Just a quick explanation as to why I was eating so late. I didn't get to my workout until 8:45 which took me right up to almost 10. I understood that it's better to work out on an empty stomach so I didn't have anything until after my workout. I did drink 2 glasses of water right when I woke up which may have helped curb the appetite a little. I was however, pretty hungry by the time meal 1 came around. I'll have to check the nutrition facts on the Protein Shake. It's the EAS Whey if anyone knows offhand what the carb/protein ratios are. The almonds were a quick snack to nibble on while I was preparing my rice for lunch. Took about 30 minutes with the rice cooker so therefore lunch was late too. I made plenty though so prep time for rice is nothing at this point.  Also, I work at Subway part time so that explains the 2 different types of meals at 5:00pm and 7:00pm. Just need to plan ahead better, but it'll come as the days and weeks progress. Thanks for the suggestions, I'm trying to remain open minded to them.

Thank you all. Looking forward to joining the group!  

Congrats to everyone for the solid start to your challenge. Looks like we have a very strong group once again.

I am feeling good. Eating way more than in the last challenge, but seem to get hungry right before my next mealtime. I guess that means that the portions are about right.

I hope you all have a great day.

Good Morning and Good Day 3 (10 for me).

I dont have time to give individual shout outs since I am crazy busy at work. But, wanted to check in and say great job everyone and give it your all today! I did my UBWO today and it was awesome. Feel good and strong. Have an awesome day!

Good Morning Warriors!

I had a nice 4 mile jog this morning.  My Upper & Lower body are still screaming from Monday & Tuesday's workouts!  The legs felts sooooo heavy this morning, so I ran slower than normal.  But overall, it was ok, I clocked an 8 minute mile for each mile & then picked it up to a sprint for the last hundred yards or so.  I really broke an outstanding sweat & was breathing hard for about 10 minutes.

I hope everyone else is doing well.  Meals have been spot on.  

Cuervo - Ensure to hit the water, it helps with the hunger / full feeling.

BDMom - How was the double workout yesterday?

2C - Glad your feeling awesome - that is what it is all about!

Everyone else - Have a great day!

Good afternoon everyone:

I  got to the facility that I workout with my trainer at and right when I got there, my daughter called and said that she wasn't feeling well and wanted me to pick her up from school.  Luckily for me, she wanted to try to stick it out long enough to get through Algebra, which would allow me to get my workout in.  Yay, it was a great workout as well.  He is really starting to work me harder and harder.  Some of the isolation exercises are so hard for me because I have no balance or co-ordination; I guess this is a good way to improve on that.

Things are so busy here.  My husband changed jobs...it is all good, and is a decision he is happy with, but he left a company he has been with for 13 years, and that is hard to do.  He is working a lot now, just until he is settled into his new business.  He is then going on a Tiger Cruise (with my brother-in-law who is in the Navy).  He will leave on March 10th to go to Hawaii and then will board the Abraham Lincoln and take it to San Diego.  I will drive the girls there on the 18th and meet up with him on the 19th.  We will then spend a few days in San Diego for Spring break.  So much to do in such a short amount of time.  

My diet has been good overall, and I am really focusing on this last 3 1/2 weeks.

Staats:  Sounds like a good run!  Glad your meals have been good.  Mine is getting better (all the valentine chocolate is out of the house).  My workouts went well.  I did a 25 minute Hiit, and then walked uphill on the treadmill (6 incline @ 3.5 speed) for 15 minutes.  I then did lower body at the gym.  It will be Hiit again tomorrow and then  upper body on Friday.

2Conquer:  Good to see you checking in.  Glad you are busy at work, but miss you.  Make sure you find time for those workouts and plan those meals.

Cuervo:  You are probably burning more fat now and your body is asking for more fuel.  As long as it is the right food, feed it!!  Glad you are feeling fit & strong for this next round.

Tiny:  You are not doing bad, but you can do better.  My first four weeks were a total learning experience.  I often think that is why people don't see changes right off the bat; they are too busy figuring it all out (ha).  Keep up the great work.

K.....gotta go check on my daughter and see if I can get her anything.

Where is everyone at????

BD-Sounds like you are kicking it up a notch in these final weeks. Cant wait to see your results. I will let you know how the supplements go for the next month. I am weird, something in my mind said to get them and try after taking the break from them for a couple of months. I hope to see some improvements, who knows. I felt good without them, but you know how your mind will tell you you could do better....

Staats - 8 minute miles are a long ago memory for me. I will get back there one day. Congrats on the soreness, it means you are doing it right.

2C- Glad your workouts are still kicking your tail. You are right, It does feel awesome though.

GP, Parson and everyone else, where are you?

Later gang.

Happy Wednesday!

