MrsJim- thanks so much for your response. I think you hit the nail on the head with "What's eating you". I am NOT hungry at night when I snack - so I'm feeding something else! I will take your advice and read "Crossing the Abyss" again and remind myself of my goals and why I wanted to do this in the first place. Geez I should know this stuff. I guess when you're wallowing in it - you need to be reminded of what to do.

I want to get back into that "athlete in training" mindset - God knows they hit obstacles that take them out and they still keep going!

Love your pudding idea - a real comfort food. I know you've said before to use 3tbs - is your FF, SF pudding sold in a small box with a packet inside? I have just used the whole packet the last time I made it and it was quite thick - like mousse. It tasted so good that it felt like I shouldn't be eating it.

And I've got an idea for that picture - how about you! (no I'm not a stalker) Don't sell yourself short either - you've come a long way baby!

MeowMew2 - Thanks for the awesome link. I read through it and it described exactly what my knees feel like. Great advice on recovering. I picked up some glucosamine tonight so we'll see how that goes. My current shoes are really worn as well - so after reading this I've decided to break down and buy a new pair this weekend. That may make a difference too.

I know exactly what you mean by needing less sleep. Pre BFL I was NOT a morning person. Now I am up every morning before the clock goes off around 6:30 - 7am and I'm off to my workout. I don't need anymore than 7-8 hours of sleep a night now. Before you couldn't talk to me in the morning unless I had 9-10 under my belt! Could our bodies be becoming more efficient?

You gals are great - thanks for the support!

Hi everyone,

Studying for my last final....feeling very loooooow. As I told you last week my workouts were weak but my eating was clean. I didn't walk in the morning either because I was so flat out.

This week I walked and am eating clean and trying to concentrate on my workouts (I keep going over my school stuff in my head and find myself drifting...) but I'm very disappointed that last week's exercise lapse resulted in progess lost...I'm pretty bloated and my pants feel tight. I know I fight this all the time. That it can take me 11 weeks of hard work to make the slightest progress and one fairly weak week to make GREAT leaps backwards!!!! It's soooooooo depressing. It's not BFL, it's not anything I'm doing wrong, it's just where my body is now. I wish I were more active on a daily basis but school chains me to a chair....today I walked in the morning and then again in the afternoon and needed a NAP when I got home. Not due to the 2 walks but to the stress and studying in between. Tonight is UBWO and I'm going to hit 10s (definitely!!!) I am going to try to walk more in the next couple of weeks and will definitely be hiking around when I get to NYC (no car all summer!!!)...but right now I'm kinda blue.....

Now a question: anyone have any ideas of how to ship my Powerblocks without it costing me a billion dollars???? Just curious if anyone has any ideas.

thanks for listening to me whine.
Susan

TH - no problem. I think it's force of habit - especially if you enjoy watching TV (as I do) to unwind in the evenings - to have a little snackie poo!

Funny how most 'traditional diets' have as a key for losing weight: "Don't eat 2-3 hours before bedtime" while BFL advocates your last meal to be just before hitting the hay...I personally look forward to having my Power Pudding - rich and chocolatey - as my bedtime snack - and since it's partially frozen, it takes a LONG time to eat.

BTW, I just won one of those Donvier mini ice cream makers on eBay the other day - I'm going to try putting Myo Power Pudding in it. I used to own one years ago and it was GREAT - lost it in my divorce though. I'll let you all know how it works after I recieve it and try it out! Having creamy, churned "Ice cream style" Myo Pudding as an option is just too good to resist!!

Okay, the pudding box size. Are you referring to the Jell-O Fat Free Sugar Free Instant? (I know from yukky experience that the "Cook & Serve" FF/SF pudding doesn't work very well for this). ANYway, the one I have hear is 1 oz (28g). There are four servings in a box...I divide it into four servings by weighing it on my scale, 8 grams is one serving. Each serving of pudding mix has 25 calories. So if you splurge once inawhile and use the whole box, keep in mind that you're adding 100 calories and 24g of carbs to your shake...basically doubling your carbs (which mostly come from food starch) if you're using Myo Lite. It doesn't sound like much but those extra calories add up over time.

