Hi all, I know it seems as though I disappeared down the rabbit hole, and I kind of did for awhile.  I am back and planning on a really strong 2013.  I am over at my other blog http://cats1ife.blogspot.com/ to do my writing as I am not on a countdown to the resort anymore, but instead continuing my journey.  With 2013, I have started a support group where we can FEED off of each other and NOT gain weight!! (hehe)
Feel free to come read my blog and also join the unsolicited group Cat's Support Station.  Just send a request and know the only ones who can read in this group are the group members.  They are made up of fellow friends working and striving towards better health, as well as trainers, dietitians and nutritionist.  Nothing to sell here, just support for giving, sharing and receiving.  The link to the group is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/602509493099955/

Here's to a healthy 2013 my friends!

Luv,
Cat

Zion with Alan...awesome day!!

http://cats1ife.blogspot.com/2011/04/back-to-camels-back.html

Tuesday in St George

http://cats1ife.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-am-really-enjoying-being-able-to-go.html

Day 2 - St George doing a solo act~

http://cats1ife.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-2-freelancing-with-hubby.html?showComment=1303271408928#c8819738631320975456

New Post...

http://cats1ife.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-adventure-with-hubby.html  New blog post today about my trip to Utah.

Change of Plans

I know it has been awhile since I checked in on here, and now I see myself moving back on to my other blog, http://cats1ife.blogspot.com/.  I have thought long and hard about my plans to go back to Fitness Ridge, and I have decided to postpone my trip awhile.  I am actually going to save the trip and head to Malibu for a week or two either in the fall or next year.

What gives?.....My hubby is turning 50 this summer and has found a passion in hiking with me.  We have managed on a few days of the thawing out of winter, to go hiking together.  He expressed a desire to go with me on a hiking trip, but one that offers a little less structure.  We leave for St George, Utah at the same time but will be staying down the road.  We will be eating calorie conscious food, taking daily hikes and whatever classes we choose during the day.  We are going for 1 week and I am super excited to be sharing my experience in Utah with him.

I am a firm believer in the experience you get at the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge, and I don't want anyone to think this takes away from that at all.  I will return to the Resort and being originally from California, I have a real yearning to try the Malibu Resort next. I have driven through the mountains of California and specifically the canyons surrounding Malibu 100's of times, now I want to hike them.  So I plan on going there with my credit.

I will still be blogging about my trip, and my plans for the future, and I will try to be more on top of everything.  Please do not be discouraged by my decision, I will return to Biggest Loser Resort again, but for now, I am excited to get my husband on the same path so we can live a long life together.

Moving forward, changes can happen, but as long as the path remains the same, it may be fun to explore the roads less traveled.

Best of health to you all.

I Want To Be My Valentine

I like to remind myself on Valentine's Day, that the #1 person to love is myself.  Now is the time to be focused on putting the right foods in my body, exercising and getting the right amount of sleep.  I know without taking the steps to insure my health is intact I can't possibly be there for the Valentine's in my life.  So today, I won't treat myself to a box of chocolate's as they are full of saturated fat, which is completely the opposite of loving myself.  Instead, I will melt down some 70% chocolate chips in my microwave, and I will dip them in some strawberries. I am so grateful for the education I have received in the past few years when it comes to what I put in my body.

A few tidbits about having those chocolate dipped strawberries.....

1) Dark Chocolate has been shown in studies to lower blood pressure
2) Dark Chocolate has been shown in studies that it lowers your bad cholesterol LDL
3) Contains Serotonin, a natural mood-boosting anti-depressant
4) Stimulates endorphins

5) The saturated fats in dark chocolate do not elevate cholesterol levels

6) Dark chocolate is hearty in antioxidants

Team that up with Strawberries:

1) A cup of strawberries is approximately 50 calories

2) Strawberries are a natural source of Folate & Potassium

3) Strawberries are an excellent source of Dietary Fiber & Vitamin C 

4) Strawberries are an excellent source of Maganese which utilizes several key nutrients, keeping your 

bones strong and healthy, helping your body to synthesize fatty acids and cholesterol, helps maintain normal blood sugar levels , promotes optimal function of your thyroid gland, maintains the health of your nerves and protects your cells from free-radical damage.

So today I toast my Valentine with Dark Chocolate dipped strawberries.  2 tbs of 70% dark chocolate  teamed up with a cups worth of organic strawberries.  Total calories on this plate of strawberries made in 2 minutes by me, 190 calories.  

Here is some typical other Valentine's Day choices:

2 Hershey kisses: 50 cal / 2 gm fat

1 Dark chocolate dipped strawberry = 48 cal / 2 gm fat (not homemade!)

1 Lindt truffle = 80 cal / 6 gm fat

1 Godiva truffle = 110 cal / 13 gm fat

1 Godiva liquer truffle = 100 cal / 7 gm fat

1 small piece of chocolate fudge (1 piece, .6oz) = 70 calories, 1.8g fat 

Chocolate martini (1) = 438 calories, 20g fat 

1 pound box of chocolate = 1400 calories

I have many Valentine's in my life with my husband and family, but I am staying focused on #1, just as the flight attendant says, "put your oxygen mask on first, before helping others".  I am taking care of #1 so I can love the ones that love me.

Happy Valentine's Day to YOU!!