Hi Everyone, Day 37 almost over.  Today was first day of school for the kiddies so it was a pretty busy day for me.  LBWO felt very good.  PT had me doing squats with a 20lb bar.   I also did lunges, which is probably the 2nd time I've ever done them in my life--just working on getting comfortable doing it correctly first.  No weights with the lunges but I'm sure eventually he will throw those in as well.

Food wise, I am finding myself constantly checking everything in the nutrition area of the packaging, which I've never really cared much or paid attention to, so I'm glad I'm making more effort on knowing what I put inside my body.  I have also tried Almond milk and have to say LOVEEEEE it!  It is so low cal AND has the calcium I need.  I started mixing in 1 scoop of the Whey Protein vanilla and I have my protein all figured out.  So nice when things can be so convenient and healthy too.  I'm still working on the different carbs and by far I love tropical fruits as my carb the most.  The oatmeal is very convenient but I'm kinda sick of eating it.

Amy--your 8 week mark is coming so I'm really excited to hear how things are progressing for you.

Karla--Ouch!  Football in the chest--yowsers!  Sounds like you had a blast.  Congrats on melting the inches away.  Proud of you for all the hard work you're still putting in despite your medical challenges.  You remind me daily of my blessings!

Alright BFL peeps--hope everyone hit their 10's today and are focused to staying on track.  Have a good nite.  

trace

Hi BFL friends, wanted to check in with everyone to see how you all are on your journey.

Day 40 --Cardio day.  I was really sore after the LBWO and have been limping late Tues and Weds.  But the pain has subsided and I can walk better today.  Last nite was UBWO and we tried a couple new exercises so it was interesting to learn.  Will see how I feel tomorrow if any soreness will set in.

I haven't seen much difference or changes still and was not able to take my Week 6 pics last night.  Will try tonight but I have a few things to take care of tonite so will see.   I'm really hoping my week 8 will result in huge changes but I have a feeling it might not be that way.  I'm almost at the halfway mark and have really not seen any changes at all.  

Amy--how's your Week 8 mark coming along?  Hopefully you'll be seeing big results and if not, it'll surely come.  

Have a great day everyone and keep on going!

Hi BFL friends, hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.  

Day 43 for me and I am still shocked am at the 50% mark.  Upped stair climber to one level up and boy it was tough but am glad I was able to do it, so will keep at it for a couple weeks.  I have to say that while I do not feel like I am any stronger or feel anymore energetic, the weights and cardio numbers are increasing which is proof that I must be getting stronger.  

Clothes are still the same fit so I am really not sure if the huge results will come on that week 8 mark.  As much as I hope for it to happen, I think I will be one of those people where that miracle week 8 is not me because of the changes I've seen so far and also just the body type I have.  Just wish the results would be like POW and dramatic you know...LOL!

Hope to see everyone's posting on their progress.  Keep up the good work hitting those 10's!

Traci

Hey BFL peeps, wanted to do a quick check in.

Day 44 almost done.  UBWO today and it was good.  

Funny story--yesterday, I tried the vertical knee raises on the dip station yesterday to work on some abs and it was a bit awkward trying to hold myself upright on the rest bars. This is the second time I've tried this exercise.  I was pushing and gripping quite hard to hold myself upright so I can raise my knees to my chest.  When I got home, I ended up with these long marks along the underside of my forearms.  It looks like I got into a nasty fight with a cat and it scratched both of my arms pretty badly.  They don't hurt but just funny looking so hopefully I'll getter do better with more practice and won't have these lines showing up anymore.  

Alright, onward to Day 45 tomorrow to have the stair climber kick my butt once more.  

Have a good night everyone!

Good morning, Traci!  So glad to see that you're still hanging in there.  I have been posting in another thread (July 10/11th thread).  I am still hard at it but no miracles yet.  Little did I know that I have a hormone imbalance and the doctor said that very well may be holding me back from losing the weight.  i guess I can't complain....I've lost 18 pounds!  But I've been at a standstill for a while now.  I think I have just gotten used to being able to lose weight fairly easily, so I am just spoiled.  I am not giving up though and I do feel like my pants are looser today!  I am wearing clothes that I couldn't fit into when I first started my challenge, but I don't know if I'll be back into my old 'skinny' clothes by the end of of it.  But, I am not going to let it get me down.  This is for life, right?  Please keep posting.  I sure hope that you get the miracle week 8 effect.  Surely something is happening beneath the surface, right?  

Well, I just completed a long post on the other thread, so I'd better get off of here and get back to work!  Hope you all had a fantastic Labor Day weekend!

Hi everyone, just doing a quick check in.  Day 46 today.

Amy--18lbs is amazing.  I wish I could say I lost but I haven't stepped on a scale so I really don't know.  Clothes are still OK, maybe not too tight as before, but it's not monumental.  

I did stairs yesterday and thought I was going to pass out from pushing so hard.  Today is upperbody and I am still slightly sore from Monday's UB session.  I'm not really looking forward to it but will get it done so I can cross it off.  I'm beginning to feel like I'm never going to see any results so I should start thinking about other things.  Just so darn frustrating working so hard and not really seeing any major difference!!!

