Body-for-LIFE Champions Blog

100 Mile Update - Body for LIFE Champion Bryant Scott

BFL — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:31:00 GMT

After having completed the 26.5 miles and then 56 miles back to back days in my first week. I quickly learned that I have the aptitude and the heart to do the entire distance since I can will myself to do pretty much anything within reason--to me. On the other hand, while studying and reading a tremendous amount of information on how to train properly for an Ultra-marathon; I have learned that doing that much training back to back days is completely confounded and is not recommended at all. Since it usually takes a week or so of proper rest to regain the energy needed, amongst other things such as time it takes to heal, replenishing nutrients, etc. So that was my first mistake which was not repeated.

Following the purchase of a runners guide, I was able to hone in on target areas to work on to prepare for the daunting 100 mile run that was then less than a month away. First off, I would have to increase my training and the methods in which I trained exponentially. Usually I followed a circuit pertaining to a number of hours just running, followed by an hour of full body weight training and finished with an hour of swimming. Not always in that exact order but you get the gist.

Secondly, I know what you are thinking and yes, I was mindful of supplementation and nutritional guidelines. I packed all my food before I left for the gym in the morning and tailored the times I would eat a small meal, relative to the amount of miles I would have to run to reach the aid stations. My ultimate goal, run as far as I could at a solid, energy efficient pace and eat at the checkpoints. I also remained hydrated as well. The rest was simply putting in the hours of conditioning.

Once finishing with a few weeks of long drawn out days of running at the gym, I had managed to condition my legs pretty quickly while at the same time maintaining body mass-as I read that my primary source of energy should not be glycogen but mainly fat and a good amount of glucose that I will be constantly attempting to replenish while on the trail. I also factored that knowledge into my training as to implement it effectively during the actual race.

The next part became the real fun part. I now had to prepare myself to acclimate to the weather as most people are projected to finish the race within 20-32 hours. This means that there could be significant weather change within that time which will directly affect my performance. So, running outside at all times of day and night it was; Most of the time running the course I will transverse this weekend so while there I could scout the terrain and get a feel for the area.

Fatefully so of the areas were marked as private property, not that it stopped me from running them but did dissuade me from going the direct route, having to find alternative paths. Still being able to make it quite a long way, I eventually turned around when I realized I was in another city outside my own town—standing in a neighborhood, off a highway I had just run—that I had never known existed. Trying to find my way back, I went a separate route to get back on the mountain which was blocked by a large fence informing me that everything I had just run was in fact, also private property. So running along a rocky ditch trail it was—for a very long time until I reached a path I recognized. From then on out, I stayed on a 5 mile loop that resided on the same mountain, going up and down dropping in elevation and climbing again as I gradually watched the same scenic routes go by in my preparation.
After awhile I was able to make it out onto other long marathon trails in my city, which for most were quite beautiful. While for others, turned out to be incomplete, unfinished, very crudely marked borderline deathtraps—I considered those to be better training motivators, as the fear of having my car stolen prompted me to run the trails faster.

Take a day off or so after doing those trails every other day and now I am here, two days away from the actual race. Do I feel prepared? --As much as I can be for such a short amount of time. Am I ready? I will myself to believe I am. In my mind fear settles in the spaces not marked by preparation. I can only do so much with my body but what I can do with my mind has limitless potential. I have studied the maps, the trails, the weather patterns (heavy rain and wind speeds ranging from 40-60mph), meal plans, purchased equipment (as well as field tested the equipment), have collected every bit of information I can about how to operate my body, manage my mind and above all, fuel my inner drive to overcome such gut wrenching obstacles.

As it is right now, I cannot prepare anymore, not for lack of trying but more so-due to lack of time. I have told myself nothing will hold me back, not even my own thoughts. The only thing that can hinder or stop me is injury and even then, I will go until my legs are incapable of moving. This is the creed I have set myself to and will bind myself by until I see myself to the finish—in victory.

I will let you know how it goes.

