Free day
 

I spent all week looking forward to today, planning my first eat-whatever-I want day since last July. I couldn't sleep thinking about it. I woke up late for me, had a few fights with my 11 yr old, 2 cups of coffee, 2 pieces of toast (whole grain rye, but,yes, BREAD) with natural peanut butter, another fight with son, and now I have such a stomach ache, that's probably it for the day. Kind of like a birthday spent doing laundry and mowing the lawn.

I'm still waiting for that fat-burning swoosh- I'm getting stonger and stronger, added about 5 pounds more to back, arms, and chest routines, and 25 more to lower body (lying leg press up to 550!) but the ab fat just won't budge despite 100% clean eating and lots of water. I really don't want to go on a comp diet, I know I'd never be able to stick to it without a comp goal, and that's just not in the picture! I know, it's only C2W2 just done, but I'd like to see some results too.

Susanje- you certainly have dramatic uses for your muscles! Mine are handy for carrying 2 40 lb bags of dog food to the car, or lugging a full laundry basket up and down the stairs :). Very exciting.

Thunderheart- The gloves really help with grip and making it a whole lot less painful. I wouldn't even try some things like flat back deadlifts, without them. Also they protect the backs of your hands if you are a klutz like me and tend to clunk yourself with plates or dumbells. BTW, just where in the frozen north do you live? Hubby lived in MooseJaw and Moosinee(sp?) for a year. Are you that far north? We were in Thunder Bay last summer for a few days.

OK- time to dream of eating all the stuff I'd planned for today. And do more laundry.

mel

I'm back
 

hi all

been away for the weekend at a church camp, and was sick as a dog on Thursday and spent friday packing etc, so I've been out of action for ages, but back today although I'm starting a new seasonal job today and its going to be pretty intense for the next two months, getting to the gym is going to be a major event - but I'm still determined to do it.

have to run and buy groceries now, scared to even see how many messages I've missed at L&S but might venture over there later.

I will have a look at that glove thread - I have been wondering about them as I am getting calouses already.

better go - talk later
Carly

Hi everyone!

Well, I didn't make it til today for Free Day. I ate a clean meal 1 and meal 2 and then I didn't eat all day (I was at school and studying). So I decided, on the way home, to get a big juicy hamburger at a place in Berkeley called Barneys that has the BEST burgers and fries. They have spicy curly fries with ranch dressing and I indulged.

Then coming home it was too late for DQ and I knew I HAD to have an icecream because it is what I've been craving so I stopped at the supermarket and got a pint of vanilla icecream, hershey's syrup and whipped cream and made an ice cream sundae at home.

Definitely cured me. While it tasted good initially (but never as good as I think it's going to taste), I felt sick halfway through. I was craving THIS? yick.

Today I am back to clean eating! Feeling much better now, thank you. :)

It's funny how this Free Meal/Day works! Cures what ails you and gets you back to what cures you! :lol:

susan

Bummed Out!
 

Hi ladies! I can't believe that this happened. I went to develop my roll of film yesterday. I sat nervously as I was a little early for the 1 hour developing. I kept thinking that they are going to think that I am so strange with pictures of me in my underwear. Anyway they DID NOT TURN OUT!!!!. My husband took the pictures so the only thing I can think of is the cap must have been on the lense because there is no negative that even remotely resembles me standing. I was soooo disappointed - I really wanted something to compare my final shots to. I still intend on taking them but now I will have to rely more on the tape measurements! We gotta get a digital camera!

On the upside, I bought a pair of gloves yesterday. I used them today for UBWO and I really like them. Besides the pratical benefits they made me feel like a real bodybuilder!

They were talking about 4 weeks sprints on L&S and I wondered if people still took the 1 week off in between. With summer coming up - we do alot of camping (tenting) and I was wondering if I may need to consider something like this. Any ideas? I may post the same question at L&S at some point for some hints. Might be other tenters there that manage to stay on program even in the bush!

Mel - You have a PM

Hope everyone is well!

Thunderheart:

I am NYC born and raised so I am not a camper (I think I'm camping if I'm in a hotel without room service! :lol: ) but I would imagine it would be a natural food regiment for camping unless you have an RV with electricity to use a blender. So you would need to plan 5 or 6 BFL meals. You probably do want to ask on L&S because the sampling is large.

I'm going to get a pair of gloves after listening to you ladies! You don't get callouses from powerblocks but I want a pair anyway!
:lol:

I'll strut around the gym in them. Just because. :)

I'm sorry about your pictures! :?:

I love my digital camera. It has a delay feature so I take all my own pictures. I like having that kind of control. Maybe you can find a non-pose before picture.

