Hi!  it's great to see so much action in here and everyone on track!  :)  Did my 20 mins on the elliptical this morning, alternating speed and resistance... went well.  My arms and upper back are feeling pretty sore from my UBWO yesterday, woohoo!  :)  It's raining out here... I'm trying not to think about that delicious jar of almond butter in the fridge.  lol  Sticking w/my coffee and water for now until my next snack of greek yogurt.  

Runnergirl - I love your enthusiasm for the program!  :)  Woohoo, congrats on the 7lbs down!!  That's awesome.  I'd like to lose about 15 lbs of scale weight when this is done.  Most importantly though, I'd like to firm up and lose some of that flab around my middle.  lol  I'm an apple shape and any fat that I get seems to accumulate and hang out in my middle section.  Bleh.  Sounds like we have about the same goal, yet another parallel!   lol  

Ugh, sorry about the curse.  I dealt w/that last week, not fun.  Hope you feel better soon!  Oh, and what kind of protein bars do you like to eat?  I've recently discovered the Supreme Protein low carb ones... they make a PB Pretzel one!!  Mmmm.  I'm always on the lookout for new yummy tasting products though.  ;)

Amy - Yay!  Glad you had another good visit at the dr's.  Ouch, those foot injections sound painful!  Good to hear that you've gotten approval for some light walking... at least it's progress, right?  ;)  

I'm horrible w/looking up nutritional info for restaurants online.  I always try to steer my husband towards going to a restaurant that posts their nutrition info, rather than one that doesn't.  Drives me nuts when I don't know what I'm eating.  I've been counting calories for close to 3 years now (since I've lost my 50lbs doing it originally) and just can't seem to stop.  I saw you mentioned Sparkpeople... if you end up not liking that one, I've been using another free site called Livestrong.com and LOVE that site.  It has a HUGE database of foods, shows macronutrients/calories and you can keep track of your water intake.  Before that, I used caloriecount.about.com, but their database was much more limited.  Good forums there though.

Karey,

Good job with the workout...and staying away from the almond butter :) I love that stuff ! I would be so happy with a 15 pound loss but really need to lose more. I have just tried soooooo hard to lose in the past that I was jumping for joy and losing a pound ! That's sad. Yeah..I am really enthusiastic about this. I'm not sure why this works for me better than the other zillion programs I've done..my husband rolled his eyes and yawned when I told him I was doing this. He was like..oh, is it like the zone diet? or like weight watchers, or what about the 5 factor diet? or the atkins? south beach? I've tried it all. This is the only thing I've ever seen consistent loss on, usually I lose nothing and just get frustrated:(  My belly is my enemy too ! So I used to have a pear shaped body but now after my second pregnancy I am definitely apple shaped ! Not sure which is better or worse.

As far as protein bars I am eating the myoplex bars and the cliff builders bars. I'll have to try the PB pretzel one..never seen the Supreme Protein..what do u eat with it for your carb portion? Anyone interested in posting food intake? I feel like I eat alot of bars !! I eat like 2 a day sometimes, or one bar and one shake. I need to get creative. Maybe I'll have some cottage cheese and fruit right now :)

So I'm going out tonite to Ruth Chris! I'm hoping to stay on track, maybe ask for meat with sauces on the side? no butter ? The main thing I have to watch is the wine ! I think I'm gonna let myself have some if I stick to eating clean...I mean, I do have the curse and all :) Don't I deserve it???? hehe..

Runnergirl - Thanks!  Yeah, think I'm addicted to nut butters.  lol  Good stuff.

