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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / biggest loser resort grand opening

biggest loser resort grand opening

October 31, 2014      8 Comments

Last Saturday marked the Grand Opening of The Biggest Loser Resort in Amelia Island.

I was kind of intrigued by the concept of this resort. I admit that I don’t watch Biggest Loser on a regular basis (I’m not a big TV watcher in general, so keeping up with competition shows is challenging), so I was curious to see what it was all about.

The first thing I noticed, upon arrival, was that the guests were so friendly. By the time I walked through the parking garage and into the restroom, I had met six women, all of whom were eager to introduce themselves, talk about where they were from and why they were in attendance that day. It made for a very nice and welcoming vibe.

As we waited for the reception hall to open, I took a moment to look around.

The Biggest Loser Resort is actually housed in the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort. The program uses some of the Omni’s private villas, and then accesses the world-class gym and spa facilities. It’s a great partnership, taking advantage of a gorgeous, five-star venue and coupling it with Biggest Loser’s unique health and wellness experience.

Screen Shot 2014-10-29 at 4.52.54 PM
photo credit: Biggest Loser Resort

The entrance hall was full of guests, helping themselves to strawberry-infused water and decaf iced tea,

and checking out the grounds.

There were some fun photo ops.

At noon, a staff member counted down and welcomed everyone into the reception room. I found a table near the front, and joined two other groups of women to listen to the presentation.

The Biggest Loser Resort President, Lesley Carey, introduced herself, and this most recent location of the program. Other venues include Chicago, Malibu and Niagara. Guests may register for stays at the resort, beginning with a seven-day minimum, although most choose to stay longer. Upon the Sunday check-in, Biggest Loser Resort guests embark on a journey of fitness, wellness and nutrition, participating in group exercise classes, sharing healthy meals prepared by Biggest Loser Resort chefs, and sitting in on cooking demos and classes focused on healthy meal-planning and dining. Afterwards, guests are encouraged to enjoy the spa for some relaxation and socialization.

Carey discussed Biggest Loser Resort’s Five Point Philosophy: Fitness, Nutrition, Education, Relaxation and Camaraderie. The ultimate goal is to empower guests to take their own health in hand; to teach them to “sustainable wellness habits, learn to identify your body’s cues, discover your personal triggers, and transform your relationship with food, all in a supportive environment.”

Guests skew toward female (70% female to 30% male), range in age from 30 to 60 years old and span across all fitness levels. The typical female guest weighs between 150-228 pounds, while the typical male is between 235 and 280. While weight loss is a major part of The Biggest Loser Resort, a greater component seems to be overall wellness and lifestyle, which leaves the doors open to a wider variety of guests.

Next, Carey introduced the team at Amelia Island’s Biggest Loser Resort, including trainers, a nutritionist and a chef. She also brought out special guest and new Biggest Loser trainer, Jessie Pavelka. He gave a rather inspiring speech which focused on the idea that “success doesn’t exist without failure.” He seemed to strike nerve with the audience on overcoming vulnerability and not giving up in the face of failure and setbacks, a theme that applies to weight loss and life in general. He then answered some questions from the audience, about eating and exercising.

I was really impressed when a woman asked him about her recent success with weight loss, triggered by her stay at a different Biggest Loser Resort. She was frustrated that she had hit a plateau and that the scale had stopped showing a loss. I loved that Jessie looked her in the eye and advised her to stop chasing the number. “Live in the moment,” he said. It was such reasonable and balanced advice and it resonated deeply with me. I was looking forward to getting to speak with him more in-depth later.

After a little ice breaker, which included the audience doing jumping jacks while Jessie and the Amelia Island head trainer did burpees (yeah, we got the better end of that deal), and modified squats (standing up and down out of our chairs), while the rest of the training staff held a wall squat, we were invited to attend breakout sessions of our choosing. Offerings included a 3o minute yoga class, a core challenge and a nutrition talk. Since I was without proper training shoes, I opted for yoga.

