Snow Hike #1 8:00 AM:  Meet at Nolde Forest, at the Saw Mill Parking area, located off of route 625.

Snow Hike #2 9:00 AM:  Meet at Overlook Activities Center in Lancaster off of route 501.

What you need for a snow hike:  Hiking boots are great or hiking shoes, warm socks or wear 2-layers, mittens, hat or your new snuggly BFit fleece headband, gators (if you have them, they are a shell that goes over your boot and the lower part of your pants to keep the snow out of your shoes).  Long pants will also do the trick too.  Layers on top and bottom are best for keeping warm…be prepared to end your hike with snow angels J!!  Bring your friends and family!!  It’s great fun and an awesome workout too!

Sunday: 1:00 PM at BFit—Healthy Eating Seminar

This seminar goes into more detail about carbohydrates, protein, and fat, what are good sources, and how to eat healthy on a daily basis!!  If you can practice the principles learned here you will never need to count your calories again.  Plan for one hour or less.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104716862938681&index=1

along with some of the hottest classes in town!!

BFitClassScheduleHoliday1

A handful of us BFit Fanatics went to Rothrock State Forest in State College (PSU Country) the weekend of June 5, 2010 to tackle the Rothrock Challenge, and 18.6 mile trail run.  Talk about insanity.  I am sitting here reflecting back and it was just a week ago we were packing our bags and our cars, with nervous anticipation of this big event.  When they give you this a their

Course description; “Our course is designed to reward those who have trained and to punish those who haven’t.”–Trail Guy and follow it up with a picture like this…yes we were all bound to be a bit apprehensive.

Well, we ended up taking 2-cars because some of us, get car sick and quite frankly we had a lot of stuff, not knowing what we really needed.  We had it all, from power jels, to Clif bars, goos, B-Vitamin power packs, bananas, back packs, water packs, fanny packs, water bottles, Gatorade and the infamous Red Bull. We set out from BFit at about 4 PM…and in one car, way myself and my long time training partner and best buddy Kyleann Heim, and in the other car was Robin Loercher (aka..Lead Foot Loercher), Mikey Goshert and Rachel Schmuck.  And, Shane Loercher, also drove separate, he is Robin’s son.  Now Kyleann and I have done trail runs/races before, but in the White Car where the other 3 resided, they were all new to this.  Robin and Shane had done one other trail run just this past year.

But, on our drive, and even more so later this week, it hit me, the white car, that we followed down and back from the Rothrock Challenge, that carried Robin, Mike and Rachel, was the 100 Pound Car.  Each person in that car had lost 100 or more pounds, you can read all about them in our “Losers Story” section on our Success Stories page.  For some it has only been just about 1 year, and others closer to 2 years that they have lost their weight, meaning just over 1 year and under 2 years ago today they were over 100 pounds heavier, and now they are participating and completing 18.6 mile trail runs.  To me, I just find that “goose bump” worthy, you know what I mean??  I am in awe and amazement, thinking about just how far they have come and what they have accomplished!!

These 3 amazing people, are living proof that YES YOU CAN!  You can do this, they were right where you are.  They know it is not easy, but what they also know is that, IT IS SOOOO WORTH IT.  IT is worth all the hard work, it is worth all the sweat, it is worth the sacrifices, the change you seek, and create for yourself, is worth it!  They all have shared so many reasons why;  they like themselves better, they feel good in their own skin, they love the clothes they can now wear, they feel great, they have more energy, they are happier and they are healthier, they are better spouses, and better parents, they are more alive than they have ever been.  My reflection to all of you is that you CAN DO IT!  You have to really want it, you cannot say ok, I will try this week, I will try and lose weight, I will try to eat healthy, I will try to exercise…that will not cut it!  Try and Will DO are completely different statements.  Having an I CAN and an I WILL attitude is what it will take to get it done!  I know you can do it!  Some of you have only 2-weeks to go and some of you have 3-weeks, what will you do??

My other reflection, that came to me that I really want to share with you is that, these 3 losers, they “get it”, they know that just by doing 10-weeks with this program, it is not over!  I am happy to say it is never over, it is the beginning, and sometimes it takes awhile to get that concept.  They know that you cannot go back to your old lifestyle and old ways because it will lead you right back to where you started.  And, honestly we do see that time and time again between our sessions, people put their weight back on.  So, take the time now, to determine what you really want.  Commit to making changes now, not tomorrow, because tomorrow never comes.  Make it happen today.  Start learning new habits that you know you can live with.  Remember, it is still about small changes over time that add up to big lifestyle changes and a new you!!

I am happy to report that all 5 of us successfully completed this challenge, it took us all between 5 and 6.5 hours.  And, along the way…we got some bumps and bruises, and in fact, many of us are losing toenails due to the steep downhills, and even 1 of us did infact, dance with a rattle snake, right Rachel??  And, you know what the crazy thing is, they loved it, they want to do it again….now that did not come from me, I think after you loser 100 pounds, I think you get a little nutty J.  So, I encourage you all to stay the course, and who knows maybe you will be doing some of these fun and crazy events with us some day very soon.  See some photos below.

Totally Believing IN EACH AND EVERYONE Of YOU!!!

