thank you WANNABEABRICKHOUSE.  Your information has been very helpful!!

Yes wannabeabrickhouse, thank you for posting. I"m always looking for ideas! Lately I've just been eating the vanilla light & fit yogurt that comes in a big container. I scoop out about 1/2 cup, sprinkle w/ cinnamon and then chop up 1/2 banana and 3 strawberries. It tastes really good.

I haven't decided if I"m going to officially enter the challenge either. It says to expect to lose a max of 25# during a challenge and I have 40#  to lose so I probably won't be at my goal by the end of this challenge.

Barbra, that does sound tasty, but it's mostly carbs. If you were using Chobani, Fage, or Oikos fatfree Greek yogurt (plain), you could count that as your protein. Add a little Splenda and a couple drops of vanilla extract and you're in business. And you'll stay full for a few hours.

Not losing all of your weight in 12 weeks is no reason not to give it your all. You never know. You may lose enough inches that you reconsider your goal weight!

@grocerygirl41: My pleasure! Part of this challenge is to learn and pass on your knowledge and that's one of my goals.

I think if we're going to do this, it's important to follow the program as it's written. The guesswork has already been taken out of the equation by the professionals. I do understand, though, that not everyone has a true understanding of how much of which things to eat. The book says a portion of protein is roughly the size of your palm. If your palm is small, chances are that you are smalll, too, so you'd use a smaller portion. If you're unsure, read the label and have 20g of protein in your portion.

And a portion of carbs is roughly the size of your fist. Think small potato, a cup of berries, a 6 oz. cup of yogurt, etc. Again, check the label if yu're not sure and shoot for 20g.

Vegetables - about a cupped handful. But if you're still hungry after a handful of cherry tomatoes, have a few more. A few cherry tomatoes (or carrots, or cucumber slices, etc.) aren't going to make you fat. Just don't slather them in dressing, oil, or butter. Use these things sparingly and as a separate component.

Well I didn't have any vanilla protein powder (only chocolate) and it was nighttime snack for me so I figured it was healthier than a box of cookies.

I didn't mean to imply that I'm not going to give it my all during the 12 week challenge. What I meant is that if I'm going to ENTER the challenge then I'd probably be better off doing it during my 2nd 12 week challenge.

Yes, most definitely!  I would love to join all starting 8/16 - the weekend will be perfect for finishing up the book and getting meal and exercise plans in place.  Looking forward to supporting and being supported, thanks for the invite!

I agree with WannaBeABrickhouse, use the Greek yogurt instead if you can since its mostly protein! Great trick I learned here in the forums. I cant eat cottage cheese (tried it and hate it) but the greek yogurt is a great alternative.

Another very important thing is portions: be sure that is the size of the palm of your hand (closed) otherwise that can be a way to stall the progress!!

Love the hints and activity already.....Here is to a great start!

OK, I just have to say it.  I DO NOT LIKE YOGURT!  OR COTTAGE CHEESE!  I've tried and tried to like these foods, but I just never developed a taste for them  Any suggestions?

And finally, here are my commitments for the Challange:

1)  I will eat clean 6 days per week--no cheating.  

2)  I will not go nuts on my free day.

3)  I will take progress photos every 4 weeks and update my measurements.

4)  I will faithfully keep all of my progress reports and make entries in my journal at least every other day.

5)  I will do my exercises no matter what.

6)  If I do happen to "blow it", I will not throw in the towel--I will brush it off, learn from it and move on.

That's it for now.  I suspect I will edit this list as I go, but I figured "Go big, or stay home!"

I'll be starting August 15th for the full 12 weeks!

I am so grateful you posted this.  I am a mother of 7 and have been carrying these babies on my hips, thighs, stomach etc. for years....it's time the baby weight came off.  I am in girlfriend.  So excited for all of us to be a support to each other!

SusanC not sure about a substitute...this type of eating is still pretty new to me (there has to be something!?).  I just wanted to say that is a great set of goals you posted!!  I love "Go big or stay home!"

I had planned on starting the 17th, but I am also IN for the 16th!! I am excited to find a great support group planning to make this change at the same time! We can do this!!  

I have not got the opportunity to read the book. I am going right out this morning and picking it up, I will have it read by Monday!  I got turned on to this BFL by a co-worker who is an inspiration himself. I wish he was able to join in this with us on the 16th!

I am excited to log on here and see the updates, recipes and progess of everyone, and to post my own.

I first read about BFL several years ago but have never really made a commitment to stick with it for 12 weeks.  The changes I would need to make seemed overwhelming to me.  For the last 6 months I've been working out regulary with a friend at a nearby gym.  During that time we had a few setbacks but nothing that caused us to throw in the towel.  I'm now ready for this challenge/commitment and look forward to joining you on the 16th!

I love logging on and seeing even more new faces in here! Welcome to everyone and thanks for wanting to be a part of this with all of us!

@SusanC: I'd recommend the protein pudding as a substitution. You can find the recipe here on the site. I know you said you don't like yogurt or cottage cheese, but when you mix the two (better yet in a personal blender), it's a nice hybrid that doesn't taste too much like either. There are so many foods you can choose from, you don't HAVE to eat cottage cheese or yogurt. Some people can't have dairy, so I am sure they find alternatives. Just choose from the lists, stay within the guidelines, and do what works for you. I make the protein pudding with ice in a Magic Bullet and it's like soft serve. You can really play with flavors with a couple drops of extract.

Other meal ideas:

Chicken *** and 2 clementines

98% fatfree Turkey *** on a whole wheat tortilla with mustard

Myoplex Lite RTD shake (portable and perfectly balanced)

Oatmeal with EAS 100% Whey

Someone else posted about making little sandwiches of turkey bacon with sweet potato - that sounded delicious,. There are a lot of possibilities!

Today is my husband's birthday so, even though this week was my "trial" week food-wise, today will be my Free Day. Well, it's only going to be a Free Meal as I am taking him out to dinner at our favorite restaurant. They have lots of healthy foods and it will be nice to order a little differently this time. I've been drastically limiting my carbs for so long, they still feel like a cheat, even when they're the good kind.

I am a weight loss consultant for another popular weight loss program geared toward obese people (with no focus on exercise at all, to begin with) and it's just in my nature to look for answers if I don't have them. To me, the Body for Life Program is a sort of "What Comes Aftrer" solution.

Hi all,

I'm IN to start on the 16th with the group. I've read through all the messages here, whew. After going through all the pages I wanted to suggest maybe making a new thread on the forum for each of the weeks as we go through this challenge...just a thought.

Looking forward to sharing and learning with all of you. Hope to see some great transformations for all of us.

Whoo, hoo! We are going to look and feel soooo good.