YOUR GOALS FOR 2012

If your goals this year are to travel and see amazing sites without breaking the bank, clear your caloric debt, and become healthier....do it here at Desert Cliffs....here's how:

We are by far the MOST affordable spa around! We are affordable, because we love this so much, we would love to share it with you for FREE, but since we know we can't do that, we made it VERY affordable. You will see majestic red rock, visit with us Zion National Park and hike like you never thought you could.

Clear you caloric debt--- because we focus so much on hiking, our guests are able to burn thousands of calories each day without realizing it. Our hikes are breathtaking, beautiful, and our guests experience joy, fatigue, exhaustion, accomplishment, all during these hikes. I have seen countless times our guests reaching the end of their rope only to be able to keep going because the surroundings are motivating and worth every ounce of energy.

Healthier--- our meal plan is incredibly, delicious, healthy and real. Our guests come and learn that being healthy is easier, and much tastier than they thought.

what is stopping you....."Let's Take a Hike"!

Why Do I Hike?

Why do I hike? 'Tain't no mystery

wanna have a good Medical history,

Doctor told me Hikin' is Great

Helps them Blood cells Circulate.

Great for the lungs, Great for the Ticker,

Can't nothin' Getcha in Better Shape Quicker,

Feels so Healthy, Feels so sweet,

Pumpin' my arms and Flappin' my Feet,

Moldin' my muscles, Firmin' my form,

Pantin' like a Pack mule, sweatin' up a storm,

Keeps me youthful, Keeps me Loose,

Tightens my Tummy and SHRINKS my caboose,

Beats Bein' Sluggish, Beats bein' Lazy----

Why do I hike? Maybe I'm Crazy!

one of the best things about Desert Cliffs is watching our guests conquer their fears and to see them empowered by their own efforts and successes!! Lovely people come to us...having never hiked before, and by the end of the week...we find them at the tippy-top of Observation Point in Zion!! You can do anything you set your mind to!! Especially with the help of Desert Cliffs!! Count on it!!

Fact for the Day:

1/3 pound broccoli contains more vitamin C than 204 apples

Hula hooping may seem rather childish, but there are actually a surprising number of benefits to an exercise involving hula hooping. If you’re interested about the fitness benefits of hula hooping, read on.

Benefit #1: Helps to Burn Fat

Hula hooping requires effort from some of the biggest muscles in the body. These muscles require a significant amount of energy, so it forces the body to burn fat stores.

Benefit #2: Tones Your Body

Hula hooping works out several of your body’s core muscles. It strengthens and tones these muscles. Muscles that can be toned by hula hooping include: glutes, thighs, hips, legs, knees and abdomen. In addition, you can twirl a hula hoop with your arms to tone your shoulders and forearms. Hula hooping with heavier hoops can provide additional resistance to tone these muscles faster.

Benefit #3: Increases Your Fitness Level

Hula hooping is such a low impact exercise that just about anyone can use it to increase their endurance and general fitness level. Even just 10 minutes of hula hooping can provide enough benefit to your body to increase aerobic activity. Hula hooping is so effective as an aerobic workout that an hour of hula hooping can help you burn just as many calories as the same length of time of an intense workout, such as the treadmill. For those unable to perform serious aerobic exercises due to health reasons, hula hooping can be their gateway to better health.

Benefit #4: Improves Your Mood

Hula hooping is fun, and it makes exercising less of a chore. To be able to do something fun and see the improvements to your body can liven your spirit and raise your confidence.

Benefit #5: Improves Your Coordination

Hula hooping requires a certain timing and rhythm. By practicing, your coordination will improve as your body starts to learn this timing. As your skills get better, hula hooping with more than one hoop at once can be challenging and help to improve your coordination even further.

Benefit #6: Improves Flexibility of Your Spine

The motions of hula hooping require a significant range of motion for your spine. Increased practice in hula hooping can train your spine to a greater range of motions than you’re used to, thereby increasing your flexibility. This can help you in the prevention of back injuries.

These are just a few of the benefits that hula hooping can provide. While hula hoops may seem like child’s toys, they can be an effective weight loss tool for adults as well. While the plastic models available for children will not offer much for an adult, you can purchase weighted hula hoops to effectively workout. Hula hooping may be one of the easiest and most fun methods of weight loss that you can find.

via

Thanks to the Wine Ladies from Toronto, we now have this fun video to share with you! Here's a fun peek into what Desert Cliffs is all about !!!
Enjoy!! And come join us soon!!!

