O h my aching Quads! I did 10 minutes on cross trainer and 10 on rowing machine this morning and my quads were so sore. Wait until tomorrow when I am doing lower body, I wont be able to move on Saturday! Oh well, loving every minute of it. How can that be??? Have eaten clean all week!
Virginia

Well done Virginia! I can sympathise with you because my quads are killing me as well. I rolled over last night in bed so the dog moved with me (yes my boys sleep in our bed) and Ben stepped on my quad to go across me and OMG it hurt so bad I could have screamed! This morning I was in the shower trying to loosen them up so that I could walk.

I am taking glutamine 3 times a day but it ain't cutting it. I really broke the tissue up!

JC

Keep up the good work! You are doing great.

JC, that is so interesting about the chips and corn - how you traced it back.

I have been doing lots of reading on the L&S board. I have finally been able to access the training library. Lot's of good info there. I also picked up a really good magazine this week, it is the summer special issue that Muscle Media puts out.

I have one more week of the exercises I am doing for the 2nd third of the diet. I am ready to change. Somehow I don't think leg extensions and curls are as effective as the lunges and squats I was doing the first third. Extensions aren't so bad, but I am having a hard time getting my bench adjusted to do curls comfortably. I don't want to give up though because I can tell I am learning more each time I try.

And, today I made the eggplant stew from the L&S recipe board. Very good, great for a cold winter night.

Hi y'all! I have been superbusy again this week

Remember I took last week off while in London - well this week I'm back in the gym and BOY are my muscles (the ones I've worked so far anyway) SORE! Mostly my hammies, bi's and back. I have been hitting it HARD this week and it feels good!

Today was blood drive day...so I'm just feeling a bit tired right now...and tonight after work (in about 2 hours that is) I have a private riding lesson with Dee Dee. I'm drinking a Diet Coke right now - hoping the caffiene will take effect. I'm sure once I get out of the office I'll be fine. Of course the blood drive folks said no strenuous exercise - but a 45-minute riding lesson isn't the same as doing a HIIT session - although I often break a sweat during the class!

This morning for me was 45 minutes moderate cardio - I usually start off on the elliptical and then finish the last 15 minutes on the treadmill at a VERY brisk walk on the highest incline (15%). Probably the reason my hammies are screamin'.

JC - I think the TOPS you're referring to is the group (similar to Weight Watchers, only it's been around longer) "Take Off Pounds Sensibly" which I believe WW was modeled on (correct me if I'm wrong) - at least the group support part. I've never been to a TOPS meeting but I have read about them.

Also, I only had one Ambien left so I thought Jim needed it - I gotta tell you that yesterday he was PEPPY! (Wouldn't you be after a good night's sleep?) Actually I confessed to him last night, but I got him some melatonin along with some valerian tea bags to use once in awhile. That and I give him a scalp massage which he LOVES (the horses enjoy it too). My boss SWEARS by melatonin when she can't sleep - I'll have to do some more research on it.

Ledom - you're working out at home, right? Is your bench set up for lying leg curls or seated curls? I actually ALWAYS include leg extentions in my quad/ham day - but I vary it by using different machines - we have three leg extention machines, all with a different 'feel' and angle. And for ham curls, our gym has a plethora of machines - two regular Nautilus lying leg curls, two seated leg curl, a plate-loaded lying curl (with a KILLER angle - ow!) and a "Hamtractor". My work gym has the standing leg curl which is fun too - but I prefer working out at my friendly 24 Hour Fitness rather than the work gym (even though the company just spent a major sum on new equipment and improvements - including TOWELS - they now supply towels! Isn't that great - plus a bunch of fitness classes and a massage service on Wednesdays so we're quite spoiled here, I'm afraid ) Anyway, you don't have to COMPLETELY switch the exercises - switch to a new 'primary' quad exercise and keep one of the favorites for that last set. (It's been awhile since I've done a BFL style workout so bear with me if I'm saying that wrong).

Oh I mentioned this on the L&S board - but I just purchased a tub of BioTest Grow! (Robb P. INSISTS on the proper brand name being used including the exclamation point He is such a darling - reminds me a bit of my own luvbug Jim) to try out instead of my usual MyoLite Cap Ice MRP. After hearing everyone else rave about the taste (like cake batter!! YUM!) I couldn't resist. Actually it's quite reasonable - about $32 for 18 'man-sized' servings (40g protein) which I can cut in half for 36 servings. How cool is that! I'll let y'all know how it tastes.

Well, I have another paper to finish up and then I'm outie!

haha- couldn't think of anything else to put in the subjects line!

