Dev., I'm so happy to hear you are back at it and Korea was not affected by the earthquake./tsunami.  I was getting worried about you!  

Jacium-Wow!  Your transformation is inspiring.  I'm so glad you're in this thread!  :)

Dazza-I always find it motivational when people are gorging themselves.  I see how gross the food is (fried/fatty/unhealthy) and it's so EMPOWERING not to indulge.  Hang in there.  I also have a hard time bringing up BFL.  I just tell people I'm trying to be healthier.  If they ask me if I'm following anything, then I'll get into it.  Some people need a little guidance.  Perhaps the bug you put in their ear now, may inspire them in 6 wks. when they see your transformation, to pick up the book and try it out.  

Opti-do you stretch after every session? For how long?  I need to do more of it.  Do you ever stretch before?

I finally saw the scale budge again!  It was only a little bit but it did wonders for me!  It brought me back to when I was so successful in 2003!  There's no stopping me!!!!

I took Sat. off and had a pretty good day.  I cleaned so much that I must have got a mini workout in.  Scrubbed the tub and my kitched floor by hand.  Went up and down 2 flights of stairs a billion times-too much laundry!  I didn't eat too bad.  My body was hurting though so a day off was perfect.  Sun., I got up and went to the gym early.  Did cardio and hit 300 cal. in 21 min.  So close!  I think if I made the resistance easier on the elliptical, I'd burn more calories, but then I get out of breath easier.  Plus I would have fiddle with the incline my numbers would get all screwed up.  I'm really like my plan now but I know I'm gonna have to kick it up a notch soon.

Watching the news (Japan) before bed left me with little sleep.  I tossed and turned all night.  I skipped my LBWO this morning because I ended up sleeping in.  I had to wake my whole family up-that never happens!  As I was leaving work today, my daughter's school called me to pick her up because she didn't feel well.  So I just ate and I'm going to go workout in about an hour.  

The preschool offered me 5 days next year.  I'm hoping the money will be enough so I can quit my other job-nights/weekends.  I really need this to work out.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Alright Kurtzy and busynurse-where are you?  

Jacium--I wonder if there will ever be a day I trade pants with my step-daughter.  She was a cheerleader for years and always skinny.  I can only see that day happen if she possibly falls into the weight trap we all fall into once we pass 25.  Or if she has kids.  

moxie--I stretch for about 5-10 minutes after every workout, mainly focusing on the muscles I worked that day.

I never stretch b4, I figure that's what the first set of 12 of every muscle group is for.  Forgot what that's called, Dynamic stretching?

I will cross my fingers for you!  You're brave for stepping on the scale.  I won't do it until Day 84!

i paged through a Dave Ramsey book, didn't buy it yet, I'm looking to find it cheaper.  But it's kinda scaring me.  It talks about how you have to change your life (much like BFL) and I know it's something I could do if I were single...  but I don't see how I could get hubby on board.  well maybe if I read the whole book and really thought about it I could find a way to persuade him.  maybe.

I did an UBWO today and still found it hard to fatigue-time to increase weights again, yay!!  And I already had 2 blender shakes today made with the protein powder I hate.  It makes me feel good to use it up.

We went to movie last night on a whim, had to make a fast supper b4hand.  I was full when we got there and was easy to say no to popcorn!  It stared me right in the face, it even looked nice all glistening.  So I smelled it, and instantly smelled that fake butter stuff and I just thought of plastic.  I brought along a bag of pea pods and ate all those, plus a cheese stick.  i'm so proud of myself!

Moxiekidsmom - 300 cal in 21 minutes!  Wow, I've only broken 300 about a ten times over the last two years.  You're really rockin'!

Develop, I'll join the others in expressing thankfulness that you weren't impacted by the Tsumnami or earthquakes.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all the Japanese people at this time.  I have had several visits on business, and even though most of the people I know are located in the southwest part of Japan, I know that there is a real possibility they have familiy and loved ones in or near the affected areas.  It is a real tragedy, and it seems like the last decade has brought us more than the usual number of catastophe's.

