Hi everyone.  Boy am I glad it is my free day tomorrow.  Today has been difficult food wise.  I didn't sleep well last night and it's just making me want to eat all the stuff I can have tomorrow because I am way overtired.

John, I am definitely feeling more athletic.  I am seeing muscles I haven't seen in a long time.  I still have quite a ways to go with the inches in certain areas but seeing muscles is definitely helping me to stay motivated.

Amy, I know it is frustrating waiting on the results.  We are working so hard and they are slow in coming.  Believe me I had my results all planned out...the way I thought it should happen....it hasn't happened that way all.  Some of the stuff we are dealing with at our age is stubborn and will just take a little extra time (not that we are old but we have reached the age where changes definitley start to happen)...but that is okay and that is why we are here, posting on this forum, working our butts off and taking control of our eating....we are getting back what we know we can still have and want.  We are also setting a great example for the other people in our life like our children and our own syblings.  I also totally understand the fear of that time off between challenges.  I love to eat and there is always snack food in my house.  Just because I'm eating healthy doesn't mean everyone else has to : )   I want to keep my results and keep going so I haven't quite decided how I am going to handle that time in between challenges.

Msheep, Wow....I can't believe your calves aren't sore....not even from the leg press.  "Great Job" on the amount of weight you were able to press.  It has been a while since I've worked out a gym so I don't remember what weight I used but I am sure it was not even close.  I love the imaginary gym buddies thing.  You really should write a book.  Your stories are great and you have a wonderful sense of humor.

LB, I am so glad you are back it.  You are such an inspiration!  You are motivated, consistent, and making it happen : )  I can't believe how tough you are.  My feet are so sensitive....they hurt just reading your story : )  I can't wait to hear your total results when this first challenge is over!

Jan, Glad to hear the gym is going well and providing the challenges you were ready for : )  

Wow, I can hardly believe we are getting ready to start week 10!  : )  

Everyone have a great weekend.....

Hey team been a couple.of days since I've posted.but haven't missed a workout todays UBWO was a challenge for sure but got it done and I can honestly say this has been the cleanest ( eating ) week that I have ever had!! And I think I can see the diif I have been gettin comments the last few days about looking FIT!! it really feels good.

LB congrats on making it back your optimism is very contagious good for.you!!! Well back to work crew ill be posting tomorrow aloha!!!

Hi Everyone,

I just had a chance to catch up on everyone's posts. Sounds like everyone is still going strong! Great job!! It is amazing that we are starting Week 10!

I had a very good run outside this morning. I LOVE this fall weather! My speed continues to improve with these HIITs! I love that!

I had pretty good workouts all week, though I was a little under the weather with some sinus/allergy issues, but was still on track with workouts and eating clean. I was only able to eat about 3-4 meals for the past few days b/c I am on a medicine that really messes up my stomach. Even today on my free day I don't really feel like eating much :(  Oh well, hopefully by next week my meals will be back on track. My weight and loss of inches has definitely hit a plateau, but I am trying not to get discouraged. I am hoping it's because I was not feeling well and didn't push myself on my strength workouts. The good news is that I now fit back into my clothes that I wore almost 2 years ago when I had done a similiar program and that was one of my goals!

Is everyone on this thread planning to do a 2nd challenge soon after this one? That is my plan. I plan to take 1-2 weeks off the BFL routine (still eating healthy and doing less strenuous workouts), then start back up again. I definitely want to be doing BFL during Thanksgiving and Christmas....the structure of this program will keep me on track during the holidays!

I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend. Date night tonight for me and my husband....woo hoo!

@ runnermom - I definitely plan on doing a second challenge.  I'm going to take 2 weeks off too and continue to eat the BFL way and then begin again.  So, let's keep in touch and begin a new thread.  I'd love to see everyone from this thread in the next one!  That would be so cool.  

Have a great date night!

Hey everyone, wrapping up week 9 traded in the 20min HIIT run for 20 mins of off and on jumprope what a great change up! Had a bit of jelly leg syndrome at the end. Also scored on a couple of kettle bells browsing the Clarence sections at my local target found 20# and 25# kettle bells for 33$ and 38$ made the investment and did 15 mins worth of swings I've always wanted to do kettle bells but were always out of my price range those were going for 55-65$ did interval swings for 10 mins rested for a min then finished with tabata style last 4 minutes I found my new weekend routine!