Insight:
The first and most important thing is scheduling. You have to stick to your schedule 100% of the time and more importantly, do not let your friends have the option of deviating you from your intended goals. Your schedule pertains to training times, meal times, times to supplement, times to rest, times to stretch, times to study and research all possible opposition you will or may face. Everything else comes secondary to your goal. When it comes to your friends, they can eat out and drink all they want, they are not going to be competing in a competition that could send them to the hospital if they are not properly prepared. Mainly, follow your schedule, listen to yourself and tell your friends to hush their yappers, they can see you enjoying a burger and beer with them on a cheat day (if you have one) or after the competition is over.

Learn from yourself. The greatest teacher you have is yourself and your experience. It is good to learn from others and see what works for them but then you must take that and implement it into your own new and improved way of doing things, your ‘plans’ as they would say. You should critique techniques, methodologies, equipment, training and everything in-between to your liking; then after, test it to make sure it is the more efficient way—only then, do you have the option of doing it comfortably or the option of doing it efficiently. Everyone enjoys having options, albeit not everyone likes you having options—even yourself sometimes.

I always try to make an emphasis on this point. You need to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! It will tell you everything you need to know! If it says I want ice-cream, you might not want to give it that specific food category but for good measure, get the ingredients that go into it in much healthier, manageable quantities and eat it. Your body maybe craving carbs so entertain it with a proportion size that fits your height and weight so that it can have the nutrients it is telling you it needs. Think of it as an extension of yourself. You must keep it well maintained in order for it to work properly, especially during preparation for a competition.

Devise new and creative methods of achieving tasks. Do you have a new idea that maybe no one has thought of? Good, you may have just found a competitive edge, use it. Share it if you must as most likely someone else may already be implementing something to benefit you as well, exchange ideas. Either way, your new method is not the norm and deviating from the norm can be a good thing—unless you are on a predetermined race course, in which case, you should stay on track. A hint I have for aiding your sore knees after miles of grueling running is to get some tippy cups (or in college terms, disposable shot glasses) fill them with water and freeze them. When they are frozen, rip off the top portion and start applying them to the sore and aching areas of your knee(s) for at least 20 minutes. You have no idea how much better they feel after doing that.

Do your homework! Research is good! Knowledge is power and power is control over your destiny! This one is pretty simple to explain. The more intellect you have on a matter, the more knowledge you have to draw from/towards it and the more experience you can correlate with that information, the faster you can be proactive to inferring exactly what you will be facing and how to overcome it. Remember that anything you have towards reaching your goal is one step closer to actually obtaining it. After that is gathered, you can pool your resources, make a plan of action and begin setting yourself to the task of completing it.

Mostly everything set in theory is usually never the same as in practice. Even the most experienced champions within any given field of competition or even expertise can tell you this advice. You will usually have that ‘Z factor’ present. The thing you overlooked, miscalculated, underestimated, forgot, etc. It happens more than you think. BE AWARE OF IT and know you must be quick and decisive when this occurs. Remember that one part does not represent the whole. It may make the task less easy to complete but all the same, you will find a way around, over, under, or through any new obstacles that might place themselves in your way.

Have fun! That’s about it. Or in some cases, focus intensely and obstinately on your goal, force it into submission and then realize how much fun it was afterwards—whichever one comes first really.

There is much more insight that I would very much like to provide to you but I have a feeling that most will not read this update due to the length that it is, simply taking a look at it and thinking to themselves it is too much to read and that they will find something shorter which may helpful to them. Though that may be the case and there might be other information more concise. This is still good for you, mainly because within reason this shows that you are already willing to put in some effort of time to obtain information that your competitors are unwilling to look into. You are willing to spend the hours needed to have a full grasp on a subject which you seek to master. I would say that trait of yours is the most important trait anyone serious about what they are planning to accomplish should have—the willingness to throw themselves into a cause 100% and seek resources out wherever they may be. Your desire to know is a good thing, use it!