How cool is this!!!! Remember on Saturday I met Tracy (from L&S) and her fiance at the BB show in SF? During the Men's Grandmaster comp, there was this guy named Anthony posing. He looked great - much younger than 50! In fact when the judges were placing the class, he placed 2nd and the judges were roundly booed by just about the entire audience because Anthony didn't win first place - the only time that happened during the entire evening! Later he came in first in Men's Novice though! ANYWAY, I found out today that he works where I work - we have a mutual friend/co-worker and she's going to introduce us...Like I said. HOW COOL IS THAT - That he works here - but there are like 1,500 employees here so I can't be expected to know everyone...I can't wait to meet him and congratulate him...


Oh jeez, MY picture? I'm not done yet!! Amazingly though I have been getting a LOT more compliments lately: "have you been losing weight?" I always say "I dunno - I don't weigh myself - I'm doing BODYBUILDING..." No one's made fun of it yet - but a lot of folks think it's 'too hard' or 'takes too much time'.

Whew! Time for dinner and Seinfeld - gotta run!

Yay, Yay, and double yay, I am back online. Man I feel like a part of the family had gone away or something!

I have not started challenge two yet, but am desperately missing my workouts, I can almost feel my muscles getting smaller with each passing day.

I don't have a lot to say at this point, I'm just working flat out at four - Yes 4!!! part time jobs - so I don't have a lot of time for much else.

I'm half watching the NZ music awards at the moment - and it really P_____S me off when they sound crap Live. I don't think your good at all, unless you're good live.

Its sooo good to be back, and I'm scared to even look at L&S, but I'm going to venture over there now.

catch you tomorrow
Carly

Sorry I haven't been posting, but I've been reading it all, I promise!

Susan- what about trying to find some one who is doing a cross country move with a commercial moving service? Considering you're moving between two major cities, I wouldn't think it would be impossible to find somebody. Their poundage weight is usually estimated way beforehand, and anything you paid them would just be extra cash for them, esp if their company is paying.

Laura

Well it's Friday and what a tough week BFL wise! Next week will be better - I promise myself that! Not to start yet another whine but I have been hobbling around since yesterday from a LBWO I did on Wed. I forgot just how sore I had got when I first started my C1 - I just thought that wouldn't happen in C2. And I had thought that I hadn't really hit my legs all that great - the pain says different! It's the bathroom visits that hurt the most.

I'm really gonna curtail my free day this week - just a Mother's Day brunch. I didn't do all that well this week in the evenings and I really think that C1 suffered from them.

MrsJim - you were right about that pudding. My package (Jello FF SF) is 7.8g and 33 cal per serving! I was adding an extra 31g to mine. No wonder it tasted so good!

I think it's great that you have someone to hook up with at work - and a competitor at that. Sounds like you two will have lots to talk about. I have you gals and L&S as my network. I work out at home and I don't know of anyone else doing BFL. Although I am trying to get a girlfriend to try - after my C1 results she's not convinced - I'll prove her wrong this time around.

Susanje - Ahhh yes I remember exam time and I can't imagine writing law exams! I really believe that mental work takes alot more out of you than physical work. I used to think that exams were more of a test of how little sleep someone could survive on before their brain exploded from studying. Be gentle with yourself and just do your best with what your priorities are/and should be right now. Those blues will pass. I got myself quite bloated over free week too - my face and belly. Within a couple days back on BFL it all disappeared again. Sending hugs and positive energy your way!

Carps - Nice to hear from you again. I agree it is soooo disappointing to hear a favourite artist live if they sound like crap. Makes you wonder how true their music is recorded?

Well off to the weekend - have a good one everyone - and Happy Mommy's Day!

Udo's also has EFAs.

Good Morning everyone! Long time no post- it's been a busy week.

Just finished C2W6, and I'm feeling a little leaner, pants are looser in butt and thighs (shich weren't a problem tho), but I still have no waist. I'm not sure that all the lifting and clean eating is ever going to change that. What I need is to have a few more vertebrae surgically inserted. My bottom rib just about touches my hip bones; any body rember the rumors that Cher had 2 ribs removed years ago to make her waist look smaller? Wonder if it was true....Just kidding!

Shoulder is feeling better during the day, but hurts at night. I've had to alter my workouts (no lateral raises or front raises and no dumbell rows) but pretty much do everything else. I had a WONDERFUL theraputic massage yesterday. I've never had a massage before, but decided it was my mother's day treat to myself- I'm hooked!

Welcome back Carps, Meow, Thunder. Chin-up Susan, you are almost through!

Susan-Might it be cheaper to buy new powerblocks and re-sell them when you leave NY? I know they sell like hotcakes here.

