BeckyBeach77, it's great to see you here! I have 3 kids as well, my son is almost 11 and I have two stepchildren that live with us most of the time. Ben is 10 and Hannah is 5.  Ben has shown some weight issues already and I believe this will be a great example to him and look forward to the whole family benefitting from this challenge.

I too have know about BFL since the 1990's now it is 2010 and I want follow the program again

Let's all motivate each other to stick to it as a lifestyle. I sure need these posts to keep it alive and real.

Wren,

I need the motivation too. it is depressing to think about having fallen off the wagon-a few times-but I know I have learned from it. the only day we have is today, so we need to learn from the past and let it go. I know I have followed the program in the past and it worked, IF I follow it, so I have faith in the program and I will regain faith in myself one meal and workout at a time.

HI everyone!  Happy Hump Day!  I've been doing really good with the exercise and diet plan and we are going up to my inlaws for dinner tonight.  Whenever we go there it's always a stressful situation because my husbands family is obsessed with weight and are constantly talking about it ( particularly my mother in law and sister in law)  and they consistently make a point  to look me up and down when I go there.  I am not looking forward to expaining when I refuse dessert and honestly I  really don't  want to explain.  I always end up feeling bad about myself after I go there.  Any suggestions??

@FostersMom - DON'T feel bad about yourself.  FEEL GOOD!  You have made a positive change and committment to a healthier lifestyle.  Tell them that.  Tell everyone you know that you are doing BFL.  Get people involved.  One, so they can encourage and support you and two, so you will no longer need to explain about your food choices - they will already know.  You go girl!  You go with the confidence that you have made the best choice for your life and it WILL change your life!  Enjoy your time tonight and don't let anything or anyone spoil it for you!  :o)

@quantumjus - watch your protein and carb protions per meal.  One protion carbs, one portion protein at EACH meal.  It looked like meal one had no carbs and meal 6 had too many.  Also try counting your calories for the first week or two to make sure you are taking in enough to fuel your body, but still lose weight.  Keep posting your daily meals here and we will all help you through it.

@bennettamber - BFL lists all natural peanut butter as allowable as your healthy fat for the day.  Just remember that you should only have one healthy fat protion each day.  So, if you have the peanut butter today, you should skip the oil/dressing if you also have a salad today, etc.  I agree that I think the difference between Myoplex and Myoplex Lite is mostly calories.  I think the Lite version was created more for women.

@killarney - remember that these challenges will continue to present themselves.  Don't be afraid to ask for EXACTLY what you want at a restaurant and ask for it to be prepared EXACTly HOW you want.  You are worth it! And remember to get your carbs.

Everyone have a great day!  Stay strong and eat to plan!

I have an upper respiratory infection and yesterday I took a day off from the gym but I kept my eating in check. There's usually no one in the gym when I go and I figure that I could wipe down any equipment that I touch, should I still be going to the gym with this infection? Thanks in advance.

@karmlapl -

Love the carmel apple name!  :o)  Best advice I can give is to listen to your body.  If you are exhausted and need rest - take it.  If you are just a little tired (not run down) I would still exercise.  You may not hit your nines and tens, but you will still benefit from the workout.  It may even help you feel better.  As for going to the gym or working out at home - it's a judgement call.  There are workouts you can do at home so you don't expose others to germs.  Or you can work out at the gym and be conscious of cleaning up.  It also depends on the type of infection you have.   If you are on antibotics and don't have a fever - you may not be contagious.  Just use your best judgement and listen to what your body needs.  If you do skip a work out or two, just come back STRONG after that.  It shouldn't hinder your challenge results.  Hope you feel better soon!

Okay ladies and gents....

Y'all are awfully quiet.  Nearing the end of week one.  How is everyone doing?  Take it from someone who only lasted three weeks on my first attempt at a challenge - if you check in and let others know what is going on - you can prevent that mole hill of a mistake from becoming a mountain.  So, if you are doing well - let us know.  If you are not doing so well, let us know.  We will talk you back into the routine.  Let's stick together.  I need LOTS of motivation personally.  And I haven't taken my pictures yet.  Will probably take them on Sunday and then call that my official start date.  Have a great weekend everyone.  Enjoy your free day, but don't make yourselves sick with it and don't let it spill over into the next day.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others!

Nancy Jo

Hi!

I started the program on July 8th with my husband. I know it is kind of an unusual day to start but we were ready and had some momentum so why delay? Besides, as we kept Sunday as our free day, it made for a "shorter" first week :)

We did take our pictures front and back (the back one actually is the worse, real wake-up call there). As unpleasant as they are, they are taped to the bathrrom mirror so we can't escape them, along with our written goals. Great reminder of why we're doing it at least twice a day. We plan on taking pictures again at the 5 and 9 week marks to see the evolution. It rather scares me that I might not be able to see any difference after 4 weeks....

