Another opportunity to play the game, win immunity, stay on campus, or get sent home!

There is always a twist on campus with another opportunity to win immunity this week. I like how the Biggest Loser always knows when to pull which cards, which between you and I is really amazing since the Biggest Loser is considered a game show vs. reality show because there is a cash prize at the end. With that said they have to have the whole season of twists and turns pre-planned before each season starts.

From the beginning Melissa has been playing the “GAME” part of the Biggest Loser which by all means is fine if that is how you choose to play. However this week I got a little upset with how vocal she was, behind closed doors meaning INTERVIEWS mind you, about how these contestants still don’t get it. Get what Melissa? Contestants don’t step on campus for the cash prize they step on campus to learn how to take control of there lives, at this point I think there is only one contestant left on campus who just doesn’t get it!

All you can truly control is you and what you do. There are no alliances or game play which will guarantee you a spot on campus the only way to do that is to stay above the yellow line and occasionally win immunity.

I love how this week the Biggest Loser brought that thought process to the forefront of each contestants conscious thoughts. The opportunity to win immunity by being the first person to lose 2% of their total body weight truly brings the real meaning of the Biggest Loser back to reality. It doesn’t matter how fast you are in a challenge or how many questions you answer right in a quiz, what matters is how much weight you lose each and every week. So the race is on to see who hit’s the buzzer first everyone has the opportunity may the strongest buzz in first.

I think the Sunshine is really showing herself this week and really grounded on her wins. Although she as everyone else has the chance to ring in on that buzzer she is coming up to her under 200lb mark which is a huge win for anyone who has been above it. It is a celebration like no other to say good bye forever to being that weight or higher. She is showing the strong, capable, beautiful WOMAN that she is and has been but hesitant on embracing. It’s important for all of us to communicate with our loved ones that we are ok and we need to stand on our own, not alone but on our own to really embrace our strengths.

The challenge this week was a showcase of the feelings in the house. I just think that although the contestants may not dislike Melissa, they just don’t want the game play that comes with her. So if anyone is going to get a 1 lb penalty it’s not going to be one of their “friend” or group that has been on campus together so guess what Melissa that is what all against one feels like or game play rather, doesn’t feel very good does it.

Sam kills it with the buzzer…. Ok brother you only had to lose 6 lbs but 10?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are an ANIMAL.

When all is said and done a 1lb penalty doesn’t make a difference Melissa is at the bottom of the line or shall we say below the yellow line and would have been there even without the 1lb penalty.

I will say the fight is in Melissa regardless and you have to admire that. Most contestants in Melissa’s situation would have thrown in the boxing glove and exited gracefully. Melissa did what Melissa does best, make an argument which was a really good one if the house was full of game players but it is not so sorry Melissa I’ll we will just have to see you at finale and trust me I will not be surprise if you or Lance doesn’t take home the at home $100,000.00 cash prize.

Just remember no matter what you two have already won, remember I was there interviewing you that first day on campus and you were not in a great space as a couple. I have loved watching you guys come back together because that is what the Biggest Loser is all about, don’t you think?

Until next week,

Ali xo

I am sitting here tracking the Boston Marathon…… checking on Ali as she runs.  And I can’t help but reflect back…….

Two years ago april 15^th Ali became the First Female to ever win the Biggest Loser, and 2 and a half years ago, Ali and I were 100 lbs heavier (each) and trying out for a crazy television show!  My what a difference a couple of years make!

I can’t help but think isn’t life fabulous!  Better yet aren’t we as human beings awesome?  I mean ALL of us!  God’s creations!  Capable of amazing things.  And yet sometimes we forget.

Not that it’s easy to always remember.  When I was 53 and weighing in at 261, the last thing I could imagine was losing 100 lbs.  Or rather I should say the last thing I imagined was working out for 8 hours a day on a t.v. show!   And I NEVER would have imagined Ali running the Boston Marathon!  Ain’t life grand?!   ANYTHING is possible!  Where there is a will and patience you can go out and create the life you want!

You don’t have to have dreams of running the Boston marathon or even dreams of losing weight….but whatever your dreams are,  you CAN have them!  The evidence is all around you!  Just start focusing on what you want and why you CAN….. leave the boring failure thoughts out of the game!

At first when you are ‘dream creating’ it does seem like a ‘game’.  You might feel like you are koo-koo for thinking you can have your dreams……but guess what…..as you keep thinking you can and you gather evidence of why it is possible..and do everything you can towards it……. And WA-LA!  You’ll be running your ‘marathon’ or shaking that cute bootie or making that cash! 

