Weight and Resistance Training - BFL/BB #91 - week of 23 Feb 03

Okay everyone...I know I usually start this on Monday but wanted to get a jump on the week because I know I'm up to my eyeballs at work!!

I know I've been pretty scarce around these parts...there have been a plethora of reasons but the main one is pretty major...I have been thinking of the proper way to say this to you all but I'm just going to come right out and say it.

On Monday, 10 February, after thinking about it for months, I had liposuction of my thighs, hips and flanks...I wanted to have a tummy tuck as well but finances kept me from having both procedures.

Most of you know my history (for those who don't, just check my website and read my past posts here at 3FC) and know that this has been a lifelong journey for me. Bottom line is that even when I was on a comp diet last year (Camp Pam B) I still had pockets of fat on my thighs and hips. Y'all probably know this but fat cells - once they develop - are there to stay unless you have 'em sucked out. Last year when I went to a personal trainer and she tried to take my bodyfat percentage, she had a tough time getting a read on me - because (according to her) I had too much loose skin on my tummy (the 'pooch'). The plastic surgeon I went to for consult (as I stated at L&S) and who did the actual surgery, I trust implicitly - she is a Board-certified, Harvard and Stanford-trained surgeon with over 15 years of experience in plastic surgery. She also did my mother's breast reconstruction as well as my sister's breast lift five years ago - and my sister has NO visible scars now and is still quite happy with her results.

I really started thinking about this during the thread that started last summer here called "Questions about extra skin" (you can find it at http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17407&highlight=Loose+Skin ).

Anyway, my doctor told me that those pockets of fat on my thighs - saddlebags and just over the knees, etc - might get smaller with diet and exercise but would never go away. I've also done quite a lot of research on my own of course - since I had never had "real" surgery before I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing and understood everything that I was getting into.

So for now, I'm not training - just resting and eating as healthy as I can. As soon as my doctor gives me the OK, I'm going to start my program again - I'm considering just doing a 12-week by the book BFL cycle just to get back in the swing of things. Surprisingly, I have felt very little pain - nothing that a Vicodin couldn't handle :) The worst thing about this has been having to sleep on my back (I'm a side and tummy sleeper!) and sitting on the toilet. Oh, and no horseback riding! :( But most of the horses are in Scottsdale for the big Arabian Horse Show anyway (and doing quite well according to the results). Oh, and I do miss the gym but my legs are still pretty bruised but I can see them getting better looking each day :)

I do want to say this: Plastic surgery is not a way to lose weight - and I would recommend that you get to your goal weight (or as close as you possibly can) and STAY at that weight for awhile before you consider having any kind of plastic surgery. Also, something I've learned over the past year - not everyone is going to have results like Pam B's. In fact, my surgeon says that she is VERY much the exception to the rule - most people who have lost a great deal of fat - especially if they've been battling fat most of their lives like I have - are going to have loose skin and deposits of fat cells.

On the Success forum, Meg (who had a lower body lift - which my surgeon said was not necessary in my case) wrote:
I saw a plastic surgeon last September, who told me that what I thought was stubborn celluite was really just "an enormous amount" of skin that would not go away on its own, regardless of how long I waited. The consensus seems to be that the degree to which skin will tighten up after massive weight loss (that's what they call us) depends on 1. your age, 2. your genes 3. how much you have lost, and 4. how long you were overweight (recent obesity vs. lifelong). It is an individual thing and time will tell for you.

(oh the above thread is at: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24374 )

Whew! I just wrote a book didn't I?

I'll check in a bit later - need to catch up on some posts...and have something to eat...feed the kitties...

wow........ I knew something was going on - you just weren't being yourself. I am glad that you feel confident enough to post this to us - it displays a high level of trust.

So where's the photo missy? I know, I know, I will have to wait for it......

BIG BIG BIG BIG Hug's to you Karen and I hope that you heal up fast so you can get into that bikini!

JC

Mrs. Jim -- I haven't posted in a while, but your last post brought me out of lurkdom. Hope you're recovering well, and am anxious to see pictures when you're ready. Like you, I have thigh fat deposits that probably won't go away -- but unlike you, I haven't been able to lean down enough to lose the rest of the fat.

Welcome to all the new people here, and hi to all the veterans. It's now been a year and a half since my husband and I started BFL, and at least I've kept up with the weightlifting. I'm still down 32 lbs. of fat and up 22 lbs. of lean mass, and have also not gained back any of the 25 pounds I lost on my own before starting BFL. Bodyfat has gone from over 50% to 42.5% at BFL start to under 25% for the past 8 months.

I had hoped to be leaner by now. Bad free day choices have always been my downfall, and in recent months I got a little burned out and took "extra free days." I'm now on Body Rx -- no free days, and a little more flexibility in some ways. Soon, hopefully, I'll see some new territory rather than the same old fat lost and gained. And I do feel strong and fit!

Hope you are all doing great!

Carrie

MrsJim: Thank you for your post and your honesty. You are an amazing person and I am happy for you! Rest up!

Also, if you don't mind sending me the name of your surgeon, I know someone in the SF Bay area who is looking for someone highly recommended. If you dont' want to post the name of the board, please send me a msg. Thanks so much!

As for me, as some of you remember, I was in the middle of a GREAT bootcamp last fall and doing FABULOUSLY when I received a call that my son was assaulted in Boston. He was on life support and I flew there and was able to bring him back to California with me about 10 days later. Over the past several months he made a remarkable recovery but we spent most of my days off (from law school) going to dr's appts and therapists and testing (he had a seizure and is on Dilantin and kept going high on his Dilantin levels so we were having to check them once a week). In between I was trying to study law and it has been a very very stressful and crazy time for me.

He returned to Boston tonight. In fact, I just got back from San Francisco International Airport (he had a redeye flight). I am very sad about it :cry: but it was time for him to go back. Both of us have worked very hard and he has had an AMAZING recovery.

Anyway, my office here at home was his bedroom and now it will be mine again and I'll have access to my computer 24/7 and I will return to the gym this week. I have been away since his assault on October 4th. I am looking forward to it.

I hope the new routine will help me with how much I will miss him.

Anyway, good to see everyone again.

Susan

Karen-

Yay for you! I also think it's wonderful you feel like you can post about this here.

And I can definitely relate; 15 years ago I had breast implants.

I had had my first 2 kids and then gotten back down to 113 or so, but realized that no matter how many aerobic classes I went to (remember, this was the 80's!;) my boobs were never going to improve from the 32 AAs they had become. I had very little discomfort, went right back to the gym, and have never ever regretted my decision. I am still a 34-36 B/C, and breastfed 2 more children successfully after my surgery. Also never have a problem working chest.

Hi to JC!

Carrie- I did BodyRX the last 6 months of last year and still follow a lot of the ideas; I did much better on it than I did on BFL.

Nice to see you Susan!

Hope everyone has a great day; we have an ice delay so I may blow off the gym; I still have a cold and lots to do around the house.

Laura

Hi All -

Susanje, welcome back, and bless you for being there so completely when your son needed you - hopefully he can pick up his life where he left off before the attack.

Mrs.Jim, speedy recovery - I have quite the saggy skin gut from having my twins - 55 pound pregnancy, including almost 15 pounds of kids - and carried almost exclusively in front, so I've always had it in the back of my mind that when the time and money were right, I'd jump at the surgery. I'm interested in hearing from you how your recovery is going.

Well, DH and I are starting Week 5 today - had a very relaxing free day, finished up all the last bits around painting our son's room and had him all moved back in by bedtime.

