Biggest Loser Resort

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Chuck Pollock

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:21:00 +0000

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Chuck Pollock completed his third week at our Malibu Resort this past weekend. Below, Chuck shares his thoughts as he approaches the beginning of his final week, as well as a video blog he shot on his morning hike yesterday.

3 Weeks Down and 1 To Go!

Well I completed week 3 yesterday, all in all a pretty good week! I definitely have noticed a major improvement with the hikes compared to my first week. And in the gym I have increased the intensity and turned it up a bit.

So on Monday is our evaluation hike to determine which van and which hiking group we will be in for the week. So for the first time I felt great on the hike, and was actually near the front of the group. Now don't get me wrong, my motto is I don't care if I'm first, or if I'm last because we all are doing the hike, and we all are completing the hike, it's not a competition, but I definitely felt good and wanted to step it up a notch. So approximately 3 miles in I start to feel a hot spot on the back of my left ankle, but adjusted my shoe and continued on. It got worse, so near the top of the mountain I stopped and took off the shoe and sock and noticed a skin tear which was pretty large (maybe the size of a quarter). And let me tell you it hurt pretty bad. So it got cleaned and bandaged up, but it kept me out of the hike for the next two days. Well I actually was pretty pissed about this, after all this is the best burn of the day, but I made the best of a bad situation and hit the gym both mornings while the groups where out hiking. By Thursday, I was back on track and marched on.

So our day ended yesterday, and today is the day to say goodbyes to the people leaving. And as I put it to everyone when it was my turn to speak at graduation, the band is broken up as of today. The last 2 people of the original group of friends that embraced mem and looked out for me since my first day here are leaving. Today is a kind of emotional day again for me. I'm going to make the best of it, and I know I must continue on, but like I stated in a previous blog, this journey is about me and learning to look out for myself for once in my life. I will just relax today and take a nice ride and gather my thoughts for a few hours. And I will probably hit the gym tonight as I get ready to tackle my final week here where I started this journey called the rest of my life.

Chuck is making us proud. He's putting 100% effort into the program; never giving up and not making excuses. We're excited to see his progress in his fourth and final week.

If you have encouraging words for Chuck in his final week, please feel free to share them. He'd love to hear from you! ROCK ON CHUCK!

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda

Sarah's "Aha" Moment of the Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Nitta) — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:57:00 +0000

Wow, we have been MIA for a long time and I must admit that I have missed writing to you all! There have been a lot of changes in my personal life that have kept me away but they are exciting changes! My husband and I were chosen to adopt a sweet baby girl due next month. Three weeks after we found out that the birth mom had chosen us, we found out that I was pregnant as well! After years and years of trying, losing over 100 pounds to be healthy enough to carry a child, tons of infertility treatments including two cycles of IVF which both failed it finally happened on our own! So we have two baby girls coming our way very soon!

Because I will become a full time mom to two babies very close in age, we have had to relocate for a better job opportunity for my husband. So I have been busy packing up our house, moving, and unpacking. But we are settling down and getting ready for our new additions. Luckily I will get to stay connected with you all through our social media for just a little while longer!

I had an interesting experience a few days ago that I wanted to share. I was out and about running errands and needed to stop for a quick lunch. Out of all of my options I decided that Subway was the best. There was a woman in front of me that ordered a 6" sandwich. The young man behind the counter informed her that she could make it a $5 footlong and it would only cost her .40 more. To my surprise she declined. "Are you kidding me?" I thought to myself. I couldn't believe it! She could DOUBLE her purchase for .40 and she said no. To me it was a no brainer! That is a lot more food for very little. I couldn't help myself and I had to ask her why she chose to not upgrade and even offered her .40 if she needed. Her response changed my perspective forever.

"Haha, thank you but I don't need forty cents. I just don't need the other 6" of the sandwich. And if I bought it just because it is a great deal then I would most likely be tempted to eat it, but those are extra calories I don't need. I would rather spend less and be satisfied than spend more and feel terrible after. But thank you."

I was stunned. I felt sheepish, to be honest, because she was completely right and I had never thought of it that way! Why spend more just because you end up getting way more food than you need? You ended spending more money, eating more calories, and feeling way worse about yourself. My dad taught me to compare cost per ounce since I was a little girl and this mindset of having to get the best "bang for my buck" has actually been worse for me in cases like this.

I found this experience very eye-opening and I'm glad it happened. Is it just me or has anyone else ever thought this way? I hope this helps open more eyes than just mine!

XOXO

SARAH

"Biggest Loser" Season 13 Finale

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:36:00 +0000

Earlier this week on Tuesday was the Season 13 Finale of NBC's "The Biggest Loser". For any of you that watched the show this season, you may be aware of a unique season that involved a bit more drama and controversy. But one thing remained unchanged, the success of the contestants. The finale of Season 13, like those that proceeded, was inspiring!

The contestant transformations were unbelievably beautiful; both on the outside and the inside! Every "Biggest Loser" finale is a "Biggest Loser" family reunion. Here is a look into how current and past "BL" contestants are doing. I think you'll agree, they all look GREAT!

BLR Malibu Hiking Director TJ with former BL Sam Poueu

Host Alison Sweeney

BL Trainers Dolvett Quince & Bob Harper

Chism weighs in

Nancy weighs in

Cassandra weighs in

Ben weighs in

Daphne weighs in

Waiting for their turn to hit the scale

Adrian weighs in

Emily weighs in

Megan weighs in

Kimmy weighs in

Gail weighs in

Lauren weighs in

JEREMY WINS!

BLR Utah trainer Sione Fa with Red Team Roy & Christine

Sione Fa with Orange Team Cassandra & Nancy

Sione Fa with Aqua Team Adrian & Daphne

Sione Fa with Purple Team Kimmy & Megan

Sione Fa with Pink Team Member Emily

Sione Fa with Bob Harper

BLR Malibu Marketing Coordinator Amanda Fitz (ME) with Dolvett Quince

BL Season 13 Winner Jeremy with former BL contestant Courtney Crozier

Sione Fa with BL Season 13 Winner Jeremy

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Rob Cohn & me

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winners Mary Cisco & Chuck Pollock

BL former contestants Jerry & Estella Hayes

(love them!)

