Weight and Resistance Training - BFL/BB #77 - week of 18 Nov 2002

Woo! Sorry I was so late in starting a new thread!

Been a busy weekend for me - at the stables...then buckled down and CLEANED THE HOUSE big time...babysitting...plus Jim and I bought our Christmas present early this year - we don't give each other presents - what we do is buy something for the house. Last year it was a new TV and a DVD player - this year it's a surround-sound system (of course, with Jim being a musician and all, he likes the big theatre sound!). Took him all afternoon to get it working, and he'll be adjusting the speakers for the next month or so until it sounds perfect. I'm so glad HE enjoys doing that stuff, because I truly don't! I DID splurge on myself though - bought a Rio Sport MP3 player (my old Discman bit the dust around April of this year and I've been working out without music since then). I gotta tell you gals - it is AWESOME - so easy to download songs into that little gizmo - and NO SKIPPING! :) I didn't realize how much I missed having my tunes when working out!!! Too kewl! :lol:

Let me try and work my way backwards here...

CAC - WELCOME! Doing BFL as a vegetarian - depends on what SORT of vegetarian you are (speaking from someone who was a vegetarian - mostly lacto-ovo but with occasional forays into vegan - from 1991-2000). It CAN be done, but I can't see a vegan (no animal products at all) doing it successfully. Protein is so important in this - and soy protein isn't the greatest thing for building muscle unfortunately as it's not a 'complete' protein. If you can allow dairy and eggs into your diet - then you have a much better chance of success. And if you're a fish eating vegetarian - so much the better. I must say that once I gave up my vegetarian diet I felt MUCH better and healthier - I was borderline anemic for awhile due to lack of iron. But different strokes for different folks...you can also check at www.leanandstrong.com - I believe there are several vegetarians there...

Ledom - when traveling the first thing I do is check for a gym - and there should be one available in the area unless you're going to REALLY be in the sticks...check on the websites for 24 Hour Fitness, Gold's, World, Bally's or at www.heathclubs.com to see if there's one in the area. Other options are local community colleges, Park & Rec Center...YMCA...and also check the Yellow Pages as well for 'independent' gyms. Most gyms will allow you to buy a one-week membership if you're just traveling. I've never used resistance bands as generally speaking the places I travel to, I can find facilities without much trouble.

Sweet Chick - Your freeday hangover sounds like the ones I used to have...don't stress too much about it! IMO the first 12 weeks are the 'learning curve' of BFL. Especially if you've been dieting for your whole life, having the freedom of a day where you can eat what you want without guilt tends to make you (at first) want to eat everything you've ever wanted. Trust me - if you're eating clean the other six days of the week...you will eventually get over that Free Day bacchanalia. In my first challenge, my breakfasts were OBSCENE to say the least! Now I just have a Pamcake and I'm happy with that...yesterday I had a regular burrito and a frozen yogurt, and a few pieces of kappa maki (cucumber roll sushi). One valuable piece of advice that Susanje (where ARE you girl?!?) gave me a long time ago for Free Day is: KEEP DRINKING YOUR WATER on Free Day - shoot for a gallon if possible. Believe me, it really helps!

Gotta get back to work - I have to leave early today as our heater is being repaired this afternoon - so I'll likely be checking in again!

Hey guys,

Well I am at home for the second day and I am as sick as a dog. The doctor has me on anti-biotics since I have a viral throat infection of some type. Yesterday morning I couldn't swallow without wanting to cry. Of course both my diet and exercise have given way to rest and throat relievers.

I hope all is well with everyone! :D

JC

PS I hope that I get better soon!

a quick howdy. Sorry your not feeling well JC. I hope you are feeling better today.

Hmmm, an MP3 player. That could be just the right christmas gift for my D's christmas present. Gotta get started on that. Glad to hear you got to replace your discman Karen.

All is well on the BFL front at the moment for me.

Hello again,

Wow it's quiet around here! I am back at work today and feeling a bit better but still the worse for wear. I am sick of tissue and medicine but I guess it comes with the territory. My throat is feeling better at least so I can eat again.

How's everyone going?

JC :D :D

so far so good this week.....my day off on sunday was terrible, ate too much. Didn't feel well...i am trying a different plan for my next day off.

I felt guilt about what I ate, how I felt. ....but i did learn that if the food is there...i will eat it....so i guess i can't order pizza....end of story...seems pretty simple..