So you're a diet junkie?  I think most of those diet plans don't work because they're cutting something major out, or going too low on calories.  I've tried other things in the past, but back in 2008 when I found the calorie counting website, that changed it all for me.  I was suddenly able to lose weight and to lose it at a healthy rate.  It all totally made sense too... calories in vs. calories out.  Simple math... eat more than you burn = gain weight.  Eat less = lose weight.  I still believe in calorie counting as the main way to lose weight, but I figured that trying Body for Life would be a nice change w/a goal of getting lean and a specific workout plan.  Plus, it's just eating cleaner and I'm still counting my calories.  ;)  Yeah, I think this one should work well.  :)

I've tried the Myoplex Lite bars and they're ..... ok.  The Clif Builders Bars are awesome, but pretty high in calories for me.  I usually like a bar w/a bit less calories in it.  The Supreme Protein Bars taste really good... kind of like a yummy, peanut buttery candy bar.  lol The do have some carbs in them, so I eat them alone.  

Ooops, sorry... I forgot about your food question for the steakhouse.  Ruths Chris, nice.  :)  Hmm, I think I'd choose a lean steak or some grilled chicken and veggies, no butter if possible.  

I posted a few food examples I think awhile ago in this thread... somewhere.  lol  Sure, I don't mind posting a few days of what I eat if it helps anyone get any ideas.  I'd love to see what others are eating too.  ;)  

Have a good time at dinner!  Enjoy!!  :)

Ok, so here are a few days of my eating plan if anyone is looking for ideas.  Always interesting to see what others are eating, so please share too.  ;)

Monday:

Meal 1: Old fashioned oats w/whey protein & 1tbsp PB; Black coffee; Jug of water

Meal 2: Lowfat NSA cottage cheese w/diced nectarine mixed in; Water

Meal 3: Chicken breast salad w/spinach, romaine, avocado, apple chunks, and red wine vinegar; Water

Meal 4: Quaker Mult-Grain hot cereal w/Whey protein; Coffee; Water

Meal 5:  Cinnamon french toast (using egg whites & ww bread) topped w/1tbsp PB; Egg beaters w/salsa; Baby carrots; Water

Meal 6: Good Health Energy Trail Mix

Tuesday:

Meal1: Old fashioned oats w/whey protein & 1tbsp PB; Coffee; Water

Meal2: Lowfat NSA cottage cheese mixed w/apple chunks & cinnamon; Water

Meal3: Chicken breast salad w/romaine, spinach, avocado, peach chunks, rw vinegar; Water

Meal4: Nonfat plain greek yogurt w/fresh blueberries/.25c Kashi GoLean Cereal/1tbsp almond butter

Meal5: Lean sirloin & bean chili w/fat free sour cream & fat free cheese slice; Water

Meal6: Supreme Protein PB Pretzel Twist Bar

Wednesday:

Meal1: Cinnamon french toast (using egg whites & ww bread), topped w/1tbsp PB; .5c Egg beaters w/salsa; Coffee; Water

Meal2: Lowfat NSA cottage cheese mixed w/nectarine chunks; Baby carrots; Water

Meal3: Chicken breast salad w/spinach, romaine, apple, avocado, RW vinegar; Water

Meal4: Power Crunch Triple Chocolate protein bar; Coffee; Water

Meal5: Out for Mexican food - Chicken salad w/guac, tomatoes, onion, light cheese & sour cream, no shell; side of rice

Meal6:  Greek nonfat plain yogurt/.25c Kashi GoLean Cereal/Strawberry slices

Today:

Meal1: Old fashioned oats w/whey protein & 1tbsp PB; Coffee; Water

Meal2: Lowfat NSA cottage cheese mixed w/peach chunks; Water

Meal3: Lean Sirloin and Bean Chili (made a big batch in my crock pot that I froze); Water

Meal4: Nonfat plain greek yogurt w/strawberries/.33c Kashi GoLean Cereal/1tbsp almond butter; Coffee; Water

Meal5: 2 Italian chicken sausages; 1 slice ww bread; Steamed edamame; Water

Meal6: Detour protein bar; HB egg white

Karey- looks like you are a creature of habit, like me!  Hubby and I eat the same banana smoothie almost every day (not bc we just love 'em, but bc we know the nutrition info by heart).  It is easier to track calories, although I'm not nearly as OCD as I used to be (perhaps that's why I got so fat?).  I'm not so much counting every single calorie, but just being aware and trying to stay away from the foods that pack a big calorie punch.  We're using pure protein bars and balance bars.  There are lots of flavors I would like to try in the other brands, but I'm just not willing to spend 300 calories on it, especially when it only has like 5g protein!  I can just eat a snickers for 240!  Which, btw, I'm not eating either (sad face).

