@Bobby and Tazz - yes... I felt the twinge of what could've been my first Charlie Horse. I haven't had one of those in a long time and do not want to experience that... especially in the "derriere"!!! I'm wearing support gloves for the hands and wrists. They help... but still have to develop my hand grip and wrist strength.  I've been wrapping thick towels around my arms when using heavy olympic dumbells because of the bruises the insides of my arms are receiving. Seems to be working... Look like Popeye!!!

@Tazz - that's funny... You and I really think alike! I posted yesterday that I was going to do AB Ripper X three times per week - except I'm doing it on Cardio days (also increasing my time on cardio as well).  I've got a Honda Shadow A.C.E. 750 Deluxe. She looks pretty but your Boulevard would leave me in the dust. I don't have the Leather's yet. I guess when I grow up and buy a Harley, I'll get those... LOL. It's my first bike. My wife surprised me on Christmas about 5 years ago!!! I had been talking non-stop for a few years prior that I would have a motorcycle somewhere in my 40's.  She beat me to the punch - total surprise. What a great wife!!! And yes... we will have to ride sometime.  By the way, there will be another BFL Convention/Conference in Nashville later this year - don't know if you saw that in the threads yet.

@ALL - Like Tazz, I will be living the BFL lifestyle but not actively participating in a "structured BFL challenge" at the end of this next two weeks.  I'm looking at switching it up. I'll keep the BFL diet/nutrition going but I'm going to try either P90X (mainly because I paid for it a couple years ago - never finished it) OR try some kind of body building routine that incorporates a lot of what BFL has taught me already. Still under debate. I've got two programs chosen and have planned in advance for both, so I just need to make up my mind.

So... I'll be moving overt to the BFL Warrior thread as well - if they'll have me - and be available on that thread. In the meantime, keep your enthusiasm level up and hit 'em hard!!! This is the last two weeks. TRY TO UP YOUR GAME AND STAY ON TRUE TO BFL!!!!

Really pushed my HIIT this morning - felt every last second of my 10.  Who knew a minute could feel so long!  Had to grip the railing tight going down the stairs from the gym cause my legs were so wobbly!

A coworker of mine started going to my gym and said that she's seen me working hard the last few days and asked if I could help her get into a workout routine and if we could work out together.  Never thought someone would ask ME for workout advice!  Kindda cool :)

@amypem - AWESOME! Keep it up... it's already paying off. Endorphins are kicking in.... Push it these last 2 weeks!!!

@amypem -- Did ya ever in a million years think you would be a role model???? your dedication and hard work is paying off in many ways... you may be instrumental in helping this other person to better health.... Congrats to you girl!!!!! Proud of you!!!

Just checkin' in with my old crew. Can't believe you all are almost finished with C2! Way to go! I got the ok from my doc last week to add HIT cardio and weightlifting back into my life. It's been nothing but light walking only allowed for awhile. Ugh! Boring. Although (confession time) I didn't always obey doctor's orders and snuck a couple low impact HIT stair sessions and some weights in just to feel normal. My scale weight has stayed pretty much the same, give or take a couple pounds with normal fluctuations. But, my body is not as tight and defined as the end of C1. I am So happy to be able to get back to my regular routine! It felt so awesome to go for a run for the first time in weeks yesterday...even if I was pushing two kids in the jogging stroller up a hill. lol. I figure it will take 2 weeks to get back to where I was at the end of C1 and another 4-6 to reach my final (for now) figure goals. Can't wait to see everyone's results at the end of the challenge. Don't forget to post pics!

well week 11 is started and after a week of being sick finnaly feel like I hit my HIIT lol. Body did not like it but I did it :)  But even if noone else is posting here I will keep posting and reading for the next two weeks. Hope everyone who is still out there is going strong and lets finish this together!

Keep strong and stay focused you are all a great group of people and can do this

Good Morning Cutting Crew!!!!

@Wolffee -- I am still very much in it... I dont post much over the weekend, as I am not near the computer... seeing I make my living with one during the week... I DO read ALL posts...

I got to the gym a bit later than normal yesterday... I dont get to sleep in much at all anymore so I took advantage of it... I was still at the gym by 8:30 am for an upper body workout... I tried for a new best for me on the Dumbbell Bench Press of 85 pounds (each hand) for my 6 rep... sadly though I was only able to do 4 sloppy reps with a spotter :(... the downside though... the head (humorus bone I think its called)  of my right right arm twisted in the  shoulder joint and caused a great deal of pain.... didnt sleep much at all last nite... Went to see my friendly chiropractor this morning, who promptly POPPED everything back in where it was suppose to be.... (again with a great deal of pain) but it feels much better now... sore but better.... Had a great cardio this morning... Why YES I did do the "Tazz Torture" routine... why  wouldnt I???? worked up a good sweat... dripping off my nose and brow and such...

People we only have 2 (TWO) more weeks to go!!!!!! for those of you NOT posting but still struggling along in the shadows.... we are almost there!!!! for those of you Still Posting... let's muster up ALL the energy we can and Bring It to the End... We are in the Sliding phase now... its ALL downhill from here.... 10 more workouts to go!!!! well Buzz only has 9... but we are almost completed.... If you have gone this far with us... reach around and pat yourself on the shoulder... you earned it!!!! I know... this is the 2nd one I have done now... and this is NOT the end for me... although I may not do another challenge in the near future... my system is hungry to continue in some form.... maybe I will become Super - BUFF.... who knows... but this way of life surely beats anything I have done before and the benefits far supersede anything before... health and the well-being at the top of the list and Self-Esteem close behind....

