General Diet Plans and Questions - Hi all! Mrs. Jim was talking about you all...

So I thought I would stop by.

Looks like you have a GREAT support system here. I'll have to pop my head in every once in a while. ;)

Pam...........hi there..........have never spoken to you before but have heard wonderful things from Mrs.Jim.........and well anyone who goes to L&S......plus..........I have read your profile........as well as the article in Energy magazine.........

I would like to say you look wonderful.....

You see.........I heard about BFL about ooooooohhhhhhh 2.5 yrs ago from my brother........who follows BFL........and well was a tad bit skeptical when I saw the photos for the book.......I figrued it was just a gimmick.........until I landing on the BLF thread on this site.......and when I saw........actual everyday people......with home pics.........I was in awe........and every transformation from that moment on........made me believe.......or should I say know without a doubt.......that I could do this too......

You are an inspiration.........*I know that isn't the first time you have heard that*..........all the best to you and your family......

and thanks for stopping in.....

Kelly....

It thrills me to no end to be able to inspire people out there. Everyone is able to inspire a unique circle of people. You never know who you have been inspiring!!;)

Live life with no regrets... go for your dreams!!

Pam :lol:

Wow! What a surprise!!!

Didja see our BFL thread (started by our own Susanje (SJ at L&S) last year??) I am so thrilled that you came by to visit us!!

Note to all non-BFL people: Pam is one of the most inspiring people you could ever hope to meet or hear about...her story is featured in the latest issue (Jan/Feb 2002) of Energy for Women magazine...not only is she inspiring and motivating but also one of the kindest, sweetest people I've ever spoken to...check out her before and after pix at www.leanandstrong.com 's Transformation Gallery!

Do stop by again - we have a lot of folk here at 3FC who would LOVE your brand of motivation! Take care sweetie...and I will see you at the L&S Challenge in North Carolina (YES I am planning on attending!).

My gracious!!

Pam, welcome! This place is what got me to L&S and also to read your inspiring story. You left a very kind post regarding my profile over there about being "solid."

Several amazing women here have also helped inspire me to stay the course. Like yourself, they are far too humble about themselves, and all of you show me every day that it can be done!

Blessings!

I checked out the thread Mrs. Jim; What a awesome transformation; looking at her at 244 lbs, I have never weighed anything near that..and to think how she transformed her body, she looks good at 188.


She is proof it can be done!! Thanks for sharing..

I hope to keep inspiring where I can. Everyone has a group of people they can inspire because those people can relate to them best.

Who do you plan on inspiring? Everyone of you can!!!:)

I'm going to attempt to attach Pam's pix...
You can see this same collage (larger size) in the L&S Transformation Gallery...

PAM!! You look AMAZING!!! :eek:

I am still in the process of reading my Body For Life book so I'm new to the Program. But seeing your pictures has truly inspired me to reach my goal!! Thanks so much!!

Hi Pam!!!!

I haven't talked to you in a while but I think about you every day!
I have been struggling so much since being sick last summer (right after I completed a very successful C1) and struggling with my health and schedule and one doctor telling me this and another telling me that and law school just being so difficult in the second year (not as hard as first but much more busy). It seems like every single day I feel some big life challenge just to get through each day. When I get really frustrated (as I have been lately) I think Pam did it...I can do it. I know you had some backslides after one of your challenge and I know you kept plugging away and that is what keeps me in the game. I haven't finished a C2 in spite of numerous attempts since August and I'm very very very frustrated but I think of you and I know that as long as I don't quit, I'm still okay and I keep going....I am taking it one day at a time and trying to do my very best each day. and being honest about it...I think I was feeling like giving up...but I keep going thanks to people like you and MrsJim and others who just keep doing it.

I haven't posted on L&S in a looooooooooooooooooong time because I love it there and would like to do nothing else but hang out all day there. I miss everyone there...but like the BFL threads here...especially with our own MrsJim as our big cheerleader (walking the talk as well as she does).

I am happy you showed up (andQZ a week or so ago) here. I love you lady! Thanks for being you.
Susanje (SJ on L&S)

Keep on going!! You CAN do it! Here's something I posted on LEANandSTRONG just last night...

It's not the person who falls down the least number of times who succeeds...
it is the person who picks him/herself up the most number of times who succeeds.

I can relate. When I was finally able to master the art of rejuvenating my motivation after "failure", I became more
successful.

It used to be if I ate a cookie, I would feel so guilty that I would eat a few more, then the day was shot so I ate poorly the
rest of the day, well then, the week was shot, so I would eat poorly the rest of the week and restart my "diet" on Monday.
Now, if I falter and eat something I didn't plan on eating, I write it off, pick myself up, remind myself why I am doing this
(for me) and I get right back to healthy eating. What a difference this has made for me.

