Body for Life #47
 

Hi Everyone!!!

One more day to go on my paper but I am definitely hitting the gym this morning and spending some time there.

Mel: NICE PIX on L&S!!!! CONGRATS ON A JOB WELL DONE!!!
:D :D

MrsJim: Are you back home yet? The weather is Gorgeous here right now!!!

Well everyone I am prepping for my 7 week sprint starting Monday until I leave for the east coast. In preparation I was looking at the nice strawberries and blueberries in the grocery store and thought I would like to add them to an MRP. On this challenge I have tried to steer clear of MRPs and do real food but that is not always feasible. So I went on netrition looking at MRPs and I really want to make sure that I have balanced meals with precisely the right amount of protein/carb. My avg is between 20 and 25 per meal. This is what I found
Protein/Carbs/ Fat /Calories
Next Nutrition Designer Protein Smoothie Abs Berry Sundae
27/13/2.5/180 (add cup of strawberries to make it 27/23/2.5/225
MetRx Berry Blast
37/22/2/250
Isopure Protein Strawberry
1 scoop
50/0/0/200 (cut in half and add a cup of strawberries and half a cup of blueberries to make it 25/20/0/170)
MyoLite Strawberry
25/20/1.5/190 (nice numbers but no room for fresh fruit)
Myo Low Carb Strawberry
50/9/6/290 (cut in half and add cup of strawberries to make it 25/15/3/226)
Myoplex regular strawberry and orange jubilee
42/24/2/280 (cut this in half and add cup of strawberries or 1/2 cup of blue berries to make it 21/24/2/185)
Labrada Lean Body Strawberry
45/24/1.5/290 (cut in half and add cup of strawberries to make it 22.5/22/1.5/225)
Optimum Nutrition Protein Powder Strawberry 1 scoop
22/2/1.5/110 (add cup of strawberries and 1/2 cup of blueberries to make it 22/22/1.5/185

So it seems like the best choices are protein powder 1/2 scoop with fresh fruit and Absberry sundae. The thing is that if you do price comparison, the protein also seems like the best buy. If you look at most tubs of PP it says 40 servings, doubled if you cut the scoop in half to make 80 servings and most of them are the same price or slightly higher than the MRPs that give you 20 in a box.

I don't know if this helps anyone but it helped me as I was making food lists this morning and trying to come up with good choices for the next 7 weeks.

Check in everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY EASTER
Susan

having not posted forever...
 

I returned from North Carolina to a stomach virus, so Challenge 2 begins on April Fools Day. I've been living on small servings of complex carbs, water, tea, and s/f popsicles.

I'm finally catching up on the many threads here, and browsing a little at L&S. Everyone seems to be doing well. I was on Free Time in NC. I certainly ate non-BFL foods but in much smaller amounts than I would have previously. This is a very "body conscious" area with gyms everywhere (right next to all the fried food all-you-can-eat buffets!) I got a week's membership to World Gym and spent some time there. I can't wait to move south when I retire in a few years.

MRS.JIM what are the details on the Lean & Strong Challenge? I simply don't have time to sift through all the 4800 messages I missed to find them. I loved southern FLA when I was there, and can't wait to go back.

SUSANJE I'm glad your ordeal is ending and I hope we might get a chance to meet when you're here in the Insurance state.

Have a great holiday, everyone.

hello girls
 

how is everyone - doing well I hope

yesterday (good friday here) was very hard food wise so ended up making it a free day - I just couldn't eat right? and I didn't have any energy in the gym either - although I did try the quad press for the first time and managed 150lbs so I was pretty happy with that.

I know the scales are the:devil: but I have been trying to break this 100kg barrier and I really, really want to do it this week. I have been building so much muscle thats it taking ages - but I know that is all good in the long run.

Happy Easter to everyone - please take time to remember that easter is the rememberance of Christ death and ressurection for the forgiveness of our sins.

see ya later!
Carly

We're baaack!
 

JUST got in the door about 15 minutes ago and have been giving Sparky lots of love :love: I'm sure he was convinced that we were NEVER coming back home! He is NOT letting us out of his sight and it's been nonstop purring since we walked thru the door.

Right now I'm making a couple of boneless chicken breasts. TIme to get back on program - I have definintely **NOT** been eating Pam B style, much less BFL style this past week. Miami has soo many good restaurants around - but I'm happy to say that I DID work out every day - so it wasn't a total loss.

We were thinking about driving to Key Largo yesterday but in Florida the traffic, quite frankly, sux big time - so we went to Miami Beach during the day instead. Jim took a few snaps of me in my Florida gear - I bought some surf shorts that are so cute and wore them with my bikini top...got a nice tan...there was a Fitness Expo in progress right on South Beach that we walked to - I bought a cute workout outfit. Miami fashions are so nice - so different from what we get here in the Bay Area. Love that tropicool style! I highly recommend Miami Beach to anyone!

Last night we drove to Coconut Grove again and had dinner. Man - it was still 80 degrees at 9:00 pm. Love it! There is JUST SO MUCH SHOPPING in Miami. I just wish I had more $$ and time to spend...we are definitely planning on going back.

