Training with Tara Costa: Motivation Can Come From Anywhere

Oct 20, 2009

This week I was asked to participate at the opening of The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Utah. When heading out to the resort, I had no idea what to expect. I have heard great things about it and only knew that they were trying to take the same principals from the show and create a place where anyone can come and lose a substantial amount of weight or enjoy a healthy, active vacation. I was a little nervous at first as I needed to make sure that I was able to get in my training for the NYC marathon. And, I was not sure if the structured program would allow me the time for my own runs. Once I arrived at the resort, all my concerns were lifted. The staff was absolutely amazing! I received a schedule of the daily activities and sat with a trainer to figure out the best way to add in my own training for the marathon.

The next morning, I woke up like a child on Christmas morning. I was so excited to see if the resort was like the ranch, the place that became my motivation and safety. If the resort was truly what I expected, then I may have just found my second home! The day started off with a communal breakfast, which to my surprise was served to us. You do not have to cook your own meals like you have to on the ranch. There was also a board with what the meal selections are for the day and the calorie counts of each item. It was absolutely delicious and awesome that there was no thinking about what I would have for lunch, dinner or snacks because it was all provided for you.

After breakfast, it was time for a hike. The hikes vary from beginner to advanced. I chose to go on the advanced hike, thinking, I can handle this, it can’t be that long! Well, to my surprise, the hike was 2.5 hours of breathtaking views of Utah and of course some uphill, downhill, jogging, climbing and walking. This hike was more difficult than most of the hikes on the ranch, but also much more beautiful! It was a great feeling walking away knowing that I got in an awesome workout. After the hike, we immediately changed for the pool workout. The pool was very energizing and it was awesome to meet even more guests of the resort.

During my pool workout, I was with people of all fitness levels. It was astonishing to me to see how the heaviest person in the pool was the motivating factor for the most fit person. The resort truly does cater to a vast array of people, from those looking to drop 100-plus pounds or just those there to experience a healthy active vacation.

After the pool, we took a break for lunch and a lecture on nutrition. For lunch, I had turkey chili with cornbread—one word to describe it… awesome! The lecture series was all about budgeting your calories. It was refreshing to see people taking notes on which nutrient rich foods they should incorporate into their diets—it was just like being on the ranch. At the ranch, after a long workout with Jillian, we would usually eat lunch and go over nutrition. Those talks are always what I refer back to now when I have questions. After the lecture, we had 45 minutes of free time at the gym and then three more 45-minute classes (ranging from cardio, weights, aerobics and stretch). I used the 45-minute open gym time to get in my training run. While running in southern Utah, I felt like I was running in a postcard. Every step was picturesque.

The food was spectacular and the workouts were challenging and fun, but the one thing that really stuck out for me was the people. From the owners, trainers, waiters and resort clients, I was just floored. There was such a sense of positivity and community at the resort. These attributes are what make The Biggest Loser Ranch so impactful on the contestants and now the resort has found that niche. I left with a renewed sense of motivation, just like when I left the ranch.

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Comments

From: Holly
Date: 10/30/2009 - 10:28 am

Tania I totally know your pain I am a student that works and was once overweight I still have 20 pounds to go to get to my goal weight but have been slowly losing weight already, with weight watchers and excercise. But what I really identify with is the negative nellys that keep giving you negative reinforcement my mother was always trying to get me to loose weight and wear makeup to "better myself." It was completely depressing. not that she wasn't right. I am feeling 100% more sexy, lovable, and great that ive lost the weight but my mothers intentions were not completely unselfish. My grandmother always thought that my mother couldn't live up to her expectations so my mother in a way to displace her anger does the same thing to me. So now anytime my mom goes to say anything extremly negative to me I say to her " are you sure you don't feel that way about yourself and are putting that on me." If she doesn't own up, I just realize in my head that it's her problem not mine. All that negative reinforcement only serves to push down your goals and lower yourself esteem. It sounds weird but you have to love the way you look before you loose the weight. And as supremly cheesy as this sounds Everytime i look in the mirror in the morning, even if its after a night of partying and i look like death, i force myself to find three things that are awesome about me. When I work out I say this is me time where i am concentrating on MY health. It can sound a little selfish but i find that people with low self esteem are a little TOO selfless. I hope this info helps. I wish I would have figured it out sooner would have saved me some tears.

From: Tania622
Date: 10/25/2009 - 01:08 pm

I agree with that. I am a fulltime student that has to work while going to school and it has not been easy. My mother seems to think that i need to work and in order for me to pay all my bills, school has taken a hit. I have alot to pay for including a college that my parents will not help me out with. This would be such a great opportunity to go and finally make something of myself. As a lot of you know how it feels to made fun of your entire life, its one thing when its kids at school but when it comes to your own family, ive been put threw alot and i need to do something. I watch the show all the time and say to myself, this weeks it the week. But i have no motivation. My mom tries to encourage me but when she says " No one will ever love you with that body" it tends to leave a mark on you. My brother is getting married next year and my mom says "how embarrased is your brother going to be of you?!" I want to lose weight not for them or anyone but myself. I need to feel good about myself for a change. I need to put the negative people in my life behind me and actually do something that is for me, and no one else!!! I just pray that one day there will be a miracle, that somehow i can go to this resort and give it my all!!! Just to prove it to myself that YES I CAN!!! I just hope this miracle comes sooner rather than later, my docotor says that i am borderline diabetic and i need to do something about it, i am working on it but learning how to eat and what to eat and being more active would be a dream come true, so if anyone is listening and they can do something to help me out, i would greatly appreciate it and i would forever be in your debt!!!! Thank you all for hearing me!

God Bless!!

From: Anonymous.Poster
Date: 10/20/2009 - 08:58 pm

I would love to go. I wish the prices were more affordable.

From: Anonymous.Poster
Date: 10/20/2009 - 08:57 pm

I would love to go. I wish the prices were more affordable.

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