Part 3 of 3 a Review of My Week at the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Malibu California

I have done a lot of walking in my life. Other than that, I would have told you I was allergic to exercise and sweat. Life has a way of challenging that type of mental positioning. Age, metabolism, the way we view ourselves all factor in to change our golden years. I have never worked out more in all my years than I do now. This is not to say I am a fiend for the gym or even the great outdoors. I like to eat, take it easy, and be competent in the areas I extend my energy. I also would like to be as healthy as is within my ability. I would like to circumvent the need for my children to provide care in my sunset years as long as is possible. It seem attending to my own health is a good way to do this. Another reason would be the instability of our health care system. It is hard to determine where that will be in twenty years even with the insurance I have.

So what was it like to work out for six to seven hours a day at The Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge Resort? It was very doable. I have to say I enjoyed my regime thoroughly. The aches and pains from past injuries I anticipated did not materialize. In fact, they improved. Yes, I was sore the first three days. After the workouts we could move limberly at least until we sat down for five minutes then all bets were off for our mobility until we warmed the muscles up in the next workout routine.

Our day started at six a.m. with an hour of optional stretching. This was highly recommended and I found it a very beneficial start to the day. Breakfast at seven was filling, delicious and quite a nice variety.

By eight a.m., we were on our designated vans and departing to various locales where we hiked for the next two to three hours. A group hike on the first day determined skill and ability and which van assignment. We usually had three guides per hike or a four to one ratio per guests.

The pool class, welcome and refreshing, followed our return from the hike. This is nothing like any water aerobics class in which I have ever participated. The instructors are creative in strength conditioning and circuit training.

Lunch is another opportunity to experience a filling, visually artistic presentation of three hundred calories. I do not think I mentioned the daily intake of 1200 calories yet. I did not know how we could workout as much as we did, eat only 1200 calories and not be hungry. The secret seems to be the high fiber and wholegrain menu minus processed foods. A hardboiled egg, almonds and fruit are the option as a mid-morning/afternoon snack.

Two lectures a day provided information on diet, shopping, life strategies and several other topics intended to facilitate success at home. I found these lectures to be interesting and informative. A nap would have been welcome too.

Following the lecture, we were ready to face three classes in the gym -not limited too but including circuit training, cardio interval, ball work, finally, back to the pool for one last (refreshing) water class.

We had just enough time to hit the showers and make it to dinner. Soup for our starter course, followed by a delicious, interesting entrée and finished with dessert. A salad bar and fruit station were available for any who were still hungry.

Our lights were out by ten p.m. and we were ready to do it all again the next day.

Most of the guests at the Fitness Ridge were hoping to lose five to fifty pounds over the course of one to five weeks and more, some were there to learn the life skills to lose more. I would say the weight loss is only one aspect of life change occurring here. As the outward is reshaped, the inward is renewed.

I would recommend The Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge Health and Fitness Spa and Resort. The instructors are each caring and attentive. There is a wide range of services offered at an additional charge. The Resting Metabolic Rate test, the VO2 or Oxygen Uptake test, the Resort Life Coach. Also available are personal trainers, private hikes, and nutritional counseling by a registered dietitian.