Former BL Contestants (twins) Dan & Don Evans and Ruben Hernandez

BLR former guests & Malibu Hiking Director TJ with Kim.

(She looks AMAZING!)

Me & Conda (She is stunning & so nice)

Former BL contestants Ramon Medeiros, Courtney Rainville, Jessica Limpert & TJ

Former BL contestants Patrick House (Season 10 Winner), Ruben Hernandez & Frado Dentin

Former BL contestant "Boston" Johnny Forger

Former BL contestants Olivia Ward (Season 11 Winner) & Ruben Hernandez

Former BL contestants Jessica Limpert & Ramon Medeiros

(They're adorable!)

BLR contestants Ron & Christine

(They look Great!)

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into what was an inspiring and beautiful evening! Congratulations to ALL "Biggest Loser" contestants, past & present.

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda Fitz

5 Easy Ways to Survive the Grocery Store

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Nitta) — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Our Utah dietician Amanda helps us with some tips for the grocery store. I know I get stressed out sometimes trying to survive a shopping trip, and these tips definitely help!

XOXO

SARAH

1. Never Go Hungry

If you want a recipe for disaster, step foot into a grocery store with an empty stomach. Suddenly, you’ll forget that you were going to prepare salmon and asparagus for dinner and go straight for the snacks and frozen pizza. Planning to shop after a meal is always the best idea, but if you are on a sudden time crunch, try to get something sustainable (yogurt, string cheese, bread/peanut butter) in your belly before hitting the store.

2. Make a List

And check it twice! Shopping with a list allows you to prepare meals for a week and greatly reduces the chance that your fruits or veggies will go bad during the week. It also prevents you from buying foods you already have in your pantry. Ex) Day 1: English Muffin with egg, cheese, tomato, and spinach; Day 2: Spinach Salad; Day 3: Stir-Fry with chicken, brown rice, spinach, and frozen veggies; Day 4: Brown rice pilaf with spinach, tomato, and black beans

3. Peruse the Perimeter

Grocery stores make it easy on us. Almost all of them are organized where our fresh fruits and veggies, fresh meats, and dairy products are around the perimeter of the store. Now, I definitely feel like aisle shopping is necessary for whole grains, beans, and frozen fruits/veggies. But other than that, we are generally just picking up foods with much less nutrition than along the perimeter. In general, make your cart look like your plate: half veggies and fruit, a quarter whole grains, and a quarter lean proteins.

4. Read Labels

How else will you know what you’re getting? Be sure to check out how many servings are in the item you’re buying and look for a whole, short ingredient list. Remember, even though the product is brown or says “no high fructose corn syrup” doesn’t mean it is a health food! Check for other added sugars and look for “whole grain flour” on your labels while avoiding partially hydrogenated oils and artificial sweeteners. It is easy to label read when we’re perimeter shopping since we have so few items with labels!

5. Shop Once a Week

If we’re shopping only once a month then what is usually happening? We’re losing produce that’s going bad (or not buying it), we’re eating out a lot, or buying lots of processed foods with a long shelf life. Shopping once a week, with a list, can greatly decrease your waste and food cost. Also, if you have kids, find a babysitter and have this as enjoyable time away from the kids or date night with your loved one! Make it fun!

-Amand Turner

BLR YEAR OF YOU Update

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

As most of you know, weekends at the BLR are busy, and bittersweet. It's at this time that we bid adue to parting guests and say hello to new, incoming guests. Here's what happened this weekend at BLR Malibu...

On Saturday, our second 'YEAR OF YOU' Winner Lyndee Hugen completed her four-week stay at The Biggest Loser Resort Malibu and departed back home to Iowa. It's two days later and, like our first YOY Winner Monk Wells, she is already dearly missed. In her four weeks at BLR Lyndee lost 18 pounds, 14 inches off her hips, waist & chest, and 3.2% body fat.

Continue to follow Lyndee on her personal blog here:
http://fattofitinthe515.blogspot.com

"Winning!! Most amazing experience ever." - Lyndee Hugen

Sunday, our third 'YOY' Winner Chuck Pollock arrived to our Malibu Resort from Rhode Island. Today, Chuck begins his first full day of our program and will be with us for the next four-weeks.

We are so excited to welcome him here and we hope you follow his journey!

Follow Chuck on his personal blog here:

http://chuckpollock.blogspot.com

Be sure to check in for details on Chuck's journey at the BLR and for updates on Lyndee and Monk's progress at home.

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda

BLR Top Smartphone Apps for Health & Fitness

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Smartphones. These days, just about everyone has one. What makes smartphones so fantastic are the variety of applications available for download that provide access to information at the touch of your fingertip. Some apps can really make life easy. Suri on the other hand, she's debatable.

For those of you with iPhones, Androids or BlackBerries, here is a list of some of our favorite health, fitness and exercise apps.

***Please note: not all apps listed below are available on Android or BlackBerry smartphones.

MyFoodFacts

($1.99)

We recommend this app for anyone that suffers from food allergies. With this app you can:
~Get alerts you if the product you are scanning contains any

potential allergens or allergen derivatives.
~Scan any product and get an easy to read, searchable list of

ingredients information instantly.

~Personalize MyFoodFacts to your specific food allergens.

NutriSleuth

($4.99)

Similar app to MyFoodFacts. For those with food allergies.

iMapyMyFitness

(free)

This app uses your GPS to track your outdoor workouts. Once you start the app, it tracks your time, distance, pace, speed, elevation and more.

~Real-time tracking & an interactive map so you can see where you've been.
~The ability to view your workout history online.
~Manually enter workout information for other cardio or strength training

workouts.
~Tweet your workouts to friends on Twitter.
~Voice feedback on things like distance, pace or speed.
The company also offers apps for running, cycling and walking.

Tap & Track (Calorie Counter)

($3.99)

Tap & Track offers tons of features for people who want to track everything from food calories to exercise. They offer an extensive food database with 300,000 food items and 700 restaurants, while the workout database has over 180 exercises. This app is that it works offline, so you don't need an internet connection to search the food database, and it also allows you to add foods and build your own recipes. With this app, you can:

~Track calories eaten.
~Track calories burned.
~Track carbs, protein, fat, fiber, sodium, sugar and more.
~Set diet plans and weight loss goals.