Susan

Even the best laid plans...
 

Good morning all on this windy day...if I was Mary Poppins I could have flown to the moon with all this wind we're having!

It actually started up yesterday in the morning. Jim and I were getting all fired up in front of the TV watching the news, when we started seeing the wind blow...and heard the weather report. We kinda looked at each other and said, well, Half Moon Bay ain't happening for us today... :s: I could have kicked myself for not going with Jim on Saturday (and cleaning on Sunday) but hey, I was motiviated to CLEAN and that doesn't happen often enough for me!

So we had a big ol' Free Day blowout. Man...I am SO BLOATED right now... :( as a result...

Kind of makes it easier to stay on my comp diet today...I will have to decide on a date and cut out Free Days eight weeks in advance...

Plus I wanna look my best and STRONGEST for the L&S gathering in Raleigh come early July!

I actually bought gloves yesterday - some Harbinger Ultimate Pros, not the wrist-wrap ones though...and tried out some PowerBlocks. If/when I do get them I'll probably get the 5-60# set that you can expand. The guy at the Omni store said that the PowerBlocks have been VERY popular!

Today is TAX DAY. Maybe that's another reason my tummy's upset?!? :lol: Gotta love it...

Thunderheart - what a BUMMER! DO look into getting a digital camera - the price is going down all the time. I got Jim a point-and-shoot last year for around $179 at www.half.com - then spent $24 on rechargeable batteries and $10 on an AC adapter cord. Digital cameras eat through batteries like no tomorrow so buying rechargeable batteries is a GREAT investment.

I think the sprints thing is just to break up the 12 week routine a bit. I'm sure they don't take a week off after every sprint though!

still alive, C2, W3
 

I'm celebrating C2 by doing everything RIGHT this time. I feel much better to begin with, with warmer weather and longer days. My only fluctuation from the book is to lift weights six times per week - less parts per session but more moves per part. Since I'm fairly experienced with weights (but was never disciplined in my practice) I prefer this approach. I'm also making a conscious effort to eat more fruits and vegetables so more of my carbs are from fruit. I make a soup from broth and vegetables that I mush up with my wand blender, and add a big bowl to at least one meal.

My other addition is a daily walking program (not HIT!) outside and I'll be adding some hiking. I have a strong spiritual need to be outdoors. No plans to start a riding program though...maybe next year!

I have many specific goals written down for this challenge, and I've included rewards at each three week point for sticking with it. One is a heart rate monitor, something I've always wanted.

It's so inspiring to hear how well everyone is doing, each at her own point on the "transformation spectrum."

MRS.JIM enjoyed your pictures and descriptions of Miami. I'll definitely go there after C4! I plan to spend at least part of the year in FLA after I retire, and start my second career as a personal trainer/massage therapist/yoga teacher. Any thoughts on where to look online for some of those beach clothes?

SUSANJE I finally looked at your page and saw the great results you posted. And now you're on that path again. Congratulations!

I'm looking forward to the Kentucky Derby in a few weeks, I never watch one without tears in my eyes. Last year I was REALLY in tears because my Triple Crown hopeful Point Given ran fifth! But he was so beatiful doing it...

Hey Lisa -
 

Beach clothes: here's some great sites:

www.venusswimwear.com

www.ujena.com

I love wahini surf shorts and bought some cute ones from www.hawaiisurfwear.com

I've never been to a Derby but been watching the Triple Crown races since 1973 on TV. Watching Secretariat's Belmont Stakes STILL brings tears to my eyes!!!

I was there...
 

at the race that day. My father had seen the last Triple Crown winner back in the fifties and when it was clear the Red Bombshell was going to do it in 1973, I had to be there. My father watched the race from his hospital bed. I screamed so much that I lost my voice on the way home.

I loved Point Given because he looked so much like Secretariat.

If you haven't read Horse Heaven by Jane Smiley, I think you'd love it. She's a "horsegirl" too.

Carly,

I know what you mean about a major event. I'm doing a trial this week so the MAJOR EVENT theme is here this week. I'm trying to make self promises to attack the gym on Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun (my "lesser" days of schedule). I'm turning into a (long) weekend warrior. The gym on Mon/Tues/Weds is out so I have to remember to do something at home. Usually it's elliptical on Monday and UBWO on Tuesday. Wednesday is the day I don't work out but walk in the morning and eat clean.

Lisa:

Good to see you! congrats on a successful start to C2. My switch in this challenge is legs 3x a week with abs on 2 of the LBWO and a half UBWO on the other one and a full UBWO on another one (I have to get more structured on UBWO) and cardio twice (since I'm walking and doing yoga and doing semi-HIIT on some weight days). A little weird but I'm still changing things up to figure out what works best for me. I really LOVE LBWO so I thought I would increase it since it's so enjoyable to me. I'm still figuring out the deal with UBWO.