Optigirl - I never expected that day would come, when I would swap pants with my younger son, either.  It is definitely a surprise.  This is why I believe there is no one "all-knowing" source about this program.  Each individual is unique, and if we all follow the BFL guidelines, our results will be unique as well.  We just have to commit to it 100%.  The rewards are worth the effort in the long run, but that's difficult to perceive in week six - so hang in there.

 Hey, just a reminder to everyone to try to do all three parts of the program to the best of your ability.  The weights, the cardio, and the clean eating.  If you don't adjust all three, the return on your efforts will definitely not be as good as they would be otherwise....

Jacium

Hello! I haven't gotten on the computer is a few days. Everything is going great! I'm looking forward to being halfway through and hoping for a strong finish!

I'm glad everyone is feeling better and Dev, glad you're well.

I agree with Jacium-100% is the only way to go.

Looking forward to switching up exercises next week. Haven't done that yet, so that should be different, but in a good way.

I'm also looking forward to the day when enough fat is gone that these muscles I've been working on show!

My husband's 40th is this month so I'm going to take him away for the weekend.  I tried on bathingsuits today.  Not as good as I was hoping.  I'm just going to use my old one from a few years ago and wait to buy a new one as a gift to myself on day 84.

Opti-Dave R. is great reading & its something I strive for but without hubby's reading the book, (I know-shocker!), it's just a dream.  I admitted to some friends at work that I'm a collector of self-help books and that I hate myself for it...hahaha   Way to go on the movies!  So proud of ya!

Jpt1-good to see you're still doing great!  :)

Last night, I finally got my LBWO in (Jacium, I don't know how you do your workouts at night???) and today, after bathingsuit shopping, I killed it on the elliptical.  I feel like those machine caloric readings are a bit off, but I figure if I'm going by the same machines all the time, I'm at least in the right ballpark.  When I do the treadmill, it takes a lot longer to get to 300 cal.  I love the elliptical-I get sweaty and my knees don't hurt.  I wish I could be a runner but for now, doing the elliptical is about as close to it as possible.

Hope you are all having a great day!

Despite the bad week I had last week, it looks like I only gained 2 pounds (I thought I did more damage than that).  Yesterday, I had the best cardio workout.  I jogged the entire 18 minutes (the first 2 minutes were a very fast walk).  It was very challenging- my legs weren't tired, but I was breathing so hard that it was hard to keep going. Plus there was the mental battle of "You're going to jog for 20 minutes?  Are you crazy?"  But I made it although I did have to slow my pace down a little at one point to catch my breath then I was able to finish at my faster pace.  Looking forward to my LBWO tonight. will try to increase all weights.  I am determined to finish this last 6 weeks strong in hopes of losing 23 more

pounds.  I think I can do it.  I'm trying to make each working more intense than the last.  Here's to week

6.  Let's hit it hard.

Managed a whole 20-min. cardio tonight!  Not my highest speeds, but still pretty tiring.  I barely coughed.  Until minute 18 then all of a sudden I felt the humidity in the room and felt I couldn't breathe-that was scary.  But recuperated after only a minute.  I was running late so I didn't take the time to stretch.  But I will now that I'm at home and relaxing.

I've been starting to watch the "Calories" on my cardio machine now too with you guys talking about calories.  I never gauged my workout by that.  Does is sort of calculate how many calories burned based on your age and the resistance and speed you make the machine go?  

Jpt--I think you will really enjoy switching up your exercises.  Each time I do, I'm more sore than usual the next day, in a good way!

inspiredwoman--great job!  getting past the bad week and just keep doing it!

I have this daydream sometimes.  Of being in awesome physical shape that I just keep trying on all these bikinis in a fitting room.

Had a great LBWO last night.  My legs are sore & I feel great.  Trying to

figure out how I will get cardio in tonight.  Have a busy time after work

today.  I hope it works out.  I want to continue with what I started Monday.

Thanks to all those who post on this forum.  It's very motivating.