Thunder- How are your knees? Ace bandages are the long elastic things you buy cheap at a drug store, Kmart, Zellers, whatever. They help me immensely. And GOOD shoes are a must. I'd say the single most important piece of exercise equipment. I've had knee problems since I was 18 and shattered both knees in a ski racing accident, but shoes, glucosamine, anti-inflammatories, and proper form have kept me running, lifting, biking, and walking for almost 20 more years. I do think I'm giving up tennis tho- I'm really tired of the constant injuries due to my inability to play for fun and not try to kill myself competing.

Mrs Jim- Howdy! Nice that you could meet one of the competitors. There are about 1/2 dozen competing BB's at my gym, including my occaisional trainer (when I can afford him). There is also 1 in a wheel chair who just won his first show! I watch these guys very carefully during their workouts and a couple are very helpful when I ask questions (between sets, of course!) This being show season, its not uncommon and pretty funny, to walk past the mirrored aeobics room and see 6 guys in skimpies practicing their posing!

Enough for now- time to take kido to boy scouts.

mel

Thanks again Quadzilla - they're gonna rename this site 3FC and 1 Guy! Nice to see you here. Sounds like I'm getting what I need in UDO's.

Ok I just came up with another plan last night. Let me know what you think. I ended up doing my UBWO in the evening because I was up all night the previous night with my daughter and just didn't have the energy to do a workout in the AM. I was surprised at the strength I had - I could have upped all my weights for every body part! Now my upper body has pretty much been pitiful through C1 - especially my biceps and triceps - I wasn't able to increase weights very much in those areas.

So here's my idea. What if I do my UBWO only in the evenings. I will continue to do all other workouts 1st thing in the morning and add some light cardio like a walk on the mornings of UBWO. I am hoping that this will improve my upper body strength.

Whattya think?

Mel - Received your post just as I was ready to post mine. Just started taking glucosamine yesterday - not sure how long it takes to feel improvement. I'm going out today to buy some new shoes. I switched to my recumbant bike for now until I feel some improvement. I have to say that I enjoy my walk/jog much more - I feel like I get a better work out.I'll pick up those bandages today too - do they just give your knee support? I really think that I have runner's knee (as per meowmew2's link). I have a Dr's app't for an annual physical next month so if it hasn't improved - I'll get it checked then.

Thunder- Except for twice when I thought I was gonna die and my hubby was gonna move out, I've always done weights in the late afternoon. I'm very luck that I only work til 1pm and can do this, I know! I've made tremendous strength gains, and fair bf loss. The slow fat loss is probably not due to workout timing, but 1) the existence of natural peanut butter and 2) my age and flakey hormones. And to be honest, I started BFL after already having lost 40 lbs on Sugarbusters and exercise, so I didn't have much more scale weight I needed to lose. But I really think that the timing has very little to do with it as long as you are motivated enough to DO IT come evening. One of the advantages of BFL insisting on am workouts, IMO, is that it's over with before you can build up a day of excuses for NOT doing it. If you've made it thru C1 and are committed to continuing, I think you are motivated enough to trust yourself to get those workouts done. I know I look forward to it all morning, can't wait to leave work, eat meal 3, check l&S, then head to the gym.

Good luck, mel

I almost always do my UBWO in the evenings because I do them with my powerblocks at home. I like to do it before bedtime. I usually workout, eat a small meal and then go to bed. I do my LBWO in the gym so I tend to go mid-morning/early afternoon because it's the quietest time in the gym. I do my UBWO on the days when I'm out of the house all day and don't feel like hanging out at the gym at night. I'm a person who finds it tough to do a weight workout on an empty stomach so first thing in the morning doesn't work too well (and I have to get my daughter to school so I can't go to the gym until after 8 anyway)

Susan

Question for susanje:
I found two different shoes: Courageous & Grid Courageous; which do you have?

Women's » Grid Courageous #1256: White/Navy/Blue
or
Women's Courageous
Style #: 1407-1
Color #: Dove/Grey Violet
Material: Nylon/Suede

http://originals.saucony.com/originals.cfm?style=1407

http://www.saucony.com/performance.cfm?style=1256

thank's in advance!

Just checking in on the wodnerful saturday evening...

Just ending week three of C2 and feeling really happy with my workouts, but just a wee bit down about my eating. I am staying true to hussman's suggestion of not eating more than 15 percent over my BMR (using his calculation,) since that is what worked for me over the past 16 weeks or so, but for some reason I have been fighting sugar cravings...I know I know ...I say for some reason, and I know what the reason is...I keep going back to putting brown sugar on my oatmeal. I know it isn't a lot just a spoon ful or so, but with my PCOS, every bit of the stuff sets me on a rage...I need to cool it. so other than that, I am eating decently clean...

