LifeIsButADream: I am doing the full 12-week challenge.
How Excited I was to see so many posts on here. I am glad we will have a group to confide in, compare notes & motivate!! We can do this! I am so ready for this challenge!
"The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday!"
Ok found it , ( the bio) so being new what does someone need to get ready for this 8 week support Challenge.
Hey Susan I too am starting on the 16th. This will be my second challenge and I am ready after a month and a half break. I will check in daily as I find it helps me ALOT to stay on track. Alright, lets get everything in place and go for it!!! jill
Nice to meet you, Dontazz2003. The Challenge is a 12-week program - 84 days. The best way to prepare is to read Body for Life front to back and get familiar with what to eat and when. Then get familiar with how to move and how often. It looks like we're going to have a nice blend of people in here for support and encouragement!
There's a girl out there warming up with your max.
Looking forward to finishing this process with everyone...................................Good Luck and lets stay motivated
Hi All - yes seeing ourselves fit and healthy is a good practice!
I've been listening to the podcast Fat-to-Fit while I'm working out or just doing things around the house and I've found their common sense way of thinking about food and diet to be refreshing. We are embarking on a 12 week program that we may not be able to maintain exactly for the rest of our lives but this podcast talks about living like a thin person so that when we reach our goals - we can have the type of lifestyle that maintains it!
I also have a question... is there a way just to come directly to this thread to read the latest items without having to search through the forum? Thanks for any suggestions on how to bookmark the group!
Oh and it's kinda cool - many of us seem to be around the same age - hope everyone else writes up their profile, I really enjoy getting to know you.
I have the site email me when an update is made to the thread. They send me a link and I just click it andit brings me to the latest post. Alternatively, you can bookmark the thread URL or drag the icon in the address bar into your links. Also, you can subscribe via RSS which will notify you when there's something you haven't read... most of these arelisted under "Options" on the right side of this page.
I'm having a great time with the foods and combinations. I bought some Myoplex Lite RTD shakes, which are pretty tasty. I blended one in my Magic Bullet with some ice and a few drops of almond extract last night. Delicious! We went out for sushi last night and I had my usual sashimi and cucumbers. It was nice to add a small sweet potato and a couple cubes of melon and not feel like I was cheating. Lowfat cottage cheese mixed with peach Yoplait light is to die for! I am a major foodie and being able to get creative in the kitchen again, within guidelines of course, feels great!
How are all of you doing the strength training portion of the Challenge? Are you using free weights or machines? Going to the gym or working out at home? How about cardio? I personally prefer the Cybex full body circuit at my local YMCA for my strength. I can separate upper body from lower body and abs, and it's easy to add weight when I'm ready. I do have some dumbbells and an adjustable bench at home for the days I'm not able to make it to the Y, which shouldn't be too often.
As for cardio, I've tried for years to like running. Even after I lost a hundred pounds. I spent $100 on good shoes at a local specialty store where I was fitted by serious runners who analyzed my footstrikes, measured everything about my feet, and gave me som good tips. I've started C25K more times than I'd like to admit. Let me say, for the record... I. Hate. Running. Every time I try to do it, I'm in pain for days and I'm finished trying to like it. There. Rant over. However, I love, love, LOVE the Cybex Arc Trainer. I also love the Concept2 ergometer, as well as the occasional hike or ten-mile bike ride with the family.
HI everyone, I am also starting Aug 16th so I am in as well. I finished a week ago my first challenge with great results and plan on going back for a second to reach my ultimate goal: get leaner (loose fat%).
I look forward to hear your suggestions and support and provide all that I can. I do the challenge by the book (original one) and use the BFL journal to keep me in track. Those are great tools.
The rest is just doing it and staying focused (even through frustrating weeks). Finishing one is exhilarating.
Good luck to all of us!!
Several people here have already finished at least one Challenge. Congratulations on that! What were your results like after 12 weeks? I know we'll get from it what we put into it, but I'd like to hear, first hand, the changes you experienced.
@2conquer - I also believe "by the book" is the best way. 100% OP. Professionals have tweaked this program to its most efficient iteration. That's why they're the professionals.
This is what I did for Challenge 1:
Starting weight: 140
Final weight: 126.2
Starting jeans size: 8
Final jean size: 2-4
Starting fat%: Didnt measure
Final fat%: 21.21%
So, it all worked out great. I am feeling back to myself wearing my older clothes. Surely, I didnt have too much to loose but the goal for me was to loose fat% and get leaner so I can be back to my favorite clothes. I am planning on continuing to get to ~15% fat and increase lean muscle and definition. Still have a bit on the belly to loose.
I think the main frustration comes from not loosing weight for several weeks as you are changing body composition. So the scale can be a distraction for some. If that will be the case for you, I suggest to put it away or not weigh in but once a week. For me, the scale is a motivator (I wont let it beat me down).
Most of all, its empowering!
Wow, nice numbers! I agree that the scale can be your worst enemy. As I said in my bio, I had a major abdominal surgery not quite 3 months ago and gained some weight after having lost a hundred pounds. I haven't stepped on the scale since April. My motivation is to fit into my new fall clothes by the time it's FALL! I'd never been in single-digit sizes for my entire adult life. I was 130 pounds at age 8.
Right now I am wearing a 10. Realistically, I am probably about 175 pounds. I am 5'7" and at 160 lbs. I was in a size 6. I've always had a strong, athletic build and I'd be thrilled to see 160 or lower by the end of this challenge. However, I won't be hopping onto the scale until the size 6 skinny jeans fit!
Thanks for the into Brickhouse! I hear you about running, but it's such a nice fat burner! I need to get my game plan down for workouts this weekend. We don't have the Cybex trainer at my gym so I'll have to figure out something else.
Nice job 2conquer! I'm certainly inspired by your progress - welcome!
ok I am getting the book, but I am in a wheelchair so running is out for me but I have a total gym so that is what I will be working with and the menu will have to be worked with but I am going to try this I weight 267 at 5'8 need to lose for my health told the wife to cook just for her and the boy starting monday.
I should say that I am 5'3'' so certainly shorter than some of you guys! Fitting in the "dream" clothes should be a more realistic goal (no matter the size).
Running outdoors is not for me either. I have tried and I just dont enjoy it so I wont keep it up. I do my 20 mins on treadmill and push as hard as I can. Of course, dontazz2003 that wont work for you. Remember muscle burns more than fat so you focus on building muscle. There are some inspiring stories in the book from a champion in wheelchair (cant remember his name).
Having a plan is so very key. I tend to do things a bit from memory but keeping the journal and planning on weekends helps me do it right.
This is exciting!
I'd love to join you all. I started today the 11th. I've never done BFL before. I have about 40# to loose. I worked today on getting our weight bench set up. I need to figure out what to do about weights. Right now I just have a set of 10# weights. I also have some old metal weights but the thought of having to keep changing the weight size sounds like a pain. This week I'm just going to use my 10# weights to get the hang of the exercises.
This is the first time I've ever been excited about starting a program. I'm so ready for my body to change!!! I want to feel good in my jeans this winter!!!
Glad there is lots of support here!