Don't know if you caught this...
 

on the main board at L&S:

During a thread about the evil scale :devil: Pam B revealed how much she weighed during the photo shoot for Energy magazine...

she's 5'6" tall...

she weighed...(drum roll here)... 160 pounds!!!

Boy oh boy, if that doesn't say how TOTALLY USELESS the scale is (remember she's a size 4!!!) when it comes to BFL I don't know what would...How many of us would LOVE to have a body like Pam's??? (me! ME!!!)

Just wanted to toss that out! :D

evil scale
 

Gadzooks!

I would like her physique, too! I'm between you and she in height, just nudging 5'5" ('course, I may be shorter after I lose the fat in my feet) :lol:

I'd also enjoy seeing her fool one of those "guess your weight" guys at the fair...

She's amazing! I hadn't read that thread yet, but definitely plan to. So many people deify the stupid scale, behaving as though their life depended on a number. I used to be that way and it was a source of constant frustration.

Yet -- there is a certain freedom in knowing it's out of my house and my pants tell a better story about my progress.

I also think it's great that you have to wash and dry your size 4 DKNY's at hot settings so they still fit :D

Happy Valentine's Day
 

To all my new friends here...

You guys rock!!

My Pants-O-Meter tells me that I've lost some of my kangaroo pouch. The pouch is still there, it just doesn't stick out as far as it did.

Too, my shirts are getting too tight in the shoulders. I think my lat and delt "seedlings" are starting to grow :D

I also have a question. I have a hard time doing leg extensions because my kneecaps hurt something awful, even with the lowest weight. Squats don't hurt, but my butt and belly are so big it's hard to keep balanced. My gym has three Smith machines, but I've not tried them. Any opinions and help are appreciated. :)

Leg Extensions...
 

Claire - personally I'd stay away from the leg extensions if you have knee problems...I do them myself but I don't have knee problems (well, they don't hurt anyway!), and I do them at pretty light weights.

In fact there was an article in Muscle Media called "Drills that Rule, Drills that Drool" by the Mad Russian (I believe it was the August issue if memory serves) that put the leg extension machine in the 'Drool' category, because of the knee thing.

I use the Smith machine a lot - right now one of my sets of lunges are Smith lunges - but for squats I prefer using the rack or the leg press machine...and just positioning my feet in different places. Squats are the best exercise for quads IMO - works 'em good and you can do them in so many positions and ways. Click on this link: http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/Thi...l#anchor172012 for a bunch of good exercises!

Oops, just checked the clock - meeting Hubby for lunch...just a BFL lunch - we're celebrating Valentine's Day on Sunday with my free meal! Take care all!

Leg extensions
 

MrsJim:

Thanks very much. I don't have knee problems either, except for that one exercise. I do use the leg press machine (thanks for the additional info and link -- looks very usable) and have no problems with any other leg exercises. I've been using 30 pounds on the leg extension and that may be too heavy for my knees.

Enjoy lunch with hubby -- mine is working until 9 tonight so we'll celebrate Sunday for free day!

Leg extensions
 

Claire- I have major knee problems, and have had both rebuilt. My trainer tells me never to lower my legs all the way down on leg extensions, but to stop them at a 45 degree angle. The major load on your knee joint is the first 45 degrees, then the larger quad muscles take over. I've never had any pain doing it that way, and it forces you to REALLY control it. But I agree with MrsJim that squats with a rack and my personal favorite, hack squats, do the trick. Also try walking lunges with a weight bar over your shoulders- that hits just about every muscle in your body and then some.

have fun, mel

Leg extensions
 

Mel --

thanks so much. Hubby won't work his lower body because of rebuilt knees and some bad advice from a trainer. I'll pass on your info about the leg extension.

I'd not considered hack squats but will give them a try. Lunges are something I'm working toward -- right now I'm too fat to do them with good form.

Will let you know how it goes. Thanks again!

Just pushing up to the top!

hope everyone is doing great!

Hello again!!

I just wanted to let ya'll know that I finally bought the Body For Life book tonight and I think I may actually have my hubby talked into joining a gym with me!!! :D I'm so excited!!

I'm fixing to go read my book!!

Welcome!
 

Welcome aboard Stephanie! Aways great to have another (especially a moderator) join our group. It's pretty slow here on weekends, but things pick up during the week. Read the book carefully, paying special attention to "Crossing the Abyss". That was the advice MrsJim gave me, so I'll pass it along. Personally, I also need to re-read the food part every other day. Good luck, we're here for you.

mel

Happy weekend!!!
 

Actually HAPPY THREE DAY WEEKEND! Who all is going to hit the mall? Can't resist those sales!

I've seen most of us hangin' out at L&S a lot lately...just thought I'd post here before my riding lesson...afterwards I'm going to attempt to convince Jim to go look at kitties at the Humane Society. Our trip to Miami is in a little over a month and I keep feeling guilty about leaving Sparky by himself most of the time - especially at night. According to his paperwork, he has always been a solo cat but there's a big part of me that's convinced he needs a girlfriend (fixed of course!).

Tomorrow is my Free Meal...Jim is taking me out for Valentine's Day (belated). We're either going to Kincaid's (a great steak/seafood/etc place on the SF Bay) or KingFish (which serves Cajun food with a twist). So that's something I'm really looking forward to!

