Body for Life

[Dj 247]

I am starting the body for life workout program on Sept. 1st. It is a 12 week program. Only 84 days! I have done the program before and it will get anyone willing to do it in the best shape ever! The only thing different is that this time I will be eating raw foods instead of EAS bars and shakes. What a grand experiment! I have the book, but anyone interested can get some of the execises from the their website (body for life. com). I am so excited about doing the program again, and I hope some of my raw food friends will join me! Just think how awesome you could look for the holidays! It is totally free to do unless you want to buy the book. The library has copies you could check out. If you think Alissa is a raw food angel, Bill Phillips is a body shaping angel.

[aescop]

I read your post on the Body for life raw diet. Please let me know some of the recipes you plan on using. I am very new to raw food. aaron

[Dj 247]

I have not really thought about my diet plan as much as my fitness plan. I do know that I am going to make some green juices and try to get down some green smoothies. I have a problem with drinking smoothies because I find them too thick. I have tried adding water, but they don't sit well with me. I only have a few raw recipes that I make. I eat a lot of fruit, and salads. I will probably try more recipes from Alissa's book. I also eat some raw bars and some flax crackers crumbled on my salads. I really don't like the crackers that I bought by themself. I also plan to start my day with a glass of lemon water everyday. I guess I should mention that I am not 100% raw. I still use condiments that are not raw, and organic natural peanutbutter. All in all I don't feel too bad about my diet. I have not been eating raw that long.

[Dj 247]

Here is my basic BFL plan. I will start on Sept. 1st which will put the end of the 84 days on Nov. 23rd. I plan to work my upper body and lower body thee times per week. (rotating upper body day then lowerbody day with a day of cardio in between. This equals about four hours of strength training per week. Only 46 minutes per session! I will do cardio three days per week as well. That leaves me one rest day. The cardio is high intensity, but it is only three times a week for 20 min. Done the BFL way you will feel like 20 minutes is long enough. I thought it was too short when I first started because I ran a lot longer than that at a slower pace. So 4 hrs and 40 minutes per week and your done for the week!

[Dj 247]

Here is a sample of what I will be posting in this forum.
8/28/07
AM Weigh In 112.0 (once a week)
Ran 20 min ( start at a level 5 intensity and build to a nine (1 minute intervals levels 6,7, 8, and 9) do 3 sets and try to hit a 10 on last set between 19th and 20th minute.
Done!!!
I don't know if I will log in my food since I eat so much. :eek: Ahhh, the beauty of eating raw. :p The book suggest eating a lot of protien, but I plan on doing raw foods.

[Kitty]

I love the work out plan on body for life. I saw a real difference in my body while doing it. I haven't done it all raw yet so let us know how it works out, and if you are able to gain muscle as fast.

[Dj 247]

You know I got really good results the first time around and I didn't do the program all that well. I found that by going back over the book and my training log that I kept I did a lot of things wrong. Live and learn, and then do better! The first time I was so focused on diet that I kind of half way did the exercise part. This time my diet is almost perfect (raw) so I am really going to get the exercise part right. Who knows what transformation can take place? :D

[Rawsome Ginger]

DJ 247-

I also did the workout and stuff years ago! I just had a baby and want to do it again. My schedule is so off right now, but I pulled out the workout and am willing to try my hardest. My hubby said that he will help me in the evenings to do the workout! So....here goes nothing! I am in need of fast, simple, easy filling foods right now. What type of foods are you eating and what green smoothies? I need some good ones! Do you use a blender or a juicer? Sorry for all of the questions...Thanks!!

[Dj 247]

First, congratulations on the new baby! Second, what a great husband it sounds like you have! Take him up on the help. New dads are the best. They are willing to do all they can to help. Here is my new and improved plan...
I plan to start my day with a glass of lemon water.
for breakfast... I eat fruit usually a banana and a apple with organic peanutbutter (not raw)
snack at 10 am lara bar and a green juice or smoothie
Big salad for lunch
2pm snack raw guac or spinich dip with veggie chips (not raw)
Salad for supper or portabella mushrooms stuffed with guac/ braggs
8pm Snack is usually an apple w/organic peanutbutter or fruit of some type or more guac and chips, or a lara bar

Juice or Smoothies I like: I have been doing a green juice in my juicer, but I am trying to do more smoothies in my blender for the fiber. If I blend up the greens and water first my smoothies taste so much better.
Frozen pineapple/pear/ romaine
Frozen Pineapple/orange/romaine
peaches/orange/romaine
I made one with plums that was awesome, but I forgot the other fruit I used. I am bad about only using romaine and spinich for my smoothies. I know it is better to mix up the greens.

I have not made many recipes that I care to repete except the taco meat and the portabella mushrooms. I also love spinich dip and guac. I also eat a lot of veggies wrapped up in lettuce leaves.

[Dj 247]

Today I put in some high intensity cardio. I am really out of shape! I mean my body has never been thinner, but I am really a lot weaker. I need some strength training to build some muscle.
8/31/07
20 minutes cardio
100 crunches

I have decided to start posting in the September challenge it looks like fun and a supportive group. I hope anyone reading this joins in! :D

[KissyKate]

I love the BFL workout plan!! I did it 4 years ago with great success and have continued to do the workouts ever since, although deterring big time from the myoplex bars.