Looking forward to clean eating and hard workouts this week - could actually feel the effects of free day eating (headache, bloated, etc.) so may have to tone it down in future...read alot on this forum about junk food hangovers, now I know EXACTLY what you all mean!

So this week will be all about putting one foot in front of the other, adding the glutamine, subtracting the protein bars (everyone says they're garbage), back to the gym, back to journalling in my success journal. I feel very strong - can't believe it's been four weeks already, I'm usually WAY GONE by this point in my past 'diets'. Never could handle being hungry...

I'm changing up my workouts today (on a 4 week cycle) so I'm expecting some soreness - hopefully the glutamine will help with that.

BethO

Wow Karen! Congratulations on your well thought out surgery and best wishes to you as you recover and discover the new you. I can't wait to hear from you as you heal.

Susan, welcome back. Sounds as if your previsualization for keeping busy as you adjust to having your son go back to his own world are right on the mark.

Carrie, bad free day choices are slowing me down too. I so want to get beyond them.

Beth your C1 sounds great. I like your attitude, always striving to get it right and accepting the reality about things that aren't the greatest to be successful on BFL. You are having a great challenge and will be so pleased at the end of it.

Have a great week everyone.

and new ones!
Karen- Glad to see you back here. You know I am think of following in your footsteps....the gut will never go. Just not yet brave enough or enough$$ to do it. I also have to shake off the 7 lbs or so of fat that has re-attached itself since last November. Back to the grindstone.

Susanje- Wow! I was just thinking about you on the weekend, wondering how you and your son were doing. That's wonderful he's made such an amazing recovery and you can get back to your normally hectic life. Any firmer plans for post-graduation?

Hi Carrie- long time no see.

Hi Laura- we had an ice delay too, but it never dawned on me. So Andrew went and stood at the bus stop for 10 minutes before a neighbor came out and told him. Again, I lose the mom of the year award. Luckily I already did cardio and was planning to hit the gym after work, so it's covered. Last week was a bit of a wipe out due to school being closed half the week and a pulled muscle.

Nice to see you all,

mel

KAREN CONGRATUALTIONS!!! I don’t know you well, and only from reading about you on here, but I just KNEW, there was something because you just weren’t yourself!! I cannot express how happy I am for you; honestly if I would have had your phone number I would have picked up the phone and called to congratulate you personally. It just sounds like you have researched the heck out of it and you did your best and loosing it on your own, but sometimes you just get fed up of beating yourself up on the brick wall.... I’m just so happy for you... and like the rest I wanna see photos.... Rest up for that photo shoot!!

Mel – nice to see that your party came off so well, it’s difficult to have big get togethers like that but so rewarding and fun...

Valerie: I work out on an empty stomach if I go to the gym at 5am, but if I go later during the day like at 11am on Sundays I eat at 9 o’clock; it’s just too long a time to go without food... Experiment and find out what works best for you. After all I the majority of us don’t want to compete in a contest, and I think if you did, it would be different in that case...

Mamawren: Hang in there you will be seeing a difference soon; I know, I know, not soon enough... I agree, but if there is one thing about this program it does teach us patience!!

BethO – I take my glutamine after my workout and depending on the workouts, if I feel I’ll be super sore I take it a few times during the day, if not for sure before bed. On free day where I don’t go to the gym I usually forget...... I also take glucosamine for joints and I am finding a difference with my knees in that department...

JEC – Nice to see you girl! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods...

Adriana – Your posts are always so uplifting. And thank you for asking my family is very well.... I hear you on the posting and disappearing act .... arghhhhh... to say the least I get very :censored: when they disappear into cyber space... So now I’ve learned my lesson and refuse to work and post for nothing. I now type my post on a document and then copy and paste it to the reply... and if I happened to loose it, well at least I still have it...

Hello Bobbie -- :wave: Welcome to our BFL world... and another Canuck BFLer is even better :dance: I have to tell you that your WW mind set will be difficult to reverse. I too am a WW lifetime member. When I used to go in and not loose weight I would be so discouraged... They kept telling me to stop the weight training...NOT!!!!! That ain’t gonna happen lady!! And most of the ladies weighing us were older women and they don’t believe in weight training. So now finally after being away from WW for almost 2 years now, my mind is changing and the scale is the least of my worries... Altho last week I was pretty annoyed with the scale when I slipped into my old habits and weighed myself... Those old habits are difficult to break!! And you’re absolutely right they will be the most rewarding 12 weeks of your life... Good luck to you, and post and journal along with us anytime, we’re here to answer your questions... BTW you did fine with your sups., but the protein powder don’t worry about that because real food is much more filling and stays with you much longer, IMO....

Carrie -- :wave: Nice to see you again. Sounds like you are doing very well in your healthy lifestyle...

Susan – Happy to see that you and your son will settle in a new routine... and welcome back...
=====
I’ve had an awesome workout yesterday with my Sunday buddy, I thought I had pulled a groin muscle when I was doing lunges, so when I got home I took some glutamine, and took some 3 other times throughout the day and I ‘m ok this morning, whew thank goodness... I too had a sugar hangover on Saturday morning... I had never had that either, I ate about 6 chocolates and some popcorn when D and I went to see Chicago. It actually did feel like a alcoholic type of hang over...

Well I have to stop this typing and go do some laundry... take care everyone... I hope this post hasn’t bored everyone to tears... And have a great day!!

good to see you all here.

Karen i think that's fabulous that you got the surgery done. i'm starting to dream of the day that i'll just have the loose skin and be able to do something that will just get rid of it! i wish you a speedy recovery :)

Carrie it's nice to meet you. you seem to be quite a success, even though you feel like you're going up and down !! good for you. hope to see you around here more often now.

Susan - WOW !! that's just wonderful that your son had such a great recovery. i'm so sorry though for everything that he has had to go through, and you also. you are really awesome Susan ! all the best of luck to your son and you now that he's back home and on his way to a new life! what boot camp were you doing CPB?

BethO - that's what i've heard from a lot of people who are doing BFL, that they seem to be able to stick with this when other programs went haywire. just keep plugging away !

Laura - sorry to hear about the cold ! hope you get well real quick.

i had a great legs workout this morning. i'm happy with my progress in upping the weights about once per week too. all in all i'm feeling real good about my program and my ability to reach a little higher every day. food has also been good. i've been very strict with my protein since it had slipped down a bit. now i feel better since i'm keeping it at 40% per meal.

i hope that you all have a wonderful Monday. it's the last week of February already!! yikes.

take care,

adriana

Good morning, all! Today is my official start day. Usually, I I start out all gung ho, and then slack, so I expect y'all to help keep in line!

Wow, Karen! That's awsome. You do what you gotta do. I hope you have a speedy recovery. I'm glad Vicodin helps cuz they didn't do jack for me after giving birth! (This is from a person who asked for an epidural the minute I set foot in the hospital!) Anyway, I'm glad you did your research and found a wonderful surgeon. You hear so many stories of people who go to quacks who advertise in the Pennysaver or the like and have horror stories to tell.

Susan, I'm glad your son is doing well.

I look forward to getting to know everyone.

BTW, cottege cheese tastes a lot better with Tabasco sauce on it!:lol:

This post isn't going to be very long as I have some errands to run in a few minutes but will come back here in a bit.

Karen--Hats off to you! If I had the money, I'd do it in a heart beat! I have all that loose skin in my tummy area from having children that I know will never go away, plus the little fatty spots on my inter thighs, love handles, etc. Rest up and let us see before and after pics when you are fully recovered.

