The Lomi lomi

There is a part of healing and rejuvenation that takes place at Fitness Ridge that I have been really anxious to share with you! Let me take you with me to our spa.




At the end of each long and exhausting day we open up our spa as a place for guests to relax, heal, and unwind. Yesterday was one of those long and exhausting days for me and I knew exactly what I needed! I usually opt for a traditional Swedish massage because they feel so good and are so relaxing, but as of last night my opinion has officially changed. I still love a good Swedish massage, but I was introduced to something I have never experienced before, and it was amazing! It's called the lomi lomi massage and only one of our gifted therapists performs this incredible massage.

Meet Marie.



Marie is fantastic in all modalities that she performs, but this particular massage requires a gift and she has it!

Lomi lomi is a massage originating in Hawaii and traditionally used as a healing practice of native healers, a luxury and an aid to digestion, and restorative massage within the family. Like all endeavors in old Hawaii, lomi lomi is conducted with prayer and intention. I had never met Marie prior to our massage but by the end I felt like I could wrapped my arms around her like we'd been friends our whole lives. Her ability to connect with people using this modality is amazing.

Several different oils are used throughout this massage, which did more than I expected!



My least favorite thing about a massage is how fast the time goes. Sometimes I feel like the therapist is rushing to get through everything before the 50 minutes are up. But with Marie I kept wondering if I had accidentally booked an 80 minute massage because it felt like it just kept going and going. Turns out it was only 50 minutes, but she just flows so well that it felt like a lot longer, which I LOVED! I don't want to give away all the secrets of the lomi lomi because I want you to experience it for yourself when you come, but I definitely suggest booking at least one lomi lomi during your stay. Since Marie is our only therapist that performs the lomi lomi, you are welcome to call and book way before you even arrive! And make sure you let me know what you think! I'm already ready for another one!

Introducing BLR Guest JODI (part I of II)

We get a lot of inquiries from our online community.  Mostly, people want to know firsthand what it's like to visit the Biggest Loser Resort.  And who better to hear from than someone who is going through the experience themselves?  With that said, I would like to introduce to you Jodi.  

Jodi is currently completing her third and final week at BLR Malibu.  In her own words, based on her own personal experience, Jodi lets down her walls and shares her story with you.  The following is the first video in a two part series.  Having shared personal insights into her journey, Jodi’s story is completely relatable.  We encourage you to take the time to watch and really listen to her story and what she has gained and accomplished beyond the 'physical'.  

Be on the lookout for part II in our video series with Jodi when she sits down with BLR Trainer Tonia Arey and they dig deeper into her journey.

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda  

Fog at Fitness Ridge

I drove to work yesterday with my hands clinched so tight to the steering wheel that my knuckles were white and I couldn't feel my fingers. The fog was so thick in Ivins, UT that I couldn't see more than 20 feet in front of me. I worried about all of our guests out on their hikes that morning and wondered what they were experiencing not being able to see anything. I assumed because I couldn't see anything around me from where I was that everyone must be experiencing the same thing. I failed to realize that sometimes when you climb to higher ground you can escape the fog and can see clearly.

When you start feeling so stressed and bogged down and you are tempted to throw your healthy eating and exercising out the window because you can't see much change anyway and it feels too hard, remember what is above that fog. Choose to stick it out and climb above it and you'll find that the view, the result, is incredible.





XOXO

SARAH

BLR Guest Highlight: KAREN WILLIAMS

"I am a 43 year old single white female that has been overweight most of my life. I decided to change my life forever on July 31, 2011 by coming to The Biggest Loser Resort @ Fitness Ridge in Malibu, CA. I was heading down an unhealthy path where I had Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, constant pain and I could barely walk. I hated myself and couldn't stand being in my own skin. God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams."


This is how Biggest Loser Resort guest Karen Williams describes herself on her blog.  Many of you are familiar with Karen's story, and some of you may even know her.  She has been a guest at BLR Malibu for 23 consecutive weeks, having begun her journey with us in July of last year.  We've featured Karen on our blog in the past.  When she made the decision to change her life she also made a brave choice to let her walls down; to share her weight loss journey online (and with us) for anyone who may be "in her shoes", or can relate to her struggles and fears.  But more importantly, to serve as an example that with hard-work, drive, determination, and faith, all things are possible.  


Here's a look back on Karen's journey...in her own words...

Karen's transformation has been remarkable.  We at The Biggest Loser Resort have truly been inspired by Karen Williams.  We thank her for trusting in us, and for letting us help her, help others, by sharing her story.    


To Karen:  Karen, your heart and your faith set you apart and make you unforgettable.  We love you and wish you a great week in Utah and a blessed continued journey when you arrive home!  


