January 27th, 2012 | 
Author: If you can not grow food. When is the last time we grew high-fructose, artificial sweeteners or hydrogenated fats? Read your ingredient list and make sure they are made from natural ingredients. Top Products to avoid:
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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 lomilomi 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!
Lomilomi 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, lomilomi 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 lomilomi because I want you to experience it for yourself when you come, but I definitely suggest booking at least one lomilomi during your stay. Since Marie is our only therapist that performs the lomilomi, 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!
Amanda
When presented with a choice, always select the least processing option. For example, if you are in front of the machine, you can see the peanut butter cookies, chocolate bars, pop, pretzels and nuts. Of these I would choose the nuts. Of course, if a package is likely to be roasted and salted, but I bet the ingredients list is much shorter than the other options. Ideally, products packaged receive 5 ingredients or less. If an apple is available in the vending machine, the better. They know not to do!
March is National Nutrition month, sponsored by the American Dietetic Association. The theme this year is "The nutrition of the ground up." I love this theme. This is definitely something I believe and preach often in infrastructure. We must go back to Whole Foods. Forget those packaged, processed junk! Instead of serving as nutrition, the focus was to be eaten.
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
February is American Heart Month. So the last Monday in February, he wanted to send a link to last year, after the heart health.
“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/ ***
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
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