Sheep glad u tried tabata and liked it.. I think lol.

Runnermom as far as a 4th challenge for me I'll make that decision after I'm finished with this one. I. Am still definately gonna be an active follower and contributor to the forum I still intend to do bfl style cardio the weight training might change we shall see though.

Anyway hope u all had a great weeken!! Aloha!

Island dude -- I've been thinking about using a jump rope for cardio, too. I haven't done it for fear of the jelly legs :)   I'm also trying to find a place to do it...did you jump at home? I have a beautiful yard but I think the grass would be a problem.

Trying the tabata full-blown sprint-style was actually really good for me (in a suffering sort of way). I realized I could go faster on my 9s and 10s when do my HIITs. So I'm goingto have to increase my cardio this week (unfortunately).

I hugely overate on Saturday and a little on Sunday. Saturday I'll count as a free-day. Sunday I'm frustrated about...i was cooking and just got grazing and sampling while in the kitchen and it totally threw off my plan and I ended up eating way too much.

Good news: I did an UBWO on Saturday and I'm still sore!

Even better news: Whoa I've got muscles! It's great. I haven't gotten thinner (stupid bad-eating habits are ruing everything...) but I have definitely got muscle.

runnermom and lb: I'm with you on a 2nd challenge. My goal for the rest of this one is to get in the habit of eating clean, then hopefully I can use the next challenge to actually lose weight. Frustrating...but must be done.

have a GREAT day crew. Keep up the hard, hard work.

Hi Everyone!

M Sheep: I jump rope after my running HIIT on just about every cardio workout. I like the challenge, and I try to increase my jumping time with each set. I jump rope in my driveway or in the cul-de-sac in front of my house. My neighbors probably think I'm nuts, but at least I am healthy!

I need to check out this tabata! Sounds like a great challenge.

Island dude: Don't you LOVE the kettlebells??!!!! They are my absolute favorite piece of equipment! That is a great price for them....glad you were able to find a bargain!

Today I took my workout outside in the beautiful fall weather and did a 30 min running HIIT, jump rope intervals, and some kettlebell sets of various exercises. It was so much fun....I would have gone even longer if I didn't need to get to work!

LB: Glad you are in for C2!!! We will definitely keep in touch.

Have a great day!!!!

Hey everyone. I spent the last 6 days on a golf vacation in las vegas.  If you want to lose weight, trying playing a sport in the hot Nevada sun! It was a great trip but I’m glad to be home and reading all of your posts.  I was able to workout everyday and mostly eat clean.  I read something on the plane that immediately reminded me of all of you. I was eager to share it with you.

A young man had a clay statue, a family heirloom. He’d always wished that it were bright shiny gold instead of plain brown clay. When he began to earn a living, he put aside a little now and then, until he had enough for his special project: to have his statue covered with gold. Now it looked just the way he wanted it to, and people admired it. He felt very proud that he had a gold statue. However, the gold-plating didn’t stick to the clay very well, and it wasn’t long before it began to flake off in spots. So he had it gold-plated again.

Soon he found himself using all his time and resources to maintain the gold facade of his statue. One day his grandfather returned from a journey of many years. The young man wanted to show him how he had made the clay statue into a gold one. However, clay was showing through in many spots, so he was somewhat embarrassed. The old man smiled and held the statue lovingly. With a moist cloth he gently rubbed it and gradually dissolved some of the clay.

“Many years ago, the statue must have fallen in the mud and become covered with it. As a very young child, you wouldn’t have known the difference. You forgot, and thought it was just a clay statue. But look here.” He showed his grandson the place where the clay was removed, and a bright yellow color shone through. “Underneath the covering of clay, your statue has been solid gold from the very beginning. You never needed to put more gold on to cover the clay. Now that you know what its nature really is, all you have to do is gently remove the clay and you’ll reveal the gold statue you’ve possessed all along.”

