The beginning

Yesterday, after a very exhausting first day, I worked on my blog for over an hour. Right before I was going to publish it, it disappeared! So, here we go again! Luckily for you, I probably won't be as wordy this time around!

I arrived in sunny St. George, Utah on Sunday afternoon. I spent time with the owners/trainers Chad and Jen Bullen. They are both wonderful people and we hit it off right away! I met 3 of my housemates as they were on their way out the door. After Chad and Jen filled me in on everything, they were out the door and I was left alone to unpack and settle in. When I walked into my bedroom, I was suddenly overcome by a terrible feeling of lonliness. I was overwhelmed about the month ahead and didn't know how I could possibly do it with everyone I love so far away. Anyway, I decided the best thing to do was just keep moving - then at least my tears wouldn't form any puddles in my slightly depressing bedroom. In addition to the extreme lack of color or decor, I didn't think I could handle puddles, too. I managed to get myself settled, read awhile and finally sleep - though not very well.

Monday morning we started bright and early with an hour and forty minute walk in Snow Canyon. I really wanted to post a picture, but I haven't figured out how to get it from my phone to my ipad to this blog yet. The scenery was amazing! When we returned to the gym, we did a timed 1/2 mile run. No, I will not tell you my time. Next was a 30 minute arms class, which Chad made us do outside while walking through the neighborhood. This is the good thing about being so far away. At least I don't have to worry about seeing a familiar face when I'm looking so goofy and uncoordinated. After arms was interval training on the treadmill - I like those because they are short. I can get through 30 seconds at 6.0 because I know it's just 30 seconds and then we move on to something else. After a lunch/rest break, we had a boot camp class. By this time, I was moving slowly, but somehow I made it through anyway. I decided to unwind by the pool. I got back to the house and pretty much collapsed after my shower. Some of you want a run-down on the food, so here's what yesterday looked like:

Breakfast:
2 egg whites with mozarella cheese

morning snack:
small apple
2 baby bell light cheeses

lunch:
turkey burger on a sandwich thin, with lettuce, tomatoes and of course, jalapeños!

afternoon snack:
banana
1/4 raw almonds

dinner:
another turkey burger (since the first one was so good!)
sliced tomatoes with salt and pepper
fresh kale chips (amazing!)

evening snack:
string cheese
15 grapes

Calorie total for the day: 1275

So, today the two newbies got to have our body composition analysis and resting metabolic rate testing. For the body composition, you sit in something called the "bod pod" while they run this test which tells you exactly how many pounds you are in fat, fat-free mass. Again - NO, I will not share the numbers with you. I still have way too much pride for that! It's funny though, because you can even learn your body volume in liters - I'm 92.634 liters. There - that's the only number you're getting! And in case you didn't get enough info from all of that, a whirl in the bod pod and you can even learn your volume of thoracic gas (i.e. how much hot air you're made of). Please, please don't leave any comments about that! The resting metabolic rate tells you how much energy you would use if you just sat in a chair all day breathing through a tube (apparently with an uncomfortable large blue clip on your nose). My test registers only slightly below normal. So, what did I learn from that? My weightloss zone is 1256-1570 calories- not taking into account any exercise. For the purposes of the camp, we will aim for the low end - 1300. So far, it seems very doable.

Today's classes, thus far, have consisted of pilates, abs class and intervals on the treadmill. I also did 7 laps in the pool and am heading out the door in a few minutes for another boot camp class.

I have to tell you the best part of my day yesterday. I called McCartney to fill her in on what all we did and ate, etc. She wanted to know every detail. After giving her the run-down, she said, "Wow, mom! You are awesome! Now just go rest and relax and be proud of everything you did today!" :)

Thank you, thank you, thank you to those of you who have written comments and sent me sweet, encouraging messages through email and facebook. They really have boosted my spirits and uplifted me. I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to respond to everyone, but please know that your messages have really meant so much to me! I have read and re-read them each several times!

OK - time to get moving!