Posts Tagged Biggest Loser
Headin Home!!!
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on June 26th, 2010
I’m sitting in the Las Vegas airport a proud man. I was able to find supper that was healthy and within my calorie range! Sounds like a little thing, but airports have been my place of struggle for many years. I had a salad from Baja Fresh. I asked them to hold the fried tortilla strips and cheese and had salsa instead of dressing. I ate it and am typing this blog completely satisfied. They didn’t even look at me like I was a creature from another planet when I asked them to make my salad a little different.
Next stop was to get something to drink. I’m off the pop now and thought maybe a bottle of tea would be good to drink. Guess what the second ingredient was on the “anti-oxidant rich” green tea was. High fructose corn syrup. On the diet it was crystallized fructose and phenylalanine or whatever. I got my water bottle out and filled it up at the fountain. I have worked to hard to start taking shortcuts.
Speaking of shortcuts, today I decided that rather than going on a regular hike that I was going to climb the mountain across from the resort. It really is a mountain. It was a 1 mile hike straight up the side. I found the trailhead and took off. Even though it was steep, the trail was well marked. For a while. As I climbed higher and the terrain got tougher I began to question my common sense.
About 3/4 of the way up I saw an opening that looked like a good way to go, a shortcut. From where I was standing it looked like it would definitely be easier going once I got up a short wall. I scaled the wall and was in a deep crack in the mountain. I continued about 20 feet before I came to a dead end.
I was left with two options. Sit there and wait for someone to get me or turn around and go back the way I came and try and find a different way. Well I wasn’t about to wait around for someone to figure out that I had been an idiot and come looking for me. I went back down scaled the face I had climbed up, which was much more intimidating standing on top looking down. I made it down and continued up the way I should have the first time.
When I got to the top of the mountain I thought about what had happened and how that relates to my own life and quite possibly yours. When things got a little difficult I started looking for a shortcut. I knew that if I stayed on the path I was on that I would eventually get to the top. When the good idea buzzer went off in my brain to look for the easier way, it sounded like a good plan. It wasn’t.
How many times in life are we on the right path when an easier route seems to appear. We all want to get where we want to go quickly. The problem is that often times our “shortcuts” are anything but that. We start out on the shortcut with best intentions only to find out it was the wrong decision. It is those moments that we have to get real with ourselves. We can sit there and cry and wait to be rescued or we can turn around, go back the way we came and get back on the path that we know is going to take us to our ultimate destination.
Often times when I take a shortcut I will stand there and think “Why did I do this again?’ I may stand there paralyzed by the thought of having made a bad call; almost as if doing nothing is somehow better than acknowledging I screwed up and head back to where I went off track.
I couldn’t have asked for a better lesson to learn on my last day at The Biggest Loser Resort. Today I know where I want to go and that taking shortcuts isn’t going to get me there any quicker. For me it’s time to stop taking shortcuts and stay on the path that I know is going to take me where I want to go. How about you?
No More Shortcuts!
In my next blog I will be giving a recap of my entire stay at Fitness Ridge as well as sharing my numbers from my 2 weeks there. (I am not disappointed!)
See you tomorrow!
Almost Time To Go Home…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on June 24th, 2010
I can not believe how quickly the time went here at Fitness Ridge. I also can’t believe how much I have changed in those two weeks. I am really excited to be going home and know that I am going to be a better husband, dad, and man. I can’t wait to implement what I have learned here at my position at Vision Quest Sport and Fitness as a life coach. My time here is also going to help me in my speaking career.
When I left The Biggest Loser I was scared. I had been so focused on winning the show that I had blinders on and sacrificed in other areas of my life. I am leaving here feeling prepared to handle the real world. When I left the show I focused on all the things I could “never” eat again. Leaving here I am focused on all the things that I will be able to enjoy and the different foods I will be implementing into my diet. Diet as in what I eat daily, not as in a restrictive regimen that stresses me out.
I don’t know how much weight I have lost here and I am not really concerned about it. I know that continuing to eat the way I have learned to here and exercising daily will yield the long term and lasting results that I want to achieve.
Tonight I went to the store with some friends to get some pictures developed. As we were waiting I walked around and looked at the foods that I usually crave when I am trying to lose weight. The things that have been triggers. As opposed to wanting them and thinking “After I weigh in on Saturday, I am going to get some of this.” I looked at the calories and ingredients and thought about how much of other nutritious food I could have for the same amount of calories.