Anyways, hope everyone is having happy thoughts and staying on track.

Traci, I had my cardio workout last night too and I couldn't do my last hi-point minute at the end either. I felt short of breath even though the heart rate was at 167 (my hi-point rate is at 175). I usually feel ok at that rate, but not last night.

Exercise is a long term commitment, so you usually don't see dramtic changes over 6-12 wks. You see a lot of "before" and "after" pictures here but it doesn't mean everyone will get the same result. It's different due to the body build, genetics and also age. I used to drop 5 lbs in 2 weeks easily 10 years ago, not now.

The bottom line is: make exercises as routine activities and results will come. I don't expect to see my body ripped after 12 wks or even much changes, but I know now that I got more muscle mass that helps me to lift 25% heavier weight than 6 weeks ago. Because you have never done weight training in the past, it'd take a while to build your muscle mass, and with that foundation, you'll be able to make dramatic changes in the future program. Let's see how much fat we convert to muscle after this 12 wk program and continue from there.

Hi Everyone,

Day 48 today.  UBWO for today and my right biceps has been stiff since last night.  Earlier in the week it was mostly my left shoulder from Monday's UB, but maybe it's moving slowly over to my right side...LOL.

Yesterday I could barely peel myself out of bed and have been really sore from LB on Weds, just so exhausted and really achy.  Thing is, I didn't feel like the session was that much more different than any previous sessions with PT.  I even skipped my usual light cardio session, I normally do right after every strength training.  I did partake in a few drinks (3 total) and some salty foods that evening.  Maybe that might have messed it up, but it wasn't like I was out of control.  I did retain water but the soreness and exhaustion the next day, I couldn't explain.  

Today I am still a bit stiff but more manageable than yesterday.  Will try to stay focused and work hard at the gym.  Well, looking forward to wrapping up week 7 this week.   Although, I will probably have to put in a cardio session on Sat (normally my free day) to make up for the happy hour session sidetrack.  

TGIF everyone!!  Post when you can and hope you all have a great BFL day!

Hi Everyone, wanted to do a quick check in.  Day 51 today and still going strong.  LB today and will push hard to make it count.  This is the week 8 mark for me and I am still hoping to see that "miracle" change happen in the next couple of weeks so many have spoken of.  

How is everybody?  Hope you're all on track and chugging along to the finish line.  

Have a good day BFL friends!

Hi everyone, Day 53 today.  I think I'm the only one left on this forum so maybe I should find another group to join since it's kinda weird posting alone.  :/

Anyways, hope you all are still on track and that you'll have a good day.

Hi Trace,

I've been reading your posts, and I apologize for not posting.  I really have intended to, but have been discouraged and end up just not.  I'm doing "ok," but not seeing the results I had hoped by this time in my program.  I was so pumped the first several weeks, but the last two, I've had major medical issues, with last week being my most challenging.  I thought I was having a heart attack "again," and could not do my exercise portion of the program.  Sometimes, I just feel like I take two steps forward and twenty back.  I see other friends losing the weight and getting in shape with barely any effort at all, and I get disheartened.  I had high hopes and such a positive attitude, and then my medical problems got the best of me.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still eating on the program and doing all I can cario wise and in the gym, but I wanted to see the toning, the faster weight loss, the "miracle" results that I see in the transformations.  I guess I've just gotten "tired."  I'm sorry, I know that's not what this forum is for, and I'm sorry I let you down by not posting . That was very unfair of me to you and the others on here.  Going to try to find that fire again and kick myself in the butt to keep on keeping on!  Hang in there girl!  YOU are DOING AWESOME!!

Karla--First...BIG HUG!!!  Second, you have no idea how inspirational it is for me to see you fight so hard to maintain this rigorous program, with your medical issues.  It is truly admirable and you do have that fire in you.  

I have not had the results I had hoped to see as well, but I have committed to myself that I WILL finish this, regardless.  I don't know how or why but I just kinda have to do it.  For one, we're already more than halfway thru and it definitely would not hurt to see where this ends.  When I finish, I will be able to attest if this is the program for me, and deep down I do believe that it is.  I am also pretty certain, it will take me a few more challenges, which means, if I don't even finish the first one, how can I expect to get to the next one.  One step at a time right?

I know what you mean with everyone else losing the weight and we're still here tweedling along, with not much to show for.  Just within the past week alone, I don't know how many days I started and ended thinking why am I even doing this?  I feel so "tired" too but then I think what would quitting do for me as well.  

I have not toned nor lost weight.  I can probably fly with my batwings and my belly bulge is still bulging away, despite the daily ab exercises I put in, despite the clean eating and extra cardio I put in on my weight days.  My clothes are still not as loose as I had hoped they would be by now and the clothes I was able to fit in a couple years ago are still hanging in my closet waiting for me.  This is my Week 8 and there are no miracles, and there probably won't be any for me...simply because I think that is how my body is built.  It is very frustrating and tiresome but doing nothing will not get me to where I want to be either.  If it is true that the last 2 weeks are the where the most weight drop will happen, then I will have to see if that is the case for me as well.  