 It was good news at the doc.  I'm thankful I am making progress.  Both feet are bandaged for a few days, and I'm still sore from the shots, but I know they will help.  The soreness will wear off in a couple of days.  I think I may've found a bike... fingers crossed!

Runnergirl-  hope you had a great night out!  I usually try to get steak and veggies.  Some places (like the Outback) offer low-cal versions of their entrees.  When hubby and I went there for our dual birthdays, I scoped out the menu online, and that helped me a lot.  Ordered the 6 oz steak w/ green beans (not on menu, but available) and a sweet potato to split w/ hubby (butter on side, no brown sugar, only cinnamon)... and I took half my steak home.  I thought the chicken would be the healthiest, but that entree was like 1000 calories.  Ridiculous.

 I'm glad you like my name... Thank you!  My first choice was already taken, so I just figured, well I AM a mom, and I used to play bass and sing in a band so that means I rock, right?  And that's how my alias was made:)

Woohoo!  It's friday!  Have a great day, guys!

Hi guys!  Got up early today and did my LBWO, which went great!  Still feeling really sore in my arms from the other day.   Eating is still on target.  Looking forward to enjoying a free day maybe tomorrow night though!  ;)

Amy - I guess we're both creatures of habit.  I don't think I even notice that I eat the same thing most days, just slight variations.  I seem to rotate between a few breakfasts and lunches, a lot of the same snacks.  It's easy though because I like it and, like you, I know the nutrient info.  :)  I've even heard Jillian Michaels talk about how she just rotates between using the same couple of meals because they work for her and she likes them.  

As for the protein bars, I don't like to eat the bars that have low protein and high calories either.  I used to eat the Pure Protein bars quite often, but then my husband told me they contain soy protein and he'd told me whey was better.... so, I started finding more bars that had the whey protein.  BUT, I recently did some online research and I've found that both whey and soy are equal and produce equal results and muscle gain.  I'll have to tell him about that.  ;)  I used to like the Zone bars too, but they tend to have more saturated fat in them.  Aw, boo! for no Snickers!  You do have a free day coming soon though!  ;)

Hope the feet heal quickly and feel better soon!!  :)

Hi guys!  Hope you're all staying on track and having a good Saturday!  I just finished working for the day, woohoo!!  Today would normally be my free day, so no WO today, but I opted to use my free day last night to go to Pizza Hut for dinner.  It was yummo!!  Had an M&M McFlurry for dessert too.  :)  So... I'll be behaving myself and on track until my free day next weekend.  Anyone have any special plans for their free day?  

My husband and I are having a "date night" and going to dinner (healthy) at Panera, then going to see the movie "Super8".  I'm excited to see that movie, looks really good!  :)

Runnergirl - How was the night out at Ruths Chris?  

Hey everybody !! Hope you guys are having an awesome weekend. Thanks for posting about the protein bars, it motivated me to try a new kind. I found some Pure Protein bars on sale today at Harris Teeter and got some of those !! :) I've been tracking calories too. I feel like it has helped me. Hey, did you guys sign up for the official challenge?

Karey, good job with the planning ! And the workout !! Panera has lots of great options and so nice that you can still go out on a "date" night and stay on plan ! :) Let me know how you like the movie.

Ruth Chris was great. I did not intend for that to become my free day but I had a few glasses of wine and the steak was pretty juicy so figure to be safe I should just skip my free day today :(  I did not eat any of the sides though, and the rest of my day was clean so kinda feel a little bad that I lost my free day for a few glasses of wine !! Because if it had been my free day I would have had desert ! I passed up so many things...bread, dessert, sweet potatoes with pecans, creamed spinach...aaah...list goes on. So that makes me think of a question. Anyone do a split free day ? like one meal on Fri, one on Sat kind of thing? Overall I would think the calories would be less than going all out on one whole day. What you guys think?

