Hi everyone,

My girlfriend and I began our second challenge (technically my 3rd- see profile) on Monday. I was wondering if we could tag along in this group even though we aren't on our first challenge. I truly am excited for you all because you are about to embark on an amazing adventure. Congratulations on deciding to change!

- Madison

How was the first day everyone?  We did great. I am especially proud of my hubby who has NEVER dieted, doesn't have a clue about what he can and cannot eat. He is stellar. I went to my gym to have my BF tested and my measurements, and the trainer spent the whole time talking me out of BFL. Saying that "the fitness industry has changed a lot since this program came out, there are more effective way of acheiveing your results...." Blah blah blah...he was trying to sell me on a personal training package. I asked him what the cons were and he couldn't even answer that! So I guess that tells me its a great way to go. Eventhough I am super sore today!

Good Luck!

Haley

getting used to the am workouts has been the biggest adjustment so far.  Having a desk job I find helps me with the diet regiment.  I feel really good (more mentally) at this point about doing the challenge, once the results are more visible I know I will get a huge boost from that .... anyway so far so good!!

hope everyone else is doing well!

philly

Savpetz,

I'm on my 10th week.  I haven't followed the eating part to the tee either.  I've been pretty good with the workouts.  I've lost 10 pounds and really only have about 3 or 4 pounds to lose from here.  Then I'm focusing on toning my body.  I'm planning to start Challenge 2 as well.  Challenge 1 really just got me started with eating 6 times a day and working out 6 times a week.  Now when I eat a bad meal I just feel bad (stomach ache and sluggish).  So, I've learned that this is truly a new lifestyle and not a diet.  

Stevia is great!  Just find what works best for you.  I wish I could go back and start day 1 all over again.  I would plan more, learn more, and take more pics along the way.  

Good luck to you!

Donna    

Happy Birthday Schmit! This is a great gift to give to yourself! Congrats... :)

Congrats to everyone on completing day 1! (big pats on the back)

Philly39 (George) - I can relate to the desk job. I have my own office with a small fridge and I am mostly here by myself. I don't have no office temptations, which is good, and it does help me to eat all the meals and makes it easier.

Mommyof3 - It is great that your hubby and you are doing this together. I am doing this one by myself because my boyfriend doesn't understand the program yet. Although, he does go to the gym with me ( not without whinning first) and is very supportive. I am hoping once he sees the changes I make he will be inspired to do the same.

Giammaria - WOW love the pics! It is great to have someone who has been through the 12 weeks before to ask for advice. Congrats on all your hard work.

Yesterday when I was doing my HIIT cardio, I was thinking of everyone on this forum, especially when I was hitting my 9 point. I was thinking of how I have to do this, I cant let myself nor the group down. If they can do it, so can I. And I thought of Pamalal's post regarding her sister in law and why you are doing this challenge and it helped me reach my 10 point.

I am so grateful to have this Forum to help each other reach our goals!

Hello all!

started yesterday on the BFL.  I recently quite smoking, and started working out and eating right.  At first there were some results but I plateaued pretty fast.  A friend at work mentioned Body for Life and that she had done it in the past with some great results.  When I asked around I found out a lot of my friends who look fabulous are Body For Life-ers.  

So here I am.  I have a kiddo and a job that requires a long commute but I really want to be able to get my weight down so I don't worry so much about blowing out my knees or ankles and can take my kiddo snowboarding and skiing this winter.

Good to meet y'all and I can't wait to hear how everyone does as they go along. :-)

Hi everyone !! I was out of town for Day 1 (OMG ! How did that happen ?!?) but was able to still make good food choices. Food is my BIGGEST CHALLENGE, as I am sure it is for many other people, but I did fine.

I have started challenges before and not finished, but I do have a few successful tips from those first few weeks when I was kicking butt ! This is a GREAT recipe for turkey meatballs ... I use two meatballs per dinner as my meat serving, and it's perfect. One week I ate these meatballs plus a serving of baked sweet potato and a kale salad for dinner every night, and it was part of a meal plan that helped me drop 5 pounds that week ! (I know there are bread crumbs in the meatballs, but it's a small amount spread over 12 meatballs, so it's not a big deal. If it really bothers you, you could always grind up some oats into flour and use that instead.)

