I agree, scrambling eggs is easy when you're on the go. I sometimes do that and undercook them just slightly (not raw whites but just a little runny), then wrap it in a tortilla, take it to work and nuke it. It warms everything and finishes cooking the eggs without them turning out like sawdust.

Catty, how do you go so long before eating after cardio? I am ready to tear some things up after I run. I force myself to slowly go to my house or work, take a shower, take time with my hair, then figure out a creative way to kill some time (Facebook, playing with my dogs, etc) and then I will make breakfast. It's torture! I almost literally count the minutes.

Temptations are KILLING me right now too. Thankfully I am broke this month so I couldn't go anywhere even if my inner strength gave out. I do miss a lot of my favorite eateries in Boulder and Denver, and the food trucks especially (they are a new trend here). There is a place in Denver that sells exotic hot dogs (I ate one made of reindeer topped with cream cheese and caramelized onion... not kidding) and I have been craving them like mad.

Oh and photographer... he's a friend and photographs the races I go to so it's not much of a stretch. My husband and I race SCCA Solo II autocross and we have an event in Colorado Springs on May 19 (technically Day 83 but close enough for me) so I am having him to do my photo shoot at the race event with my car. We have a 2004 Mini Cooper S that we've been developing for the past 3 seasons. It is a LOT of fun! I'm hoping that getting better stamina mentally and physically, as well as a more "zen" feeling of self, will help me focus better when I am on course and hopefully kick some BUTT this season! The gals with the club are crazy competitive, sometimes more than the guys, so it's no easy task. :)

Wow, lots to catch up on, but I will have to reply more tomorrow.

MW- you look great! I see changes in your waist definitely. Keep up the good work.

Catty- like everyone else said, definitely need more protein. Eggs are an easy way to get it in. I boil a whole bunch at one time so I can just grab some on the way out. I also make an egg white omelette before I leave home and heat it up at work. Also, try having the oatmeal in the container instead of the packets. I just keep it at work, then I scoop out 1/2 cup, put 1.5  cups water in, pop in microwave for 2 min and its good to go. You get more volume. I  add splenda as well.

I'm with MW, I am starving after HIIT, how do you wait so long?

I would pair the almonds with Greek yogurt and where is your complex carb with your salad and sashimi? Forgive my ignorance but is that fish? Is it BFL approved? Do you have the book? There is a section that gives you examples of quality protein, carbs, and veggies. Is the shake a protein shake or a balance of carbs and protein?

T

I meant to say I have either the egg white omelette or the hard boiled egg whites, not both. :-)

Catty, I re-read your last post and here are some ideas for some high protein options that I love, maybe you can get some ideas from these? They aren't complete meals, just the protein part.

Canned tuna (I usually mix it with a little chopped red onion, olive oil, S+P, and lemon juice)

Plain Greek yogurt; my favorite is Fage Total 2%

Low-fat cottage cheese

Protein powder mixed with water or milk

Lunch meat wrapped in green lettuce leaves

Homemade protein bars! There are a lot of good recipes online. Usually you can just mix protein powder, milk, nut butter, oats, spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, then press into a pan and refrigerate.

Cold leftover meats, like leftover chicken breast. I use them for salad greens, wrap them in a tortilla or just eat them plain.

Cold baked tofu or bean curd. I also like Tofurky brand sausages.

You could also try to eat higher protein carbs like Kashi GoLean cereal (13g protein per 1 cup of cereal), brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat pasta (over 5g protein per cup of each). That can also help make up some deficiencies.

Hope those might help. The first time I tried the Challenge I had some major obstacles in adequate protein as well, mostly because of my work + school schedule and not having an easy way to store food at either location. Myoplex bars saved me many times. It is pretty amazing as we go through this that we learn why carbs are such an easy snack for people: Easy to store, inexpensive, very little thinking/prep work. Go figure.

MW- These are great choices you have given her. You just reminded me about tuna. :-)

question what is HIIT cardio everyone keeps talking about. I feel like im missing out!!!

Good morning!

ricanbelly, HIIT is the 20 min cardio solution - it is in the book and on the website too (under library, then excercise - I think).

MW-thanks for the ideas too.  Kashi cereal - I want to try which one do you suggest?!  Also, I think my temptations/cravings got strong in week6/7!  Heads up...  I am guessing that I have been really to restrictive on CARBS - whole wheat pasta - I am making some tonight.  I have to say you are the most interesting person I know - racing minis!  Geez - it sounds awesome...good luck too.

Had a great UBWO last night - I couldn't finish my last set.  Also, talked to one of the trainers and he told me to start working out in the morning to give my body some more shock.  He then told me about some new training that he thought I would be good at..."you are very commited person".  I about fell out with his comment - BFL changing me in & out!  I have no idea what the rest of the conversation was it was like Charlie Browns teacher... I will find out about this new training after the challenge.

