Disco Cardio Jam!!!

I believe that there is a little bit of a dancing bug inside of everyone. Some say they hate to dance, but do they really, or are they just embarrassed? Luckily at Fitness Ridge everyone gets down and boogies and there is nothing to be embarrassed about! Dancing is an incredible way to have fun, let go of insecurities, AND burn calories! I remember one night while on the show we threw a birthday party for my mom and Ken. A few of us ended up dancing all night and we burned more calories than anyone that day. And we had the most fun!

Every Friday at Fitness Ridge in Malibu head trainer John Yohman leads one of the funnest classes I personally have ever been to, Cardio Disco Jam! Take a look! And if you look close, you'll see a few Biggest Loser's that couldn't contain their dancing bug.



XOXO

SARAH

Guest Highlight

Everyone who met Margie felt it a blessing in their life. There is a light about her that the guests and the staff all benefitted from. We are so proud of her and all of her accomplishments both on the outside and inside. Here she is:



Thanks for all you've taught me, Margie! Can't wait to see you again!

XOXO

SARAH

Eating Out Tips to Implement in the New Year

We do it all the time.  Sometimes more than once a day.  Eating out.  Dinning at restaurants outside of the house.  Sometimes for the pure convenience of not having to grocery shop, cook and clean at home.  Other times it's for the social aspect.  It's such a common occurrence; eating out to meet with friends,  catching up over a meal, or possibly even meeting someone for the first time.  Eating out is convenient, easy and can be really fun.  But depending on where you go and what you order, eating out can wreak havoc on your waistline.


In an effort to curb that from happening, here are 10 tips to always consider when dinning out.  

1. Don't arrive to a restaurant starving!  You're much more likely to eat too quickly and overeat. 
2. Drink water!  Water helps feel you up so you don't overeat on fillers such as bread or chips and salsa.  Add lemon, orange, lime or cucumbers to your water for added flavor. 
3. Look up nutrition and calorie information prior to your arrival.  Be knowledgable!  These days majority of restaurants offer lower calorie meal options.  Utilize your smart phone for this if you're on the go.  I'm sure there's an app for that! 
4. Watch your sodium intake for the remainder of the day.  Remember sodium makes us retain water which in turn make us feel bloated, and that's never a good feeling. 
5. Take time to read the menu.  Be sure you read what the meal entails and if you don't know what an ingredient is, don't be afraid to ask your server.  They're there to help you! 
6. Order lean protein options 'dry-fried' meaning cooked with no oil or butter.  Believe us, the flavor will still be there! 
7. Get creative - don't be afraid to order an appetizer for dinner or an entre from the kids menu.  These portion sizes are better and just as satisfying. 
8. Order your food selections 'undressed' meaning without the creams, sauces, dressings, etc.  Then you can add low calorie condiments like salsa, mustard or balsamic vinegar. 
9. Socialize!  No need to rush through your meal.  Take your time while eating and chew each bite thoroughly.  You will enjoy your meal and a whole lot more.  Also, save on calories by getting extra friendly and sharing your meal. 
10. Substitute.  Swap our for mixed greens, tomato slices, extra veggies, fruit salad in place of fries, coleslaw or mashed potatoes. 

A rule of thumb I personally live by and implement on a daily basis - I choose to eat my calories and not drink them!  There's much more nutritional value for your body in this practice.  Eliminate soda from your diet and keep the alcohol and caffeine consumption to a minimum. 

Eating out is inevitable.  It's going to happen.  So be sure to implement these tips into your healthy eating habits every time you dine out. 


Cheers to health!  Until next time, 


Amanda 

Top 5 New Years Resolutions for Women & Men

It's December 27th.  Christmas has past, Chanukah is nearing an end and our holiday gift lists will soon be 'so last year'.  What do we have our sights on next?  For most of us it's time to focus on our next list.  Not the typical "To-Do" list, but rather our 'Let's make 2012 the best year EVER', New Years resolutions list.  