Glucose Buddy

(free)

Tracks glucose readings you enter four times a day, as well as food consumed, exercise, and medication. You can set alarms to remind you to take the glucose readings.

Nike+GPS

($1.99)

Improve your performance with one of the world's most popular running apps. Track your pace and route with the iPhone's GPS and accelerometer, even pinpoint where you slowed down and sped up.

CyclemeterGPS

($2.99)

Go faster and farther by monitoring the time, location, distance, elevation and speed of your rides. This full-featured GPS tracker helps you compete against yourself or other riders.

Daily Burn

(free)

Achieve your fitness goals by eating and exercising smarter. Watch your calorie intake with a database of over 350,000 foods and find the perfect workout with detailed exercise videos.

Trailhead

(free)

Over 300,000 great trails and now in your pocket. Search by proximity with your phones GPS or by activity to find the best route for your next hike, bike ride or climb.

GoodFoodHealthyRecipes

($2.99)

Eat better with over 175 healthy recipes right on your phone. Helpful videos show how to prepare nutritious meals, including 35 delicious dishes that contain less than 200 calories.

HeartWise
($0.99)

Let's you enter your blood pressure readings along with your pulse and weight. The app will calculate your average arterial pressure and generate graphs showing fluctuations over time.

SleepCycleAlarmClock
($0.99)

Finds the best time during a chosen 30-minute period to wake you. You place your phone on a corner of your mattress, secure it under a contour sheet, and allow it to “observe” you for a few nights. Using its built-in motion sensor, the phone gets to know your sleep patterns well enough to find the best moment to wake you.

PocketFirstAid&CPR
($1.99)

From the American Heart Association, offers detailed instructions for assisting accident victims and those who fall ill, including video instructions for performing procedures like CPR or using a cardiac defibrillator. Some of the instructions are too lengthy and intricate to be first used during a crisis, so you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the content first.

MosquitoBuster
($0.99)

An extremely simple app that lets you use your phone to replace standard mosquito repellants such as sprays and candles. Turn on the app, and your phone will emit a high-frequency pitch that is inaudible to humans but drives mosquitoes crazy enough to stay away. Solution to mosquito-borne diseases?

Meal Snap
($2.99)

Makes calorie-counting easy and somewhat magical. Use your phone to snap a picture of any food or drink, and the system will automatically identify and provide the estimated caloric breakdown of your meal. Food tracking has never been easier.

Have we left out any apps that you favor for nutrition and exercise use? Let us know. We'd love to hear from you and we hope you get the opportunity to enjoy some of these apps on your smartphone!

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda

Spring Challenge: Try New Veggies

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Nitta) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Who is up for a good challenge? This post is brought to you by our fantastic Utah dietician, Amanda Turner. Trust me, she knows her stuff!

XOXO

SARAH

The great thing about the warmer months is that getting in more fruits and veggies can be that much easier. Who doesn’t love grilling or picnicking with friends and family? However, instead of doing the same old salad and carrots, broaden your horizon at the grocery store!

New veggies can be intimidating, especially if you aren’t sure how to prepare them. But there are tons of varieties that taste great and can really add some variety to your plate and your nutrition. Well what should I buy, you ask? These veggies are commonly in season for the spring:

Artichokes

Asparagus

Belgian Endive

Bell Peppers

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Celery Root

Celery

Chives

Collard Greens

Daikon Radish

English Peas

Fava Beans

Fennel

Fiddlehead Ferns

Ginger

Kohlrabi

Lettuce

Mushrooms

Mustard Greens

Onions

Potatoes

Radishes

Rhubarb

Snow Peas

Sorrel

Spinach

Sweet Corn

Sugar Snap Peas

Vidalia Onions

Watercress

Let’s learn more about kohlrabi. It can range from a purple color to a greenish and is a cruciferous veggie that has a taste similar to cabbage with a turnip kick. You’ll notice it at the store because it looks like it’s having a bad hair day. . .

Adding this into your meals will provide you with more vitamin C, fiber, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, folate, and experts believe it is a potent protector of colorectal cancers.

To cook kohlrabi, peel the outer skin and dice it if you’d like. Then you can roast it at 350F for 10-20 minutes, stirring frequently (add in a small amount of canola oil and seasoning of choice). Or, try mixing it with your other favorite veggies for stir-fry night. Let me know how it goes or what your favorite kohlrabi recipe is!

-Amanda Turner

Biggest Loser Resort at Safelite Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Nitta) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:00:00 +0000

This past weekend our resort had the opportunity to send down four Biggest Loser Contestants to participate in the Safelite Challenge. You've heard the commercials with the little jingle that gets stuck in your head, "Safelite repair, Safelite replace!" Anyway, Safelite is a fantastic company that has participated in the Rage Triathlon for the past three years. Four of the Biggest Losers, Sione Fa season 7 and myself, Sarah Nitta season 11, who work at the Ivins resort, and Dan and Jackie Evans from season 5 went down to Las Vegas and joined the other 250+ participants in the sprint triathlon, duathlon, or 5k.

I was excited for this event because we got to be involved, share our stories and motivate others, and get good exercise during the event. I had no idea how this event would touch my heart and motivate me to do more.

The Safelite challenge was a fundraiser for Afrika Tikkun. 100% of all funds raised by employees would be donated to help these beautiful kids in South Africa have hope for a better life. The greatest part was meeting the four boys that had worked hard and won the opportunity to come from South Africa to Las Vegas for the event. We got to know them and their vibrant and loving personalities. They participated in the relay triathlon and never once stopped smiling. This was their first experience on an airplane, in a hotel, at a restaurant, etc. It was very moving to watch their smiles as they experienced things for the very first time that we take for granted every day.

Thank you, Safelite, for letting us take part in such a great cause, for encouraging your millions of employees to put their health first, and for teaching the importance of giving to those less fortunate.