We also printed the page of the book with the details of the 84 days in a chart, and we cross each day as we are done with the workout. It reminds us that we're moving forward and sticking with it.

This is a challenge for me to stick with a plan, But the fact that there is a set date and that I am not doing it alone are big helpers. I know I will finish it no matter what (and that says someting, my Dad is coming for a couple weeks and is all about good food, but not always the healthiest.... but even then I'll stick to it. I can do it! Self-motivation :)

I have two girls, 3 year and 5 month old. Which means that our free time for workout is at 5am! And I don't like to get up early. But so far -pat on the shoulder-  I have been doing very good and actually had to push my hubby out of bed a couple times.

The weight training I actually enjoy. I find it very fullfilling even if the first few days were rather painful.

BY THE WAY, is anyone training with a Bowflex machine? I am looking for efficient hamstrings and calves exercises (lunges don't suit me, or rather my knee, very well)  and i don't have free weights.

The toughest part for me definitely is the cardio. So far I have been running (and had very good sessions), but I really really don't like running. I actually am thinking of fixing my bike, or going to my local gym for BodyCombat (I LOVE it).

The eating part is easy enough (we were not eating so bad to begin with, thanks to our daughter). I put together a meal plan for the week that we are going to keep for the 12 weeks (with some changes here and there as needed) and stuck it to the fridge, so no guessing what we're having for diner. I am doing it without the Myoplex though, only protein powder on occasion. I love the 6 meals a day, as I tend to eat when I am bored and being on mat leave, I am home all day with a full kitchen calling at me. The hardest part is not to bake!

At the end of my first week, I was disappointed to see that the scale did not move an inch :( but I know it will come (it probably has more to do with the fact that my hubby lost 5 pounds). My husband tells me we should measure ourselves now because even though my weight is the same he says he can see a difference nonetheless (is he just being sweet? :)

@quantumjus

We promised ourselves a week-end in the city, i.e. musical, restaurant, hotel and romantic stroll, without the kids! It is planned for Thanksgiving week-end.

Just started this week too!! Best of luck to you..We can do it!!

@nancyjod-

Thank you so much, I took your advice and stayed home for two days and now I am feeling much better. I combined cardio and lower body yesterday and today I'll be combining cardio and upper body so that I can stay within the workout regime. My legs are pretty tender from yesterday but at least I can bend and unbend my arms like a normal person again :o)

Hey friends!!!  YAAAAY!!  LAST DAY OF WEEK 1!!  My hubby already finished his workouts for the week .. SOOO proud of him .. I'm hittin' the gym today at naptime.  I've managed to get ALL .. yes ALL of my workouts in this week .. 3 small kiddos and all .. love it!!  I'm on my way to SKINNY!!

I actually have lost quite a bit of weight this week .. like 7 lbs .. which concerns me .. HOWEVER, I do that .. I lose a bunch at first, and then it slows down .. I expect it to slow way down and be a more reasonable/healthy loss next week .. hoping for 2 more down.  Expecting 0.  Do any of you watch Biggest Loser?  Week 2 is always the killer!!  I don't remember what my #s were the first time I did BFL .. BUT .. GO TEAM!  

Thanks for all of your updates .. it's so great to be in this with others!!!  

So did you all register for the challenge?  I didn't .. I'm just doing the program.  My hubby might send in a packet.  

Keep hitting those 10s!!  Pretty soon those will be your 7s and 8s!!  

Becky

Hi Everyone!

  Are you all excited about your free day? I know I am! I actually didn't really crave anything bad this week but I do want a bowl of ice cream tomorrow!

 I am so sore from the weights, but honestly I like that I can feel all the muscles in my body! I turn 27 on Wednesday so I figured what better gift to give myself than a healthy body for life. I am a Behavioral therapist for children with Autism. So in other words I teach children to adapt their behaviors around their Autism to function in everyday society. I recently thought to myslef "HMMM? maybe I should adjust my own behaviors to start getting healthy!" That is when a friend of mine showed me BFL. I decided that this was the perfect way for me to get fit, because it simply is adjusting your behaviors for a good outcome. Since I travel from child to child all day fitting the 6 meals into my schedule wasn't very hard. The only issue I have is that the gym doesnt open early enough for me! But I adjust my schedule and MADE time for evening workouts!

 Finishing my first week and I feel great! Hope everyone is doing great too! Congrats everyone for taking a step to get your BFL!

Week 1 Done(Kinda). (;

I actually took pics on the 11th.  Where do i post those? lol