Bill was right when he pointed out "progress, not perfection".

Thought this might be a helpful message for you. Continue to work on mastering your so-called failures (they are really NOT failures) and move on. You WILL succeed!! :) :D

:wave: Just thrilled that you popped in here! I read your L&S post today about falling and getting back up again - progress not perfection. I loved the post and I couldn't help but chuckle because it reminded me of something funny that happened to me last year.

I had started doing self talk in my head to try and conquer the food monster. When he comes out I open the door and then say oh well you're here - you might as well stay awhile - the guest that never leaves. Anyway I was concentrating so hard on this in my head one day "I am not going to eat you - You don't have control in my life". Much to my dismay I looked up at the people sitting on the bus staring at me. I realized that I must have said it out loud! I laughed "my you know what off" after I got off at the next stop.

For me it's about taking responsibility for my health and my life and forgiving myself when I am not perfect! I also try to keep my thoughts to myself now!

Thanks Pam for remembering where you started and giving us all the inspiration to do it too! And I don't mean just the physical aspect because I know you had alot of other things to contend with at the time - and sometimes THAT is where you build your real strength.

Mentioned this before on a previous thread...

but for those of you lurkers/posters who are suffering from the dreaded malady of "Scale Addiction", whose every mood swing focuses on the number you saw in the bathroom this morning...and those of you who have been torturing yourselves on limited calorie and low fat unliveable diets trying to get down to that elusive 'goal weight'...who believe that the scale really matters...

Check out the Jan/Feb issue of Energy for Women...read the story about Pam...look at the pix...and know this: Pam's scale weight was 160 pounds (5'6" tall) at the time those photos were taken!!

Need I say more? ;)

Is that issue still on the stands? I have not been able to find it.
:(

Susan -

Check at Tower Records, the one near my house had a slew of 'em...I was just there on Sunday (after my free meal at Kincaids...yummy...).

I felt like running around the store showing everyone page 122 and saying SEE! You CAN do this too!!!!!

Come to think of it, we were at Tower a couple weeks prior and I don't remember seeing Energy...could be they just got their copies late - remember it's still a new magazine...

this thread...don't want it to go too far down the board without people getting a chance to see Pam's great pix!

And I'm positive that Pam would answer any questions you might have for her...she is one great gal!

Have a great weekend all - I'll see ya on the BFL thread!

Hello Pam (and all BFLers)

I am on my first challenge (week four) and really loving it. I just wanted to say that although i had already started I was still looking for a transformation that would be similar to my own - and it was the photo's of your first challenge in the calender(although I didn't know it was you) that gave me the final bit of convincing.

You could paste my head on your before photo and it would look exactly like me, so seeing someone who had started from where I am gave me a lot of hope.

I also really struggle with scales addiction, so to hear what you weigh is also VERY encouraging.

I just really wanted to say thankyou for sharing your life with us - I'm off now to try and find your story.

Thankyou!

Carps

MrsJim:

I went to Tower and to 2 other bookstores and no energy. I wonder if there is a way to order a copy of the magazine. Someone at school asked me what I was looking for and I told them and they didn't get it so the next day I brought Pam's pix in
to school and they thought they were doctored but even Pam's entire face has changed so that is not even possible. After about 10 minutes they had to admit that they believed the pix were real.
WELL OF COURSE THEY ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:D

Some people are just so jerky about everything.

Susan

Susan - didja get my PM? Check your box.

Pam called me last night!!!! To let me know her email and internet is down until Sunday...it was so much fun to talk to her on the phone - I can't wait to meet her in person (hopefully this July in NC).

I actually carry Pam's progress pix with me in my gym jacket to show to people...saying "see...she did it...YOU can do it too..." of course not everyone's goal is to be in competition shape but just to become fit, muscular, LEAN, rather than doing fad diets that just leave you 'skinny-fat'...I used to dream of being 'thin' but really, who wants to be thin and shapeless? I want to look good in a bikini, not just look okay as long as I'm covered up...

Didn't want anyone here at 3FC to miss Pam's pix in this thread!

I've said it before...but it bears repeating...Pam is PROOF POSITIVE that yes, you CAN DO IT!!! You CAN transform yourself! It's hard work, but believe me, the fruits of your efforts make the work MORE than worthwhile....