According to a study conducted by the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, at least 40% of adults make one or more resolutions each year, and at least two-thirds of them vow to change something unhealthy about themselves.  Most resolutions concern weight gain, fitness and smoking. 

Have you given much thought to your 2012 resolution list?  Not to worry if you've answered no.  In an effort to help women and men in their quest for better living, the experts at WebMD have come up with five resolutions to improve physical and mental well-being and provide tips for success.  

Without further adiue, here they are... 

5 New Year's Resolutions for WOMEN:

1.     Eat, But Don't Pig Out  

        To put it simply, attempting to cut out major food groups that you deem 'bad' all       
        together is a recipe for failure (ex: candy, dessert, carbohydrates).  Instead, opt to 
        reduce your intake of these food groups.  This is more realistic approach than the 
        'all-or-nothing' technique. click here for more details


2.     Jump Outside the Box

        Simply put, you don't have to resolve to a gym to be more physically active,
        exercise doesn't have to be done a certain way, at a certain place, or at a certain
        time for a certain amount of time.  Break away from all the misconceptions you
        may have and don't use them as a crutch for an excuse. Set goals that are realistic,
        achievable and well defined. click here for more details 

3.     Guard Against the Bone Thief

        We realize this is not a popular thought, let alone New Years resolution, but
        watching calcium in your diet is very important and contributes to what your bones
        may look like later in life.  Osteoporosis is a major threat for 44 million Americans,
        80% being women, according to the National Institute of Health Osteoporosis and
        Related Bone Diseases.  click here for important details 

4.     Take Health Exams and Get an "A" for Good Health

        Make it a resolution to be up-to-date on health screenings and tests that can help 

        improve your health and your life span! click here for more details 

5.     Move Center Stage 

        Simply put, WOMEN, please make time for YOURSELF!  You deserve it and it MUST
        be  done!  Click here for additional details - please! 

5 New Year's Resolutions for MEN: 

1.     Get Fit


        Pretty simple.  click here for more details 


2.     Watch What You Eat 


        Simply put, don't overindulge.  click here for more details 




3.     Go to the Doctor


        Why is this something that men put off?  Men, PLEASE make this a priority in 2012.   
          click here for important details 


4.     Quit Smoking 


        This is possibly one of the BEST things you can do for yourself, your lungs...and 
        your children! click here for important details 


5.     Ease Stress


        Simply put, talking to someone you trust or partaking in physical activity, are two 
        of the most effective ways for men to ease stress.  Whatever you do, don't hold in 
        your emotions. click here for more details         

We hope you find these resolution tips from WebMD helpful.  For additional information from WebMD, check them out online at http://www.webmd.com/default.htm


Cheers to health!  


Until next time, 


Amanda 

Biggest Loser Season 12 Finale!

I am SO bummed! After the Biggest Loser season 12 finale Sione and I got the chance to do interviews with of the contestants and trainers. I was so excited to share these videos with you but we ran into a problem. The audio didn't work! So although I won't be able to share the backstage videos with you (I mean, I could but all you hear is a lot of loud chatter. Let me know if you'd still like them posted so you can pick up what you can from them!) I luckily took some great behind the scene pictures. Here they are!























Seeing all of the Biggest Loser's and what they have accomplished lately has been amazing. But I have to say that returning back to the resort and seeing the stay-over guests that I haven't seen in a few weeks are do just as amazing has been the greatest. Each of our guests are writing their own story and I feel so blessed to witness it!!

XOXO

SARAH

Holiday Party Survival Tips

Holidays parties and festive munchies are all around us.  Be sure to pack your willpower and better judgement with you this holiday season, as well as these great tips from our Malibu Resort nutritionist Jessica Hummel. 

We hope you will all practice Jessica's holiday party survival tips, and from all of us at The Biggest Loser Resort, may you and your family share a blessed holiday season. 


Cheers to health!  


Until next time, 


Amanda 

Introducing Mimi - Malibu Employee of the Month

A big congratulations to our December Employee of the Month at The Biggest Loser Resort in Malibu, Mimi!!! 