I have been eating clean so far this week....and life is good...

one_sweetchick:o

AACK! SO busy this week...getting ready for yet another meeting amongst the million other things I have to do...

It's been so quiet around here - whassup everyone? This week it has been really tough getting out from under the blankets early in the morning...Sparky has been snuggling down under the covers as well - however I have not missed a workout! Once I get out of bed and get movin', I don't have a problem - having tunes helps immeasurably as well!

Sweet Chick - I think I've stated this before - but my Free Days in my first challenge - and even into the second challenge - were just like that. Believe me, if you're eating clean over the week, you'll soon get over the big 'I-must-eat-everything-in-sight' mindset. When I have ice cream - generally it's frozen yogurt now - I don't eat a whole pint anymore, I'm happy with one scoop or one yogurt cone. I just eat it slowly and enjoy the sensation, you know?

One thing you might try - is during the week, if you are craving a certain 'unclean' food - write it down (I have a magnetic note pad on my fridge door). Then on your Free Day (and not before unless you have superhuman willpower!) if you are still craving the food(s) you wrote down, go to the store and buy just enough for that day - the basic thing is not to have any leftovers (actually I just give the leftovers to Jim to take to work the next day!)

JC - I'm lucky I haven't gotten sick this year yet - but all the horses in the stables seem to be coming down with the sniffles. If you want icky, have a horse with a snotty nose sneeze on you. Now THAT's yukky!

Hi all
Just thought I would check in and say I have lost 4 lbs this week. I am on my third week and have lost a total of 6 lbs in two weeks. I am starting to see a small change and know this really works. I am very excited about it. I love getting up before anyone else, head off to the gym and come back to face the day. And I was never a morning person before, but love it now.
Virginia

Had a great arms workout with the trainer at my gym today- he really pushed me hard and boy did I need it! Then came home and realized there was only 1 way the 90 million tons of leaves on our yard were going somewhere else, so I raked for the next 2 hours.

Now, I can't lift my arms above waist level, my lats hurt, and I'm only about 1/3 done the yard :( Took a double dose of glutamine...don't know if an overload does any good or not! Doing leaves on arm day is probably not a good idea!

JC- I sure hope you feel better! DH has got it too, and I'm keeping my distance.

Virginia- Good going! but stop weighing yourself! I still haven't convinced myself I like getting up early in the morning. I'm glad someone does.

ledom- you must be near the middle of c1 by now if I'm remembering correctly? How do you feel? Seeing changes? Did you change up your exercises?
OSC- Sounds like you're woing well, also. Good going.

Hi Karen! Think I'll pass on horse sneezes. A dog is bad enough.

mel

Hey guys!

I am still sick but drugged up enough to be at work today. Just trying to swill back as much water as possible to get rid of this virus. Hopefully I will be back on track by the weekend. I hate being off plan like this - I feel so lost. To make matters worse it's hard to sleep at night with the heat and also the crap flowing down to my chest when I am lying down. I had a coughing fit last night - not pretty! At least hubby says that I sound sexy with my throat like this! :lol:

It sure has been quiet here this week - where is everyone?

JC

Thanks for asking about my progress Mel. I am seeing changes, though I'd love them to be even more dramatic (wouldn't we all!). The mental challenge is tough too. I will complete week 8 on Friday so I'm almost 2/3 done. I have lost 10 to 12 lbs. depending on which day I weigh. I fit a lot better into my clothes, but sorry to say none of them are to the point that they are falling off me. Yesterday morning when I looked in the mirror I thought I looked more flabby than before. Would you say that is a symptom of losing fat and having loose skin?

I am trying to put off this trip to take my mom to visit her sick sister until the challenge is over. I just know it would be impossible to do things right, though I'd sure try. I have a strong strong desire to make this 12 weeks as close to perfect as possible.

Hey ledom: YES that is a symptom of losing fat. It gets all jiggly before it gets burnt up. I have the same problem at the moment. I look like I am covered in cellulite and my tummy is almost watery underneath.

Pam B assures me this is all part of the process but it's still new for me!

JC

that is good to know. Now, WHEN is it going to get burnt up!! I mean how long from now? I am thinking about starting a thread on L&S about this.

It takes me a while to remember to answer all your questions Mel. I am going to switch my routine next week. It'll be the last third of the challenge. I am looking forward to it. I am glad I stuck out the exercises I chose for this third because I am starting to do them better. I need to sit down and figure out exactly what I'll do the next 4 weeks though.

