Hey everyone! Today is day 3 for me and so far so good. I haven't cheated once yet and have done all my workouts. I tell you what though I am paying for my few weeks off though. I lost some strength and all my body is aching from head to toe. I was meant to run yesterday but I was so sore from doing quads in the morning that I just rode the bike for my cardio. I hope that this pain goes away soon! The only thing keeping me standing is the glutamine! In another way it makes me feel good because I know that the pain will create improvement in my body and that's my aim!

I had 2 fly interstate yesterday morning and back last night and the flights happen to fall over 2 meals. I ate everything cold since I didn't have a microwave and discovered that omelletes are really nice cold! I could have drunk more water but I was busy running to appointments so I made sure that I had extra when I got home that night. I still went to the gym after I arrived home as well because I was NOT going to miss out on workout - even though I was dog tired. I even dragged hubby along

wcolleen - yeah I noticed my bowel movements as well. I think that it is a healthy habit because it shows if your digestive systems has any problems. I also take note of how long it takes the digest the food completely and have noticed that my body is more efficient eating this way. Perhaps it is helped by the speeding up of our metabolisms as well? I do the same thing with cake in the office. When it comes in the morning I say that I will have some for afternoon tea and then by that stage it is all gone and I don't touch it! I am like MrsJim though I find it easier at work than I do at home with my diet and exercise.

MrsJim: Today I have 20 minutes of sprints and chest/abs (it's a light day for me!) That is after work though so I am looking forward to getting under that bench press again. I hope that my quads settle down a bit otherwise the sprints are gonna be hard. I am on a low carb day today so I presume that I will be exhausted by tonight. It's good though because hubby is back at work so he is really tired as well. I am finding the diet easier that 2nd time around - what about you? I had forgotten how much food we had to eat though! We bought over 60 eggs on the weekend!

Maggie - I know how hard it is to zig zag at first - I went crazy the first time I did it! I threw my hormones out of whack totally because of soccer after about 8 weeks. It's certainly an adjustment period to get back into it again. There is NO WAY I could watch the FN on a low carb day.

Mox: You know what? I am SOOO not a morning person either. I only plan 2 days a week where I go to the gym in the morning, the rest of the time I go after work. People tried to change me when I first started but I just couldn't do it so I concentrated on being consistent rather than doing it perfectly every morning. I found that being consistent over a period of time is more important than trying to force yourself to do something that you are not enjoying. I also love the afternoons because I get to work off all the stress of work at the gym and enjoy my evenings more because my head is clear. You know what I say? Each to their own! Do what works for you instead of trying to fit someone else's standard. No offence to anyone else here of course! It's important to work out what is right for you.

Mel: you did the right thing by contacting Pam. She is a great motivator and organiser but she can't read people's minds! I think that she would appreciate the feedback as well. I hope that you are finding it a bit more enjoyable now!

Well done to everyone on their first few days. We can do this together and we can do it right if we all support each other.

Now excuse me whilst I go refill my water bottle! I think I will have another toilet stop on the way!

JC

Day One Successful!!!! Clean eating/good workouts.

I did cardio/half my abs routine in the a.m. and then I walked from my school to the train station (a route I usually bus, I have to measure it but it is more than a mile). My legs HURT now I'm going to do 1/2 my abs before going to bed (trying to do an ab bootcamp type workout but have to split it because of time constraints on Tuesday). I also parked my car at the way way way back of the train station parking lot so I had to walk a long way both coming and going. The little things count!!!

Ladies: please keep posting your workouts! I love to read what everyone is doing!!!!

Had a great cardio workout this morning. (Day 2 of working out before work - something I hadn't been able to get up for in nearly four weeks!). Feeling very sore after last night's ab, chest, and tri workout. Off to make my oatmeal/egg white pancake! Good luck today, ladies!

Day 3 of our Great Challenge!!!

After a brief stumble at the gate, I'm going full steam into the backstretch...(okay, I just re-read "Seabiscuit" on the plane a GREAT book BTW).

Today's workout was back and hams followed by 20 minutes of butt kickin' HIIT cardio

I LOVE splitting the leg workout in three days - it really lets me focus on each section. Otherwise I tend to overdo the quads.