Cheers to health in ALL our lives, 


Amanda Fitz 
xx


***You can follow Karen on her blog at: http://karenswilliams-biggestloserjourney.blogspot.com/ ***

Joy

I know I talked about some struggles I was facing in a post back in October after our first try at in vetro fertilization (IVF) failed, but I haven't said much since. We recently went through our second round of IVF and received the negative results right before the holidays. Needless to say it has been emotionally trying and I have found myself in the same boat, having a hard time getting started again. Today things turned around.

When I got ready for work this morning I dressed in something that would allow me to work out. I do this all the time but I always seem to find an excuse that keeps me from starting up again and exercising. Today I was at my desk hypnotized by all of the emails and tasks that I had coming my way when a glance at the clock snapped me out of it. It was 2:25 p.m. That meant that the circuit class was starting in five minutes! I thought of a phone call that I needed to return and a video that I should edit... I was making excuses. Something I've heard our trainers say came to mind, "don't think, just do" so I grabbed my water bottle and ran to class.

I chose a machine and introduced myself to the woman next to me. Joy, my new friend, became my motivator throughout the remainder of the class. We pushed each other to go harder with each sprint.


During one particularly difficult sprint I yelled over to Joy, "this is not bringing me joy, Joy!" Her response was so simple but changed my entire day. She yelled back, "Oh yes it is!"

I haven't been able to stop thinking about that. Sure it was hard in the moment, but Joy was right. Doing something that is hard to do, that proves that I am better than I thought, and that I chose to do when I was tempted to do otherwise DOES bring me joy! I am happier with myself and and an all around happier person when I exercise!
After class Joy and I hugged and rejoiced in our accomplishments. I can honestly say that my day is so much better because I exercised. I would even say that it brought me Joy!

XOXO

SARAH

The True Story of Jessica and Ramon!

Those of us that watched season 12 of The Biggest Loser got to witness the relationship of Jessica Limpert and Ramon Medeiros develop right in front of us! I don't know about you, but I loved seeing their love for each other and success together as a couple! But we only got to see what producers were able to capture and put on TV. Today we get a special treat of hearing the behind the scenes scoop of how Jessica and Ramon fell in love. The dynamic couple are the two newest Biggest Loser's to join the Fitness Ridge family. Here's their side of the story!



XOXO

SARAH

Malibu Times Magazine

Malibu Times Magazine features The Biggest Loser Resort Malibu in the January/February 2012 issue. On stands now!  Check us out...

Thank you Malibu Times Magazine for the beautiful feature! 

Cheers to health in life, 

Amanda 

YEAR OF YOU Finalists Announced

The Biggest Loser Resort announces the 30 finalists for the 2012 YEAR OF YOU Video Contest.  These finalist will advance to the selection process where ten people will be selected to win a free four-week stay at our Malibu Resort.  ***Please note that our finalists are listed alphabetically by first name.

1	Andrea	Butler
2	Bethany	Vaughn
3	Chuck	Pollock
4	Cindy	Lane
5	Daniel	Vargas
6	DeAnn	Hansen
7	Demme	Matheos
8	Gary	Edwards
9	Jamee	Shipp
10	Joni	Elegante
11	Julie	McKeithen
12	Kelly Jo	Scott
13	Kim	Ryan
14	Kristin	Black
15	Lyndee	Hugen
16	Mary	Cisco
17	Melinda	Barthalow
18	Melissa	Young-Guillaume
19	Merrill	Wells
20	Phuong T	Nguyen
21	Rebecca	Schmidt
22	Rob	Cohn
23	Sharmon	Panellacostacastro
24	Sherrie	Atteberry
25	Stacy	Thomas
26	Suha	Sweis
27	Tami	Brownell
28	Tammy	Austin
29	Teresa	Draves
30	Yesenia	Ortiz

Congratulations to all our "YEAR OF YOU" Video Contest finalists!  Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks when we announce our ten winners.

Please contact us via email at yearofyou@biggestloserresort.com with any questions. 

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda Fitz

Jennie-O "Switch to Turkey" Photo Contest

Want a chance to win a trip to The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge?  Check out the contest taking place online at Jennie-O "Switch to Turkey"!  Submit a photo of you and your uninspired breakfast and get your friends to cast a vote for you! 

http://on.fb.me/zCAvHm

Good luck! 

Final Update: YEAR OF YOU Video Contest

Below are the recent rankings for The Biggest Loser Resort YEAR OF YOU Video Contest as of 7:00pm EST today, Saturday, January 14th.  

