Well, I could not control myself- made the Google Doc- enter only the information you want (like weight only once a month) - feel free to add columns if you want to know more about our group! We have started with 18 of us!! Hopefully I have not missed anyone. Make sure to bookmark the page.

docs.google.com/.../ccc

Ooh I hope the link works:) Michelle

docs.google.com/.../edit

An even scarier before pic doc to share.. We should all have access to view and edit and only if we have the link.

Adding pic can be tricky. If you want to add yours and get stuck. I can have you email them to me.

Oh so embarrassing.  But no more hiding under lose clothes. Time to get fit! Woot!

Just wondering if anyone knows if Vitamin Water is allowed on BFL if you take the carbs and calories into account? As far as I can see the only thing to consider is the 16g of carbs and the 10 calories, but I am not very familiar with this product but was introduced to it recently and just thought it would be a nice change once a day or every other day! Just looking for some thoughts on this. The protein bar I eat is comparible to myoplex lite bars except 4 grams less sugar and 14 grams less carbs but the protein is the same as Myoples Lite? Was thinking this may be a way to bring up carb count and get water. Any thoughts? Thx

Nine pounds!  Awesome LW. Yeah, 50 is a little light for flat bench presses, I'm fairly athletic still.  Compensated in other ways though and bench was the only thing affected.  

Littlewulff, I love the on line doc! I think it will really hold us accountable!

A few things that I have noticed about Week 2:

The Good

1) I am already feeling thinner in the waist and I lost 1 inch off my Hips this week.

2) This morning I was able to life 2.5 lbs more on the Hammer Curl and on Monday I added 20 lbs to the Leg Press.

3) I am able to go to the bathroom now. I know this is TMI, however I have always had a problem in that department and since losing weight requires going to the bathroom, I am excited about this!

The Not So Good

1) I have to Pee a million times a day and this doesn't work out so well when I have to sit in mettings for hours.

2) My pants are tighter than ever around my butt and legs. However, I know from past experience that this ALWAYS happens when I start lifting weights (my body is retaining water and I believe that my muscles are swelling) but in a few weeks they will start to lean out so I'm not worried!

3) Starting during the Holidays is a blessing and a curse. I think I have a Holiday party every other day next week, but I am glad I started now so I will be ahead of the game!

Hope you all have a great Hump Day!

Congrats LW on the 9 pound loss!

Angie: sore abs make me think thin too  haha

@Littlewulff: NINE pounds! Woo-hoo!!  

- Good thinking on starting a google doc. I’d been thinking the same myself. I’ll post tonight.

Boy, you guys are going to make me work hard!

Kriskim: about the vitamin water: call the BFL phone #. They are great about answering questions. Same about the bar. I’ve been meaning to call and ask about the bar I am using for occasional snacks (not often…can’t afford them) because my grocery store doesn’t sell the myoplex bars. I’ve been trying to find them on discount from the bfl site but haven’t been able to catch any yet.

@Vaness: I like that you stopped to think and reflect about the week. I finishing my week one tomorrow and I’m going to take a few minutes while planning to look at what I’ve done well, what has challenged me, and of course, what some of these fun moments are (like having to pee all day long)

My progress: no changes so far. I wasn't expecting anything drastic: I'm 136#. But I was hoping to feel a little difference in my clothes. I was thinking about measuring tomorrow (end of wk 1 for me) but I think I'll wait and do it like BFL says: every 4 weeks. I'm afraid I'll get discouraged and lose momentum. I've looked at my meals and I think i'm eating well. There's room for improvement in that area. I always want to work harder on hitting my 10s in cardio. i think i'll make goals along those lines for next week.

Go fight win!

Well, I've had insomnia the last couple nights and today I had to go back to bed instead of exercising. I'm too exhausted. I'm going to make today my free day so I can rest. Hopefully I'll sleep tonight and hit the gym hard tomorrow. Have a great day everyone!

p.s. Kriskim: I just learned that the EAS brand that makes the Myoplex supplements also makes zoneperfect bars. I can't get myoplex at my grocery store, but there are zoneperfect. while you're looking at bars, you might try those.

Hey everyone! Day 13 and I can't wait for tomorrow "free day" for me! Week 2 was similar to week 1 for me, I am starting to get the hang of it now and don't have to do so much referencing in the BFL book or website. My meal plans have been good, except this moring I did put 2 tbsp of fat free creamer in my coffee which I usually use skim milk but I did account for calories and carbs and made an adjustment in my breakfast, all I can do I can't change it once its happened. I increased my cardio speeds the last cardio run I did so a good sign of progress I think. All in all another successful week for me,I think!

@MSheep thanks for suggestion of other EAS products, I will do some looking into that. I hope you managed to get some sleep and got over the insomnia!

@Angie great advice to call the BFL phone # to inquire about the vitamin water, they told me as long as I account for the calories and carbs that it is fine but stick to 1 a day at the most!

@VaNessa I liked your post about the things you noticed in week 2.