I had a fairly good workout today at the gym. I'll need to adjust the weight at next LBWO.

Today is D1W2C1. Hoping to have a very great week. But.....Friday is dh's bday and we have reservations at a fine dining restaurant. Then on Saturday we are going to Niagra Falls for the night. I'll do my best!

I'm off the grocery store and then getting my nails done. I'll pop back in here later before I have to leave for work.

~Kelly~

KAREN – I knew it! Gurl you just GO! Ain’t nothing wrong with lipo. ESPECIALLY in your case – all your hard work over the last few years! I am just so glad you felt like you could post it here and share it with us. If anyone was going to do their due diligence and research on lipo, it would be you. My sister had it a few years ago and never regretted it. And, to tell you the truth, I am sure it’s going to be something I need. I, like you have been overweight my entire life. I have the ‘apron’ as they call it – and it isn’t going away with any amount of fat loss and muscle gain. It may be reduced a bit, but it won’t go away. So, I have been looking into a tummy tuck for a few years now. Actually, before I met Mike I was 50 pounds lighter and had kept it off for 3 years – then I started to gain and here I am. So, I have given myself 2 years to get healthy and stay healthy and then I will see how much of a tummy tuck I will need. (That response was more about me than you! Sorry!) Some tips from my sis – ARNICA works great for the bruising and drink lots and lots of water.

SUSAN~I am glad to hear your son is doing so well. You’ll be back to the gym in no time!

Hello to all Newbies (stay off the scale!)

Hello to everyone else – Mel, Ledom, Lana, BethO, Adriana, JC, Semens, Tidey…………the list goes on

I am ready for the new week! I did really well last week on all but daily promises. Meaning I worked out like a mad woman and ate clean (OK, there was that 1 Thin Mint incident– damn Girl Scouts! And a piece of chocolate Saturday night). Sunday was FD and we had French toast, hash browns and sausage for breakfast. We went shopping and then came home for dinner. Bg was high all day due to large breakfast and a few (6) Thin Mints. So, from now on I know I have to eat smaller meals and just have a treat on FD to keep Bg in check. I never liked the FD pig out anyway. AND I had been doing just a treat for the last 4 weeks and my progress has been great (or at least I think so!) so, I shall continue.

I burned my hand Sunday cooking said large breakfast and it’s blistered a bit now. Just 4 pea-sized (why is it always a food reference!?) blisters, but they hurt nonetheless. I have to wrap hand before working out……..how am I gonna wear my gloves!? I shall do the best I can. Won’t kill me.

I have learned a lot the past week. 1. I need to workout alone. 2. I must revamp workout log due to not being able to see previous weights etc. 3. I must post daily promises where I can see them. Writing them in journal and closing it does nothing towards getting them done!

TA! Susie

Hey all!

I had a good weekend, and a decent 20MAS today (instensity was as high as I could get it with SORE legs from last weeks LBWO's)

Ive been eating clean ALL DAY which is great because last week was not great (little slip here and there, but nothing serious like chips or candy etc.) but Im determined to make this my best week yet.

Well, I gotta go make some protein pancakes so I'll see you all later!

Tidey

Hey everyone, I'm recovering from a bit of a muscle pull -- it seems like my right quad (which I tore in college - a stupid volleyball injury), doesn't like it when I do squats and lunges in the same LBWO. So, I've been a bit off in my LBWO and cardio, since I've not been able to put too much weight on that leg. But, I'm still trying to eat right and limp . . . I mean walk . . . around a lot.

Karen: Congratulations on the surgery! I'm all for doing things that make you feel good about yourself. However, regardless of what he claims, I still can't figure out why Michael Jackson altered his appearance as much as he has. :p But, I don't think liposuction is even close to what he's done. When I get -- and stay -- at a good body fat %/weight, I'm definitely looking into getting a breast lift! I'm encouraged to hear your sister has had good results with that surgery. I hope your recovery goes really, really well.

Susan: Welcome back. I'm so glad to hear your son has recovered so well. I hope law school is going as well (if that's even a possibility . . . :lol: ) I've had a few weeks where being a lawyer seems more like a curse, than a pleasure -- and not because of opposing counsel, but because of people supposedly on my side of the case. Go figure.

JC: Congrats on the new home purchase. Myself, I can barely hold down 1 small condo. Are you and your husband handy around the house? Also, how do you manage property so far away?

Lana: This is a long time coming, but the picture of you and your husband was great. So cute.

I hope everyone else is doing well!

I'm very excited because I finally booked my trip to S.E. Asia -- I'll be heading to Malaysia in April, then to Burma/Mayanmar, then to Laos and Cambodia. So, I continue to be very motivated to work out and get into better shape. :D

Hang in there, Mox

Congratulations Mrs Jim. :)

Awww jeeez...you guys... :grouphug:

I can't tell you how many times I started to post...then stopped...to tell y'all about the surgery. But bottom line is - that if I can be of any assistance - then it's worth it.

I also wanted to dispel one of the 'myths' that even I was sucked into last year - "as long as you eat clean, work out, drink a lot of water and take your EFA's, your skin will shrink up." I gotta tell you gals - I wouldn't say I was depressed, but last year I was pretty upset that I was doing everything right and those stupid thighs and tummy pooch -- even though they were obviously getting smaller - weren't going away. Now after doing a ton of research, I know better...some of us (especially the ones who didn't start gaining bodyfat until their adult years) will shrink back alright, but others (like me - fat through childhood) who spent their childhood and adolesence fat (and that is the prime time when fat cells develop - and once they're there, they STAY there unless you have them sucked out) probably won't be as fortunate.

Kind of reminds me of a quote from Laura Fraser's book "Losing It" when she was interviewing Susan Powter (remember her?):
"Susan Powter does not look like a genetically fat person who's lost weight," observes C. Wayne Callaway, a George Washington University endocrinologist and obesity expert who sees a lot of fat people in his practice. "She had one event in her life where she gained a lot of weight; those people lose it more easily. Someone is 260 at 18 years of age is not going to get down to her weight. It's grossly misleading."

I asked Powter over breakfast whether indeed she had been fat as a child, which is a good way to find out whether it's in the genes. "I wasn't morbidly obese as a child," she said, picking at her salmon. She went off on a rant about yo-yo dieting, gaining and losing 20 or 40 pounds, eating lettuce for four months...

"When you were 5 or 6, were you fat?" I interrupted.
"I was a normal kid," she replied.

Right now my bruises are fading rapidly (yup, been using Arnica - both the gel and the pills). I still have to wear the 'garment' for another couple of weeks - but I'm used to it now. I get swollen if I sit for long periods of time at my PC - so I get up and walk around a bit, or lie down with my feet up. Tomorrow I definitely get the stitches taken out - I have about six tiny incision areas where the cannula went in - and then I'll talk to Dr. Clark about when I can start hitting the gym again - she initially said three weeks which would be March 3. I must say that she was VERY impressed by my overall muscularity - she said once the swelling goes down and I start working out again that my legs should be lookin' pretty darn good! (final results take 4-6 months to appear BTW).

I would say to any of you considering PS - or wondering about the status of that loose skin - to at least go for a consult with a PS. If you don't like the one you talk to at first, then find another one...make sure that he/she is Board-certified (the website is at www.plasticsurgery.org ). Even if you wind up never getting the surgery, at least you will KNOW what your options are...