Tomorrow is a 'rest' day for weights - I'll be doing 45 minutes of cardio MAS instead. Then Friday'll be bis and tris.

JC - I'm also shunning sugar Easy to do on my CPB plan since today they only thing I get resembling sugar is 1/2 an orange with Meal #2. I really believe that if you STAY AWAY from it, you lose your cravings for it. However for my cottage cheese meals, I'll be making cottage cheesecake (cutting out the pudding mix and just using SF Jello or just Splenda and vanilla extract though) which is YUMMY. And on Sunday I'll treat myself to a frozen yogurt at Yumi - they have the Carbolite brand of yogurt which they say has no carbs or sugar...hmph, right. Whether they're exaggerating that or not, it still beats the heck out of, say, a Jamoca Almond Fudge cone from Baskin Robbins!

Well...gotta get back to work...the troops are calling!

Hi Ladies - I feel like I'm running after the bus!!! You gals are great motivators. I had every intention of starting yesterday after the Monday holiday BUT I just got home yesterday after having car problems from our weekend trip. Doing the best I can today with what food I have in the house. Will stock up and prepare prepare prepare tonight and ride this bus with you for the rest of the way!
Doing chest, shoulders and abs later on tonight followed by 20 minutes HIIT.

Catch ya later!

In the last 3 days, I've had some of the best meals I've eaten in 9 months. My BFL meals were getting REALLY boring! Hope this works as good as it tastes. I literally could not stuff another bite into my mouth last night of Pam's Chicken Waldorf Salad, but it was sooo good!

Today's leg workout was the shortest I've ever done, but I hit everything really hard and totally failed at every exercise. That was a bit of a problem in the leg press machine!

Welcome back Thunder! glad you could rejoin us.

JC and Karen- I've been sugar free since July 01. Very easy to do after the first 2 or 3 days- kind of like caffeine withdrawal. But I really feel better. And the cravings go away. The only times I've had problems are when I've cheated, then it takes 2 or 3 days all over again for the cravings to stop.

Mox- After 1 disasterous early morning weight workout, I switched to late afternoons. I do cardio in the am, but never weights. There's just too much going in in my house then for me to leave and go to the gym. And I really NEED to eat first and wake up, or it gets really dangerous. Do what works for YOU.

mel

MEL!!!!

Chicken Waldorf Salad?!? Sounds interesting. Not on MY CPB meal plan - but I'm sure she's been improving it as she becomes more accomplished. JC and I were two of her first clients and we're both (at least I am) still using the original menus.

C'mon, give with the recipe...puhleeze...(moaning and whining here) Especially since I was just AT the Waldorf! I deserve it darn it!!!

Sounds like you're doing great on CPB...I am soooo happy for ya!

Thunder - we'll stop the bus now! (not like the movie "Spider-man" where the bus driver just kept going - I saw that on the plane on the way to NYC. On the way back they showed that "Ya-Ya Sisterhood" film but I just COULD NOT get into it. I usually don't care for those touchy-feely types of flicks - loved "Spider-Man" though).

Can you tell I'm feeling a bit low-carby today?!?

Mox - I agree w/Mel - I do most of my workouts in the morning - but it's what works for YOU. The important thing is that you do 'em.

Urgghhh. I just wrote out a reply, and when I tried to post it, I was told that I wasn't signed on. I must be a very slow typist or something . . .

Anyway, congratulations to everyone on having a great day 2/3 of our challenge! It's sure motivating to know that there are others involved in this clean living thang.

Thanks for the encouragement/advice re: morning workouts. I was able to get my behind out of bed this morning to do my LBWO. I'm going to continue to try to do my w.o's in the mornings (you gals may get a little tired of me moaning about it, though ), 'cause I'm afraid if I leave it for after work, I'll let other commitments (i.e. volunteer work, going out, meetings, TV, any and everything else) derail my exercise routine. And, it's not like my "early" morning workouts are really all that early -- I get up between 6 and 6:30 a.m. (not like 5 or 5:30 like some of you!!!)

I have 2 questions:
1) What are MRPs? I assume they're protein/carb shakes, but just wanted to make sure . . .
2) Non-soreness. Since Week 2, I haven't had any muscle soreness (which it seems that many people have/should have after lifting weights). When I'm lifting, I think I'm reaching for the right intensity levels (although it's hard to always reach a 10), and I've consistently increased my lbs over the last 4+ weeks. Also, my muscles feel "noodley" after I lift. But, since the end of the 1st week, I haven't had any muscle soreness. Do you think I'm not lifting enough lbs? Or is this okay? (P.S. I stretch after every workout.)

