Pickle - I did exactly the BFL protocol  - the only other thing that helped was some coworkers and I started a "Biggest Loser" competion at work and each put in $25.  At the end the top three "losers" got to split the money 70% going to the top loser.  I won!  I guess the money helped motivate me too!! LOL

Well, this is my starting point.  Trying to not be too sad about it- glad that it's about to change!  

I lost 20 lbs. last year and have gained back 13 this year.  Low carb diets and starving myself prove to myself that I can do anything and now I'd like to do what works for the long term so I can keep it off.  

A trainer at my gym did my stats today and did my body fat 3 different ways, just to show me the differences.  They were all pretty similar.

Here are my starting stats:

5'8" 158 lbs.

23.5% Body Fat 37.13 lbs. of fat, 112.87 lbs. of lean body mass

BMI 24

Neck- 12.25"

Chest- 34.75"

Waist- 29"

Hips- 40"

Thigh- 22.5"

Calves- 15"

Biceps- 11.5"

Forearm- 9.5"

Hello Everyone! I am new to the Body for Life challenge and community. I have heard a lot about this program and the amazing results you can get. I have also heard that it is a total mind, body, soul transformation.

I just turned 32 and have always had an issue with my weight. I have tried every diet out there as well as the diet pills, etc. I have seen quick results and even worse weight gain when I fell off the wagon. I am looking for a lifestyle change. I am so inspired after reading all of the previous posts and seeing the amazing transformations that are posted in the sucess stories. I am definitely looking forward to starting on 08/22!!

Wow, I'm starting for first time with my girl on this date.  I am a little overwhelmed because don't know exactly what I am doing.  just don't want to mess it up.  I haven't read the book, but it looks like I have everything I need on this website.  We have a personal trainer for the first week to run us through all the optional workouts for the 12, 10, 8, 6, 12, 12 reps.  Need some help with the food thing... my diets great but don't know what to get my girl on.  JUST GONNA DO THE BEST I CAN, OR WE CAN!

To " usmcgordonce ":  

Congratulations on the desire to start Body for Life!  

My two cents to you is READ THE BOOK!  Your "girl" will need to read it too (girlfriend, not daughter right?) or you can read it together.  It's a better investment than a personal trainer by far.

I don't think you can effectively do BFL without having read it.  There are preliminary steps before the diet and exercise begins, that will help motivate you and get your mind engaged on a new level too.  And it gives you all the specifics that you need to know about the diet so it's not overwhelming you.  It's very doable.

Barnes & Noble bookstores usually have it in stock or can order it and have it quickly if you're concerned about being able to start on Monday.  The book is a quick read and loaded with information you need.

You'll be soooo glad you read it!

Welcome!

Pickle

I agree with Pickle- Def read the book!  If you have a Borders around you, go there since they are closing their stores, everything is 30-50% off!  I was at the one by my place the other day and got Eating for Life and saw the BFL Book there.  

OK Everyone! Enjoy your weekend!  Make your workout plans for next week. Plan your meals! Get ready to kick it into high gear on Monday!  

Hello all,

I have done the challenge in 2002 and went from 85kg to 65kg during the 12 weeks program. Since then, ive graduated, set up a business, got married, moved house and have a healthy baby girl.

Now I am back to 85kg! So this will be my second run. Planning to start on the 22/08/2011 because its my wife's birthday and hopefully in 3 months time I can give her a birthday present worth talking about.

Good luck and keep in touch.

Welcome to mal0828, usmcgordonce and lucifer_hunter!

usmcgordonce - You can definitely "get started" without the book, using the information on the website and/or the downloadable "challenge packet" is even better.  But, you want to get your hands on the book ASAP!  

Anyone who wants a more detailed Excel spreadsheet to track exercise and diet on than the one offered on in the "tools" section, just drop me an email and I'll forward you my "modified" spreadsheets.  They let you see an entire week of eating side by side, and all 12 weeks of weight training side by side so you can see where you improved etc..

To all who have send me a "friend request", I am thus far unable to accept them.  Not because I'm antisocial, but when I click on the URL to accept the request I get an error message, so not sure what to do there.  I'll get it figured out.

Be good to yourself this weekend and get your head screwed on straight to roll out on Monday morning.

Blessings!

Stephon

Stephon,

Although I follow this diet daily, I am starting a new challenge on Monday as well.  My goal is to reduce my body percent from 12.1% to 9%.  I have actually increased my weight back up 175 because I need it to continue building muscle.  I am much bigger in my chest.  I will update my picture.  let's stay in touch and keep each other up to date.  I can say ever since I changed my routine to 6 days a week cardio and weights, everything has became bigger.  From chest to arms what a difference.

Scott

Hello everyone, my name is ShellyAnne, and I am from Canada.  Want to start the Body for LIfe Challenge for the first time on Monday with you!  I dont have the book (yet), but will look for it.  What is your best advice for me to do right now to "prepare" for Monday?  I will take a before photo on the weekend.  I eat pretty healthy so far... but can you give me the BFL plan in a snapshot?  So I can start without the book just yet?  Is the concept 30/40/30 carb/protien/fat?  Or what is the premise behind the diet/food component?  Also excercise is it cardio? Weight training? Both?  What is suggested # of x per week and durations??? Any info to get me started is greatly appreciated and I will look for the book on Sunday when I am in the city.  I can hardly wait - and I am very grateful that I found you ALL as I will need your support to make this journey.  I think that my higher power put this thread front and center for me... he works in amazing ways in my life :)  Cheers.