Hey guys!  Looks like we're all here and accounted for.  Thanks for all the good information on meal plans, protein bars, ect.  Very useful.

Had an awesome workout yesterday.  You should have heard the conversation in my head, to get me out of bed, though!  The angel won over and I ran hill for 40 minutes!  Was really good at work - didn't eat the cake or all the super unhealthy stuff!  Haven't done as well with getting in my six meals though.  Struggle a bit there.  I did opt for the martini in the hot tub with hubby at 11:00 after work, cause I figured it was pretty close to 12:00 :}!  I won't be drinking martinis today on my off day.  Maybe a small glass of wine.  I think I had 4 martinis last free day and I felt like crap!  Even felt more like crap, when I later figured how many calories I must have consumed!  

Runnergirl, As for split days, I think you have to do what you have to do to stay on track.  Seems like you are right on with how you ate at Ruth Chris and gave up your free day.   I must say the last time I did the challenge that I followed it to the letter and never cheated, ect.  This time I am a little more lax and I find when I do that I am not as focused on the ultimate goal.  You know yourself well enough to know if this would work for you.  The ultimate question would be:  "What is most important to you?"  If you feel that having split days is worth the possilbe risk of not achieving your goal, then focus on what is important.  Just my thoughts.

I did sign up for the challenge, but have not yet taken my before photos!  I highly, HIGHLY recommend taking before photos and you have motivated me to do it today.  I signed up last time, but by the time I completed the challenge, I was so excited about my loss that I didn't turn in the final info.  Young kids, ect and too much to do.  I was just grateful to have lost what I did.  I stay so busy now, that the only thing I have done is sign up.  

Have you all seen the BFL journal?  I highly recommend it for first time BFLs.  It is very, very motivational and again, goals are the important part.  I was surprised by going back through some old books, how many times I have tried to do BFL again, but not been committed.  I would even make it 4 weeks out and quit.  But, I wasn't really following it to the letter, didn't have a support group and I think just wasn't as motivated.  This time feels different.  I am excited that I am down 7 pounds and my BFI is 31.5% instead of 34% (although I don't have the hand held measurer yet).

No big plans for my free day, other than not forcing myself to eat 6 meals and I did have a piece of chocolate cake I had saved from last night.  Not planning on much beyond that! Enjoy the rest of your day and until later...

Hello!  Hope you've all had a great weekend!  My husband and I had our movie date night last night and went to dinner at Panera so we could eat light and healthy.  It just happens to be one of my fav places to eat... love their salads.  They brought back the Strawberry Poppyseed Salad w/Chicken for the summer, yay!!  So of course I had a half salad of that and cup of chicken noodle soup.  ;)  At the movie I was pretty good... I had a big bottle of water and a box of Raisinets... felt a bit bad about those, but at least I counted them in my calorie allotment for the day.  Just worried about all the sugar from them.  

Today has been on track... started off w/my HIIT step workout w/my step stool and felt really good after.  Have tomorrow's UBWO all planned and ready to go!  

Runnergirl - Good job at Ruths Chris!  Sounds like you tried really hard to stay on track.  :)  No, I don't do a split free day.  What works for me is that I usually do mine on a Saturday and I work then, so I pack all healthy and on-plan foods and eat like I'm right on plan up until my dinner, then we usually go out and I'll eat what I want and have whatever I want for dessert later.  So I don't use a whole free day because I know I would go over-board and feel like total crap.  I know that I can do enough damage in one meal and dessert or late night snacking.  lol  I think you should do what works for you and keeps you motivated and focused.  What flavor Pure Protein bars did you get?  I currently have the Smores which are pretty good.  I like the chocolate PB ones too.  :)

Lori - Great job on the workout!  Are you not doing the standard BFL workouts and if so, do you think it'll alter your results?  No, I haven't looked at the journal... I'm not much into writing though.  I'm glad you're feeling more motivated this time and are really excited about your loss!  Good for you!!  :)  Enjoy that chocolate cake, you deserve it!  :)

Sorry, forgot to answer about the Challenge question... No, I didn't officially enter the challenge.  I did have "before" pics taken and was horrified by them.  lol  It's good motivation though!