If you've visited us in Malibu in the past, then I am positive you know exactly who I am speaking of. The guests LOVE Mimi and so do we! Here's more information about one of our favorite people!




1. Where are you from?
    
    Camarillo, CA


2. How long have you worked at the BLR Malibu?


    I joined the BLR Team one month after the grand opening last year, so since October  
    2010.


3. What do you do at the BLR Malibu?


    I am a hiking guide and I also work at the front desk.

4. What is your favorite part of your job?


    That is a tough question to answer because there are so many aspects of my job that I    
    really like. In a nutshell, I would have to say meeting the variety of guest that stay here 
    at the ranch; hiking in the magnificent Santa Monica Mountains; having the ability to 
    encourage and help our guests incorporate their health and wellness dreams as a 
    concrete part of their everyday lives.


5. What do you like to do when you aren't working?


    Well if I wasn’t a human I would be a fish. I love the ocean and I enjoy spending time in 
    and on it as much as I can. I paddle competitively for an outrigger team here in Ventura 
    and love it! I also SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board) and I believe it to be one of the best 
    core and cardio workouts. I also volunteer with the Channel Island Naturalist Corp and 
    lead whale watch excursions and am training to lead Island hikes. Nature fascinates me 
    and I try to learn about a new plant/bird each week.


6. What are some of your dreams and aspirations?


    I had to stop a moment and strike a Martin Luther King Jr. pose just to get in the 
    mindset to answer this one. hehee. Well, I must say that I am thankful to live in a day 
    and age were as a woman I can achieve the dreams and aspirations I set. I have 
    traveled and lived in other countries where this is not so. I have a half dozen 
    children’s books (all in different phases) that I’d like to get published in the near 
    future. Here are a few of the working titles, “A Fish Named Sprocket”, “Littles In My 
    Middles,” “Rockland Learns to Fly”, “Sheep and Other Dreams”, just to name a few.


    I just passed my NASM Personal Training exam this week so that is my first step to 
    becoming a trainer in the fitness industry. I would like to incorporate more of an 
    outdoor workout environment into a program I design. I would like to model fitness
    appeal for Title 9. I love the clothes and the model stories are inspiring. I would like to 
    start an after school program called C3 that connects children with the community that 
    emphasizes not only community involvement but health, wellness, art & life tools.


7. What is something about you that people wouldn't know?


    From ages 3-13 I had terrible skin allergies and had a skin rash covering 1/3 of my body.  
    I had to receive inoculations weekly for many years. I was allergic to more things than I 
    can count and its amazing my parents could find food and a habitable place without 
    putting me in a bubble. Growing up that way really gave me a deep appreciation for 
    health and wellness. It made me look at what really mattered. I do not take my days for 
    granted. It’s the little things that bring me much joy.


8.  What do you do to keep yourself motivated?


    Not much, I came out of the box pretty motivated. I know I need to be properly   
    walked daily otherwise I get grumpy. So getting paid to work out is right up my alley.


9.  If you had one piece of advice to share with our BLR online community, what would 
     you tell them? 


    In the words of Oprah, You are not your past. You are not all the things that have 
    happen to you. You are the possibility of what can be.


Wow! Her words just prove how awesome she is! I say it all the time, but I am so humbled by all the amazing and inspiring people I have the blessing to work with. Mimi is beautiful inside and out. I hope you have enjoyed getting to know more about Mimi just as much as I have. Next time you visit us at BLR Malibu please be sure to say hello to Mimi!


Cheers to health!


Until next time,


Amanda
xx

Biggest Loser Alumni Dinner Pics

Hi everyone! I have had many requests to post the pictures that I used in the video since the video was such a tease with pictures flashing so quickly. I still have lost to share about the finale, which is coming to you soon, I promise! Without further adieu....

Health Minded Holiday Gift Ideas

Tis' the season and our holiday shopping deadlines are drawing near. Are you prepared for the season of giving? Today, our Malibu Resort Nutritionist Jessica Hummel shares some health minded gift ideas for your loved ones this holiday season.

