Mary Ann’s Adventure: The Eve of Biggest Loser Ranch

Mary Ann started her journey to the Biggest Loser Ranch early this morning. We spent a laughter filled evening with her last night and toasted to her success!

To Mary Ann!

Jenn came face to face with "the bad girls".

January 22, 2011 | Filed Under Blog, Challenge | 1 Comment

The Biggest Loser Ranch is on Mary Ann’s Radar!

I would like to introduce you to Mary Ann, Momma to Shannon (Bad Girl aka “the short one”) and owner of Bizzy Butler Catering and Concierge Services.

the lovely Mary Ann

This is what Mary Ann’s Facebook status looked like earlier this week:

“Vacation News …or is it? I am going to the Biggest Loser Ranch in Utah for personalized fitness beatings! ”

I was instantly intrigued, and a little nervous for her, we have all seen the show. I sent her a message later that day asking if she would be interested in sharing her adventure with my readers. The very next day she sent me a copy of her blogspot and she had also registered for the BMO 1/2 Marathon in May…umm, Mary Ann means business.

Here’s what she said:

Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Biggest Loser Ranch is on my Radar!

Making a Commitment.

The love of my life died suddenly twelve years ago this month. I steadily gained weight every year since and now find myself sixty-five pounds overweight. It’s astonishing how those five plus pounds per year add up. I did not take care of myself. I stopped riding my horse, stopped walking the dogs, stopped gardening, sold my little hobby farm. I stopped my whole healthy busy lifestyle and turned into a couch potato.

I lost interest in ‘looking good’. After all, who did I have to look good for? Who noticed? Who cared? I certainly didn’t. Being alone is a crappy life adjustment and food is your best friend. The end.

Well that was then and this is now.

Something mysterious happened in January 2011 that changed my personal outlook. I decided that I do care and I am going to do this for me. I want to look good again! I want to slip into a little black dress. I want to banish the baggy black pants. It’s time. I also want to start training for a 26 mile marathon (OK, I haven’t gone completely crazy…I want to walk the 26 miles!) After all, you need to have short term goals and long term goals.

I have been surfing the net for several months looking for a weight loss clinic that was affordable and top notch. No such thing! All the weight-loss resorts are quite pricey ranging from $1500-$5000 per week. Some facilities insist on a four week stay! I’d have to put a second mortgage on my home to go to some of them. I bit the bullet and decided to put my money (and new year’s resolution) where my mouth is.

I withdrew some savings and booked two weeks at the Biggest Loser Ranch at Fitness Ridge in Utah. I’ll be flying into Las Vegas on the 22nd of January and catching the St. George Shuttle to the ranch located in the south west corner of Utah near Snow Canyon State Park. It’s only a two hour trip from Vegas. They have a proven track record. Yes!

* Sunday: Check in at 3:30; dinner at 5:00 PM.
* Monday: 7- 8 hours of Fitness daily
* Starts at 6:00 AM, every day.
* 1200 calories per day.

OMG! 14 days, gulp!

I’ll keep you posted!

Mary Ann

Bizzy Butler Catering and Concierge Services Ltd.
www.bizzybutler.com

P.S. I am a little scared.

I will be following Mary Ann’s adventure and helping her achieve her marathon goal. Follow her progress with me or at her blogspot. Go get’em Mary Ann!

January 13, 2011 | Filed Under Blog, Challenge, What's New | 4 Comments

Get’er Done Challenge update

With just over 10 days to go, are you getting‘er done?

I checked off my marathon last week, and today checked off my hall closet. It’s hard to imagine that a family of three could accumulate so many pairs of shoes in six years. But I guess when one of three’s feet have grown 8 sizes in that time, it is a little more understandable.

For the most part I was pretty good, but there were a couple of pairs of boots that did not meet the “have worn in the last year requirement” (or even the last five) that I did keep, because can you ever have too many pairs of black boots? I realize that seven pairs might seem excessive, especially the Kiss boots, but they all vary in heel styles and heights, some are short, some are tall, and I am ok with it.

Not on my list but something that I didn’t realize until yesterday that I had been neglecting, was cleaning out my baking cupboard. For those who know me, know that I only bake once a year (which was yesterday), so why do I have a baking cupboard? It is was a cupboard filled with delicious intentions, but in all honesty I would rather have another plate of food than have dessert, therefore depriving my family of homemade baked goods. I am ok with that also, but deep down inside the guilt is too much so I host an annual Christmas bake exchange.

So with one last thing to do on my list, 40 Christmas cards to write, my quarterly accounting package screaming at me, an Open House to host, a Christmas tree to buy and decorate, as well as all the presents to go under said tree…I guess I am just getting started.

December 13, 2010 | Filed Under Blog, Challenge, Operation Beautiful | 2 Comments

December Get’er Done Challenge

A new month, new goals, a new outlook and a new pair of runners. December couldn’t have arrived at a better time; I was so done with November, with all of its rain and pitiful moustaches! And how fantastic is it to start each morning for the next 23 days with a piece of chocolate?

As the end of the year rapidly approaches I have stupidly decided to add to the mayhem of the month by cleaning up a few outstanding things that I have been avoiding for a good part of 2010 so that I am able to start 2011 with a clear mind, for at least the first few days anyway.
• First and foremost, it is high time to remove completing a marathon from my bucket list.
• Secondly, I am going to complete my Weight Trainer certification, so Christine if you are reading this, we need to book it.
• And finally there is the matter of a small cleaning project in my hall closet; I am honestly scared that when I venture under the jackets and coats I may never come out again.

Ok, so who is up for a little challenge? Let’s start 2011 with a clean slate. Nothing over Christmas, this mission is to be completed by Thursday December 23, 2010, 11:59pm PST. I want to know what tedious tasks you have been putting off doing in 2010 that you will put off no longer and just get’er done. Who’s in?

December 1, 2010 | Filed Under Blog, Challenge, In the Media, What's New | 4 Comments