My sister and neighbors did such a good job of taking care of our little Sparky - just got off the phone with Sis. She said around Thursday he really started missing us...but was always ready to play with her and the kids when they dropped by!

Whew! More later...we LOVED Miami like I said, but I am so glad to be back home with my kitty, my George Foreman Grill, my boneless chicken breasts, my Osterizer blender, and my 24 Hour Fitness right down the street...

Welcome home MrsJim!!! Glad you liked Miami (I've never been). I bet your puddy tat is very happy to see you! I will be gone 12 weeks this summer. I have no idea how my overly spoiled kitties will handle it. I completely dote on them when I'm home and they follow me around when it's just me and them at home. When I go into study at night (bring my books to bed), they all climb on the bed and get comfy until Michael comes to bed hours later and then they all skedaddle (he moves around too much for their liking).

One question about measuring pasta: My pasta box says 2/3 dry = (protein/carbs/cals). I'm curious about our fist measurements. Is that a dry measurement or a wet measurement? Do we measure before we cook or afterwards? I'm thinking afterwards which is what I always do but I am curious about it. I've been tracking all my protein, carbs and cals (cals just because I'm curious) because I think that sometimes I get a bit liberal with measurements on the carbs and less liberal on the protein. I think it's best to weigh and measure for my 7 week sprint. I've been doing it a couple of days (and did it at the end of my last Challenge) and find I feel more in control. If anyone knows the pasta answer, please let me know. Thanks.

Susan

yay!!!!!!!
 

I did it!, I did it!! I hit 100kgs this morning!!! yayyyy!
I know 100kgs in itself is not really anything to celebrate - but its reaching the goal that is significant! I'm so relieved. Taking 8 week photo's today - hopefully it will reveal more of the transformation as others see it.

Yesterday I had a hard day. I went to the supermarket and someone that knows me came up behind me and said - Are you losing weight - your bum is disappearing! - That was really cool, and gave me quite a boost, and then (in the same supermarket) I was looking at Easter eggs for the kids, when two young people (I am only 28) walked past and he commented "Thats why your Fat" to which she giggled and they carried on there merry way leaving me with a tornado of emotions raging under my unchanged facial expression. No matter how often it happens I still cannot believe it - and every time it devastates me.

Once I was in K-Mart when two guys headed towards me - looked me up and down, looked at each other and burst out laughing, and yet another time some guys howled like dogs when I walked past a restaurant window. Even as I say this the pain nags in the pit of my stomach. Why, Why, Why?? do people think it is okay to be rude to fat people.

I must also note here that I am NOT one of those fat ladies who wears flowey skirts that are up a foot at the back over their butts, and always look terrible - I wear the latest bootleg Jeans, and trendy clothing, I always do my hair, makeup and nails etc, and I just don't know how to deal with the insults.

The only purpose it serves is that it fuels my drive to succeed and stick to the plan - That is, if I can make it through the first desire to drown my pain by eating everything in sight. (that addiction is a hard one to break!)

Sorry to be so long winded - I'm just hurting right now, and I know some of you will understand.

Thanks for caring
Carly

Hey Susan - with pasta (which I don't normally eat during the week with the occasional exception of cous-cous) I would go by the grams of carbs IMO. Otherwise I believe it's a cooked measurement. Kind of hard to measure spaghetti with your fist! :lol: IMO, go for a pasta serving of 25g of carbs. I recommend the whole-wheat couscous that you can buy at Trader Joe's (I'm sure other places have it but TJ's seems to have absolutely everything).

Carly - I know exactly how you feel...I used to get the same comments myself...the best thing you can do is either just ignore those comments or use them to your advantage...to drive yourself to a higher intensity. Like I said I used to get those same sorts of comments - since I was in grade school - either outright rude remarks or just stares - now it's totally different - last week I got honked and whistled at, waved to by all sorts of guys - of course Miami is a really friendly town but still!

In fact every morning at just before 6 am I would walk to the gym, there was a skyscraper being built next door and all the construction workers would be just getting started and they were ALL very friendly, saying good morning and waving...you have no idea what an ego stroke that is (especially when you're pushing 40!). and you know what? You keep doing BFL, eating clean, hitting your 10's and it's gonna happen to you too! I know it!!! :cool:

I downloaded some photos from Miami to the L&S Playspace if you want to check them out...

thanks Mrs Jim
 

Thank you for the boost - I know I can do it, I just want it now!

you look amazing! and certainly not like you are nearly 40! You've worked so hard and really deserve every comment you get now.

Had a horrendous free day - but I know it will be fine. four weeks to go till challenge 1 is done! Now THAT is amazing! :smug:

catch you later
Carly

Hi All,

I just bought the body for life book. I am really into weight training since my body builds muscle easily (I am fairly muscular naturally too which helps so are my dad and 2 of my bros, I am sure its genetic) and I am thinking of starting a challenge this week. I have a few questions though.

What brands of shakes do you guys use?

Can I make my free day day 6 (Saturday) and then make day 7 a workout day eat sensibly day?

I love cardio and do that 6 days a week, can I still continue doing that on top of the 3 days of weight training I do?