Did I mention that I am having Pam B do up a nutrition and training program specially for me? I have about 12 weeks until the first contest I'm shooting for...she thinks that's enough time to get my bodyfat down to the level it needs to be at...if I work hard at it. I've already been warned by the gals at the Quad Squad that the low-carb days are going to make me very cranky...but I feel I'm set...I'm determined...

After the contest, I'm going to take a week off then go back to BFL eating/training - that is unless I decide to do the contest in July as well!

I consider the Body for Life plan as a BASE, the way I want to live my life most of the time. I can't believe it's been 2 months shy of a year since starting this journey - time has gone so quickly! And I know I can do BFL as my 'regular life'. I love my foods, I love the way I feel...so strong...hope everyone else is feeling the same way I do!

Well, got to get in the shower and get ready for riding! Take care all...

HELLO!!!
 

Well it sounds like everyone is moving along nicely......SMILES......I like to hear that....

I too am moving forward and loving every minute of it........I have learned soooooo much............it is incredible......I find it is a never ending journey of info......I sometimes wonder how will I remember it all...........thank goodness I keep notes and print stuff out....

I had a killer LBWO two days ago......and still feel it very much.......in my Quads.......so much so.........yesterday I didn't want to do my cardio.......but I went to L&S for encouragement........and I GOT THAT.......and I pushed through and DID IT :)


Mrs.Jim is there really a disadvantage to doing your workout in the evenings.........I bring work home regularly and I find.......I just can't get up too early in the morning.....so I have been doing my workouts as soon as I get home from work......I find.........that I am more stable doing it this way........meaning......I don't miss a day.........in the first couple of weeks I tried the morning thing......and missed a few workouts........because of being tired........so I have opted for the evening shift....

My eating is going fantasticly..........I love the food :T I am allowed to eat and at times I feel like an OINKER.........I feel that I am forever eating.......at work we have a small fridge.......and I have just about taken it over...... :lol:

Tomorrow marks my completion of week 4.......and I am absolutely thrilled........ :D .......my mind set is totally different then it has ever been on any other thing that I have tried ......I AM TOTALLY STOKED.........and know....that this is a life time commitment

I like when people ask me are you loosing weight.......it gives me a great feeling.......

Well it is grocery shopping time.........I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend.......

Kel - sounds like you're doing great - I've seen your posts on L&S quite frequently (BTW did you get a load of Pam B's latest pix? The girl is SMOKIN'!!!)

You know what? As long as you're DOING the workout, if evening works better for you, that's okay! I personally think morning is preferable, but that's because of my lifestyle and the fact that the gym I go to is usually PACKED between 5 - 9 pm...I like it when it's almost deserted...a few weeks back I was there at 3:30 am and it was GLORIOUS. All the weights and cardio machines all for me...la la la...

And the eating is one of the GREAT things about BFL...I can, nay, I MUST eat every 2-3 hours!!! (as I've stated before, most of the people at work I know eat constantly - they just don't count the bag of microwave popcorn, the 3 Musketeers Bar, the Hagen-Daas as a 'meal' and forget about it right after eating it...)

I had such a great riding lesson today...Dee Dee (the owner of the stable) taught us today (there are two other people in my class) and we did some riding patterns. I've been spending extra time in the gym strengthening my inner thighs by lying down with the Swiss ball between my legs and squeezing, holding the squeeze for a count of 10, then releasing and repeating...I also use the inner-thigh machine and put it on 150 then bring my thighs in about halfway (like straddling a horse) and HOLDING it for a count of 20-30 or as long as I can stand...the legs are so important when riding...to signal the horse and stay in the saddle and I can tell I'm getting better and better...in fact Dee is talking about getting me in some schooling shows this year...and maybe the US National Arabian Horse Show in New Mexico in 2003...she's getting a colt ready for that show...will keep you posted! (of course it costs a fortune to get to the National level...I'd love to do it riding Penny...whose photo I'll attach here - he is such a sweetie pie and so talented!!

TWICE IN ONE DAY!!!
 

Mrs.Jim currently I am working out from home......but I know.......soon I will have to start going back to the gym........my legs are very strong.......and I will soon out grow what I have at home to do the exercises.......when I did go to the gym.......I did go @ 5:30 am when it opened........and yep........some regulars.......but no waiting for anything.........

Just work.........well they have had a ton of lay offs......and of course the people left behind do the work of 4....... :(

What keeps me at this......other then my striving for a healthy lifestyle.........is how working out..........destresses me.......and puts me in a calm place............I LOVE THAT FEELING :D

Sounds like you are doing very well with you riding lessons that is fabulous.......I have never ridin myself.......but my daughter loves horses.......and use to take lessons......but she is in the 11th grade.......and she works.......makes it difficult for her to do the extras she sooooooooo loves.......but she likes having her own money.......to do things........ :spin:

and I DID I DID.......she Pam's pics..........she is phenominal......to say the least......... :smoking:

I find L&S and this board a great resource to me.........it helps me immensely..........I won't say I haven't had my set backs........but I have picked up and moved on..........and well.....the clothes tell it all.........*does a happy dance*........