How to cut a Kiwi...perfectly simple!!!

Shampoo alert!

As I was washing my hair in the shower this morning, I read the label on the shampoo bottle and I'm still in shock! The shampoo I use while showering, that runs down my entire body says "for extra volume and body"! Seriously, why haven't I noticed this before? Now I understand why I have gained so much weight...!

Tomorrow I am going to start using "Dawn" dishwashing soap. It says on the label "dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove."

I'll tell you one thing, "It pays to read the warning labels, my friend!"

DAY 50!!

Wow I can't believe I have 40 days left of the challenge and then I will take a picture and give you all my results. I have to admit, it's been a challenge to find the time to work out. I have done something at Least 5x a day, even if it was just for 30 minutes. My eating has been great up to about 2 weeks ago, and I just started to not be aware of what was going into my mouth. I'm back on track though, I went in last week and weighed myself, and sadly I have only lost 12 pounds, but that is still 12 pounds, and I am trying to stay positive, so I can continue to keep the motivation.
I have 40 days, and I am going to set another goal of 15 pounds in these next 40 days. Realistic goal setting is very important on the road to getting back in shape. I was able to lose 12 pounds in 50 days, but I also know that I could've worked harder, so that is why I'm going to challenge myself to 3 more pounds in 10 less days....I'm pumped, and I will do it just because I am competitive, and I have someone to prove to that I can.:) So if my blogging is far and between in these next 40 days, it is because I am running, lifting weights, or cooking a healthy meal:).
Tonight I went to a weight class at the gym, and then when I got home, my boys wanted to run the tower with me, so we went. I am reminded every time I am outside, and climbing any hill, why we started Desert Cliffs. There is just something so rejuvinating about hiking. I was able to clear my head, and enjoy the beauty of the world I live in now and I was NOT able to do that in the gym class.
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing," Helen Keller wrote. In the midst of our fast paced, drive-thru lifestyles, people still crave experiences that are more intense—more direct and authentic—than those available at the multiplex or shopping mall. This is why we are who we are, and I am so passionate about our program that will reboot, rejuvinate, and reenergize our guests.

last 30 days

wow, here we are to the last 30 days of my 90 day challenge. It has been more difficult for me, because there was not a competition, and I am soooooo competitive with other people, but not myself. The last 30 days I did not focus on my workouts as much because of the pain I've had with my body, so my focus was on my food intake, and NO SUGAR!

Here's the lowdown. I think everyone has to throw in challenges for themselves without beating themselves up if they don't complete that challenge. I did not make it 30 days, but I made some drastic and very habit forming changes. Because sugar was not going to be in my diet, it was easier to say no to the little dumb things I would put in my mouth, like a jelly bean, or swedish fish, or something that just was out of habit. I KNOW it is harder to say no after one bite of something, so by not taking that bite, I became stronger. I did only make it 25 days, but we were having a BIG family gathering, and my brother's girlfriend brought some delicious cookies that she made, and she was passing them out. I took one, and my sister told me not to do it, but I was proud of the 25 days I had, and I was ok, because it was a lot easier for me now to say no to "not worth it" sugar. This cookie on the other hand was "worth it" sugar:), and after half a cookie, I gave it to my daughter because I really didn't need the rest....now that deserves a 'gold star' for me to be able to do that!!:)
I'm not perfect, but I promise if you challenge yourself, you will see results, and I have lost another 8 pounds this month, so a total of 16 pounds in 60 days.
So now on to the next 30 days........EXERCISE again EVERY day!!!! I am feeling great, and have returned to the gym for a class called Group Power (with weights).
I am excited to get back into hard core working out, but the challenge for myself is to not over EAT, which is a challenge for the mind because I tend to think because I worked out I can allow more food.....not if I want to see results. So here I go...it's kind of my Last chance month.....and I will have my results in 30 days with a few updates here and there:)

If, when we were young, we tramped through forests of

Nebraska cottonwoods or raised pigeons on a rooftop

in Queens, or fished for Ozark bluegills, or felt the

swell of a wave that traveled a thousand miles before

lifting our boat, then we were bound to the natural

world and remain so today.

from: Last Child in the Woods

by: Richard Louv

The summer hiking in Southern Utah has officially begun!!! We are back in Zions' Kolob Canyon, and we'll be visiting Pine Valley and Knarraville too!!!  Love, love this time of year!!!  Cool breezes, late blooming wild flowers, running streams!!! Its perfect!!!  Lucky guests who choose this this time of year to visit us and hike with us!!!