If possible can I avoid the shakes all together some days and just have a small serving of something like peant butter with an apple? Sorry to sound sorta clueless, I haven't read the book completely yet either (I just bought it).

My dad has just been diagnosed diabetic and even though I think I'll still count WW points while doing this, WW still encourages high carbs eating and the fact remains I am a bit of a carb addict right now and this seems like a plan that includes carbs, but will get me to consume more protien. I am just scared I am consuming way too many so this would be a good plan to help me reduce it. Plus I need more motivation to lose the about 8 lbs I gained this winter.

Thanks in advanced!

Ali

Thanks Mrs Jim: I got a very nice package of spinach and tomato whole wheat rotini (YUM) at a food discount place of all places and I couldn't figure out exactly how much of this stuff I was supposed to eat. :lol: I was trying to go by carb amount but it had a measurement of 2/3 dry so that was very confusing. I'm thinking okay it gets BIGGER when I cook it so how much is THAT?
I was standing there with the box in my hand, perplexed.

I'm going to run over to L&S to see your pix! Thanks for the inspiration.

Carly,

I have to admit that I have never much been overweight until I quit smoking. OH, I lived in the Northeast USA and put on winter weight during the holidays every single year and pudged out a bit (my pants would be tight and occasionally I would move up a size during Jan/Feb) but I would go out in the spring, do gardening a few weekends in May and lose it. I would see overweight people and think "Why don't you go on a diet?" When I quit smoking, stopped working and went back to school and sat in a chair and in front a computer screen 16 hours a day, and turned 40, I gained 60 lbs in a few months. A FEW MONTHS. I went from a size 10 (which to me is a very normal size) to a size 18 in a few months. That was five years ago and I have struggled to lose it and to not gain any more. I have never ever realized what a heartbreak it can be. I know now that when I cut back on my exercise because of my school schedule, I have a hard time maintaining my weight even eating very clean -- low fat, no sugar etc. which is why I never take a Free Day unless I"m hitting my 10s during the week. My hormones and various illnesses have added to the difficulties. It's become SO HARD and I hate it!

As someone noted in our last thread (you?), I feel like an athlete on the inside but when I pass a mirror, it's unsettling, like I can't STILL look like that. Progress is so slow that it's very frustrating a lot of the time. People are not only cruel but until they know what it's like, they will continue to not understand.

Just hang in there. What they think of you is none of your business and whatever is wrong with them, be it insecurity or something, is WRONG with them that leads them to make these comments. It's EASY to make fun of overweight people. No brainer usually done by people wiht no brains. Be true to yourself and keep going! We're here for you!!! BFL will have you lean and strong! Keep going!

Susan
(off to playspace to check out MrsJ)

Welcome Ali!

I posted about the protein/carb count of most of the fruit MRPs in the first post of this thread. Out of those my favs are MetRx Berry Blast and Designer Protein Absberry Sundae. I also like vanilla MetRx (both the class and the Protein Plus) and Myloplex Lite vanilla and LeanBody Soft Vanilla Icecream. I'm not a big chocolate MRP fan. MrsJim likes MyoLite Cappuncino. I tend to make my own with a half cup of real coffee in MetRx Classic Vanilla with a pinch of cinnamon.

As someone who came to BFL from WW, I can tell you that WW is much higher carbs than BFL. BFL is balanced protein/carbs. As a fellow carb addict, I have to really watch myself when preparing my food otherwise I skimp on the protein and increase the carbs.
It will take a while to adjust to this. Plus BFL encourages low glycemic carbs so not all carbs are created equal. Brown rice and whole wheat pasta are better than white. Etc. BFL encourages more vegetables too. It's not really possible to count points on BFL. I tried. You get more food on BFL because the exercise is more rigorous. Plus we get a free day where everything goes out the window. You can make any day you like a free day as long as you do it one day a week.

Cardio six days a week is NOT recommended because you are trying to buildi muscle. Cardio will eat the new muscle. You're going to have to cut back. Some people find this hard to do. Not me. I hate cardio because I have allergies and shinsplints and it's painful for me, but once upon a time I could see me overdoing it.
Do the 20 MAS three days a week and leave it at that.

Again, welcome!
Susan

Happy Easter everyone!
 

Of course I'm not taking this as a Free Day since I was so 'free' in Miami. We're going to my sister's house for Easter dinner and I'm bringing asparagus...

What a nice surprise today at my gym! While I was gone they got SIX brand-spankin' new Precor elliptical machines, they newest ones with the arm movers and stuff, you know where you can pump your arms at the same time? Of course I jumped right on and loved it!

Then did back/biceps and felt MUCH stronger than I did in Miami. Maybe it was from being back home and less stressed - maybe because I didn't use creatine the whole time I was out there (I forgot to pack it). Who knows? All the regulars came by and said hi! Good to be home!

Ali - I definitely concur with Susan here - I would not try to count points. Just go strictly by the book for the best results - don't tweak by adding more cardio at this stage. You want to build muscle - and if you add cardio it is going to really impede on your fat-burning results - because muscle does a FAR more effective job at burning fat than cardio. I would encourage you to also visit www.leanandstrong.com for tons of info (even if you don't post, feel free to lurk!).

