Hi

I began my 2nd challange on Aug.16.

I am hoping this 2nd time around I will be more dedicated and lay off the p.b at night.

Are you planning on entering the contest?

Malena - I hope you keep posting here also. We'd miss you! =)

Kitty33 - At first I planned on entering the contest to keep myself motivated and honest to the program; I even took my before pictures and had everything all ready. Then as the challenge progressed I realized it wasn't at all important to me to "enter a contest" but instead the changes I was seeing and the renewed energy I felt, was enough. It just felt good enough to be back to being "me" again instead of the chubby version I had let myself become. I know the big point of the challenge is to enter, but I already felt like I had won all I needed to win and by the time I got to about week 8 or 9, the contest part felt sort of secondary/pointless. I've sent my before, during, and after pictures to my friends to keep myself honest, but otherwise its enough for me personally just to be back on track with my weight and exercise and to feel such renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Today I am not exercising. I actually got dressed to exercise and then started picking up around the house before going to the trail (and while waiting for my daughters school bus). I decided to make a list of all the things I wanted to clean, from the refrigerator shelves (washing them) to moving the furniture and vaccuming/dusting/sweeping under and around it, and everything in between from scouring to picking up. I decided to make myself a deal - if I skipped exercise I would complete my list without stopping because having a house that clean would make skipping exercise worth it. I am about 1/2 way through the list and feel like exercise would have been the EASIER option! haha But, I am pretty darn happy with all the under the surface cleaning I am accomplishing and I can't wait to sit down tonight and look around my uber-clean house and completely enjoy it. Speaking of which, lunch is over....back to the grindstone!

Karen

Karen- I'm not going anywhere.  Where would I get all this wonderful encouragement that you guys supply, if I left?  When you are done cleaning your house mine is available for cleaning..:)  LOL.  Thanks again guys for all of your support.

Malena

Hi guys. For those of you who are going for the next round, I've decided to start tomorrow instead of Monday.  When I looked up the challenge rules online, it said if you want to enter the the last round of 2010, you have to start by 9/3/10, which is tomorrow.  I'm going to join the other group called "Sept.3rd BFL- start - who's with me?"  It's got a bunch of subscribers already.  I  was wondering why some people were starting on a Friday.  This puts the last day on Thanksgiving - a great day for a free day!  

Clarega,  I decided to start again since I didn't finish the last round.  What do I have to do to officially start the challenge?  Last time I just downloaded the starter kit.  Is there something I need to send in to prove that I am starting by the official date?  TIA  Christie

cmp137 - Once you download the kit, I think that's all you need.  You don't send it in until you've completed the challenge.  It's good to read it for the guidelines and it has examples of exercises, food etc. I just sent in my kit for the first challenge, and as long as you keep records, take measurements, before and after pictures, etc., you just  have to sign and date the form when you send it in.  Are you starting tomorrow?  If so, I'm with you!  Good luck!  Clare

Clarega,  So I guess they just do it on the honor system?  How would the BFL judges know if you start tomorrow the 3rd or Monday the 6th?  I downloaded the kit when I was starting May 30th.  Should I download it again or can I just use the one from before?  I am starting tomorrow, but it will be weird starting on a Friday instead of a Monday.  Maybe that is the key to sticking with it? :-) (I wish the day of the week that I start was all I needed to change!)  Christie

Hi again - we need to get to sleep!  But I'm still awake so I'll answer.  I kept a journal and wrote down the dates of everything so I know when I started.  I printed out the 12 week chart from the book and put it in my kitchen with a green marker next to it. Every day, when I completed the workout, I checked it off.  It was very empowering to see all those green check marks week after week!

It IS hard to start, but I found after awhile, I got into a groove and it got easier and easier. They say a journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step. Take the step and go from there. There are tons of people on these forums who are willing to answer any and all questions and  help you do it!

Good Morning All -

Starting Challenge 2 Week 1 Day 1 Today. =)   I just finished my upper body workout and ran on the treadmill for one mile. The running on the treadmill is just a bit of extra I throw in there and I find it helps loosen up my muscles after the lifting. It wasn't hard to start the second challenge today but I noticed my weights were just a tad bit harder after taking the time between challenges.

Good luck to everyone finishing their first challenge and those who are starting their second challenge in this week! It's a great program and gets easier with each passing week! =)

I am starting work on Tuesday and will be in the classroom without much computer access, but I will check in when I can and post as I can even if sporatically. I am looking forward to reading all of your posts and how you are all doing! It's so motivating to hear of your successes (and even your struggles since everyone struggles at one time or another).