In conclusion, the improvement of self is a lifelong journey my friend. If you are constantly striving to be better than you were yesterday and stronger tomorrow than you are today; then you will always have a place in the hall of champions. You will not always succeed but you will be better off for making the attempt than anyone who decided to be an onlooker. All talk aside, spectators comment, chastise, envy, brag, critique, opinionate and boast while having nothing to show for it. Challengers suffer through all means to obtain an end and will always gain the most from it. You must be ever vigilant in your efforts and though you might sometimes fall to the wayside to take a rest, you must never ever forget to keep transcending to new heights unseen. Not because you have to but because you want to. In the end, you must reward yourself for the effort—no matter the final outcome. No matter what is said. You are a champion for making the attempt. If you do not succeed the first time, you are still a champion for showing an effort as many times as is necessary, no matter how long it takes you to complete your goal, and learn a lesson from it. Experience and wisdom are a strange couple, one is there to tell you how things really are so the other one can remind you how things have been and how they could be.

Again, I will keep you posted on the final outcome,

Bryant Scott
2011 Body-for-Life Champion

Health, Happiness, and Fulfillment- Body for LIFE Champion Bryant Scott

BFL — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:35:57 GMT

Joining the Body-for-LIFE challenge is the beginning of a journey that I pray all of you will soon recognize should not end with your final completion date. Rather, the challenge should be a stepping-stone that will propel you forward towards a much more enriching and fulfilling life experience. You will realize after achieving your 12 weeks that you have so much potential to do more than you ever believed was imaginable. At that point, you must also see that the sky is the limit for you and that you are capable of doing anything in which you focus your mind 100% towards.

A point of importance is that you set for yourself new goals. Seek out new challenges and diverge down multiple paths towards new adventures. This will do two things for you. First, it will ensure that you keep the gains that you fought so hard to achieve, keeping your body strong, your mind sharp and your spirit bright. Second, it will make your life exponentially better, seeing views not all have earned the privilege of seeing and experiencing a deep level of contentedness. A self-satisfaction for finding a new cuspice of existence that at one point was thought to be unimaginable to even dream of reaching. You must seek these novel experiences out-you now have the ability to do them. Make every effort to do so before the test of time imparts on your body the inability to move forward as quickly.

That being said, I want to show you how meaningful and easy setting a goal can actually be, no matter how difficult it may appear. As long as you are willing to take the steps necessary in order to achieve it. Then execute each one as flawlessly as the last and more precisely than the one that came before. To do this I am going to write about my efforts to train for the up and coming Badger Mountain Ultra-Marathon:

http://www.badgermountainchallenge.com/p/updates.html

This is a 100-mile race that I pray will test my limits physically, spiritually and mentally. I have already been told that for me it cannot be done. Being too large, having not enough time to prepare, it being just too long, amongst many other excuses others have already given me. I make the distinction that those excuses are from outside myself. Mainly the reason why I do not listen to them is because the only voice that should ever drive you or I, is the voice that comes from within-there is no reason why anyone cannot achieve besides the reasons that they allow to make themselves believe that they cannot do it. There is no reason in my mind that expresses to me that I will not step over that finish line-victorious. In fact, because I believe it so strongly, will it to be so readily and have expressed it to the universe to hear so openly, in my mind I see it as already having been done.

There are obstacles yes and many of them will be worthy challenges to overcome, nonetheless, no matter what, they will be met and conquered like any other I have faced before. Today I start the beginning of a training regimen I have never done. For the first time in my life I will be training for long term sustainable endurance rather than completing a short race at an amiable speed. Yes, for this race, my goals have aligned differently-for this race it will not about being the fastest, or about winning a top placing rank, no not this one. This race will be the first run where I will win solely by facing the hardships that comes with it and seeing it through till the final footfall lands upon the opposing side of the finish line.

I will keep you posted on how it goes. Next time I will give you a breakdown of my training regimen, supplementation plan and how I am preparing to meet this challenge head on. If you have any questions, have any advice, or want to support me and see how I am preparing my mind along with my body you can reach me on facebook at: www.facebook.com/Bryant.A.Scott

I wish you all the best in your own endeavors and pray that you find the same level of fulfillment in whatever it is you choose to do. If you'll be so kind to excuse me, I have some running to do.