Most people try so hard to change their outside in artificial ways.  Always looking for the next fad or expensive trick so they can feel better about themselves.  When I think of all of you, I see people that are digging deep to basically show their inner selves, peeling away what is unnecessary to become the people what you were meant to be. All of you clearly are made of gold inside.  I thank God for the fellowship you all have provided and know you will meet your goals, if not in this challenge then the next.

Hey peeps xtra late check in here great jumprope/kettlebell session today the food however, was not good but I shall isolate and continue.

Sheep I have been doing it at the park this past Sunday my baby girl and I were jumping together it was a great bonding moment I just blocked out the staring parents and jumped lol... give it a go its Soooo worth it.

Runner mom absolutely overjoyed with the kettlebell investment!!!

John wow ..deep very deep thank you for that I feel the same way all of us that have stuck through and continued to post both good and bad and have not given up but kept pushing and continue to see this through to the end gold indeed! We are responsible!

Goodnight team!! 50th state.....OUT:-)

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I’m going to just pull out my hair and scream.

I at so clean. So very wonderfully beautifully clean. For a week and a half. It was great. I felt great. I was achieving my goal of the six meals, I was working out.

Then i came home from work last night. It was 9. I was exhausted. My family had opened a frozen cheesecake and decided  it wasn’t good so they were going to throw it away. I said I’d take it to work for my office associates (I’m so cheap, I know... but I thought it was better than baking something).  I said to myself, “Just throw it out. Don’t be alone with that cheesecake. You know better.” Then I was alone in the kitchen with the cheesecake and then I’d eaten three pieces.

it wasn’t even good cheesecake.

Then I clicked into the BFL site and they have a new challenger profile and I think, “AH! everyone else can do this, why can’t i?????”

I had a few minutes when I decided i wasn’t going to go to the gym today...just rest, take a nap, relax, and see if I felt like failing some more again tomorrow.

But that would be worse than the cheesecake. So, i’m regrouping, re-reading old posts from you guys (THANK YOU John for the story this week. That was great).

I’m going to the gym tonight. I’ve planned some yummy and clean things to eat for the rest of the week. Here we go again.

Good news though: there’s a minor quad-plosion going on in my knee-to-hip region. Kinda like an “explosion” but w/ my quads instead of combustibles.

Runnermom- i like the idea of doing some jump roping after cardio. Then I can buildup my ability w/ the jump rope to a point where I can do it for a full workout.

Everyone: I still can’t get my calves sore....I’ve tried doing the lifts w/ one leg at a time. I’m paying really close attention to my form. When I get up to higher weights, I can’t flex my foot entirely, so I know when I’m sacrificing form for weight. Do you guys end up with sore calves? What exercises are you doing?

I made a yummy smoothie that was strange but worked: Milk, banana, cucumber (peeled), and vanilla protein.

I’m a big fan of hidding my veggies in other things. Plus, I’ve got 40 lbs of cukes coming out of my garden that I have no idea what to do w/ because i don’t really like them and I’m pretty sure I didn’t purposely purchase and plant them...

anyways, back on the wagon. If it takes 6 challenges I’m going to learn to eat clean and I’m going to be one of those BFL finishers.

island dude: Good idea to jumprope w/ your daughter. I can imagine other parents staring, but you get my cheer of encouragement :)    I'm going to get a jump rope this weekend and start jumping under a tree next to my house. It will be beautiful during the fall. Great weather, leaves, etc.

gotta run. have a great day everyone!

John - I enjoyed the clay statue story!  It gives me lots to think about in many ways.  

I finished LBWO this a.m. - am keeping on schedule.  I have learned & continue to learn so much on this program.  Learning about different techniques, etc., but also learning about myself, my motivations, digging deeper.  Gotta remove that clay!  :-)

To all the BFL parents in this group - We don't want to be the parents sitting on the bench, watching our kids being active & living life.  We'll be joining in, taking a walk, thinking of ways to get off those benches!  This coming Monday, I'm celebrating being a mom for 30 years (OMG).  My daughter's turning 30 & then I also have a 12-year daughter.  Keeps me moving!

Hi everyone.  It's been a while since I've posted.  I just finished reading all the new posts and as always, enjoy reconnecting with all of you.  