I love feeling :strong: that I can take on the world!!! Trust me - even though I'm nowhere near where Pam is (yet...) being fit is a great feeling!!!

re: Pam's Pix

MrsJim: isn't the second pix of Pam after her one year on BFL? And as I recall, she went off plan after one of those challenges and regained some weight? So that is really not even a perfect one year on BFL and the difference is AMAZING. The 3rd and 4th were after working with a trainer for a bb contest after her one year on BFL. I'm sure the one year on BFL really primed the muscles to get into that kind of shape. :strong:

It still amazes me when I look at those pix.
Susan

This is quoted from the article on Pam in the January/Feb issue of Energy (still on newsstands - or I think you can order it directly - go to www.musclemedia.com and click on the "Energy for Women" link).
At the end of her first 12 weeks, Pam dropped from 49% body fat to 38% and lost 35 pounds. She wasted no time entering her second Challenge, which brought her from 38% to 25% body fat. By the end of her 3rd challenge, she gained 16 pounds of muscle, weighed 164 pounds and trimmed her bodyfat to 15%. "I felt like I'd arrived, so I gave myself a break for the holidays. By March (2001), my body fat had drifted back to 25%."

Pam had no trouble getting her eating habits back in line. As her muscles became more visible, she started considering bodybuilding competitions. "I went to Boulder to watch a competition, and when I saw the women on stage, I knew I could be up there, too."...

Pam's hard work and discipline paid off. She won first place in the Women's Novice category of the 2001 NPC Cyto Charge Colorado State Bodybuilding Championship and placed second overall in the Women's Open Heavyweight category (this was in July 2001!).


And according to her document in the Lean & Strong Training Library, her first three challenges were done 'by the book' for the most part...

Yes, that is what I remember about her story (not the specifics, but generally) that she thought she had it and her body fat drifted upward. Same thing happened to me when I got sick and just didn't workout and then I let the food go and then........ :(
oh well, you guys know the story. I think that is WHY Pam inspires me. If she had done it perfectly, well I would think that she is just one of those people I can't be. I can't be like people I can't identify with, but I can identify with Pam. She also did the challenges without MRPs if I recall and I'm trying that this challenge. It's harder but I feel healthier. I will have a MetRx Berry Blast with frozen strawberries about once or twice a week. :T

Anyway, I'm doing well this challenge and I think going back and reading a lot of Pam's stuff is helping as well as MrsJim's phenomenol progress and hard work. THANKS!!!!!!

Susan

I know swimsuit season is fast upon us - when the weather gets warmer - a lot of folks are tempted to try the gimmicky 'quick weight loss diets' that are so prevalent on the 'Net.

Pam Brown is so inspiring...she's like a double shot of motivation. Read back to the beginning of this thread...check out her pics...and remember that it was just in January 2000 that she was at her lowest ebb and highest weight - and look at her now...

Just thought that a lot of people here would be chirked up a bit when they saw the results of making PERMANENT and lasting lifestyle changes in both diet and exercise - instead of trying the 'Band-Aid' quick fix solution...take care all!

I am so thrilled that I can be an inspiration to you all. It has become my absolute passion in life to inspire others and uplift them to be the best person they can be.

Yes, you are right, I definately did not achieve what I have with perfection. I've had a couple of ups and downs. I still have to treat each day that presents itself to me with respect. I use it wisely and make good choices. When I don't, I pay the consequences. It's learning how to respect and love yourself enough to give yourself the very best every day that you are given on this earth.

I'm rooting for all of you!!! :D

Thank you Pam. I know that I think about you when I don't want to work out, when I'm working out and feel pooped before I'm done and when I'm not hitting 10s and you inspire me to work HARDER. I still find what you've accomplished to be amazing and I ALWAYS appreciate the information and inspiration that you provide. Right now I've been back on BFL (or a modified version that I do which is actually more grueling than BFL in some ways and not as grueling in other ways) since the beginning of February. After my health/medication difficulties all fall and early winter, it feels SO good to be working hard and eating clean. I really was discouraged and frustrated all winter and feeling poorly and putting on weight and bloat from inactivity and medication. Now I am back in the game thanks to inspiration from you and MrsJim and all the great support here at 3fc. Thanks again!

Susan

Question for those of you doing Body-for-Life who have gone below double digits in pant size.

What is your:
Age, height, weight, frame size, pant size, measurements, highest weight, body fat % (before & after) etc., and how long did it take to get where you are now?

I found the following on this board and copied them, hope you don't mind.

Mrs. Jim
weight: 148-150 pounds
height: 5'4"
jean size: 4 regular
tops: small or medium
bra size: 34 B/C
panties: Jockey size 4/5
Highest weight: 265 pounds

Pam Brown
weight: 160 ?
height: 5'6"
Highest weight: 244 pounds

Good questions, all!