The practice was very gentle and accessible. I had to modify some of the poses for deeper stretches (which my body desperately needed), but the trainers were very friendly and helpful. They seemed to pull in more dynamic movement, by having us come in and out of poses, using our own body weight and resistance to give a little added oomph to the workout. It was nice and peaceful, and fit right in with the serene coastal surroundings

Afterwards, I struck out on my own to explore for a bit before my interview session with Jessie. The grounds were absolutely exquisite, with a breathtaking view and gentle ocean breeze. Definitely a wonderful place for quiet reflection and retreat.

At 2:00, I found my way back to a smaller conference room that had been set aside for a group chat. Jessie came in and we introduced ourselves. He is a very genuine and warm person, with a lot of passion and intensity.

Jessie got his start in high school athletics and then turned his focus to training and sculpting. He said it came easily to him, and as such, he couldn’t really relate to clients who might struggle a bit more than he did. He and a friend began a business, working with a gastric bypass doctor. They helped patients lose weight pre-bypass, and then assisted after the operation to help the patients maintain their lifestyle. This spurred his passion for extreme weight loss, and he worked on several weight loss reality shows before becoming a trainer on Biggest Loser in Season 16.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear Jessie’s entire fitness and wellness philosophy centers on “making one small change.” In fact, he believes that the biggest mistake most people make when embarking on a major fitness or weight loss journey is going out too hard and fast. “It’s exciting to start,” he points out, but people can quickly become overwhelmed or discouraged. Rather than going all out with a plan that will be impossible to maintain, he supports the idea that “it’s the small changes that matter most.” He advises doing small, little things every day and being open to new training as a way to find overall success. Just fifteen minutes of intense exercise can make all the difference.

On staying on track for the upcoming holidays, Jessie encourages enjoying and remembering that one day of substandard diet and exercise isn’t going to have any impact longterm. “Don’t let one day turn into a week, into a day, into a month, into a year, into a lifestyle,” he advises.

As the proud father of a four year old boy, Jessie  also has some words of wisdom on parenting: “We are our kids’ heroes…You want to show them things that make them a better person.” He also councils putting down the  technology and getting the family outside. “Choose wisely the way you want your kids to see you.”

I absolutely loved the message of moderation and living in the moment. Jessie was gracious and genuine and wholly empathetic. He seems to embrace living in the moment and enjoying the small things, and it’s such a wonderful outlook. I was glad to have had the opportunity to speak with him.

Before the closing words, a lunch buffet was served.

I was in line next to Season 15 contestant Jennifer Messer, who absolutely raved about the food.

I have to say, I was pretty impressed. There was a delicious salad bar, with plenty of greens and veggie toppings, shooters of yellow gazpacho with jalepenos,

a choice of flavorfully seasoned salmon or chicken breasts, and my favorite, grilled baking potatoes with traditional toppings. I will definitely be trying to replicate those at home.

There were also platters of vegan banana bread for something a little sweet.

While simple, the fare was fresh and filling. I would have been quite happy to try more.

As we finished our meals, Lesley Carey and special guest, comedian and 30 Rock regular, Kevin Brown began giving away a ton of Biggest Loser workout DVDs and cookbooks, most of them signed on the spot by Jessie. The grand prize was a week-long stay at newest Biggest Loser Resort, and the winner was overjoyed (although I think there were also a lot of disappointed guests).

The concept of The Biggest Loser resort seems great for people who are looking for a dedicated and guided way of participating in a fitness and wellness regime. I liked the focus on different difficulty levels of activities for individual fitness abilities, and the emphasis on education – a week or two of working out and eating right won’t have any lasting impact if not continued outside of the vacuum of the resort. It seems like a great way for people to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle and lead to better choices and habits.

Weeklong stays at the Amelia Island property start at $2,445 per week for a shared room, which includes classes and meals. Spa treatments and services are an additional cost. For reservations, you may click here or contact the resort at 877-825-8878.

 

Have you ever been a guest of Biggest Loser Resort? Would you ever give it a try?

 

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Comments

  1. John (Daddy Runs a Lot) says

    October 31, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    Before children, and even when my kids were quite small, I would watch Biggest Loser. Looking back at pictures, now, I likely could have qualified as a contestant on the show, but I always thought that I’d kick ass at “The Moderate Loser.” As I felt I had some weight to lose, but simply needed an extra hour in my day to devote to fitness, rather than “get out & focus” only on diet & exercise).

