Hello, all!

I'm still a bit of a lurker, but I did want to assure ya'll that I am on Week 2 of my first challenge and am doing okay. As some have said before, I believe it will take this 12 weeks to really get a hang of the eating ... it has less to do with planning and more to do with seeing what I'm supposed to eat and not having the stomach for it -- does that make any sense to anyone? But I take small steps, and I'll get there.

As for my exercise, I haven't missed a day yet (except free day, of course). My 1st grader got sick this week, so I've had to do my workout at home the past 2 days ... It's not as challenging as when I go to the gym, mostly because I need to get one higher set of dumbells plus I don't have any kind of aerobic equipment (I ran in place, if you can believe it -- got my blood pumping at any rate!)

I'm working on ignoring the scale, too! And I'm feeling pretty good -- so keep it up, everyone!

Pen
BFL 1/6/03 220 lbs., c. 40%BF

JC- Was yesterday a low carb day for you? I freeze on those days.

Lana- Mac and cheese is really good compared to what I've done over the last week- I've been on a "nut craze", probably eaten about 3 pounds in a week . I think I need more fat in my diet.

Ledom- I know cutting starchy carbs is verbotten by the book and most bodybuilding dogma, but I was gaining fat as well as muscle. Since I started restricting them and cycling them on my heavy workout days, I've dropped all the fat I'd gained in C2 and 3, but have plateaued again. Probably due more to cheating than a true plateau. I'm changing the nutrient ratios- upping the carbs and fat a bit to keep myself from cheating (hopefully). Also beginning to wonder if it's possible ( with a few exceptions like CindyRae and Bfl_Sue from L &S) for a menopausal woman to maintain bodyfat at less than 16-18%. I can get there, but only stay there for a nanosecond!

There was a huge thread yesterday about whether a woman who had lost soe muscle as well as fat had a "good" transformation. At this point, I think I would gladly give up a few pounds of muscle if it meant also giving up double the amount of fat. I have loads of lean muscle mass for my build- Someone forgot to tell my body that old saw that women can't get really big muscles!

JC-I second the CUTE! There's no other word for that huggy picture

Hi everyone else-
gotta go to work.

mel

Mel,

I see where you are coming from. I am so happy w/ following bfl by the book that I can't imagine eating one food less than I am. It doesn't feel like a diet at all, I am never hungry - though I may change my mind as time goes by. It is a little early to say but I too seem to be stuck in a plateau. I will just keep on doing bfl by the book though because I think in time it will break. I know what I need to do and that is to really get after my free days. Honestly, I have binged both free days of this challenge - I don't know what that is about but I have a plan for the upcoming one. Back to the list of treats I am keeping instead of just eating any and everything because it is "allowed". It doesn't even make me feel good or be happy to do that - actually the opposite. I think right now free day is what is holding me back. I am not ready for just a free meal, but I am ready to stop this binge insanity.

I think it is important to feel comfortable w/in the limitations of what is possible for ones age, genetics, etc. I know you know that. I find your journey interesting and I have learned so much from you. I will reiterate what so many have said before me. You look great and while it important to always have a goal, please don't be too hard on yourself.

jenelle - yep I'm a teacher. I teach at a university so that I do have a ton more flexibility than in public school (where I have also taught), the first week of a semester is madness though. I think that next week things will settle down and I'll figure this scheduling out.

mspen - I too am in my 2nd week so we'll be doing this challenge together!

hey to everyone else

Sheesh! This always happens when I have a deadline at work...plus too tired to get on the computer after work (combined with Jim being on it as well)...I come back to this thread and it has SWELLED UP WITH MESSAGES!!! Whew...

Got a lot of catching up to do...

JC - I actually do have a PayPal Account (you are addressing the wife of the ultimate eBay addict!). PM me when you have a moment.

Also on the cold thing. I agree with Mel on that - if you're doing low-carb, it's a common occurrence. Also I remember when I was doing the VLCD (Optifast) study in 1990, during the fasting stage I was FREEZING all the time - I'd be wearing sweaters in August. If you're losing fat, it's like losing layers of outerwear, you know? I recommend lots of hot green tea! That always works for me, especially in my igloo of an office...