I really have no idea what my body fat percentage is. I don't like getting all hung up with numbers and whatnot. Personally, I use the "pants-o-meter", measuring tape, and progress photos to keep track...

Pam's bodyfat was 49% in Jan 2000 when she started, and 5% in August 2001 (keep in mind though that at that time, she was prepped for a bodybuilding contest - I think she maintains around 12%-15% BF normally).

I can tell ya that back when I was 265 I was in a size 24/26 (or 2X/3X depending on the manufacturer). When I started BFL last year, I was wearing a size 10...

I don't know if Pam is going to have a chance to check this thread - she's been tremendously busy lately - but I CAN direct you to a document she posted at www.leanandstrong.com last August - with her stats: http://66.34.72.178/cgi-bin/filelib/library.cgi?forum=train&read=000073-000000.msg&session=3ce047381bd9c5f1&use_last_read=on&last_read=0

Click on the link, then on the hyperlink with the upload file.

Hope that helps!

I started BFL Jan1, 2002 and am currently in C2W7.
I had previously lost 40 lbs on "Sugarbusters" and exercising alot (weights and cardio). I started Sugarbusters at 175 lbs and a size 16.

Jan 1, 02
Age: 47
HT:5'3
weight: 137
pants size: 8
frame: meduim
bra: 36C
body fat%: 28

Today (May 13, 2002)
weight 134
pants size: 6 petite or 4 regular
bra: 36B
body fat: about 18-19%

As you can see, my weight has barely changed, but I've gone down a pants size, and really changed the muscle/fat ratio. I look and feel a lot better, tho there is still quite a lot of work to be done!

Hope this helps. mel

Hey Sandy

I thought I would add my details to your list;

JC
weight: 177 pounds
height: 5'4"
jean size: 14 regular (that's Aussie which I think is an 8 there?)
tops: medium/sometimes small
bra size: 34 D/DD
panties: Bonds size 12 (which would be a 6/7 there?) :dizzy:
Highest weight: 217 pounds
BF%: October 2001 39% :o
BF%: April 2002 24%

Mrs Jim:
Yes it's me JC - I thought that I would finally jump in and post something in here since I have been lurking forever! So HI from me! :D

Hi Sandy --

Stats for carriej:

1/1/2000
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 185 (highest)
Bodyfat: 47%
Clothing size: 20

Lost some fat but also some muscle on food pyramid followed by Atkins. Started BFL on 8/20/01.

8/20/2001
Weight: 160
Bodyfat:42%
Clothing size: 16

11/11/2001
Weight: 150
Bodyfat: 33%
Clothing size: 12-14

2/9/2002
Weight: 147
Bodyfat: 30%
Clothing size: 12

5/12/2002
Weight: 145
Bodyfat: 26%
Clothing size: 10 pants, 8 tops

Not all of us make the dramatic changes that Pam and some of the others did, but we still get much-needed fat loss and lean gains. Bodyfat and pants-o-meter changes can be slow after the first challenge, but they still happen. Scale weight isn't a good indicator -- I mostly use it to figure out my lean weight, which has gone up from 92 to 107 lbs!

Carrie

WOW! Congratulations to all of you! I'm very impressed!

I'm going to quit worrying about the scale and keep working out. I always seem to quit my workouts after about 2 & 1/2 months because the scales never seems to budge much the I get depressed. Well, not this time thanks to all of you. I'm in week 4 of working out and eating right. I'm not doing BFL now but I think I'm going to re-read the book and start next week.

Thanks everyone!

Please continue to add your stats. I need the motivation!

Also, what is everyone's body type and now long before you lost a pant size?

Just to add to your last question I am an hourglass shape. I tend to lose weight off my waist and upper body first and my legs last.

I lost my first size at about week 10 of my first challenge. In 2 & 1/2 challenges I have dropped 3 sizes in total.

JC

MrsJim, why haven't you updated your homepage since Sept? I am so interested to see how you are doing! ;)

I've just been super busy with work, working out, horseback riding, babysitting, etc. etc....

I've been posting my latest pix in the Transformation Gallery at www.leanandstrong.com but one of these days I'll get a few hours to update my Geocities website...

Thanks and take care!

