Juicy--YES, that is how the body works...I completed a challenge years back as well, saw great results, then recently completed another challenge (will start another one tomorrow!).

I journaled everything I ate in order to stay on track; it really is important to get the 6 meals in if possible so your body has the available protein to help build muscle at night. I usually have some nonfat cottage cheese and nonfat yogurt before bed.  You could even have a protein shake and some fruit.  Just some suggestions...

There might be a thread on here somewhere of the "Paper Towel Theory", it tells of what is going on between Ed and Big Al...I know "Legs" posted it on here somewhere recently...

Anyway the changes are happening on the inside first and that's why most people don't see changes until 8+weeks.

My first four wks I lost 6# and 5 inches, 8 wks was 7#, 5 inches, total after 12 wks was 20# and 15 inches. This does work...80% of getting great results relies on the nutrition part so try really hard to eat clean except for your free days (are you taking your free days??)

If you can't find the "Paper Towel Theory" Thread thin BFLMike has a website-mikeharris.org  where he has a wealth of information; it should be on there...

Come to this forum often for support! Hope this helps a bit! :)

thanks for the words of advice debbie.... you pretty much told me what i already knew, but it helps to hear it from someone else :)

i am taking my free days.... sometimes i will still eat healthy except for one cheat meal, other times i will go all out and have pancakes for breakfast, sushi for lunch and pizza for dinner LOL. but maybe you are right, i need to try to squeeze in that 6th meal. maybe i am not getting enough protein?

i will stick with it making a few tweaks here and there, and hope for the best. thank you for the words of encouragement!

You have to feed your body the nutrients that it needs or it will backfire on you and dig into the muscle. 6 meals...stick to it! 90%?? Try 100 :-)

Juicy-I just take a free meal instead of going all out, that can make a big difference AND I've stayed away from alcohol...I used to be a BIG social drinker. NOW, I'm a big Myoplex Lite drinker! LOL!!

Renee is right, 100% is the way to go! :0)

i just feel like it's counterproductive to eat a bunch of food, including carbs of course if i want to keep it balance according to bfl, at 11 at night and then go immediate to sleep! my bf keeps telling me it's gonna make me gain weight :(

There are hundred of thousands of challengers that followed the BFL plan to a T...including me, who had very successful results. I'm just sayin :-)

Wait, are you saying that you only drop the carb on your last meal of the day?

no no, i just  mean i would have to have carb and prot on the last meal of the day, right? and if it works out to be at 11 pm or midnight, and then i got to bed so i can get up at 5 to work out before work, to me it seems counterproductive... and yes i know there are millions who followed it to a tee and succeeded, i (like many others i'm sure!) tend to think that there is just something wrong with their bodies, which is why they're not losing weight, which is why i'm second-guessing myself even though i know the answer lol. maybe i'm just crazy!

I did my workouts between 10-11 at night throughout the challenge. I came home and ate 30 minutes after my workout. Got to bed shortly thereafter. Woke up. Had my coffee. Had my first meal around 8:00. Worked for me

Your body needs fuel. Round the clock fuel. The only reason a late night meal would be counterproductive is it it is unhealthy and wreaking havoc on your body. A good protein and a good carb will do a body good while you are resting and growing muscles.

keep the faith!  this system DOES work!  i'm starting week 11 tomorrow and have had some great results.  i'm already gearing up for challenge 2.

are you only getting 5-6 hours of sleep each night?  i've heard so many people recommend at least 8 hours of sleep.  i truly don't know if lack of sleep can knock you off of your game, but my guess is that it can!

Ahhhhh Jaypbee....Great point you raise!

My reduced night's of sleep came on weight training nights. I had to go to the gym due to being a single mom. I normally got between 5-6 hours of sleep at night on weight training nights. I am fortunate that I could sneak in a nap in the middle of the day to catch up.

YES...Get lots of rest!!

Hi Juicy,

I want to make you feel better by telling you a little about my story. I will be starting week 6 tomorrow (first challenge), so we are close in our challenges.

Get this- I weighed myself for the first time in a few weeks and found out......I GAINED 9.8 pounds!!!!   GULP,GASP,SHIIIIIII>>>>!!!

The number on the scale floored me. But you know what, I am not discouraged. I have never FELT better. All the hard work we have put in is totally worth it regardless of the numbers. The planning and discipline are key to more than just fitness.

You said you were KILLING yourself in the gym, that doesn't sound very friendly. I would encourage you to rethink the numbers and just be patient. If you are working way harder and eating way better......be WAY MORE HAPPY about that as an accomplishment! My goodness, that really is Huge and you need to give yourself HUGE credit for that!

Don't be so frustrated, you will get to where you want to be..... when you are supposed to get there..... and when you can truly appreciate it. I have faith in you! I have faith in me and together with this BFL forum we can learn to do whatever it takes to make the numbers match up with the goals in our heads!

Hope this helps, we can do it!  Kat

kat!

thank you so much. you are right. i often lose sight of the fact that i am doing something amazing that not many people have the guts to even try, and that you're right i do FEEL amazing... whether or not the scale or the body fat measurements match up with what i had in mind.

i just want to reach my goals and it is so upsetting to see them in front of me, and see all the hard work i'm putting in, and sacrificing when it comes to socializing (my friends are big drinkers, and restaurant people, etc) ... and just not getting there.

i want to be a personal trainer because i believe in this so much. i used to be such an unhealthy person and i know that being healthy works... now if i could just get it to work on ME! gah. i am going crazy. time to eat now lol. hmmm what to make.

ps.... everyone.... cottage cheese makes me gag. what else can i have?! yick!

Juicy- Kat is right, forget the scale and numbers and think of how you feel! There was someone on here a couple of weeks ago who was a "scaleoholic", she finally got fed up with it and took her scale to the neighbor's house across the street and said, "Do not return to me until XXX" So get rid of that scale...

Have you tried Greek yogurt? It's mostly protein believe it or not. I like it...I mix a few berries in with it and that is a meal...Protein powder-shake and fruit, ummm still thinking...

Best of luck! :0)

Hey Deb - Have you tried the whey protien powder? Could I just have this for my last meal, before I go to bed? I haven't tried it yet, but was thinking about buying it.

Thanks,

Terry WI