A little restucture to my 90 day challenge

Well I have been at this for 28 days now, and unfortunately my body is not as ready to jump back as I am. I have had some major back pain, and my rib is still really sore....I have been so excited to start this 90 day challenge that it makes me mad that I have had these setbacks, but I will forever teach differently because of what I have gone through (I struggle doing some of the easiest yoga poses I teach). So I am going to focus on eating healthier for the next 30 days and hopefully help you get some better ideas for eating.....anyone reading this fill free to jump in and give me some fun easy good ideas!! I am not going to focus so much on the exercise because my body is still healing, and to be honest if anyone knows me, I LOVE TO WORKOUT, so I don't find that difficult, however EATING is a struggle....I am one of those who will workout harder and longer to be able to eat my SWEETS or extra BREAD!:)

Last January I went 30 days without sugar, and it was really beneficial. Because my weekness is sweets, it helped me to form a habit to eat a LOT less. So I plan on going the NEXT 30 days without sugar, and for the record.......I am on my 2ND day.....Every day counts for me because it is going to be a challenge, but I believe if there is something you want to achieve, 'FAKE IT', so for the next 30 days I am going to FAKE like I have NO problem going without sweets!!! :) I know this works, and I wouldn't do it if I didn't. I remember hearing that it takes 18 days to form a habit, so the habit that I intend to gain from this is the habit of NOT reaching for EVERY sweet in my view.

I am not completely dropping exercise from life, I will go on bike rides with my kids, swim some laps, go on walks, and do A LOT of yoga!! I am excited for this because I know that the last 30 days of my challenge I will feel a lot better, and then I will be able kick the exercise up a few NOTCHES!:)
Today my meals included; Oatmeal with wheat germ, bananas, craisins, and raw sunflower seeds YUMMY!:) Lunch, a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread, dinner was a 6 inch chicken sandwich at Subway...and I have to say I didn't TOUCH the cookies I got for my screaming, begging children:). My snacks, orange, apple and saltine crackers, and lots of H2O:)

day 22 and day 23

I have to be very creative with my workouts since I have little ones at home, and I am still doctoring my bruised rib. I went out with my two kids in the stroller and tried to run, but it just was too painful, so I walked....I love hills, and when I'm walking I feel like I have to climb a hill to get my heartrate up, so I remembered a hill up the street from my house on Foremaster, so I headed there. It was awesome.....here is the picture of the first part of the hill.

It was a beautiful view at the top, and a great workout!

But that's not it....the hill goes back down on the other side, and boy did I want to challenge myself, so I went down.
And came back up! It was a great workout, and I didn't have to run!! I love hills, they push you without you having to push yourself like you would walking on a flat surface.....so go out and find a hill near you and conquer it!
Today I was so frustrated, because it was so windy and cold outside, so I had to do my workout inside, and I jumped on the internet to see if something inspired me, but it all comes down to just turning on music, and lifting some weights. I just used my 5 lbers today, and did some shoulder presses (very slow and controlled because of my rib), some bicep curls, some tricep extensions, some lunges, and some squats. The trick is to remember to do 3 exercises. like bicep, tricep, and lung and do 15-20 reps 3 TIMES. You must get your heart rate up, and you should take your muscles to fatigue.
It's very frustrating, because moves that did not take any effort before are really challenging for me..a simple pushup is very challenging, but I have to forget how many pushups or tricep dips I used to be able to do and focus on getting stronger. This is a great place for me to do my workout (in my BATHROOM:)) I turn on some music, and go for it......again remember, you will get out of it what you put into it....you don't have to do all the new fancy moves, just stick to the basics, focus on the muscles that you want to develop, and take them to exhaustion, and when the weight comes off, the muscles will be beautiful because of your effort(I know this to be true, but even though I know the truth, it is still hard to follow!)