Ledom - What I would suggest is staying with the BFL plan (eating-wise that is) as long as it works for you...since you are adapted to it as a lifestyle. When you stop seeing results - that's the time to rethink. Cory (Funky Diva at L&S) and I have emailed each other about this. Basically it comes down to "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Personally I would give plateaus about three weeks to 'break down' on this plan. Make a list - are you hitting your 10's in your cardio and weights? Eating according to plan (I'm sure you are)? I know where you're coming from on the binge thing. Unfortunately that's not a habit that is easily broken - I still struggle with it. I find my best free days are when I have other activities planned (horseback riding, driving up to the Wine Country or San Francisco, etc.). Lately though, with Jim's schedule (he's been either gigging or in the studio much of the time during the weekend) combined with the less-than-optimal weather we've had lately, along with our kitties, we've been spending a lot of time on Sunday doing nothing really. Also, when I babysit for my sister, she has a lot of 'red light' food in her house and I really have to steel my mind against it! It's easier when Jim comes with me, he's like my shoulder angel!

Lana - would that be KRAFT Macaroni and Cheese on your Free Day list? Actually my free day list would be pretty boring - I always want the same things: Mexican food or sushi; frozen yogurt; cold cereal...

Sorry to cut this short, but I gotta take my shower now - more later when I get to work

MrsJim you're sooo right about going away for a bit and coming back to lots of posts. looks good though, no?

about the coldness -- i've also been feeling it a bit lately, since i've dropped so much fat in the past few months (about 30 pounds). i started noticing it about 2 weeks ago and figured it was because of the *shedding*. i now keep a light sweatshirt next to me for when i feel the cold. i kind of like it too since i've always suffered from heat.

i had a very good chest, back and shoulders session today. i did have a bit of a problem with too many people talking to me.... i don't like being interrupted. but i got rid of them (one was my business partner) and then i was able to work better. i then did 30 minutes of treadmill intervals. i'm hitting 10 more and more consistently and that makes me super happy

i'll be going back later this evening to do a 30 minute trekking class. i've been trying to do one for two weeks now and it just hasn't come through for me. i hope that tonight is the night. i'd like to see if i can integrate the trekking into my cardio workout....... we'll see.

food has been excellent also. i'm such a happy camper with this program !! i really should go in an had a blood test to make sure that my cholesterol and triglycerides have come down. i'll do it next week.

hope you all have a great Wednesday. i'm really glad i found you all here on this board. it's nice being able to hear about your days on bfl and gather more information.

MrsJim -- thanks for the tips you gave me on the food. i very rarely get to that point anymore, thank God. i don't particularly like preparing my food in advance, and i don't really need to since i work 3 feet from the kitchen. i like taking the time from the computer to get up and make my meals throughout the day, it keeps me from getting too obsessive with my work. i figure one messed up meal every two months or so is not bad at all, especially since i don't have "free days" because i prefer just keeping to my program all the time. it's not really a program i guess, it's just a way of life now

take care everyone,

adriana

I am not sure about being here.....I do admire you all for making real changes to yourself...BUt, Im not sure this is, will be, can be, for me. Thanks for always making me welcome though. You are a nice group. For now I am just a info seeking drop in

My question is, what about this Body RX? I am hearing about it and I guess you need not do cardio. Cardio is my LEAST favorite thing about exercising. So how does Body RX stack up to Body for life?

So I figured it was time to finally drop a quick note to say hi!

I am on Week 2 of my 2nd BFL Challenge and recovering from a self induced holiday massacre. I had good results from my first by-the-book Challenge that ended in October. After a free week (which was spent at a conference at a casino – can you say “Free Buffet?”) I did a mini-challenge until Thanksgiving. After that, all **** broke loose and I went back to some of the old ways (not exercising and eating crap occasionally). So – on January 2nd I got back to basics and I am in the process of reclaiming my lost progress.

I think I have learned more about my willingness to live a new lifestyle and taking full responsibility for the consequences of running alongside the wagon (since I didn’t fall completely off) in the past two months than I expected would be possible. I discovered that I get just as much satisfaction from eating clean and exercising as I did from not exercising and eating junk. That was quite a revelation for me.

Mrs. Jim – Thanks for all your advice and the willingness to share your experiences.

Tanya- Hang in there. I have dealt with uncontrollable cravings and hunger for more years than I wish to remember (due to insulin resistance). This lifestyle has been the first true relief from it. The secrets for me are: I HAVE to eat squeaky clean and I HAVE to plan those squeaky clean meals.

AACCKKK!! Busy today but *finally* getting a chance to post again...eeecchhh...

Now where was I?