You don't HAVE to do shakes at all on BFL if you don't wanna. Many folks at L&S don't use them at all and have gotten great results. However, peanut butter is not a protein - it's a FAT. There is FAR more fat in peanut butter than protein - that generally goes for all nuts. However, for some reason people think that nuts are this great protein source. Nope, they're a fat source with a little protein. Now, you should have some healthy fats - and peanut butter is considered a good fat (not the best but good). Personally I stay away from peanut butter because I can't just eat a teaspoonful - more like a few tablespoons. I'm much better off using flax or Udos personally, because I get the effects of the healthiest fats and I don't go bananas eating it.

Basically, it's a decision you have to make for yourself - what do you want to do? BFL or WW? IMO they can't work together. WW is very carb heavy, doesn't encourage more than light exercise (it has been several years since I've been to WW so this might have changed), and focuses WAY too much on the scale for my taste. One of the great things about BFL (along with the Free Day) is the fact that the scale doesn't matter. As Bill Murray said in "Meatballs" it just doesn't matter. I stopped weighing myself in January. I figure I'm about 150 or maybe under. But the only number I care about is my clothes size and that be an HONEST SIZE FOUR right now (by 'honest' I mean comfortable or loose). Why should I let the scale dictate how I feel about myself?

Anyway, enough of my lecture! Happy Easter

Love the pix in playspace MrsJim--are there MORE? Your entire shape has changed!!! My goodness you are looking so beautiful!!! I can't wait to see more! I looked at them and was so inspired I rushed over to the gym. I was planning to go for 10 am Pilates but left shortly after I cruised the Playspace and Transformation Gallery at L&S.

I did a lower body workout that was a KILLER. :strong: I did reverse crunches for abs -- killed again -- and 5 mins of very intense HITT. This isn't cardio day HIIT but burn off the lactic acid HIIT. I couldn't walk coming off the machine. I did my stretches and noticed the Pilates room was NOT filling up. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Turns out it was canceled today. :( I was bumming but maybe my mat will finally be here next week. I ordered one some time ago and they backordered it because it was not the COLOR I wanted. When I inquired they told me this. :?: I said I'd take another COLOR, just give me my yoga mat!!! Anyway, I came home from the gym and had MetRx Protein Plus with Udos and Blueberries and took a ton of glutamine. I know this is going to hurt.

Well, Michael and Gina (my daughter) are off to SF for Easter. They're going to drop me at the law library in Berkeley. My life is so much fun. :lol: I packed my food and am ready to go!!

Tomorrow we start the 7 week sprint. For the 7 week sprint I've decided to have one free meal one week and two the next week. I do believe what BP says, that your body needs to know you're not starving and give it a rest but I'm not doing Free Day Pig Out (I'm so over that). HAPPY SPRING!
Susan

welcome sweater girl!
 

hi there, welcome to our group. The advice you've had so far is really good, and I just wanted to add a couple of things.

Firstly, everyone here would recommend that you at least give BFL a go following it to a 'T' for the whole 12 weeks, and if (for some strange reason) you haven't achieved what you wanted - then you can look at changing it, I do however believe that 12 weeks on BFL will change forever the way you eat, workout and view your body in general. This programme takes a certain amount of faith (you just have to 'believe') and a lot of hard work - but as you've seen the results are incredible.

On the cardio front, not only will you not need to do it six days a week, but you wont WANT to do it more than three days if you are doing it as described in the book. I was a cardio lover - and still enjoy aerobics classes - but now I do them as a treat :dizzy: but the 20 Minute Aerobic Solution is the hardest cardio I've ever done - and it is definately enough!!!

The thousands who have transformed their bodies on BFL did it without combining it with WW or anything else - you simply don't need to - BFL is a very complete programme, and will work! Give it a go! We would love to journey it with you!

Carly:)

yoohoo. thats right, i am still around...our internet service here on the island was out for the last month. at least our isp that is. i had to go to internet cafes to access my email, and so therefore i didnt keep in touch with you all. but here is the good news. i just ended my 8th week or so, and though i haven't been totally faithful to the BFL program (still waiting on the book-will buy it when i am out visiting sister in santa cruz in the summer) but i am officially down 2 inches in the hips, 3 in the gut and 2 in the waist. more little numbers in arm and legs, but i tell you, i dont have as much jiggle in the thighs and gut anymore!

i am really thrilled, as i am seeing that this really works. my arms are gettting stronger, and i can see the muscle poking through. yeah for me, and all of us that are seeing improvements, be they ever so slow! I am determined like i have said before to hit my 30th bday in the best shape of my life, and it is really happening!

the only thing i have come up against is that my sis wants me to run this 10k race with her when i am up in the states this summer. so, i want to train for that too, as i have always been a runner, jogger but, is this gonna put a crimp in my training for BFL? My latest thing is i do my aerobics in the morning, and interval run it most of the time. i do it at high intensity but i can only do about 5k in that 20 minutes. so, to train for the 10k that means my cardio session s will be a bit longer. could i do what hussman says and run them a bit slower, say jog it, and do it on my off days, say maybe only 2 times a week? help...i really want to do this with my sister.

also, thanks for the heads up on the peanut butter. i refrained from it for 5 years thanks to almond butter, but they dont have such things here in venezuela, and i got hooked on my tablespoon of peanut butter in the afternoon. -my tablespoon often was a serving spoon, i am horrible about that! i think it was the sugar factor anyway, since that stuff is wretchedly sweet...fat and suger, what a combo!

anyway, thanks guys for all your inspiration. i will try and keep you all updated on further progress....
=^..^=

Hi! I'm back, too....
 