I think one of the things that is going to help me the most is having a schedule. Eating at 9:30, 12:30, and 5:30. Planning my workout times and my workout schedule. I have always prided myself in being carefree and being able to just “roll with it”. That hasn’t worked too well. I am going to structure my days for success in all areas, diet, exercise, work and personal. I am really excited.
I think the coolest thing I have realized this week is that it is ok to appreciate the work I am doing. I am also proud to have learned that things don’t always have to be hard. If I do the things I need to each day, success in all areas will follow.
This has been a great experience. I want to thank my wife and kids, Brad and Chip at Vision Quest Sport and Fitness, and The Biggest Loser Resort for allowing me the opportunity to once again change my life!
See you tomorrow!
A Typical Day At Biggest Loser Resort…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on June 23rd, 2010
I have had several requests to post a typical day here at Fitness Ridge. I’ll be honest, life here is much like it was when I was on the show. The main difference is that I am eating balanced meals here and I don’t have the stress of trying to put up huge numbers each week.
Here you go. At 6:30 am we leave for daily hikes. These hike typically last 2-2.5 hours. The terrain varies from sandy trails to rocky climbs to pavement. This is definitely my favorite thing to do each day which is odd because until recently I despised hiking.
Breakfast is at 9:30 am. There is usually some type of fruit and then a protein and carb. Breakfast is typically around 300 calories. Depending on your group, you may have a class session or a workout after breakfast. The classes here are invaluable and I have learned a ton. Classes are all 45 minutes long.
At 11:15 I usually have a stretch class. Kind of like yoga but more basic.
Lunch is at 12:30. Again a balanced meal usually starting with a delicious soup and then an entree made of up of fats, carbs, and proteins. Lunch is usually around 400 calories.
After lunch I have open gym where I sometimes go for a bike ride or take out a Street Strider. A Street Strider is like an elliptical machine that you ride down the road. It is a crazy workout and is a blast to ride.
2:30 is when the real work begins from 2:30 on there is a class each hour until 5:15. Classes vary. Today I had a cardio class, a pool circuit workout, and then ended the day with kick boxing.
Dinner is at 5:30 and is usually 500 calories. After dinner there are classes and tonight we had a group meeting where we discussed breakthroughs and even concerns about going home.
The day usually wraps up around 7:15 and people are free to do what they want. ie get a massage!
It is very structured here but I love that. I thrive on structure and feel like this is the best place for me to be right now. The staff is first rate and you can see their passion. I have gotten to know several great people and feel like when I leave I will continue to keep in touch with them.
These last two weeks have been simply amazing. I feel like I have made the gains I need to go home and be truly successful. I am excited for myself and my family. I am going to be more confident and successful in my business and in my home life.
I have had my ups and downs here at the resort, but it has all been worth it. Tonight I am also wishing my son Rex happy birthday! He is 3 years old today. I can’t believe how fast he is growing, but I am happy to know that because of the things I am doing here and will continue to do when I get home, I will be around for many more of both of my sons birthdays.
See you tomorrow!
Break Down….
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on June 21st, 2010
After last week, I feel a little bad to report that life isn’t a big bowl of cherries here at The Biggest Loser Resort today. It was a rough day and it all started with a genuine compliment from someone.
What are you talking about Matt? How can a compliment mess up your day? Let me explain. Last night I didn’t sleep well. I can tell I am losing weight and my body has changed a lot in the past week. I was actually worried that someone might say something today and someone did.
The reason I struggled with this is because for some reason when people tell me I am looking good or that they can tell I am losing weight, I almost always take a day off and go eat. The day turns into two and often turns into a week until I am back where I Started.
I don’t know why, but it seems like a positive comment from someone gives me permission to slack off. Rather than going out and feeding my face, I stopped into the office of one of the staff here at Fitness Ridge. As I told her what happened and how I reacted, I realized how out of line my thinking was. Rather than appreciating the fact that someone was recognizing my hard work, I was trying to make it harder on myself.
I set a goal for the day to stick to the nutrition plan and finish all my workouts. I did that. Now at the end of the day, I sit here and realize that if I am going to have long term and lasting results, I have got to change the way I see myself and more importantly the way I talk to myself.
Unless I am willing to accept praise and appreciate the work I am doing today I am always going to go right back to where I started. Things, especially weight loss, don’t have to always be hard. I have been making it hard on myself by feeling like I have to be in constant struggle in order to being doing a good job.
