Hi everyone.

I am starting on 3/21/11, too. I completed my first challenge in November 2009. It was awesome! I lost 30 pounds. Don't know body fat or muscle gain. But I went from squeezing into my size 12 jeans to wearing size 8.

I want to get my last 25 pounds off in this challenge. And I want to reinforce the BFL lifestyle in my daily habits. I have strayed...

The workouts in C1 got me into such good shape I was able to start running again - which I LOVE to do. But running sure doesn't keep the muscles toned...well, maybe somewhat in the legs.

I've slacked on my eating, and life is beginning to overwhelm me again - you know that out of control feeling you get when your body is not your friend? I am still running - a lot. And I plan to continue. But, I need to get back to the basics - the BFL basics. The program works. Running is great exercise, but it doesn't necessarily keep my body in the shape that BFL does.

I am so happy to see a group forming beginning Monday. I will be visiting with you almost everyday for the next 84 days.

Thanks, Lyanna, for starting this thread.

Hi Everyone!  

My name is Jackie, I'm a single 45 yr old mother of an 8 yr old daughter.  I plan on starting the BFL program on Monday March 21 also.  I'm so glad to have found this group.  I just finished reading the BFL book (I've had it for about 5 yrs but never actually read it).  I feel motivated and am ready to change my life and body.  I'm currently 5'4" 260lbs, I have a long way to go, but my goal for the first 12 weeks is to loose 30lbs.  

I'm not as confident as most of you guys.  My biggest fear is the gym.  I haven't even gone yet and I feel lost and alone.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I get there.  But I'll review everything and make a plan.  I've always dreaded working out.  At this weight it's so uncomfortable and I feel awkward and worried that everyone will be staring at me wonding what I'm doing there.  Regardless, I'm still going and have promised myself I will finish the 12 week program no matter what.

Anyway, it's great to find you guys and I look forward to getting lots of motivation and tips from you all.

Jackie

Hello everyone! I am also starting on the 21st, pretty excited about it actually!

I am 19 and have just started college here in NZ, determined not to gain the 'college 10' so thought now would be a good time to start this challenge and gain control over my eating, training and life...

My plan is not to use the scale for the first 6 weeks.. eek! But i know it could possibly send me off the rails. Also, i tried the protein pancake recpie on one of the boards here and, wow, it was yummy and really filling! Might be an idea for all you preparing food for the week.

Awesome to see so many of us on here, can't wait to hear how everyone is doing come week 1 :) lets dooooo it!!

I just want everyone to know that bill phillips has made another website called transformation.com I've been reading a lot over there and its a much more active website, I really love bill phillips books and he has made a new one called transformation......just want to let everyone know...I will still try to check in here and I am still starting monday!! good luck to everyone!!

Jackie, I have been right where you are...I was 5'2 230 lbs...it was hard to do anything, but You can do it!! don't worry about what other people think, more than likely they are concerned with themselves also and there own image.....just go in there head held high and do what you need to do!!! and let us know how your doing!!    Laura

Welcome Okla, Caprie, & fitchick!

@Okla - it is nice to have someone who completed the challenge previously. Congrats on the first 30# loss! I too will be posting everyday. I think it will help me to stay focused.

Jackie - I understand how intimidating going to the gym can be. You feel like all eyes are on you but you have to keep in mind everyone in the gym are there for the same reason...to get fit and to stay healthy. I think most would admire the fact that you too want to be fit and healthy. And i agree with Laura as well, go in there with your head held high! If you have any questions, we are always here to give support! :)

@fitchick - Where is NZ? I am going to have to look for that pancake recipe. It is so awesome that you are thinking of your health early on in life. I hope the BFL program teaches you things you can carry with you for the rest of your life as with all of us. I know studying and going back to school can be a stressing time and learning how to take control is a great thing.  :)

I am going to figure out how to create my own blog and will also be keeping my updates on this journey there. I will keep you all posted once I figure it out. :)

I am going to post my before pic there too, to hold me accountable. I don't even want to look at my before pic even though I have not taken it just yet. I know taking the before pic is important and will come in handy later so I can see the differences my body makes along the way. :)

I love the ideas of sharing recipes...so if any of you got any good ones please share! I will be posting some later.

I am soooo excited!

Thanks,

Lyanna

I went and bought some EAS protein powder that has 20g protein and 20g carbs I think that will come in handy for meal replacements, no bars though...and today I'm going to cook some chicken and some brown rice and put in the fridge for the week, I went and bought a bunch of cottage cheese,yogurt, sweet potatoes, and some lean proteins....I'm also going to boil some eggs for quick protein...so my first day tomorrow is going to look kinda like this

7:45 drink a cup of coffee and some water

8:00 am head out the door for cardio water

8:45ish...protein shake,water

11:00 yogurt and cottage cheese,water

1:00 salad with chicken breast and veggies with an apple,water

3:00 2 boiled eggs, apple,water

6:00 chicken, brown rice, steamed cauliflower,water

10:00 yogurt, cottage cheese,water

I'm striving for about 1400-1500 cals a day...I put most of this in fitday.com and it came out pretty close...I think I had a sweet potato instead of the brown rice when I inputted it...so I'll have to change that and see how it affects it....so I'd love to see if anybody else has a plan for there first day!!! I bought some ground turkey breast, porkloin roast, sirloin steaks, tuna, so I'll be changing things up in the evenings I think I will pretty much eat the same things during the day except for dinner....