I posted last week (2 weeks ago?) about being in a tizzy about a health situation- well, I just wanted to let you all know, I had a breast biopsy done last Monday and it's benign and shrinking! Very relieved.

onwards,
mel

:cp: I'm so please for you. The best holiday news ever, huh?

Oh Mel,
That is fantastic! Glad all is well.
Virginia

Ledom - I just answered your post - my answer probably didn't make a wholllle lotta sense though... :dizzy: I've got a lot of stuff going on right now that's taking up a lot of my time here at work (actual WORK stuff!). Basically - patience and persistence - especially us older gals who've been fat for most of their lives have the toughest time getting the fat off - but if you work hard enough, long enough and strong enough, IT WILL COME OFF. Listen to Funky Diva - she is VERY wise indeed :)

MEL!!! Oh, thank God!!! I remember when Mom had her breast cancer surgery. She had some really great doctors but it was still an ordeal for her - the whole thing took two years. (She had a double masectomy and reconstructive surgery). I would not wish ANYONE to go through that.

JC - sounds like you're doing a lot better...thankfully I haven't been sick this year YET. I'll probably end up catching a cold from the horses - they were all coming down with the sniffs last week - the vet was busy giving shots right and left!

Sorry to make this post so short - got a couple of hot projects cookin' that I gotta get back to! Keep posting gals!

Mel: I had no idea! Thank goodness you are ok..... What would we do around here without you?

Ledom: It really depends on the individual - people burn it off at different stages. I feel like mine was just starting to come off and WHAM! I got sick. Maybe my body is trying to throw me another obstacle to stop me!

Well I feel better today and last night was my first night sleeping throughout the whole night without coughing so I am on the mend. My Mum has the same thing and it has taken her 2 weeks to get over it so I am happy that it has only taken me one week. It was really strange though because I haven't been sick at all in 2 years and the last time was Vertigo not a cold. Before that I hadn't had a cold in ages either. The doctor said that everyone is getting these viruses at the moment because we are in a drought here and so the air is stirring everything up and there is no rain to clean the air out. She said it's irrelevant if you are healthy or not - if your body doesn't have the right anti-bodies to fight that strain - you will get sick. (Can you tell I hate being ill?)

JC

Oh by the way it's SUMMER here so it's very weird to be sick right now!

JC

Hi all,

I've been lurking all this time. I'm still going ok, but am currently having some motivational trouble. I'm getting board with chicken... I know, I know we need to try some new recipies and stuff. ....... sigh ..... It has been raining here for three days straight yesterday there was this great burning orb in the sky.... whoa!!!! I remember that, the sun!!!! We really need the rain, our water supply was getting low and bad tasting. (Lucky we filter our water and that helped some) But, I'm not sure we needed three whole days of continuous rain!!!! I mean, Tofino is the rain capital of BC - not Vancouver!!!!!! I'm beginning to suspect that I am developing SAD. I know I feel way better than before with the clean eating and excercise, but somehow all those benefits have lessened even though I am still eating clean 6 days a week and getting in my workouts. Maybe, I have gotten used to feeling healthy and now it has become pedestrian. Anyhow, I have had all these social occasions to plan. I really think all my free days have been planned for due to birthday parties. My daughters in September, a friends two daughters on different weekends, my sons last weekend and this weekend my DH is turning 40 and I have been forced to throw him a big party. I would really like a free day where I have no obligations! Which brings me to the subject of food as fuel. I believe Mox or Moxie said that that was their biggest hurdle to pass in becoming one with the bfl livestyle. That food is fuel (nothing more, nothing less). I don't know if I can or even want to only think of food as fuel. I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends, and part of that time is eating and I don't know if I want to give that time up. I have adapted quite well to eating clean food, that is not the problem, I just don't know about adapting to taking the social out of food. I'm babbling sorry .....

Ledom: Thanks for the question you posed in L&S. I find myself sometime quite impatient, and, as such, become quite discouraged if I think I am not progressing fast enough. I appreciate your question and the answers it received. Thanks. :)

Mel: I an so happy to hear that you had a succesful outcome with your health issue. I have been thinking positive thoughts for you since you posted initially. I can't imagine how scary and stressful it must have been for you.