Health, Happiness, and Fulfillment,

Bryant Scott

2011 Body-for-LIFE Champion

Strong to the Finish - Body for LIFE Champion Jeffrey Maniatty

BFL — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:37:06 GMT

As I approach the brink of a new year I’m reminded of the excitement that stirs in the hearts of so many Body-for-LIFE contenders and advocates as they await to hear which new champions will take the stage and grab the torch. On behalf of the Body-for-LIFE Team Champions, I’m honored to have represented the BFL family in 2010; however I’m even more thrilled to continue to be an ambassador for the vehicle that allowed me and my teammates to experience not just this year’s victory but one that goes beyond the competition.

I remember during our journey, Timmy (the eldest of the champions) was offered a slice of pizza on a training day and he simply yet boldly said, “Not in this temple.” I came to the realization that I was truly accountable to God for my body which I was the steward of. It is temporary yet I am responsible for “disciplining it and bringing it under subjection”, which also includes my thoughts and desires.

Body-for-LIFE and my teammates helped sharpen me to the point where I no longer could go back to the wide open pastures I had found myself in. Sure, I have been tempted and fallen off the narrow path but when you’re ‘doing life’ along side like minded conquerors it makes running the race not just bearable but enjoyable as well. (This is best seen in some of the footage we captured along the way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcPHFcF8Pks )

I had found success with Body-for-LIFE in the past after having been introduced to it by my roommate from college but this time when I entered with my team it took my experience to an entirely new level. Billy the Kid from the movie Young Guns puts it best after he sees his fellow outlaws beginning to waver and fall away from their goal, “Pals…See, you got three/four good pals, why then - you got yourself a tribe…and there ain’t nothin’ stronger than that.”

Therefore, find your tribe, even if you’ve entered The Challenge alone and remember, “Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.”

I just saw our latest BFL Champions and I’m truly thrilled for them. Serving as one myself, it puts things into perspective as I understand what they have gone through to reach the podium. Congratulations to this year’s BFL Champs.

Strong to the Finish,

Jeffrey Maniatty

2010 Body-for-LIFE Group Champion

It’s a Mind Game - Body for LIFE Champion Andrew Crouch

BFL — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:52:00 GMT

It’s a Mind Game

Hello to the Body-for-LIFE® community! I hope your training is challenging your body but renewing your mind at the same time. It’s amazing how powerful you really can become if your mind is right, clear, and positive about what you’re doing. Today I want to talk about how important a positive thinker is and how much you can do when you are ON with yourself. The mind is a very powerful tool! It controls even the heart at some points in our life but what is important to remember here is that you are in control of your own mind.

Are there days when you tell yourself you’re not worth it, you’re ugly or maybe you should quit now? Sure, we all have had those thoughts in our minds before but what did you do after the thought passed through? Did you do the opposite or did you listen and obey those thoughts?

Today’s blog is not about how much weight you lifted or what food you ate wrong. It is about how important your thoughts are to your success. Believe that you can and then do is the path to success. If you want to lose pounds and inches then you know what you can’t eat and you know that it has to come off in the gym, so do it. If you want to pack on some muscle then by golly man you need to throw up some heavier weights and eat that protein. It even goes beyond anything fitness related. You must believe to achieve and that’s where most people fail. Most of the time people who fail have trouble believing in themselves. It is difficult to be confident if you have never been taught to do so. You have one life my friends and no do over’s. Take control over it and make something happen. Just don’t stand still!

Making a change for the better is a process. It may take some time but start small. We Americans want the super fast way but I encourage you to slow down and learn to journey your way through. Get your mind right and get rid of anything that is damaging. Whether it’s a relationship, or a technology that wastes your day, or if it’s just you and your own thoughts, change is the only way to make anything you’re doing now BETTER! I encourage you today to live as your time is running out and so you have a lot to accomplish. Love you all and wish you the best. ---ANDREW

I Chose Body for LIFE - Body for LIFE Champion Sherman Goodrich

BFL — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:37:15 GMT

I chose Body-for-LIFE!

As the old saying goes…"If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself." A great philosophy for hindsight, and good for a chuckle at parties.

In my case however, these words became all too true when I was first diagnosed at the age of 57 with Prostate Cancer. We had to decide on a treatment fast or face the consequences. The procedure of choice was 8 solid weeks of intense radiation therapy at the end of which my PSA was down.