Can't wait to hit the gym again!!! OH and next plans are for a Tummy Tuck in 2004, God willing :) Don't know about the boobs yet...

i really appreciate all the information that you have given us in the last couple of days.

i've known for months now that all my skin won't just disappear one day and i've also been thinking about the day that i can start looking for a good plastic surgeon. there are excellent ones here in israel (they have too much experience from all the terrorism!). i just hope that i'll be able to afford it one day ;)

you just keep taking great care of yourself. i can only imagine that you're getting a bit antsy to get back into the gym. but you're such a smart cookie that i know you won't rush anything !

all the best to you Karen !

adriana

what an interesting story mrsjim
definately thank you for sharing it with us.
you've worked so hard you really deserve to look the best possible!
i hope your recovery continues to go smoothly, i do hope we get to see some after photos on your website one day! :)

Changed my split this week and new exercises. Pass the glutamine!

Also have gone back to basically BFL eating- I think trying to stay on a comp diet indefinitely is impossible for me. The binges it caused and the obssesive despair are not worth it. Hope this works, cause after this, I'm out of ideas.

Tomorrow am I'm having my basal metabolism tested. I can't eat or drink anything, or do anything more strenous than get dressed, and drive to the gym (ha- they haven't seen the way I drive!). Then I sit and breath quietly into a machine for 20 minutes. I don't know how accurate this is- but it's worth a shot.

Nice to see everyone come out of the woodwork. We just need someone to drop a bombshell every Monday morning! :D

mel

Hi girls :wave:

Mel -- Did you say you were going to be a bombshell by next Monday? :p Or that you are going to be next one to drop the bombshell on Monday? :lol:

I don't have time to post very long, (vor a change) but just had to put my $0.20...

Later all...

Mel you crack me up! Lana too!


Well, I did cardio today and felt great - until about 4:30 when I swear my eyes started slamming shut. I went upstairs and fell asleep for an hour and I am still tired. I think I know why - not eating enough. Yesterday I had only 3 meals a far cry from the required 6. Today not a good choice for meal 3 today either. Met with a lender for lunch and he's buyin' so we go to his fav place. Great food, just nothing authorized.

Workouts have been great. Nothing knew other than.......well, nothing.


See ya, Susie (Bombshell By June! :lol: )

:strong: :hat: :dance: :dancer: :hyper: :cloud9: :cloud9:

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I woke up this morning, and it seemed like I had less A$$ then I remember, so i tried on a pair of low-rise leather pants that I bought (sale!) that I could never do up (far cry from it, actually)

THEY FIT! I nearly cried!

Im wearing them now, and Im not taking them off. Ever. lol

So whatever obstacles present themselves KEEP GOING!! Yesterday I felt huge and today my pants fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love everyone!

Tidey :D

Tidey, your post made me so happy..... I saw your updated profile at L&S and the great progress you've made... But then I read on L&S that you weren't happy with your progress...:( Now here I read that you are happy.... So you musta posted that before trying the pants....

So whatever obstacles present themselves KEEP GOING!!

Ain't that the TRUTH!!

Have a great day, whick I know you will now!!

Will post again later... I'm off today... :dance: I love to be off !!

Lana,

I felt like I couldnt see any real tangable results, but then I tried on the pants! I really couldnt believe it!

I guess we're always our own harshest critic eh?

Tidey

Me a bombshell? Somehow I don't think so....
Last night I had my third bizarre alergic reaction in a row- first 2 nights were hives then last night my lips swelled up and I lost my voice. I took 2 benadryl, and am still walking around in a haze. Didn't try to lift this morning- WAY too dangerous in this condition. If I'm not more alert this afternoon, mya have to take a day off and shift my split this week. I have no idea what I'm having these reactions to- nothing has changed! Boy, if I've developed an allergy to egg whites I'm in BIG trouble! :?:

Tidey- CONGRATULATIONS! That's great! You're right, we are our own harshest critics. Sometimes it's deserved, but usually not. I can't wait until I'm comfortable again in the pants I was wearing 2 months ago.

Niffer- Go eat! on 3 meals a day, I feel like I'm going to keel over. I don't know how I used to exist on my 1 meal a day diets.

Karen- How are you doing? You must be going stir crazy from no gym. I had the BMR test this morning. The numbers came out right where I thought they'd be- so depressing. At rest I burn 1340 cal/day, 1750 with all the exercise I do. He said that is 1% higher for my age than someone who doesn't exercise at all. Usually heavy lifters (women) with this much muscle come out 5-8% higher. The meds I take may be contributing, as well as history of yo-yo dieting and anorexia/bulemia. Suggested I have bloodwork done next time I see my doc ( which is usually never) but didn't think it was low enough that it would be classed as clinically low. Just harder to shake the last 10 lbs. Which haven't shook for almost a year now.

hi everyone I didn't address-
gotta go pack food, go to work and try to stay awake!

mel

good to see you all here.

Niffer - EAT !! i'm with Mel.... i wouldn't make it with only 3 meals. don't let your body be hungry like that or else it'll turn around and kick you in the butt !!!

Mel - YIKES ! that's also scary :?: i hope you get to the bottom of this allergy reaction real soooonnnnn !!

Tideypoo - that is just SOOOOOOOOOOOOO cool !!! :D :cool: :) :smug: it really does happen all of a sudden many times !! i had that about 10 days ago and i've felt wonderful ever since. you're absolutely right JUST KEEP GOING !!! it all pays off in the end, doesn't it?

Lana - how are you lately? hope your family is good too :)

i'm feeling a bit down-trodden lately with this horrible weather. my 10 year old just isn't used to being this housebound and it gets on her nerves too much, and in turn she gets on our nerves. a lot of sibbling fighting has gone on this week :( i'm praying for better weather tomorrow so i can just throw her out into the street !! :lol: she'll be one happy little girl.

today is legs day -- YIPPIE ! don't really know why i love it so much, it's so painful :dizzy: but i DO love the pain :lol: then, because i didn't make it to a morning workout, i'll do some good cardio to make up for some of the lost time.

now, if i could just figure out exactly when to go to the gym today :?: a business meeting kept me from my morning w/o -- i might just have to go late this evening.

hope you're all having a good day!!

take care,

adriana

Yay, tidey! That's great to hear. It's so hard to see progress on ourselves, so rock on, sister!

meliris--that happened to me last year. For some reason last fall, I had several allergic reactions to [i]something[/]. I would break out in hives and be all itchy. I would get these huge welts. I have know idea what it was from and it went away mysteriously as it appeared. It was weird. And Benedryl sucks. I hate that stuff.

Yesterday, the kids were home from school due to freezing rain. It was my cardio day and I made myself walk on my piece o' crap treadmill. Yay, me! So for the first week, so far, so good.

Well, got my stitches out yesterday! My PS said that as soon as the bruising is completely gone I can start working out and riding again! YIPPEE! So I'm really doing the Arnica and Vitamin C big time. I'm still waking up early though, so it shouldn't be such a shock to get back in the swing of things. I AM going nuts without the gym though - the other day I was at Draeger's and ran into one of the 'regulars' who said I was missed! I just told him I was recovering from 'female surgery' (just because I told YOU guys doesn't mean I want my whole GYM to know ;) )

Tidey - I know the feeling so well. Now it's time to hit the mall, right?? :lol:

Mel/Shelby - actually my legs have been itchy, itchy, itchy - especially last weekend. My PS recommended Benadryl - the reason for the itching (in my case anyway) is the nerve endings healing themselves. The thing with Benadryl as I found out this weekend is that it knocked me out big time - but hey, I needed to rest anyway! But it DID stop the itching.