I am finally recovered from my quad workout on Monday so tomorrow I'll try to destroy my legs once again doing hamstrings! I've found that separating them has made an enormous difference! Those of you doing C1or 2, follow the book! But those of you further along might want to give it a try. Besides, it gives the added benefit of being exquisitely sore-legged twice a week!

Ledom- You're right, those extensions and curls are not doing for you what squats and lunges do, but you have to change up your routines otherwise they'll stop doing much of anything. Basically, the more body parts (or more of your body) thats in motion during an exercise, the harder you are working. Compare a squat to an extension: while squatting, you are 1) holding yourself erect and balancing using your core muscles and your legs, 2) moving your whole body downwards while supporting it and weights with your quads, calves and glutes, then pushing everything back up with your quads, glutes, hamstrings (if you go low enough) while supporting weight either across your shouders or in your hands. Doing extensions, your butt is on a seat, so the only thing that's moving are the 4 different parts of your quad. Both good exercises, but the squat is a LOT MORE WORK! And a lunge is just a complicated squat. I've foud doing curls with a home bench very frustrating. Can never get comfortable and once actually pinched my skin quite painfully. Have you looked at flat-back deadlifts as an alternate for hamstrings? Once you get the form right, they are very effective. You need some sort of platform (I use an old aerobics step) and either dumbells or a bar.

Virgina: Still sore? Wait til tomorow- I usually get sorer on the second day! Do you take glutamine?

JC- kinda funny about the carb blowout. I've never been able to trace mine to something so concrete. Now you know! I wish mine were that logical.

Karen- at the risk of sounding preachy, i don't think adminstering drugs to someone without his knowledge is a good idea. i had a really bad reaction to that drug and would have been terrified if i hadn't known that i'd taken something.

mel

Mel: yeah I am pretty in tune with my body so when something happens I usually find a logical reason. I go by the theory food is fuel so when it doesn't feel like fuel it feels like more of an emotion - there has to be a reason for it. Sometimes this lifestyle seems more like a science subject than a eating plan!

I am still so sore - I have been in the bathroom a few times to do 5 quick squats to try and warm up the muscle up a bit and relieve the pain. It's working thank goodness. Sometimes I hate being in a job where I have to sit on my butt so much.

MrsJim: Good on you for giving blood. I have it in my diary for tomorrow I think or next weekend maybe..... I try and give every 12 weeks.

Well it's Friday here so if I don't get a chance to pop in tomorrow - have a great weekend everyone!

JC

Hi everyone,
Yes Mel, I am still sore today, but I also did lower body today so I worked it out a little and also added to it. No I am not taking Glutamine yet, I plan to pick some up this weekend.
Had a good workout this morning! Cardio tomorrow, gonna move these buns as fast as I can.
Hve a good weekend all!
Virginia

And what a BEEYOUTIFUL morning it is (quoting Debbie Reynolds in "Singin' in the Rain"). It's supposed to be in the 70's here today. Not bad for November!

Last night's private riding lesson was WONDERFUL. Usually one of the 'Kramerettes' (Dee Dee proteges - they're in high school but Sarah is in the Top Five Junior riders in the Northern California Region) instructs the class on Saturday...but having Dee Dee herself give me a private lesson is a treat. I just felt totally competent - it wasn't that long ago that I was having trouble staying on the diagonal during the posting trot

JC - I give blood every 8 weeks or so - whenever the Blood Drive comes to work. They call me, email me and send letters reminding me!!! Actually the part I hate about it is the finger stick - when they test your blood for iron. Back in my vegetarian days, I would never pass the iron test - I was probably borderline anemic. Since starting BFL though, no problem!

Did shoulders/abs/calves today - put in a couple of new shoulder exercises - new to me anyway - that I picked up from books. I've been feeling a little sore in my delts on the right side, so have removed overhead presses and Arnold presses from my repertoire for the time being. I did do overhead lats though, and bent-over L raises (sitting bent over with knees together, dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other, elbows bent at a 90 degree angle and remain so during the exercise - lifting the arms back) which are new to me!

Gotta run - more later! Can't wait until the weekend - more riding and then *ugh* cleaning the pigsty!!! It really needs it!

