Body for Life #7
Our Introductory Material.
Check this post for general information about :
1. Body for Life (what it is and how it works).
2. BFL links (Please let me know if you have more!) and
3. a short critique by Mrs. Jim at the end of her week 3
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General 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/palm method of measurement.
Recommended grams per day: divide lean body weight by 6 and that is how much carbs/protein you should have at each meal but it tends to correspond to your palm (protein) and fist (carbs). Add green veggies to 2 meals per day. Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day.
Because of the six meal requirement, some people find it convenient to have Meal Replacement Drinks and/or Bars on hand. This is not a requirement but a convenience.
Meal Replacement Shakes and Bars (Shakes are better IMHO). Look for good ratios of protein to carb and low sugar (Myoplex by EAS and Met Rx not anything like Slimfast
Vitamins: suggest multivitamin
Supplements: l-glutamine for faster muscle recovery and immune system (this is not required but almost standard fare on BFL)
Supplements optional: many options but few (other than creatine) that is standard fare.
Workout schedule (see book for more details): 47-60 minutes intense (using supersetting and drop sets) weight trainining 3 times a week working lower and upper body on different days.
20 minutes intense interval 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
Body for life Links
~~~My own page with week 11 pix (more work on it after I finish ttaking after pix)
http://home.att.net/~s_j_e/bflweek10.htm
AND
'round the net bfl links:
http://*************.com/group/bodyforlife
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/bodyforlifeplus
(for plus women)
http://www.hussman.com/eas/
http://www.bodyforlife.com/
http://www.leanandstrong.com/
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/bodyforlifewomensclub
(for women)
http://www.eas.com
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/bodyforlife
http://www.bflrecipes.bigstep.com
http://www.bflsupport.com
http://www.gymamerica.com/gti/exerc...ted_demo_index/
(Thanks Christie!)
http://www.planetkc.com/exrx/Lists/Directory.html
http://bodybuilding.about.com/recre...ing/?once=true&
http://www.musclemedia.com/training/BootCamp.asp
(AB BOOTCAMP!!!)
http://www.musclemedia.com/training/hiit.asp
(HIIT)
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From BFL #3 Thread: Mrs. Jim's critique at the end of Week 3
Woo! Today's end of Week 3...
...I'm feeling great - my arms are sore (not unbearably so) from yesterday's UBWO...
For the remaining 9 weeks, I've downloaded and printed copies of the progress reports, then written down the strength training routines, with the dates on top (not the planned weight to lift though - I write that in the night before). Each week, I'll pull out the three strength training routines for that particular week and put them on my refrigerator to grab on my way to the gym each morning!
My opinion is, if you want to truly succeed at losing weight in any case - not just BFL - it requires some advance planning, reading/researching, etc. When you're considering a weight-loss/fitness plan, don't just go blindly into it. Do some reading and research. Talk to people (on line or in person) about how they've done on the plan - preferably those who have done the plan in the past, or for more than a few weeks. Ask yourself "Can I stay on this plan for X amount of weeks? Will I be able to KEEP the weight off? Can I afford to do this?"
Let's face it, BFL isn't for everyone (though I would strongly encourage all to give it a look!), just like WW or other plans don't work for everyone. It's important to find a plan you can live with for an extended period of time!
The things that appealed to me about BFL were:
*The structure of the plan - I've lifted weights in the past, but didn't have an actual routine to make them more effective. I like the way BFL's weight training is set up and timed - it's fast paced and actually enjoyable!
*Even though I'm doing less cardio than in the past (where I would typically spend 80 minutes on the EFX, followed by 5 minutes on the treadmill and 10-15 minutes lifting weights, six or seven days a week, in addition to long hilly bike rides on the weekends) I find I'm getting more out of it. My typical BFL cardio workout day consists of doing the 20 minute solution (using a HRM to monitor my intensity), THEN doing a 40-minute easy 'jog' keeping my HR low (120-140 HR) just because I enjoy it...I still do my Friday Spin class but only after my strength training and usually only stay for the first 35 minutes (primarily because of my work schedule).
*Another great thing is the FREE DAY...can't say enough about it. It's kind of exciting to plan what I'm going to be eating on Sunday! In addition, Jim and I usually go cycling or are out and about, so it's not like I'm hanging around the house pigging out...I still don't know what I want tomorrow...we did Mexican last week...maybe Italian??
Well, gotta go - my Myoplex is ready! Later...
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Mrs. Jim