Week 4 - Day 21

Thought I'd share the little angel that I gained all my weight for, and boy was she worth it!:) Ok, I can blame her all I want, but the truth is I let myself eat what EVER I wanted, and because I always said, "I'm eating for two", my portion sizes got out of control, I did not need to gain the 50 pounds that I did with her, but I did, and here I am trying to lose 35 lbs! Last week was out of control crazy....and my bruised rib really set me back, I was in a lot of pain-just bending over to pick up something hurt, so I did not work out Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,and Sunday, and I started to slip back in my old habits of eating "Too much".
BUT......... I do have to say, I had some "aha" moments (I never thought I'd use that word:)). I went to my dad's retirement party, and I didn't have ONE slice of cake, and the full size candy bars that had, "Congratulations" on them for people to take home......I did NOT take one!:) My other moment was when I was talking to my sister-in-law and I noticed that she had lost weight, and asked her what she was doing to lose the weight. She told me that she just became "AWARE". She was getting to a weight that she was when she was nine months pregnant with her first child, and decided to make a change. She just started working out 5 days a week for 30 minutes minimum. She became aware of what she was putting in her mouth. She looks great, and she inspired me.
So, I came home and today being Monday, I knew I needed to get a good workout in even though my ribs were still hurting me. So I got the kids in the stroller and did my route that I do all the time and a week ago "RAN" and felt AmAZing. Today was different, I felt pain, and I felt heavy, I only walked the route this time, and tried to keep up the pace. I am sad to say that I still have only lost the 5 lbs that I dropped the first week, but I am going to stay positive, and try to allow myself to slowly become stronger so I can avoid injuring myself. I know that the key is "BECOMING AWARE", because although this is a slow process, I notice myself making small changes that make me "proud".

a LITTLE setback in my 90 day challenge

Day 10 Thursday morning after my run at Dixie stairs, I got up and could hardly walk, my calves were soooo tight!! I usually love to be sore because it makes me feel like I'm getting stronger, but this was painful. I missed my morning run, and had such a busy day, I decided to go to Summit Athletic Club that evening. I LOVE a good hard workout, but like many others, I have a HARD time motivating myself at the gym without a class or someone there to push me. I wasn't too thrilled to go by myself, so I took my took older boys so they could go play basketball. I went up to the weights, and started to do a little circuit with the machines, but didn't feel the fire, and I didn't go in with a plan. Then my boys came up and wanted to workout. I spent a while helping them lift the weights right, and then I decided I needed to get some cardio. I started on the treadmill and then my boys asked me to come and play speed with them in the gym, anything to get off that machine:). Well it was not the workout I would accept as an instructor, but I was there. It's really tough to get motivated when the body feels so out of shape, but this is why I set myself up for 90 days, and not a quick 30. I know what it takes to get the body back, and I don't want to hurt myself while doing it, but what we need to remember is that it's a LIFESTYLE change. My lifestyle as a mother is filled with opportunities to involve my kids and run around with them and be an active person. I can not wait til I can participate in a high intensity workout, or train for a run, but this 90 days is about getting myself back on the lifestyle plan that I want to grow old with.
Day 11 Friday I went walking with my kids in the stroller and found a fun trail that goes for miles and miles. I found a really fun loop, but I was only able to walk, it was frustrating, but a wonderful walk and I made sure I was going as quickly as I could. It did not have the hills like my other route, but it was a NICE change.
Day 12 Saturday I woke up with an infection (mastitis). It hit me so hard I was in bed all day!!
Day 13 Trying to recover from my day in bed....Mother's day...my kids got me a basket of fun stuff with lots of chocolate......NOT a good thing to give someone that has been doing so well, I wonder if a lot of our guests go home and experience this....I ate most of it all by myself!!! I was mad at myself because I was doing so well.
Day 14 What a busy day, I had to run my son around for rehearsal and a photo shoot for the Little Mermaid coming here to Tuacahn. I decided I would come home and workout that evening. I got home pretty hungry because I was on the go all day, and my husband had gotten pizza for dinner......OH DEAR........I had four slices, plus I ate some of my kids crusts!!! Last night I bruised my ribs, and so here I am the next morning KNOWING that I have got to JUMP back on the wagon before it passes me by. I will report on my day, and I promise I will have fit a workout in one way or another.........I guess it doesn't help that I ate a slice of pizza for breakfast:). Accountability....."I will report on what I ate today, and will not lie:)"
Lesson to be learned.....Do not be hard on yourself! Allow yourself to make mistakes....I know that because I am aware, my eating habits are going to become much healthier....yes I will have a slice of pizza now and then, or some chocolate, but by the end of this 90 days, it will not really end, it will just be easier to NOT binge, and NOT kick myself when I'm down, this is the HARDEST part!! Maintaining is much easier, and when you get into the maintaining phase, it has become part of you, I've been there, and I'm determined to get back.