Good evening guys ! Can you believe tmw starts week 5 for us ? It's flown by.... so today I had my hubby take a pic of me in a bikini (well the shorts weren't traditional bikini) but for me that was still pretty darn close. I don't dare wear this in public but wanted to take accurate pics so went to walmart and bought one. Btw, is this everyone's first challenge ? I def am going to need a second challenge. I see the dramatic results but I have a feeling it won't be enough.

Karey,  How was the movie ? Your dinner sounds great !! I love Panera's salads and I have gotten that one and love it. I also like the apple chicken. It's great that they tell you the calories and stats on the food. I miss their iced green tea. Maybe I'll get that next free day. :)

RE: protein bars...I got the smores flavor too ! I got an assortment, the peanutbutter, choc deluxe, smores, etc..so far have only tried pbutter and it was good. So I like the self control you use on your free day. I do a modified cheat in the sense that I don't go crazy but I definitely eat froyo with choc on it and plenty of wine, etc..but I find that each week I eat less sand less for free day so guess that's the point.. I find that having one day of "cheating" works better for me than having a treat each day, even if it's small. That's why weightwatchers never worked for me ! I think I ate too many small snack packs and sugar and just maintained...

question: I usually struggle getting in the 6th meal. I eat later so I'm behind usually. For example, Tue/Thur I don't do my strenth training until 9 so don't eat my first meal until 10:15 or so... and it's similar the other days. Think that's bad ?

Also, do you put the whey protein in your oatmeal while it's cooking ? I was gonna try that but wasn't sure if it would alter the taste ? Do you add splenda or anything ? I miss my oatmeal with honey and nuts, and all the toppings !

Lori, the chocolate cake sounds sooooo good.  I cannot believe I went this whole week with no chocolate ..well except for my protein bars ! Starting to get my fix from those ! :)

So all that talk about chocolate so my last meal i'm eating a protein bar and guess what flavor it is ? SMORES ! It's good ! :)

Morning!  Hope you're all ready to rock week 5!!  I'm excited for my UBWO later this afternoon!  :)

Runnergirl - I think you'll be happy you had some before pics taken so you can really see the progress.  Even though I was horrified, I'm glad I have them and hopefully won't be afraid to show them in the end compared w/my ending pics.  Hopefully.  lol  Yeah, I may want to do a second challenge to get more to where I'd like to be, we'll see.  

Good job w/the cheat day and I'm glad you're noticing that you're getting better and better with it.  I think I might be slowly... hard to tell some times though.  I know that once I eat some junk, I usually wish that I hadn't afterwards.  lol  Just need to work on thinking that BEFORE I put it into my mouth.  lol  I've always struggled w/self-control around sugar though.  It's like I'm addicted and just can't help myself.  I'm really dreading the fall season because one of my major addictions will be coming out in stores - Brach's Autumn Mix.  I'm majorly hooked.  I would buy a bag and my husband would hide it for me and dispense it or I'd eat the entire thing at once.  Even just smelling the stuff drives me crazy.  lol  It's my favorite, but it's a love/hate relationship with that candy.  Do you have anything that does that to you or am I the only weirdo?  ;)

Oh, as for the movie Super8... it was eh, ok.  I was a bit bummed, thought it was going to be really action packed and scary.  Wasn't really that scary... got kind of bored.  I've definitely seen worse though.  I think Bridesmaids was soooo much better!!  :)

Hope you all have a great Monday!!  :)