Spam - you know, I was just watching the Travel Channel the other day and there was a show called "Battle of the Buffets" (They're doing Las Vegas week on TC). I can't believe that there is actually an organization for eating contests! They actually had a representative there - it's called something like the International Federation for Competitive Eating. I could only watch about 10 seconds of the first eating contest (which was breakfast) before becoming totally nauseated and turning the channel! Most of the contestants were obese, even though there was a married couple that was quite trim (I'll bet they purge after these contests). Disgusting, just gross...and it's being publicized as an actual SPORT! Un freaking believeable.

Forgiven - First off, you are VERY welcome here!

Regarding Body RX - I have the book but didn't really read it that much - I like having the option of a Free Day - there isn't one on BRX. Also, I believe the program lasts quite a bit longer than BFL - six months I think? There's a BRX board at Lean & Strong - you could ask there or just surf the messages to get a flavor for it...the consensus at L&S has been 'iffy' - some people have had good results, others not. It's good that you're researching...have you actually read the BFL book? Krista Scott Dixon's (Mistress Krista's) Stumptous website also has a WEALTH of info - geared towards women to boot. Rest assured that you CAN do this - the cardio on BFL is only an hour a week. As I've stated before, it's QUALITY (i.e. intensity) not quantity (time spent) that is the important thing. In addition, most of us here will tell you that this is very much a mental thing - that's why I always seem to harp on "reading the Crossing the Abyss chapter and answer the questions" before you start. Not for nothing did Bill Phillips subtitle the book "12 weeks to Physical AND MENTAL Health".

Adriana - no problem - I'm a total procrastinator when it comes to prepping stuff. Lately though, I've been pureeing a couple of tubs of cottage cheese and mixing with Splenda and vanilla so that I have a ready source of protein that's easy to eat - all I have to do is throw in some dry oatmeal or some hot apple chunks and I've got a quick clean meal!

AACK! Gotta do this in dribs and drabs...back soon I hope...

Morning all!!

Forgiven: Body Rx and Body for life are like apples and oranges. I don't think it's fair to compare them and state that one is better than the other. It comes down to every individual at the end. You can LEARN separate things about your body via both books. I always suggest Body for Life for most people to start off with because it is simple, straight to the point and easy to implement. The portion control (palm/fist) is pure genius in my book.

Well I was cold all day yesterday but got through it with a few layers of clothing. I feel a bit better this morning after a carb load last night. I played soccer last night and we won 1-0 so I am hapypy about that! It felt good to kick a ball around again after the holiday break and to give the cardio a bit of variety.

How's everyone doing?

JC

I heard about that on the radio and thought about watching, but it was on past my bedtime.

It reminded me of a recent dialog I had with someone I work with that commented "You are always eating." She couldn't accept that eating 5-6 small meals a day was a healthy way to eat and that eating past 7:30 p.m. was a bad idea (which she recently heard on Oprah). When I pressed her about why three large meals (and the occasional snack) was better way to consume the same amount she couldn't give a coherent answer.

I don't worry too much about this one. It's the same person who told me she would rather have more fat than muscle because fat weighs less.

Hey Amy

I had that trouble a few times at the beginning with people always commenting at work that I eat too much too often and even one of the directors at work telling me that I will 'get fat' with all that food. They are eating their words now!!

JC

Karen I am trying to PM you but your mailbox is full!

JC

Well I guess that means 100 messages is the limit for your PM box (that's how many were in mine...I'm like that with my emails too - I just let them pile up!)

Send away!!!

Jec,

Did you lose your weight on BFL? How long did it take ya?

Spam:
your words are an inspiration to me, this week is a total bust I have been on free day since Sunday, I am so mad at myself, today we went grocery shopping, and I bought everything that I need to get back on track Monday, I am gonna just suck this week up and start over fresh on Monday, I am gonna do a cleansing from sat to sun to get my digestive track right for Monday and to get that crap I ate out of my system, I talk the talk but now it is time to walk the walk and I am truly ready. Funny thing is that I seen this lady that I used to work with and she complimented me on how good I look, I do not look like I weigh 190, but I do, thank god for my height, but who cares what other people think, It is what I see in the mirror that matters to me. So I have my mind right and my meals planned I will keep it simple, so that I can adjust to it, no recipies for me just yet, because it will make it harder, I will just keep it simple, the BFL has been extended till the 20th of january so I am not late for the challenge, this is what I want to do, and i need to follow my heart and I will succeed. So I am gonna do what I gotta do, and eat what I want to eat this weekend, cleanse on sat and sun and g et back on track Monday. I have still been exercising though, so I will not be weak when I start back on monday.