"Butch Cassidy: [to Sundance] Boy, I got vision, and the rest of the world wears bifocals."

"Sundance Kid: Well, I think I'll get saddled up and go looking for a woman.

Butch Cassidy: Good hunting.

Sundance Kid: Shouldn't take more than a couple of days. I'm not picky. As long as she's smart, pretty, and sweet, and gentle, and tender, and refined, and lovely, and carefree..."

Our guests that have been here will recognize this famous shot!(thats Colosseum in the background..or also recognized as the way into Fern Gully!!) If you have ever hiked with me in Snow Canyon State Park...you have heard my rendition about Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid movie, and the famous waterhole on the spectacular red rock.

The other day I stumbled upon a treasure...an actual photo of said waterhole with Paul Newman falling backwards into it!!! Upon discovering this classic photo I have learned that I was mistaken!!! The tale I told for many years, with great confidence I might add, was that it was the dashing Robert Redford who took the plunge...NOT!! It was ol blue eyes Newman!!! oops!!!

Come hike with us!! See what the handsome cowboys of the west saw!! Some days its almost painless and its always a whole lot of fun!! Who knew burning fat could be so "entertaining?!" And memorable!! And historical!!!

posted by Cindy

Day 8 &9

Well because Monday was such a hard challenging workout, I was really tired on Tuesday. I had a lot to do, so the day just kind of went by and at 7:30 at night I knew I had to do something. I was going to leave the kids home with John and go running, but I decided I wanted to do weights. So I tried the dvd called 'I love Group Power' that was given to us from one of our personal trainers at the spa. Payton(my 11 year old) decided to do it with me. He was using 5 lb weights, and I used 8 lb weights, and the instructors on the video were using 30+ lb bars(they were guys). It was hard, and I was pathetic, but I tried not to get discouraged because I am not where I used to be athletically. I also had a blast working out with my son, he would tell me to keep going when I wanted to quit.
So today I woke up and I had all three of my kids (I usually work out pushing the stroller when I only have two), and so I decided to go to Dixie College and run the track and stairs. When I pulled up,I was not really in the mood, and I was scared that I wouldn't be able to push myself, so I decided to run a lap and run the stairs twice. I thought 30 stairs would be a good challenge, until I actually ran one!! I quickly dropped my challenge to 10, and was walking the rest of the 9:).. I won't have a problem challenging myself at Dixie, because I really want to run the 10 stairs, and then get to running 30!! My legs were jello at the end of 10 stairs, I couldn't BELIEVE how challenging it was, oh man do I want to get out on those mountains again:).
It is a challenge to get a workout in EVERY day, and after I lost the first 5 lbs so quickly, I was on such a high, and then thought I'd put on my clothes and notice a HUGE difference, yes my clothes fit better, but I wanted them to be loose.:( It is a daily struggle to not get discouraged and give up, but then I would be eating my words....I love to motivate others and help them to understand that weight loss is one of the hardest things to do, but one of the most rewarding when done! I am right in the beginning and I have a long road ahead, but it really does help to right down each day my progress. Eating has been very easy for myself, because I am eating Desert Cliffs meals, and I KNOW that just by eating the meals anyone will lose weight, so it's pretty easy to stick to it knowing at the end of this week I will see results.:)

The weekend

Day 6&7 I thought the weekend would be really hard, weekends always are, but Saturday was not too hard because I was busy running kids to their different activities. I did 30 minutes of weights, and started slowly incorporating some more yoga (boy do I miss yoga). Sunday was a rest day for me, and I did eat too much, but I did not eat as much as I have before, so I think I did farely well. I found a new treat from our cook at Desert Cliffs..I melt semi sweet chocolate chips, and then stir in craisins, it's not a hot fudge sunday, but it helps to stop the sweet craves I have:).

