Thanks and well said Michelle.  This was good reading. :-)

Michelle,

After reading your post about the great new things on the site last night, I was inspired to take another look around.  I had run screaming from the newness a couple of weeks ago, but I was determined and forged on.

After using the search feature to find what I needed, I (finally) figured out how to edit my profile and add a pic or two. It's a start, the first step.

I've spent some time bouncing around today learning the new ins-and-outs.  I will persevere and I will triumph.  :)

I look forward to stepping outside the comfort zone with you guys!

MichelleT

I am grateful and appreciative for the acknowledgement that an abyss even exists.  I am C1W3D6 and am at least warned that the newness of the challenge that has been motivating me might ebb.  I am truly enjoying all aspects of BFL and I realize there are still many hurdles.

Awesome post Michelle!! 

Your story sounds so much like mine.  I use my original (signed copy) of the BFL book like a Bible and enjoy my meals from the EFL book.  I watch Body of Work over and over (I think I am well into the hundreds) as well as the Champions CD's over and over.  I loved the old BFL site and have been an avid reader ans sometimes poster since 2000. 

When I saw the Champions for Life book I was skeptical.  But then last month, I thought, how bad could it be...Alexis Adair was on the cover?  I am glad that I picked it up.  It's a great book.  As for the new site.  I was frustrated at first because I couldn't find my old FB friends.  Now, I am loving it now. 

I still stick to the authorized foods list because it worked for me years ago and I know it will work for me now.  I was reading the peanut butter debate on another thread.  I too stayed away from Peanut Butter in my first bunch of challenges and would only give in when I had a craving.  Then I would have 2 tablespoons with an apple as a meal.  But it never became a staple in my diet. 

Today I am using all the tools provided by BFL (Abbott) and mixed with a little common sense, I am planning on some great successes.  I have also decided that all of my supplements will be Abbott products so that I can help support their efforts in keeping BFL alive and growing. 

Thanks again for an amazing post and thread! 

Jill

Ahhhh! Thanks Michelle! That was good!

I find myself crossing a new abyss regularly. There is always another challenge lurking around the corner. I will be very honest and open with you about how I adjust to change. My God will never give me more than I can handle. I trust that. It is how I perceive change that makes a difference. I fail a lot. But then I pick myself back up and move on.

Challenge 2 has proven to be another abyss in my path. I'm working through that now.

Thanks again for your inspiring, thoughtful words!

ok, found it!

I don't know about the old site vs. the new site but I DO see why you wanted me to see this thread.

I am only in the second week of my challenge and have already fought with all of this part:

Champster09

I've observed those without the staying power to make it to the end of a challenge simply because they just didn't want it enough. 

I've observed those who started and felt the need for every single detail to be perfect and at the first missed meal just go totally off course only to return several months or even years later ready to give up the perfectionism and complete their challenges. 

I've watched people be dishonest with themselves about what they were really eating and then be upset because Body-for-LIFE didn't work for them.  Without self honesty success will be limited. 

My life is one huge unfinished project, hoping this will turn it around. That I will want it badly enough and not make excuses that I can't do it just because it is hard.

Perfect? lol, touched on that in the other thread, Although, I have already stayed in it past sleeping in, missed meals and workouts, ending up doing them later and differently than planned but still did them.

Ooooh, you saw my workout report, you do not know how hard it was for me not to put 12 instead of 13 or 10-12 on my actual when I lost count!!! That one is VERY silly, since I am the only one reading and writing it. I wanted to lie to myself, same with not putting down an extra piece of whole grain seed bread I ate! It was cheating and I knew it whether I wrote it down or not, but I did not want to write it down.

I guess I really have come a long way in a short time, even if it does not feel like it. Before I started this, I said I would do the diet and exercise, meaning the physical exercise but then realized the mental aspect is probably more important to my life than the physical. So, I am doing a journal and planning when I don't forget or procrastinate it, and I made some mental and emotional goals as well as physical ones.

Still scared, nervous, and confused BUT I do feel a bit better now, thanks.

Kitty ~

You are doing awesome! Those promises and truths that you keep are sooooo important. You are accountable only to you. There are a ton of people here that are willing to help you keep that promise to yourself. But, ultimately it lies in your hands. I think you are on that last leg of the bridge crossing the first abyss. Yes, I said first abyss. There are sooo many of them. Best part...each one gets easier because you have crossed others before. You can do this!

Kitty,

You're an inspiration to me! I'm merely C1W1D4, but I have, in these few four days, been so inspired by reading others' strauggles, challenges, and successes. That you can admit that you were being dishonest with yourself is a huge step toward making the necessary changes - and that goes way beyond working out and eating; it goes  deeply into the LIFE changes that this is really about.

The biggest change that *I* am making, I think, (and I know I'll have even greater insights later), is that I'm finally doing this for MYSELF. Not my husband, not to look good for other people, not to be healthy only for my kids, not to impress my mother, but for ME. *I* want to be healthy. *I* want to be strong. *I* want to look in the mirror and say to the reflection I see there, "Darn, girl, you look good!"

:)

Kitty way to go!!  Life isn't perfect and neither are we, but if we can honestly say "I'm really giving it my 100% best" then being perfect isn't even a factor.  You hang in there, step back and look at any hiccups you have and figure out how you would handle them differently moving forward.  

Kimmie what a great realization!!    You ladies have all inspired me today and thank you so much for taking the time to read that long post!

You are all awesome!!!  Reading these forums really helps me realize things about myself.   I'm almost to week 12 and this will be the 1st time in my life that I actually became "real" with myself and accountable for my actions. I've learned to be kind to myself and not beat myself up for having a free day.  It's ok and I don't have to punish myself with more bad food.  I'm going to finish what I started 11.5 weeks ago and keep going from there.  This is the begining of my new life!  I'm proud of myself and all of you!!!!  

Rachel

Congratulations Rachel!!  

Another piece of knowledge that I learned between challenges that might also help you be prepared.  It's during active rest that your old habits LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to creep back in.  You are tired from the challenge, your fight will have settled down and you will want to rest.  Be diligent in keeping the 6 days on 1 free day schedule.  You'll be surprised at what else you learn about yourself.  Just recognize it for what it is and don't let it get the best of you.  ;o)

Champster09

Wow, what a great post. This is truly your heart put on internet paper. Thank you for being so transparent. These words are truly words of a true champion, I am certain it will touch and help many in the BFL Family.

Thanks for sharing, everyone can relate...no matter what stage we are in in BFL.

Without change and growth we wouldn't get anywhere in life.

I really love this site!

I am the guy that bought the book in 2001, read it, got inspired, started the challenge, but did not finish. Didn't even get past the 4th week. But, still have everything from that book memorized as the bible.

I started BFL 2 weeks ago, and on my 4th day of the challenge.

I very much enjoyed reading your post.

Thank you.