Turkey Florentine Meatballs

20 oz 99% lean ground turkey ***

1 cup fat free Ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry of liquid

salt, pepper, red pepper flake to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix all ingredients, form into 12 meatballs and place on a cookie sheet that’s been covered in foil and sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 18 minutes or until cooked through.

Makes 6 servings (12 meatballs)

This recipe is shapelessly copied from my friend Amy's blog: amyellasrecipes.wordpress.com/.../turkey-florentine-meatballs

She has other great recipes, too.

Here's hoping for a GREAT day (and a great challenge) for everyone. Can you believe that tomorrow is already Day 3 of 84 ?!?

Hi All,

Finishing up the 3rd day and dang we are sore.  Cardio in the AM should be fun.

Does it matter how close I eat my 6th meal relative to bedtime.  It doesn't 'feel' right drinking a shake and going to bed an hour later. What say you?

Thanks

Shannon

6'0

268

38% body fat

Hi all! I'm a day late, but not a dollar short, as I was on vacation yesterday. It's been great to "meet" folks and see that while we all have different starting points and challenges, we share an enthusiasm for creating change.

Looking forward to working with you all. Especially interested in connecting with those doing the program part or all vegetarian / vegan / raw.

I have completed the body for life program once before.  I looked great, a couple  years later, i became pregnant(late in my 30's) and gained it all back!  Well, not all, but a lot.  Bad marriage after that, it took its toll.  Now Im free and single, and back on body for life again.  This is the beginning of my 3rd week and ive lost 7 pounds.  I havent been ablet do the weight workout yet.  My car is in the shop,  hopefully getting it soon and will be going to the gym regularly.  Ive always enjoyed lifting weights, cant wait!

Hi Byteme, While you're waiting on weights, so to speak, how about squats and lunges? Using cans as free weights? Or maybe you'll just be back in the gym soon. Best wishes!

Small victories ... I was out for a late lunch / early dinner today with friends. At an Itlian restaurant ! DANGER DANGER !! So what happened wasn't perfect or BFL by the book, but it was a huge victory, especially when compared to my past performance at restaurants (which usually involved just throwing caution to the wind and eating whatever I wanted) - I ordered a glass of wine, a dinner salad and an appetizer sized bruschetta. That may not sound great to some people, but c'mon, at an Italian restaurant ? With lasagna and pizza on the menu ? I was pleased. And I got in a lot of healthy vegetables.

So, Day 2 wasn't perfect but it was still a step in the right direction, and I will focus on that. As excited as I am about a 12 week challenge, I also know I need to start making lifestyle changes that will stick with me forever. i don't want to have a wildly successful challenge only to revert immediately back to my old habits and gain it all back. Today was, for me, a step towards learning new habits and making BFL a lifestyle.

On to day 3 ... !!

Hi everyone. I've been waking up early and I start working out after 10 mins of waking up (in my home) with no problem but when I am halfway the workout I start to feel nauseous, I'm sure it's because my stomach is empty. Any suggestions? Do you guys eat something before starting your workouts? An apple or something healthy? Thanks

Hey all, just checking in. Day one went well. I woke up at 4:30 in the morning which was really hard to do. I am a teacher, so I am on summer vacation and haven't had to wake up that early in the morning in a while. I did UBWO, but I noticed that I couldn't go up to the next weight during some routines so I stayed with the same weight and did the routine. I figured it's better than not doing it at all. I couldn't wake up at 4:30 in the morning this morning. I needed sleep! I did my cardio at night instead. Eats have been good. I find it hard to get in enough calories being that I have had gastric bypass. Today I am lucky if I got in 1200 calories.

Danny19, on days where you do strength training you should try drinking half of your protein shake before your workout. Maybe that'll help with your nausia.