Day 8 I woke up Monday morning, and knew I needed to challenge myself. I have a great route that I told you has 8 hills, and it takes me about an hour, and I walk a lot and try to RUN up the hills. Well I challenged myself to RUN the whole thing. I know that if I want to see results, I need to shock my body, and my body has been walking a lot(which is GREAT, and I love), so I decided to run and not let my body stop until I was done. The first two hills were GREAT, and when I got to the top, I still ran (slowly :)), and I was really proud, the third was starting to get challenging, and by the time I ran the 5 & 6, I wondered if I gave myself a challenge I couldn't do, but I'm competitive, and I like challenges, so I kept going. 7 & 8 hill were torchurous, but I am proud to say I did it, and I cut my time to 45 min instead of 60!!
I am getting spoiled this week and I am receiving meals from Desert Cliffs spa, but the challenge for me is going to stick to them and not eat my meals here at my home also. Yesterday I got a yummy avacado wrap with potato salad, and for dinner I ate a yummy mexican corn tortilla dinner with corn and salad. I was wanting to eat late at night, so I did make myself a spinach salad with lots of veggies (cooked onions and mushrooms), and lemon juice, garlic, and thyme for dressing.
I lost 5 pounds last week, and plan to lose a little more this week, I am CERTAIN that diet although we try to dance around it, is KEY to weightloss, and thanks to Desert Cliffs, I don't have an excuse this week.:)

Day 4 and 5

Yesterday, was kind of an off day, I think the day before really did me in when I ran 6 miles. I still got out and did an hour of run/walking pushing my stroller, most of it was walking. I came home and did my 3 sets of triceps, biceps, and pushups. Eating has been great, I don't feel hungry, and I am really making good choices (remember the weekend has not come yet:)), and I also eat a lot of little meals throughout the day, my fave being cottage cheese with blueberries. Because I am so busy, I have had to reteach my taste buds. I will feel the urge to snack, so instead of crackers, or chips, I will grab a tomato, put a little salt on it, and eat it like an apple, or cucumbers are great to grab and eat, of course it's not my fave, but it really stops those cravings.

Today I just could not get my workout in this morning, and I HATE working out at night, but I made a commitment to do at LEAST 30 minutes a day, so I knew all day I was going to have to figure something out. My husband got home at 7:30, so I grabbed my 9 year old son, and we headed for the TOWER!(a 1000 ft incline). It was great!! My son creamed me, but I told him that someday I was going to beat him, and he asked when and I said, "IN A MONTH", so I better get busy, because he really was fast! We did it in 28 minutes, so that is something I can do quickly, it's close, and it really works the BOOTY!

I heard a trick once from someone saying that they piled their bowl with spinach and then put their pasta on top, so they could still eat their pasta, but not too much, and since I'm a mom of five I don't have time to make a seperate meal for me, so I eat what my family eats, and tonight it was pasta. I piled my spinach in my bowl, and added about 1/2 cup of pasta, and it was great, and I actually felt full when I was done, I honestly didn't think I would.
So tomorrow is the weekend.......so hard for me!!! But I am really proud I really didn't know how I was going to fit exercise back in my life, but I have worked out for 5 days in a row!!!

Day 3

Today was so busy, I was wondering what and when I was going to fit in a workout, but I knew I had to, so I put my 3 year old in the tub, and I did my workout in my bathroom with music and weights, and I am sore, so yeh....:) Weight lifting is so important, and there is so much you can do at home....I recommend taking it slow, do not overdo it, because you can really hurt yourself if you do to much. Because I am just getting back into it, I chose 5 excercises...Biceps (10 reps), tricep dips (25 reps), pushups (I am just barely making it to 10 reps on my knees), squats (20 reps with a 20 lb weight). I did all four of these 3x, and in between I did some yoga and stretching, I worked out for about 30 minutes, and it felt great, I felt like I challenged myself.

