Saturday, May 30, 2009

- From 5/8/2009





I lost track of time and had to ask what day it was only to be disappointed that it was already Friday. I would have been on a plane right now if I hadn't changed my plans.

I skipped the walk today and did laps. Then for 30 minutes had my own private PT instructor since 2 other guests were a no show. With the arrival of one - the class turned into semi-private for remainder of the hour. After that I did more water walking. I figure - I work out an average of 2 hours but today was a little less. I had meeting with a doctor about behavior modification to lead a healthier lifestyle that was actually very interesting and helpful. He kept it under 10 steps:

8 Steps to a Making Healthy Changes
1) Maintain a weekly agenda
2) Schedule physical activity
3) Say when instead of no
4) Snack between meals - no more than 3 hours between meals and snacks
5) Make identifiable portions. No eating over the kitchen sink or grabbing a handful of something
6) Make small pre-made snacks and have allocated snacks at 10, 3 5 and 10
7) Make lists
8) Officialize free time and make a list of enjoyable activities

After that was a medical consultation to review my body assessment - muscle mass vs. fat. Not good and not terrible. I have 12 lbs of fat to lose - not weight - fat. The good news is - I lost 4 or 5 lbs but more importantly about an inch or more around my waist. Hard to tell in their units of measure but I can convert everything when I get home.

On another note:
I did the water circuit again and the most notable thing was a wedding party that was having professional photographs taken in the area I was suppose to be relaxing in so I wished them congratuations and went on my merry way to an incredible massage experience. Two people massage exactly in unision in touch, tempo, and pressure - pressure points first and then short, brisk strokes with hot oil that are in synch with Brazilian drumming music. In an especially large room with an especially large massage area that was custom made - a wooden platform about knee high with a 3 inch thick mattress. After the massage - you are guided to a private bath - the music continues and there is a light at the bottom that alternates colors from blue to red to green in the water. I had had 3 bath treatments today - so as much as it was cool, I got out early and spent a little time relaxing infront of the tile water feature. It was in a special area that had 4 ultra contemporary white wicker s shaped recliners with white cushions. Infront was the blue tile water feature with a row of recessed blue lighting for drama.

After that - I was schedule to have a private massage with Joice - my favorite mt - upstairs in the exclusive treatment room - opposite my suite - available only to guests staying in 1 of the 4 suites. She's great - the view outside the window was pretty as the sunset over the landscape. Onto a sauna - where the new group was particpating.

Strange to have a man in a small bikini in the wet sauna. I wasn't exactly comfortable so I curtailed the sauna and headed to the last treatment of the day - fango - the heating pad made of mud.

On to dinner and then a lovely time listening to bossa nova and samba and some music from the US from a pair of singers. How cultured and civilized this experience has been. I love the idea of retiring to the living room after dinner to enjoy live music and sip tea served in china cups and saucers with demitasse spoons. How absolutely lovely.

That's been my day. I really don't want this to end but all good things must come to an end. Or so they say.

I really enjoyed meeting Rochele - one of the four daughter - she is very open and accessible and easy to talk to and I enjoyed our conversation.

It is past my bedtime!