OK maybe it's just because I'm ignorant or somehow missed the comet everyone else is on but I have to ask- WHAT IS BODY FOR LIFE???? I saw the lean and strong site and still am not quite sure. The results on all those people were amazing!!! I WANT TO BE ONE OF THEM! Already I've passed my mother and am moving on to my Grandmother's size! I've been large ever since I can remember but it went past being large to extra large after the birth of my two children (Barrett is one and Mayra is two). I am at my highest weight now (not including pregnancy weights) of 196 and size 18 - I'm only 21 and the way things go in my family if I don't stop it now it'll just get worse. I feel like I'm running out of hope and TIME. Maybe you've got the answers, because I sure as heck don't! Please help if you can!:dizzy:

Didn't you see the Body for Life Thread on the Diet Plans Forum? Come on in - the water's fine!

Lean & Strong is also a great place to go to ask questions - most of us 3FC BFLers hang out there as well (in fact, Pam Brown is a regular there as you probably figured out by now).

Susanje posts the following at the beginning of each new BFL thread: Basic Body for Life Information

Must Have: Body for Life book by Bill Phillips

BFL eating program in a nutshell (see book for more details): six meals a day 2-3 hours apart consisting of balanced (or close to balanced) protein/carb using fist (carbs) palm (protein) method of measurement. 2 meals a day add green veggies. 8-10 glasses of water per day.

Because of the six meal requirement, some people find it convenient to have Meal Replacement Drinks on hand. This is not a requirement but a convenience.

Meal Replacement Shakes. Look for good ratios of protein to carb and low sugar (Myoplex Lite by EAS and Met Rx not anything like Slimfast [which is all sugar!]) or use Protein Powder and add carbs such as fruit. If you shop at www.netrition.com the page for each product will list carbs/proteins/fats/sugars. check the labels carefully! If you like to add carbs, go for a low carb but keep your protein/carb grams in mind. Some of the protein shakes have protein grams as high as 42 and this is usually too much for one BFL meal for any woman so split these in 2 and add carbs.

Vitamins: suggest multivitamin

Supplements: l-glutamine for faster muscle recovery and immune system (this is not required but almost standard fare on BFL)

Essential Oils: Recommended. Udos is the most recommended.

Workout schedule (see book for more details): 45-60 minutes intense weight trainining 3 times a week working lower and upper body on different days. 20 minutes intense cardio 3 x a week (see the BFL book)

Free Day: One day a week no workout and eat any thing you please, as much as you please.

Rest: 12 weeks of program with one day of rest each week and then one week of rest between each 12 weeks.

Mental requirements: commitment and dedication

Results: AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It gives you a basic rundown, but you really need to read the book to get the full flavor. Check your library - they should have it as it was/is a bestseller! It's a pretty easy read and SO worth it - don't forget the chapter on "Crossing the Abyss".

BFL has totally changed my life - I feel so great, so STRONG and attractive...you have no idea...

Thank you so much for the info! If you don't mind my asking, what size are you now, and how does that compare to how much you weigh? I've seen a lot of people saying they weigh a lot but they're sizes were low, like fours!!! I've never been a size four and thinking that I could weigh the same but fit into one of those skimpy nothings is unfathomable!

Actually I AM one of those people.

Begin at the beginning of this thread, I believe I put my stats in there somewhere. I'm a size four myself (my largest size was a 3X or 24/26). I started BFL wearing a size 10.

You can see my latest photos at the www.leanandstrong.com Transformation Gallery...

MrsJim, I hope you don't mind me me doing this. You are looking sooooooo good, just wanted everyone else to see.

Thank you for posting thatn Sandy.

MrsJim, you are incredible!!!! You must post that polka dotted dress pix next to that!!!

Woohoo!!!! It is possible for VERY overweight women to be BUFF!!!!! (Thank you Pam and MrsJ for all the inspiration!)

O...M...G...I'm speechless :lol:

Hopefully my July pix (remember I'll be at "Lift for the Cure" in July and QZ will be posting pix from the event) will show my legs a lot leaner...

I am honored that I would even be considered anywhere near as inspirational as Pam - but I am glad to help anyone and everyone achieve their goals...

as Pammie says "Go for your dreams!"

(She's gonna be at LFTC too...can't wait to meet her...)

Take care all!

https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=liftcure%40leanandstrong.com&item_name=Lift+for+the+Cure&item_number=liftcure"

Just finished inserting it into my signature here!!!

Thanks dude!

Listen to two Pam Brown interviews, click below:

http://www.bodychangers.com/pbrown_inter.shtml

Way to go!
Thanks for the inspiration.
I needed it. Ready to get off the plateau and am moving in the right direction. Just wish you had a home page to go to. :)

Start at first weight (probably gained 10 after, but didn't weigh)
#276
Currently
#163

Refuge, Sounds like you're doing pretty awesome yourself, down to 163 from 276 or more!!!