Just got back this evening from 4 days in Ft. Lauderdale visiting my brother, sis-in-law and their 15 month old daughter, then 3 days at University of Maryland watching lacrosse games and spending a lot of money on my daughter. Considering it was free week, I think I did OK- a few non-legal meals, but stayed in control except for today's tailgate party where the ham and lemon squares kept jumping into my mouth.:dizzy:

Florida was a blur- we (my 11 yr old son and I) hit the beach 2 days, did the everglades airboat ride, lay around a pool, and spent a lot of time standing in line at the airport. I went running twice with my bro- sure is hot in south FLA! even at 7:30 in the morning, but I managed to keep up for 4 miles, and he's 14 years younger than me. Stayed out of the gym, but it felt good to run. Oh, he was really amazed when he saw me, and kept asking more and more questions about BFL, so I left him my book which goes everywhere with me. I think we have another convert- I convinced him to go sugar free, white flour free etc last November, but he hasn't lifted since highschool. He actually looks pretty good now, but he sants more muscle and less running. Told him this was really the bast way to do it.

Then flew home, slept 1 night in my bed before I headed for U of MD. Daughter plays lacrosse for Ohio State, and they got beat by UNC in a heartbreaker on Friday night, then upset Maryland today. This is the first time in 79 games that Maryland has been beaten by a team not in their conference. They've been ranked #1 in the country for 7 straight years, and OSU has just cracked the top 20, so it was quite an upset, and well celebrated! I got in another good run Saturday along a beautiful trail around the campus, about 6 miles with some sprints thrown in just to see if I could. I'm really amazed that I can still do the distances, because I quit doing anything more than the 20MAS or HIIT when I started BFL.

To whomever asked about running: There are quite a few recreational runners doing BFL on L&S. Ask to join the MTGBIS team (Miles to go before I sleep) for tips on how to incorporate running. I'm signed up for the 1/2 marathon at Disney next January, but won't start to really train for it until September. My goal is just to finish, not interested in breaking any records. I really enjoy running, and often do about 4 miles on "rest" day.

I can't believe it, but I've been looking forward all week to getting back to the BFL routine, can't wait to get back to the gym tomorrow.

OK- gotta go check out Mrs Jim's pics on L&S then unpack and SLEEP!

ON TO C2!!!!!!
mel

I am not starting the challenge this week, BUT I will at least try their weight training program. Mine so far has given me good results, but I also know it is good to shift one's program from time to time as well. I am also starting the 6 meals a day thing too and will start buying some protien shakes etc. I am much better at easing myself into a program then just starting right away anyway. Asides from that I guess I just need to build my faith in it a bit too..

The fact remains though I feel that WW point ranges are WAY too low anyway. I was losing weight all summer having one free day a week and eating 30 or so points a day and I was less than 150 at the point as well. Yet at the same time, WW did bring me from being well over 200lbs to being around 150, it's a good program for basic fat-loss (though I feel they could probably add more calories and a more emphasis on raising protien). They do encourage activity, but it also depends on the leader. My mom weight trains (she's gone from 276 to 153 and according to her doctor has excellent muscles), but I think she's one of the few WWers that do, most people are scared of weight gain and bulk (which as we all know is a myth for most women).

I just want to be a comfortable size 4-6 again, I have moved up closer to 6-8. I can't realistically get smaller than a 4, my ribcage won't let me!

Anyhoo, Happy Easter Monday (I have class today:( )

Ali

sweatergirl...
 

I agree completely with your observations on WW. I will tell you that my BFL portions average 26-32 (I was curious and kept track for a week or two.) I still eat a very high-fiber, fruit and vegetable rich diet but WW is designed for sedentary desk workers...not athletes.

Mrs.Jim you look great. I'll check out your other pictures later.

Challenge 2 starts today for me.

Lisa: Congrats on beginning C2!!! I am about half way through my C1 retread but I am doing a 7 week sprint starting today. It will be interesting to see how things go! I do cardio today. :sheep:
:(

My cardio lately has been making me nauseous which is a good sign but it seems to last so long afterwards (up to an hour) that I just HATE it. I hate it so much to begin with that the nausea doesn't help much. But if I am to hit 10s, I need to put up with it.
The Saucony are truly helping my shin splints and I am SO grateful for that (they were becoming the bane of my existance!)

off to cardio/shower/school!
Susan

Well, I made it back from my two week training in Houston. The Residence Inn - workout room was a joke - three bikes and two treadmills. I was so let down. I did walk and I tried to be careful with food and I consider the first challenge over after the first week things just weren't going my way. So I got up this morning did my cardio an planned my meals for the day. So I am considering today the start of a new Challenge. I don't know how often I will get to check in here - but you will see me posting as often as I can.

