Morning All,


Meg, Here’s a link to a picture of Rachel Mclish, Joe weider’s female Arnold-in the sense that she was an extremely pretty woman, which gave her the ability to appeal to the masses. You know the women who only want to tone and don’t want to bulk up. Everyone wanted to be Rachel in the 1980’s-even me. I respect Rachel for taking her God given assets, adding weightlifting and turning that into a successful career.

The second link is for Lisa Lyon, the first IFBB women’s champion. Lisa is famous for a number of reasons: First, the picture of a 275 lb Arnold sitting on her shoulders-Lisa is maybe 5’3 and weighed about 125 at the time. Secondly, she is famous for being the first bodybuilder to have a photo layout in Playboy magazine-the magazine literally flew off the shelves at the time. Lastly, Lisa is famous for two books: the first is called Body Magic-it offers tips and exercises for building muscle. The second book is entitled Lady and contains beautiful black and white photographs of Lisa taken by the late Robert Mapplethorpe. I am a major fan of Lisa’s and bought any magazine that she appeared in during the late 70’s and 80’s- she is the reason my foray into weightlifting at 20 years old.

http://ifbb.com/halloffame/html/frameset_lyon.htm
http://ifbb.com/halloffame/html/frameset_rachel.htm

I highly recommend the movie Pumping Iron II: The Women – All of the top female bodybuilders of the day are represented: Rachel Mclish, Carla Dunlap, Shelly Gruwell, Lydia Cheng, Gladys Portuges (wife of Jean Claude Van Dam), Bev Francis, and Marjo Selin come to mind. The movie is a wonderful visual record of the changes that were to take place in female bodybuilding over the coming years-the change from a very feminine form to the current more masculine one. IMO, Bev Francis was that catalyst; coming from a power lifting background and using steroids (how else does one explain all that acne) enabled her to use heavier weights than the other female competitors and helped her achieve the goal of being the most muscular woman on stage. It strange how people-men and woman all want to be extremely muscular without the benefit of symmetry. Symmetry makes the body appear to be perfect and is the thing that makes one a legend in the bodybuilding world. Think of all the great bodybuilders: Arnold; Frank Zane; Sergio Oliva (the myth); Cory Everson; Carla Dunlap; Lenda Murry and Mel’s favorite, Juliette Bergman have all achieved this goal. Funny thing is that in the movie Bev looks huge and bulky-like she is about 5’8 and 200 lbs of rock hard muscle. Hubby and I went to a bodybuilding show a few years back and there she was in front of me….my strength idol-all of 5’3 and 145 lbs of her.

Here’s a quote one of my favorite quotes from the movie delivered by Bev Francis about how she finally realized how to direct her interest in achieving physical and mental strength.

“It was only in later years when I came across other people who encouraged me and lead me in the right field that convinced me that things were possible. …All you had to do was have the belief in yourself, do the work and you might make it. And it was a joy to get stronger.”

Okay. That’s more than you asked me for…I’ll shut up now. Off to work out my upper body. Knee’s still out, so no lower body exercise.

BTW, does anyone here do Pilates? Are there specific lower body exercises that I could use until my knee heals?


Sel

Paula!
 

I am your devoted slave for life after your remark about my age ... ummm, I'm 48. You have made my day (and year, probably!) Name it and it is yours .... :lol:

Meg

I'm with you Meg - about WW. I'm not trying to 'bash' it either - it's the marketing/advertising spin they give it that ticks me off. Actually, the concept itself - as developed by Jean Nidich (sp?) is quite good. Of course back then it wasn't being marketed like it is now - in the 60's before it was acquired by Heinz (the ketchup folks) it was very much a high-protein diet, using exchanges. (BTW there are some pretty interesting books out there about the beginning of WW - one written by Jean Niditch herself, the other one that comes to mind is a paperback I have kicking around somewhere called "They Lost Three Tons" that makes for interesting reading - published back in the late 60's).

When I first started WW, they were still in the old exchange program - including the mandatory liver meal once a week. :( I think they abolished that back in the early 80's. In the mid-70's WW started allowing air-popped popcorn and peanut butter...also in the early 70's with the acquisition of WW by Heinz, all those frozen dinners and other products started coming out...and I think that's a BIG part of the reason why WW went from a high-protein to a high-carb plan - the marketing and the food products. Just IMO of course.

It just annoys me to no end to see those WW commercials of people eating pizza, marshmallows, cake, etc.

Just rambling...

Me again,

Just wanted to say welcome Audrey. I wrote a book and didn't even say hello to you.

Goddess Jessica, Like your new Avatar.

Later

Sel

Thank You, Sel!
 

Thanks for the wonderful education! I checked out the photos and looked at some more at that site (including Bev Francis -- whoa!). You have been a devotee for a long time, obviously, and I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. It is a fascinating area that I know next to nothing about, but am anxious to learn more.