Bottom line:   YOU CAN………….will you?

Bette-Sue

Boy this is crazy!  Nobody  blogs like Ali..she seems to have so much to say!  I on the other hand, seem to be at a loss for words! 

Anyone that knows me is probably laughing out loud, right now!  But it’s true!  It seems I need conversation to get me going.  I have a ton of opinions and I have never hesitated in giving them to just about anyone who is the least bit interested! J  so what’s up with this?

Anyway….can I just say I am sooooooo excited because I get to go with Ali to a lot of towns in America for the Famous Footwear, “Mind, Body and Sole’ Tour!  I get to be her assistant!  The good news is I get to meet of ton of you people out there in American cities, and the ‘other’ news ( not the bad news, cuz there is NO bad news) is, that I get to be the all important ‘personal assistant’!  I get to be the person taking a ton of pictures and some ‘flip’ video!  You will be able to check out Ali’s tour online on the Famous Footwear website.  Maybe I can turn into a professional photographer and videographer! J

Whatever I’m doing I hope you all come out to see Buba (that’s what I call Ali! ) if we are in a town near you! Keep checking the calendar on this web site to know where Ali’s gonna be!

 Honestly, ever since Ali won the Biggest Loser I, like you, have kind of been in awe of Ali!  She really is something else!  She works way hard to stay focused on helping herself and everyone else stay or get healthy!  It’s an honor to be her mother!  And I know that it is going to be a really fun time on the road and I’m thinking that then I will have a TON of things that I can BLOG about!  Check back!

Events Company “Chat, Chew & Chocolate” Collaborates with Motivational Speakers

Ali Vincent of NBC’s The Biggest Loser and Martha Beck of O, The Oprah Magazine

Scottsdale, Ariz. (April 1, 2010) – Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz. has long been heralded as one of the country’s leading boutique hideaways – a true sanctuary, as its name suggests. Women will be invited to reflect, engage and connect in the intimate setting of one of Sanctuary’s private Mountainside Estates during a series of four destination weekend retreats beginning the week of May 21. Thanks to a new collaboration, the retreats will be led by Dena Patton, CEO of the award-winning events and inspiration company, Chat, Chew & Chocolate. Celebrity speakers include Ali Vincent, first female winner of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, and Martha Beck, The New York Times best-selling author, life coach and columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine. Patton’s four retreats will vary in theme designed for today’s busy “Superwoman,” addressing Health and Wellness, Business Boot Camp, Glam in the City and Mind, Body, Spirit. The retreats will include plenty of blissful pampering and spa time, along with inspirational sessions that will distress and empower any woman.

Prices range from $1,900-$2,600 per person, per retreat, depending on lodging preferences, with accommodations offered in Sanctuary’s Mountain Casitas or in the Mountainside Estate (limited to eight). Each Friday through Sunday retreat, occurring the weekends of May 21, June 25, Aug. 20 and Oct. 1, 2010, includes luxury accommodations, sessions with Dena Patton, two-hour sessions with the celebrity speaker, a 60-minute spa treatment at the Sanctuary Spa, wellness classes including Tai Chi and Yoga, a chocolate happy hour, welcome bag with skin care goodies, journal and other gifts, healthy meals and snacks throughout, time to enjoy Sanctuary’s pool and resort amenities and a group celebration dinner at elements, Sanctuary’s award-winning restaurant led by Executive Chef Beau MacMillan of Food Network and NBC-TODAY Show fame. Retreats conclude with a session devoted to a take-home action plan, ensuring that guests are armed with the tools to transform their experience into everyday living. Further details are available at www.CCCretreats.com. Photography and headshots are available upon request.

About Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain:  One of the country’s most lauded luxury resorts, Sanctuary is a striking boutique property on Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, Arizona, just minutes from downtown Scottsdale.  Under the direction of Westroc Hospitality, Sanctuary enjoys international acclaim for its contemporary design, and award-winning elements restaurant and Sanctuary Spa.  A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Sanctuary was recognized in 2006 as the “top resort” in the United States by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler and was included on the Travel & Leisure “T + L 500” list.   Sanctuary has been a Condé Nast Traveler “Gold List” and “Reader’s Choice” winner since opening in 2001. www.SanctuaryAZ.com

About Chat Chew and Chocolate: Chat, Chew & Chocolate (CCC) is an award-winning events and inspiration company. CCC now celebrates five years of being the leading brand providing Superwomen natioThe Well-Balanced Superwoman. For more information about CCC and Dena Patton, visit www.chatchewandchocolate.com, or on Twitter @chatchew.