ShellyAnne,

First of all, welcome aboard.  You should be excited its a wonderful program with great success if you stick to the program.  There several key componants to this nutrition plan.  First, you must eat six meals a day.  Morning, snack(protein shakeor high protein food), Lunch, snack, dinner, snack.  The portion sizes are important.  The size of your fist is a carb and the palm of your hand is a protein, then add veggies.  There is an approved food list.  If you generally eat healthy you know what is bad for you.  The workout is rather simple: M(Chest & Back) generally 42-46 minutes in the gym, Tues(20 minutes of Cardio, Wed(Legs), Thurs(Cardio), Friday( Chest & Back) & Saturday (Cardio).  Then alternate your weights the next week.  Start with legs Monday etc.  On the 7th day, its free day.  No exercise and you can eat whatever you want.  Just don't overdue.  Eat the donuts and cakes and fast food.  Create goals for yourself and strive for those each and everyday.  If you need help or have questions just ask.  You will have questions and you will need support.  We can help because we have done the Challenges more than once.  Good Luck!!!  I know you can do this.  By the way, cook for the week on Sundays and get the book ASAP.

Scott

I am getting so excited to start BFL again! I have had a terrible go the last year. I want my mind "in the game" to lose for good. The older I get and the more kids I have had seems to have been damaging to my body and eating. Stress plays a factor in my bad choices for snacking.

I definately have learned the early morning workouts are key for me because I find too many excuses my day end to get it in. 4:45am Monday I will start again. I have gained quite a bit of weight over the summer. Lots of reasons but in the end it is because I have not allowed myself to take care of ME.

Off to Seattle tomorrow morning for a cousins wedding. Should be a fun time and a nice get away from the kids.

Excited to hear from everyone Monday!!! Have a great weekend!

Jaimee

I am on board and I can't wait!!!!!

I first did this program 8 years ago and lasted about 8 weeks with tremendous success.  A couple times I tried again, only lasting a day or two, and then the 4th time I lasted about 6 weeks and saw great results, only to fall off again. This time I am committed and hoping you will help me! I am a marathon runner, triathlete, etc but need to lose the last 10lbs and body fat...

I collect fat on my love handles, breast, back, and arms. Despite marathon training, I don't have the body I desire because I have poor self-discipline when it comes to meals, this is where the planned frequent BFL meals give me great success, and energy!

This is the first time there is the forum option for BFL. I look forward to keeping one another motivated! :)  

Starting stats:

Weight: 140

BF: 24.5%

Waist: 29"

Hips: 37"

Bust (Below Breasts): 32.5"

Goal: 125 (although I am more concerned with body fat reduction)

BFP: 18%

Waist: 25"

Hips: 32"

Let's do this TOGETHER! :-)

Hello Everyone,

I am not a complete stranger to the forum or the BFL way of life. I did the BFL program for 8 weeks when I was 22 and trying to lose some extra pounds before the wedding day, but days before the wedding he called it off. Not getting married to him was one of the greatest things in my life but not completing the challenge was disappointing.

So that was 10 years ago! However during that 8 weeks I lost 25 lbs but since then I gained it back and then some.   A month ago I was at my heaviest weight ever, I weighed even more than when I was pregnant and I didn't have an excuse. I have been reading the forums but not actively participating. I kept telling myself I am going to loose weight and I would make a good run at it for a week and then cave.

A month ago I weighed in at 189.5 and today I am at 184.5. I have lost 5lbs. Whooo hoo!  Not only did I lose pounds but I just feel so much better about me because I am taking the time to work on who I am and who I want to be. I started out slowly, first cutting out the diet soda, drinking more water and incorporating healthy meals in my diet and without even trying to do the BFL way I just was. I started eating smaller meals and allowing myself one free day a week but without going over board.

I started walking 2 miles every night and then starting walking/jogging the same distance and/or doing cardio at the gym.  I have already lost inches and I have one pair of pants that aren't as tight on me anymore. My boyfriend hugged me the other day and said wow I notice the difference when I hug you. (of course in a good way because he is so incredibly supportive!) He also mentioned my face looks brighter because I am happier.

So here I am ready for this 12 week journey. My ultimate goal is to lose 60lbs. I know that won't happen in 12 weeks but baby steps will certainly get me there!

My goals in the next 12 weeks are listed below.

1. I will be more confident in myself.

2. I will lose 20 LBS of fat

3. I will no longer be in a size 16 or tight 14 pants

4. I will inspire those around me

5. I will improve my overall conditioning for my hiking trips. (I enjoy hiking)

I posted my stats on my profile. I know some people refuse to look at the scale. I will be weighing myself once a week and taking measurements. I am not one to obsess over the scale at all but I do want to track my results on a weekly basis to see when and where I am losing and how I feel each week because I know in order to reach my ultimate goal I will being doing another challenge or two and I can tweak or improve if need be.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone.  And it was nice to see others here that have completed this before. Congrats to everyone!

Amber

Hi Scott and thank you so much for taking the time to drop me a message.  Thank you SOOOO much for quick overview that you gave me.  i do try to eat six meals per day, so this is great for me.  Is there a calorie limit to each one?  Or macros breakdown to follow?  Where can I see the approved food list?  What are some of your regular favorites for your breakfast, lunch, supper and snacks? Which of the EAS products are using as part of your challenge?  You only have to use one right?  Love the workout schedule, can totally do that too.  I have workouts already like this on my bowflex, so I will just reorganize and stagger with cardio.  How much cardio are you supposed to do??  Thank you so much once again....