I guess I'd better look into that BMR test after I get back in the swing of things. Was it the BodyGem? That does seem really low, considering how much you work out - I would think you'd need more calories rather than less. Oh well...

Gotta get back to work - more later I hope :)

Woo-Hoo Tidey!! I wouldn't want to take them off either!

I hope you find out what is making you react Mel.

I'm happy that you are healing so well Mrs Jim.

I'm am still hunting for those 10's. Had a ho hum lower body workout today. :dz: For some reason nothing is tasting good. I've lost my appetite. I keep gagging everytime I try to eat cc or tuna or the myoplex. I've been eating fruit and veggies and forcing bites of protein. I'm guessing I'm either on the verge of getting that flu, or my body is protesting the clean eating.

Thanks EVERYONE for your kind words and celebrating my new pants (party in my pants? hehe) I wont be buying any new clothes until June-ish cause 1) Im poor and 2) Im going to Canada to visit my family (clothes are cheaper there)

Im just so happy today, AND it helped me work extra hard for my 20MAS and ab boot camp!

Mamawren, I hit the "food" wall a while ago, and it has passed. Go over to www.leanandstrong.com and check out the healthy recipies section. There are some muffin recipies that just might save your life!

I dont really like straight CC anymore either. Try incorporating it into other recipies (mix with celery and a hard boiled egg and use as sandwich topping, blend it smooth and add it to tomato sauce for creamy pasta sauce [my favorite!])

Make a "hamburger helper" recipie with your tuna. Just modify and keep it as clean as possible. I found that the closer I eat to "normal" food the happier I am. CC and apples doesnt do it for me anymore.

Hope this helps!

MrsJim, YAY for you! Glad you're on the mend and we cant WAIT to see the results!

Tidey

I'm eating already! Thanks guys. I knew that was the reason I was feeling like crap. So, last night I could not sleep. I tweaked my right leg somehow and every time I take a step, it flops down and a little out to the right. Strange. I took some Tylenol and went out on the couch - then to the kitchen for a few bites of ice cream, some crackers w/ Nutella on them and 4 strawberries w/ choc syrup. Then right to sleep. I never have cravings when I eat clean and all 6 meals !! Hmmmmm, back to planning planning planning for me! :lol:

Karen~ nice to see ya. Hope you're doing well.

Tidey~WAHOOOOOOOOOOOO for you! I just knew something like that would happen to you soon! :strong: :dancer: :cp: It's so cool, id'nit?! It happened to me, and I didn't even realize it! HAHAH - I just thought my jeans were stretched out! What a dope I am!

Mel~Sometimes chicken will make me itch like that (swelling of mouth/lips) sometimes, it's swiss cheese or celery of all things! Can't figure it out. Maybe it's what's in the chicken - you know all the crap they inject them with. Have you changed brands, perhaps buying a different brand on sale? I guess the next step is allergy testing? Good thoughts heading your way.

See ya - Suz

Hi, everyone!

It's just a few days until I change "cycles" on my Body Rx eating plan -- then I'll need to eat more protein and fiber, and less starch. Lifting changes a little, too (more sets and reps per set), and I'm still trying to get over that flu-type virus that's been going around and catch up on my current lifting.

I haven't weighed or measured recently, but some friends at the gym today thought I had lost weight while I was out sick. It's actually just eating clean (unlike last month!), since a cough and sore throat didn't affect my appetite much. The new body Rx cycle should also help burn more fat too, so hopefully the pants I wore in November will fit again soon.

Tideypoo -- Congratulations to you on fitting into your leather pants!

Mel -- I hope you figure out what is causing your allergic reaction. It's probably something you eat fairly close to when the reaction occurs -- try eliminating those foods, especially ones you don't eat at other times during the day. Also, the swollen lips and throat involvement are sounding like the kind of thing you need medical attention for -- just want to make sure you stay safe!

Hope everyone is doing great!

Carrie

Hi All -

So much going on on this board - progress going on all over the place! I was musing the other day on what makes the BFL program different from other programs, and I think it's the 12 week time frame that makes the difference at least in the beginning - we FINALLY accept that it's going to take 12 weeks to see a significant change in our bodies. So many programs try to measure results on a day-to-day basis, which is completely impractical and misleading, to say nothing about frustrating.

Mrs. Jim, glad to hear your recovery is progressing well.

Tideypoo, great news on the pants-o-meter. I'm lurking over on L&S, too, you're definitely on your way!

Carriej, what's BodyRx?

Week 5 this week and all's well. Working on new routines for UBWO and LBWO - didn't hit many 10's yesterday on my LBWO, will have to change it up some. I miss my squats! The quad machine just ain't cuttin' it! I'm starting to feel more and more like every workout counts - like I can feel the 'finish line' looming, and I want to walk out of every workout feeling that my muscles have worked their little buns off! Anyone else?

Mamawren, I have to double what Tideypoo said - spend some time downloading some cool BFL recipes and check them out - I've been going back and forth weekly between chicken/rice and hamburger/potato combos to keep things interesting. Also working on doing BFL versions of tastes we like - like stir fry, Mexican roll ups, shepherd's pie, pastas, etc. Tomorrow night I'm going to roast up a chicken and make some mashed potatoes and roast veg - Mmmm.

Mel, hope you track down your allergy trigger, don't know anything about food allergies, can't even guess.

Hope everyone has a great day!

BethO

Whoo-hoo! Cardio done, and I'm done for the day. Thursday is my mini-rest day, just cardio. Ended up going back to the gym yesterday afternoon and did chest and quads with my occaisional trainer- he near killed me yesterday :D feels great! I was still a bit dopey from the benedryl and he get making cracks about letting drunks in the gym, but aside from getting lost going between pieces of equipment, I felt strong and had a good workout. Not sure I would have without him tho, since mostly I felt like sitting in the leg press and falling asleep :lol: Luckily, no allergic reactions last night, and I ate EXACTLY the same foods I'd had the day before just to see what would happen. I guess I should go get allergy tested- hives are annoying but swelling lips and throat can be dangerous.

Beth0- BodyRX is another program writeen by Dr. Scott Connelly. It's broken into cycles of different eating patterns and lifting. You start out with a fairly high level of starchy carbs in a stregnth building cycle, and progress thru dropping starchy carbs and upping protein and fiber as you move thru the cycles. No cardio is required. I tried it very briefly, and it was not for me, but my friend Laura, who sometimes posts here as "semmens" has gone through all the cycles and done spectacularly. Maybe she'll pop in today and answer your questions. There is also a BodyRX board on L&S.

gotta go-
mel

Hi again everyone!

Everyone sounds like they are doing well. Mel, I must say that your journey is inspirational. I've known you a while and I know you have struggled now and again but you keep on doing it. Thanks for that.

Karen, glad to hear you are progressing nicely! I'm sure you will have spectacular results. I am actually considering facial plastic surgery (or something) because I am starting a legal career at the age of 46 and feel old enough as a "young attorney". I have a couple of consults with SF drs in the next few weeks. I will definitely be a TT candidate (and probably lipo on the legs) when I get close to goal. Thanks for the inspiration (as always).

Adriana--I love legs day too. I don't know why but it's the favorite workout.

Tideypoo: the pants-o-meter is the most trustworthy vehicle. Congrats on a milestone!