I've just started week 9 of my first challange and just changed up my set of excercises, and whoa you'd think I hadn't lifted at all before. Cool, I have always felt that if I don't feel stiff or sore after then I haven't worked hard enough. I was quited interested in the L&S thread re: rank the aspects of the programme. I seemed that most of the experienced people ranked cardio low or optional!!!!! Hurray!!!!!! From a Cardio hater!!!!!!! :D


Patt.

Sorry to hear the cloudy skies have you down. I hope it passes soon. Yeah, try something new to eat this week. I wish I could give you some good ideas. I like things that are super easy, I have been eating cottage cheese in so many ways. Maybe some soup or chili? They are really satisfying to me this time of year and easy too once you have a big pot of it made up. Tonight I went out for supper and had boiled shrimp, that really hit the spot. I am sure when you are thinking about feeding a whole family it is very challengeing. My poor D is a freshman in college and I am starting to see the effects of the "freshman 15" on her, aren't you glad you don't have to go through that again?

Hey starting week 9, you are as good as there - just hang in for 3 more weeks. You've come so far.

I have been pretty lucky w/ free day. I managed to do my b'day on target with BFL. Just requested steak for my dinner out. I will take Thursday as my free day this week as it is the holiday and it would be too cruel not to have that feast day. But truthfully, if it were just me I'd do my normal Sat. free day and forget thanksgiving. That will make a long (1 1/2 week before another free day which I hope doesn't get me all off schedule.)

By the way, would it be ok to have one day free day for food but work out and then take the no workout day on Sat. as I usually do?

Hey you guys!!

Sorry I've been so scarce lately - it's just been a busy time in my life...thank goodness for weekends! I'm babysitting my Precious Niece and Nephew tonight so my sister and her hubby can have one night out together before all you know what breaks loose for Thanksgiving - my other sister (Jen's twin) is coming up from SoCal this weekend, along with her two kids and hubby, plus my parents, and my BIL's great uncle (who is 95 this year) and a couple of neighbors for Thanksgiving. Jen enjoys entertaining but it kind of wears her out after awhile ya know! :) I rented "Scooby-Doo" and "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron" to watch tonight. I actually saw Scooby-Doo on the flight to London and was surprised how funny it was. From what I've heard through my equine lovin' buds, I will probably be crying my eyes out during Spirit!

Whew. ANYWAY. So yer sick of chicken, eh Patt? :lol: I think that happens to ALL of us, especially if all you do is toss a breast onto your George Foreman Grill and sprinkle some seasoning on it. That gets BORING very quickly. Fortunately chicken is pretty versatile...how about making fajitas with chicken strips, Ro-Tel tomatoes, and lots of peppers and other veggies? Something like that? Another great meat is GROUND TURKEY BREAST. Just make sure you buy the extra-lean ground breast - just the regular 'ground turkey' has skin and stuff in it. GTB makes a GREAT meatloaf - add some eggwhites or egg beaters, seasonings, some oatmeal for binding, shape into a loaf, top with some tomato sauce and maybe a slice of extra lean Parma ham, and throw it in the oven for an hour or so (I'm planning on doing that this weekend - kind of experiementing with a recipe - if it works I'll post it on our Recipe thread, along with some others I'm working on in my head).

Another great BFL meal is PAMCAKES or protein pancakes. I think there's a recipe in the recipe thread or you can check the Healthy Recipes section of Lean & Strong - there are TONS of variants.

OH I got my GROW! today - I'm going to try it tonight and see how it tastes. It's all the rage right now at the L&S main board!

Ledom - that question (Free day eating and workout on separate days) has come across quite often at L&S. Personally I wouldn't recommend it - a FREE DAY is also supposed to be a REST DAY. But I know once in awhile ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Actually I'm taking Thanksgiving as a free half day myself - I'll eat my regular meals in the morning, then have the traditional T'giving meal. I mean, there is no way I'm going to pass up Mom's whipped sweet potatoes casserole w/toasted marshmallows on top... or her yummy stuffing and gravy...or the deviled eggs...etc.

More later - gotta jam outta here to sister Jen's.

I am just doing alittle post to say that body for life has been great to me so far....

i got my bf % checked today...so when i started 40.5%...and 34 days later it is down to 29.6%....i am really excited...


one_sweetchick

Well, my third week is over. I am 1/4 of the way there! Doing well so far. Can see and feel a difference already!
Virginia