Welcome NurseG and congratulations on your 3rd blessing.  

Island Dude -- that recipe sounds delicious!  I can't wait to try it. Also, thank you for the running tips. I will try to tackle it mile by mile. I will let you know how I'm doing during the 12 weeks.

Hi everyone!

This is so great all the communication going on already and the challenge hasn't even started yet!  I tried to start on July 5th but this has been a really rough week for me so far.  I only worked out 1x and did NO cardio this whole week.  I woke up this morning and was all depressed b/c I drank my wine last night at a dinner party and had too much and so now I am not going to the gym nor am I doing cardio.  So I was depressed big time and was just gonna ditch this whole BFL thing once and for all UNTIL ... I read these posts from everyone.  I am feeling motivated again and plan to start this challenge for real on Monday.  The hard thing is my sisters are coming to stay w/ me for the week and we always like our wine at night.  What am I going to do???

At any rate, I am 30 lbs overweight and am so disgusted at myself that it makes me very depressed.  So, I NEED this challenge to work.  I want to feel proud of my body like I used to be in my 20's and early 30's. 

I'm a stay home mom of 3 kids that are 10, 8 & 5.  I put everyone else 1st and not me.  So, that's depressing all in and of itself ya know?  I need all you guys so I am siked to join you  on this transformation.

I read Bill's book and enjoyed it thoroughly!  Let's rock this people and do it!!!

Good luck and enjoy your Saturday!

MB

MB it sounds like you are making a physical transformation a big priority for yourself.  I'm glad you are joining us and I think its great that you sisters are coming for the week. You get to see them and you also have a chance to prove to yourself that you are committed to a transformation.  Take this opportunity to tell them you are going to transform yourself, that you need to do this for yourself and that you won't be drinking with them except for your free day.  

MB, the reality is that there will always be other events and that there is never a good time to start. If you want to find a lasting way to transform and to stay transformed, you've got to work on some of the habits that got you here in the first place! That's the inner transformation that you'll need as well!   I have a feeling that your sisters will be very supportive and encouraging.  

I'm not saying you have a drinking problem! Far from it, I just know how hard it is when there's a special occasion or an event that tempts you to have some drinks.  I speak from experience,  drinking was central to my social activities for a long time.  Even work continues to have so many social drinking events that its difficult but what I found is, its ok not to drink at events. People understand and in fact you may inspire someone else in the process.

I have a feeling once you start getting results and you feel healthy, you won't have a problem at all.  

The best time to start is today and the best way to do it is to do it right.  We will all be cheering for you.

Welcome MB,

I am so happy you didn't give up and found us. I'm a firm believer in surrounding yourself with people who are successful.  I think you have made the right decision in joining our team.  

You will find that we will keep you accountable.  With that said, we will also be a little in your face if we feel you are hindering your progress. I agree wholeheartedly with John, you must be honest with your family and yourself and not drink unless it is your free day.  

I look forward to helping you anyway I can,

Patty  

Hey Patty & John~ thank you sooo much today for your support!  You guys are awesome and I love all the knowledge and advice you have.

Patty, I checked out your page and thought you look pretty darn awesome for someone who has kids...3 right?  Awesome girl!!!

My issue is my belly~ lots of belly fat.  I had 3 large babies and w/ all these extra calories and such, it just sits right there.

At any rate, I am going to do cardio tomorrow...  I liked Patty how you wrote sweat like a pig in sh*t!  Think that is awesome and I plan on it tomorrow.

Thanks everyone & have a great night!  (7:45pm in NJ)

MB

I plan to start 7/11/11. I've done BFL once several years ago and saw good results but didn't make it through the full 12 weeks. I'm hoping participating in the forum helps me to stay motivated. I would love to loose about 40 lbs but mainly want to be stronger, smaller and energized!!

Hi John7777, Pattymelt, Newsguy, Island Dude, and BpRunner. I'd like to start this weekend, too, and keep up the chatter with you guys. I've started the Challenge twice, but given up and started again. I don't have any support among family/friends. So, this time around I've learned some good lessons about myself that I intend to use to make this Challenge a success (one such lesson is that I need to depend on the BFL community instead of on family support).

My goal is to drop three dress sizes. I do well with getting to the gym. My biggest struggle is my eating habits. I've got a long way to go in that area.

Anyways. I'm planning to post every day. I look forward to getting to know you guys and supporting each other. Here's a quote from George Bernard Shaw:

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. People who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them."

M Sheep and sherryw1- We are all happy that you've chosen to finish a challenge with us! We are going to make it together and then best way to do that is to check in often, especially when you are struggling.

M Sheep- If its your eating habits where you struggle, be sure and post your meals (and quantities) if you want to recommendations.  The key is to eat well and eat enough so that you aren't hungry.  Unlike diets which ultimately fail, BFL is about eating enough of the right things.  Since you are exercising nearly every day you need proper nutrition so definitely seek advice if you need it.  

I'm looking forward to hearing about both of your successes!

Hi MB -  It's so great to read your post!  **YoU gO gIrL**!   I have an eating disorder and depression. Not to mention I live with a family that eats ice cream for breakfast and often ends the day with french fries and shakes. Three months ago I decided to change. I've come a long way. Now I'm ready to really focus on removing weight.

