Thanks, M. Yes, I'm into magazines in a big way, I'm addicted. I regularly pick up WH (just subscribed actually bc it was hard to find), Oxygen, Rx, Shape, Self (ok, those 2 don't really count!) and occas. M&FH. I have spent wway too much $$ on magaz's!

Hey, do you ever visit the Ladies who Lift thread? You would like it there!

First - I hope everyone had wonderful holidays!!!

Second - Fran - Congrats on the jeans - you are AWESOME!!

Third - Thanks everyone for the congrats on the sweater - but you might want to think twice after you read the next one!

FOURTH - I AM SUCH A LOSER!!!!

I have been doing so well - made it through Christmas - then my DARLING SPOUSE - decided to bring everything into the house for our New Years celebration that I had gotten rid of - after he gave me the "I support you 110 percent". I ended up smoking - drinking coffee and eating GARBAGE basically. After I had planned out a wonderful menu that had a nice variety so people that were not diet restricted would not feel "deprived" and people that cared about what they ate would not feel overly tempted. But - I swear - if it was something I said "I don't want to see it for at least six months" because that was part of my nicotine "routine" he purchased.
I did not drink alcohol on New Years - but I smoked, I did not over eat - but I ate some stuff that I know I should not have. Anyways- I spent the next two days just pretty much depressed, kicking myself and pretty much feeling just bad - not sick but not 100 percent. Luckily - I managed to only put on a pound over the long weekend according to scales this morning.

So - today - I feel like I am starting all over again. Please feel free to slap me upside the head - I feel like I deserve it.......

Best part - would you believe that he had the nerve to get irritated with me??? I am trying to break an addiction that I have had for many many years - he brings all this stuff into the house after only 30 days and it is solely my fault? I accept my share of the blame - but so should he.....

Okay - I am finished whining.......

Have a great evening!!!

Penney,

Look at Mel's signature line: It reminds us that "Falling down is not failure....Failure is staying down."

You are not staying down. You have already picked yourself back up and are getting back on track. You have NOT failed and you definitely are not a loser.

You took one baby step back after a taking hundreds of steps forward. You are much closer to your destination than when you started and you are still on the right path and will get to where you want to go.

If you are frustrated about the 1 pound, take it out on the weights, hit them hard today. If you are mad at yourself, give yourself a penance of an extra set or two of heavy squats, then forgive yourself and move on.

Penney -- You are definitely being too hard on yourself... dust yourself off and get back on the wagon, but, you've already done that, so kudos to you ...

Well I did say I would post here so here I am ...

I am, again doing good with the workouts, but I am not with foods. I ate some of DD's JellyBelly beans last night and I woke up with a sugar headache this morning, serves me right... But hey, as we speak to Penney and give her encouragement, I will listen to my own words, I will not stay down because I am off to the gym for a good back and bicep workout and will put in a few extra reps like Depalma mentionned, with 30 mins of cardio to offset those jelly beans ...

So, I'm off

Thanks ladies! You are right - I was probably overreacting - well - not probably - actually - but anyways....

I am just in an all or nothing mode right now, if I am not all about the goal.... then nothing is going to happen. But - your right - that is not the right attitude to have... Plus - I am pretty sure that my feelings were still hurt about my spouse getting upset with me.

Anyways - I am doing penance and that has definitely helped me feel better - you were both right. I also went back and was reading the BFL book and what she had to say about the goal is to be good 80% of the time - so I guess a few days of laying my good track record to waste is not so bad.

But - can I tell you - that as nasty as the cigarettes were - I really want one right about now. I think that may be what upsets me the most. They were disgusting - but the cravings are back - so I am back on my Chantix and every time I want one I walk around.

Hey - thanks the wonderful words of advice... it really felt good to let off some steam.

Everyone have a wonderful wonderful evening!!!

Penney, not wanting to slap you upside the head, but your husband? That's another story and I'm thinking of ways to knock him silly. I take it he is still a smoker and not following on your journey, for him to have done this.

