Day 4 - An Amazing Day!

So I've been on an amazing high all day.  Today was filled with challenges that I was able to push through both physical and emotional.

This mornings challenge started off with the cold!  It hasn't been this cold yet here.  I totally had my sweatshirt on until we started the hike!

Here's today's menu and breakfast picture.  We loved breakfast! It was such a good thing to have before a hike!  It totally kept us filled until the hike ended.

This is one of my favorites.  The guides leave markers for us so we know where to go!

The hike we did today was called a rolling hills hike because it did just that - you had hills that went both up and down.  We tracked the steps to be over 17,000 just for the hike itself.  Talk about a great feeling!  What was cool about the hike was not only the conversations that we have, but the guides are amazing too.  There are three guides on every hike.   The guide in the front is the one who is checking out the trail.  The middle guide - Steven - makes sure everyone is kind of like on pace and can see where people are, and then there's the sweep - Sean.  Sean's job was to be the last one, so "no man gets left behind."  It's really cool because he lets you go at your own pace.   Today I hung with the girls in the back and Sean.  We were about an hour and 15 minutes into the hike, when Steven came back with Frankie.  This is one of those hike in as far as you can, and hike out.  So we knew it was about time to head back.  Frankie and the other girls were totally into the idea.  I wanted to go on, but I wasn't going to force them, when Steven said, "Do you want to keep going?"  And I said "Yeah, I really do!"  So we went.  It was great to really have control over what I was doing.  We hiked about another 20 minutes mostly uphill, when we finally had to turn around due to time.  The cool part for me was not only hanging with Steven and hearing about all of his amazing experiences, but when we turned around, he set the pace... and I kept up!  It was so powerful.  I felt like a million bucks... especially towards the end, when I found out that the group that left before us, actually only got back to the vans 5 mins before Steven and I did.  Wow... we kept hiking and then caught up for the most part!  Pretty fricken cool!  Throughout the trail however, my calves were killing me.  Steven was great and we stopped and stretched throughout until I could make it back to stretch class.  Here are some pictures from it!


We came back, showered, changed and went to Stretch class.  I never thought I would enjoy this, but I totally do.  It's alot like Yoga... and I can do it!  I'm loving it.  From there we had lunch which again was awesome!  Gotta love pumpkin soup and pizza day!  Then we decided to take a break.  There was a review session going on for those people who were in their last week at ranch, so we took time for ourselves to go and hang out by the pool!  I love our group!  Just amazing people who I can't imagine my life without.  The funny part is, we are already planning the next time we're going to see each other... We're thinking Vegas... Why not.  We can't get into too much trouble in Vegas... Hmmm... or could we!

My next class was with Cameron - who reminds me alot of my brother.  He's an awesome trainer that kinda gets in your face... but still builds you up the whole time.  Today... I had my break through.  During Treading class - you go full out on a treadmill or machine for 5 mins and recover for 5 mins, full out for 4 mins, recover for 4 mins... all the way down to 1 min which we did 3 sets of.  Today, for the first time in YEARS, I actually ran on the treadmill.  I haven't fully run hardcore like that since High School Soccer.  It was crazy... Michelle was next to me.. and kept telling me... you can do it... and just try it... and finally... I did it!  Granted I was only at 4.5 for speed and an incline of 3, but I rocked it!  I haven't felt this proud in YEARS!  We felt so strong and powerful!

The next class was with Katie and it was Swimming Circuit.  Again, we had fun with the gun show, while all of us worked our butts off.  I've never done this many push ups in my life... and well I know by the time I leave next week, I'll have my own guns to be showing off!  YEAH BABY!

Classes ended with a Ball work out, which was really fun too!  Katie had us again, which is great for our Yellow team mates.  We did a lot of laughing and worked hard.  While in there, I saw Camille who taught boxing yesterday.  I told her about how much I enjoyed it and booked 2 separate sessions with her.  I can't wait for her to really teach me the ins and outs of boxing!

Dinner was phenomenal.  I forgot my phone so no pics.  Sorry!  But we did get the recipe for the Waldorf Salad!  The chocolate covered strawberries were DEVINE!  We all savored every last bite!

The night just got better from there.  I had an appointment with Ezera, the Life Coach.  From the second I got in there, I was honestly ready to ball my eyes out.  Tomorrow would have been mine and Ken's 5 year anniversary.  So I was ready for my breakdown.  She was there to pick up the pieces and help me figure out that I need to celebrate me and everything I've accomplished so far.  She's calling it Freedom Day.  I kinda like the idea.  I'm free to be me and no one else can take that away from me.  I'm proud of my journey and everything I've accomplished so far, and I can't wait see where my new life takes me.  I'm open for just about anything.  We also worked through a lot of stuff!  I know I'm a work-a-holic.  I know this past year especially, I hid my feelings in my work - it was an escape.  I've also learned about how I feel the need to control and schedule everything.  I like to think I'm spontaneous... but I plan when I'm being spontaneous.  That kinda defeats the purpose.  We laid out a plan on how I am finally going to make time for me and put me first, before anyone else.  It's time for me to be selfish, since I do soo much for everyone else.  I can't believe everything we worked through in an hour.  I feel like I've know Ezera for years.  She knew me so well and would say things before I could get the words out.  It was the most amazing transformation moment of my life.  I just can't say enough about how great I felt!

Then I got to meet with the Dr. Dreamy of the Biggest Loser - Dr. Ray... OMG... he's sooo freaking hot!  Yeah... I was going in to get my knee taped, but after talking with him about all that Rob has shared with me and how Dr. Ray has fixed his knee... I thought why not go for a session.  Dr. Ray agreed that he could actually fix my knee and calf issues that I've been having since I've been here.  From pushing and pulling on every part of my body... and using some sort of machine on my calf that sent electronic pulses, I walked out of there a happy woman.  I can now stretch and touch the floor without a problem.  My knee, due to my football injury, had actually turned a bit to the inside, and with Dr. Ray's adjustment, I can't believe how miraculous I feel.  I can't wait to run tomorrow!

The night ended with fun on the couches by the pool, just hanging out.  We really have been about to talk to each other about anything and everything.  It's great to be in a place where you just feel so good when you share.  I love it here.  I can't believe my first week is almost done!

Night all!