Very please with 1st LBWO for this cycle!! Legs are still a little wobbly from the walking lunges!! Feels great!! Eating was good again yesterday. I did mess up & let one Heresy’s Kiss jump into my mouth & I immediately regretted it!! Got my water intake up to about 70 oz, need to add some more.

I hope all of you “Warriors” had a great day.…. honk honk!!

This video is directed to teen athletes, but it applies to all of us!!

www.finishstrongteenmovie.com/store

Happy Thursday, Warriors! I don't have the time to completely catch up right at the moment, but hope to get back on later in the day.

My losses are racking up like crazy. As of this past Monday I've lost a total of 23.5 pounds! I'm feeling great about that, fitting pretty comfortably in my 8s and some of my 10s are pretty big! One pair of 6s fit, but I still have a little way to go. I didn't get those photographs done, but I did try on the new swimsuits and I'm happy with my progress. Onward and downward!

I've been very busy with a new adventure. I used to make wire wrapped crystal and gemstone jewelry about a hundred years ago. I used to sell it in a local consignment shop (pre-Internet), and at local sanctioned craft fairs. Life got busy, I became a Mom, and I haven't been all that creative in a long time. Well, last week, a friend and I were talking about creating stuff and I just got this overwhelming urge to make a pair of earrings. I pulled out some of my old tools, beads, and sterling silver wire (which was a lot cheaper back then) and threw a quick pair together. I was so proud, I wore them the next day. And then the monster had been unleashed. I've been turning stuff out like crazy. Every free moment I'm creating or researching tips and techniques or shopping for unique items to add to my supplies. I am in the process of opening an Etsy shop (online shop for handmade items) and I'll let you all know when that's up and running. It feels so good to have this outlet. It's keeping me occupied and keeping my thoughts away from food. And it's going to supplement my cruise fund as well!

Hope everyone is well - I will be back later on. Smack those weights around and let them know whose house it is, Warriors!

Good Morning Warriors!

I got a good checkup for my physical at the doctor yesterday!  Everything was where it should be!

I got up to workout this morning as usual.  I got to my gym (aka garage) and I got beat up today!  I mean the weights litteraly kicked my butt!  This new split I am doing is killer.  I was truly humbled on more than one occasion this AM!

GP...good job on getting the water intake up some.  I'm glad it has never been an issue for me.  I normally have 20oz when I get up...20oz during workout...20-40oz after workout...I'm actually working on about 70-80oz for the day right now @ 7:30.

Brick - good to hear from you.  Have you been hitting the gym?  I hope so.  It is such an important part of the journey, but you know this already ;)...congrats on the new adventure.

Everyone - have a great day!!!

Hey ya'll, just checkin' in. Day 4 under way. My eating is great, in my opinion anyway. I'm eating only authorized foods, and haven't cheated on anything. 392 oz's of water for the first 3 days, wow. Did my UBWO on Mon. and my LBWO on Wed. Did my second cardio this morning and hit my 10 right before my cooldown minute. Had some cramping issues on my third set when doing my ab crunches. Wasn't able to finish that exercise. So in order to finish my abs I did leg raises instead. Felt a slight discomfort in my knee when doing the squats but my brother in law said to make sure I'm putting my weight on my heals when doing them and that should help. Pretty sore today in my legs but ok with it. Feeling pretty good so far, about my discipline primarily. My body is definitely going through changes already and that is encouraging. Have what feels like an empty stomach all the time, even after I ear sometimes. But I think my body is just adjusting to the feeling of not being stuffed when fed.

Everyone else, keep up the good work. It helps me knowing there are others going through exactly what I am at this time. Thanks!!!

Good Morning Warriors!

Wow; I have not been this sore (Lower Body) in a long time.  My legs are wobbly & sore.  I did another 4 mile run this morning & man, talk about dead legs!  Still kept all my miles under 8 minutes and basically sprinted the last few hundreds yards.  I had a great time sweating & breathing.  I have lost several pounds over the last few days that I am contributing to water weight.  But I look and feel great.  I didn't take my pics Sunday, if I took them today I look dead on to end of C-1 pics - maybe even more thin.

On a negative side, my family continues to struggle health wise.  We got our spirits up over the weekend as it appeared my 3 boys and wife were on meds and headed torward health.  Then on Sunday night, Wyatt, my 6 year old, got another fever.  I took him to the hospital at the Doctors recommendation & he tested positive for influenca A!  Yesterday, he was feeling better and my oldest son, Seth (9), spiked a fever.  He was puking this morning.  We have put both of them on Tamiflu!  Keep my wife in your prayers, she is really feeling down about the whole situation.  Additionally, her fear is that Nolan (2) and her our next.  I have been extremely fortunate to stay healthy the entire time.

Cuervo - If sore is good, than I am doing phenomally well!  I hope you are doing well yourself.

