week 3 July 12 2012

Week 3
weight 162
-2 lbs

I started the week off at the Deerfield Spa in  East Stroudsburg PA.  This photo was the group who survived boot camp on Friday Morning.  I am  second from the right.  I have to say though the scale on shows -2 I feel great this week.  I actually feel slim and energetic.  As soon as I stepped out of the car, Drill Sargent Aunt Nancy was there to meet me.  Lunch, then dance and tone, then pool, then yoga.  3 activities before dinner.  Friday 7 activities.  Started with 7 am yoga (  didn't make it for 630 am  hike ), followed by breakfast, stretch, bootcamp, circuit training,  lunch, abs, zumba and then more pool.
I went to the spa with my aunt and cousin, thanks to the generosity of my uncle who foot the bill.  My aunt has been trying to get me to one of these "fat farms" as someone there called it, for years.  What on earth could be wonderful about a place that has no alcohol and salt !
The Spa was actually nice.  - The food was good - and portioned controlled and under 1200 calories.  The facilities were nice, the Spa was set like a  bed and breakfast type house/ with adjacent gyms and pool areas.  There was enough activities to keep you busy . And even if you did not come to exercise there was a great porch to sit and read, plenty of movies to watch and a wonderful Spa for facials and rubs and wraps.    Every day there was different types of exercise and different  instructors to change it up.  Tai - chi, Qu Dong ? Zumba, Pool , Pilates, Hiking, Dance, Yoga, Weights and Boot Camp.  I have to say Zumba kicked my ass, I have to give that class more credit.  I guess being the dancing snob I am, I want a more challenging dance class.  But Zumba is entertaining,  with the right instructor.  I just hate when the teacher makes you smile.  I think they are asking too much,  be glad I am here Zumbaing !

If you made the right choices , the food was really good.  One day I ordered a turkey sandwich for lunch which was good ,but I SHOULD OF ORDERED THE SPECIAL,  the seafood salad , like my Aunt did.  The next day I was wise and ordered the special, Turkey Chili salad, delish !!

The people at the Spa were the best treat. First off , I got to spend some quality time with my Aunt and Cousin.  Though my Aunt has earned the new nick name "drill sargeant" from me and my cousin Amy, she got us off our  buts  doing good things for our bodies, and my Aunt is fit, we had to keep up with her .  

The Staff was wonderful, friendly and got you up and moving.  The quests were from all walks of life.  Most of them were women.  I loved that this place was very friendly to people traveling as singles.  There were many quests who were on their own.  Every meal we sat with someone who was traveling by themselves.  Since I usually travel by myself I liked the kinship of single travelers.  Also kudos to the quests , I think most of them were older than me, and all were leading healthy and productive lifestyles, some well into their 70's.  They were an inspiration for me .  Many of us keep in touch and encourage each other to stay with it.  

Ok so I am home and things begin to go downhill.  Life arrives.  Friends show up from out of town, we go out to eat, I am out all day, my dogs need my attention, the house needs cleaning, when do I do my exercise.  I really thought I could do an hour a day , but I found it hard to even do 30 minutes.  ( which I did stick too, Monday I did not exercise, but I did walk around the city ).  I have to say going out to eat was a challenge, I still can't  resist bad things on the menu, like desert !!! Though the spa did teach me one thing I have stuck too, portion control.  I did not over eat this week at all.  So I am growing, and shrinking at the same time, lol .

This week I will be running around getting ready for Ireland.  I am going to weigh myself Wednesday am b/c I will be in Dublin next Thursday, don't know if I could convert pounds from a stone.( Irish weight )  So I promise to work extra hard, cause the next week I will be in the land of Guiness and Jamesons, and Irish Men, my 3 biggest weaknesses !  

Below is a Black Bean Chili recipe they taught us in cooking class at the Spa.  It was delish and a great recipe if your a vegan !

and if you want a few days close by to get away check out the Deerfield Spa, tell them you read it on my blog.

www.deerfieldspa.com