I appreciate everyone sharing their views here and ask that eveyone please keep it up.

MrsJim your pictures are great you and Pam B are truly inspirational to me!

Susan E.

i was reading over my post and realized that i had stated something wrong---just so you all realize i am not as fast a runner as i made it sound...when i do my 20 minutes HIIT i do 20 minutes running, that incorporates about 2 miles and the warm up and warm down on wither side makes it the even 5k, (A bit over 3 miles.) it takes nearly 40 minutes or so to finish. if i train for the 10 in july, i will be out training for over an hour each time. I KNOW that will be over the top. however, is the 5k i normally do (which includes only 20min high intensity) going to make a huge difference? i seem to feel o, and my muscles aren't sore or anything. i really am looking forward to this, and perhaps since my first challange ends in three weeks, i can start training for the 10k then, as i have till the end of july. for those of you in the bay area, you know it as the Santa Cruz Wharf to Wharf race...anyway, i just thought i would clarify, since the way i wrote it made it sound like i can run a 7 minute mile...no dice!
=^..^=

Susan-
one quick question...about those shoes you said really help with the shin splints...what model? I get those too if i run too fast or train too hard. I currently wear Brooks, an dthey are great but are finnally breaking down and i need a new pair. I have a wide foot though and tend to run off road, so i nead something that will absord shock really well and yet have a thick strong sole so as to last on gravel roads. would you recommend your brand? my sis says Saucany is great...

=^..^=

Hey everybody!
 

Whew! First day back to work...actually I love being back in my daily routine, as it's MUCH easier to eat clean that way...

Had a killer workout this morning. I was so eager to go to the gym I was out of bed by 3:45 am! What a nut, huh? :dizzy:

Susan E - just some advice - my personal feeling is that it's not a good idea to start over. Just fail fast and keep on. Believe me, very few of us are 100% perfect during the 12 weeks...especially during the first challenge. Just accept that you weren't perfect, learn from it and go on. Check out these quotes from folks at L&S: (BTW, in an earlier thread, I quoted TJ's post in its entirety, I believe about a month ago - you might want to browse the BFL threads here for it).

Before my Miami meeting, I drilled the hotel on exactly what equipment they had in their spa...then did some research on the gyms nearby...it turned out that I could have gotten a halfway decent workout in a pinch at the hotel (they had a nice set of dumbbells, lat pulldown/pressdown, leg curl/ext, etc., as well as some VERY nice LifeFitness treadmills and ellipticals) but I wanted to keep heavy squats in my routine over the week. When I was in London last year, their workout room consisted of an ancient stairclimber, a treadmill, lifecycle and a mat!

My boss is calling me, so I've gotta jam. Later all!

WHEW - I'm Back!
 

Hi Everyone! - and welcome to the new ladies you're gonna like it here.

Well I made it through my four days of being out of town for Easter. I missed 1 cardio workout. Can you believe that at the end of March we had a blizzard for 2 days? I was able to walk/jog my first cardio day and then came the snow - so I was really stuck as to what I could do. I was good with the nutrition part of it despite the odd looks and questions from my die-hard WW point counting mother-in-law. WW has worked really well for her but it was hard to sell her on the concepts of BFL. In the end we agreed to disagree. Oh well - you gotta do what works - whatever that may be.

MrsJim - love your new pics! You look great. I have to tell ya that I am hooked on Myolite Cappuccino Ice!!! Love, love, love it. My PP is sooo much better than the other one I was using. I got some MetRx Vanilla Butter Cream and it is sooo much better than the other chalky stuff I had.

It feels sooo good to be back on my routine - I felt a little disoriented while I was gone - maybe no internet access had something to do with that as well.

Quick question for the runners (Mel?). Did my 1st walk/jog outside while I was away and I couldn't believe how tough it was. My shins are still sore and my inner thighs are still feeling tight. My lungs were burning and I was coughing for about 2 hours after my workout. Is this normal? I usually do my workout on the treadmill. Boy what a difference! No question that I reached a ten.

Well I'm heading into the final four weeks (ready carps?) and I really want to make them count! Have a great week everyone!

Running and shoes
 

Thunder-except for the coughing, that sounds about right. Outside, where the pavement doesn't move for you is a lot harder. Especially if there are even the slightest hills. But you get used to it, and it's so much more interesting and higher intensity than a treadmill. To minimize shin soreness, stretch real well after you run. Warm muscles sstretch better! Also make sure you have proper shoes- it makes much more of a difference on a hard surface than a treadmill.

Meow- You've shattered my image! I was really impressed by the 7 minute mile! I just bought a new pair of Saucony's and love 'em. Most comfortable shoe I've ever worn, I don't know why I had a brief fling with Nike and Addidas. Saucony makes a great trail running shoe and they tend to run wide. They look a little funky, but the comfort is worth it. I tried them on last week, but I'm 95% on pavement, so I passed on them. Good luck!