Parson - Nice job on the weights brother.  Pushing like you are will lead you to a strong upper body.  Congrats!

GPHiker - Awesome job on the lunges.  That is why I am so sore - I did lunges with 35 - 55 dumbbells on Tuesday and man - my legs are sore!  I will continue to use lunges as my primary exercise for hamstrings, it will pay dividends on my long Saturday runs & on my half marathon race day.  

Brick - Awesome job!  I bet you look and feel great!  Like PB said, ensure you are getting your strength conditioning in, it is extremely important.  I am glad you are having fun making & selling jewlry.  My wife had that hobby for several years & really enjoyed it.  I look forward to checking out your website.  I will have Jeni take a look and not be surprised if we are supporting your trip!

TinyTimmay - Awesome job man.  Discipline is such a key.  It will become easier as the weeks fly by (And they will).  

Remember you are in control & are choosing to create a better lifestyle that will lead to a long happy heathly life!  

The water was really a big change for me when I first started.  I was going to the bathroom every 30 minutes at first.  Now, its not big deal & my body has adjusted.  I easily dring over a 100 oz's of water per day.

Soreness signifies that you are doing your exercises right & pushing your body.  This means that your muscles are growing and will get stronger - outstanding job.  

Additionally, remember you will see weight losses in the beginning due to water loss & flushing your system clean.  The real changes - muscle viewing wise occur in weeks 8 - 12; though I saw changes at 6 weeks in.  That is why weekly pics are so important.  We lose most participants weeks 4 - 6.  

Lastly, for motivation, along with this group, I would check out the Weekly Challengers guide under the challenge section on this web site.  Basically, they have tips & comments from past winners concerning their personal reflection of that week during their first 12 week challenge.  All of those really hit home with me & I realized that they experienced the exact ups and downs that I did.  I really found alot of inspiration from reading those on a daily basis.  Going through each week gave me something to look forward to.  I couldn't wait to get to the next week simply to see what lied ahead & how past champs handled those situations.

That is enough writing for today - Everyone - have a blessed day!

Good Morning everyone:

I have a sick kiddo home today.  This is when I love having my TM at home.  Normally I would have had to miss a workout, but not today.  I got my HIIT in nice & early!!  Just finished up some protein pancakes, and ready to rock & roll.

TinyTim:  Sounds like you are on a roll.  Keep up the great work with your diet and workouts.  Your BIL is right about those lunges.  Make sure your knee does not go past your foot when you are doing those lunges.  Lean back into your butt.  You may have to evaluate your diet if you start feeling hungry.  As you start to burn that fat, you may need some more fuel.

Parson:  Way to knock those weights around, my friend!

Brick:  SOO HAPPY to hear from you.  I am glad you are doing well and found an outlet that you truly are passionate about.  Would love to check out your little shop when it is up and running.  Congrats on the weight loss as well; I am so proud of you for following your gut and doing what you knew worked for you!

Grandpa:  Way to go on that LBWO.  Sounds like you are getting your water in as well!  Life is too short to sweat over one hershey kiss.  Just make sure they are dark (ha ha).  I wouldn't be able to stop at one; that is just a teaser.  I have a wicked sweet tooth when it comes to chocolate.

Cuervo:  You can do better with or without supps; it is all within you to do the best you possibly can.  I expect big changes for you this time around!

K...hope you all have a wonderful day.  The weekend is just around the corner.

Staats:  We were posting at the same time.  Sounds like you are doing awesome on your run times.  That is also why you are dropping weight, I am sure.  Love that "hurts so good" feeling.  I am sorry to hear about the family getting the flu; that is the pits.  Tell your wife that she needs to spend her energy on staying well and not stressing over the kids getting sick.  It is part of life, and she should be proud that they are not as sick as so many other kids.  I do all I can do for my kids, feed them healthy, don't let them have soda, limit their sugar, give them vitamins, elderberry, vitamin C and probiotics.  They drink tons of water, and get lots of sleep at night.  BUT, they still occasionally get sick.  I have my oldest daughter home today with a sore throat, runny nose and just overall icky feeling.  She hasn't missed a day of school from being sick in a few years.  She usually gets perfect attendance, but we are all susceptible at times.  My youngest is well all year long, but seems to get the flu nearly every year.  You just never know.  Tell Jeni that is is absolutely nothing she is doing.  Just give them lots of love & kisses & they will rebound in no time.

I'll post an updated list of what I've been eating and at what times so you can see where there might be areas of improvement needed. I have pretty large hands so when I make a fist, it seems like it's maybe more than I should be eating. Example: I eat 1/2 cups oats when I have oatmeal, which is 1 serving according to the label. I eat 1/2 cup cottage cheese when I eat that, which seems like enough. I'm a 6'0" 290# male so I think my body is just adjusting, but what do I know?