I took the kids to the park, and walked the stairs while they played. As far as my eating, today I was so busy I had to grab stuff fast, but I chose the apple instead of the chocolate, the side salad while I ran to Wendy's with the kids.

Let me know how you did today in the comments, it helps to write it down, and I plan to do it every day so I have something/someone to report to.

Check Out This Food Blog!!!

A great blog to learn about how to change our eating habits into healthy habits...and why!!!! Enjoy!!

Day 2

Breakfastshake (banana, 1/2 orange, 1/2c oatmeal, 1 tbls honey, 3 strawberries, ice)200 cal
Snack 2 100 cal oatmeal bar
lunch up at tuacahn a salad with chicken and 1/4c pasta 1/2 a breadstick 400 calories
Snack one slice of bread with peanut butter and homemade jelly 200 cal
snack 1/2 cup of cottage cheese 150
Dinner pasta with spinach and marinara 500 cal
snack 150 cal popcorn
1750 total plus 100 for guessing:) I guess my calories, because being a mom of five, I just don't have the time to calculate, so this is my guess.

I want to stay around 1800 because I am still nursing my baby.

Today as I went out for my workout, my son missed his bus, so I decided to run with him while he rode his bike to school (3 miles there and 3 miles back). I had to go quickly so he wouldn't be late (he was 15 minutes late), and I really was tired by the time he got to school, and then I had to turn around and get home quickly because I had somewhere to get to. There were many times I thought about calling my husband to come get me, but I didn't want to, and I knew I could make it. It was a very challenging workout, and I plan to try to do it at least once a week, so what will you do once a week to challenge yourself?

90 day challenge

For those of you that don't know me, my name is Leanne, my husband John and I started Desert Cliffs, and I LOVE to workout, but after having a baby, it is challenging to find the time. I am posing in this picture with a very fit guest that comes twice a year, because she also loves to work out, and loves to devote her two weeks here to working out and eating healthy to keep her in tip top shape. I thought it'd be fun to take a picture with her now, and then one again in six months.
I knew this day was going to come, and it is here, time to get my baby weight off. Some may think that taking off baby weight is easy, but after doing it 4 times already, I know that each time it is more difficult. After my last child was born, my weight stayed the same for 3 months until I decided to compete in a 90 day weightloss competition. I was able to lose 35 lbs in that 3 months, and I plan to do it again, but it is very challenging.

So here are my rules:

1. I have to weigh and measure myself

2. I have to write down everything I eat in the day

3. I have to commit to doing at least 30 minutes to an hour of working out every day.

Most of us know that losing weight is VERY challenging, but it is a lot easier to do it when you have to share your journey with others, so I really hope that I can convince you to comment on our Facebook page whenever I post something, so I feel like I'm not alone on this difficult, but oh so worth it challenge. It is not necessary to post your starting weight(unless you want to), but every week I will be posting my progress (weight/inches/body fat % lost).

This is 'my' plan, and everyone's will be a little different, but the idea is to burn as many calories as you can each day.:)

Because I have a newborn, I will not be able to go to the gym like I'd like to, and I will not be able to put in the time that I would love to, but I plan to make my workouts effective.....so today I had an hour to workout, I got my kids in the stroller, and headed out. Behind my house I've got a lot of hills, and so I mapped out a route that includes 8 good hills. On each hill I run as quickly as I can up it. (doing intervals will increase your calorie burn). When I got done, I felt great, but it was hard, I am excited to increase my time and reduce my time on this route and burn the same, or even more calories because I've increased the intensity. When I got home, I did 3 sets of tricep dips on my coffee table(20 reps), 3 sets of pushups(12 reps), and some really good stretching.

I am excited to be able to be blogging about this, and I hope you will join me. I will update at LEAST once a week if not more to let you know what I am doing. Keep checking up on the blog, because I am going to talk more about my food choices.

Perfect Pineapple Every Time!

I love spring when many of my favorite foods are coming back in season. Pineapple is one of those, especially when perfectly ripe.

Here’s a foolproof tip for a perfect one every time.

Select any pineapple. Twist and pull to remove the spiny stem from the top. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the whole pineapple in a baking dish and bake for 1 hour.

Cool and refrigerate for 24 hours. Peel and slice. Baking the pineapple brings out the natural sugars of the fruit and turns it bright golden yellow. Enjoy!

tip by: Chef Kim Galvin

Its a truism that April is the perfect time to visit Southern Utah.

