[mamawren]

I just wanted to let you ladies know what an inspiration you have been to me.

I have struggled with my weight for 11 years now-how time flys when you are pulling your hair out. I had put on 80 pounds when I quit smoking. I was horrified and began exercising like crazy-sometimes up to 8 hours a day. It just didn't give me the results that I wanted. I was still fat-hard-but fat. I gave up for a time. I was also struggling with health problems and going in and out of the doctor trying to find out what was wrong with me. I finally gave up on that as well and decided that it was just me and I would just have to live with it.

I became pregnant with my second child after that and during a routine physical the doctor found that I had a goiter-I just thought it was fat. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease which is a form of hypo-thyroidism. I was immeadiately put on thyroid replacement and scheduled for surgery as soon as I gave birth. I was elated-FINALLY an answer to my weight and health problems. NOT! I had gotten into a habit of not eating and it was wearing me down.

Another baby and fast forward to two years ago and more weight gain. I had watched an infomercial ( because I have lurked enough to know how Mrs Jim feels about them). It was the North American Slimdown plan. I ordered it and just about laughed it off. Eat SIX meals a day? I thought it was nuts-and just couldn't imagine fitting that into my day. I was a hard core coffee drinker, and much to my shame a smoker once again. I simply ran on that all day. BUT I couldn't justify spending that amount of money without giving it a try. I was simply amazed at the results I got from that. I didn't exercise very hard and yet I lost 40 pounds. I was elated and telling everyone about it.

I've kept that weight off for two years in spite of the fact that I fell back into the trap of not eating all day. I guess I plateaued and became discouraged. I've tried different things the past 2 years. I even considered having surgery and went as far as talking to a doctor about it. I just couldn't do it-the thought of having skin hanging all over my body filled me with more dread than staying fat does. I looked at surgeries for skin removal and it simply isn't for me. My doctor recommended WW so I came here to lurk and learn.

That's when I found this forum!! I was intrigued and browsed all of the links stickied. I was enthusiastic because we had purchased weight lifting equipment a year ago. Too bad I didn't wait and get the book first. I started January 12th and did the first week on my own-unfortunately I misunderstood and did 2 exercises per muscle group. It took me a week to recover. Thankfully I found the book and the journal and bit the bullet and bought them. The pictures and stories have inspired me beyond belief. So I began again January 26th.

I apologize for the long post-I've been lurking since December and well.....just had to let all of you know that I appreciate you being here and inspiring others who mostly lurk.

[Holyfield]

Hi,

I'm also new to the BFL program. I started on the 27th of Jan and so far I feel great.

Still haven't managed to get all 6 meals in, but I'm working on it. I think the fact that I've worked midnight shifts for the past 6 years has really messed up not only my eating and sleeping schedules, but my body schedule period. So far I love the 20MAS and the weights are a big confidence builder.

Keep up the good work and the posts. Hope to hear from you again.

Melissa

[Tideypoo]

Welcome!

Its important to TRY and get your meals in, but I usually only make 5. This is because between school, working out, and getting home I wind up eating most of my food in the evening (I eat 2 meals before my workout, the last one 3 hrs before, so I get a 4-5 hour gap there).

Im thinking seriously about buying some protien powder to make shakes with as I really cant be bothered to cook all the damn time lol. I have this problem where I CANNOT eat meat that has been cooked and then put in the fridge, so its a lot of extra work.

Im on C1W2D5 and I feel awesome!

Off to bed!

Tidey

[Niffer]

Welcome!

I liked your story. It's moving.

YUP BFL works. Gotta tell ya that right up front. I also have to tell you a few months ago (do not ask my WHY I did this), but I was doing 3 exercises PER body part at BFL reps! OMG I could hardly move, let alone DRIVE home.

I know you can do this! Keep checkin in!

Susie

[adriana]

good to have you here with us i'm looking forward to hearing about your progress during your C1.

don't worry about the *mistakes*. we make them to learn from them.

i also don't get the 6 meals in. i DO make sure to eat 5 times per day though, no matter what!! well, my body now demands food every 3 hours (on the dot) and the 5 meals are pretty much what i can get in without eating too late at night (it makes me sick to eat too late).

what i do to make sure i get the proper amount of calories i need per day is just up the calorie level of each meal by a tiny bit. i don't use any powders or meal replacement bars, they are too expensive and i just don't like the taste of them either. there are a lot of people who have nifty tips on how to prepare food once a week and then just re-heat it. i personally don't like to do this (i think my kids would eat everything before me ) , plus it's a good break from the computer to get up and make my meals.

hope to see you here often.

have a great day,

adriana

[mamawren]

Thanks Melissa, Tidey, Susie and Adriana! Your support is appreciated a great deal!