MrsJim- You look great! and I see those abs. Maybe someday we'll see mine.

mel

I'm ready too!
 

Hi Thunderheart - I was missing ya - and yes I'm ready for the last four weeks. I have to admit though, I had a terrible weekend - It basically turned into one big long free weekend - although I did workout as usual. But I just couldn't get away from the chocolate and hot cross buns etc.... :nono: aarghhh!
Anyway - I'm determined and ready for the next four!

Yesterday I did the proper bench press for the first time, and boy oh boy are my pecs sore today! similar to my first week of BFL! the top weight I managed (for my set of 6) was 44lbs (plus the bar whatever that is) does that sound totally ridiculously pathetic???? I am definately going to continue on with bench press now - my goal is 100lbs.
Mrs Jim, other long termers- what are benching on your top set? Also what are up to on the quad press? I'm just trying to figure out what are some reasonably goals.

I have an oatmeal question? When people say they are eating oatmeal - are they putting equal and cinnamon and milk on it? or are they just eating the gluggy oatmeal as it is??? I can't quite get my head around eating it without milk.

Also my husband and I are both experiencing trouble staying on course and feel hungry a lot - could this be because we are finally starting to lift some decent weight now? I don't know.

well the first of April brought Autumn with a vengeance and we all had the feather duvet's out and and the winter PJ's on! brrrrr! :eek:

Got heaps of work to do - so must run. Catch you later.
Carly

SAUCONY!!! Saucony Courageous. I get them from RoadRunner Sports. I belong to their Runners Club and get 10% discount.
Not that I run (I did once upon a time but shin splints sidelined me as early as running track when I was 14. I tried again in college and again, was in agony). But I have to buy GOOD running shoes so I belong to the runners club. I order them online or via phone and they show up in a day or so.

The Courageous are probably the first Saucony I've owned that cost over $100.00 but they are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO worth it. I LOVE THEM. I could sleep in them, I swear. :lol:

They are a brandnew style for Saucony and I don't know that everywhere has them.

RR Sports also has really good exercise bras. I am a 38DD (STILL!) and I need the SUPPORT and I wear their exercise bras as a daily bra. When I wear a "normal" bra now I feel like I'm coming out of them!

Susan

Oatmeal: I eat it a few different ways. My favorite is steel cut oats (buy McCanns Irish Oatmeal at netrition). I usually make up a huge batch and then I add egg beaters, soy protein powder (not whey), splenda, cinnamon, pinch of vanilla, and butter buds. I mix it all together and bake in the oven for about 45 minutes in a pyrex baking dish. Then I cover it and refrigerate. I cut out squares each day for one of my early meals. Sometimes I heat it up and top with blueberries. yum. You need to measure it all out to make it balance but if it doesn't, just know what you need to add (usually protein) and have some egg whites with it when you eat it. I don't have a recipe because I use different pps and different amts of eggbeaters (sometimes I throw in an egg or two). If it's "watery" before you bake it, it will firm up in the oven heat.

Another way I eat oatmeal is just regular Quaker with splenda and cinnamon and vanilla protein powder mixed in. It gets like GLUE! but I like it. :lol: Don't ask me why

You can also do just splenda and cinnamon. :-) For that I usually use Irish Oats as they tend to be really filling!

Bench press
 

Hi everyone!

Carps -- I just started barbell bench press this challenge, so I'm not up there in weight yet -- but if your bar is like ours, it's 45 lbs. So you may be benching 99 already! I wanted to get from 45 (bar only) to 90 (bar plus 45) in this challenge -- but only made it to 75.

I do 370 on the leg press, but might be able to do more -- I'm being careful of a knee that gets painful if I overload it. My husband Brian does 950 -- he has great quads!

Just finished challenge 2.5, and made good progress but still have a long way to go. For this challenge: down 12 lbs fat, up 4 lbs lean, down 3 inches in tummy, 2 inches in hips and 1.5 in each thigh. Since starting BFL in August I'm down from 42% body fat to 28%, with an ultimate goal of 18%.

Each challenge I somehow imagine that my body will have "transformed" at the end, but then realize that I've already made the inner transformation to a lean, strong athlete -- but it will just take a while for my body to catch up!

Wish me luck during free week -- my previous two free weeks did NOT go well. My goal is mostly clean eating for most of the week: one totally free eating day (that was Easter), followed by adding a few treats but making good choices (made it one day so far!)

Hope you're all dong great!

Carrie

blachh!
 

susanje your oatmeal sounds truley gross! sorry! :lol: And I take it you don't use milk at all? "thats not how you make porridge!" (I think that was an add here - so none of you will get it!) :lol:

also, being in NZ I can't get egg beaters or butter buds and I'm not sure about steel cut oats - and I can't order from Netrition! So that doesn't help much does it!:p

carrie - congratulations on your losses this challenge! well done. and I am impressed by your weights. I'm really not sure what our bar weighs, but I'm positive its not 45lbs. I will ask tomorrow though.

thanks for your replies - had a good food day today although was unable to get to the gym Argggghhhh!!! My car is at the shop, and my kids are on holiday and the gym is miles away and it all just didn't happen! really bummed out - cos I love getting to the gym.

got to go to a band practice now - see ya'll tomorrow.