Anne

I have asked some of our “Biggest Losers”; those that have lost 75, 100, 150 pounds or more to share their story with you.  So, from time to time we will be sharing with you our  “Losers Story”, we hope that you can learn from these very successful losers on how they kept their focus, how they picked themselves up when they failed and how they kept going and never quit.  They will share their pathway of success with you.

We hope you find motivation, inspiration and renewed determination from their stories.  Our story this week comes from Michael, aka Mikey.   Mike is an amazing success story.  He joined our program and totally embraced every element of it, to ensure he would succeed.  And, SUCCEED is what he did, he is our champion loser with losing close to 170 pounds in just over 1 year.  He is truly a renewed man!  He has a new love for working out, loving to lift weights, and is now a runner.  In fact, both he and a few of our “top” losers recently successfully completed the Rothrock Challenge, which is a 18.6 mile trail run that was held on June 5.   Mike is a very humble man, not fully realizing the impact of his accomplishment.  He has already touched the lives of so many helping them to BELIEVE there is hope and that you can accomplish anything you put your heart and mind to.  We hope someday soon he will become a trainer so he can continue to help more people just like him realize the life’s dreams!!  You can find Mike mentoring and helping out some of our teams at the Denver facility and some surprise visits to our Reading facility.

Mikey thank you sharing your story with us.

Our Message is simple  Believe and you will Achieve, wishing you all continued success!

Here is Mikes Story:

The Biggest Loser program changed my life.

I would step on the scales where I worked (because most scales did not go high enough)  and over the years I watched my weight climb.  I used to step on the scale and say OK when it hits 300 – I’m going to do something.  Then it was 350 – Then 375.  Well, I couldn’t believe that I was creeping up close to 400lbs.  It started to affect my job.  I couldn’t get into certain places and  I was afraid to go up ladders.  I then developed some foot pains.  I talked to my wife, Gina and told her that I was  going to start working out.  My mom and step dad were at the Ephrata Rec Center every day.  So I asked my step dad if we could set a time to meet and start working out with me.  I used to love lifting weights and I thought that would be a good start.

Just going to join the gym was stressful.  You just think that everyone there is going to make rude comments behind your back.  I really had some anxiety about going.  I still remember my first day there.  I did not want to be there!  I would have rather been at the dentist!  While I was there I would see the Biggest Loser teams running around.  I would occasionally talk to one of the trainers Anne Hess – who I said would never get me on that big red ball!   I was feeling more comfortable there and my wife wanted to go to the Biggest Loser informational meeting.  I had lost around 30 pounds on my own and said that I was not going to do it, but I would go with her.  I was still embarrassed to go to the meeting.  Once I heard everyone, I decided that if my wife was going to do it I would do it also.  I needed it and I wanted to support her.   Sometime later that week I had written down the pros and cons of me doing the program.  Basically I set a goal list for the future and I was unaware of it.  Here they are:

• Miserable at amusement parks = couldn’t fit on the rides.
• Unhappy/unsociable at public events = I was ashamed of myself – embarrassed for my wife and kids.  I did not want my kids to get teased, because of my obesity.
• Doctor’s office = The first thing they do is tell you to step on the scale and I would have to tell them that I weigh more than 350lbs.
• Restaurants  = I would get mad if the family picked certain restaurants because all they had were booths and I could barely fit in them, if at all.
• My job performance = there were certain tasks that I would have to get someone else to do.
• Family vacations – Like the beach, I did not go already, purposely not getting off of work, I did not want to take off my shirt.  Which also kept me from swimming pools & pool parties.

I missed out on a lot, because of my obesity which led to my insecurities.  My family has suffered the most, but  I am really looking forward to this summer.  I plan on taking my boys to Hershey Park as soon as school is out.  We have a summer vacation planned the last week in July!

I did not do it alone!  That is why I also feel the need to thank those around me that have supported me.  My wife, my family and there are many people in Bfit that I should thank, but none more than Anne I would not be where I am today without her compassion, encouragement and belief in me.  She’s the best!

Whenever I reflect on this I get very emotional and that is why I do not like to speak about it.  I have tears of joy, because of what I have accomplished and tears of sadness, because of how much of my life I wasted.  I now weigh 215 pounds.  You can do the math.  I am a different person and have a new outlook on life.  The number one question I get asked is – “What’s the secret?”  Well, for me it was hard work.  Is it easy?   NO.  Is it worth it?  Yes!  Every ache, pain and sore muscle. I wake up now and proclaim, “It’s a great day to be alive!”  I really want all of you to realize that anything is possible and if I can do it so can you.

Your Greatest Fan,

Mike

4 cups quick-cooking pearl barley

3 Tbsp sherry vinegar or red-wine vinegar1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 oz Gorgonzola cheese, finely crumbled (about 1/4 cup)

6 cups baby spinach leaves, shredded

1/4 cup sliced red onion

2 Tbsp toasted chopped walnuts

Directions

1.Cook barley according to package instructions. Meanwhile, whisk together vinegar and mustard. Whisk in oil until well blended, then whisk cheese into the mixture.

2.Put cooked barley in a serving bowl. Add remaining ingredients, plus salt and pepper to taste, then toss gently. Stir in vinaigrette; cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to mix.

Makes 4 servings.

Per serving: 330 cal, 12 g fat (2.9 g sat), 51 g carbs, 463 mg sodium, 8 g fiber, 7 g protein