I understand about the day-after regrets and disgust. KeEp WoRkInG!

Let's transform!!  

M

I am so excited for everyone!  This week we will embark on a transformation that will change and challenge you in a way you never thought.  

I want everyone to visualize what they want their body to look like at the end. When you are working out imagine you are a sculptor sculpting that body into fruition. Everyday work on that image.  Go through magazines/websites and pick arms, legs, abs that you like and want and use them for motivation.

My last challenge like most women, I was only concerned  with my butt and thighs but by the end of the challenge it was all about my shoulders. I love my shoulders and my main goal this time around is to sculpt them into the image I have in my mind.  Also, some other goals I want to share.  I am at my goal weight which is 128 and currently I'm at 19% body fat.  I'm pretty happy with the way I look.  I am looking to lose body fat but gain muscle this time around.  So I will try to gain 3 lbs of muscle and lose 2% body fat.  

Oh, I almost forgot!  My love (Daniel) is going to join me this time around.  He did BFL in 1999 and had awesome results. He has always worked out but he wants to lower his body fat which is currently at 16% to 10-11% he weighs 198 lbs and is 6' 3. I am so happy we will be doing this together.  

M Sheep and sherryw1-- Welcome!  I'm looking forward to helping both of you reach your goals.  

MB -- thank you and yes Ma'am I have 3 boys. Get ready to say good bye to that belly :)

Hey everyone. Hope you all are having an enjoyable and productive weekend!

I started today and I feel terrific!  I think I really thrive in structure and feels good to be doing another challenge. I got up this morning and I had a great upper body workout (UBWO).  I love that pumped up feeling you get after lifting. I'm sure to be sore tomorrow.

So far in terms of meals I've had:

Meal 1: Egg white omelette with onions & turkey with half a grapefruit

Meal 2: Low Fat cottage cheese and strawberries

Meal 3: Turkey sandwich on whole  grain bread with a salad w/ olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

I've been drinking plenty of water throughout the day.  Well I'm off to play some golf this afternoon and looking forward to hearing how everyone is doing.

Patty- I'm really excited that Daniel is doing the challenge as well! That's great news and I'm sure it'll make it a lot more fun for you. You guys should join the couples challenge!

Hey team way to go with some of you getting started today!! Im on my final rest day thought id share the view i was enjoying ;-)

jjohn and patty i think the 2 of you are great leaders fr this thread i am so ready for tomorrow to come. after this off to go food shopping. then meal pre iits gonna be a long week for me coming up. i got 4 days 

Posting from my phone is proving difficult lol as I was saying I have 4 days this week of double shifts basically 6am till midnight but its all on the planning ill get it done for sure!! Let's go team!!! We got this!

Went shopping, bought and cooked all my chicken, turkey and beans.  This is what I will be eating this week. If anyone wants to break down their meals myfitnesspal.com is the site I use.  If you go under goals and select custom you can adjust the % for carbs/protein/fat.  BFL is 40/40/20.

Morning Smoothie

½ small banana, 1 cup of almond milk, ½ frozen blueberries, ¼ cup of oatmeal,  1 scoop of whey protein

Total:  310 calories  36g carbs  29g protein  8g fat   12g sugar  6g fiber

Mid Morning Meal

2 eggs with yolk scrambled with ½ cup of pinto beans and 1/8 cup of fat free shredded cheese

Total:  285 calories   25g carbs  25g protein  11g fat  0g sugar  8g fiber  

Lunch

3 oz. of chicken breast, ½ cup of brown rice, and frozen veggies

Total:  251 calories  29g carbs  25g protein  6g fat  3g sugar  2g fiber

Mid Afternoon Meal

½ cup of pinto beans with 2 oz of ground turkey

Total:  173 calories  18g carbs  20g protein  6g fat  1g sugar  8g fiber

Dinner

2 oz. Grilled chicken breast,  2 cups of mixed greens, 1.5 oz avocado, frozen veggies

Total:  281 calories  17g carbs  22g protein  12g fat  3g  sugar  5g fiber

Before Bed

½ scoop of whey protein with 1 cup of almond milk

Total:  100 calorie  4g carbs  13g protein  5g fat  1g sugar 2g fiber

Total for day:  1,400  calories  129g carbs   134g protein  48g fat  20g sugar  31g fiber

Hi all,

My loveley wife has decided to half join me and atleast workout with me and eat with me most of the time.  I am definitely struglling on my first day...we rode our bikes to the rec center and I floundered around the gym, need to plan the workout better...but didn't know a lot of the excercises as I have never lifted weights before.  My times for eating have been off, but I have stuck to the legal foods and portions...although I question the myoplex shakes the book recommends?  Who uses them?  300 calories seems pretty significant and it suggests three a day?  Doesn't seem realistic to me...I would love to hear from the experienced out there about the use of a multivitamin and whey protein instead of myoplex...do I need 42g of protein from three shakes?  Also to lend a little humor, my arms were so shot that after pulling into my driveway after my 2 mile bike ride home I hit my truck and fell off my bike...ha ha, well here's to a better day two and I am proud of one day so far!  Thanks for all the support and I can't wait to gain experience to lend it to somone else, you all are great! Cheers, from Northen Colorado!