Just think about how your little sweet lungs need to stay healthy for all your cardio and weight lifting! You're doing so good, so don't look back!

Fran - I just want to hug you!! You make me laugh!!

Okay - here is the strange part - HE DOES NOT SMOKE! Don't you think that would have made him even more adamant to not invite smokers into the house and to not bring anything that was serious part of my smoking routine - and I am not kidding - for me smoking was pretty much a ritual. Even now - when I smell coffee - I can pretty much taste a cigarette. Which is why this was like a whole stupid drama for me. Smoking was a HUGE part of my life - who I USED to be... I like the new me better - except for when I whine...

Anyway - I have been doing pretty good since New Years....

I am actually going to look at a gym tomorrow. A friend of mine, her son just started dating this girl whose parents own several gyms in the surrounding area - they gave her a 30 day pass and she is going to see if she can set me up with one to see if I like it... maybe if I do - they could hook me up with her rates - she said she got like another 30 days free - they waived the registration fee for her and something else...

My son needs to date her little sister.... LOL

Everyone have a great great evening!!!

Hi, I started BFL on Jan 2. Again actually, I competed in 2002 and actually finsihed sent my packet in and had my name in MM in time for my 40th bd. Then the next year I had a heart scare and I'm back at step one. Very determined to take the weight back off and keep it off. I know it works great.
Polarbear60

Hi, all. I'm getting myself in gear to start BOL. (My introduction thread should be in my signature if you want to get a little background on me).

Right now I'm just doing 20 minutes running daily, 40 minutes walking as well, and had been doing Bowflex to no results, so as soon as I get my new free weights, I'm starting.

I have the BOL book for women but will be looking at the general version as well. I also have been reviewing the website and picked up some of the supplements at BJs (shakes and bars).

I'm afraid to eat this much (per the website), but I've got to retrain my metabolism. I've been plateuing for 2 months at 1700 calories, when I should theoretically be losing 2lbs/week.

Anyway, glad to be a part of this group. I welcome all input on BOL from those who have BTDT.

Welcome Jersey Girl! Wow, no results with BowFlex. How disappointing for you! Did it feel like it was doing anything while you were on it, or did it just not work for some other reason? I was similar, I worked out on a universal weight station, and while I did see limited results and felt things happening, it was NOTHING compared to what I saw when I switched to free weights, so you're def on the right track!

I can't say I blame the Bowflex. I blame not being able to figure my body out.
I've had it 10 years and used it enough in those years that I don't feel the $ was a total waste, but...if it's not working, change it.

It does give good resistance you can feel, but for me, I just never really saw my body build muscle from the effort. I would bench press (100-130 lbs in resistance), nada. I would bicep curl 25lbs, nada. Could be that I just hadn't found the right mix between exercise and diet, but I'm done trying.

While I wait to get my free weights and banch, I will still use it some, but just not trust it for results.

This is what I'm thinking...please evaluate and offer your 2c:

I'm going to replace the Bowflex with the following bench
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5280823

and get freeweights, 1 set of two bars (for alternating bicep curls, for instance) and another wide bar for presses, etc.

I haven't evaluated this yet against BOL, but I believe the combination will work well for BOL activities.

Agree?

It looks good, but I really don't know the first thing to look for... I guess if it sturdy and well padded and can come apart easily to do the variety of exercises it says it's going to do, buy it. Do they have a floor model you can try? I wish I had room for machines in this house...

Hey there JerseyGirl..welcome. That's something similar to what we have..but we have a few more add-on's on ours..Weider's the brandname for ours. Anyway, you BFL tells you what you need and how to do it on their website..even gives you exercise demonstrations..(the American site). Don't give up..you'll find what works for you..and we're here to help you along the way.

Hmm, on the BOL website, all I see is the exercise list and pdf, which don't seem to get specific about what you need. I'll have to look again.