Fast-forward nine years to April 2005. I was now the proud possessor of recurrent Prostate Cancer. To put it in perspective, recurrent basically means inoperable if not totally untreatable. What it boiled down to was me against this beast in a no-holds-barred battle. When the doctor mentioned those words “hormone therapy” I knew it was game on. In short, the bell had rung and it was time to come out fighting.

It was about this same time that I first came across the Body-for-Life® Challenge and, almost miraculously it seemed, I had someone in my corner. Someone who whispered—no, shouted—in my ear, “You can do this!” It was all there: the right exercises…the right diet…the right attitude. Victims of this insidious disease are all facing an opponent that has to be knocked out or else, and we’ll gladly use all the help we can get.

At the end of round one (and the end of my first 12 week Challenge) I received a Certificate of Congratulations for completing the Challenge.

The next round was also judged in my favor as I once again competed and completed the Body-for-LIFE Challenge, this time in 2007.

Final round: now it's time to take the gloves off. Only one of us will walk away from this one. Cancer took my mother at the age of 62 and my sister when she was only 48 so, as you can imagine, this fight is personal. I still plan to be around at 96 but, no matter how this might have turned out, I'm a winner! Body-for-Life helped me in my struggle! I’ll take the title of winner any day!

In 2008 we made the move from San Diego to Phoenix and I just plain ran out of days to train. Of course I made up for lost time in 2009 by competing in and winning the Body-for-LIFE Championship in the 46 and over class. I am now 71.

By Sherman Goodrich

EAS® Reload - Body for LIFE Champion Andrew Crouch

BFL — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:54:00 GMT

Andrew here to discuss the power and genius behind EAS® Reload. I use it personally, and I’m so proud to say that.

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Anything is Possible! - Body for LIFE Champion Andrew Crouch

BFL — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:54:00 GMT

About 4 years ago I was at my heaviest weight ever! 240 lbs and not so strong. I had 2 herniated disks in my back and couldn't do anything active. So I was depressed, and I ate. The funny thing is when we eat, we get more depressed, but we seem to not be able to stop.

...(read more)

Armor - Body for LIFE Champion Andrew Crouch

BFL — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:07:00 GMT

Let me start by saying this has been and will be my favorite product of all time. The EAS Pro Science Armor has changed my workouts completely! I can go and go. I’m in the gym 7 days a week right now and if I wasn’t using Armor there is no way I could compete in the gym the way I do. Go buy Armor. It is an investment for sure. There is even a well-designed clinical study, published in a top-tier scientific journal, showing that Armor increases muscle mass, power, and strength. If you want to go to that next rep but can't because your muscles are fatigued, weak and drained, now you can go beyond. I use it every day and will continue to always use it. There's not much more to say if you want the body that so many have you have to work for it and earn it. The only way to earn it is if you can physically take your body to a new level each and every week you are in the gym. You can trust Pro Science Armor and EAS! Trust me, it will change the way you look at lifting weights forever.

Andrew Crouch

The Power of Words - Body for LIFE Champion Stephanie Workman

BFL — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:07:00 GMT

I want you to stop and think for a minute...how do you speak to yourself? Do you speak to yourself with kindness or anger...love or loathing...patience or frustration? How do you speak to others? Do you poison with words or do you bless with words?

You see, words are so powerful that how we use them when speaking to ourselves can really make a huge impact in all areas of our lives. How we use them to speak to others can affect the very course of their lives as well.

Learning to use 'the word' to EMPOWER yourself can create some amazing opportunities in your life. You can move from a place of frustration and anger with yourself to one of peace and progress. You can replace those negative words in your head with positive and uplifting thoughts.

What you dream, what you are, and what you want to be are all manifested by the power of the words you use about and to yourself and others. You see, words are a force. They can create goodwill or war. They can create feelings of love or hate. They can poison someone when spoken with ill intention. They can harm and enslave people for years.

But words can also create goodness, strength, love and can provide a loving means to make someone's day better. Words can be used to create the wonderful things that you want to happen in your life if you'll just learn to use the power of the word.

