Our hikes

Sand Mountain, Red Cliffs Extreme, Pecan Trail, Red Mountain Trail, Saddle, Babylon, Stairway to Heaven,Hell's Canyon, Elephant Arch, White Cliffs, Slots, Volcano, Gila, Paradise Rim, Petrified dunes, Anasazi Ridge, Owen's Loop, Moss Canyon, Hidden Canyon, Three Ponds Overlook, Taylors Creek, Angel's Landing, Observation Point, Valley of Fire(not in Arizona), Third Ravine Extended, Mystery Canyon, Island in the Sky.....just to name a few.:)

We love to hike, and we know that it contributes to getting fitter and shedding a few pounds because of the success we have had each week. We love our guests, and we love that we get to know them so well on a personal level, and then we are able to push them beyond what they ever thought possible.

The hikes are endless here in St. George, and we are so excited to hike all the way through the hot summer days in cooler areas right next door to us.

"Meet Amanda" by Cindy Stephenson

Click here to read about our trooper Amanda who is here for two more weeks of her four week stay.

Hell's Hole/Romance Canyon

This hike actually named Hellhole, and here's the proof. This is Melanie looking exhausted, but to be honest, I don't think I've ever seen her exhausted.:)

This Canyon is one of the largest, most narrow and secluded canyons near St. George. In some places, the canyon walls are only about 20 feet wide and 700 feet high.

This is why we added the name Romance Canyon, it was so beautiful and the colors were fantastic.

This is Dave and Anna (Cindy's daughter and soon to be son-in-law). In just a few short weeks the trees in this canyon will be full bloom and gorgeous!

This is where we decided to end the hike. We were following John up this canyon as far as we could go, and because of the extra water it was a little more difficult. Cindy decided to question if John could jump back after he had jumped to this rock.


He did it, and made it to the other side, but we decided that was something we did not want to do:) We'll wait until the water goes down, (soon). We still have not figured out why they named this hike Hellhole.

Climb your way to a healthier life!!

A couple days ago our hiking staff went to discover a new hike we had heard about and wanted to try. There are so many reasons that we have chosen to do more hiking here at Desert Cliffs..... but one of them is because there are so many places to see, and so many different rock formations and different desert landscape, we want to share with everyone the amazing diversity from one hike to another.

So we pull up to this hike and we have to walk about a 1/2 mile on Pecan Lane (delicious pecans all along the way:)). The start of the hike is into a canyon that is so different than the red rock canyons we are used to, so it was a fun change.
This is a spectacular hike that takes a very deep and torturous canyon with towering Limestone cliffs. The canyon ends at this high majestic waterfall cliff. There was a small waterfall coming off of the top of the cliff and in the winter there are gigantic icicles. We knew that we would be able to see Zion National Park at the top, so we decided to head up this quite strenuous mountain all the way to the VERY top.:) (We are ambitious)
We climbed, and we climbed and we climbed some more. It was really challenging because of the loose rock, and we had to do it very slowly, it was a little out of my comfort zone, but we made it, and yes you can see Zion National Park from the top.

Eating the Nutrient Dense Way

'If you want to live longer, reduce your need for medications, lose weight faster than you ever thought possible, and dramatically improve your health, Eat For Health is the answer.

The more nutrient dense food you consume, the faster your health will improve. Fat will melt away, the need for medication will lessen, and you'll reverse the disease process!' Dr. Joel Fuhrman talks about this in his book, "Eat for Health"

I love this, because I believe that by making baby steps each day and changing your eating habits slowly, you will become the person you have always wanted to be, healthy, vibrant, and be one who doesn't have to count calories every single Day for the rest of your life! By eating foods that are Nutrient dense, and not caloric dense you will be able to reverse the effects that have stopped many from living the life we deserve!