Be sure to cast a vote for your favorite video before voting ends on Sunday, January 15th at 12:00pm (noon) EST.  The top 30 finalists with the most votes will advance to the selection process where ten winners will be selected to win a free four-week stay at our Malibu Resort.

Help send someone to our Malibu Resort for four life changing weeks.  

Cast your vote now at http://ow.ly/8pyFo      

GOOD LUCK to all our finalists!  

1	Merrill	Wells
2	Andrea	Butler
3	Rob	Cohn
4	Chuck	Pollock
5	Melinda	Barthalow
6	Yesenia	Ortiz
7	Kelly Jo	Scott
8	Phuong T	Nguyen
9	Melissa	Young-Guillaume
10	Julie	McKeithen
11	Suha	Sweis
12	Stacy	Thomas
13	Teresa	Draves
14	Sharmon	Panellacostacastro
15	Cindy	Lane
16	Tami	Brownell
17	Rebecca	Schmidt
18	Tammy	Austin
19	Mary	Cisco
20	Joni	Elegante
21	DeAnn	Hansen
22	Gary	Edwards
23	Lyndee	Hugen
24	Stacey	Kenneavy
25	Demme	Matheos
26	Jamee	Shipp
27	Kristin	Black
28	Sherrie	Atteberry
29	Kim	Ryan
30	Bethany	Vaughn
31	Tracy	Hoyt
32	Susy	Silvestri
33	Daniel	Vargas
34	Queron	Ford
35	Colby	Coleman
36	Davette	Baker
37	Molly	Fairchild
38	Amy	Wagner
39	Pamela	Stuart
40	Stacyann	Metz
41	Kristy	Landers
42	Amber	Hady
43	Rachel	Castillo
44	Bridget	Kilpatrick-Brewer
45	Jodee	Rodee Gaines
46	Rebecca	Reed
47	Kim	Cook
48	Bethany	Vale
49	Jacqueline	Cheek
50	Diana	Bernardo
51	Gale	Hunter
52	Lathaniel	Ford
53	Rachel	Mcbrayer
54	Eric	Muschter
55	Becky	Pearce
56	Autumn	Rogers
57	Shirley	Franklin
58	Shannon	Herrington
59	Doreen	Hutchens
60	Janice	Bramwell
61	Phillis	Dunn
62	Brittany	Ransom
63	Theresa	Ihrig-Gause
64	Mandy	Heal
65	Faith	Pangburn
66	Kevin	Thom
67	Suzanne	Carr
68	Megan	Owens
69	Lori	Deis
70	Valerie	Wells
71	Joellen	Beausoleil
72	Jacquelyn	Mendelsohn
73	Janeal	Pollock
74	Sandra	McLeod
75	Carrie	Davis
76	Katie	Blades
77	Jacquelynne	Harrell
78	David	Padilla
79	Kenny	Blades
80	Kayla	Martin
81	Susan	Russell
82	Veronica	Mazarelli
83	Amy	Boleen
84	Jennifer	Gusta
85	Jordyn	Abbott
86	Jacki	Bohn
87	Denise	Guzman
88	Lisa	Trzil
89	Hillary	Hines
90	Katrina	Griffin
91	Cherry	Davis
92	Kathleen	Villa
93	Candace (Candy)	Cooper
94	Denise	Distel
95	Jessica	Mitchell
96	Kristin	Sanders
97	Ashley	Milton
98	Karen	Schuttinga
99	Anna	Burnham
100	Michele	Tharp
101	Ashley	Hopkins
102	Teresa	Little
103	Ryann	Wyckoff
104	Kisha	Majors
105	Rosa	Mero
106	James	Guthrie
107	Kathy	Lee
108	Richard	Kahalewai Jr.
109	Juanita	Patrick
110	Victor	Aragon
111	Jill	Krause
112	Cindy	Bennett
113	Norean	Pritts
114	Makayla	Foulk
115	Cortnie	Dandridge
116	Crystal	Breazeale
117	Andrea	Barba
118	Angie Nichole	Henson
119	Tanette	Mann
120	Tammy	Pytlarz
121	Larin	Campbell
122	Cris-Annette	Nicholas

Congratulations to all the "YEAR OF YOU" Video Contest finalists.  These amazing people put everything on the line to win, but only the top 30 will move on to the selection process.
***Finalist are listed by numbers of votes as of 7:00pm on Saturday, January 14, 2012.   You don't know if one or a hundred votes sets them apart!  Finalist please remember that offering inducements to prospective voters is prohibited. Please check our official rules if you have any questions or e-mail us at 

yearofyou@biggestloserresort.com.

Cheers to health in life! 

Amanda Fitz