These thoughts have led me to struggle in other areas that I don’t need to struggle in as well. Today I finally recognized them and on top of that, I verbalized them. I made it through the day and feel that I will pick up where I left off last week tomorrow.
The focus this week. Change the way I talk to myself. I am worth it and don’t have to make things difficult on myself in order to acheive success. As one of the trainers said today, “Don’t let the only person standing in the way of your success be YOU!” Great advice at a great time.
See you tomorrow!
Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge Wrap Up…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on June 20th, 2010
Where do I begin? Aside from marrying my wife and having my two boys, this has been one of the best weeks of my life. I am transforming once again this time from the inside out. I don’t know how much I lost this week, I chose not to weigh in till next week. I will say that I know I am losing weight because my clothes are all getting too big!
For me, this week wasn’t about weight loss. I knew that would happen. This week was about finding a healthy balance in my life and gaining knowledge about myself. The classes have been phenomenal, I really believe that had I learned the things I am learning here when I was on the ranch, I would have maintained my weight forever.
Don’t get me wrong, I learned a ton on the ranch but the things I am learning here are going to make my new journey much more enjoyable. I had classes on emotional eating, reading labels, and how to prepare low calorie yet nutrient rich food. I learned that carbs are not the enemy and that the Leptin our body produces is our food alarm clock. Leptin tells us when it is really time to eat. Perhaps the most important lesson I learned is that true happiness doesn’t come from a number on the scale.
I have loved watching other participants stretch and grow. Watching them has made me realize that inspiration is all around us. All we need to do is open our eyes. Here I am not Matt, The Biggest Loser, (maybe a little). I am Matt Hoover, a guy that struggles with the same things that everyone else does when it comes to weight. Here I am a person who is learning that until I take the things I know and then implement them, I will keep facing the same battles again and again.
Here I am learning that the only way to have the life I want is to live that way each and every day. I am so excited for my new start and know, without a doubt, that when I get home to the love of my life and the two joys of my life, I am going to be a better man.
I know I am going to be better at everything I do from speaking to life coaching at Vision Quest Sport and Fitness. I can’t wait.
I am going to take this next week here at The Biggest Loser Resort and build on the base that I built last week. I am going to stretch myself even more and push myself even harder so that when I leave here I have zero regrets.
I want to thank the staff here and the people I have met for an amazing week. I can’t wait to share this next week with all of my readers. And to my readers, If you like what you read here, please tell others. My goal is to help as many people as possible through my writing and each person that reads this blog and enjoys it, can help me do that!
See you tomorrow!
The Self Fulfilling Prophecy…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on June 17th, 2010
Many people have heard the term self fulfilling prophecy at one time or another during their life. Although having heard it, many have never thought about what it is.
Simply put, our beliefs affect our behaviors. Most of the time it is the negative beliefs that will manifest themselves. As I was working out this morning I started thinking about some of my own thought patterns in the past and how almost all of the negative things I said to myself did or began to become true.
Let me give you an example. When I first won The Biggest Loser, I would read the internet and see that people were saying that I was going to gain all of my weight back. I had never met these people, these people didn’t know me, but somehow what they were writing about me stuck with me. At first I would say that they had no idea what they were talking about. After being away from the show for nearly a year, I did begin to gain weight. When I first realized how much weight I had gained, my thoughts weren’t: “I’ll just get back to work.” They were: “Oh my gosh they were right.”
I was letting what other people had said affect me so deeply that I began to talk to myself in negative ways. I remember thinking, “You always do this, do something great for yourself and then try and wreck it.” Do you see the pattern? Rather than appreciate the weight I had kept off and work to re-lose the weight I had gained, I began to behave worse. It is almost like, rather than try and prove the nay-sayers wrong, I has trying to prove them right.
There will always be detractors to your success. People who don’t want to see you succeed. DO NOT be your own biggest detractor. Think about what you are saying to yourself. The more negative things that you dwell on, the more negative things YOU are going to produce. There will always be plenty of people who will tell you that you can’t do something. The only person who can make you not do something is you.
I have had my struggles with weight, but I am going to win because I believe I will. As I have mentioned in some of my past blogs, I have hit a plateau and the numbers haven’t been dropping. I am not going to sit back and say, “Well I guess this is just what I am going to weigh. I’m not going to be able to be as fit as I would like.” I am going to focus on the solutions. I have seen progress and know that I can reach the level of fitness that I desire.
