Everyone hanging in there?  We have almost completed 4 weeks!  YAY US !!!  Just checkin' in

Yep, I am hanging in.  Been busy with work and kid taxi in evening!  Doing better last couple days.  Lent promise is instead of giving up something, I am only going to eat things on the BFL food list (besides free day of course).  So far, two days down.....

I am going to give a shout out to those we have not heard from for awhile.  If you are lurking, let us know how you are doing!  

Looking for Rothj18, Stasia, Rodie, KCJohn, xmichellex, MichelleD and Girl wonder.

I am sure Catlinder, Mishy, Katiebug and I hope you stick with us!  If you are not doing well, I have been up and down as well.  We can get back on it together.

I think it was Vince Lombardi who said something like "It is not important that you get knocked down, it is more important how many times you get back up!"  

I'm one of those lurking around...I'm hanging in there, but really dissapointed that I haven't seen any change yet.  My weight is the same as the beginning, and my clothes don't seem to fit any different either.  I admit that my free days sometimes turn into free weekends...not glutenous weekends, but I don't follow the program for the weekend either.  I have the hardest time with food!  I'm hungry all the time, even eating six times a day.  But I'm going to stick it out!

I enjoy reading everyones comments, and you all keep me on track because I see your messages everyday!

Newphy: Be careful with the diet! Free days can't be free weekends, because it won't work that way....

I must admit that this is the first week that I've had a huge appetite. Trying to drink more water and adding unsweetened green tea has helped a little.

I have not lost any weight, but I am feeling great! I am having a hard time with cardio, but I'm doing my best these day. Always need to do an extra minute or two of jogging before I can begin that last 6-10 stretch.

I'm not stranger to the gym or healthy eating, but this program is kicking my butt! I'm learning better portion sizes and better protein choices, though.

Good luck all, we're almost 1/3 of the way through this! Happy weekend! Keep it up!

-katiebug

Hi all!

I'm definitely still here! I've been reading everyone's posts to keep up but just haven't had time until now to make a post of my own. I promise to do better!

This week has been a little more tough then the first three. I didn't see any change in the scale when I weighed in this past weekend, and have seen a definite increase in my appetite like some of you have talked about. From past experience with BFL I knew this was coming and I know it is because my body's muscle gain has caught up wtih fat loss, and my metabolism is kicking it up a notch so I'm working through it and keeping a close eye on my food and water intake! I'm taking measurements this weekend so we'll see if i lost any inches yet (crossing my fingers!).

This morning's cardio was tough as I was already exhausted. I need to start going to bed earlier! Strength training has always been more fun for me than cardio, but I just have to push through. Having a great playlist on my iPod really helps.

Everyone hang in there! Week 4 is where it starts to get tough to stick to the program, but if we all do it together we'll be feeling and looking great in just a few more weeks!

I'm also lurking around!!  Having a really tough week.  Not doing so good.  I really need to get back on track.  I haven't given up!  REading everyon's notes really helps and lets me know I'm not alone.

Good to hear from you, and you are not alone in your struggles.  I had a great day yesterday, but woke up this morning with a sore throat and cough (thanks to my kids!).  If does not get any worse I still should be able to work out...we will see.  Hope everyone is doing well, have a great BFL weekend!

Hi fellow BFLers!  I am still here and following the program.  I always read all of your posts but am unable to respond most of the time.  Thanks for the shout out and making me respond!  :)

I have not noticed the scale budging either, but I previously worked out consistently and ate pretty well (60% carbs/25% protein/15% fats).  I finished a sprint triathlon (3/10 mile open water swim. 12 mile bike, and 3 mile run) last August.  After working 10 weeks on cardio training there wasn't a whole lot of change in my body.  I will say that this program is REALLY building muscle quick and the strength training is what I lacked last summer.  The muscle is definitely fueling fat burn because my measurements are changing.  I have noticed a difference in the way my clothes are fitting. 

To anyone who hasn't seen the scale budge, just remember that we don't need to hit an ideal weight!  Society tells us that the scale reveals all, but it is so much more than that.  We need to have lots of energy and we need to strive for our own ideal body fat percentage to be healthy.  This is done with consistency and repetition of good habits.  That will be what makes us true champions!

Happy Saturday and remember we are 1/3 of the way through!!!  8 more weeks of strength and confidence to gain!

Feeling the pain!!

I have messed up so badly this weekend I feel like I should just start all over again!!! My b-day was yesterday and I've justified my free "weekend" bc of it. Geez, I really feel bad. Time to get back on the horse.

All of your posts are really encouraging. Thanks so much for your help. Week five, coming up!!

-Katiebug

May I join this group ? I also started on 2-14-11 and just found this. I haven't been getting online much but decided to yesterday.

chipper1225 - Jump right in.  I'm not on here much at all but I do lurk a lot.

Katiebug - No need to start over.  Just pick up and keep on going on the right track.

Stasia - The scale is not our friend here. :-)  Muscle weighs a bit more and we are trading our fat for muscle so the scale will budge but very slowly.  Usually towards the end you'll notice the big difference adding up.

Perhaps this picture will make sense to anyone wondering why the scale doesn't move but they see and feel the difference.

xmichellex - What hare you struggling with?  Is there something we can do to help you along?

newphy - having a free weekend will not give you the results most people see when the follow this program as written.  From pesonal experience, it's like taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back.  It can take up to 3 days to get your body back on track after a free day gone bad.  I once calculated that my challenge was really a 62 day challenge and not 84 days because I lost ground with the overdone free day.  I know it's hard but try to choose wisely.  Are you planning your meals?  The thing that worked for me was keeping it simple.  I'm one of those people (and there are a few that have done this challenge) that can eat the same thing pretty much everyday.  The only meal that changes for me is meal 3 and meal 5 (usually the lunch and dinner hour).  See if doing something like that will help you. :-)

THE SCALE - Perhaps this will help as well.

http://marvelousbodycoaching.com/2010/11/beware-of-your-weight-scale/

I'm still here, rothj18!  Have only missed two workouts and am eating according to schedule.  I am not noticing much difference in weight or in clothing but feel stronger.  I'm lifting more.  My partner has lost 12 poinds but he has more to lose and is a male.  I am not stopping thought.  We have a wedding to attend on the 7th of May and it will be the last day of the 12 weeks.  I am looking forward to the day when the fat falls off all these muscles!

Chipper1225,

Welcome!  Hope you are having success and sticking wiht the program.  Many of us are not seeing results but feeling results!  The scale and cloths don't show the change but the muscles do.  I feel stronger and more focused and alert, less stressed even though I am getting up at 5AM a couple days each week to lift before work.  The aerobic days, I workout at home in the afternoon before dinner.