Hi Leanne,
You gave very good advice for not only Ellisha but for others as well. I always made excuses or make excuses too. I dove in head first with my cardio this am and it was a great feeling to begin my life long change. Not to mention the endorphins from working out. Thank you for your encouragement and inspiring words this am it was just what I needed. Remember it is one day at a time and before we know it is lots of days in a row.
Wendy
Yay!!!
I'm also using Thanksgiving as a free day. But I'm starting out the day with a 5k Turkey Trot race with my 9 year old son. I can't guarantee I'm going to run the whole thing but I'm darn well going to try! Then I can have my little slice of cheese cake for dessert. I like the suggestions for dinner too: "White meat turkey, veggies, cranberry, baked sweet potato...all allowed."!!! I won't be suffering with all that good stuff!
Had a great UBWO this morning. Hit all my high points.
I'm loving this group already!
I am 40 and into my 4th week of my second back to back challenge. It is no kidding how hard the weight has been to lose this time. I did BFL about 10 years ago and it was so easy....not so much this time. I am working toward it and have seen major changes in my body even if the weight has been slow to come off. My first challenge I lost 12 pounds and lost several inches, but more importantly I gained the desire to work out and push myself again instead of laying on the couch. The second challenge back to back has been hard because of the diet. I'm feeling better and looking better and so mentally I feel like I can eat more of what I want and less of what I need. I have been pushing along though and am hoping to continue on this plan!
In reply to ksmith1010.
I have to admit that it seems a little discouraging that I won't lose around 20 pounds in the 3 month span. I did this 11 years ago and lost 28lbs in the 3 months but I do realize that now I am 47 and it is much different.
Did you do the program to the letter? I don't know how to do this by the letter but I am going to give it my best. I really believe just getting through each day one at a time helps. It sure isn't easy though. I am in bed with teeth brushed already just so i don;t want to eat. Crazy hey?
Actually i can relate to your feeling good about yourself with inches lost and over 10 pounds lost to think that eating bad foods is okay more often. I have been there way to often. Why do we think feeling good and looking is a ticket to making bad choices? For me it ends up me putting on more weight and giving up. So because I know this cycle I have made the choice to push hard forward and this forum will really be a big help to me.
I am glad your feeling great and I will be supporting you in your second challenge. You go girl!!!
Sharon,
Thank you for including me and asking me about my first day. It was awesome actually and so far so good. I always feel so good starting something good for me.
I feel for you and your situation so remember your BFL family and that your not alone. I will pray for his safety. My husband is not in the military but we have problems of our own and it is a huge reason I am doing this challenge so I can be stronger and happier for my kids etc. Thanks for caring and keep taking deep breaths. Have an awesome BFL day.
I am always looking at the past too and what a terrible way to sabatouge yourself. Sooooooo let's try to look ahead ladies and not back we are sure to be successful.
Any tips on healthy snacks for those 2 in between meals?
Talk soon BFL girls!!
~Wendy
Wendy,
I agree, doing the program to the letter one day at a time is going to give us the best results. It's time for me to pull out the approved foods list and stick to it. I heard from a fitness expert yesterday that weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. I don't know if that's exactly right but it's discouraging to me nonetheless - the eating is the hardest part for me. I procrastinate meal preparation. So it's time to correct that. I'm in week 3 and haven't had a perfect eating day yet. Today WILL be my first!
How are you doing with following the plan exactly? What week are you on?
Leanne
I agree Sharon, looking forward and visualizing our success is one of the tricks to staying on track!
I also think looking back is helpful when we focus exclusively on our successes and remember how we felt when stuck to something and succeeded.
For snack suggestions I love to do a protein shake or a serving of nuts and low fat vanilla yogurt, or blend 1/2 C of cottage cheese with 1/2 C low fat vanilla yogurt, mix in a dash of cinnamon divide it in 2 (2 servings) and sprinkle a serving of high fiber cereal on top (I like honey nut cheerios).
Have a great day!
Hi Ladies,
Love all the support. Great ideas for thanksgiving Sharon! You always rock.
Leanne, have you tried the non-fat greek yogurt. It has less sugar than regular yogurt and 2x's the protein. Try the Kashi go-lean cerals on top as well. They provide a nice crunch and more protein.
As you may guess, gettting all my protein in is a challenge for me. Trying to think of six protein snack/meals a day is challenging.
Ksmith - you are an inspiration. Back to back challenges must be a real CHALLENGE. 12lbs is a great result for your first one. It may not be as easy as it was 10 years ago, but you are still doing it. Besides, think about how much more of a woman you are today than you were 10 years. All that great wisdom has to add some pounds :}...
Let's all do a turkey trot in the morning tomorrow. I'm going to drag my family up the mountain by my house. What are you going to do?
Nancy
I have re thought what I said about being discouraged with now it's harder and so on. We are doing so much better and actually it sounds like the best we can.
