Hi Yall! great to hear everyone doing so well. I started off really strong but then for a variety of stupid excuses fell off-I guess I got discouraged that I hadn't lost an ounce. anyway, that's over, I called it a free day and started back. I haven't quit if each time I fall down I get up. the new reality that you don't lose weight quickly while in menopause is going to be difficult to adjust to. I lost 7 lbs the first week 10 years ago. anyway, no free day today as I had it yesterday.

It's cool killarney.   Just stick to-it. (;

I am starting tomorrow for the ... I dont know how many times.  Between work and 4 back surgerys I have not been able to finish a single 12 week period either.  I am getting married in exactly 12 weeks.  I really need to do this for myself.  I watched the same video so your not alone in waiting 11 years to start.  Lets not wait another 11 though!

Congratulations on getting started again Mark.... you CAN do this!  Many others, including myself, have started and stopped but the important thing is that you keep trying and you will do it.  You have a big goal ahead of you.  Continue to think about why you are doing this.  Won't everyone at the wedding be amazed at the new you?  Good luck!

Hello All!  

I'm just checkin' in ... had a cheat meal tonight .. I guess Sunday will be more strict than "normal" .. our family went out for sushi .. YUM.

Workouts have been going GREAT .. I KILLED my arms on Saturday ... owwww!!  Today was legs and I spent a long time cooling down, stretching, etc.  afterwards, so hopefully I won't be as sore.  YIKES!!

So question ... how are you guys doing Abs on this program?  

STAY STRONG!!  

Becky

Hi Becky,

I am doing The Firm 5 day abs tape.  It really works my abs.  I love it!  I also might try out an ab routine that I have from Buff Mother Michelle Berger.  Haven't used it yet but I've heard its an awesome ab workout also.  

So how is everyone else doing?  I am doing good so far.  Eating and workouts on track.  I did miss one cardio night due to an extreme bad headache.  But other than that everything is going great!  Excited and look forward to my workouts.

Hang in there!

hello all,

Already in the middle of week two and things are going well!  visited my parents at the beach this past weekend which was the true challenge since they keep candy EVERYWHERE!  My free day was kind of disappointing because I wanted Ben and Jerry's Milk and Cookies Icecream and I couldn't find it anywhere, so I ended up having an icecream cone- still good but not what I wanted.  Any ladies out there struggling with PMS and wanting chocolate and feeling more hungry than usual??  My stomach is screaming for me to eat a box of oreos!  Any advice/support much appreciated!

Lost 3 lbs last week :)

Ok Everyone I am feeling super motivated! I haven't missed a workout and have hit a 10 on almost all of them! Today on my arms I had to go up in weights! WOOHOO that means I am getting strong! I feel so healthy already!

  I ate bacon on my free day and felt so sick from the grease!I think I'll take it a bit easier this sunday!  I can't believe I ate like that all the time! No wonder I have more energy now! My birthday is tomorrow and I already have a plan for eating right!

Lost 8 lbs last week, and 1% of my body fat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@FostersMom

               I am having the same issue with craving chocolate this week due to PMS. My best advice is to either get the Myoplex lite bar called chocolate chip crisp, or get sugar free-fat free chocolate pudding. The pudding can count as your carb for a snack or meal. If you have protien powder you can put it in the pudding. For me the pudding really hits that chocolate spot. Oh and for mental help......I promised myself real chocolate on Sunday. And everytime I am tempted to go for something "bad" I think about what I want to look like, and how I look now......that stops me in my tracks!! Hope that helps!

bennettamber,

thanks for the advice and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  Hope it's a good one!  Great job on the fat loss!! That's super impressive!!  i'm kinda disappointed I didn't lose much last week, but I'm hoping it was due to retaining water! haha!  Hope you have a kick ass day tommorow!  Keep it going everyone!!

Happy Birthday bennettamber!  I hope it is a great one!  

I am struggling...I actually didn't work out for five days, and I did get in today...and it was a great workout.  I did a 4 week challenge bfl challenge about 11 yrs ago.  I never read the book but my sister did and she told me what to do.  I have tried a few times to complete a full round and have failed.  I started this on on June 30th and I did real good for about week, and since I have struggled!  these last 5 days have been the worst.  I think I will start over.  One thing I have decided to do is lift with my  husband, so one its at night and two he lifts 4-5 days a week and we try and do 20 mins cardio all 4-6 days.  That is what is seeming to work out best for me, any thoughts?

Great job to all of you! 8Lbs, 3Lbs or less or even gaining (like me) at least we are making strides to improve our lives!  You all are AWESOME!!!

Hey, Shauna

 I am in the same boat as you, uncertain whether to restart fresh. I keep giving in to stress and excessive busyness. I actually could work out if I got up earlier. I keep thinking that conditions need to be perfect for me to do better, and rationally I know that things are NEVER going to be perfect, but I just think about getting a new log-I was using a half-done one from a previous unfinished challenge-and starting hard again on Monday.

Congrats Bennettamber and fostersmom, great job!

End of week 2 for me, and - hurray!- I lost 3lbs.

Workouts are going great, but I find more and more difficult to get up early to get it done before my day starts (especially with a baby in sleeptraining ;)

@Fostermom:          I don't know what you get for your snacks but I add coca powder and splenda to my cottage cheese or oatmeal when chocolate craving hits, and a bit of granola for crunch. Seems like dessert, almost too good to be truly healthy =)

Oh, by the way, some laughs for your day:

check the forum "crossing the abyss" and discussion "Deep down everyone knows champions don't do Freedays ", then find Thayerphotos' post (on the first page), it is HILARIOUS !

Hello,

I started June 21st but did not take my before picture until July 15th so I guess I am part of this group that started July 12th and ends October 10th.

Bryan

Ok guys I'm off on vacation for a week.  Hopefully I can stick with the program, it will definitely test my will power since we'll be staying with friends and I'll want to have a beer or four! hahah!  Anyway I've planned all my meals, checked with a local YMCA for a guest pass.  So keep your fingers crossed for me, I'd hate to backslide!  Have a great weekend and week everyone!  keep working it!