Thanks! And have a great evening. Mox

1) MRPs = Meal Replacement Shakes such as Myoplex, Lean Body, etc. Not to be confused with 'protein shakes' which contain little or no carbs.

2) Everyone's different - sometimes I'm sore - often I'm not. I also stretch and take glutamine - and just about every night (after Seinfeld but before feeding Kitty) I take a nice hot bath with a good book...

WOO HOO! We're doin' it!!!

Despite the fact that it is a low carb day. I had a low to moderate carb day yesterday and when I got home after the gym hubby said to me - have I done something wrong? I said no honey I am just running on empty at the moment and he subsequently laughed and said - geez I have to keep reminding myself about this low-carb thing. I whinged all night about feeling flat and everything annoying me and later on in the shower he said to me "I can handle being yelled at but at the moment you are just a whinging teddy bear" I had to laugh at that one it's hard to be upset when you have no steam in you!

I had a great workout last night with excellant sprints. I got up this morning for my back/bis workout before work. I can slowly feel my strength coming back into my arms which is good. I am taking my dogs for a jog after work and before University so I will be exhausted by tonight. But I am going to try my hardest not to complain! I found it hard to get out of bed this morning because I am sleeping like a log at the moment. I was lying there about to let my excuses take over and I thought NO what I am going to tell the rest of the camp members? I can't let them down. So thanks for getting me up this morning girls!

Day 4 for me today! Still going strong on the food front.

Susan: You are right it's the little things that count. How is ab bootcamp going?

MrsJim: Ya I had forgotten how easy it is to stay away from sugar when you go cold turkey. I haven't had any cravings yet. I SOOOO hate the fact that you have sugar free and carb free food over there. We only started having fat-free food in the country over the last 2 years or so. We still only have a limited range though thank goodness I have great american friends like you and Super G (Kim) to send me fat-free puddings!
Yes I still using the original menus from Pam and I don't have Waldorf salad on my menu!!!!

Mel: I have given up sugar before so I don't find it a big deal. I don't think that I would want to give it up completely because I love chocolate so much but I can go without it for a period of time if I have a goal that I am trying to achieve. I DO appreciate how the lack of sugar evens out my moods more and you don't get the highs and lows that are associated with sugar intake. That's the best bonus of all!

Mox: I still get soreness even though I have been on this program forever it seems. I go through periods of not being sore at all and then I will change something and bang I am in pain again. I like the feeling though because it usually indicates change. I know what you mean by commitments after work etc. I just go straight to the gym from work so it's out of the way straight away.

I have my first challenging situation coming up on Friday. I have our presentation night for soccer and we are having a dinner at a local club. I plan on eating right all day and then just eating the meat and vegetables of the main meal and skipping the entree and dessert. I don't want to waste my free meal because I like to be able to choose what I want on my free afternoon. What do you guys think?

Well I have a busy day ahead of me so good luck everyone!

JC

Day 3 is on the books!! Low carbing is KILLER. I'm sorry if I whine about this, but it's so dang hard! JC, you are so right--it feels just like I'm running out of steam.

I made it to my gym super-early today (5:45am) because I started my part-time job as an aide for a little autistic preschooler this morning. I'm just doing it as a favor for a teacher-friend, but it's so wonderful to be around special little kids...lots of energy. Sometimes it's just fun to play, ya know?

I posted about this on the Fitness Scam board, but when I went into the lockerroom at my gym today, there was this woman who had taken Hydroxycut for the first time and was puking her guts out. She was sicker than a dog. Her friend came in to check on her and told her that "the trainer outside told me that everyone gets sick taking this stuff the first time and that tomorrow will be better." Turns out that she had taken the max dosage, drank a couple cups of coffee and hit the gym. Ahh, the gym in the early morning is such an interesting place!

So I managed to get in my hamstring and back workout. No cardio today, thank goodness, and I managed not to watch Food Network at all either. Tomorrow is 40-60 minutes of moderate cardio. Think I'll hit the park for a relaxing power walk/run.