These are the things that we can all be promised and guaranteed by eating a Nutrient Dense diet:
1. You will lose your food addictions and actually prefer healthy foods over low–nutrient food.
2. You will remove dangerous hunger and you will succeed at losing weight and keeping it off forever.
3. You will beat disease, reverse diabetes, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol without drugs and protect yourself against cancer.
4. You will get more pleasure out of eating.

Are these not enough reasons to start Eating the Nutrient Dense Way? Keep checking back for recipes that I will share in the next following posts.

Lifeskills

Lifeskills (Taking Control of your Health)

I added the sentences in the parentheses to apply to your health and weight loss goals.

INTEGRITY: To act according to what's right and wrong. (Should you eat a carrot or a donut? You know which one is right)

INITIATIVE: To do something because it needs to be done. (You need to workout every DAY)

FLEXIBILITY: The ability to alter plans when necessary. (If you didn't get your workout in, run your stairs at home, get your (at home) weights out. If you have to pick up something to eat quick at fast food- choose a salad)

PERSEVERANCE: To continue in spite of difficulties. (If you ate really bad over the weekend, start fresh the next day. Push yourself through new and difficult workouts.)

ORGANIZATION: To plan, arrange and implement in an orderly way. (Plan your week out- what your going to eat, and what your going to do physically)

SENSE OF HUMOR: To laugh and be playful without hurting others. (Join a workout group, and have fun)

EFFORT: To try your hardest. (Eat as well as you know, workout as hard as you can)

COMMON SENSE: To think it through before doing. (Have a plan, write it down)

PROBLEM SOLVING: To seek solutions in difficult situation. (Figuring out what to do when you hit a plateau, instead of quitting)

RESPONSIBILITY: To be accountable for your actions. (Own up to your excess calories)

PATIENCE: To wait calmly for someone or something. (Be patient, becoming your healthiest self does not happen over night)

FRIENDSHIP: To make and keep a friend through mutual trust and caring. (Make friends with those in the same exercise class with you or at the gym, you'll be surprised to find you will be going through some of the same obstacles)

CURIOSITY: a desire to learn or know about a full range of things. (Find out what those around you are eating, or doing for exercise, read books about health and nutrition)

COOPERATION: To work together, toward a common goal or purpose. (Find someone with the same weight loss goal, or nutrition goal, and work on that goal together)

CARING: To feel concern for others and yourself. (To really want to help others with their fitness and weightloss goals)

Five Great reasons to join us at Desert Cliffs Fitness Resort

1. Our hiking We have scheduled in extended hikes throughout the week, because we believe that it gives you the time to burn more calories, and honestly, we can't wait to show you the beauty we have here in our Mountains. Our groups are small, so everyone will get the hike that will fit their level from paved hiking to scrambling up the rocks. We want to help you, "Climb your way to better Health".

2. Affordable. We are so excited to offer our resort at such an affordable price, because we love what we do, and we want everyone to be able to take the time out for themselves without 'breaking the bank'.

3. Results. We have a program that works, and it takes you back to the basics. We are with you every step of the way while you're here to make sure that you understand and can take back home with you the tools you will need to continue seeing results.

3. Support Group. Not only will you have us with you every step of the way, you will meet individuals with similar goals. Because our accommodations are in a home, you will have the time to develop personal or professional relationships with people that are or trying to develop a healthy lifestyle.

4. Food. Our meal program is back to the basics (whole grains, lots of vegetables, protein, and fruit). We have chosen to make it simple, because of the simplicity, you will be able to see exactly what you can do at home, and you will not feel overwhelmed when you return home. Every meal is calorie controlled so you can get a good perception of what your meal proportions should be like at home. Don't get me wrong, you will absolutely love the meals. Our chef will teach you tricks to take something like Chicken, Brown Rice, and veggies (simple) taste delicious and so flavorful.

5. Health. 'Health is Wealth' There is no better reason to come to Desert Cliffs fitness resort than to, 'Take Control of your health'. Nothing can ever top the health benefits that you are guaranteed to have during your experience here. There is just no better way to live your life than living it with a healthy mind and body.