WOW Carrie, Those are GREAT numbers!!! CONGRATS!!!!

Carps==sorry! Actually my steel oats concoption tastes like my grandmothers rice pudding. My granny was an old Swiss gal who didn't put a lot of spices into her meals. Her rice pudding was not very creamy, as others were, but it was the taste I grew up with so I like it. She cooked rice in the over in a dozen eggs with sugar and cinnamon. The rice started out raw so she baked it for about 3 hours (the rice cooked in the oven) but the dry heat took all the moisture out of the eggs. The result was kinda crumbly rice pudding. My steel oats baked thing reminds me of that. Kinda crumbly when I'm done but has that sugar/ciinnamon/egg flavor. I've tried to figure out how to make it more "custardy" but without whole eggs and with the protein powder in there, I'm not sure that is possible. Sorry this is no help! I'm surprised you can't get steel cut oats in NZ (not that I've ever been there or know what they have there but it's my own assumptions!)

I also read somewhere of cooking oatmeal, adding splenda and cinnamon and dropping like cookies on a cookie sheet and baking in the oven. Sorta like oatmeal cookies. You'd have to add a protein to that or again, mix in some egg white. :)

Sorry if this is no help!!!
Susan

Actually I was at the end of challenge one when I took this trip - so after a week off - I getting ready to start Challenge 2. I had a great upper body work out this morning. I really pushed myself hard this morning. I added some more weight to my reps and was definitely hitting those 9's and some 10's Getting the last set of reps out was shakey but I didn't it and I feel great. I am drinking my first liter of water this morning.

CARPS, about those oats...
 

In Britain I saw them as Scotch oats, steel-milled oats, Irish oats, rough cut oats, porridge oats...I'm sure they have them in any whole foods store. I get them locally for .42 cents per pound. But my daily breakfast is quick oats, microwaved with vanilla extract, sweetener, salt, and water. When it's done, I stir in 2/3 cup of cottage cheese. I haven't tried Susanje's recipe but I'm going to.

I just started C2, and I'm bringing Boca or Morningstar products along for one of my meals (with a carb.) The only real difference in my exercise is that I'm lifting six days a week. I also started an outdoor walking program again because I lost 58 pounds walking and doing WW, and find that I really miss the daily walks.

Gracious!
 

Y'all have been chatty since yesterday evening!

Hmm, weights. A week or so ago (right before leaving for Miami) I switched my exercises so now I'm doing:

Chest/Tris:

Superset: Incline DB Press/Cable Crossovers

Superset: Cable Crossovers (I reset the cable to a lower angle for these sets)/pushups (as many as I can do).

One-Arm Tricep Pressdowns with reverse grip (knuckles facing back) 3 sets of 15 reps

Superset: DB tricep extensions/Skullcrushers

Legs:

Superset: Leg Curls/Leg Extensions

Superset: Back Squat/Smith Lunges (fortunately the squat cage and the Smith are right next to each other in the gym!)

Superset: DB straightleg deadlifts/Alternate DB lunges

Superset: Lying Leg Press Squats/Calf press (I change my foot position so I hit different parts of the leg). BTW, my high weight on lying leg presses is 450 pounds...

Back/Bis:

Superset - Low cable rows/Lat Pulldowns (reverse grip)

Pullups on gravitron (well, it's not really a gravitron but something like it) as many as I can do (that ain't much right now)

Superset - Incline DB Curls/Cable hammer curls w/ rope

Preacher Curl 21's - 3 sets

Shoulders/Abs/Calves:

Superset: Arnold Press/Front DB Raises

Superset: Incline lateral raises/Reverse incline lateral raises (Sitting face down on the incline bench).

Rotator cuff - 2 sets of 20 reps

Rotary Calf - 2 sets of 20@ 90#; 3 sets of 15@125#

Seated Calf - 2 sets of 15@ 90#

Standing Calf Machine - 2 sets of 20@240#; 3 sets of 15@340#

Abs: Bench knee up with 5# DB; ball crunches; ball oblique crunches; bicycle crunches; etc.

My high weight for lying DB bench press is 35# DB in each hand - but I've had to drop a bit for incline DB press as you're working against gravity a bit more - today I did 10 reps with 27.5# in each hand.

More later - got work to do (yet another meeting being planned!)

Questions and answers
 

MrsJim- what is a rotary calf machine? and a gravitron? is that an assisted pull-up machine?

Carps- I bench press 95 lbs on my max set, more than that, I get stuck under the bar and have to have someone rescue me. Very embarassing. I prefer using dumbells, but can't do more than 30 each hand. Don't understand that. Squats- am up to 160 final set, and leg press, did 550 yesterday for the first time. But I have to wrap both knees to do quads.

Off to do bi's, tri's, and abs this afternoon.

mel

Mel - yep - it's an assisted pull-up machine...

As for the calf machine - I did a search and found one similar to the one in my gym. http://www.lifefitness.com/product_d...hs_superhcalf#

You load the plates, and push with the balls of your feet. Love it!