Bleeeeehhhh....

So, it's been a week since I finished my first challenge, and I already miss it. And it isn't hard to get off task. I had planned to just take 2 weeks off, with some active rest, but I ended up getting sick, and couldn't breath any time I tried to workout. :( That being said, I just let it all go out the window, and I FEEL LIKE CRAP! I wasnt even planning on blogging on my 2 weeks off, but I had to remind my self what's up, and why I am doing this, and that I CANNOT TREAT MY BODY LIKE THIS ANYMORE! Timing wise, it was perfect time to take off between easter, niels b day and my bday, but that all adds up to a lot of eating! Ive got it out of my system and am ready to get going again! I still wont start till next week, but starting tomorrow, Im detoxing from sugar! It is just an unnessecary evil! Why do I crave/want it??? I know how bad it is for me, it makes me feel like crap, and it only tastes good for a minute or two... ITS NOT WORTH IT!!! I gave Niel my half eaten (small) bag of Cadbury chocolate eggs and told him im done, and I dont want to see them anymore! :P So, for the rest of the week, no more sugar, gonna hit the weights again, and try and get going on moderate cardio, hoping I can breath.

Those of you that are wrapping up your challenges, good job! Submit your photos and a little type up to me if you still wanted to be considered in the running, and I will post the winner soon! If you are considering doing a challenge, take a pictue of yourself in shorts and a tight top. If you are happy with your results, then good for you :) If not, then change it!

My next write up is going to be on 'Exercise=Entitlement?' stay tuned for that one... some interesting thoughts on why exercise may actually be bad for you... also, if anyone has a topic or question they would like to learn more about, please ask, and I will do the research post it on here! Keep up the good work everyone!

It's OVER!!!!!!!

I did it!!! 12 weeks later, and I am feelin sooo much better and healthier than I was 12 weeks ago!!! It has been a challenging journey, but well worth it! So I'll get right to the numbers - I started at 198 - I weighed in at 183!!!! - that's 15 lbs in 12 weeks, which is completely healthy and within the recommened 1-2lbs of weight loss a week! But that's just the scale - I lost 18lbs of fat, and gained 3lbs of pure fat burning muscle!!! I decreased my BF% from 34.8% (considered over weight range) to 26.3%(normal and healthy range:) inch measurements went as follows - shoulders - 46"-44.5"(-1.5), chest 40.5"-37"(-2.5), Waist(narrowest point) - 35"-32.25"(-2.75), abdomen(at belly button) 41.5"-38.5"(-2.75), hips 46"-42.5"(-2.5), thigh - 26.5"-25.5"(-1), calf - stayed the same, but more tone, bicep - stayed the same, but more tone! So a grand total loss of 13"!

My little bro didn't do any measurements other than the scale, and body fat% - he went from 220, to 194!!!! and decreased his bf% by 11%!!! We both have been working really hard, and it has paid off. And now that I know the system, we are going to do a second challenge, with a little tweaking to get the maxamized results that you see in the pics!

Over all, BFL is a great program! It is guaranteed resluts if you do everything right, and follow the book. BUT - your results aren't going to be like the before, and final after pics. The more you have to lose, the more challenges it will take you. A lot of the pics you see, people have done more than one challenge, but thats ok - this is a body for life - not just 12 weeks. Thats why we plan on doing that second one. And after the second one, I'm going to try and work on a maintenance plan, and may look into some other options that are out there.

Thank you everyone for your support and compliments! They definitely helped me keep going when I sometimes didn't want to care anymore! But thats the bottom line I have come to realize with weight gain/loss... as soon as you stop caring... so does your body! So take care of it! You only have one!!!

2 weeks left!

Wow - only 2 weeks to go. Still going by pretty fast. Over all I am feeling so much better about my self, and did measurements this morning, and am down again on the weight - 186.8! Waist is budging a little - 39.75, and hips are down - 43, chest - 38, thigh still the same :P This week I'm going to focus on the more fruits and veggies, and less grain carbs. We'll see if it makes a difference.

After this challenge is over, I am taking the recommended 1-2 weeks off, and starting again on April 5th. The reason they recommend a break is because this is intense stuff, and your body needs a break. Also, there is what is called the "set point theory" Its your body's 'comfort zone' with its weight. Everyone has a weight range that your body wants to stay at. So you may do really well dieting and exercising, then stop, and your body goes right back to that point. And you may do nothing, and your body may stay at that point. It's like a thermostat. By taking time off, we are hoping to 'reset' that point. But 2 weeks off doesn't mean don't do anything - it means active rest - still do something - keep working out, but not as intensely - change it up - do something different. And keep eating clean - not 2 weeks worth of free days! I will probably shoot for 4 meals a day.

Start planning now, and evaluating what you are currently doing, and what does and doesn't work. Start setting new goals, and getting over those demons, and leave them behind. Keep up the good job everyone!

A little late, but better late than never!

Week 9 has come and gone, and I am now in the middle of week 10! It has been crazy busy with track starting this week, and ambulance has been short staffed, so I've been on call a lot! But it's all fun, and I'd rather be busy than bored :) BFL is still going great! I was thinking back, and I have not missed a single work out - that's pretty cool for me! Diet I've been pretty good too - a little slip here or there, but nothing out of control. I took a couple weeks off calorieking.com to see if it'd make a difference, but nothing too dramatic. It was nice having the break, but I am back on again, so you can look and see what I am eating. Still trying to focus on eating more protein than carbs, and I am holding steady at 188. Whats cool though, is I got an OMRON body fat analyzer, and my BF was 34% at the beginning, and I was in 'normal' mode. I am now in the 'athlete' mode and am at 28%! - 6% body fat! That puts me at 12lbs of fat loss, and 3-4lbs muscle increase! With track season starting, I was even playing around with the kids yesterday and throwing for them, and surprisingly I was throwing about 42'... not great, but considering 5 years off, 2 kids, and no power lifting! I'm actually considering throwing disc again, so we will see in the next week or 2!
Measurements are about the same - just below 40' on the stomach, and 44' on the hips, thigh still the same and chest the same. But I'm really going to focus in on the next couple weeks on core, and cardio... I've been bumping up the cardio for a longer 10-20 minute cool down, but not consistently. I've got 2 1/2 weeks left! But I am planning on taking 2 weeks off and starting a second challenge on April 5th with my little bro, so again, feel free to join us!


Oh and if you look to the right, I put a new, current pic up of me at week 10!