Hey everyone. I'm having a hard time this challenge, keeping everything in order. First, I can't shake this cold/flu thing, which has me feeling way low energy. (I'm planning to have a quiet, restful weekend, which I hope will be enough to get my immune system back into shape.) Then, on Wednesday, I had a blow-out dinner with some friends -- we were commiserating about some bad news a friend recently got and decided to go to a French bistro. (I should have held out for a seafood restaurant or something like that.) Anyway, I won't go into the gory details, but French food isn't known for its light and low-fat sauces. Finally, after dinner, I was walking back to the car when I tripped (it seems that every street and sidewalk in Chicago is undergoing construction at all times), and twisted my ankle. It's still swollen and hurts. So, although I did an UBWO today, I skipped the cardio yesterday, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it tomorrow. Sigh. I intend to re-read parts of the BFL book this weekend as well, and really try to hit the food/work-outs hard next week.

I'm so glad to hear that everyone else here has been having a good week -- I get inspired when I read about all of your efforts to stay on the straight and narrow. Keep it up!

Have a great weekend everyone. Mox

This morning after my UBWO, I was flexing in front of the mirror before showering and noticed something interesting happening where my traps and delts meet. I like it!

Also, I absolutely don't trust the measurements I took with the tape measure, it can make such a difference if you do it loosely, still loose but a little more snug. Bah, it's frustrating. So what do you go by. I know, pics, but I didn't do befores. I can kind of remember and I think I see the change. Clothes, well I notice there too. I think I am down a size. Sizing is such a crap shoot but I was wearing a tight 22 Jones of New York pants and yesterday I bought a 20 in the same brand. So maybe that means I am down a size? I wear an 18 top.

And then I was wondering if you ladies that have been around the block with BFL could tell me one more time that at some point the changes will come more quickly? Of course until I plateau or get close to goal? Well, sometimes I just need to hear that. I am ready for the morning I wake up and see a BIG difference. Or the day someone else notices.

I am enjoying the journey, don't get me wrong.

Patience and persistence, m'dear...

We haven't heard from Susanje in awhile...I suspect that she's been busy with her son and impending move to Texas...but she didn't see results until WEEK 10.

If you haven't taken photos yet DO SO NOW - at least you'll have a barometer for the future! Photos and the Pants-O-Meter, in truth, are the only really accurate measuring tools IMO.

I didn't start seeing results until Week 8 (check my website or the L&S Transformation Gallery Archives). Everyone's different - and you might want to check your nutrition - especially if you're eating the same things every day. Basically you have to keep your body guessing. If you eat the same things each day - even if they're authorized foods - your results won't be terrific. Varying the foods kind of makes for a 'natural' zig-zag effect where the calories are concerned (and that zig zagging really chews through the fat, as those of us who have done Camp Pam B will attest to!).

Keep posting, and reading - both here and at L&S...this is the time (midway to 2/3 through the first Challenge) where people start feeling a bit discouraged (especially if they've been on 'quick weight loss diets' in the past). DON'T GIVE UP!!!

Well...i had a pretty good....

I think i need to find some new food ideas...i am kind of a picky eater...and I am not a great cook....so I think i will need to check out the BFL recipes i guess...

I ate clean this week...and i am not sure how much i have lost this week..but since the beginning of the month it has been 7 or 8lbs...so i think i am doing well so far...i am really not sure...I am on week 4 of my first challenge.
i haven't noticed much of a change but everyone seems to notice the change in my face....i wish it was in my butt...but beggers can't choose i guess

hope everyone had a good week...

one_sweetchick

End of week two for me. This is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I feel great! I have not noticed a big change in the last two weeks, size wise, however, my attitude has definitely changed.
I wish I could tell everyone about BFL and how it has changed my life already. I know I will stick with this and reshape this fat cata pillar into a beautiful butterfly. Last night, a friend and I went to get tattoos together for her Birthday, I have been wanting one since a teenager and finally got up the nerve to do it. Wish I had done it years ago. I got a fairy with butterfly wings to symbolize my flight to a new me. She is beautiful!
~Virginia~

Hey everyone...

well i over did it on my day off..and feel like crap for it....i had pizza.....like 5 or 6 pieces...over about 6 hours....so brutal...omg...i hate my day off....

I went to the gym today b/c I can't go tomorrow (today is my day off) but i thinking i need to find time to go to the gym tomorrow.... my boyfriend thinks i am nuts and thinks that my day off and i can eat what i want...but omg...i feel like sh*t...this really stinks....live and learn i guess...


one_sweetchick

I have made it this far. Had a pretty good free day yesterday. Did not over do it and feel so bloated like last week. I only really ate one meal that was totally off base, but enjoyed it. However, I am just as glad to be back on program again. What is even more important than all that is, I have two full weeks in of not smoking. That I am very proud of. I am building a new me and I like this Me!
Have a great week !
Virginia