HI Lyanna, I am starting tomorrow and I have researched this program for over a year now. Thats how serious it really is . I am not a "big girl" I am out of shape though, I went from basketball everyday to college playing everyday and then stepping in the real world working a lot grabbing all the "to go foods" then they caught up to me. In my head i would tell myself "oh, its alright ill just go and play a game of basketball this week . Nope doesnt work that way. Now i have no abs and untoned arms. My boyfriend is in absolutley PERFECT shape and we are a very serious couple , however living in florida (beach weather) going out makes me insecure and i get moody and take it out on him. So tomorrow is the day for change. =] look forward to hearing back from you ...

glad to hear someone my age is on the ball for the program , I am 21 ... Look forward to hearing from you wish you the strongest results =]

Hi Allison,

My name is Amberlyn ,21 . I am looking forward to hearing your updates. I am starting the challenge tomorrow , also getting everything ready now. It feels great, I dont have alot of weight to lose either. Lets keep in touch ... =]

Amberlyn.

Jackie, I'm right there with you girl on the gym thing ~ but at least I know I am out there doing my best and not sitting at home making excuses.

I'm starting this program at 44 yrs, 5'5", 235lbs.  I know I have a long way to go and I am really excited to get started.  I'm thinking of joining Shapes, I have heard it is a very comfortable environment for women of all ages & sizes.

Glad to see we're in for the same adventure!

Hi all...I'm Heather, 29 and I'm starting the BLF diet and exercise program tomorrow as well.   I won't lie, I'm super nervous.

I was pretty fit when I was younger.  I ran track in HS and while I was never a size 2, I was never NEVER like I am now. I'm 5'9" 1/2 and right now I'm at about 248lbs. My highest (non pregnancy) weight is like 282-maybe 287 I don't remember.  Ridiculous regardless.  I'm ready for a change.  I hate not being happy with the way I look.  I have two boys who are 5 and 6 and they are getting old enough to be influenced by my habits.  The other day I told my oldest to go outside and play.  When he said he just wanted to watch TV, I told him that if all you do all day everyday is watch TV you'll get fat.  Then he said "Is that what happened to you, Mom?"...Ah, the honesty of the youth.  But it struck a cord and I'm ready to overhaul my lifestyle and my habits.

So yesterday, I spent two hours at the kitchen table going through my Eating for Life cookbook making a meal plan and a grocery list. The one obstacle I'm facing is with the workouts.  The cardio days will be no problem, I can easily go walk outside-even if the weather is nasty (I've lived almost my whole life somewhere that gets rain 9 months out of the year so rain doesn't bother me).  My problem is that I don't have a gym membership and can't afford one right now.  Does anyone have suggestions for at home stuff I can do-resistance bands, dumbells that kind of thing.  We have a set of adjustable dumbell weights that I can work with, but we don't have a bench or anything.  Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated!  

Hi Lyanna,

I've been struggling my whole life (as most of us have) to maintain a decent weight.

I did this program in '02 and could honestly have lived with it forever - this is how I know it works.

I got "out" of BFL because I am in the military (retire in a few months actually), and when I went to training for 3 months, got totally out of shape.  Amazing.

Now, for the first time in my adult life at age 42, I have to buy civilian clothes.  Being a woman, not having a sense of anything to do with fashion, and having to squeeze my butt into anything other than a uniform scares the crap out of me.

Therefore, to feel better and whip my butt in shape, I'm back to what I KNOW works!

Looking forward to feeling better for the rest of my life!

welcome all!! heather I love the reasoning your doing this!! I want my kids to get healthier too! as far as the workouts I am in the same boat as you are, we live on the oregon coast where its rains all the time!! and we only have some free weights and no bench so we are going to just be creative and do what we can do without a bench...there are lots of excercises we can do with just weights!! we can do it!!  

I'm loving all the younger people getting on board with this challenge, its great you are thinking about your health now instead of later!! I have struggled my whole life and I'm sure it will always be a struggle but we are on the right path!!

how is everybody's food plans for tomorrow? anybody cooking food today? I'm making a chicken veggie soup that I got from a hungry girl cookbook, its low calorie and it has even carbs and protein!! I'm also marinating some chicken breasts in some fat free italian dressing that I will grill on my george foreman this week!!

I am so excited about tomorrow!  It's all a little overwhelming to think about where we are all going in the next 12 weeks!

To all of you non-gym members - I don't have a gym membership and I don't have a bench.  We have some basic dumbells and resistance bands as well as a stability ball.  I plan on using those.  I did purchase an exercise mat because we only have hard floors.  Use the examples given in the book to give you ideas and do it exactly as prescribed.  You really wouldn't do it much differently in a gym.  Modify your movements to mimic a bench on the floor, in a chair, or with the stability ball.  

To all of you gym first timers - don't be afraid.  There is almost always someone around who is willing to help you out.  Again, use your book.  It's basic - but it works.  You don't have to do the latest and greatest thing to get a workout in.  I think that's the beauty of it all!

I broke down and got some Myoplex Carb Control shakes at Sam's.  I need to make sure I have NO ROOM for failure.  Eating is going to be the thing I struggle with.  I love eating.  I don't mind working out - but there is NO WAY that I can compensate for my eating habits by exercising.  I'd be running a marathon four days a week.  

We can do this!  Tomorrow is DAY 1!!! I'll check in with you fabulous people then!

Tampagirl, I start my challenge tomorrow also. Im a Tampa girl too. Let's do this :)