Meg

WW --- I was there too in the days when liver was mandatory once/week... which I didn't mind because I loved it (back then) not anymore for some reason.... When I was at WW in the 80's I had asked the lady if I should eat more because I was weight training, "OH NO!!" she said... Well "I" know better now...

Sugar -- Last week I at 2 granola bars, ( I CANNOT eat just one) around 8:30PM, and I woke up with a massive headache the next morning... I attribute it to the sugar.... Other than that day I usually keep AWAY from with like the plague...

Well those are the only .02 cents I have time to post because by the time I read everything I have to goooooo....

Later all...

Have a good afternoon....

PS: YES Meg.... you look VERY young....

Oh and ... someone mentionned the 6days/week of BFL workouts... Well what I like is that the workouts altho 6days/week are short and sweet, and I'm in and out of the gym in no time.... I go at 5AM like Karen...

Meg

Ok I was under the impression that most of you all were BFLers........so I guess I should have put that into "past" tense :o My bad!!

I also do not mean to bash WW. I have seen a lot of people lose weight and keep it off with that program. It just didn't work for me. I did it in the late 80s/early 90s when they were more into the protein, then it went to high carb/lowfat, then to points. I know they are tweaking it again this summer, but from what I understand they are keeping the points, just modifying it.

My main concern on BRx is that I am 260 lbs, and I want to see who else started BRx (or even BFL or other weight training program) at this weight. It seems like most people go into BRx having already lost weight using other programs. The protein requirment still gets me too. I am doing ok with it now, but I am about to go into C2, and it will be upped quite a bit. I love the workouts though :)

Robin :cb:

Hi Robin -- I first started weight training when I was 257 pounds, pretty close to where you are now. I had never done any kind of weight training before in my life; in fact, I could barely puff my way up the stairs. At first, I felt like a moose at the gym and was totally self-conscious until I realized that, really, no one was paying any attention to me. In the beginning, there were machines that just didn’t fit me comfortably and there were certain exercises that were difficult for me at my weight and level of unfitness (like squats and lunges). But, like you, I discovered that I loved working out and stuck with it, with great results.

Nutritionally, I didn’t follow a plan per se, other than the guidance I got from the trainer I was working with. At first, I just tried to keep my calories around 1600 and worked on gradually increasing the protein and decreasing the carbs. As I got closer to my goal weight, I did have to decrease the calories a bit and increase the protein. Right now, my body seems to like about 45% protein/25% carbs/30% fats. How much protein are you eating now and what will you need to do for Cycle 2 (I’m not very familiar with BRX)?

Wishing you lots of success!

Meg

Meg

Ahh a kindred spirit! Did you do cardio w/your weight training? I am glad to see people who were very heavy to begin with be successful in programs like these.....it gives me hope!

As for my eating, right now I am supposed to consume 1 gm of protein for every lb. I weigh, which is 260gms. I usually end up getting in between 220-240 gms a day. I can eat up to 400 gms of "yellow" carbs a day, which are mainly your breads, starches, and starchy veggies, pretzels, popcorn etc. I can have 1-2 servings of "goodies" a week, like fatty meats, cookies, cakes, etc.

In C2, my protein requirement goes up to 1.25 gms per lb, carbs will go down to a limit of 200gms a day. In C3, it goes up to 1.5 gms a day, which right now is 400gms of protein!! So, I am a little worried.

I have been told by others that I can base my protein intake on my lean body mass.........but this is rather controversial. I haven't yet figured out how I am going to make this work ....... but I will :)

Robin:cb:

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. :)

Meg, you are right, I'm no longer on WW. Been there, done that etc. Like many of you have said, it's not a bad program, but I don't think it addresses the needs of those of us who do more exercise than just parking at the far side of the lot. Also, I was quite good at finding those "low point" snacks that really were an excuse to eat sugar. In March of 2000, I joined WW for the first time, and over 9 months, I went from 184 to my WW goal of 145. Somewhere in that period, I started working out again. I was running and doing FIRM weight tapes. Maintenance was a bit more difficult than losing ever was. Part of that was a big change in my lifestyle. My fiance moved here from Western Canada and we were eating out a bit more. some of those 39#'s lost, found their way back. :( I kept trying WW again, but I didn't seem to lose anything. Now the first time thru, I was very strict with the program, so I knew what I HAD to do, and the second/third/subsequent tries, what I thought would work, just wasn't doing it. I was exhausted all the time, and was gaining wegiht, not losing, even though I was as strict as the first time.