It might seem silly to some...but on my mirror in the bathroom I have posted my blessings for the day. These are prayers of thanks in ADVANCE of the blessings I'm expecting to receive. A great new job for Don. A good report card for Bethany. Health and financial security for my family. I read these words daily and believe them and expect them to come into my life. I'm using the power of the word to speak them to life.

If you will practice speaking kindly to yourself you will be surprised at how much happier you are with life. Instead of responding with angry words to a situation, stop and reflect on how you can use nicer words to get your point across. People respond far better to kindness than anger.

Speak kindly to yourself and others and you will reap the rewards. How will you know it's working??

People will start to respond to you differently. They will have more respect for you. They will request your opinion knowing you'll give them solid and thoughtful advice. They will not be fearful to approach you..for they know you will not speak to them in anger.

Go ahead....use the power of the word in a positive way and just wait and see what happens with your life...

May you be richly blessed.

Stephanie Workman

My BFL Story - Body for LIFE Champion Sherman Goodrich

BFL — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:00:00 GMT

At the tender age of 70, Sherman Goodrich has become the world’s oldest Body-for-Life® Challenge Champion. He competed and won in the 46 and over class. Here, in part, is how it all went down.

By way of introduction, my name is Sherman Goodrich and, while I am better known—if at all—as the sports cartoonist for the Arizona Republic, I thought you might have a keener interest in the fact that I recently reinvented myself in another field entirely. This change in myself I have realized is one that could conceivably hold out life-changing results for many of you as well.

For the past 13 years, EAS® has sponsored an international fitness competition known as the Body-for-LIFE® Challenge. In 2006 and ‘07 I entered in high hopes of winning. I was disappointed both times—though not to the point of pondering self-destruction or watching Celebrity Apprentice—and moved on. I had, after all, gone from a 98 pound weakling to a 170 pound weakling. I skipped the 12-week program in ’08…not out of desolation…just for lack of time. Last year, on my 70th birthday, I decided to enter the Body-for-LIFE Challenge one more time in an all out effort to capture that coveted brass ring. Hey, why not?

Well, it turns out that there was a revision to the age groups since my last attempt and I ended up competing with contestants in their 40’s. As you can imagine, I now really had my work cut out for me. And, like it or not, there are some things that forty-six year olds can do with relative ease that tend to tax those of us three score and ten. On the other hand, it makes each victory that much sweeter.

If the aforementioned drawback didn’t pose enough of a disadvantage, shortly before the scheduled starting date, my wife ended up in emergency with what was thought to a bad case of the flu. Turns out she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and close to a diabetic coma. After a week in the hospital she was back home and we found ourselves working on a major adjustment in both of our daily lifestyles.

Okay…so instead of starting on my birthday, I found it best to put the Body-for-LIFE Challenge on hold until the 4th of July. That way I could direct more energy toward my wife’s recovery, and that’s one challenge we needed to face together. As of this writing, she is much better. Thanks for asking.

While still setting my sights on that new start date, I attempted to lift a tractor tire (with the tractor still attached) and blew out my right rotator cuff, so another setback was imminent.

Following a cortisone shot, it was time to buckle down to business and beat the deadline for the last available ‘Challenge’ time slot. I developed a routine to work around—and occasionally through—the pain that proved quite successful. (I’ve since even learned to bowl left-handed. Now there’s a real adventure). Throughout the Body-for-LIFE challenge, I practiced an entirely different set of exercises to keep the strength up in my shoulder without aggravating the condition.

Out of desperation perhaps, coupled with a modicum of curiosity to see if it could be done, an entirely new and unique fitness program began to take shape and ultimately became the basis for my twelve-week workout schedule. While it was designed for those of us who feel the aches and pains, to one degree or another, of being past our prime …it is effective enough to challenge even seasoned athletes. Trust me.

Anyway…long story short (or is it too late for that?), I once again received a nice certificate in that famous red and white Body-for-LIFE envelope that read in essence, “Thanks for participating and completing the 12 week program.” Heaving a heavy sigh, I began looking forward to making another run at winning in 2010. A week or so later however, a phone call bowled me over with a hearty, “Congratulations! You’re a winner!”
With over 100,000 entries, the results can now be seen here at www.bodyforlife.com . I still find it hard to believe that my picture’s right there on the home page. Once in a while I go back just to see if it’s still there. Guess what…it is. Yay!