Yeah Opti!  Glad you're still exercising! I have no idea how the machine calculates the calories.  How did you do?  What do you usually do for cardio?  Treadmill?  How do you work your numbers?

Inspiredworman, It took everything I had to get my workout in at night.  Every ounce of me fought my head the whole way.  Then, I put my wo clothes on and got it done.  It felt so awesome!  (despite making my kids dinner and having a conversation with my husband in between.)  45 minutes go by fast!  Good luck!

I'm going to go get my UBWO done after my daughter gets home from school, but before the boys get home!  

Hope everyone is doing well!  Remember the name of this thread -"THIS IS NO DRILL!"  Kick some booty!

By the way, week 6 is almost over !!!!!!! !:) :)  :)  Hip hip hooray!

MKM,

Right, this is no drill, that's why I named it "this is no drill".  So what is it?  Well, - this is the last one you'll get, this is your body for life!!

You're all cranking it up now - go for it!

Jacium

I had a great cardio workout last night.  I went to a cushioned highschool track and ran while my daughter was in gymnastics class.  I tried to keep my pace up and did a fairly good job. However,

do prefer to do cardio on a treadmill or elliptical so that I can keep a steady pace and know I'm

working at the right level during the entire session.  I didn't know how much harder it is to do cardio

with sore legs until yesterday.  Here's to increasing the weight some with each strength training

session.  This is my best week so far eating/working out.  I wasn't even tempted by foods that

usually tempt me when I went to the grocery store last night.  Then when I was doing my hair

last night, I noticed my biceps are becoming more noticeable.  Now, if only I can get my triceps

to follow suit.  I am so excited!  I think I my weight may be under 150 pounds by the end of the week

(at least I hope so.)  I haven't seen the 140+ pounds in quite a few years.  I'm am so excited & happy.

For the first time during the challenge, I don't have a list of foods I plan to eat on my off day this

weekend.  I am seeing the light & a leaner, more fit body at the end of this journey.  Keep at it everyone.

don't worry about the scale. Just do the work & the weight will fall off.

Inspired woman, you're inspiring me!  Thank you!

I am the opposite.  This week has been my worst so far.  My eating is still good and I'm getting my workouts in, so it's hard to say the worst, but I haven't journaled, I haven't planned well, and my workouts are at all times of the day.  I feel like I'm losing my grip.  My husband has been away so getting 3 kids out of the house at 7:20 with lunches made feels like an olympic event every morning.  Plus I've worked a lot of extra hours this week so I'm just spent.  All my workout this week have been in the afternoon or later and I hate it!  He'll be back tomorrow and I just can't wait.  

On the plus side, I switched up my exercises this week and it's like I'm starting all over again.  My triceps are killing me.  My legs are tired and sore.  I'm exhausted.

I've still got a nagging sore throat.  I'm stopped counting on day 10.  My ears feel blocked so I think it's all related.  I really ought to see my Dr.  Next week, if I still have it, I'll go.

 I am so happy that we are halfway there.   I'm so glad for a day off.  Plus, I don't have to work at all this weekend.  It's been a rough week, thank God tomorrow's Fri.

I hope you are all still FIGHTING!  If not, dust yourself off and let us carry you a bit.  You can jump back in here and now.  We need you to.  We still have 6 more weeks.  THIS IS NO DRILL!!!!!  

I had a great UBWO last night. My back is sore. This has been my best workout/eating week yet. Let's get going and knock out week 6.

Inspired Woman (IW?) -  why is your back sore?  This goes for everyone - we always need to use good form both when lifting the weights and when returning them to the rack. Lift with your legs to avoid pulling back muscles when lifting the heavier DB's from the rack, and when returning them.  Don't twist!\  Had a really solid UBWO on Wed., and burned 330 cal. last night on the elliptical.  I'm looking forward to a free day eating wise, a good Irish beer this weekend, or (heaven forbid) making Mountain Man Breakfast in my Camp (Dutch) Oven.   Do we have a lot of MIA's now?  I hope not....if you want a good laugh read my post in the "Just wanted to share..." thread I put in a few minutes ago....

Jacium