XOXO

SARAH

Starch Madness  with BLR Registered Dietician Emily Fonnesbeck

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:40:00 +0000

Starch Madness 

by Emily Fonnesbeck, RD, CD, The Biggest Loser Resort Ivins

Carbs. A word that elicits fear in any dieter. But you aren’t a dieter! Low-carb diets are a thing of the past; instead let’s focus on balance and quality. I do believe that Americans over-consume low-quality carbohydrates. However, carbohydrates themselves shouldn’t be feared. There are many ways to incorporate complex carbohydrates, or a variety of grains, and still meet your weight loss or healthy lifestyle goals.

Typically carbohydrates are associated with deep-dish pizzas, large plates of pasta, loaves of bread, bags of chips and sugar-laden beverages. Even when trying to eat whole grains, most people get stuck in the rut of whole wheat breads, cereals and pastas. But just like we want a variety of any other food group, we want a variety of whole grains. Some examples include:

• Quinoa

• Brown rice

• Buckwheat

• Millet

• Amaranth

• Oats

If you have been to the Resort, you may have tried some of these already. I encourage you to seek them out at your grocery store. They are easily prepared and most are very quick cooking. Regardless of quality, any grain or complex carbohydrate can easily be over consumed. Aim for 1/2 - 1 cup serving per meal. This is equivalent to two golf balls or a baseball. In order to watch serving size:

• Load your plate with non-starchy vegetables (ex: broccoli, kale, asparagus, Brussels sprouts,

cauliflower, leafy greens, etc.) to add volume to your meal and leave less room for grains.

• Only cook the amount you will need OR once a large batch is finished cooking, pre-portion

out single servings before sitting down to your meal.

• Keep your fist as a guide. If the serving is longer than a loose fist, you’re probably consuming

too much.

In addition, grains can be swapped for starchy vegetables as well. Some examples of these

include:

• Beans

• Sweet potatoes

• Corn

• Spaghetti, butternut or acorn squash

• Parsnips

• Turnips

A favorite substitution of mine is using spaghetti squash instead of pasta. Just cut the squash

in half, place face down on a baking sheet covered with tin foil and bake for 30-45 minutes.

Once cooled a bit, use a fork to scrape the flesh to resemble spaghetti noodles. Top with your

favorite meat marinara or pesto sauce.

Last but not least, carbohydrates must always be paired with a protein and/or fat. (This also includes simple carbohydrates such as fruit). Not only will you feel better and more satisfied, it will also ensure proper and balanced nutrition to fuel your weight loss. Here are a few ideas:

• Veggie omelet with sweet potato or fruit

• Quinoa lettuce wraps with ground turkey

• Taco salad with chicken and beans

• Lean beef and brown rice stir fry with vegetables

• 2% Greek yogurt with fruit

• Hummus with olive oil and veggies

• Apple with peanut or almond butter

A balanced and nutritionally sound meal can include complex carbohydrates. Just think

outside the box! Adding starchy vegetables or new grains to a meal complete with protein and

veggies is always a good approach to health. Happy eating!

BLR Employee of the Month | APRIL 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:00:00 +0000

This month we are pleased to introduce, BLR Employee of the Month, Alicia Castro. Alicia is a Southern California native and has worked at our Malibu resort for the past ten months. There's no arguing that Alicia has been a great addition to our staff. The guests love her and so do we!

Below, we sit down with Alicia to get to know her even better.

BLR: Where from Southern Cali are you from?

AC: I am from Hacienda Heights, CA.

BLR: What do you do at BLR Malibu?
AC: I am a hike guide and a motivator!

BLR: You're definitely one of our best! I don't think we've ever had a guest
that didn't genuinely appreciate you.

BLR: Tell us, what do you enjoy most about being a hike guide at BLR?
AC: I love being a witness to the transformations and lifestyle changes the
guests all go through. I am lucky enough to stay in contact with many
guests from the Resort through social media. When they send me
messages, or post on their walls what they are doing, or where they are
in their journey, it makes me so happy to see that they are happy with
their healthy lifestyles.

BLR: What do you do in your spare time when you're not working?
AC: Being a part of the fitness and wellness community I think it is important
to lead by example. After hiking in the mornings with our guests, I like to
do additional workouts or fun outdoor activities. Snowboarding is my
passion during the winter. Surfing or bodyboarding at the beach are
something I like to do in the summertime. Or, if I don’t want to get in
the water, I’ll bust out my longboard skateboard and cruise on the
boardwalk.

BLR: What are some of your dreams and aspirations?

AC: For the past 3 years I have been working and training hard at becoming

a professional firefighter. I love to help people and this is the next

challenge in my life.

Alicia with the Fire Academy

BLR: Tell us something about you that we wouldn't know?

AC: I once auditioned for MTV’s "Road Rules" and ABC’s "Wipeout". I got far

in the process only to not be chosen in the end. I am a reality TV show

junkie! I mostly like competition shows like NBC's "The Biggest Loser",

MTV’s "The Challenge", "Survivor" and "Wipeout."

BLR: Too bad! We would have loved to watch you on "Wipeout"!

BLR: What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

AC: To be honest, and this might sound cheesy, but our guests at the Resort

motivate me to come to work everyday and work hard for them because

they work hard for themselves.

BLR: If you had one piece of advice to share with our BLR online community,

what would you share with them?

AC: It’s not just about getting to the finish line…it’s about going above and

beyond when you get there. Set your goals high, but make them

realistic.

Alicia w/BLR guest - Nameste!

We hope you have enjoyed getting to know BLR Malibu Employee of the Month Alicia Castro. She's definitely an asset to the BLR Family and we wish her all the best in her quest to become a firefighter!

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda Fitz

We've Got the Beat!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:51:00 +0000

Music. Some might say it helps makes the world go round. Others claim music is a universal language. What we know for certain, music is essential to our program at The Biggest Loser Resort.

Music helps to motivate during a workout. It gives you that added push to kick-up your effort to the next level. Music can also sooth you after a long day. It can make you smile, it can make you laugh, it can make you cry. Either way, we know that we wouldn't want to live without it. We LOVE music!!!

All our trainers have a unique sound and preference while in class. Below, our BLR Malibu trainers share some of their favorite playlists.