Everyone: Thank you all for the nice thoughts and wishes. My son called me from Boston yesterday and he is settling back in. He sounds very happy to be home. I am both sad and happy that he is so happy if that makes any sense. It is tough to not be able to see him every day and know he is okay, but the loving thing to do (as a parent) is sometimes the hardest thing to do (let them go). My emotions are a bit ragtag but he's okay and I'm getting back to what was once my life (fully moved back into the office).

I went to see my doctor yesterday as I am still struggling hormonally and had some medical issues over the winter BUT he thinks I am doing well. I saw him in November about a month after my son's ordeal because I was having heart palpitations, skyrocketing blood pressure, spiked cholesterol and stress related hair loss (I cut my hair from waist length to shoulder length because of the loss) and other things that were probably due to the stress of dealing with Michael's medical stuff and trying to study for law school finals and exhaustion.

This week I had several tests done, including a stress test, and he prescribed new hormones and said I am doing WELL and everything came back looking good and I am OKAY to take on a more strenuous workout. During the fall bootcamp, I was trying to cross train and had been swimming two nights a week after weight training and he wants me to start with walking and swimming (which I have been walking 2 miles a day over the past 2 weeks anyway) and I can start weight training but he wants me to start lightly and build up.

I feel like I am always "beginning again" since I first did BFL in March 2001 but I don't think there is any other option. I LOVE working out and I LOVE when I am in the groove. The biggest groove I was ever in was right before that dreaded day in October so I want to return there.

To the newcomers: BFL and Body building is the greatest. I have had numerous personal and medical struggles over the past 2 years but I always return because it is so GREAT. I always feel so good when I am in complete compliance. So, don't mind me. :)

To the veterans: thanks for being here, once again.

Susan

Susan - always great to hear from you! You go girl!

I don't know if you saw the other thread at the Success forum - but I would HIGHLY recommend the book "Two Girlfriends Get Real about Cosmetic Surgery". It's a fun read with tons of info. Hey, if you want a facelift, why not? I say go for it, girl! Maybe you can get away with just Botox for now. Read up on it - you might find the book in your local library system - then you'll be all prepared with questions when you see the PS. Glad to hear that your son seems to be doing well. I know you miss him but I bet you're glad to have your 'normal life' back, eh?

I am so jealous!! I miss the gym so much - I started massaging my legs to speed the healing process :) with a little hand-held massager from Brookstone (recommended by Dr. Clark). I massaged Jim's back with it and now HE wants one to keep in his desk at work... :lol: And my scars are healing quite rapidly as well - Dr. Clark just took the stitches out two days ago and the scabs have already fallen off - gotta tell ya that Mederma gel works wonders too!

Leg Day is my favorite workout too, but obviously I'll have to take it kind of easy - instead of going right to squats, I'm going to use the leg press until I'm more confident. And of course I won't be doing 600 lb leg presses or 200 lb squats right now...since I haven't worked out since, OMG, the 9th of Feb, I'm sure I've lost a lot of strength...If the bruising keeps fading as rapidly as it's been doing this week, I'm thinking about hitting the gym and doing VERY LIGHT cardio (we're talking walking here!) and some upper body lifting...

Jim still won't let me do any 'real' cooking...last night he had Kraft Mac & Cheese...he could probably eat that stuff every night of his life if he had to without a whimper! As for me, the easiest stuff to make is eggwhite-based - protein pancakes, or "skillet" dinners. You know I use those frozen Potatoes O'Brien and Southern Cut Hash Browns - they're basically just taters (with just a trace amount of dextrose). I just put them in my little nonstick skillet with some frozen chopped onion and spray with Pam, then let them cook, add some sliced mushrooms and/or baby spinach, then stir in the eggwhites (I do 4 eggwhites + one whole egg for a serving) and lots of pepper (gotta keep the sodium down right now due to swelling otherwise I'd use Molly McButter too). Yummy and filling!

A shout out to y'all before I get back to work...aaghh...

Cool beans, Mrs. Jim! I bet you haven't lost that much strength and I'm sure you'll gain it back very quickly.

Hey, is lowfat ricotta cheese okay to eat? (I hope). Mixed with some splenda and a dash of vanilla it is quite tasty.

Thanks Shelby :)

Dunno about that ricotta cheese question - what are the stats? (I just don't care for the texture - too grainy for me...eyw).

per 1/4 cup serving: 60 cal, 3 fat, 2 sat fat, 20mg, chol, 150 mg sodium, 3g carbs, 2g sugars, 7 g protein

thanks!

I'm just looking for different proteins to eat cuz I hate, Hate, HATE seafood!

Hey guys,

Sorry that I haven't been around much lately. Life has been chaotic to say the least and it ain't over yet! I am glad to hear that everyone is doing well and Karen - you seem to be healing up ok which is great!

Just a quick one for Mox: I don't manage any of my own properties I have various property managers in each state that take care of them. The cost is minimal compared to the peace of mind it gives me. It's quite 'uncommon' in Australia to manage a property yourself but I believe that our costs are different to the US. Anyway I am trying to build a portfolio so I don't have the time or the inclination to do the day-to-day management stuff. HTH

Well I am off - I have to go sign some mortgage docs at the bank!

JC

Hey girls :wave:

I can't believe it's the first time I get to my computer today!! I'm getting CWS (computer withdrawal syndrome :lol: )

Today food wise was NOT a good day... Firstly, I had to work... :) Secondly, I ran out of CC...:( Thirdly, I let myself go 4 hours without eating, and then I ate, here goes, drum roll please.......
:s:
THREE not ONE, not TWO, but THREE :censored: slices of white bread with margarine on it... then, MANY, MANY, MANY, chocolate chip granola bars.... so now I feel like a :moo: and a :ink: , I actually feel like the whole :censored: farm....

The sugar has gotten to me too, I've been yawing like crazy...
Ok, I've vented I feel better, now I will drink water for the rest of the evening, and go get some CC for my last meal tonite...

The one good thing was I had a great workout this morning, thank goodness for small favours....

Thanks for listening, Survivor is on, and I'm a grougie for that show....:lol:

Later...

it's sooo good to come on to this board and hear the familiar voices and terminology !! i'm on another weight loss board and it's a bit different when not that many people do much weight training. they are a wonderful group of people, but it's a bit different than here.

anyway........ glad to hear that everyone is doing fine.

Karen - good for you and your recovery !!! i'm so impressed with all that you've been able to do lately :)

JEC - you amaze me ! build up a portfolio girl !!! too cool :cool: :D


i've been a bit down these past few days. i can't figure out why..... i'm just starting to think that it might be that 7 week down that a lot of people experience during the 12 week program.

Lana, i can completely relate to your eating fest yesterday. i didn't over-do it, by a long shot, but i did eat some really strange things. i actually felt better afterwards; maybe this is all hormone related and the chocolate i had yesterday fed the problem!!

i decided not to do my workout today. i want to take today and tomorrow off, re-group and start out strong again on sunday. i'm very happy with the way my body has responded to this Boot Camp of mine. i'm not exhausted like i thought i would be. i am thinking of switching up next week though, just not to over-do it. i'll think about it over the weekend. maybe *by the book* BFL is the way to go now for the next 5 weeks.

i gotta go and start organizing this disaster area called home. i've been too busy and/or apathetic lately to do anything around here and now i'm paying the price.

take care everyone,

adriana

Ugh, more snow. 2 hour delay for school which messes up my workout schedule. :( Now I have to be at work the same time as ds has to be at the bus stop. I got up early and did cardio, but have to get in a back and hammie w/o somewhere. May end up doing it tomorrow. The winter stinks! I'm soooo sick of it. I refuse to shovel that stuff, sooner or later it's got to melt!