Ok I must admit that after being asked by my good buddy Mark Kruger to do the Boston marathon for the organization Good Sports that he has been working with, I was scared to death.  I mean really who was I kidding, a Marathon?  I knew that running was not my strongest point so I immediately got a running coach.  My coach really worked with my body positioning focusing on my core as to take the pressure off of my knees that I have previously had 3 surgeries on.  For years I let my "bad" knees be the excuse for not being active.  In fact when I stepped foot on the Biggest Loser campus I told Dr. H that I wouldn't be able to run due to the injury.  He kind of looked at me funny then went on to say that was not true and that we would just have to strengthen the muscle around the knees.

After a few months of training, before I knew it was time to get on the plane to Boston.  Saturday and Sunday was jam packed with Book signings at the Runner's World booth at the expo and fundraising events for Good Sports.  Sunday evening I attempted to fall asleep fairly early with the anxiety of the race at the forefront of my subconscious mind.  I tossed and turned and then I heard it, the ringing of the wake-up call.  I kept saying in all my interviews prior to this very moment, that I was counting on the rumors I had heard of thousands of people lining the streets to cheer all of the runner's on, to be the wind beneath my soles.  As I lay there before finding my way to the restroom, I prayed that the rumor would in fact be a reality. 

Although we were up bright and early to be at the buses at 6am our wave of the race wasn't scheduled to start till 10:20.  So as I waited in the athletes holding area I laid down put my eye mask on and visualized my race.  I was in it to finish it!  So I just wanted to make sure that I felt great and that I enjoyed the experience.  I visualized myself running with ease, my head held high and a big smile on my face as I waved to all the cheering people.  For the most part this vision is what I created.

And then there was Heartbreak hill!  I will first start by saying that anyone who tells you Boston is all downhill except Heartbreak hill is lying to you.  I may be from Arizona but an incline is an incline, essentially the whole race is up and down, up and down, up and down.  I just kept telling myself that by the end of the day I will be able to say I ran a marathon, Boston at that! 

You can only imagine as I rounded that left turn and caught a glimpse at the Finish line, I was so thankful that I was almost done.  My quads were burning, my hips ached, my feet were cramped and it also felt as if my toe was jammed.  By this time Erin and Maggie were running with me giving me the courage to keep going.  I can do this I thought, I am doing this, and as my hands shot up in the air as I crossed the finish line, relief and accomplishment ran through my body, I DID IT!

Marching, Marching, Marching, keep our bodies MARCHING!  I'm in St. Louis with Famous Footwear, who has been a national sponsor of March of Dimes since 2003, tomorrow is the annual March for Babies/March of Dimes Walk.  It's probably going to rain or sprinkle at minimum so bring you rain gear and ponchos whatever it takes to make sure you are at Forest Park Lower tomorrow morning April 24th bright and early.  I am going to be leading the group stretching at 8:40 am on the main stage just before we start walking at 9:00!  Remember every step counts to make a difference not only for you and your goals but also to bring awareness to the growing needs of March of Dimes.

Famous Footwear teamed up with Dr. Scholl's to create a signature walking shoe for March for Babies.  During the month of May for every pair sold Famous Footwear will be donating $5 up to $50k to the March of dimes.  So visit your local Famous Footwear store to pick up a pair and for all you in St. Louis I'll see you in the morning.

I love the Healthy Woman events.  They are an opportunity to meet women just like you in your community that you may have never crossed paths with in your day to day life.  I can't stress enough how important it is to find people in your life to help support you and your goals when it's 5:30 am and you just don't feel like waking up for your morning spin class.  Trust me it always happens at some point or another.  Support groups are in place to remind you when you forget 'why' during the process of reaching your goals whatever they may be!  I hope to see and meet you tonight.  Have your questions ready and I'll be ready to answer as many as I can after I share part of my amazing journey with you.