Stay tuned later this week for additional healthy holiday advice from Jessica.  


Cheers to health!   Until next time, 


Amanda 

Biggest Loser Alumni Dinner

OH MY GOSH, I feel like I have been gone for so long! I have been all over the place and haven't been able to post for awhile, but I'm back!

First things first, I have an announcement that I am pretty excited about. Remember a month or so ago when I rolled my car on my 2 hour commute to work? Well the chances of that happening again are super slim because my commute from now on will be no more than 15 minutes!!! That's right, my husband and I have officially moved to St. George to be closer to work. This also means that I will be there a heck of a lot more than two days a week! This will be a great move for us and although we are uprooting our lives and moving to a brand new place, we both feel really good about it! My amazing husband moved us in while I was down at the resort in Malibu all last week. More to come on that awesome visit soon.

I am so excited to share with you guys all of the pictures and videos from The Biggest Loser season 12 finale, but we must go in order. On the night before the finale there is a dinner held for all Biggest Loser Alumni. It is hosted by the beautiful chef Devin, who has created all of the recipes in The Biggest Loser cookbooks. This was my first year as an alumni and let me tell you, it was SO fun!!! There were Biggest Loser's from all season's and it was like a family reunion! Check it out:



This was the best lead up to an AMAZING finale! The energy was incredible, everyone looked amazing, the after party was so much fun! But you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see all of our pictures and videos. Stay tuned!

XOXO

SARAH

"Biggest Loser" Season 12 Finale

Congratulations to "Biggest Loser" Season 12 winner John!!!




And 'At-Home-Winner' Jennifer!




And to all the contestants. They look amazing. For a recap of last nights festivities, check this out!

Looking forward to Season 13 "No Excuses" to start in January. It's a great concept...I mean, we are ALL guilty of making excuses.

Cheers to health!

Amanda

Lights, Camera, Finale!

Tonight is the big night for all us Biggest Losers, as we tune in to watch the final three vie for $250,000 and title of "The Biggest Loser" Season 12.

In the season that's promoting the Battle of the Ages, our final three contestants represent only two of the three age groups. Finalist Ramon represents the young 20's group and finalists John & Antone represent the middle aged group, both in their 40's. The one group out of the finals, and therefore excluded from winning the title of Biggest Loser, is the older group with individuals in their 50's/60's.

Which contestant will rise to the occasion and represent their age group as victorious? The winner could circle us back to the long standing question...."Does age really matter?"

And who will return to win the crown as the At-Home-Winner of $100,000.

Regardless of the outcome, these Biggest Losers have achieved major success and are all Big Winners in our book!

Tune in tonight to NBC at 9/8c to watch the live finale and get a sneak peak at Season 13. And be sure to follow The Biggest Loser Resort on Facebook and Twitter to join in on tonight's conversation.

Click here to get caught up on Season 12 of "The Biggest Loser".

Cheers to your health! Until next time,

Amanda

On-the-Go Snack Options

We've ALL been there. So little time, too much to do and you're starved! Eating on the go is never an easy task. And unfortunately, most 'on-the-go' meal options via drive-thru's are a "No No" for us living towards a healthy lifestyle.

So what are we to do? Well, as I'm sure most of you would agree, it means we need to plan ahead. Yes, as if we didn't have enough to do already, we're adding another task to the good ole' "To Do List". The task of planning your healthy meals and snacks ahead of time so you won't catch yourself in a situation with options that are now (hopefully) "off the menu".

Most of us have a health food store close to home. Some are more convenient than others depending on our location. For us in the Southern California we are lucky to have many options. One of my personal favorites, Trader Joe's. I've been shopping here for years. But buyer be ware...just because you're shopping at a 'health' food store don't assume everything is a good purchase. Below, Biggest Loser Resort Malibu Nutritionist Jessica Hummel gives us her top healthy 'on-the-go' snack options and reminds us of the importance of reading serving sizes.

We hope you guys are enjoying our nutrition "tips of the week". If you have questions you'd like Jessica to answer please comment below and we'll answer in the upcoming weeks!