Susan- So good to see you back, and that you're heading back toward that groove. I don't feel very inspirational, other than sheer stubborness, but thank you. I have had struggles and don't really feel I've made significant progress in the last year and few months, but as I said a few weeks ago, I've discovered there are worse states to be in than "lack of progress." Right now I feel I'm just getting back to where i was in November. Feeling good about it, tho.

Lana- Ooooh baby! you had a time in the kitchen last night! Boy, have I been there. Don't think I would have bothered with the bread with margarine, tho. I'd have gone straight to crackers with cheese or chocolate or... well, you get the picture. have you tried "Kent's Brownies" recipe on L&S? I make them with an extra 1/2c cottage cheese and 1/2c fiber 1 cereal. I also Use 1/2c. agave syrup instead of spenda (can't stand splenda), and it make 4 perfect "meals" for me. Perfect for the last meal when you want something slightly decadent. It takes like a cross between brownies, bread pudding, and cheesecake. I imagine splenda would make it a bit sweeter, but since I don't eat much sweet stuff, it does it for me! :D

Adriana- You sound totally burned out. When was the last time you took a whole week off instead of just a day here and there? It sounds like the funk I got into when I went about 18 weeks on Camp PB without a break.

Shelby- I used to love ricotta, but I don't think it has enough protein for the amount of calories you get. I'd need to eat 3/4 -1 cup to get my protein, then add a carb, and it's pretty high. Course, I have no idea what your targets are or your current weight, so it may be fine.

Karen- I'm sure your strength will come back really quickly. Don't rush it, but I think you'll be surprised at what your muscles remember after a few workouts. Just get that glutamine ready for the first couple :lol:

JC- Glad you could check in, I was just thinking of you yesterday. You sound busy and exhausted as usual! How's soccer season going?

Ok ladies- gotta scoot,

mel

meliris--re: ricotta cheese. I want to lose about 35 pounds. I carry a lot of muscle and just need to lose the fat. Or in other words, I want to be able to get into my size 3-5 pants that have been collecting dust in my closet for the past 5 years!

adriana--sorry you're down. I get that way sometimes to for no reason and then have a good cry and feel better. And I hear you on the house disaster. I look at my kitchen and think, "eff it". I wish someone would invent a dishwasher that automatically puts away the dishes. That's my least favorite job in the world.

Lana--I hope you ate some of those granola bars for me!

Okay, i really need to go try out my clorox wet mop and see if it works. Blech.

Sorry I have not been in touch. Seems like forever since I last posted. Have not been doing so well, not eating clean and not working out very often.. Bneding over! Someone kick me please!
Thank you! Need to get motivated again. Have not given up though, so I guess that is a good thing. Also very sore, leg pressed 300 lbs the other day and thought well I can do this again right away. WRONG!! Did not leave enough time for my body to build back up the muscle I tore down. I had 301 lbs on, did 4 and was trying to do 6 but could not get the weight back up, thank God there were big strong men in the gym because I had to holler to them to help me lift it off. I was embarrased, but they told me not to worry about it, they have done it before themselves. They told me to take a break from the heavy presses for a while. The next day, I could barely move, my legs throbbed they hurt so much.
Anyway, I will just go a little easier and work myself up slowly again.
hugs to all
Virginia

Hello to all,
I'm new to the group and hope I'm doing this right. I'm on
my 6th BFL challenge and am looking around for some inspiration.
I've hit a low point right now with my excersice and my life. I feel like I know most of you just from lurking a few days and reading past posts. So I feel like I should introduce myself.
My name is Jonda and I'm 38. I have 3 kids and we are living with my husband in my mothers basement while searching for a house. I have lost 50 lbs so far on BFL and my hubby has lost over 100. Some of you may know him as Rich on leanandstrong.
I'm really glad I found this place!

BTW someone posted a link to a site that sold fragrances that smelled like cookies and poundcake? I can't find the link and I lost it. Could whoever posted it send it to me? I would really appreciate it!

Hi there Jonda! I was so sorry to hear about your break-in and the circumstances of your move. That must have been terrifying for you and your kids! (I'm an L&S'er and a big fan of your hubby.) Have you found schools and a gym? Getting out of the basement for workouts would sure brighten my spirits. Can't help with the "aroma" links- just sniffing would get me in trouble. I do get food scented candles sometimes- vanilla buttercream and pumpkin pie spice really make the house smell nice. Not sure I could handle a chocolate chip cookie dough candle, tho. I might eat it flame and all.

Welcome aboard- feel free to vent, we are a little huggy-feely here than at l&S. I'm sure you're living situation must be difficult.

mel

hi everyone,

i am still alive! i doing fairly well with my vacation recovery period....as i am calling it. i cant get my bed out of bed like i used to but i am still at the gym before work. so, i am proud....eating is ****. i am making better choices but its freaking girl scouts cookie time....UGGGG!

other than that, i have made a food budget...so, i just go to costco and buy that big bag of chicken breasts, CC, brown rice, fish, and frozen veggies....and that's it...so i am forced to eat healthy...its the only food in the house...and since there is little room for going out to eat on the budget....its a good thing!

have a great weekend!
jilly

Hi everyone...it has been ages since i dropped in...well, i have been lurking about, but haven't posted since late last summer! Anyway, i am still hangin' tight, and feeling strong!

For those who don't remember me, I am from the US but living on a lovely island off the coast of South America with my DH & our Kitty-Cat. (DH has a job here but is also from the states.) I have been active most of my 30+ years, though have struggled with my weight due to an endocrine disorder since my preteens. Last February I discovered BFL and the benefits of weight training, something my mother (who is 60+ and has worked out with the BIG boys at a World Gym since her 40's) has always said is the ticket to health...And she was right because during my first two challanges I lost over 10% of my body fat and learned to love STEEL.

The past winter has been difficult, didn't have internet access at the house, still don't, but aside from lifting I managed to get a new business off the ground. (I make and sell handcrafted soap) and that has left me beat! I gained a bit of the weight back, but since December I have rededicated my self to Body Building, have attemped to eat clean (even packing up 5 days worth of take out meals in the freezer so i can work without falling prey to the deep fried food seen as a staple here in this part of the world,) and making time for cardio at 5am 5days a week. I feel great.

I wanted to say hi to everyone, and say that it is nice to pop back in after a 7 month haitus and see everyone still so dedicated!

Karen, WOW! I think it is great that you took the plunge. Looking forward to hearing how it all heals up.

Mel: That itchy thing...i had a reaction like that about 4 years ago that I could never figure out...that was until my nutritionist asked me about my vitamin consumption. Turned out that my multi and B stress vits (both were food based and highly bio available) were overloading my body with NIACIN, hence what she termed a Niacin Flush... I used to turn beet red, get all hot and itchy, and basically I looked like someone had slapped me across the face...Not sure it that is what caused your problem, but since you ate the same foods and it didn't reoccur, i thought i might offer you my 2 cents...

Anyway ladies, glad to stop in and I will try and not be a stranger...

Caio!
Meow
=^..^=

Thanks for the welcome,
Yes the breakin was pretty scary. I think half my problem is I haven't slept well since. And my kids are stressed! But yes I got them in schools, and they went to these schools a couple of years ago so they know a few people which helps.
I found a gym, it's strange for me because I've always worked out at home. But it was kind of fun watching other people. I'm having a BIG problem with the food situation. My mom keeps her house stocked with candy, soda and junk. Now I'm trying to cook fat free meals that my parents will eat and it is sooo hard. My kids will probably gain a lot of weight while we are here, they think they are in junk food heaven! LOL
But things can't get worse, so I guess they will get better from here. I'm just having a down day, I'm usually not so depressing I swear!