Cameron's 'Stretch' Playlist:

Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
John Mayer - Georgia
John Legend - Ordinary People
3 Doors Down - Be Like That
Seal - I Can't Stand the Rain
Tom Petty - Breakdown
Jack Johnson - Flake
The Fray - Heartless (Kanye West cover)
John Mayer - Free Fallin' (acoustic)
John Mayer - Gravity
Aerosmith - Dream On
Bob Marley - Three Little Birds
Seal - Walk On By

Carol's 'Cardio' Playlist:

Coldplay - Every Teardrop is a Waterfall
Enrique Iglesias - I Like How it Feels
Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger
Bon Jovi - Livin' on a Prayer
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Give it Away
Cee Lo Green - Forget You
Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind
Train - Save Me San Francisco
Neon Trees - Animal
Adele - Rumor Has It
Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow
Rihanna - S&M
Coldplay - Paradise

Katina's 'Circuit' Playlist:

Pink - Raise Your Glass
Christina Aguilera
Cee Lo Green - Forget You
Rihanna - We Found Love
Nicki Minaj - Super Bass
Rachael Lampa - You Life Me Up
Katy Perry - Firework
Pink - So What
Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

Tonia's 'Treading' Playlist:

Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Alicia Keys - Heartburn
Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me
Def Leppard - Rock of Ages
Eminem - Lose Yourself (censored)
Foo Fighters - Walk
Iron Madien - Run Into the Hills
Katy Perry - ET
Katy Perry - Part of Me
Melissa Etheridge - Giant
Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train
P.O.D. - Alive
Prince - 1999
Rise Against - Savior
Survivor - Eye of the Tiger

Tina's 'Stretch' Playlist:

Lifescapes , Calming Seas - Hope Eternal
Deuter - Blessing
Mark Isham - My Wife with Champagne Shoulders
Stroutsos, Gary & Clipman - Sea of Clouds
Deuter - Dammerschein
Bliss ft. Sophie Barker - Breathe
Enya - Hope Has a Happy Place
Ray LaMontagne - Deeply, Madly
Pure Moods - Inner Peace
Lifescapes, Calming Seas - Surrender

Those are some of the tunes playing at the BLR Malibu. What tunes are you rocking to on your playlist? Any good suggestions for us? We'd love to hear them!

Cheers to health (and great beats) in life,

Amanda Fitz

Encouraging Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Nitta) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:00:00 +0000

I will never forget my first day on The Biggest Loser. Our first workout was, by far, the hardest thing I had ever physically done in my entire life. To tell you the truth I cried into my pillow that night and wanted to go home because I didn't think I could do it. But I didn't go home! And it turned out that I COULD do it, all I needed was a little encouragement until I believed in myself.

I have heard many guests here say similar things about their first day because self-doubt tried to get the best of them, but how the encouragement from those around them carried them through! A guest this week, Trish Schaufer, shared something with me that warmed my heart so much. Trish's daughter teaches 2nd grade and she had her class make these encouraging letters for her mom. She mailed them off in hopes to encourage her mom throughout her stay. I'm pretty sure it worked!

The notes were so cute that I had to share with you what advise these little 2nd graders had to offer. Side note, I left everything spelled and written the way they were.

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

Stay srong and keep it. We’re couting on you to keep it going! We love you. And you rock.

Love,

Ella Grace

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

You can never give up. You are ice and beautiful and you can never give up and I no you can do it and I love so much.

Love,

Jenni

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

Go for it! You can do it, we are all trusting in you. I no you can. We all truseting you do it can truseting you. Say what? Do not give up, kep up the good werk.

Love,

Oliver

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

You are so nice Mrs. Schaufler and you got this and we’re counting on you. Stay strong and you rock. I believe in you and I know you can do it.

Love,

Lilly

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

We believe in you. Don’t give up. You rock Mrs. Schaufler. You can do it. Keep it up. I know you can do it. You are awesome.

Love,

Catherine

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

My haret is melting. I love you to. And I love you so so! I melting your haret.

Love,

Christian

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

You melt my haret. You rock. You are awesome. Don’t give up. You can do it. Go for it. Keep it going. You are doing great.

Love,

Yessenia

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

I love you Mrs. Schaufler. Mrs. Schaufler, you rock. You can do it, Mrs. Schaufler. Do not give up Mrs. Schaufler. We’re counting on you, Mrs. Schaufler!

Love,

Julio

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

Stay strong. You can do it. Go for it. Keep it going up.

Love,

David

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

Trish, I think you rock and never give up. Trish, always stay focused and eat healthy! Trish, I think you are very smart and nice.

Love,

Bryce

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

I now you can do it, Mrs. Schaufler. You are so cool. Be very healthy. Get lots of istrside (exercise) so you can be healthy. I now you can do it. You rock.

Love,

Mariso

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

You rock. Do not give up. I so believe in you. Your so awesome.

Love,

Susana

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

You can do this you rocket because you are awesome and you are a great mom. You no why because you are pretty in you are nise.

Love,

Sajey

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

Go Mrs. Schaufler you can do it, and you rock so keep on going don’t give up you are strong. And you are pretty.

Love,

Gracie

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

You can do it! You still got it, stay strong. We’re counting on you. You rock, keep it going. You’re doing great. Build your muscles!

Love,

Shlok

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

You are so nice. You are doing great and I love you. And all of us will count on you. And you can do it.

Love,

Maria

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

I am prawd of you fr be strang and you are cool becuse you arr awesome. I love you so so much.

Love,

Logan

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

Come on Mrs. Schaufler you can do it!! I believe in you!! You!! rock Come on Mrs. Schaufler you!! are awesome!! Don’t give up!!!

Love,

Avery

Dear Mrs. Schaufler,

All of are clas is counting on you, don’t give up! Allways keep it coming, and you have strong muscles.

Love,

Nicole

So sweet, right? Encourage those around you and in the act you will end up encouraging yourself. I get to experience that almost every day! I work at the greatest place in the world. =)

XOXO

SARAH

BLR Alkaline Arugula Smoothie

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Are you feeling adventurous today? If so, try the unique smoothie recipe below that is designed to give your body an alkaline boost. Watch out - it’s lean, green and tasty!