Ya'll have a great day  and dont give up now... you are so close...

@marathonmama --- glad you are finally OFF the Injured list... I know you must be happy to get back in the saddle again.... you will gain back anything you have lost being on the sidelines like you were.... I know you know this is a "for life" thang... yes I said "thang"... its a southanism!!!! I cant wait for pics either... although I wont be as tanned as I was in the 1st challenge... (well I will have a biker tan - wife-beater shirts worn) hopefully ya'll will see positive changes in me from the 1st challenge... I hope....

Hello Cutting Crew!!!

Hope everyone had a GREAT 4th of July!!! I'm still IN IT!!!

WK 11 - D3 for me...

Sunday (WK 11- Day 1) I had a great UBWO - I actually hit one of my personal goals for this challenge (Bench Press 300 lbs for a 6 rep).  I was able to bench 303 lbs - took everything I had mentally on that last rep but I got it up there!!!! I purchased some "lifting hooks"  to help with my hand grips and they seem to be working fairly well. I still have to grip tightly though or they will fall out of my hands... LOL.

Monday (WK 11- Day 2) - I started my Ab Ripper X routine ( 3 times a week). I did not do cardio because I attended an ALL DAY pool party for the 4th and I actually am trading my FREE DAY from this coming Saturday and used it yesterday.  However, I will be catching up on "Tazz's Torture" this afternoon and throwing in an extra 10 minutes for the rest of my cardio sessions! So Saturday will be just an EAT CLEAN day - no biggie.

Today (WK 11- Day 3) - I had a great LBWO - increased all my weights again incrementally (average of 5 lbs per each set on all muscle groups).  Feeling really sore lately - the entire body!!!

@Tazz - Hope you're feeling better and that the Chiropractor got you squared away!!!

@Wolfie - We're with you brother!!!! Keep hitting it hard. We're definitely in the last couple of innings now!!!

@marathonmomma - glad to see you back! It's hard to completely stop something your so ingrained in doing now.  

@all - Like Tazz... This will be my last challenge at least for another 3 months. I'm planning on taking a 1 week active rest and moving on to P90X. I've attempted that program in the past but never was able to finish it.  I even purchased a power tower this weekend for my pull up station. Body For Life has taught me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it!!! I will be hanging around in the forum though for the support and to help others. I'll be posting my pics at the end but I don't think there's that much change... at least I don't see it. I am stronger and I have lost some inches but weight loss has been at a minimum for me during my second challenge. Still... I'm very happy with my performance this challenge!!!

Dig Deep... hit 'em hard... finish strong... and live strong!!!

I feel the same way, Buzz. After doing this, I believe I can do anything! I can't imagine how I'll feel once I have TWO challenges under my belt like you do!

I did just start a body for life cooking blog. I know I was really searching for stuff to eat when I first started doing this so I thought I'd see if I could help anyone else.

bodyforlifefoodie.wordpress.com

hi marathonmama! Love seeing you here!

Good Morning Cutting Crew... Only 9 more days left in this challenge.... woooooooo hooooooooooooo!!!!! its almost like Christmas for me... cant wait... but wait a minute... does this mean we are done??? I think NOT!!!! we are only done the 12 week challenge.... we still have the rest of our lives to go... Yes that's correct... this was just to get us into the mood or habit of regularly working out and eating better... and I hope it has done that for each and everyone of you ya'll... I know it has for me... when I dont go to the gym for more than a couple of days I actually miss the working out and the sore feeling... sore tells me I am doing something right.... Now is the time to begin setting your next set of goals... whether it be another challenge or some different type of workout routine... Mixing things up is good because it keeps challenging us and our bodies... After this challenge you can find me in the "BFL Warrior" thread....  I think Buzzman is going to join me there... are WE are BOTH Works in Progress....

Let us hear from you... we are so close now... can you taste victory??? only 9 more days to go!!! We Got This One.... We Can Do This.... Are You With Me????

T - minus 9 days (8 for me)!!!!!

Dig deep and give it everything you've got. It's time to break the tape and cross the finish line in good fashion. Hit 'em hard!!!

One question - Are any of you planning to do another challenge? Just wondering what your plans are now that you have one challenge under your belt?

wow 9 days left? wait 11 for me as I plan to make up those workouts I lost last week lol but almost there I can smell the active rest weeks now :)

@Buzz: yes I plan on takeing 2 weeks active rest then start a second challange. I hope you guys well check in on me from time to time as I will you guys in the other thread :)

@ everyone else still out there: stay strong we are almost there, and when we finish we can hold our heads up high and say yes we were among the 5% to start this and finish it!

Hard to believe there is just over a week left. Like Wolffee I'm adding a week onto the end to make up for my lost week of illness but still at that final turn!  I still have what seems like an impossibly long journey ahead of me but I'm on the right road which is of some comfort.  I've been going back and forth on what to do next, if I want to jump right into another challenge or try something else for a while.  There are some classes I've been wanting to take but I need to make sure that whatever I do there is structure so I continue in the right direction.  Think I might do 2-4 weeks of active rest then jump into another challenge.

Tomorrow morning I have my first workout session with that coworker who wanted me to help train her.  Feel really excited about doing that.  Even though I have SO far to go, it's a great feeling to know my efforts show and can maybe help someone else.  Little does she know the nice girl in the office isn't the same girl in the gym!  **insert eveil giggle here**

You guys rock and see you at the finish line!!

I'm curious to know what lifting technique you veterans use during your active rest?  Did you continue the 12-10-8-6-12/12 or shift to 3 sets of a lower weight or...