Mel--I WANT that chicken salad recipe! I'm enjoying Pam's recipes, but like I said yesterday, I'm eating cleaner than I have been in a while.

Mox--soreness comes and goes for me. I am really sore this week, but I'm coming off a week off and hitting it hard with a new split. When I first started out, my legs used to hurt so incredibly badly...like for six days afterwards but not so much now.

I think it's incredible that you guys are all off sugar...does that include free days? Like no white bread? No candy? No french toast? Okay, I need to stop thinking about free meals...I'm taking mine tomorrow night, by the way.

I'm off to watch the last half-hour of Big Brother and then it's off to bed! Take care ladies

about the Free Day. I'll have to play it by ear! I DO want a frozen yogurt - but like I said they have the "Carbolite" frozen yogurt which has 40 calories, 10g carbs and 3g protein per 1/2 cup - no added sugar

I'm surprised that I haven't had any real sugar cravings though - the Cottage Cheesecake recipe helps with that - so if I don't CRAVE a frozen yogurt, I won't get it.

I haven't been grouchy, just kind of out of it this afternoon!

ya for me I am cutting out sugar totally including free day. Our bread is made from wheat so it's not a sugar as such here. But all the other sweet things are gone!

We shall see how it goes. Last time when I got desperate I would have a protein bar on my free afternoon. I may resort to that if I feel like it on the day.

JC

MrsJim: How do you break leg workouts into 3 days? I spend so much time on my lower body workouts and would love to do that. Right now I'm splitting upper body into 2 days. (I hope I don't get confused!

I find that when I am in ULTRA SERIOUS mode, as I am now, I need to write everything down!

JEC: I am still figuring out abbootcamp. I have a lot of ab exercises and am figuring out which ones to keep and which ones to ding. MrsJim posted, many threads ago, the BEST ab exercises on a general post and I can't find it, I wish I could.

Mrs Jim: if you still have that, could you post it in the 411 post?

I will post the ab workout I do as soon as I figure out what is staying and what is going!

DayTwoReport: I LOST MY TOTE BAG!!! with my keys, my id, my train ticket....I was frantic in school all day. Planned to come home at noon and didn't make it. I did do my powerwalk from school to the train station despite the fact that I was so damn aggravated (dh says it is much more than a mile and I should really get someone to check it with a speedometer)

I got home late because I needed to wait for DH to get out of work and come to the train station with my spare key. I didn't even have "lunch" until 4:00 (because I was planning to be back home, I didn't bring it with me). But I worked out (half upper body at home with PowerBlocks) and then ate Meal 3.
I had a light meal 4 (more of a snack) a few hours later and then Meal 5. Other than the long stretch with no food, I was still very successful despite the lost tote.

Last night I get an email from my best friend at school. The library found the bag and because I had something with her name on it in it, they thought it was hers and emailed her. We always joke that everyone thinks we're the same person. I guess they do! But thankfully it's found!

Day 3 coming up!!!!

Not feeling quite so 'wiggy' as yesterday sometimes it takes a day or two to adjust to the low-carb days.

Sounds like we are all rockin' here! Woo hoo!

Susan - I'll find that link and post it in the 411 thread. It'll just take me a few minutes...

BTW here is my current split (borrowed from Pam B - it's also HER new split!):

Monday - Chest and Quads
Tuesday - Shoulders, Abs, and Calves
Wednesday - Back and Hams
Thursday - Rest
Friday - Bis and Tris
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Chest and Quads, etc....

I do cardio - usually around 30 minutes on the elliptical - 5-6 days a week. Actually as you can see, today was my 'no weights' day so I slept in a bit (until 4:45 am) and got to the gym at 5:15. I'm afraid Sparky is totally useless as an alarm clock these days because he would rather be snuggled in bed next to Daddy!

As far as my training, here's yesterday's split:

Back: Superset - Close-grip Pulldowns/Cable Rows
Good Mornings (I'm feeling those today!)/1-arm DB rows
Hams: Stiff-Legged Deadlifts/Lunges
Seated leg curl (I was going to do LYING leg curl but the machine was occupied at the time)
Hamtractor

I am DEFINITELY feeling it today! I love the soreness

Day 4 is already full steam ahead! Let's go gals!!!