Hi!  My name is Karey and I started on May 16th as well.  Can I join your little group for support?  This is my first challenge.  I'm a former "chubby girl" whom has lost 50lbs by counting calories a few years ago(along w/a healthy diet and exercise), but it's slowly crept up a bit after being a bit loose w/my eating and a vacation.  I'm excited to see how I can transform my body w/BFL.  :)

Hey Karey, Welcome to the group! How did your first week on the program go? I'm almost out of the 190's. Whoo Hoo!

@Adreinne: I'd try to stick to the program as much as possible. However,  if you can get in 3 days of weight training & 3 days of cardio that's better than nothing. I'm going on vacation in 2 wks. The hotel has a gym & I'm buying groceries for my suite in order to stick with the program. Also, my friend who's on the program now has lost 17 lbs in 9 wks, so far.  She reminded me when ordering out, tell the waiter/waitress "no butter" to be added to your meal. You can do it girl!

Way to go MS!  I was rewarded for my efforts with a 4 pound loss!  Actually seems too easy after years of trying to lose weight!

Onward and upward!

Those are awesome resullts, Sandy!!!! Congrats!!!!!

Sharon

Hi Everyone!  Just finished reading all the posts...thanks for the great tips and comments.  

I started the challenge on May 16th too...I'm feeling pretty good about it...the meals are the easy part for me.  I'm also loving the weight lifting...cardio is killing me...after the first cardio day I was hurting!  So now I'm 'afraid' to get back on the treadmill haha.  

I've been eatting well and doing a lot of walking since before Christmas 2010 and have gone from 210+lbs (stopped counting at 210!)  to 190lbs.  I've been a very single mom for the last 12 years...and just let myself go.  My son's 12 now and I'm ready to start dating again...looking after myself by eatting well and combing my hair more often has been working great.  But now I have my eye on a really great guy and I'm SUPER motivated to get into shape!

I guess my main question is, how much can I realistically expect to weigh at the end of this?  The other question is, how out of breath do I need to be when I hit a 10??  Yuck I hate how intense cardio makes me feel...at the time anyway.

Thanks for reading :)  Good luck with Week 2 everyone!

@Aces32: I know what you mean by dating is motivating you to get into shape. I'm at 191 lbs &  just started dating a guy that probably weighs less than me. No kidding. Men love a woman with confidence, so get him girl! lol....  My friend has lost 17 pounds so far in the 9 wks that she has been on the program, & she follows it faithfully. If you're loosing roughly 2 lbs a week, that's super.

In regards to exercise, OMG the stationary bike was the hardest for me. Thursday, I switched it up and worked out on the elliptical. It was less stress on my knees & I burned more calories. My heart rate was high, but not to the point where I could barely catch my breath. You may need to work your way up gradually in the levels.

Sharon

MsProducer - Thanks for the welcome!  Yeah, my first week has gone great!  I'm adjusting to the program really well, have a good calorie target and don't feel deprived.  I didn't have to change my food all that much, the main adjustment for me is doing the weight training... I'm more of an aerobics type girl and Jazzercise class was my choice workout.  The weights were never really my friend, but surprisingly, I'm finding that I may be starting to kind of like them... shocking!  ;)  I haven't weighed in or anything this week... trying to give my body a little time to adjust to the weight training and I don't want to be discouraged if I don't see the number I want.  Great job on almost being out of the 190's!!  Good for you!! Keep it up!  :)

Sandy - Great job!!!  

Aces32 - Hi!  I agree, the meals are pretty easy... Have you thought about doing something else for the HIIT instead of the treadmill?  You could use a kettlebell, or a jump rope.  I've been doing mine on my elliptical and other days using the jump rope.  As for what you can expect to weigh at the end... not really sure since this is my first time on BFL.  Plus, everyone is different and will most likely achieve different results.  :)

Hey guys ! Sounds like everyone is doing great ! I'm doing well too. I am loving this program so far! :) Welcome to all the new people. We are all sort of learning together...feel free to post anytime.

Adrienne, you can do this..even if you go on vacation..I think you can still make good choices and most places have a gym. We are here for support if you need it.

Msproducer, I liked the advice u gave about confidence. That is so true ! good job with the cardio !

Karey, welcome ! glad you've joined. I like your energy :)

Sandy, good job...that's an awesome loss !

Aces32, I think weight loss is really individual. I can tell you that I am a super slow loser..have been struggling to lose weight after my baby, about 7 months ago. I am pleased that I lost 3 pounds since doing the program ...from what i hear, even if you don't lose on the scale, you will likely shrink and look like you have lost alot. For example, people have been asking me for the last 7 months how much i've lost b/c of exercise but I haven't lost on the scale. So be patient with the loss..it will come. Congrats on meeting a guy you like ! Keep us posted :)

Sorry if I left anyone out..hard to scroll all the way up sometimes...

Anyway, keep up the hard work ladies and I'll try to check in tmw...

Runnergirl

Just popping in to say hi!  Decided to do jump rope for my HIITS this morning.. what kind of things do you guys do?  I also do it on the elliptical, but I don't have a treadmill anymore (I'd prefer it though)... it seemed to have a mind of it's own, so we gave it away.  Oh well.  If anyone has any interesting ideas, I'd love suggestions.  :)

Runnergirl - Thanks!  :)  BTW, I think you gave Aces32 some great advice.... I tend to lose pretty slowly too and when you're doing a program w/strength training, we need to remember that we're most likely gaining muscle, which weighs more than fat.  It's tough to be patient though when you want your body to change.  We just need to remember that the scale doesn't always tell the entire story (I always say that it's evil, lol).  :)

Thanks msproducer!  I didn't go as hard on the treadmill today, but I definately worked hard AND finished.  I think just getting on and doing something...anything...is better than nothing.  Thanks again for the comments :).

Karey_B - Thanks for the tips.  I definately didn't think about jumping rope or anything besides the treadmill...duh!  I bought the treadmill, which I love, so I feel the need to just use it and nothing else haha!  I was just wondering approximately how much people lose...like should I be disappointed if I lose 15-20 lbs or is that regular...know what I mean?  

Hey runnergirl007 - thanks for the comments and I'll keep being patient in mind!

Sorry for the multiple posts everyone!  Still trying to figure this thing out!

Let's go Day 10!!

Hello all!  Sorry - been really busy at work!

But haven't missed a single workout and been doing real good on my food choices too!

I hope everyone else is doing well too!

Sandy

Can I just say that I had the best workout yesterday. I had to switch my days and did arms yesterday but I worked out so hard that my arms felt like they were going to float off my body. lol. Today they are sore as are my legs. Im pretty much staying away from the scale at least until week 4 or 8. I know that with all the weights we are doing that I might actually gain a little before losing. As long as my clothes get looser and my belly tighter, I'm ok. I did cardio this morning and I just really dread cardio the most. I dont know why because I feel so good in the middle and feel awesome at the end but I build up this dread in my head before I start it. I ended up running at level 7 for my last minute which was about perfect.

I know what ya mean about dreading that cardio - and then every time I finish it I'm like "that wasn't that bad and I feel so good after"!  LOL!  Dumb!