Take Care and GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!

KAren

I'm right there with you Armywife.  I'm starting challenge 6 this week as well.  Best wishes in reaching your goal.

Hey Karen. Good to  hear from you again.  I was so excited to wear a dress to church this morning I  haven't worn in YEARS!  I went to the donut social afterwards and spent it socializing and not eating donuts!  I'm looking forward to getting nice and toned on this next challenge.

Clare

Hello everyone,

I am glad to hear from and about all of you.  I hope everyone keeps posting here as they start their 2nd challenge.  I am on C2W2D1 as of today.  I have never felt so good as I felt these past weeks.  I have gotten so addicted to the gym that when I find myself bored I want to go to the gym and jump on the eliptical even if I have already been to the gym that day.  I have created a monster!!!!!  LOL!

Sharon- Thanks for being such a motivation and inspiration to all of us.  You have done wonderful things with yourself, and you should be very proud.

Karen- You have also been motivating, and helpful with all of your advise.  I hope that your new job goes well.  I know that you will do well.  Congratulations on going past your goal, and being able to enjoy your vacation as well.  Great job.

Clare-  YOU look absolutely wonderful.  You go girl!

Thanks again to all of you,

Malena

hi guys,

Well, count me among the "finishers" as I wrapped up my Challenge this weekend -- whoo hoo! I've posted my final pics/stats on my profile, so check 'em out! I think I actually will turn my "entry" in (what the heck :) I think going through the motions of doing so will energize me for the start of BFL2 coming up.

I hate to lose momentum, so I'm thinking I will probably just take a week between challenges. Which means I'll start back 9/13/10. So I'll be a little behind you guys again (Karen, Malena, Clare, Sharon...) but look forward to following your posts and joining in the inspiration again :)

Rock on, ladies!

Connie

Congratulations, Connie. Your pictures tell a  great story!  I love the flexing arms in your after photo!  

Malena - thanks for the vote of confidence.  I'm feeling great and looking forward to getting toned now that I've lost some weight.  This program really works!  I know what you mean about addictions - I HAD to go to the gym yesterday even though it was like a ghost town because of Labor  Day.

Today was the first day of school for my 3 kids and I made sure I got my workout in before everyone got off to school.

Clare

Good Afternoonall -

WOWIE CONNIE!! Those are some awesome pictures!!  I think you should definitely enter the challenge if that is something that helps you stay motivated! Who knows? We may very soon see you on the site as "CHAMPION!" Wouldn't that be awesome??? We could all say we "knew you when"! hehe =)

Second challenge is going well so far, but its only been 6 days. hehe Getting up early has never been a problem for me but I am usually the one exercising last since everyone has work and needs to get to the basement gym asap in the morning. The first morning I had to go in we found three people all heading to the gym at the same time. That didn't work - so I volunteered to work out when I got home from work since the school day allows me to get off much earlier than a "standard" 9-5. Well drats if I didn't underestimate how TIRED I would be after that first day. I never did make it to the lower body routine. So....we all decided to rework our schedules for the morning. Now I do cario on days my husband does weights, and we switch the next day. That allows me to use the treadmill and him to beuse the weights at the same time. All that's left is our daughter Amber (and she will be leaving for the marines Sept 30th) so she says she can do either morning or afternoon and will just fit somewhere in between us. Ever since then - its all been smooth as silk. =)  I'm not having any trouble with the diet part now that I am working except my mid morning snack, which is typically a protein shake since I am in the classroom. I am not always getting it on time, but with kids you can't plan a lot and expect it to work out - so I just fit it in as I can.

I'm going to have to figure something out though. I don't feel hungry much at all, except a bit in the mid-afternoon, but with the addition of my working which is a lot of moving about with so many kids in the classroom, I am finding my weight is a bit lower than I wanted. I weighed myself this morning and weighed in at 137.6. (5'8" tall) I'm fine with that now and wouldn't mind a steady 136, but I don't want to lose much if any additional weight so I am not sure if I should cut out one of my cardio routines and alternate weights and cardio M-F or if I should just increase my calories. I don't really want to increase my calories since I feel like I am eating plenty and don't really have any cravings for more food. I am around 1600 calories a day.  Any thoughts or suggestions on how to balance this anyone???

How is everyone doing on their second challenge so far? I hope all is going well - CONGRATULATIONS to each and every one of us who finished the first (or are finishing) and have started (or are starting) the second! Yay for us!!

Karen