I tried searching, but for some reason, it won't pull up any for the short form, and almost every thread out there with the long form.

I started working the eating and workouts into my regular routine the week before last, but officially started on Feb. 11. I'm a little tired, but feeling good, and already my body is starting to change a bit. I am psyched about the whole thing, but I figured that things will get hard as I continue on, and was hoping there was someone out there who might be doing this as well, and that we could keep each other motivated. Anyone else doing this, or done it in the past with some advice?

Meredith

Ok, after a little more searching (just thread by thread, the search still doesn't like the words) I can see a lot of people were doing this a few years ago, but most everyone seems to have moved on to more advanced plans. I'm not ready for advanced, so I'm going to stick with the original. I'll still keep looking for advice, if anyone has any for me

Meredith It's been kind of a busy weekend for a lot of us so I apologize that you haven't received a reply to your inquiry.

A lot of us have done BFL and your right it was a pretty big topic a few years ago. I wouldn't say that most have moved on to more advanced types of eating plans. However, we may have tweeked the BFL plan for our own needs.

Body for Life is an excellent introduction into clean eating. And I'll be perfectly honest it taught me how to eat correctly. Using this plan I lost a little more than 50 pounds the first year. I highly endorse it and suggest it to friends who ask me what I did that actually "worked"

I had to smile when I originally read your question, "Does anyone plan to do BFL in 2010..." The reason it made me smile was because I do BFL everyday. Everyday is a clean eating challenge. Don't worry, you'll understand the my absurd logic.

Good luck with the challenge. If you have any questions, feel free to post and we will give you any suggestions we may have based upon our own experiences. However, not everyone has done BFL most of us are very familiar with clean or Palio diets.

As I side note I found that "Eating for Life" was key for me in putting the menus together. Check out your library to see if you would like to own a copy for yourself.

Hi Meredith
Sorry for the late response, as lydia said, it's been a little crazy around here too.

I did BFL by the book for two challenges years ago before starting to tweak. I had already hit my goal weight, but was really unhappy with the state of my body. During the first 12 week challenge, I actually gained a few pounds, but lost 2 more pants sizes.

BFL taught me to eat correctly, although I've tweaked quite a bit over the years.

Be very careful with the free days if you are someone who can't do moderation or gets derailed easily. I'd suggest a free meal, not a day. They became disasters for me.

Mel

I was actually going to try BFL. I downloaded the e-book and it makes alot of sense to me. I have a personal trainer though so I want to try his simple approach to diet. I can't handle calorie counting ...baaahhh... So I'd like to join you!

Yay, more advice

Lydia227 - I do have the Eating for Life book, and have been working my way through some of the recipes. I've never really been a smoothie person, but I've been growing to appreciate how easy they are to make. Plus I am very much liking the distinct lack of sleepy periods during the day, which I used to get with super high carb lunches and dinners.

Mel - Thanks for the advice about the free day; I can already see how much my first free day set me back (about 3 lbs, although I think most of that was water weight from salty foods, since the bloat is mostly gone now)


Temple - that simplicity is exactly why I was interested in it. I'm not really into calorie counting (although I may do that if it seems i'm having trouble taking off weight, to make sure I'm getting my nutrients in the right ratios and getting the right calorie amount; sometimes fooling yourself can be easy) How do you like working with the trainer? I though about getting one just to help me learn to do the free weights correctly, but haven't fully decided yet. I don't know how many sessions it would really take to learn the exercises fully. Right now I'm doing machines, which I know are inferior to doing free weights, but I'm a little intimidated.... Which is probably the perfect reason to hire a trainer for a couple of sessions.

Meredith- more than the 3 pounds of water, the damage of free day is the free for all mentality. I really don't think Bill Philips wrote that book with all out binges intended on free days, but for many people I know (including me), that's what free day turned into. Exactly the habit that a lot of us need to break and NEVER feel allowed to do.

For me, the whole free day concept was mentally damaging, especially because I had already lost a lot of weight and gotten away from the "eat whatever you want" mentality. For me, it was a license to be stupid again and relearn my previously disordered eating pattern.

Welcome, temple!

Mel

Good point Mel, I didn't think about it that way. I like the free day concept in general, but I can see how it could set me back from some mental changes that need to occur. Maybe if I plan out my meals on my free day too, to make sure they aren't too crazy.