Great story John.  Thanks for sharing.  It's truly inspirational!

Msheep - don't let the cheesecake get you down.  We all have our weak days and weak moments.  Just keep trying.  If at first you fall down, keep getting up!  If you fall down again, get up again!  :] and again, etc.  The only way to fail is to stop trying.

Island dude - I can't understand why anybody would be staring at you and your daughter jumping rope together - unless it was because they thought it was adorable and couldn't help watching with big smiles on their faces.  That would be my reaction.  

I just got a new job  and will be off to Houston next week.  Going from 70 degree weather to 92!  Yikes.

Meanwhile, all of you will be starting week 11!!! of the challenge.  Can you believe it?  And I will be on week 10 due to my foot/antler episode - I'm pleased to report that the foot does not hurt half as badly as it did - still a little sore - but I'll hobble through the airport in my sneakers anyway.  I sure hope there is alot of healthy seafood in Houston.  That's what I'm going to be looking for - going to try to stay away from the red meat thing and any heavy Mexican food.  They'll be feeding me so I will be extra diligent in drinking lots of water just in case there are few healthy choices.  I'll reconnect with you all next Sunday but in the meantime....keep posting and.......

GO TEAM GO INTO WEEK 11 STRONG - LIKE THE CLAY STATUE - LET YOUR GOLD SHINE THRU CAUSE THERE'S ONLY 2 WEEKS LEFT AND I KNOW YOU CAN ALL DO IT!!!!

Hey all! damn Week ten in the bag! We are coming to the home stretch everyone!

Sheep Thanks for the compliment and hope the rope jumping has treated u well.. I have been doing that prior to HIIT Its such a great way to work a quick sweat and get the heart jumping before the actual workout.. 10 mins and my shirt already has giant sweat patches lol..

lb maybe your right about the other parents.. I gotta say the majority of the moms were just sitting there buried in their iphones droids or blackberrys while their kids were playing.. sad to say i used to be one of those parents.. never again though! Park time means playtime for all of us lol..

Today was a really good day eating was good and great cardio session as well. My knee has been acting up again this week so I have been just doing circuit training last couple of HIIT sessions. with my newly found love.. the kettle-bell :) and body weight exercises.. back to back by either time intervals or rep intervals with one kettle-bell movement and one  body weight exercise rotation. Its amazing how doing that type of back to back to back to back movements can make u sweat buckets in a matter of minutes!

We are almost at the finish line everyone.. 2 weeks eat clean train dirty! we are in this together!

Aloha!

Good morning Everyone!!!!

Yes, we are on Week 11.....can you believe it???? Who wouldve thought the time would fly by so fast??!!

I ran 7 miles on Saturday since I have started long distance training again for a half marathon mid-November. It was awesome!!! The temp was 58 degrees.....perfect running weather! I went a little crazy on my eating free day and had an upset stomach all day yesterday :( Oh well, live and learn (again!!). I got up this morning and had an awesome UBWO! I lifted heavier than ever before. I love the definition I am seeing in  my arms, especially my shoulders. Very motivating to push myself even more!

These last 2 weeks I am really going to try to push myself and set some new records! I am excited to be so close to finishing my first BFL challenge!

I have decided to only take a week off b/t my C1 and C2. I will allow my body one week of rest. I feel like I can do this b/c I was in pretty good shape before starting this challenge and have always worked out.  I think my body would go into shock if I took off 2 weeks from training!

Island dude: Hope your knee feels better quickly! I hate injuries! Glad you can modify your HIITs so you can still workout! Way to push through!

LB: Have fun in H-town!!!! I just moved from there a year ago after living there for 10 years! Yes, STAY AWAY from the tex mex!!! Those chips and queso can kill you!!! Lots of good seafood. If you can shop for food, go to Whole Foods or Central Market....lots of yummy healthy goodies there! HEB also has a wonderful healthy foods section.  Get ready for heat and humidity! Should probably workout indoors if you are not used to i!

Jan: You are so right! we want to be active parents!!! That was one of my motivators for starting BFL.

Have a great week everyone!!!! Eat clean and kill those workouts! We are almost there!!!