Knowing christmas is sneaking up on us really quickly just wondering how everyone is planning for that week? I am not gunna lie I am finding as many ways as I can to avoid the slippery slope of justification, cuz I know me and any excuse is a useable one. I am using christmas day as my free day I am just a little concerned about the days surrounding it as we are traveling out of town to my hometown for 5 days! I guess I am just looking for ideas and suggestions to keep moving forward and to make a foolproof plan for that week?

Keep up the momentum and remember to check in and post your updates as it is so nice to read how everyone is doing!

Heres to success in week 3;)

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

I just wanted to introduce myself.  My name is David and I too started BFL on Nov 28th. I never really looked into the forum section until today and it is nice to know that I wasn't the only one who decided post thanksgiving was the best time to start.

I received the book from my uncle who has completed the challenge once before.  He made the suggestion to me at the perfect time.  I just recently completed my master degree and finally realized how unhappy I was with how I looked.  Even though I was a collegiate athlete (football) and fairly young (24) I still don't have the physique that I want.  I was a lineman on the team and the position requires quite a large body.  With that being said, I started the program weighing in at 288 lbs.

I have been doing great with the challenge thus far and have lost 12.5lbs in the past two weeks.  This is the first diet / (lifestyle) that i have been able to see noticeable changes not only physically but emotionally and mentally.  I have much more energy and I am waking up wide awake at 5:30 a.m. to go and work out.  I know none of you know me but that is completely uncharacteristic of the old me.  I could go on and on but I won't put you guys and girls through that.  

So if it is alright with all of you, I would like to be a new member of this thread.  I could use some external support since majority of my immediate family members don't think I will be able to complete the challenge.

Thanks and I hope you all enjoy the free day!

Hey David! Welcome to our thread. Sounds like you have had a great start to your new lifestyle 12.5lbs in two weeks is awesome! Congratulations on completing your master degree quite an accomplishment one of many to come I am sure. I also share your early morning workout schedule I am up at 5 AM for weight days and 5:30 AM for cardio days but you gotta do what you have to so you can get the results that you want!

I just wanted to welcome you to the thread and to say I look forward to sharing posts with you and everyone on the thread, enjoy your free day!

Kriskim

I feel as though I need to share this... I felt horrible after eating one bad meal.  I felt sluggish and tired and well, I felt like I did before starting BFL.  I honestly don't think I am going to be straying too far from the BFL meals.  Just wondering if it was me or if others were experiencing the same things?  Anyways have a good night! Early to bed = early to rise.  Week 3 starts tomorrow!

Oh and thank you Kriskim. I sure hope its the beginning of many more.

I started BLF on 12/5/11 and would like to join up with this thread!  Need some accountability.  Working out is not a problem for me.  It's the eating plan I really have to work on.  I am good Monday through late Friday, but when the weekend hits, look out!  Currently at 151, looking to get to 135.  I've done BFL before with great success and I want my abs back!  

Morning workout was lower body, need to go heavier so I made some notes on that.  Had my protein shake right after workout and will be having some plain greek yogurt with berries shortly.

Have a great day!

David: So nice to meet you! And I appreciated what you said about the emotional and mental changes. I’ve noticed the same in myself. I’m in a better mood and I get more done in a day. I’m also getting better at organizing myself, which is something that is so not a skill of mine.

I can’t believe how much weight some of you guys are losing. I’m not dropping anything. I don’t know what I’m not doing…I feel like I’m eating well and getting good workouts. I may need to check on my portion sizes. A friend of mine told me about myfitnesspal.com – you can put in your foods and it will tell you calories, protein, carbs, etc. I may need to spend some time working on it and see exactly what I’m eating and how much.

I’m having a hard time with grazing and/or nibbling…I finish a meal and then have a bite of this or a bit of that…or it’s not meal time so I have a bite of something…or there’s a dessert out and I know it’s not free day so I just have a bite. It doesn’t feel like much because it’s so spaced out, but it’s probably adding up more than I think.

I had a candy bar and cinnamon bears and fantastic dinner on free day. Yum…. But, as David said, I’m noticing how I really don’t feel as good after I eat the junk. It’s still really hard to remind myself of that when I’d rather have the junk, but I’m noticing, which I think is a good first step.

Welcome TK1! I adore greek yogurt. Yum! The eating is my biggest challenge, as well.  I come from a family of women who are dedicated emotional eaters. Boy, those habits are hard to break!

Welcome TK1 and David7422! David I am right there with you at 14 pounds lost. I have lost 9.5 inches and 3 of them are in my chest and .5 in my belly ?!@#$%%$  Geesh. M Sheep we are all so different. Remember you are gaining muscle. You are changing. I love the scale because my weight comes off as quickly as it goes on. But for others,the scale is the enemy. Stay away----once a month. Try measurements--maybe you too have lost 3 inches on your chest. Harumph. Also REWARD yourself. For every week you do this spend 10$ or 20$ on you.On something totally delicious like a new book or slippers. Hang tough and love yourself! Michelle