Celebrity's Biggest Loser

First, you should check out the updated Athens post here (http://ridingone.blogspot.com/2011/10/today-was-day.html) because I just added pictures at the bottom. I also put a back-dated post up today from an evening in Istanbul (http://ridingone.blogspot.com/2011/10/night-on-town-in-istanbul.html). Enjoy!

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So a lot of you have asked what the heck is going on with Celebrity’s Biggest Loser. Well, this week is Starring Crew Week – so there are a lot of exciting new events happening that are all designed to boost crew moral and show corporate appreciation for everyone onboard. Altogether a very nice gesture.

The one major activity in which I have chosen to partake is the weight loss competition, Celebrity’s Biggest Loser. Very much a mini version of the TV show.

So here’s what’s been going down. On the 16th we had our introductory meeting. October 17th was weigh-ins. I wasn’t as mortified as I usually am by my weight since everything is in kilograms, however, upon doing the conversion later I was a bit disappointed in myself. I weighed in at 133kg (you can do the math if you want). Later that day we had to go to the spa and meet up with the trainers to get our BCA tests done. I still don’t entirely know what that means – nor have I gotten to see my results – they go over that tomorrow in our group meeting.

Every voyage there are 3 workout sessions. Right now, since we are in OPP outbreak, all of the workouts must take place at 6am. Very unfortunate for those, like me, who work until 1am on a regular basis. But that’s just what I have to do.

Our first workout was in Marmaris on the 19th. It involved jogging for longer than most were able. I managed to finish the distance without walking. Very proud. And then some extreme circuit training. I was pretty sure my heart was going to explode by the end of the session. But I was so energized afterward it took me 2 hours to get back to sleep.

Today was our second training session. It involved more jogging, and lots of sprints and other exercises on the sports deck. Squats are killing me – I feel like I have no hamstrings in my entire body. Unfortunate.

I have been exercising outside of the trainings, too. In Santorini I hiked back up the mountain and down again. And yesterday Iain and I went on an hour long power walk through Piraeus, Greece. I have also stopped using elevators altogether – I think I average about 60 flights of stairs per day on the ship. My calves and quads might be inflating that number due to exhaustion. I also do backstage workouts with one of our technicians during our slower shows.

I’ve also stopped drinking anything but water – or soda water if I am feeling frisky. I only eat vegetables, rice cakes (like Quaker at home), fruit and occasionally sushi. I did cheat and have some chocolate last night. But a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.

So far I am down 4 kilos. Very impressive. Someone said that they already notice my upper arms shrinking. I’m flattered.

Anyway, the competition ends on December 17th – a good day for me since I should be seeing my Mommy and my BriBri on that day. Nothing like a reunion and looking FINE!

Did I mention that the winner gets an iPad2? Another motivator.