm on Friday night, greeted by my two sisters, two nieces and my mom.  All their jaws dropped when I jumped off the shuttle.  It is funny because when you are at Fitness Ridge the room mirrors are only from the sink up, and the gym mirrors are a little distorted so you really have no idea what you look like.  The camera shots for the most part make you look bigger than you really are.  The revelation comes when you stand in front of an "honest mirror".  As posted earlier I went shopping and was tearfully surprised to see my much smaller body.  So when I arrived in Las Vegas, mirrors suddenly were my best friend instead of my worst enemy.

I was super excited to start my night with a cup of coffee.  It wasn't as good as Starbucks or my coffee at home, but it was delightful either way.  I ended up getting a suite with 2 queen beds at the Pallazo hotel connected to the Venetian Hotel.  We all fit comfortably in the room.  It was a little scary joining the real world and all it's temptations once again.  My sister Terry brought me a bottle of wine and we all drank to my great success.  Apart of me wasn't worried about the wine or the dinner I would be having.

Dinner was a hodge podge of appetizers.  We had chicken lettuce wraps, Ahi Tuna and vegetable rolls.  Everything was low in fat and processed carbs.  I had a modest amount, as one thing I really am taking home from Fitness Ridge is the portion sizes.  Dinner was super enjoyable!  There is a lot to be said about eating food that is good for you, because it makes you happy!  I bought a book that has that quote in it and it really is true.  You know the food is good for your body, there is no guilt - only pride that you are doing right for your body.

I hit $500.00 on a slot machine in about 5 minutes while waiting for my mom to use a restroom.  We went to a shop and I fell in love with a denim jacket, and bought it with my winnings.  It is cute and "small" and I looked good in it!  More rewards for my weight loss!

We woke up on Saturday and I said I wanted to go to the gym and workout.  My nieces wanted to lounge by the pool.  My sister Clare stayed with my nieces while my mom and sister Terry went to the gym and worked out.  They have a 40 foot rock wall, and for the first time in my life I felt I could do it!  So I booked a climb and got it done!  It was a challenge but I succeeded straight to the top with ZERO FEAR!




































We ate both breakfast and lunch in the spa area of the Venetian, where breakfast was oatmeal and lunch was Quinoa salad and hummus.  I was in heaven being there all day and having all the right foods at my disposal.


At dinner time we headed another casino where I had Ahi tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes.  I didn't finish anything on my plate but the asparagus.   I once again used portion control. Following dinner my family dropped me off at the airport where I reflected on an awesome 24 hours in Las Vegas.  I was confident about going home and weighing in on my own scale.

I weighed in at home and since my first blog entry in January I have lost a total of 30.5 pounds.  I have lost 4 pant sizes.  And will be going through my closet because I don't fit in 90% of the clothes in there anymore.  My husband says I have never looked better and thinks I am a perfect weight.  I on the other hand know I want to lose another 20 pounds or so I am ready to venture forward on this new path to continued weight loss followed by maintenance.

Day 27 Fitness Ridge - Final Day

Today has been a bittersweet day for me.  I say goodbye to what has become normality for me.  I have spent 27 days eating a fixed meal 3 times a day.  I have worked out numerous hours for days on end.  I have been on 23 hikes and met numerous people who I will forever call my friends.  I have become a slave to exercise and am the happier for it.

When I say I will miss Fitness Ridge, it is an understatement.  It is a home away from home, and I will be forever grateful for all that I have learned, all the kindness I have been shown, and all the love from the many guest that I have had the pleasure to spend time with.

I started my day with my test out, which is meeting with a trainer and getting weighed and measured.  I knew before I came here that I had lost near 20 pounds and I had been eating right and working out for almost 3 months.  I didn’t expect magic numbers that happen when you first start a new regimen because I had been on a healthy program for awhile.  I had hoped to lose at least 10 pounds, but more importantly I hoped for muscle gain.  Marjorie did my test out at 7:00am and my dear friend, Teresa came with me for moral support.  As I stepped on the scale I watched my number as it climbed and finally came to rest giving me a 12 pound weight loss.  That followed my measurements which totaled a 16 inch decrease.  4 inches had melted away from just my waistline, 3 inches from both my hips and chest, and an inch off each calf,  And those arms I have documented as hating,  lost 2 inches per arm. Those 16 inches are just from the body parts they measured.  And I can’t forget that I am proudly wearing a size smaller jean. 

I brought my adopted daughter, Ivy some items I wouldn’t be needing at home, such as my over the door storage and many aches and pains items.  I also gave her a birthday card and present.  She was adorned with gifts from the many guest that have fallen in love with her in the past month.  I will truly miss her, however she comes to the NYC area a lot so we will see each other again.  I plan on seeing many of my new friends again, and will continue to stay in touch with the beauty of the internet.

I am writing my last day blog entry on my St George Executive Shuttle as it drives me to the Las Vegas Airport.  I will be meeting my sisters and my mom in Las Vegas where we will enjoy a 24 hour visit in Las Vegas.  Saturday night I will join the skies for my 5 hour plane ride back to Newark and to my life and family.  I am super excited to be heading back to my family, friends and dogs.

I left Fitness Ridge a day early because of the Ironman, there were concerns with getting to the airport on time.  I am disappointed I couldn’t stay since all the Fitness Ridge guest will participate in a 10K that day along with many of the Biggest Loser Contestants.  I may be missing that race, but I plan on getting on board many races and walks at home.

 I will post my night and day in Las Vegas as my final blog entry for Fitness Ridge, as the journey does not end at Fitness Ridge.  And as I  continue my journey to the new improved me I will start a new blog related to my continued success.  Feel free to comment with blog name ideas for the new blog!  I hope you have enjoyed reading about my experiences and look forward to those who join me on my new blog that will continue my journey to great health!

PS My last post will have my before and after pix!!