Good morning,
Yep, I did it again - hit the Y at 5am! Not too bad, I did notice one gym lizard (if you know what that means!) So, UBWO done and Wed. are usually my off day (golf night), but going in the am keeps me going. Have a good one and talk to you guys later. How's the new menu going?
Tonja
Tonja good for you! I can't get there quite that early but I do get there anytime b/w 6:30-7am.
Think I figured out the problem guys - I'm really not doing that much different from what I was already doing before BFL - as far as workouts, that is. I was always pretty intense to begin with. But what I used to do was weights 3x/week and 1/2hour at least of cardio each day and now I don't. As I said earlier, really shouldn't complain, I have lost about 4 pounds and muscle tone is real good; just can't get rid of the thighs, very slight love handles. I'm not overweight at all, just wanted to tone up. The only thing that worked for me in the past is eating a lot less calories. I may have to resort to that again...I'm estimating right now my daily intake anywhere from 1200-1500 calories. I'm 5'6" and 124 pounds. Yes I realize that is not overweight but why can't I get rid of these thighs ARRRRGGGHH!!! Sorry for the pity party but when you work hard and not much changes it really sucks :(
Pity party aka cattymeow, I understand your frustration, but you wiegh 124lbs! I don't know if I have any suggestions except to verify your food not maybe calorie intake, but contents. I am not near your weight my goal is 130lbs which I am 144lbs for the 3rd week and I am the same height. I don't know what supplement you are taking. This maybe your answer - HMB? CLA? I started these in this challenge and I will keep them up with my multi-vitamins - I take them once a day, but many take them two to three times which I can't afford to do this. Or are you eating food or meal replacements on all meals?
MWseahorse & T where are you? What are you taking?
Also, it may just take more time to get the thighs & love handles - these are problems that us women have...
I don't know if this helped, but look around on the forums and see if anyone else has asked it or just pose the question yourself maybe a former champion will answer it too.
PS, I am soooo jealous of your weight! Good job!
Good morning all - sounds like y'all are doing really well. I started a week after you guys. I've had some success. I don't know what it takes for the thighs - but I've seem some of the success stories where the thighs and love handles are completely gone. I agree with Tonja - post the question. Surely there's a lady out there who has battled and won. WE all need this info! Have a great day.
Sharon
Tonja thanks for the kind words! I have heard good stuff about CLA, it is in the fat burner bar I sometimes eat. I do use meal replacement shakes but not often, maybe every couple days. It usually ends up w/me eating cottage cheese/fruit or yogurt/nuts as my in-between snacks. I take multi-vitamin/mineral, calcium and fish oil. Will check out the other message boards to see what others have done. Maybe I'm just getting old and this is it!
Catty,
I am trying the CLA energy by METrx, but I read on another post of one called CLA Slim. They also have herbs/nutrients - green tea & something... It maybe just what you need. Also, look into HMB or read about it. I bought mine at GNC and read some of the reviews. I have no idea how old you are, but I hit 40 last year and I have 2 wee ones at home. I hope that I can get rid of my muffin top. The MT is one of the reasons I bought the BFL challenge book. Read up on supplements....
I don't know if you can see my friend on my profile, but look up Zavi - she has what she takes on her blog. I got the CLA & HMB from her blog and read up on it.
Dang I take one day to run around getting stuff done and everyone gets all chatty! Now I gotta catch up! :)
For supplements: I am taking the GNC Women's Ultra Mega Active Vitapack, which has the following:
Multivitamin with a bunch of extras (MSM, Lutein, Ginseng and a bunch of other stuff)
Energy vitamin with dill weed, black tea, ginger, guarana seed, some other things
Calcium 600mg + Vitamin D 400 IU (the multi has another 500mg calcium and 1400 IU vitamin D)
L-Carnitine 500mg
CLA 1000
I also take a Flax 1000 2x daily and Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM 2x daily.
I thought the pack had Creatine in it but it apparently does not, so I'm going to add that and see if that helps muscle growth. My calves and biceps aren't "popping" as much as I would like them to but maybe the Creatine would just cause water retention in the muscle and give it a false sense of mass? I have no idea.
Catty, regarding your thigh/love handle dilemma. I would look less at your calories and more at your actual foods. What is your ratio of starches, like potatoes, to whole grains, like oats? Is there anywhere you can omit some sugars? These kinds of things can make a difference in areas like your thighs and midsection. This is why I'm going for the extra eating omissions in the last 4 weeks (starting Monday): in order to try and melt away more of what's between my waist and my knees. I've already cut out peanut butter, bananas, white potatoes and pasta. Working on bread.
I think if you go below 1200 calories a day you might start seeing adverse affects as your body may think it's being starved and start hanging on to the fat even more stubbornly. I'm 5'6" and 156lbs (on a big-boned frame mind you); and I am eating about 1400-1550 calories a day. I aim for 1g protein per lb of body weight and 0.8g of carbs per lb of body weight. I still eat balanced meals and feel full and satisfied but am definitely dropping inches and I attribute some of that to the slightly lower carb intake.
Here is my progress thus far, from Day 1 to Day 56 (this past Monday):
Weight down 5lbs (was 161lbs at Week 1)
Body fat down 3.9% (from 31.5% to 27.6%)
Total inches lost 10.25" (3" alone off my true waist and another 2" off my wearing waist).
Also, could you do anything with your cardio to sculpt your legs more? Maybe try doing an exercise bike the last 4 weeks, or increase the incline on the treadmill, or switch to Vibram FiveFingers? I hear they are extremely good for your legs and feet if you run outdoors though they take some getting used to. I really want to get a pair for hiking and trail running this summer.