I am only officially in my first week. I have been working out and trying better food choices for about 3 weeks. I am proud of myself for getting to the gym 6 days a week. I just feel better mentally already.
The food part is hard for me to and it is a daily battle for me to put together and organize.
I work an evening shift with Home Care so I need afternoon snack and dinner before I leave the house. I will get used to it because I am determine to feel and look better. When mom feels good so does everyone around her.
I am from Canada and would like to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!! Just make that your FREE DAY. Good luck you can do anything you want to if you want to bad enough.
Thank you for snack ideas they are always needed and much appreciated.
Leanne you are doing awesome because usually people don't stick it through that second challenge. Be proud of yourself for loosing that 12 pounds of fat. You now know you are quite capable of doing it again.
Hi again, I have a bit of time before work and thought I would send a message.
After so many times of doing different plans, taking weight off, putting weight on etc etc etc. I have decided to do the BFL plan that I know works. I am tired of constantly thinking about changing, dieting, excersizing, and so on. I am doing it to the letter but am only in week one. It feels good but I am super ready FREE DAY!
I think all of us in our 40's and beyond finally realize that this will be hard but because we have done so many difficult things in our lives already there is not reason why we can't be strong for just US. We have more wisdom now than we did in our 20's so what are we waiting for? Let's count every little success and celebrate it!!!!
Ten years ago when I did BFL with my grilfriend we called eachother every day for support etc. She always said before hanging up " It's all about you Wendy" and that made me focus on me first and then the family came next and I was much happier for them.
Again HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!! If you blow it , enjoy it, then get back on the horse.
Being on the BFL makes me feel like I'm going somewhere. I've done this before 2 years ago, but did not see it through, and that made me feel stuck! I'm back on the trip and I'm excited to go and keep going. The way I see it, If I get off on a detour this time ( Like a vacation) I'm still on the trip and headed in the right direction. This is how I eat and live now, with a mindless free day! Ha. We will hit our destination! Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Caroline
Happy Turkey Day Ladies,
Here's something that I borrowed from the TRX SITE.
The first step in conscious eating is being aware of your triggers. If you think you or your clients are guilty of unconscious eating, here’s something to put on the fridge:
•I will not eat food I don’t need.
•I will not reward myself with food.
•I will not medicate with food.
•I will not allow situations, circumstances or other people to influence or dictate the way I eat.
•I will not rationalize poor eating.
•I will not lie to myself or others about my eating behaviors.
•I will not eat in secret.
•I will not repeat the mistakes of my past.
•I will not allow my mind or emotions to sabotage my physical potential.
•I will eat consciously.
Conscious eating is about reconnecting with the body. It’s about stopping the cycle of lies and excuses. It’s about slowing down and paying attention. It’s about honoring and respecting the gift that is the body. When we eat consciously, our body, mind and emotions all work in perfect harmony.
Craig Harper (www.craigharper.com.au) is one of Australia’s leading coaches, presenters and educators in the areas of health, fitness and personal development. Craig has been an integral part of the Australian fitness landscape since 1982. In that time, he has worked as an exercise scientist, corporate consultant, professional development speaker, university lecturer, AFL conditioning coach, radio host, TV commentator and writer.
Hope this helps someone.
Claude
Very true Claude. My problem can be distinguishing the difference between hunger and boredom. LOL.
Best Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is here, so our minds have turned
To what time has taught us, to what we’ve learned:
We often focus all our thought
On shiny things we’ve shopped and bought;
We take our pleasure in material things
Forgetting the pleasure that friendship brings.
If a lot of our stuff just vanished today,
We’d see the foundation of each happy day
Is special relationships, constant and true,
And that’s when our thoughts go directly to you.
Wishing you a Thanksgiving you’ll never forget,
Full of love and joy—your best one yet!
By Joanna Fuchs
Happy Thanksgiving!
~ Sharon
Hi ladies! I am so happy to have found this forum. I am Trudi, aka T, and I did BFL 10 years ago and had amazing results. I completed the 12 week program and continued for awhile. I was so toned and had so much energy. Then I got married and three kids later I found myself with an extra 55 pounds on my small body (5'4"). I joined Weight Watchers a little over two years ago and lost the 55 punds but have gained about 12 pounds back. I am starting BFL again today and I am really excited. Even though I lost the 55 pounds, I didn't gain muscle so not toned or strong. I love the eating program especially the free days, which I completely indulged in and still saw great results before. I like the original program vs. the women's one. I also did more aerobic activity at the end of the 12 weeks because I had a lot of energy and like to run so I did a little every day except for the free day. The interval training helped me significantly increase my speed.
As far as portion control, I just use my hand as a visual for the protein and then I just match up the carb. For example, one serving of chicken breast is the size of my palm and then a baked potatoe the size of my fist. Make sense?
I will go over to the other formum shortly.
~T