Hey Gals :wave:

Jonda – Nice to meet you... I post at L&S too and was looking at your profile just the other day when your hubby mentioned that you had finally posted a profile and how proud he was of you.... and with good reason you’ve done an awesome transformation...

Hi Meow... Nice to see you again, and that your are doing so well...

Mel – the itch thing when Meow mentioned the Niacin, it clicked that my mother’s best friend got a reaction to that vitamin this winter and gave them to my mom, so my mother took some and within an hour bam she was red in the face and itchy all over... My mom’s friend said: “Give them to your daughter she may not react to them..” Mom threw them away... whew!! I would have probably thrown them out too... Last night with the bread and margarine thing, I hate white bread, I have no idea what got into me, and actually it’s probably because I let myself go 4 hours without eating... NOT a good thing girls... I tried Pam’s brownie recipe, I must have done something wrong because they were positively awful, I was sooo looking forward to eating them too everyone was raving about them at the L&S board... I just looked up Kent’s Brownies, I found Kent’s Chocolate Muffins... I’ll try those tonight...

Jiggly – hi there nice to see you back...

Shelby – I ate enough granola bars for you and everyone on this board... even the newbies...:lol: I can be such a looser sometimes.... Today I was a bit of a “food looser” (is there such a thing as a BIG and small looser??) But the difference was that I didn’t loose control and was able to stop myself... It seems that when I have a free day it always ends up as a day and a half, before I can gain control over myself again... I’ve got to work on that one...

JEC – you sound so organized... How do you do it??

Karen – take your time, but I’m a fine one to talk I’d be back in that gym so quick your head would spin... When I had carpal tunnel done a few years back I was in the gym within less than two weeks. Or gosh, a long long time back I had a laparoscopy done and was doing crunches within 3 days...

Adriana – Hope your spirits get on the up and up very soon... I good one week break wouldn’t be a bad idea...

Niffer – Miss our chats too!! You gotta get MSN Messenger!!

:wave: Kelly, Ledom, BethO, BethV, Mox, Carrie, SusanJ .... :wave:

Hi Jonda -- glad to see you here. It looks like BFL is going great for you, as well as for Rich. My husband does BFL, too (we're TeamTigger on L&S) and his parents are now BFLers, also. Maybe you can get your folks involved -- and make it healthier for your whole family. (Before BFL, our 70 lb. son visited his grandparents in Des Moines and gained 6 lbs. in a week!)

We just did a big chicken breast grilling -- 3 grills full of several kinds -- it's fun to have so much fresh food. We're both increasing our protein (me for Cycle 3 of Body Rx, Brian for his own BFL variation), so we'll see how we feel about chicken in a few days!

Hope everyone's doing great!

Carrie

I just checked out your profile over on L&S. WOW! What an inspiration. Sorry to hear of your recent difficulties but you're on a path to getting things straightened out. Best wishes and good luck to you.

Woo Hoo! Down 8 lbs of scale weight. I'll be starting C1W6 Monday.

I haven't finished measuring yet-I'm thinking I must have been retaining water. The week prior I wasn't good about getting all my water in, and last week I was. It's just weird how that works.

I had a very pleasant suprise on Thursday. I've been really bad about about doing my cardio on my in between weight training days. Anyway I 'felt' really out of shape cardio wise and chose one of my Richard Simmons tapes. Now none of his tapes have ever gotten my heart pumping-big waste of time-it was this time as well. So I said the heck with him (I am going to get rid of his tapes-they suck) and went for my taebo tape. I have never been able to finish the long workout for my taebo tape-huffing and puffing, sweating like pig, muscles in my legs cramped out big time. WELL this time-no problem. I scooted through that tape like I have been doing for a year! Woo Hoo!! My breathing was elevated, I sweated a little bit, and I got a light workout on my muscles. Hehehehee I'll use it until I buy a bike. I decided that I am going to buy one of the recumbent ones and start doing the HIIT training cycles for real.

One of the really weird changes this week is that I've actually been fantasizing about running again. I think it will be a definite go when I get to a much lighter weight-I know my knees wouldn't take it right now.

Thanks for all the good advice about the recipes. I'm not sure what a cooking powder protein would be though.

Anyway a post and run sorta thing-I just had to share. :)

Wishing everyone a great weekend.

Hello all,

Welcome to the newbies.

It's Sunday and I am just taking a quick break from studying to say hi (I have mid-terms next weekend) Life is still a barrel of laughs but the stress is starting to ease a bit. I shed a few tears on Saturday morning after the tension had got to me but I am doing fine now.

Mel: Busy as always - you know me too well! Soccer is going well. We had our last game of the summer season last wednesday and finished number one premiers. Semi-finals are on Wednesday and finals on Sunday. Then I get 4 weeks off before training for winter soccer starts. Games start in mid-april. So that gives me a bit of time to start up some long distance running to get my endurance back up to winter levels!

Lana: Organised?? I guess so, the organising isn't the hard part - it's the follow through and getting enough rest and not getting stressed out that is the hard part. Sometimes when I stop and think about how much I do on a day-to-day basis I freak myself out! I try not to think about it too much. Having my IPAQ helps though and also a dependable husband!

My news: well we bought the house I was looking at the other day. The difference with this house (I have 4 now for those who aren't aware) is that it will be my home in about 2 years time. We are trying to pay off as much as possible before we move there so that we can extend it as soon as we move. It's very lovely and is on the Sunshine coast which is in Queensland - quite tropical. That's mainly why I haven't been around much here lately. Also I have mid terms for University coming up and work has been totally mad! But I am not complaining....... :)

I hope that everyone is doing great! Back to net present value calculationss for me!

JC

Hi All -

First of all, Jonda, welcome! Hope your search for a new home goes well! Mamawren, we're on the same schedule - C1, W6, D1! Congrats on powering through the tape!

Hi everyone else - Lanaii1, tried your chicken spices recipe with my roast chicken Friday pm, it was fabulous! Forgot how great a roast chicken makes the whole house smell! I'd tried a meringue recipe from the L&S recipe index - yuck, tasted like nothing but artificial sweetener. Will try some more recipes this week and let you know my 'reviews' - making that great baked sesame chicken recipe tonight...Mmmm.

Things are going well here - my DH is finally getting EXCITED about the program. He was 'going along' with it, mainly to support me, but now he's seeing and feeling changes in both the Pants-O-Meter and in his upper body size, so he's a convert. Yahoo - it's so much easier when we're both keen.

Carriej, you and your DH have made it a real family affair - any tips for newbie BFL couples in supporting each other?

Scale weight has stayed spot on this week with about a 5 pound loss, but its TOM so I'm not too bothered. Have changed over all my weights workouts this past week, have pretty well worked out the kinks and have started hitting lots of 10's.

I'm finding this way of eating, and shopping to be quite expensive. Any tips from you senior members on keeping the food budget reasonable? We're buying mostly whole unprocessed foods - chicken, tuna, salmon, eggs/egg whites, ww tortillas, lean beef - and a couple of supplements (protein powder, glutamine, a box of protein bars/month). I think my food bills have doubled in the past month. Anyone else find that experience?

And yes, I think it shows there's something wrong with our food system in that it costs more to eat well than to eat crap. Enough politics...

BethO