Alkaline Arugula Smoothie

By Derek Johnson

BLR Executive Nutrition Director

1 serving of protein powder (whey or non-dairy)

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk, almond milk or water

1 cup arugula, tightly packed

1 tablespoon walnuts

1 ripe pear

1 quarter-size piece of fresh ginger, peeled

3 ice cubes

Instructions: Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 full minute.

Yield: 1 generous serving.

Advance preparation: Enjoy right away.

Cheers to (mixing things up and) health in life!

Amanda

Greek Yogurt Boosts!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Nitta) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Today is a special treat and we get to hear a little advice from one of our Utah dieticians, Amanda Turner. I have learned to LOVE greek yogurt, so this information is awesome!! Enjoy!

So, you’ve heard that plain Greek yogurt is good for you but you just can’t get over that plain flavor! Experiment in your kitchen; I mean, what’s the worst that can happen. . . you toss a couple before you get the right combo?

To start, try a few of these combinations mixed with 6-8 ounces of yogurt for an under 200 calorie snack.
• ½ teaspoon vanilla, ½ cup peaches (1 small peach thinly sliced) and a dash of cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon natural peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons sliced raw almonds
• ½ teaspoon vanilla, ½ cup berries (can mash them to release more juice)
• 1 tablespoon honey, ¼ cup pureed cucumber
• ½ tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 packet stevia or 1 tablespoon honey
• Like spice? Can also use jalepenos or tabasco to kick it up a notch

Why go Greek? For 6 ounces of fat-free or low-fat yogurt, you get around 100 calories and 18 grams of protein. The high protein content will keep you feeling full longer and the plain version allows you to create as many flavors as you’d like. With very little processing and endless possibilities, it’s a perfect snack!

-Amanda

Yumm!!! Is there anything else you've tried that you think we'd like?? Let us know!

XOXO
SARAH

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Lyndee Hugen

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:18:00 +0000

Earlier this week I sat down with YEAR OF YOU Winner Lyndee Hugen to follow up on her first week here at BLR Malibu. Here's what Lyndee had to share about her experience as a 'first-weeker'.

Big congratulations to Lyndee for beginning her weight loss journey at HOME and successfully losing 90lbs. That just shows her hard work, dedication and determination to live a healthier lifestlye. In only seven days at BLR Malibu, Lyndee lost just under 10lbs, 8.5 total overall inches and 2% body fat - WOW! Not surprisingly Lyndee is rocking it again in her second week and will weigh in again this upcoming Sunday. As we all know, week two is notorious for being rough and hard on the body but we're confident that Lyndee will continue to see positive results.

For more from Lyndee check out her personal blog as well as her guest blog for the Des Moines Register. And to learn more about how she began her journey at home - you have to read this article!

Be sure to check back next week for Lyndee's week two update. GO LYNDEE!!!

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Monk Wells Goes Home

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:24:00 +0000

Earlier this week BLR Malibu said goodbye to several guests, as we always do on Sundays. One guest in particular we bid adieu to was our first YEAR OF YOU winner Monk Wells. As most of you know, Monk was one of ten winners of our first ever YEAR OF YOU video contest on Facebook, winning four free weeks at our Malibu Resort.

After completing his four weeks at the 'Bu', as most of our guests like to call it, Monk extended his stay for an additional week at his own expense. He extended his stay because he just didn't feel as though he was mentally, physically and emotionally ready to go home. After his fifth and final week, we are all confident that Monk will have high success adjusting to life back at home and implementing all he's learned at the 'Bu'. (photo: me and Monk)

On his final day, Monk sat down with me and shared his insight to his journey at BLR.

In five weeks Monk has lost over 50lbs and a total of 20 inches. We are so incredibly proud of Monk. Not just for his weight loss, but for what he's gained. Monk has gained the confidence in himself and the knowledge that he can overcome his self doubt and attain any goal he sets his mind to. We are confident that Monk will continue to succeed along his journey at home. We will continue to follow his journey and encourage you to do the same on his personal blog at http://monkwells.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook!

Here's a peek into what Monk has done this week upon his return home:

Monk Wells

‎5 weeks ago I couldn't do a mile with out hurting, today did 6 and still ready for more. Now having lunch at Subway with Opie. It's not 2500 calories at the Resort after a Hike, but I still will take almost 1400. — at Subway.

Go MONK! Keep pushing hard and know that we're all rooting for you!!!

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda

Biggest Loser Resort Staff Break Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Nitta) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:00:00 +0000

It doesn't matter who you are or how much you love your job, everyone needs a little break in the day to rejuvenate. Some people take some time to call home, others relax in the break room, run to grab something to eat, run errands etc. Our staff like to plan a break around the same time so that they can spend their break time together doing something that they all love. Take a look! You'll find our chef, members of our housekeeping staff, front desk, dietician, kitchen staff, and our general manager all getting in on the action. This is what a 3 o'clock break for the staff at Fitness Ridge looks like: It's always fun to see some behind the scenes footage, right? What these staff members are doing is a brilliant idea! I know that not every job site has a basketball court on it, but getting in some exercise on your break is a great idea, especially if you are having a hard time finding the time to exercise with your busy schedule. Several years ago I started visiting a chiropractor. I became friends with the girl at the front desk and was shocked when she showed me a picture of herself from two years earlier. She had lost over 80 lbs and looked like a completely different person! When I asked her how she did it, she explained that just over a year ago she started a new practice; she started jogging on her lunch break. She was very slow at first, but she didn't stop. Every day, even in the awful summer heat, she spent the majority of her lunch break running. She would leave a little time at the end to eat her lunch that she had prepared before work. She had children that she had to get ready for school in the morning and too much going on after work to exercise, but she wanted to change her life so she figured out a way to do it. It wasn't easy. She hated getting ready for work in the morning knowing she was going to sweat it off in a few hours and have to do it again, but she did what she had to do. I learned a lot from her story. Time is one of the biggest excuses we all have, but as they say, "when there's a will, there's a way!" If you are struggling to fit exercise into your schedule, what are some things that could be shifted around to make it possible? I know it's hard, but the results of feeling healthy are worth every bit of sacrifice! XOXO, SARAH

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Lyndee Hugen

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 23:42:00 +0000

HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT BLR 'YEAR OF YOU' WINNER LYNDEE HUGEN'S BLOG YET? SHE'S DOING AN AWESOME JOB OF SHARING HER JOURNEY WITH ANYONE AND EVERYONE. IT'S A GREAT INSIDE PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT IT'S LIKE TO VISIT BLR FOR THE FIRST TIME. SHE SHARES THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY OF THE JOURNEY. HER WORDS ARE REAL! THAT'S WHY WE LOVE IT.