I'm trying out the chicken breast recipe from the recipe thread right now; it has another 15 minutes to go, but it smells fantastic

Hey Y'all -- I'm working my way into a BFL challenge now. I've had the book for ages and have done BFL-inspired workouts, but never *really* completed a challenge. And I abandoned it a couple years back when I started doing a lot of running. But lately I've been thinking I need to get in way more strength training and intervals, which leads me back to the old school BFL program.

I'm "officially" starting on Monday, with tweaks to fit my other goals and priorities:

1. I'm counting calories, in part because...
2. I'm a vegetarian/quasi-vegan
3. and I'm adding some lower-intensity cardio and running, where I can find the time.

How's your first couple of weeks been going Meredith?

Not too bad overall; it helps since I was alternating cardio/weights anyway since Jan 3 of this year, so i'm still trying to fit it in to my regular routine. I'm definitly getting my butt kicked by the weight lifting; I've never lifted to failure before, and although I havent' got all my weights down 100%, every workout it seems like I'm getting closer to that goal. I'm reading up on squats right now, and hopefully I'll work up the nerve to try some in the gym at some point here.

Now I will say, I'm not following the plan especially well for the cardio, mostly because I belong to a masters swim team, and we have coached workouts. I've thought about switching my running (c25k, was doing it before weights) to lunchtime on the days I swim, and using that as the BFL cardio, but right now I don't know that I have the energy to add another workout. I am just planning to get up a little earlier in the morning to get the run in before my weights.

eastcoastgirl - I have thought about counting calories, but since time is at a premium, I was going to wait and see how my weight does over the next several weeks. I should lose, since I have already seen signs that I'm getting smaller in some areas, but I will wait and see if I need to tweak.

Meredith

I have a suggestion about the calorie counting. When I began BFL I was still coming from a "Weight Watchers" points mindset as well as thinking I should be under a certain caloric number. It really kind of worried me and drove me crazy that if I just ate the suggested foods in the suggested portions at the suggested intervals that I could lose weight.

I found that the best way to track the food for me was online using FitDay. MyDailyplate is another one. Both are free online sites that provide the total caloric intake as well as the percentages of the macronutrients. Ironically, I found that when I ate BFL as suggested, I stayed right within that caloric range. Go figure.

Anyway, you both are probably aware of these sites but just wanted to offer the suggestions just in case.

My personal trainer is amazing. He focuses on super sets, intervals and things like that. I felt so intimidated with the free weights but now I don't. I see mine twice a week. We're almost at one month together and I'm going to see him for the next couple months twice a week and thereafter once a week till September. I don't think you need that many sessions to learn stuff, but I'd say atleast 4-8 sessions would be ideal, if you can afford it. Mine is a on payment plan so I'll be paying for it even after we're already finished. Also, each time he pushes me to the limit. I haven't been eatin properly but I think i've lost 5lbs and my body is slimming and my bumm is lifting lol.
My next point of action is to focus on the diet mainly because I want to get under 200 before my trainer leaves to me be.

I went and got my clean-eating staples (egg whites, cottage cheese, tuna, veggies, selected fruits) and now I'm ready to begin! Tomorrow morning I will start the diet part. I explained to my trainer how I planned to eat and he said, "If you can do that, than it is PERFECT! But I don't know if you can..."
I said, "What? What do you mean?"
He said, "well the food charts you presented me for last week were loaded with carbs and fats (nuts mostly)"
I said, "I CAN DO IT! I will prove it. I will bring you charts next week."
And he said, "BRING THOSE CHARTS BABY! AND NO CHEATING!"

lol so I think he knows I'm a rebel with his motivation tactics. haha <3 Don't tell me I cant do something. I sure as **** can!

TempleBody - That's funny that he's got you pegged like that; a little extra motivation goes a long way. I really do need to look into a trainer; I'll have to coerce the husband into why I think it's necessary next month I think. Of course, having lifted weights for 10 years, he could go and teach me everything I'm sure, but...he hates weights, and won't even go into the gym with me. He'd rather play basketball. Oh well

My first official week, and so far a 5.8 lb loss. I think I'll take measurements every 2 weeks, just because I think a loss will take longer there. I'm feeling pretty good, although I forgot today was Friday, so instead of bringing a tunafish sandwich, I brought my beef stew and chicken, neither of which i can have today So cottage cheese and pinapple it is, plus some shakes, although I"m going to sneak out for some tuna in just a bit, if I feel like I need something more solid. My clothes are fitting better for sure, and I'm super excited with the solid start. I won't see muscles for a bit, but I'm sure they are starting to bulk up under the fat layer

5.8?!? You say it so casually, but that is awesome. Way to go!