Cheers to health!

Amanda

One Woman's Journey...BLR Malibu Guest Karen Williams

Who better to hear from, and relate to, than someone going through their own journey towards a healthier lifestyle? I would like to introduce Karen Williams.

Karen is a guest here at The Biggest Loser Resort in Malibu, CA. She first visited us on July 31st of this year for eight weeks, to later return on October 2nd to continue her journey. Karen, has extended her to stay until February 12th of next year. She has completely removed herself from her 'real' life to dedicate her time to getting healthy and taking care of herself. Karen decided to create a blog to document her journey for her friends and family, but most importantly for her to always have a keepsake of her struggles and successes along the way.

Karen shares her story

I encourage those of you on your own journey to click HERE. Check-in and follow Karen. Click back through her older posts to learn more about her and most importantly her experience here at BLR. We always tell our guests that it's important to have a partner who you can share your journey with. Someone who can relate to your struggles, share in your achievements and keep you accountable. This support can also be found online! USE IT!!!

http://karenswilliams-biggestloserjourney.blogspot.com/

Karen at her heaviest, 238lbs

Putting in her hard work at BLR Malibu

Proof It's NEVER Too Late

Last week, The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge Malibu had the pleasure of hosting former Season 7 "Biggest Loser" contestants, and 'At-Home Winner', Jerry and his wife Estella Hayes. We ask all former "Biggest Loser" contestants who visit our resorts to speak to our guests regarding their experience on the show and their weight loss journey. Every presentation is inspiring, motivating, and heartfelt. Jerry and Estella's presentation was no different.

Estella & Jerry Hayes (before)

If you missed their season let me give you the rundown. They walked onto the "Biggest Loser" Ranch in January of 2009 as the "White Team" and were, at that time, the OLDEST contestants (Jerry at 64 and Estella at 63 years of age) ever on the show. Estella weighed in at 242lbs and

was voted off week one; not returning until the finale. In her one week at the ranch Estella lost 9lbs. The remainder of her 74lb weight loss took place over eight months all from home. That's right! The majority of her weight loss success took place at HOME- all on her own!

Jerry weighed in at 369lbs and was voted off week two, having lost a total of 26lbs on the ranch. During his first work-out session he passed out and was rushed to the hospital (it was frightening!). However, upon his return to the live finale in May 2009 Jerry had lost a total of 177lbs. That means he too lost the majority of his weight at home! 151lbs to be exact - making Jerry the 'At-Home Winner' of Season 7.

Jerry & Estella Hayes (after)

You're probably thinking, sure Amanda, they did it all 'alone.' That of course, NBC paid for their trainers, nutritionists and everything else once they returned home. "Not true", says Jerry and Estella. "We paid for our own personal training sessions, learned to cook our own healthy meals (and paid for all the groceries), and made it a priority to schedule time to work-out every day."

Yes, they did it on their own, together! In the retirement bracket of ages, Jerry and Estella conquered the myth that they were 'Too Old' to lose weight. They overcame their health issues - high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, gout - and no longer live dependent on medication.

I find their story so inspiring because they are living proof that IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!!! Did you hear me?! It's never too late to make a change. We all control our own destiny. You don't need a television show to start making changes towards a healthy lifestyle.

Whenever I find myself making an excuse about something I 'can't do', I will think of Jerry and Estella's story. I will remember all that they have accomplished and overcome, and I will let their journey serve as a reminder that excuses won't get me closer to my goals.

Now I ask you, what excuses have you made lately? Have you used your age or current health issues as an excuse NOT to work-out and make changes towards living a healthier lifestyle? If you have, remember Jerry and Estella Hayes. Remember how they overcame all adversity and succeeded in not allowing their age and poor health get in the way of living the life they knew they wanted and deserved. You too DESERVE to achieve your goals and dreams! So please, don't let yourself get in the way of your own success.

For additional information on Jerry and Estella Hayes...

http://www.jerryandestellabiggestlosers.com/

http://bit.ly/s6uPan

Until next time,

Amanda