And its true that spring is the perfect time to visit Desert Cliffs to 'reboot' or to re-energize your work-out regimen.'

Desert Cliffs is the perfect weight loss retreat!

And its true that the desert has never been greener!

The wildflowers are resplendent!!

The hiking is prime!

Its safe to say that new life abounds every way one looks!!

But today instead of boasting about the local flora and fauna or about our great amenities...

We thought it'd be fun to tell you about 3 new “additions” to the Desert Cliffs family.

Indirectly connected that is.

April brought 3 new, healthy babies into our midsts!!

This month John and Leanne had a beautiful baby girl!!

baby Kemp makes five!!!

April brought Cindy a healthy, handsome new grandson

Stephenson grandbaby #6

Nick has a new addition to his gaggle of grandchildren too!!

Granddaughter #3

Good things are always happening here at Desert Cliffs!!

Come join us...so we can treat you like family!!!

Introducing a New Hiking Guide!!!

Cheryl Kanenwisher

I'm a recent transplant to Dixie from the midwest. I enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of every opportunity that avails me some time in the desert and sun. I'm in awe of the beauty around us so you might even catch me expressing my joy right out loud. I love a great hike that challenges and strengthens me and I love sharing that experience with others.

When I'm not enjoying time with my 3 daughters, husband and dog, you can find me on the trail. Happy trails to you!

If you LOVE Zion National Park as much as we do...

there is now a new "gadget" to enjoy it even more!!!

Go Here to 'see' Zion through other peoples' lenses.

“Above all, do not lose your desire to walk.

Every day I walk myself into a state of

well-being and walk away from every illness.

I have walked myself into my best thoughts,

and I know of no thought so burdensome

that one cannot walk away from it.”

-- Soren Kierkegaard 
Walks

No one can really remember the last time it snowed like this in April!!?

But everyone who experiences snow in Zion National Park is always filled with awe and wonder at the beauty it brings to the trails and views!

We cant always guarantee perfect weather in Southern Utah....

but we can always promise unsurpassed beauty and fun, fun, fun!!!

Come hike with us soon and we'll show you what we mean!!

A journey into the wilderness is the freest,

cheapest, most non-privileged of pleasures.

-Edward Abbey

We might have a reputation of being a boot camp...but we have heart. And love what we're doing and we LOVE our guests. So who's to say that we cant take time to stop and listen to the waterfalls and eat an apple for a moment!!! And we'd be nuts not to take a moment to crane our necks and look up!!! Oh the glory of it all!!!


We arent kidding about the blue skies and the great climate for hiking!! March 1st brought the most perfect of mornings for a hike into Hell's Hole. (who knows why they named such a spectacular place such a gruesome name...its a mystery!!!) Hell's Hole is anything but a miserable place!!

Happy Trails with a New Hiking Guide!

We have a new paint job on the van, and a new look for the website, and now we would like to introduce you to a new hiking guide. She has been training with us now for a little over a month and is doing a superb job- learning hikes and getting with the "program." We feel lucky to have her on the team!!


"I am Megan Nielson, I love St.George and its spectacular views. I am originally from St.George, grew up here in Dixie. I received my degree from SUU which is in Cedar City an hour north at a higher altitude from here but it sometimes felt like Antartica. There I met my wonderful husband, who happened to be from St.George. Our goal was to move back and enjoy family and weather. Now that I am back here, I have been able to experience the beauty that I never took advantage of as a child. I love my job and feel blessed to have the privilege to be working for Desert Cliffs and the opportunities that it gives me. This experience has helped me to become aware and encircle my mind, body, and spirit."

GOOD THINGS KEEP HAPPENING!!!

First a face-lift on the van...

Now a face-lift on the website!!!

Be sure to go and check it out.

And please let us know what you think!

Click HERE to take a peek.

We have a new and improved member of our Desert Cliffs team!

And today is the official unveiling!!

TA-DAH!!!

Isnt she a beauty!!!

All these months we have been driving around our sweet club van...incognito!

Then we look away for a moment....and look what happens!!!

We're official!!!

No more flying under the radar!!

Desert Cliffs is arriving!!!