As a cancer survivor on the shady side of seventy, I’ve faced tougher odds than winning this event. I don’t pretend to look as ripped or quite as buff as some of my younger competitors. I also don’t pretend that this little blip in the scheme of things is deserving of any particular kudos or attention. My hope is that there are some other seniors out there who might possibly glean inspiration from this success story, where they might otherwise only find despair.

To them—and to you—let me offer these words of caution: Side effects from entering the Body-for-Life Challenge may include more energy…greater strength…more spring in your step…bigger muscles…smaller waistlines…and a better outlook on life. Not to mention a ten thousand dollar cash prize.

Thanks for listening…
Sherman Goodrich (Your Buddy-for-LIFE)
HALFTIME (Sports cartoons)

12 Weeks! - Body for LIFE Champion Andrew Crouch

BFL — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:12:00 GMT

Good month to you! Here we are coming around the corner to the months of summer. For some of us this can be very intimidating. When the sun comes up we have to start taking off our extra layers of clothing. It makes us more vulnerable to show off that extra brownie and ice cream we ate during the holidays. Listen, we all do it, and we all feel bad after we eat such things, but it doesn’t mean we can’t get rid of it. Now is your time!!!!

This is your time to start to shed off those extra pounds. Give yourself three months of hard discipline. You will feel renewed by the end of the summer. Start the Body-for-LIFE® program and your life will be forever changed. Don’t just go to the gym with no plan. Body-for-LIFE will give you guidance and it will give you a plan. You have to have a plan to be successful in almost everything in life. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you start Body-for-LIFE.

What should I eat?
What do I need to drink?
How much cardio do I need to do each week?
What are the correct way to do the weight lifting exercises?
How much sleep do I need?
What supplements are best for my goals?

There are so many do this and don’t do that’s that we all wonder about. Body-for-LIFE will teach you. Go get the book. Read it and the questions above will be answered. It is a 12 week program to help you lose fat, gain muscle, and help you get your life back. You just need 12 weeks! You just have to believe what the experts are telling you and don’t doubt yourself. By the end of summer you can get into that sexy bikini or those studly shorts that you think only "special" people can wear. Read the book, look at the web site or ask a friend familiar. We are all here to help you succeed. Body-for-LIFE will show you that you can accomplish your goals! Just 12 weeks. Now go!

Andrew Crouch

Being Consistent - Body for LIFE Champion Andrew Crouch

BFL — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:11:00 GMT

Hello Friends,

I hope this finds you well, and encourages you to be your best. I am in a weird place in my training for Fitness America 2010. I have been working out really hard 6 days a week, eating clean (but enjoying my cheat days), and doing what it takes to be successful when November comes. I have been able to see my strength go through the roof, muscles are becoming bigger and I’m losing fat in the process. The hardest thing is that I have so much more work to do. In some ways I have plenty of time (8 months), in other ways I don’t have enough time to be on that kind of caliber in the fitness world. There are days when I feel like I haven’t had a very good lift or I didn’t eat exactly how I should have and its really easy to start beating yourself down. Then I stop myself and ask, "Are you running a Sprint or a Marathon"? I want the marathon. Rome wasn’t built in a day and those who compete regularly in fitness competitions didn’t wake up one day looking like they do. It took time, dedication, and consistency. These are all things I learned in the Body-for-LIFE® program that helped me change my life.

Each day I make sure my workouts are done with as much intensity as possible. Sticking to my plan to get the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals is difficult but necessary. Getting to bed at a decent hour to make sure I am getting enough sleep to recover from my workouts is so important. Water intake also needs to be spot on so that I can separate myself from the other guys in the gym. Body-for-LIFE can teach you how to manage all these variables which are so important while training. Time can be an enemy for a bunch of us out there! I know that I need to let my body work, rest and let it repair as it knows itself better than I know it. Be consistent in all you do. Not just for your fitness goals but for life. Complete what you have started and don’t give up. I know I wont give up and when November comes knocking at my door I will know that I gave 100% to me, and that’s all that matters on that stage. Keep moving and keep consistent.

Andrew Crouch