A quick note regarding glucosamine and how long it take to see effectiveness...Thunder, I am not a nutritionist, but I did manage a health food superstore for a while...It typically takes several weeks before you will notice the difference, and this is because of how the glucosamine works in your body. Some people would come in and complain and say "it ain't doing anything..." not realizing this. I can tell you what the nutritional consultant told me when I started taking it a few years ago, and that is take it, and continue to take it for at least 6 weeks before you give it up thinking it is ineffectual...and have no fear that it isn't working, most likely it is..

Well, I am off to eat some egg whites and apple...caio ladies...

=^..^=

my shoes are the grid courageous (style 1256) but the color seems to be the grey/dove/purple. But they are definitely the Grid Courageous and are style 1256 (Saucony puts the style number in the shoe). In fact, I'm ordering another pair to take with me to NY.

Thanks everyone for suggestions about moving the Powerblocks. I am looking into them!

Also I am wondering about rollerskating. Hubby tells me that rollerskating (not rollerblading) is making a big comeback. I grew up in NYC so we were always rollerskating...rollerblading/skating is big in CA too. So I'm thinking I could probably get a good pair of rollerskates now. I had rollerblades but because I have wide feet, they killed me. (not the shoe itself but the bottom of my feet on that narrow line of wheels). I'm thinking that if shoe rollerskates with four wheels are easy to get now (they haven't been easy to get for a long time), and I'm going to be living off Central Park, they might be a cool thing to get. I'm wondering if there is much cardio benefit. Since I hate cardio but love rollerskating, I'm thinking not.
Nothing I love to do seems to have a lot of benefit except for the leg press.

Well, I'm studying and packing. Two weeks from tonight I'll be in NY.

Susan

Hey how's everyone doing? The weather is SO gorgeous here...

I was hoping to persuade Jim to drive us to St. Helena to visit Mom and Dad for Mother's Day (it USED to take about an hour, now with traffic it's more like two hours). But he didn't get home from his gig until 3 am...and my car is a piece of crap (not freeway worthy whatsoever but okay for tooting around town - besides it's paid for). I really do NOT like driving the truck, actually I'm not a big fan of driving anyway. I'd much rather be chauffered!

Oh well, I sent Mom a big bouquet of flowers from FTD on Friday and I'll call her in a bit. Wish we lived out there - it's so lovely in the Wine Country - but there are really no jobs out there unless you're in the wine business...

This was so funny this morning - I woke up at around 6:15 am today and decided to go do a bit of light cardio at the gym. And who should I see there but this gal around my age (I'm guessing) that shows up, oh, once in a blue moon (if she amortized her costs as far as her gym membership, she's probably paying $75.34 per visit!). What is funny is that it wasn't even 7 am yet, and she had her hair perfectly styled, wearing MAKEUP and this outfit that I call a "designer warmup suit" - you know, sweats, jacket, shirt, the whole deal, like it was off the rack at Nordstrom. She was on the elliptical for an entire hour, taking care not to break a sweat and chattering away to whomever had the misfortune to take the machine next to hers...especially if it was a guy! Hoo boy... then after her hour on level 1 of the Precor, she went to the weight machine and did some half-hearted seated rows with the pin set at, like, 20 pounds. I was trying not to laugh because even with me doing 'light' cardio I was still sweating - partly because of my workout, partly because the sun was blazing in through the windows and it was DARN HOT in there...and she was wearing that warmup suit...too funny...

Thunder - I agree with Mel as far as the morning workouts are concerned. Of course, as long as you DO the workout - no matter what time of day - that's the most important thing. I've been hitting the gym in the early AM for years now, so it's a habit for me. But what Mel said about doing it first thing in the day, so that the excuses for NOT doing it don't build up (this happens to Jim all the time - he always says he's going to ride his bike after work but then he's 'too tired' or it's 'too windy out'). Personally I'm so wiped by the end of the work day, and the gym is SO crowded after 5 pm, that there's just NO WAY I could do the evening workout thing!

AACK! No free day today...I've gotta stay busy today and NOT think about all the goodies I'm accustomed to having on Sunday...who knows, maybe Jim will wake up and decide that a road trip to St. Helena is the ticket - but he looked real tired this morning...we will probably go bike riding instead and then kick it in the backyard with our upstairs neighbors. Later all!