Week 1 recap

For some of you this is new news; I've committed 5 weeks of my time to join a "Wellness Resort". This has been quite a trial for me, emotionally it was very difficult to leave the things behind that need me; Nico and Sergio, my family, work, school, all of the crazy day to day things that I do. Last Sunday, April 1, my boys and I hit the road to drive me down to Malibu. I took down some quick notes that morning, which read:


April 1, 2012 7:40 am
Very nervous as we head off on our big drive down to Malibu Biggest Loser. Said goodbyes and got a little tearful when dad said his usual "pretty fond of you too". Mom is so positive and excited for me! A little afraid about letting everyone down. Love my family and everything they do for me. Sergio keeps telling me how proud of me he is. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who supports me in this necessary step. Snuggled up with Nico this morning for the last time for 5 weeks... Hardest part ever. 


My recap for the last week. Wow, has this been hard! Lots of highs and lows. I came in the first night and met my week 1 "gang"; Nicky from London, Debi from Houston, Jill from Seattle, and Jenn from Alberta. Everyone here has a personal reason for being here, but for everyone the change is a lifestyle difference. Looking around the room brought on a whole range of different sorts: large, medium, and small, men, women, and even a few teenagers here with their parents. The first night we learned there would be no caffeine, which really freaked Nicky out a little, she was quite used to drinking lots of coffee. Went to bed apprehensive, unsure of what Monday would hold. 
Woke up bright and early to prepare for "Meet my gym", breakfast, and then the assessment hike. This hike was WAY too hard for me, I had quite a difficult time and got separated from my group, (but still had a guide, Tina, with me). I'm not going to go into every work out that I do all day long, there are too many of them! We work out 7 or 8 hours a day. The hikes themselves are 2 hours long. So far this week they have all been challenging! Day 1 was mentally and physically exhausting. Day 2 was even worse. We were all pretty sore and tired. Received a text from Sergio that said something about the Navy Seals motto being "yesterday was the easy day", I think about that every day. 
So, I have met a number of beautiful people, my girls listed above, Erika also from Seattle, who has seemed to taken a part in my work here. She has encouraged me every step that she can. Yvonne from So Cal, who is always smiling. And, too late in the week, Bill from Chicago. Nicky and he hit it off, and so I was introduced to this hilarious guy. 
As the week ends here, I have had to say goodbye to Nicky, Erica, and Bill. I know it sounds crazy, but I am actually very very sad to see them go, tearful even. The friendships I have made this week have helped me through this time. Thankfully, Debi, Jenn, and Jill are still here with me for the next week. We get in a whole slough of new people for week 2, I hope to be able to help someone else's transition as much as these dear ones have for me.
My achievements this week: I made it! :) I finished 2 of my hikes not last
My goals for next week: Push myself, do not let my knee hold me back. Modify, don't stop.