Congratulations, Brenda!  You're my hero!  I'm 49, on Day 3, and so far to go!  But here's my thinking...It will take me probably 3 rounds of the Challenge to get to my goal, which is to get from 220-and-soft to 148-and-firm.  That's 36 weeks, with 2 weeks off every 12 weeks, so 40 weeks total, 280 days.  So I'm counting down from 280!  You'd think that'd be overwhelming, but for some reason, right now, it's not.  Perhaps because I realize that 276 days from now is not an end-point, but the day before BFL is just my lifestyle.   I'm also considering it part of my tuition to become a Certified Personal Trainer.  I want to reach my goal to give me credibility, for one thing.  I have been a registered Physical Therapist for 25 years.  I will be 50 in July.  I am ready for a career change.  I realize from PT to CPT isn't that huge a leap in some ways, and some would consider it a leap backward perhaps.  But not me.  I worked for most of 22 years with injured or diseased adults, and I have worked the past three years in several local public schools with mainstreamed handicapped kids, constantly dealing with the changing landscape of the healthcare system among other challenges.  It.  is.  tough.  (Except for the school calendar, which I love!)  But I am looking forward to working with relatively "healthy" adults, who are motivated to change, who need someone to help them keep and build on that motivation, who can show them that it can be done because I've done it.  I feel like I have just set sail on a ship toward an exciting destination.  I have a purpose, a goal, a realization that it won't be all sunshine and fair skies, but I am determined, and perhaps I can be the 2012 47+ female Champion!!!  :D

Kbert, I have to say I'm there with you on this, I am a firm believer in the program as it is, I've just completed my first week and while the scale shows only a couple of pounds difference I feel different! I can feel the strength returning, slowly but steadily. I can see where it leads and it's exciting. When I read the book it made sense to me, the approach seemed solid and straight forward I understood it well enough to know this is my way back to a healthy strong life. For me right now I'm locked in this, no looking back, no slowing down!!

It's great to see the passion you have for this it's inspiring, and let's me know that I'm on the right path

Congratulations bmarks!!

You look great and inspire us all!

Hey drizzydrake,

I'm on day 7 and just getting started picking up steam, I can feel the momentum and I have to say it feels great!

RoniF and wrench42 - thanks much - keep up the awesome work!  Enjoy your free day (if today's your day)!  Just got back from a "brisk" walk - 10 degrees out so a little chilly!  I think I'll splurge today with refried beans/black beans/salsa dip and a few tortilla chips.  Still somewhat healthy but can "cheat" so I can get to a fresh start tomorrow a.m. with UBWO!!  Have a great day!  

bmarks - just a belated congrats on 47+ female Champion 2011! That is fantastic.

I can tell you have great dedication..."brisk" walk - 10 degrees. I have done some runs like that...they can be fantastic. The first mile is a little rough as youa re cold but then your body warms up and it seems like you can go for a long time without over heating.

I am sure you have some great advice on how to overcome the mid program blahs. I am on week six a little ahead of this blog which I love. I have not missed a WO yet, and in fact last week I double up the cardio and did cardio on the weight lifting days. I have noticed that this week for some reason I am not as enthusiastic as I was when I started even though I am seeing results.

I am working on the mental side of motivation. I tell myself this is a life style change and like all changes there are struggles. I am not in danger (yet) of throwing in the towel. It is too important to me now. I am telling myself mentally that it is not a mandate to workout, but a privilege, after all how many people cannot even physically do that. That seems to help and when that doesn't I tell myself that my motivated 16 year old daughter is upstairs doing her homework every day without me pushing her. So what kind of role model would I be by whinning about doing the workouts or even worst not doing them. Funny when they are done, I feel great. I have to do more to remember that!

Anyway, I did not want this to sound like a whin... just wanted to also say way to go 47+ female Champion 2011 and that this has got me over some doubts about my ability to move forward on the program!

Hi all, I'm following this (lsopow changed to LorraineS) and find you are so inspirational as I am gearing up to start next Sunday!!!!  I have to admit to freaking out a bit (for lack of a better term) knowing that I have to make the time available after I come home from work and before I make dinner for the family.... need to get my head into being ultra organized.  Mornings for me used to be better but then I started on therapy for MS and sometimes there are unpleasant side effects the following day which make mornings a bit slower.  So by the time I get home from work I actually feel better, so will be doing my workouts then.  A bit nervous.  I used to weight train quite intensely about 5 years ago and I know that I have to start much slower this time, and I don't want to feel like I am "slacking" in doing so.  Just head games with myself at this point I know.  I really am getting excited!!!  You all are a great source of positivity..... we can all get this done.  50 is only the beginning of the next 50 years I think!!!

Hi Everyone,

Looking forward to an awesome Week 2!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Good morning everyone!  It's going to be an AWESOME week!  Looking forward to it after my free day yesterday (YUCK!)

Healthy food sounds SOOO much better - and can't wait to do UBWO - one fun thing I do to keep my work-outs "happy" (and posted) is to get a colorful batch of stickers.  Have a seperate sticker for cardio, upper body, and lower body workouts.  Place the sticker on your calendar upon completion of your work-out.  It's rewarding (and not to mention "colorful") and gives you a sense of accomplishment at the end of the week (or month, for that matter!)

Another easy task (and a great way to keep hydrated), is to re-fill a bunch (10-20) of gatorade (SoBee water, etc.) plastic bottles.   My boys and I are MUCH more likely to grab a cold water out of the fridge versus any other beverage.

On that note, I'll let you off to start your awesome day!  Keep posting!  Keep up the great work . . . you CAN do it.   MAAAAAN you're gonna' look good this summer!

bmarks

47+ female Champ 2011!

How is everyone doing?

Have a great day!

Spaterra - how's it going for you?  Anxious to hear how you're feeling.  bmarks

Brenda

I would love to talk to you off this thread, I will try to friend you

S

Hey, is anyone still on this thread??

Still with ya spaterra...

...week six for mebut I like hangin' here as well...

...this is my first BFL and I plan on finishing it to the end and hopefully a life style change!

...I am in the mid program doldrums....

eating a little more this week and the past..

but doing double workout both weeks...cardio then either lifting or another cardio on the same day.

Seems to be helping...haven't missed a workout yet since I started but for some reason they are a little harder this week. Maybe doubles are too much for me right now.

We'll get over the program hump of week 6 and then on to the finish. You, bmark and others have been great keeping me moving forward.

Hopefully Wrench (the starter of the thread) is also doing well. I am with you LorraineS, 50 is only the beginning...and so it starts.

Keep moving forward group!

I am in week 2 and I have to say that I am suffering severe exhaustion.

I cannot get up in the morning or stay awake @ night.

This week has been terrible. I am even tired @ work.

I have been keeping up with the cardio and the weight workouts, however unable to complete all sets on the weights as of yet. Nutrition has been fine, I am tired now. This is really baffling me, any thoughts?