Tonja, good job hitting the gym at 5! It does feel nice to have it out of the way and you can start your day feeling accomplished. I have started doing weights in the evenings with my husband, and do HIIT cardio in the mornings before work. Set a record Tuesday! Did 1.96mi in 20 minutes outdoors, averaged a 10:15 minute mile. Woohoo! It was a beautiful morning too. I'm going for a longer run on Friday morning with a friend, we are going to hit the one big hill in town and go up and down that a couple of times. Will definitely hit my 10 with that!
Holy cow it's almost 5! I have not done one single second of actual work today... whoops! The exchange of being your own boss, sometimes you accidentally give yourself the day off. ;)
MW, I wish I would've asked you about the vitamins earlier (you get 20% off the 1st seven days of the month)! I buy the Mega Energy vitamins from GNC and never thought to look at the vita paks. It maybe better to just change over to them after I finish this bottle of vitamins. Also, I started skimming around in the BFL original book & yes, it is sooo much clearer on the program. Don't get me wrong the other book let's you read about the 2 challengers, but not as informative!
I am going to do LBWO tonight and try out cardio in the morning - this will be 1st time during my challenget to lift back to back. It won't be the same body parts, but I just wondering how I will feel tomorrow afternoon?!
Your the WOMAN, did I just read a 10:15 min mile! The measurements are awsome too!
Catty, I am with MW - look at your food choices not your calorie intake.
MW & T,
I don't know if it is because I am getting close to finishing up my 1st challenge, but I am wondering what is next.... So, I am on another thread & most have completed one or more challenges and they are discussing 5/25 workout. I am passing this one to you guys and reading it on my other tab and this maybe what I try after C1. Read if you get a chance - I am finishing up my lunch and seems interesting.
www.transformation.com/.../144861
I decided to take my free food day today... fried catfish with all the helpings! I needed a food break and well it was FRREEE from our Safety Team. I am starting to feel really FULL! I have LBWO this evening.
www.transformation.com/.../148383
I think this a better link with the workout. Sorry... I am just excited today for some reason! Geez & I am reading the info on my other tab.
I have a pretty solid plan for Week 13 and beyond: HIIT cardio while fasting 2x per week (I may start doing the 5-25, it looks like a good next step), one long run 1x per week, UBWO 2x per week, and LOTS of challenging hikes (hence not doing lower body). I want to do at least two or three more fourteeners this summer and figure I can start conditioning as soon as the Challenge is over. I may attempt Longs Peak in August if my hikes are going well and I'm in good health... it is a VERY difficult mountain to summit in one day (you have to start at 3 a.m.!), but I have a couple friends who are interested, some of whom have done it before. I may also do some multiday backpacking trips but that might have to wait since I think between day hikes, racing, and upper body, plus work obviously, I am going to be pretty busy!
For weights I'm thinking I want to up my reps and keep the weight the same. Start with 10 reps, then 12, then 15, then 18. Something like that. I am going to do some research beforehand though, and possibly schedule a couple sessions with one of the female trainers at my gym. I might also look into doing some core workouts with a yoga ball, and also want to look into meditation or yoga which I think I mentioned before.
Last night I kind of dropped the ball and decided not to go to the gym. By the time my husband said he was ready to go lift, it was 8:45 and I opted for adequate sleep over getting in my workout and not getting to bed until 10. So I got up early today, did my HIIT cardio, and tonight we are going to lift. In general I think it's a not-so-great idea to double up but there will be enough time in between this morning and tonight so I am going to let it pass. Upper body has become my favorite day and I don't wanna forfeit it this week!
I did it - three early morning workouts! I am going for four next week. I am just humming along this week. I didn't see much difference on the scale this morning, but attitude is much better that 8-10 weeks. You guys are doing soo well! Keep it up and stay on the forum. It seems the last weeks are the hardest to stay focused & forums help the most.
Thawing out some MahiMahi - any suggestions? I had my free food day yesterday too. Let me know.
Have a good one,
Wooooooo Tonja! Way to be!!
For Mahi Mahi: I like using fresh Latin pairings and slightly sweet flavors. Make a homemade salsa or pico de gallo, maybe throw in a little mango or pineapple, and serve that on top of the fish. Maybe accompany with a fresh salad of lettuces with avocado, tomato, and red onion.
For the fish itself, you could use blackening spices or a little sugar + salt + pepper and pan-roast it (pan on medium-high heat with spray oil, set filets in, cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, flip, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, cook another 5-6 minutes until heated through), or just do salt, pepper, and a little oil and broil it in the oven for about 10-12 minutes. I think both methods treat the fish pretty nicely.
Now I am craving fish! Thanks for taking care of what I'll make for dinner. :)
I just earned my Free Day (tomorrow) like no other: Met a friend for what was supposed to be a quick run over to a big hill in town, go up and down a couple times... well it turned into 5.5 miles! We did it in an hour, including the hill and about 1/2 mile walking cooldown at the end so I'd guess we averaged about 09:40-10:00 minute miles the rest of the time. Woohoo! I feel great but tired. Came home, took the BEST shower in the history of best showers, and made a batch of cottage cheese protein pancakes with a side of chicken sausage.
Helping friends move big furniture this weekend... hopefully I won't still be sore from UBWO last night or I won't be much help to them!
Hey everyone,
Happy Monday. My cousin was visiting last week so that's why I've been MIA. I missed 4 workouts while she was here and my eating hasn't been good since Friday. Oh well, not going to dwell on the negative. Just moving forward this week.
T, just get back to it is the important thing!
UMBO completed by 5:45am! I won't say that I'm loving it in the morning, but I'm glad it is done & I can do a few other things this afternoon - play w/kids vs. quickly figuring out "what's for dinner". I have been making them something different than what I eat this whole challenge except for when I grill chicken.
Well, I am definately stronger, but I am still holding the same weight.
Happy Week 8/9 (?) and I am on week 11!