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!
Register now for January/February Studio sessions
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?
H2H 2010 pictures
Register now for Winter 2011 Parks & Leisure Programs
Register now for November/December Studio sessions
Congratulations to the winners of Team Iron Mountain raffle draw!
Support Team Iron Mountain in the Weekend to End Women’s Cancer
Iron Mountain Movement has become a “Blue Ribbon Pacesetter”
Weekend Pacesetters are extraordinary teams who go above and beyond to support the efforts of The Weekend. The hard work that The Weekend Pacesetters put forth certainly does not go unnoticed. We want to highlight the efforts of these amazing Walkers, as a way to give back to them for all of their contributions to this event. As a special thank you, teams will receive rewards and recognition for their participation in The Weekend. Online recognition for team and captain on website (www.endcancer.ca) Special Weekend Pacesetter ribbons to wear on event for all team members Extra token of appreciation at Sunday finish line Team Captain invitation to special post-event recognition affair. Congratulations!
Team Iron Mountain Movement has raised $25,268. For the BC Cancer Foundation. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us either in donations, purchasing hanging baskets and/or raffle tickets.
Ten ladies have joined the Iron Mountain Movement team and we will be walking 60km on the weekend of August 14 and 15 to support the BC Cancer Foundation.
Anyone still wishing to donate, can do so online at http://www.endcancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Vancouver2010?team_id=99746&pg=team&fr_id=1422.
The winners of the raffle tickets are:
1st prize: Two nights accommodation (off season) Nical House, Tofino, BC – approx. value $350.00
Winner: Jen KInsey
2nd prize: BC Okanagan Wine Gift Box (7 bottles) approx. value $340.00
Winner: Mike Christie
3rd prize: Iron Mountain Movement class series (Pilates, Works, Running, or Body Camp) – approx. value $90.00 – www.ironmountainmovement.com
Winner: Brenda Moore
30 Day Sweat Challenge
The gang at Lululemon Robson started a 30 day sweat challenge today, I thought that it was a fabulous idea and have decided to challenge my family, friends and clients to do the same thing.
So here it is, the Iron Mountain Movement 30 Day Sweat Challenge, and yes I will declare a winner and there is a prize.
Here’s how the challenge will work, starting today you must sweat for at least 20 minutes, I know that some of you aren’t sweaters so I will break it down a little further, your heart rate must be elevated by some form of activity for 20 minutes to qualify you to enter for the day.
How do I enter? You will have until 8:30am the following day to go to the “ Challenge” page on my website and enter your activity in
the “leave a comment section” for that specific day (yes, the whole world will be able to see it, so make it good). Failure to enter by the deadline will result in your disqualification for just that day (and I do have the technology to know if you are late). Please keep in mind that your weekly workouts should be well balanced and follow the guidelines outlined in “How much exercise is enough”, and scored accordingly, so it will require a bit of thought. Your weekly workout should include:
- Lifestyle physical activity
- Moderate Exercise – cardio, strength or stretch
- Vigorous Exercise – cardio, strength or stretch
Sample entries include:
- Day 1: 30 minutes of yard work
- Day 2: 45 minute spin class
- Day 3: 20 minutes weight training
- Day 4: 30 minutes yoga
You get the idea. You do not need to be a fitness freak to win this challenge, all you need is 20 minutes of well balanced of activity each day. I will declare a winner on July 2nd, 2010. What are you waiting for, get movin’!
Spin bike set-up
I cannot promise that your first spin class will be pain free, but having proper bike set-up is the key to having a more enjoyable ride. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Standing next to the bike, the saddle should be hip height.
- Handlebars should be higher than the seat. If there is an option to adjust the handles forward and back, keep in mind that you do not want to feel like you are reaching for them, at the same time you shouldn’t feel like you are hunched over them.
- When choosing how far forward or back to position the seat, sit on the saddle and at the 3 o’clock position in your pedal stroke, your knee should be in line with your ankle.
- To quickly check that your seat is at the correct height, at the 6 o’clock position of your pedal stroke, there should be a slight bend in your knee, your knee should never feel like it is hyper-extending at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
Tip: When sitting on the saddle, try not to sit on it like you would a chair, sit towards the back of the saddle, you should feel like you are spilling off the back of the saddle.