I do want you to know that I'm so glad you posted...so glad I am not alone and have someone to share the same frustrations...and so grateful of what you remind me to be thankful for each time you post.  You have already come a long way and with great progress.  And this is exactly what the forum is for because for a while there, I really thought I was going to have to so solo.  We will hang in there together and will see where this takes us!  

I post on the 7/18 thread, but I have had to push back my 84 days because I didn't do well on vacation, so will be ending up when you do.  If you like, come on over!

Thanks Trace - It is encouraging to keep each other encouraged, and you're right, we have come a long way.  Just have to keep reminding ourselves of that and reminding ourselve that we will be glad in the long run that we have kept on keeping on!  Results may not be as quick as we'd like, and it will probably take more than one challenge, but we can do this!  You and I sound so much alike as far as body types it's crazy!  I, too, stay really tired, especially these last couple of weeks, and then to have my caridiologist tell me this last Tuesday that the most recent issues I've been experiencing are just going to be what they are for at least the next year was really almost more than I could handle.  But, I sure won't lose any additional weight by quitting that's for sure, and I have lost some weight and some inches since starting this challenge so I have to just keep reminding myself of that.  I don't normally share this information, but what they hay....I was 128 lbs. when I was married in 1985, and I'm 5' 10" tall.  At the beginning of my challenge, I was 229 lbs., and I'm currently measuring 5' 8" tall (thanks to Osteoperosis at age 44, 45 in November).  I don't have a horrible curve or anything like that, but have less height than I did then, plus the extra weight, less the weight I've lost thus far in the challenge. Add to that the sensations or mimicking of a heart attack (which apparently are normal sensations from the nerves trying to heal around my pacemaker pouch and incision four months post surgery), like I said earlier today, I just needed a good kick in the butt to get me going again with my attitude.  I think it helps to when you have the support of friends and family, and lately, our schedule has been so hectic, that everyone around my house has wanted to eat out or eat what's handy so it's been even more of a challenge to try to stick to the plan, but I have been sticking with it even if we eat out.  I'm proud to say that pre-challenge, I would have had that "frosting in the eyes" look (lol).  Now, I make the healthy choice, correct portions, etc.!  I'm doing this program not only for the weight loss, but as a preventative for Diabetes, which is what ultimately killed my mom at only 68 years old, and Alzheimer's Diseases which claimed my father a short time later.  I know I can't change the fact I have Osteoperosis, but I can delay it's effects, and I can continue to make the heart healthy choices to prevent heart disease even though the electrical portion of my heart is damaged.  I guess I've now written you a book.  Sorry!  You did want me to post right?  LOL.  It's late, and I guess I got carried away because your earlier post just really made me step back and re-assess why I started the program in the first place.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  

I want you to stay encouraged because you are an encouragement to me and to others.  Without each other, this would be so much more difficult.   I will do my best to post more often.

By the way, I don't know where you live, but I live in Florida.  I'm sponsoring and participating in our local Heart Walk on October 1st.  I've been really busy with that as well, but have over 30 walkers signed up jut on my team.  I'm pumped about that!  Anyway, have a great night and rest of the week!

Hi Everyone--checking in for Day 54.  Just 30 more days and Challenge 1 will be complete...I am SOOOO counting down.  =)  

Karla - thanks for opening up and sharing about yourself.  It always seem that something in life will try to get in the way of our progress(kids, work, health issues...just LIFE!).  And you really are making tremendous strides towards great progress so please don't ever forget that.  The weight that you have lost so far, didn't come overnight so you really shouldn't be too hard on yourself.  It took work and planning and dedication because if you didn't do any of those things, you'd have been where you started.  

I have to admit I'm definitely making more conscious choices about what I eat.  I really do think twice now before I just put something in my mouth.  Some days I do feel a bit over obsessive about the carb/protein/calorie count and it drives me nuts getting so carried away and overwhelmed with trying to stick to the rules.  I guess I just want to see the results so badly so I'm just overthinking all my food and calorie intake.  

My mother suffers from diabetes and she has a hunched back, probably from poor posture and the extra weight she carried around her belly area for a good part of her life.  I don't want to end up like her and I have tried to make more conscious effort to not slouch when I'm sitting.  Moreso alot of the issues she's facing now, may have been prevented had she been more aware and perhaps made more effort towards her own health.  Still a bad force of habit but I think going through this program is making me realize alot of poor habits I've developed and not really consider twice before.  I think we owe it to ourselves and loved ones to at least try and set a good example when we can.  

I live in Northern CA, bay area.  Good for you on the Heart Walk--that's great you are giving back and raising health awareness.  Please do try to post when you can, although I know you're very busy.  Keep up the amazing work, effort and discipline thus far.  It may take us a few challenges but it is great to know we are each other's support.  

Have a great BFL day peeps!