Zion National Park

All the times I have been to Utah and I have never done Zion.  Zion is a US national park known for its beautiful hiking and trails.

https://www.zionnationalpark.com/

Because I can only walk on pavement, I never really gave it much thought.  I was talking with some ladies at dinner who were doing Zion.  Every Saturday, there is the opportunity for fat camp to take you hiking up there.  I thought it was only for the super fit hikers.  Well, after talking to Julie and Cozette, it seems there are easy, paved trails as well.  So... I signed up for a 6:30am departure and off we went.  (My departure prep was a bottle of water, my turkey sandwich and apple lunch bar, a hard boiled egg and almonds for snacks and a cup of granola and yogurt for brekkie.)

Just to be clear, I was going to be on my own because Julie and Cozette were hiking Angel's Landing.  This is 5.4 miles (8.7km) straight up to a point where you need to hold on by chains.  (Yes, it is one of those trails where people do die!)  I was NOT doing this one!!!!!!!

 

 My hike ended up being easy with some hills (according to fitbit I did 19 flights of stairs) but was really pretty and leisurely.  I got to see a bit of the park and also relax as I was worried about my ankles tightening up.  A few pics from the trail -

I would do Zion regularly now as part of my routine.  It was busy but they say in the summer it is swamped.  They leave at 6am or they can't get a parking place.

Funny Friday

Usually, I don't do funny Fridays while I am at fat camp.  But...they showed this picture today and I just love it!!!!!   They asked us, "How do you see yourself?"  He then said, "People are more powerful, strong and smart than they think they are." Love.

a little bit of everything

The classes are new this time and really good.  Here are a few random things that I have found out which I think are really interesting.

*Negative Self Talk produce cortisol.  Cortisol effects your metabolism, immune system, cardio system, reproduction system and nervous system.  So you literally make yourself sick by being negative on yourself.

*Interestingly...when you engage in negative self talk, also produces a bit of dopomine which is provides our positive, award behavoirs.  So, you actually feel good for a little bit when you are negative about yourself.  (comfort?)  So, negative self talk begets more negative self talk!!!!!!  DONT DO IT! 

*Sugar Cycle - 

- we eat sugar which triggers the pleasure centers in our brain which remember that we like it

- the brain then prepares as we know glucose is coming

- dopomine is released and insulin is released

- any extra insulin that is not needed, turns to fat

- blood sugar drops

- dopomine lowers and we crave more sugar!!!!!

- start from the top! 

*Sugar substitutes including stevia and truvia are WORSE for you because the brain still tastes sweet.  It still releases the dopomine and insulin and then doesn’t know what to do with it.  GET RID OF ALL OF YOUR "DIET" PRODUCTS.

* If you can eat your sugar with proteins or veg, the sugar won’t be such a huge hit to the body.  So it is better to eat your dessert with dinner rather than later in the night.

Also, the amount of sugar in processed foods is crazy!!!!  In the non greek yogurts, there are 33 grams of sugar.  Or almost all granola bars, there are crazy amounts of sugar.  Women are only suppose to have 25 grams per day!!!!  Men are suppose to have 35 grams.

* Three things proven to improve your mood:

1 - sunshine

2 - 30 minutes of moderate exercise

3 - human interaction or interacting with a pet

*In order to replace a negative belief system, you need to proactively have positive thought patterns to change.  Some of mine might be:

 - my weight doesn't define me

 - the journey is the reward

 - say no to give a better yes

They have given us an exercise to write 15 positive things about ourselves.  Think about that!  It is really hard.  So, email me if you have any!!!!!  I am serious.  So far, I have ONE!!!!!!

I hate the cold

Usually when I come to Utah this time of year, I am constantly discussing how cold I am.  And since most of the USA is in a terrible, horrific freeze, you would think that I would not be getting in the pool or really, even going outside.

But, the weather is stunning!!!! Right now it is 32* but will get up to high 50s or maybe 60* today.  When I start my hike it will be about 36* and the sun will be below the mountains.  By the time I am done with stop sign, it will be 50*.  I LOVE that.  (The temps are in C below on my phone.)

And look at this forecast!!!!!  I am so excited!  Lows everynight to freezing but every day getting back up to the 50s!  SOOOOOO much easier to exercise when it is warm.  Easier to do EVERYTHING when it is warm.

Goals while I am here

1 - Do Stop Sign (or part) 10x

2 - Drink ACV every day

3 - Do 2 afternoon classes 8x

4 - Create a new workout playlist with 20 songs (what the kids listen to)

5 - 10000 steps 10x

As always, the scale doesn't lie

Coming to fat camp is always a good thing.  It means that I am concentrating on my health, fitness and well-being.  And as always, it starts with a weigh in and bod fat measurement.

It has been 6.5 years since I first came here.  I weighed in at 272.8.  I left here at 248.9.  I then spent the next 18 months losing weight to a low of 216.8 pounds.
I spent the next year in the 220s.
The next year in the 230s.
The next year in the 240s.
Last year in the 250s.
Up until I weighed in at 250, even with all of the weight I had gained, I was happy that I kept off that original 24 pounds.
I knew I had been creeping up to 260s.

Today, I weighed in at 265.9.

It did not depress me to weigh in at that weight.  It energized me.

How do I make the most of my stay here?

What can I do to get this turned around?  I am starting from a lower point and that is exciting!

Come on 2018!

Can I get to 218 in 2018?  I can.

Monday Motivation

Happy 2018!!!!!

I truly believe this is going to be the best year EVER!!!!!!
I started out with a fun night in Vegas. I had a super healthy breakkie and now here I am at fat camp.
VERY EXCITED FOR 2018!!!!