BELOW, WE SHARE LYNDEE'S MOST RECENT POST:

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

TGI...oh wait

Tomorrow is Friday, which would be awesome if I were at work or in any sort of reality. Here at BL Resort, it doesn’t have the same kind of reward. Yes, I get to do disco jam (think Zumba to Disco) and finish my day of classes in the pool, so that’s excellent. But I don’t get two days off after that like a normal person would. Saturday morning bright and early I can opt for a 2 hour cardio attack or a 2 hour hike, both of which will be followed by a two hour Last Chance Workout. Not much like my lazy Saturdays of old. Sunday though will be a rest day. I shall do laundry, blog, skype with family, make phone calls, go for a swim…ok, maybe I won’t rest until May?

Today was a tough day as well. Yes, I realize this is becoming a pattern. Ha! Who knew something called Ball Works could totally kick your butt? Not I, but I do now! Think BodyPump on crack, while sitting on a stability ball. Yeah, it’s that much fun. Followed by Treading which was a cardio class where you push your max for 5 minutes, recover for 4, push max for 4, recover, 3, recover, 2, recover, 1, recover and then 1 at a level that you don’t think you will survive but somehow you do. I did Jacob’s ladder for the three minute interval. If you’ve never seen this machine, think mid-evil torture device. Climbing a ladder you will never reach the top of. It is hard as hell but I did it. And as I came off of there, gasping for air, I was so proud of myself for being brave enough to step out of my comfort zone treadmill and try, and then to be able to actually do it! Then, when the class ended the guy next to me, that I like to call Wild Billie gave me a great compliment. Everyone here is defined by their week. I’m a first week-er. He’s in his fourth. Anyway, Wild Billie looks at me and says he can’t believe I’m a first weeker. He says I’m really strong and pushing really hard for being four days in. He says he can’t even imagine what I will be doing when I hit week four. And I have to smile and agree with him. The possibilities are endless. He jokes that the trainer will yell stop but I’ll be going so fast and focused I’ll just run through the glass and keep on going. I say I might run all the way back to Iowa. Then I visualize Forrest Gump running across the country and slap myself back to reality because I can’t even commit to running a half marathon and I really much prefer planes. Point being though, it was really nice to receive a compliment like that, especially from a fourth weeker. It was also the second day in a row that a trail guide has told me I should definitely be in a higher van for the hikes. I’m totally cool with where I am right now because my ankle is still adjusting to the hikes and I love the group in my van. They are great ladies that help me push myself further each day. Next week, I will request to be moved up. Also, as we were leaving Chesebro Park today in our Biggest Loser Resort van, after our hike, there was a group of cyclists that were taking pictures of the van, apparently thinking we were on the show. Hilarious.

It’s hard to believe I’ve only been here for four days. It feels like it’s been much longer than that. Every day I reaffirm that this is the gift of a lifetime and that the Lyndee 2.0 that returns from Malibu is going to blow surprise everyone, especially the original Lyndee 1.0.

congratulations to lyndee! she has accomplished so much in her first week and we are so excited to see her continued progression over the next three weeks.

for more insight from lyndee on her weight loss journey check out her blog "Fat to fit in the 515."

check back next week when lyndee sits down on-camera and shares more DETAILS of her first week at blr malibu.

cheers to health in life,

amanda

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Lyndee Hugen

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:44:00 +0000

You voted for her - Lyndee Hugen, our second YEAR OF YOU Winner to visit BLR Malibu. She will be staying with us for the entire month of April. We are beyond excited to have her here!

"This is totally Awesome! And it's only day three!" - Lyndee shared her excitement with us. It's hard work, and she's doing great. For more insight from Lyndee, read her personal blog here.

GO Lyndee! Day three and you're rocking it! Push through the soreness and give it all you've got!

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda

Even Cellos Need Fitness Ridge

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Nitta) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:10:00 +0000

We are no strangers to music here at Fitness Ridge. You'll find upbeat tunes blasting during our cardio classes, softer melodies playing in our zen room, relaxing sounds during your massage, fun songs accompanying the videos and pictures at the end of week video played at graduation, and of course countless artists and genres playing in the ears of guests through ipods or cell phones. What can we say? Music gets us going!

The Piano Guys is a music duo consisting of well-known piano player Jon Schmidt and cellist Steven Sharp Nelson. They have become famous through You Tube, where they post videos of renditions and mashes of popular songs mixed with their professional videos. The are AWESOME and receive millions of views on their videos.

We were really excited when The Piano Guys asked if The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge could be a part of their newest video! This video is hilarious, these guys are geniuses, and we are happy that we could take part in such a great message, too!

Watch as the cello sees the side effects of over eating and what he does about it.

See, everyone can benefit from Fitness Ridge!! Feel free to share this video with anyone that you think would enjoy it. Have a great day!!

XOXO

SARAH

BLR YEAR OF YOU Contest Winners Update

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:07:00 +0000

Sunday's are always a busy day at the BLR. It's the day when current guests depart and new guests arrive. A bittersweet day for us as staff when we have to say goodbye to guests we have grown so fond of, but also very exciting to welcome in the new faces who will be joining us.

Yesterday, marked the scheduled departure date for BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Monk Wells, our first winner to stay at BLR Malibu for four weeks. The month flew by! Monk wasn't ready to depart so, at his own expense, has chosen to extend his stay for one more week. We're thrilled to have him for an additional seven days. Below, Monk gives a personal update on his progress.

In addition to Monk's decision to stay, our second YEAR OF YOU Winner Lyndee Hugen arrived to BLR Malibu yesterday. Her flight was delayed a bit, but nonetheless, she arrives with a big smile on her face speaking the words..."I just can't believe I'm here!" We are so excited to have Lyndee as our guest for the month of April. Below, Lyndee introduces herself as she fights through her nerves of the unknown of what lies ahead. We're confident that Lyndee will kick-butt! After-all, she has Monk and our other amazing guests and staff here to support her.