As I said, I have a full trial this week (real judge, real jury) so I have to go to work and tonight go to school (trial is tomorrow).

Susan

Thunderheart and Mel...
 

MEL thus far no fat-burning swoosh for me either! And the fat over my belly wasn't "the first on" it was the LAST on! I always had a fairly flat stomach until I turned 40. But it WILL go eventually.

THUNDERHEART I'm a tenter but I've never done it since practicing BFL. I car camp, as opposed to carrying everything in a pack. Sometimes I have the luxury of ice and a cooler, sometimes not. I have a friend who uses a food dehydrator extensively (he makes stuff like salmon and two vegetables, and dries it) but I haven't gone that road. I think my solution would be whole foods, packets of tuna, good quality jerky, and of course dairy if I could keep it cold. I'd also carry bars and protein powder for emergencies. I can't imagine staying 100% on track but I also get way more exercise when I camp. Maybe some better suggestions at L&S.

I don't mean to get in the middle of things here but I have a question. I was going to do BFL and decided I'm just not in the right place mentally for it right now, although I am incoporating more healthy habits into my life. I must say though, I respect all of you for your willpower and determination on this program!

Now for my question. I bought a big box of the Myoplex Lite shakes (variety 42 pack) and I am really not fond of them. Even though I won't be following BFL, I'd still use them if I liked em but they just aren't tastey to me. Do any of you have any idea where I might sell them or somesuch? I don't expect to get all of my money back (especially since the box is now 4 packets short) but even if I could get half of what I spent back, that'd be great because we're not in a very good place financially at the moment :-( Any thoughts?

Hope that was an alright question to ask here..

Thanks,
Christine

Silence...
 

depending on what you paid I'd be thrilled to take the remaining ones off your hands. Here's my e-mail: [email protected]

Outting Myself, so to speak
 

Confession time: I am in Week 6 of my first BFL challenge, but up until this past Saturday I was *not* doing BFL eating, though I followed the exercise faithfully. I have been following all the threads here during that time; you're a lovely group! :)

Why? Fear of carbs! Some history: I am a 41 year old SAHM of 4 (3-17). Most of my life I was either way underweight (at 10 I weighed 45 pounds!) or ate whatever I wanted without any consequences. All that changed around age 36. I had a tough pregnancy at 38, and while I didn't gain horribly, I never really got back into regular exercise after that.

So last October, at 138 (I am 5' 2 1/2") I started the Zone diet. This worked well for awhile; I lost 10 pounds in 2 months. After that---nothing. Plus I was hungry ALL the time. I then tried cutting my carbs (not to Atkins levels, but prob around 50-60 grams a day), and eliminating sugar and refined flour (sorta Sugarbusters). Lost 3 more pounds, still felt great.

So when I decided to do BFL to get in shape, I was really scared that bumping up the carbs (even the good ones) would pile the weight back on. Plus, I knew I'd miss my almonds and almond butter <g>.

Anyway, I don't feel like such a fraud now <g> and will unlurk and join in more.

Laura

Hi everyone!
 

Wow! I feel ever so much better today than I did yesterday - had a MAJOR free day hangover most of Monday. :p

Been superbusy here at work so didn't have time to post until now.

Laura - WELCOME! I know exactly how you feel about fear when first starting the program. With me it wasn't carbs since prior to BFL I was a vegetarian...but rather it was getting rid of all those old 'diet tapes' in my brain. Like "Stop eating 2-3 hours before bedtime" or "All fat is bad fat" or "the more cardio, the better for weightloss". I started my first challenge pretty darn close to a year ago - my goodness - it will be a year this coming Monday! - and getting rid of those old fears (along with overcoming the urge to step on the freaking scale every week) was like a catharsis to me!

Oh, one more thing - make sure to stop in at www.leanandstrong.com - most of us gals hang out there as well - if you haven't already done so. The Transformation Gallery there is QUITE motivating to say the least!

I was surfing around bodybuilding sites a couple days ago and finally found a photo of who I would want to look like if at all possible - Marla Duncan (who is also a horsewoman in addition to being a fitness babe). There's a picture at this website http://www.naturalmuscle.net/nm1100/marla.htm where she looks the way I envision myself - MUSCULAR legs and arms (if you click on the link, it's the photo of her in a blue outfit, not the swimsuit one). As motivation, I've put the photo on my PC desktops (both at home and work).

Well...back to work! Will post more later...