    Since those days, however, I’ve “found my stride” with my personal health . . . though the thought of beautiful grounds, exquisite workout facilities, and people making all of the healthy food I can eat . . . well, I honestly don’t have much weight that I can safely lose at this point (and some might argue that I should put some weight on . . . which I likely will do, after the marathon, if for no other reason than the holidays).

    All that said, however, my biggest gripe with The Biggest Loser, and, consequently, with the resort, is “when you re-indoctrinate yourself to The Real World, how do you keep from regressing?” If you have your arms tied to a post above your head, despite whatever you try, when the rope is loosened, your arms will drop (how I know this is strictly classified). With this franchise, it’s GREAT to get people to pick up & say “I am going to focus on my health,” but what tools do they give someone so that, when their focus must stray from their health (to stuff like, you know, keeping their kids from starving to death and making money), they don’t just revert to the old habits?
    John (Daddy Runs a Lot) recently posted…Where I run for chocolate (despite despising the stuff)My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 31, 2014 at 2:02 pm

      I believe I’ve watched the show three times. I’m thrilled for the people who are able to get a new lease on life, and to take control of their health and wellness. Some of them are facing demons I can’t even imagine,and some I’ve faced myself, and it’s hard to put yourself out there and take the leap. I truly believe that some lives have been saved. However, you’re right… what happens when you get home and real life comes in, and you’re not spending 24/7 surrounded by support and hiking and medicine balls and perfectly balanced meals?

      I like that they seem to put an emphasis on a building a support community, and on education. Menu planning and classes on how to change cooking methods can be a game changer for a lot of people. I also really liked Jessie’s message of the little things making the difference. It’s so basic, but basic is what helps a lifestyle form and evolve, and at the end of the day, it is all about lifestyle.

      People believe in this program (I met people who had driven five hours just to be there), and as such, I hope that those who attend find the courage and the answers they seek. For some, it will be a great push in the right direction. I wish them all the best.

      Reply
  2. Sarah @ Sweet Miles says

    October 31, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    NO! You did not get to tour the BL ranch and meet Jessie! AH! So jealous right now 😉 If you had also gotten to meet Dolvet and Bob, I would have just DIED! So awesome, girl!! This new location looks amazing, and so inspiring! And I’ve always LOVED BL, and I get that it’s not necessarily REAL WORLD, because not everyone can take 3 months off, but you’re right in that it motivates people, educates them, inspires people to create that change, and just opens their eyes up to what kind of effort it takes to live a healthy lifestyle! I love BL, and always will, though I still hate that they vote people off, I wish they could all stay and take advantage of the full time! And, not to mention how many people that show has inspired OFF screen! I think there needs to be more, “hello, you’re obese, you have GOT to get healthy or you are going to die and not be around for your family, if you don’t change” shows on TV, instead of so much CRAP and reality tv shows that teach terrible things!!
    Sarah @ Sweet Miles recently posted…Easy Spider Cookies for HalloweenMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 31, 2014 at 5:25 pm

      Oh, but I did!

      I do have a bit of a soft spot for Bob. He seems like someone you would want to have coffee with.

      Education and motivation is really important. Weight loss is hard, and it is so discouraging when the road is long and fraught with setbacks and judgment. As with all things, change has to come from within, but it is nice to have a guiding light. Life is way too short to be unhappy, and I am all on board with whatever helps people want to take control and make the differences for themselves.

      Reply
  3. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says

    November 1, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    Sounds like it would be great for someone who was looking to kick start a lifestyle change.
    Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Weight Watchers – Week 15 of MeetingsMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:48 pm

      I could definitely see it for that. Sometimes, that little boost is the very thing a person needs most.
      runswithpugs recently posted…biggest loser resort grand openingMy Profile

      Reply
  4. Mary Beth Jackson says

    November 2, 2014 at 10:59 am

    The place looks beautiful! What an opportunity to check it out first hand! It does look like an interesting way for people to jump start a life change. Nice review!
    Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Bucket list 2015- Where are you going?My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      November 2, 2014 at 12:26 pm

      It really was neat! Thanks!

      Reply

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Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have a grumble of pugs, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!

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