For this week we say, GO MONK and GO LYNDEE!!!!

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda

Biggest Loser At-Home Winner is Coming to Fitness Ridge

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Nitta) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0000

I think we would all agree that season 11 of The Biggest Loser was one of the greatest seasons, right? Okay fine, maybe I am a little biased. =) But as a contestant on season 11 I have to say that our cast was full of wonderful, hard-working people, and when it came down to who was going to be the most successful at home and come back to win the $100,000 prize, no one knew. Everyone had their predictions of who would win but I don't think anyone even expected 60 year old Deni Hill to be in the running. She was like the black horse that came in and shocked everyone, viewers included!

Deni started on The Biggest Loser weighing 256 pounds. She is a mother of eight children and haf never put herself first or made her health a priority. Unfortunately a lot of mothers do this and poor eating habits seep into their families. After 37 years of raising children and with her eighth child sent off to college, she decided to finally make a change. Was it hard? Absolutely! Did it hurt? Every day. Watching my own mother be in that much pain was so hard, but watching her fight every single day and come out on top has taught me more than I can say. I am so proud of this incredibly beautiful woman. Take a look at the moment when she got to truly celebrate her hard work:

At-Home Winner

Deni attributes a huge portion of her success to the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge. We spent our first month and a half of the show filming at the resort and that's where her life first changed. Now almost a year post finale Deni is returning to the resort to get another kick in the butt! She will be joining us tomorrow at will be at our Utah resort for the whole week.

"Staying on track is difficult for any of us that have ever struggled with weight, and although I do better now than I ever have before, I still need a little help and a boost from time to time and that's when I come to Fitness Ridge."

We are so excited to have Deni with us this week. Of course I'm excited because she's my mom, but the guests are equally excited to get to enjoy her wonderful spirit and learn from her incredible successes. Welcome, Deni!

BLR | Grilled Chicken & Brussels Sprout Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Are you in need of a new twist on chicken? Below, BLR Executive Chef Cameron Payne offeres a nutritious, high-volume side dish to accompany your heart healthy chicken.

Grilled Chicken with a Warm Brussels Sprout & Turkey Bacon Salad

By Chef Cameron Payne

Serves 1

4 ounces organic chicken breast

1 1/2 cups organic Brussels sprouts

2 t. grape seed oil

2 t. fresh lemon juice

2 t. sherry vinegar

1/4 t. sea salt

1/4 t. fresh cracked black pepper

1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup organic, nitrate-free turkey bacon, sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add the Brussels sprouts, 1 tsp oil, lemon juice, sherry vinegar, salt and pepper to a mixing bowl and mix together. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until tender. Pre-heat the grill to a medium heat, then grill chicken with a little bit of salt and pepper for about 7 minutes on each side until fully cooked. In a sauté pan add the turkey bacon 1 tsp oil, and onions. Cook until the onions are soft and bacon is fully cooked. Add the sauté pan ingredients to the Brussels sprouts and mix. To plate add the Brussels sprout salad to the plate and top it with the 4 oz of grilled chicken. Enjoy!

373 calories, 28 grams protein, 24 grams carb, 20 grams fat, 6 grams fiber

Do you have a favorite recipe that you would like a healthy spin on? We'd like to help - so let us know!

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda

BLR Malibu to Welcome Medal of Honor Recipient

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:19:00 +0000

2011 Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer (and YEAR OF YOU contest finalist Rebecca Schmidt) will be spending a week at The Biggest Loser Resort MALIBU June 3^rd - June 10^th, 2012.

Dakota, a United States Marine Corps veteran, was presented with the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal on Sept. 8th, 2009, part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kunar province, Afghanistan. He is the third living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, and the first living United States Marine in 38 years to be so honored.

To learn more about Operation Enduring Freedom, and Dakota's efforts that earned him the Medal of Honor, click here.

BLR is honored to host U.S. veteran Dakota Meyer. If you have any questions you'd like to ask Dakota, please ask them here and he will answer them during his visit.

Cheers to health in life!

Amanda

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Monk Wells - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Fitz) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:48:00 +0000

Happy Friday friends! YEAR OF YOU Winner Monk Wells completes his third week tomorrow. Below, he gives you an update on his progress and answers your questions.

For more details on Monk's journey towards health read his personal blog here.

Cheers to health in life,

Amanda

Biggest Loser Resort

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Chuck Pollock

Sarah's "Aha" Moment of the Week!

"Biggest Loser" Season 13 Finale

5 Easy Ways to Survive the Grocery Store

BLR YEAR OF YOU Update

BLR Top Smartphone Apps for Health & Fitness

Spring Challenge: Try New Veggies

Biggest Loser Resort at Safelite Challenge

Starch Madness with BLR Registered Dietician Emily Fonnesbeck

BLR Employee of the Month | APRIL 2012

This month we are pleased to introduce, BLR Employee of the Month, Alicia Castro. Alicia is a Southern California native and has worked at our Malibu resort for the past ten months. There's no arguing that Alicia has been a great addition to our staff. The guests love her and so do we!

Below, we sit down with Alicia to get to know her even better.

We've Got the Beat!

Encouraging Notes

BLR Alkaline Arugula Smoothie

Greek Yogurt Boosts!

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Lyndee Hugen

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Monk Wells Goes Home

Monk Wells

‎5 weeks ago I couldn't do a mile with out hurting, today did 6 and still ready for more. Now having lunch at Subway with Opie. It's not 2500 calories at the Resort after a Hike, but I still will take almost 1400. — at Subway.

Biggest Loser Resort Staff Break Time!

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Lyndee Hugen

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

TGI...oh wait

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Lyndee Hugen

Even Cellos Need Fitness Ridge

BLR YEAR OF YOU Contest Winners Update

Biggest Loser At-Home Winner is Coming to Fitness Ridge

BLR | Grilled Chicken & Brussels Sprout Salad

BLR Malibu to Welcome Medal of Honor Recipient

BLR YEAR OF YOU Winner Monk Wells - Update

Starch Madness  with BLR Registered Dietician Emily Fonnesbeck