amy...Thanks for posting the workout links!

dadof3...reading about you doing your weekly pics reminded me I didn't do mine yet! So, I did my BEFORE pics this morning. Yay! NOT pretty...but still...yay! lol

You guys are not going to believe this... My back has never hurt before, but I guess I hurt it. :( I was sitting on the edge of my bed doing some computer work...for 2 days...and I noticed my low back felt sore Tues evening...I ignored the tenderness and worked out anyway. NOW...I am having sooooooo much pain ... barely slept last night ... moving around like an old lady. :( ... I'm not down for the count though!

I'm going to continue my challenge, even though I can't work out for the time being. I will provide as much support as I can, and try to post most days. My food today was pretty good. I need to tighten up on my drinking water though. I'll let you all know how my water goes tomorrow...for accountability!

Keep it up everyone!!!!!!! Do some cardio for me!  haha

Hi Everybody,

I'm 42, a mother of 2 and married 18 years. we just started a business out of the home. So working out gets interrupted sometimes with the phones.

This is my second time I only made it to the first 2 weeks the first time. I didn't just start like most of you here but I just found this site and I just joined it. I'm actually in my 2nd month. But I pulled my muscle in the 2nd week so that was a set back but I won't give up. When I healed from that I fell on my knees so I missed a few workouts but I'm back on the ball again! I'm not giving up and I sure would LOVE a support group!

I totally relate the Dadof3, eating is a challenge. I set food aside while I cook everyone else s meals so it doesn't get contaminated with the butter salt Etc.

I'm ready !!

Karen for life...welcome, welcome! I also commented on dadof3's observation...eating IS a huge challenge, especially when there are ppl in the house who are eating drastically different! I'm focusing even more on my food since my aching back is sort of keeping me from exercising for the time being. I'm still participating though. Changing my eating is still lots of work, planning, and effort!!!!

Where was everyone yesterday? No one really stopped in yesterday! Including myself!! I hope everyone had a stellar day 5! My food was on point, but still didn't hit my water goal. I am tracking my water today and my goal is 8 cups, darn it! Haven't hit this goal all week. My scale measures body fat (not as accurate as skin fold calipers, I know) and it works best when your body is hydrated, so I am going to hydrate well today so I get the best possible body fat measurement tomorrow morning.

I weigh in Sunday morning, then...(drum roll, please)...I enjoy my day off. Treat time :) Yummmmmmmm

fitcity...I bought Boca brand Meatless Ground crumbles. I saw you mentioned your meatless protein options, so I thought I'd give them a try. Also, the best tofu/non-meat I've ever had was meatless nachos at this little cafe in Tallahassee when I was in college. I think I may try to make a healthy version of that!!! thanks for sharing!

Hey all! I meant to check in yesterday, but never got to it! Things are going pretty good here. I completed one of the workouts I last posted about on Thursday, along with riding my bike to work 5 miles. I didn't get to ride home since one of the tires had a flat when I was leaving work. Yesterday I did an upper body weight workout and pushed pretty hard.

I just got back from the gym a little while ago. I did an hour long Turbo Kick class that I always go to on Saturdays - they're really fun if you all are looking for something to try. After that I did a 20 minute elliptical workout like the one I did earlier on in the week. I know, that's a lot of cardio! Tomorrow is my rest day. :) I'm also making today my free day since that works better for my schedule. I want to have a chance to go out to eat and that just works better on Saturdays. Is there anything you all are looking forward to on your free days? 

This afternoon I'm also excited to get my body fat tested in a bod pod. Has anyone heard of these? They're really accurate for measuring body composition. You can read about them here: http://www.cosmed.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1262&Itemid=310&lang=en. My plan is to have it tested again at the end of the program and see what kind of changes I am able to make. I weighed myself on a scale at home at the start of BFL, but I don't want to focus too much on scale weight. I'm not sure at this point how often I'll step on the scale, probably not weekly though since I don't know how much of a change there will be and I don't want it to bring me down. I'll give an update after the bod pod and let you know how it went!

@justicerox - I hope you aren't too down about hurting your back. Hopefully you'll be back up and exercising soon! You have a great attitude!