See you tonight,

Ali xo

Location: Stansbury High School
5300 N Aberdeen Lane
Erda Utah

Thursday, April 15th 2010

Healthy Woman Health Fair 4pm
Keynote Speaker 7pm

The other day I was at lunch with some friends and I started to have some old anxieties pop up.  I realized though that by talking about them they are unusually easier to deal with when I am open about what I am feeling. So I shared with my friends, as embarrassing as it was, that although we ordered the exact same thing I was coveting their plates.  Thoughts started streaming through my mind.... Did they get more?  I want their plate!  Would it be totally out of the question for me to ask them to switch plates?  Can I possibly come up with a good enough reason for switching?  Will they think I am completely out of my mind to share these thoughts?  So, I bit the bullet and did.  As I started to talk about my neuroses, we all started laughing!  Their jaws dropped a little bit at first but then we all started sharing about how we all have issues.  Mine just happen to be with food.  I mean come on, I'm the girl who used to drive through Taco Bell and wouldn't pull forward until the poor teenager at the register was very clear that I wanted my seven layer burrito, to look exactly like the picture.  So yeah, maybe I don't drive through Taco Bell as often as I used to but I have to celebrate my progress with the fact that I no longer hound the teenager behind the register and I am able to talk about wanting to switch plates versus actually doing it.  We all have these thoughts right?!  I can't possibly be the only girl who knows their order by number or wants to make sure that they feel just as full as their friends, ordering the same dish.  I often wonder if these thought processes will ever stop creeping up.  Maybe they will, maybe they won't.  Who knows?  I'll keep you posted!

OK! OK! OK! I know we all love Suze Orman, I mean how can you not?  She is a powerful, self made woman who has helped millions of people regain control of their lives, by daring them to essential GROW UP!  However to think you can pick a winner of the Biggest Loser based on their credit report seems like an oxy moron to me.  Let’s break it down to humor me for a bit.

Most of us trying out for the Biggest Loser have essentially no concept of choice and consequence, hence we are all morbidly obese.  So why would anyone think that the rest of our lives would be any different?  Sure there are those who are able to master particular areas of our lives and not others but the reality is that we tend to do it for everyone else instead of ourselves.  The majority of overweight people are dealing with much bigger issues than merely diet and exercise.  In fact most of us are pretty much pros in the those areas we just don’t do what it takes to apply our knowledge because we live our lives like CHILDREN.  Bob was the first person who out right called us out on that during my season of the Biggest Loser.  At first I was completely offended as you could possibly imagine.  Then I let it sink in particularly on my flight home from the ranch after I was eliminated.  He, Bob, was RIGHT!  I lived my life based on immediate gratification without regard to consequence.  I was a victim or at least I let that be my excuse.  Because it was easier to blame others then take a look at myself and my behaviors.  When I went on the Biggest Loser Ranch I was almost $100,000.00 in debt.  I didn’t own a house, I drove a car that was paid off.  Most of the debt occurred by me living on middle-class welfare after breaking my foot aka credit cards!  I was a victim, right?  Wrong I was living my life as Bob so graciously put it like a child.  I was eating out ALL the time fast food, restaurants trying to fill the void I felt inside.  Drinking A LOT to try and forget me reality of feeling lonely.  I bought tons of trinkets, purses, and shoes because they never let me down and it would feel good…. briefly, then it would pass.   I had to go buy more, eat more, drink more it was a vicious cycle that I didn’t know how to stop because I was living my life without regard to consequence like a child.  Suze Orman would never have picked me to win nor do I believe this possible based on what I know about myself and thousands of people that I have talked to dealing with obesity, that you can chose the success of someone based on financials alone, it’s a fun idea but that’s all it is.

Now as much as I love Sunshine and I do.  I think she is amazing and have loved watching her come into her own on the show, there is NO WAY she will win season 9 of the Biggest Loser if she does not start writing EVERYTHING down!

This episode had so many cool prizes in it I loved how the Change really means CASH lol.  As I watched this particular pop challenge I imagine millions of viewer adding their 2 cents if you will about how they would have been able to do more for longer.  Often however the challenges that appear easier are the hardest as we witnessed by the sweat that was created by “simply” holding a few quarters in the palms of the contestants hands.  I was really impressed by Sunshine’s strategy this girl is getting it done all the way around the block J  In the end both Koli and Sunshine for her effort, walked away a change contestant with some cash in hand!

ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM heck yeah I’d do a challenge in pouring rain to win a brand new beautiful car!  Congrats to Drea and O’Neill or shall I say Sunshine.  I started crying watching how excited O’Neill was to win that car for his baby girl.

Every week it happens where we have to say Good Bye, what doesn’t happen every week is that the contestant gets to drive home in their New car, have fun Drea I know will have a lifetime of success.

So as I sign off today I guess the only question left is, Is the CHANGE in your life making cents?

Until next week,

Ali xo