This past March, I went web surfing to see what other options were out there. I found PhysiqueTransformation, which piqued my interest. I downloaded the e-book and started reading. I decided to try it, as my last resort, and since I'm still in the conditioning phase, it's hard to judge the program yet. The proof will be when I get to the Fat Burning stage, as to how my body responds. But, so far, they are delivering on what they say for conditioning. I'm only up 1# after 6-7 weeks of increasing calories, and I suspect the soy sauce that I dipped my sushi in last night has more to do with that, than anything else. <g> During conditioning, we're off of cardio, so I'm taking advantage of the extra time to really go all out with the weights. I thought I'd miss the cardio more, but I'm quite happy to spend my gym time lifting right now. I feel very empowered after a workout these days, even if my muscles are like jello. Not the usual defeated feeling I have when on a restricted eating plan. So, it's working for my head as well. :)

Until recently, I was working out in my living room, with dumbbells, barbell and Cathe Friedrich tapes. I had reached the max I could lift over my head on a barbell for squats/lunges, and so I'm back in the gym, where the smith machine is more "shoulder friendly". The added advantage is that I can workout with my fiance in the mornings. The downside is the very early wake-up call. :lol: since he has to leave the house much earlier than I do. We have a gym in the apartment building, and it's empty at 6 am, which is also VERY nice. No waiting, and no gym "experts" offering advice. I'm on a 4-day split right now, with doubles of legs cause I don't want them lazy from no cardio.. so I'm in that gym M-F. I don't think I'd be so diligent about working out if it weren't so convenient. That does help. :)

looking forward to chatting with everyone here. :)

Hey Audrey - Welcome! I'm a noob to this section of the site, but I thought I'd throw in my hi hi. :wave:

One of the comments you made reminded me of something I was just reading the other day - at the risk of sounding like a "gym expert" (I do not purport to be an expert of any sort, this just made good sense to me) in regards to the squats and the smith machine. The author of the article I was reading suggested that you do x number of reps/sets (depending on your own structure) using freeweights to work the considerable amount of stabilizer muscles you use when doing squats. He suggested that once you are losing form and/or balance due to fatigued stabilizers, move over to the smith to continue using proper form and still pushing on your squats. I just thought it was an interesting idea. I use purely freeweights since I'm an at home rat rather than a gym rat. :)

Robin - I think I might be the closest to a "pure" BFL'er here - though even I've been tweaking it as I go. I started it because my daughter was rather desperate to get on some sort of plan, and she isn't yet at a point where she can think about what she needs to do. Her request... "Mom, just get me on a plan that tells me what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat - and the same for exercise, and I'll do it!" So... BFL seemed to be about the closest "plan" to what I was already doing, so I got the book, made her read it, and I'm on it with her more for support than anything. I do find the difference in lifting sets/reps to be interesting. Though I admit I have changed out a few of the moves. My daughter gained a half pound, but lost an inch on her waist the first week, and that was motivation enough to keep her going. So far so good!

Meg - you continue to make me think. I love your posts. You are a tremendous inspiration.

I know there are so many other posts that I've read these last couple days that have taught me and made me rethink... I wish I had time to comment on each like I want to! Suffice it to say I'm trying to keep up, and you ladies are just wonderful! Thank you!

Sel - Thanks. I needed a warrior, and Tank Girl rocks.

Robin - Have you tried swimming as your cardio? I suffered from foot problems for many years and still have the occasion achilles tendonitis from dancing but swimming is always are great option for me.

RavenToy, I *do* find that my form is better with the Smith machine. But mostly, I had to switch because of my shoulders. They are my weak point, from a car accident a few years ago, and I found 40#'s to be the limit of what I could put on the barbell before I'd have intense shoulder pain the next day. (I tried 50, my legs felt great, and the next day my neck was awful). I bought a weight vest, thinking I could "wear" 10#"s and go back to 40 on the barbell. But the weight vest hangs too low on me, so that it changes my stance on squats and on lunges. It felt very strange, and I had knee pains for a few days after. I NEVER get knee pains, so I know I was doing something completely wrong with the vest on. Since the gym is just downstairs, it seemed silly not to take advantage of it. Monday I did a tough leg workout with squats, lunges, and airplane glutes in the smith machine and no knee pain this week. Sore glutes, yes. :), but no pain. :D But I *do* like being a home rat too, so I might just take the ab work back upstairs. <g>

I think it's great that you are working out with your daughter. :)

wow! hi to all the new peeps!

im a bit lurkey lately, and trying to get ready for my big 10 week "holiday" in Canada visiting my family (havent been home in 2 years). My DH is coming with me, and we are going to have a great time. Im all excited as I will have many more food options once I get over there (sugar free pudding! *joy*) and my family has a pool and a nice shiny nordic trac :D

Im a bit anxious about going over, the whole "will they still like me" garbage, and its getting me a bit down but Im doing my best to not let it bother me (Im one of those "gotta impress them!" people), but its still playing on my mind. My allergies are murder at the moment, and a high pressure system just rolled in so Im in sinus agony, hope it goes away soon.

DH and I have 2 BBQ b-day parties to go to this weekend, but Im not worried. I find that BBQ's are the easiest party to stay "clean" with... its all about meat anyways LOL. I take salad and a fruit for my carb and it feels like I get dessert.

Well, Im off to bed :) Hope you all have good days!

Tidey