One thing I do know is that having a negative attitude can only hinder my progress. How are you speaking to yourself? Are the words you are using going to help or hinder your success?
I hope you will work with me to change from negative self talk, which will lead to self defeat; to positive self talk which will open doors in life that you may have thought were permanently closed.
Day 3 At Fitness Ridge…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on June 16th, 2010
Have you ever taken a long trip in the car to a vacation destination? Think about it. When it’s time to leave you are so excited to be going. When you are about half way you start to think “We should have flown”, “Why are we still driving?”, “When are we going to be there?” Sound familiar?
I started a trip on Monday here at Fitness Ridge. On Monday I was so excited. On Tuesday I was sore but still excited to be here. Today I was exhausted. I didn’t want to get up for the 6 am hike, I really wanted to go get a big huge breakfast. I didn’t want to work out as hard as I knew I could.
The good news is that I did get up, I didn’t go out to eat, and I did work out as hard as I could. The question is why do we start out so fast on a journey only to lose momentum. I believe it’s because as good as our intentions may be, often we will look back at past experiences and draw upon those as opposed to focusing on the experience that we are currently having.
I’ll be the first to admit that I have always been a fast starter only to lose a little focus on the way to my destination. Instead of pushing through, sometimes I will decide to start over. This cycle repeats itself and it seems that I am not making any progress and eventually come up with a reason to focus on something else.
If you haven’t noticed, my hikes this week are my reflection times. Today I realized that it’s not enough to start a journey, we need to finish it. Sure it would have been easy to take some time off, come up with an excuse why I needed a break, but the reality is that I didn’t and don’t need a break.
Today was Wednesday, fittingly refered to as hump day. We have to be willing to get over that hump in order to move forward toward our destination. Even though we may not feel like it, we have to press on. If we continue to give up and start over every time we face difficulties we will never get anywhere, much less the place we really want to be.
To sum it up, today was a day to look at today, not tomorrow or a month from now but right here in the present. I had to decide not to give up and start over another day. I had to push through today in order to get tomorrow and once again transform my life in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.
We will never know what we are capable of if we give up before we give ourselves a chance. Press on!
See you tomorrow!
Finding Inspiration…
Posted by Matt Hoover in General on June 15th, 2010
Today was a great day! Tonight I am not nearly as tired as I was last night. I am even starting to get a little color on my white Seattle skin. This morning after our hike I was talking to some ladies on the way back to the resort and I got to thinking about something. Inspiration.
Many of us tend to look at shows like The Biggest Loser to find inspiration. We look at super stars, singers, and other famous people as our source of inspiration. Many more of us fail to recognize the inspiration that is right in front of us. The inspiration that lies within us can be the greatest inspiration of all.
Today I was inspired. Not by a song or a quote, but by the people at this resort. When I went on The Biggest Loser it was to win money and lose some weight. I basically got paid to lose weight. At one of the cardio sessions we had today I started looking around the room. There were people of all shapes, sizes and abilities working their hardest to change themselves.
These people aren’t going to be on television. In fact, unless you know them personally or are here at the resort right now, you will probably never hear of them. You wont see them sweat, struggle, cry or succeed. But they are inspiring and are going to continue to inspire long after their time here at Fitness Ridge is over.
Most of them don’t even know that they are inspiring others. As I looked to my left I saw a row of ladies pushing themselves to the max. For some it was walking, others it was jogging as long as they could before going back to a walk and for others it was sprinting as fast as they could for as long as they could.
Why would this inspire me? Because each of them paid a good chunk of money to run themselves ragged for 6 hours a day. For the money it cost them to be here they could be lounging on a beach, drinking margaritas, and eating as much as their hearts desire. They aren’t. They are paying to sweat and eat 1200 calories a day. They are investing in themselves, their health, and even those who love them. That is inspiring!
When these people go home they are going to continue to inspire others. When others ask them how they did it, they are going to be able to tell them exactly how hard they worked and what they learned. Whether they have ever been fit or not, when they go home and live their new lifestyle and others are going to notice.
Some times, in fact most of the time, the inspiration we are really looking for isn’t on TV or on the radio. It is right in front of us, staring back at us in the mirror. Regardless of where you are in life right now, remember that you have the power to inspire others. You may not know it at the time but what you do and say can impact a perfect stranger.
I am being inspired every day here and can only hope that maybe my actions will do the same for others as well.
See you tomorrow!