Have a good day you guys!  Talk to you later.  

well guys last night did very well, then had a protein shake at 9:30 so this morning able to do LBWO at 7am, no food until 9am! Yes it was difficult to last that long. I think the protein the night before helped.  

Yes T (I think?) sashimi is small thin slabs of raw fish lol...there's no rice or seaweed attached just the fish.  A pared-down version of sushi.  It is very low calorie and high protein; not sure if it is or isn't on the approved list but it is a healthy food.  I find that I don't eat many carbs - rarely do I eat rice or pasta.  And yes T you're right about the oatmeal, the container kind is better for sure....

So what's everyone up to today?  And how can I upload my picture arrgh!

ricanbelly- just to add, HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training.

MW- I agree with Tonja, you are sooooo interesting. Racing mini coopers, love of seahorses, interesting hair...I've always wished I was more creative/artistic.

Tonja- I hear you as far as your colors being beige, brown, or black. I try to to choose more color, but to me everything looks good brown and black. I am so boring. I need someone who has an eye for color to shop for me. Wow! That is a great compliment. I bet you he doesn't see a lot of people at the gym as committed as you are. You have to want it really bad to do what we do and actually stick to it.

catty- Yes, it's T. My name is Theresa but I just type in the initial. Ok, now I know what sashimi is. Sounds good. Can you dip it in a sauce or do you just eat it plain? You are so lucky to live in Philly. I've never been there but I just want to go so I can get a philly cheesesteak. Everytime I watch some eating show, like Man vs. Food, they are always going to Philly. Ok, I'm getting hungry, better stop talking about it. :-)

Well, I made an appointment with the trainer to get my BF done. She's charging me 10.00. I think I made her mad because she started going on about how we can talk about nutrition and she can give me a complimentary workout session and show me the equipment in the gym. I cut her off and told her I don't need all that. I just want my BF done. I guess I was frustrated because everytime I ask a trainer to do my BF, it comes with a big sales pitch about personal training sessions. I would LOVE to have a trainer, but I can't afford it so stop asking me and just do my BF. LOL

Hey, does anyone know when they are going to put the stories up of the 2011 winners?

T, noticed the stories weren't posted either!   I completely understand about cost of a trainers$$.  Thank goodness, Y has free assesments!  I talk to the same guy that did my assesment almost every week.  I do pay for TRX classes, but they are $7 a class not terrible, but a lot less than a trainer!  I was actually thinking about a group training which divides the cost between the members of the group...  I just don't know.  

How much do the calipers cost to do the BF?  I have seen them, but I figured that I would go nuts checking it all the time.  Good luck to you & BF assessment.

T, I didn't know what HIIT exactly stood for - thanks!

I did have a trainer once about 6 years ago, he was fantastic and completely changed my outlook on fitness and life in general.  It was for a few months and the best investment, but yes they are expensive!  Hey how do we upload pics?

wow my pic is waaaay too big lol!!!

Tonja, those are great compliments to hear from a trainer! Are you going to shift your weight workouts to the morning? I did that Weeks 1 - 6 until my schedule got in the way... I miss it, and think my results have actually slowed down so I am excited to get that going again.

I am SO glad that my gym is super no frills. I wish there were some spin classes and other options but they don't even have locker rooms. Or pretentious staff. I went to check out another gym that had classes and a sauna and they totally tore down B4L! I told them I was doing the Challenge, so they grilled me on it, told them about my progress, and they said I was doing everything completely wrong! That is NOT the way you win clients. I thanked them for their time and immediately got the heck out of there.

$10 for a body fat test seems pretty pricey! I bought a set of calipers from GNC for $16, and a $2 sewing tape from Wal-Mart. Maybe that is an option? I would go crazy checking too; I force myself to keep my tape and calipers and notebook in a drawer, and only take them out every 4 weeks. So next reading is Monday. Hoping for some changes!

Also, I gotta blush. You guys are so nice. :) I have always been one of those "student of many, master of few" types.

Catty, what types of fish do you eat for your sashimi? Just curious... my husband was a sushi chef for 10 years, Japanese trained. He used to make amazing new style sashimi, fusion rolls (my favorite was a roll made with 7-spice blackened albacore, fresh strawberries and ponzu sauce... yum!), chirashi bowls and other things. I miss fresh fish! I lived in North Carolina for a couple years and got used to eating fish fresh off the dock in Beaufort and Wilmington. Definitely can't get that here, and I can't justify paying $19 a pound at Whole Foods when most of the staff doesn't know how to handle the fish properly as it is. I am craving swordfish like crazy though; I might bite the bullet and make some tomorrow with some yaki soba (buckwheat) noodles and lots of greens.

Not feeling it today... gotta go to LBWO today. My husband has been keeping me up past 10 every night (talking endlessly about his new job, get your minds out of the gutter!), and one of my dogs has been waking me up at 5 or earlier. Uggghhhh. Not a good week. Hopefully I can get more sleep the rest of the week!