Arrival at the FRidge

Just like on their website! Amazing :)

Well, I made it! I can't believe I am here. I feel like a little kid, I'm so excited! There were three of us on the shuttle from Las Vegas to the FRidge, so we were in our own little group when we arrived. We checked in, where the staff had a notebook prepared for each of us: Everything you ever wanted to know about the FRidge! We were able to get a very quick tour as a very friendly young man wheeled our bags to our rooms. Already, I am very impressed by the friendly staff. (A girl could get used to this!)

My room

The view from my room

We then did our "test in" and pre-orientation meeting. The test-in is the fun part where each of us got weighed and measured, filled out the waivers and very brief medical history, and met with a gal to answer any last minute questions. Oh, and I got a nametag with lanyard, and a water bottle. Yay!

Next on the agenda? DINNER! I forgot to bring my camera to dinner, so I didn't get a picture of the food. I was so nervous about where to be, and when, that I spaced it out until I was sitting at the table. So, meal pics will have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight for dinner we had chicken salad on butter lettuce, mixed greens from the salad bar with various vegetables and choice of salad dressing (I picked balsamic vinegar, and it never tasted so good!), and they even served us a dessert! It was a chocolate mousse with Grape Nuts "crust." It was all very good, and I felt totally satisfied at the end of it. They only serve water (well, they probably serve non-caffienated teas, but I don't "do" tea, remember?), but we have access to the industrial sized ice machine 24/7! I am SO in love, already :)

Towards the end of our meal, the lead trainer here at the FRidge turned on a mic, and everyone in the room went around and introduced themselves. (There are two people here you might recognize from The Biggest Loser. . . shall I name names? See the comments section tomorrow.) The people who are staying another week offered any advice to the "newbies." There was lots of talk about water and keeping hydrated, which is to be expected here in the desert. Others mentioned duct tape and Vaseline on the feet to prevent the formation of blisters. Duct tape? I'll let you know how that goes! I purchased some "anti-friction" socks (in my "research") so hopefully that will suffice.

Another view. . . just outside my door

The most encouraging talk was about transformation. THIS is what I'm after! Getting back in touch with me. You know, the person I like and want to be around. The person who knows what needs to be done, and gets it done: happy, fun-loving, active and excited for new adventure. I know I will find her here around some red rock! I am so ready.

So, I have to be up and ready to go on my first FRidge hike tomorrow morning at 6:15 am. Yes, that's right! Up, dressed, eyeballs in, sunscreened, Camelbak filled, and ready to go at 6:15. In. The. Morning. We get to have breakfast AFTER we get back from our hike, at around 9:30. So, after dinner each night, we are free to grab some fruit (apples, bananas, or oranges) to nibble on in the morning before the hike.

Thank you all for following along, and please leave me some comments!