Hey everyone!!! Tomorrow is my free day. I'm so excited for waffles in the morning and doughnuts for a snack lol so when are we supposed to see change in our bodies. I feel like I'm getting skinnier but my fat has stayed the same. I eat like 7 meals a day. I don't want to get to OCD about it because I'll end up quitting and get to down on myself. I don't want to measure body fat Cus I'm afraid it hasn't gone down and I've lost muscle.

Hope everyone is having a great workout and day!! Enjoy your free days tomorrow for whomever has them and don't hold back. Eat up and start fresh Monday. I'm so excited lol I want doughnuts and milk :-)

Hi Jill and all!

I am starting on Monday, June 25, 2012, and getting ready for it with shopping and preparing my meals. I've tried many before to do the Challenge, but lose it somewhere between week 4 and 8, either getting sick or just so busy I skip my workouts.

I work two jobs starting at 3am and get home at 6pm, but I have a 2-hour gap between jobs with a gym at my second job...so I really have no excuse. I have found it hard getting back in there as I have put on 15 lbs in six months and seeing a number I haven't seen in 10 yrs. Ugh! But I am bound and determined to do it this time and FINISH!

I am 47 yrs old, never married, have 3 boys that I adopted 14 yrs ago, who are all grown now. My sister, who helped me raise them, is also doing this with me.

We are going to do this! I am really excited for both of us!

Aww....I sent it without signing it :)

Michelle

Alright, I just came back from getting my body fat tested in the bod pod! The whole thing lasted just a few minutes of sitting inside a funny looking machine. I have to admit, my body fat came in a lot higher than I thought it would! Here are the results:

35% fat (50.9 pounds)

65% lean mass (94.5 pounds)

145.4 pounds total - I'm 5'7" and carry most of my weight in my lower half. My upper body is pretty small.

Considering how much exercise I have regularly done over the past several years, I just thought it would be lower. I guess it's a starting point! The man who administered the test said that he thought if I pushed it I could get down in the low 20s, and maybe even down to 18%. I'll get the test done again and see where I end up. It can only get better, right?

Hi Jill!  I've been following this forum for a couple of days, trying to join, but I couldn't get my posts to stick!  I'm hoping it was because I was using an iPad, so rather than introduce myself properly, I'm going to see if using this computer helps...

Yes! It does!  Okay, so... thanks for setting this up!  I've never been part of a forum before, but I've also never completed a Challenge before, so perhaps the two are related!  I don't have much weight to lose, but I have been tired and hurt-y since I completely stopped exercising about three years ago.  I really want to feel good in my body again, and to know I can set goals and meet them - and to help other people meet theirs!  

Hope your Challenge has been going well, so far!

- Kate

Hi Ttys,

I just joined the forum today but I've been reading from the start -- my posts wouldn't stick!  Anyway, you asked about food --this isn't exactly fancy, but it's weirdly yummy:  non-fat cottage cheese topped with tuna, eaten with ak-mack whole wheat crackers.  Very satisfying and easy!

I love food, and am pretty creative, so I'm always coming up with new stuff.  (that one doesn't really count, but it's a go-to meal that works for me).  

Hope your challenge is going well!

- Kate

Hey, thanks for the myfitnesspal app!  I've been using it, and it's really helpful!  

Hi Michelle,

I think most people would call working from 3AM to 6PM an excuse, even with two hours in between!  But congratulations for not being one of them!

Good luck on your challenge... I look forward to seeing your results!

- Kate

Hey Team!!! Hope everyone is doing good on their healthy life styles!!! I was a bad girl this weekend..took my cheat day saturday...got into the wine with a few ladies and then didnt prep any food so took a second cheat day sunday:(  Today I went shopping picked up some protein options..I am not beating myself up about it..but teaches me about the need to have a plan..SO....Thats that!! Back on track Monday..back to the gym and going to be better prepped come next cheat day lol.. @ justice rox..I love the ground..i use it in my spagetti sauce and no one knows lol..i will keep an eye out for the brand you mentioned...and i hope your back is feeling better!!

OH  i took my measurments Arms-12inches

                                                  Thighs-23inches

                                                  Waist-40inches

                                                  Hips-42inches....Weight this week is down 2pounds to 209!! (thats a good thing)

and I took my before picture....I am the same as most of us... cant believe that is me in those pictures because that is not the way i see myself...So mad at me!! okay okay this post is a pitty party for me today..but thanks for giving me a place to complain..Glad to see everyone is still posting strong...lets stay together!!