Hello darlings! I'm home. And do I have work to do ...oi... house work and bloaty fat work.

Welcome back! Oh well, so you're just joining in with the rest of us flab-blasters now! ;)

Yup, I've got some flab to bust. I had an awkward transition day yesterday. Too busy to do what I wanted and still craving crap ...
Today should be better. I'm not sure about getting back into my weights/cardio routine but I'll do something ... and work.
I'm actually looking forward to getting on the scales at work and having a more structured day.

Hey Susan :wave: ... I know you'll get back into the routine in no time... On Monday, whoever is in here first MUST start a Featherweights Weekly thread, K? We'll keep each other honest yessiree :yes:

Hey guys, do you use dumbbells or plate free weights? Still trying to get my home set up together. Read through B4L and seems it's a combination, so I'm leaning toward plates, but wanted some input.

I use only dumbbells and I use the BFL for Women book by Pam Peeke. It's all dumbbells in her book of exercises.

Do you use a bench?

I'm thinking then I'll start with 2 dumbbells (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=3922452), then eventually add in plates and a bench.

The dumbbells that are solid and unchanging seem limited and more costly and take up a lot of space.

Any opinion of the bells above?

Oh, while I have Peeke's book, I may add in more of the B4L website strength program. That seems to use more free weights with the long bar, which is why I have been a bit confused on what to do. I hear some saying, forgo the women's book and do the main program. Just not sure....

Your link said "item not found" so I couldn't see what you are thinking of buying.

I do use a bench, but it's actually really just a slantboard. Something like this, nice and cheap:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5155935

Thanks for all your help.
 

I ended up ordering Stamina Versabelles so that I could limit the space they take but up the weights as appropriate to the exercise. I found a site that had free shipping and was cheaper, believe it or not, than Walmart.

http://www.gatelys.com/buy/Free_Weig...t_%282_each%29

I figure I can later get that up to 50lb bells, but I believe freeweights vs. machine weights I'll be going down in what I can lift.

I'll look into the slant board, but at least this will get me started. (I do want to make sure any board i have allows me to do leg curls as those aren't easily replicated with standing movements.) This one seems to allow that and then some: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5155936

I love the versabelles concept and I agree, 25 lbs will last you awhile. I started in September and just this week have progressed to 30 lbs on my squats, but you could certainly stay at 25 for a long time and still have a challenging workout, so those will be great for you! I love that bench too, I've looked at that one online before. But how will you do a leg curl, you can't attach weights to the ankle bar and it doesn't look like it moves. I agree, leg curls are the challenge, but with a little acrobatic ability, you CAN lie on the floor on your stomach, put a dumbbell on the floor on end and scoop it up with your feet together. I don't vouch for this as being safe though - I have visions of a 20 lbs dumbbell crashing down on my spine, so it does make me nervous!

Hi!
 

Hi everyone! I have had a busy busy week! Had family in for a visit, lots of appointments - but I managed to get in my exercise :D Did not have time to get near the computer until tonight.....

I played a neat trick on my family - well just the guys - my daughter was in on it with me. Anyway - I went grocery shopping and but nothing but turkey meat. Started substituting it.... it has been great. My son's face was priceless when he figured out that it was going to be the new standard in cooking around here... LOL

Everyone have a great evening!

I think the versabelles will last a while, too and if in a few weeks I find I'm lacking the 50-100lb mark, depending on what it's needed for (I know I can bench 120), I can get plates and or up the versabelles. I just don't have 500 to spend on dumbbells alone and that's what it seems they cost for a good set. That's also why I was looking into plates.

Anyway, why do you prefer Peeke's book to the website exercises?

I haven't been out to the website in a long time -- keep meaning to do that, but yes, I use her book exclusively. When I switch up my routine here in about another 4 lbs, I'm going to pull in some new stuff from other books, but it will still all be dumbbell related.

I don't want to post this on the diet section, since there is no B4L diet section on this forum, so I'm curious, how do you guys stay on your diet at work? Beyond the temptations of empty starches (bagels and doughnuts), I'm finding the cafeteria really troublesome. The only vegetable options are either doused in oil or salad and I tire of salad very quickly. I do bring my own, but some days I don't or can't. And it seems like everything is breaded. Rarely is there something plain and grilled. I'm finding this part tough.