I don't have access to the equiptment I need now to do the workouts, but you bet I'll be back on them, once I find a new gym to join!!

IT's so fun pushing yourself, trying to reach level 10 intensities on every body part!! And I love the intense 20 min. cardios!!:)

[Vegan Princess]

Hey DJ 247,

Just wondering how BFL has been working in conjunction with eating raw? I did BFL a couple times years ago and loved it. I'm starting again today, but am curious about doing it while eating raw. I can't help but think the results will be better. Thanks!

Cindy

[trinity082482]

Thanks for the post. I have never heard about it before. I am checking out some of their pictures.. crazy :D

[Rawmommie]

I did BFL 4 years ago with wonderful results (not raw back then) and I just started another challenge yesterday. I'm really looking forward to seeing the change in my body (again) and seeing how different it is while raw. I didn't lose much weight last time, but my body changed a LOT, I'm hoping this time I will lose weight too.

Did you finish your challenge? How did your body react to BFL raw?

[shine72]

Okay, now that your time is done (Nov. 23rd right?), HOW DID IT GO?! I'm going to be starting on Dec. 2nd. So, did you eat 5-6 times or basically 3-4? How big were your meals when you did eat? How was your recovery time doing it raw compared to doing it cooked? (I did it in 2002 cooked, and had to take the CYTOVOL cause if not, I wouldn't have been able to work out so much).

I'm starting mine on Dec. 2nd. I may have to modify some of my excercises, as I don't have all the same stuff I had when I did it last time. But I'm excited to start again none-the-less!:D

PLEASE let us know how it went?! (Where's the little begging smilie when you need it?;) )

TIA!:D

[Rawmommie]

Shine, do you want to be rawbfl buddies??? :D

I don't have the bench I had back when I did it, but I think I'll get one. I want to try and modify slightly to make it more of a lifestyle than I did before. Before I pushed and pushed to make it through those 84 days, but then I crashed and burned when it was over. I was exhausted mentally and physically, does that make sense?

I plan on keeping it raw and eating as often as needed. I believe part of the reason I didn't lose as much weight as I wanted last time is b/c I was trying to eat LC part of the time (ugh, high fat) and then BFL eating the other part. Neither was optimal for my body and I struggled with it. I'm really looking forward to being raw and doing BFL b/c being raw comes so naturally to me after 3 years and I don't think I'll struggle with my eating like I did back then.

I never cared for the *free day* aspect of it (eating wise), so I won't be taking any free days on my eating. I'm tempted to have some raw nut butters or nut recipes on those days, but I think that will just hinder my results (I have issues with nuts).

[shine72]

Shine, do you want to be rawbfl buddies??? :D

I don't have the bench I had back when I did it, but I think I'll get one. I want to try and modify slightly to make it more of a lifestyle than I did before. Before I pushed and pushed to make it through those 84 days, but then I crashed and burned when it was over. I was exhausted mentally and physically, does that make sense?

I plan on keeping it raw and eating as often as needed. I believe part of the reason I didn't lose as much weight as I wanted last time is b/c I was trying to eat LC part of the time (ugh, high fat) and then BFL eating the other part. Neither was optimal for my body and I struggled with it. I'm really looking forward to being raw and doing BFL b/c being raw comes so naturally to me after 3 years and I don't think I'll struggle with my eating like I did back then.

I never cared for the *free day* aspect of it (eating wise), so I won't be taking any free days on my eating. I'm tempted to have some raw nut butters or nut recipes on those days, but I think that will just hinder my results (I have issues with nuts).

Sure! That'll be fun! And I need all the accountability I can get!:o

I only have a flat bench now. I gave away my good bench before we moved (thinking I would have a Bowflex or something similar by now), but it's all good. So that's why I'm needing to modify a bit. I also gave away some of my weights.

I LIVED for my free days when I did it last time (I was a junk food junkie!), so, this'll be interesting, since with me, raw, EVERY DAY is a free-day!:D

When are you starting? I'm starting Dec. 2nd. This is going to be fun doing those workouts raw! I LOVE building muscle and being strong. There's a certain quiet power I feel when I'm stronger in the muscle area.:)

[Rawmommie]

I started yesterday! It was really really spur of the moment. I did my 20 min HIIT and that was it! I KNEW I was ready for another challenge. So, I actually did my Day 2 workout on day 1. That's ok, I'll just do my UBWO today and then go back to the scheduled workouts.

I'm so excited! I taped a before pic (taken yesterday) and my AFTER pics from my last challenge on my mirror. I'm ready to get fit again!

I need accountability too! I know that a few weeks in, I sometimes have to drag myself to the bench to workout. :rolleyes:

[shine72]

See for me, the dragging part happens even sooner than that. Great for you girl! I'll let you know when I start too!:D

I'll keep checking this thread though until then, so you'll still have accountability. Sound good? I just need you to do the same for me when your 84 days are up and I still have 6 more to go!:D

[Rawmommie]

That's a DEAL! :)

[Dj 247]

Hi ladies, I am so bad about not checking back on threads. I love the concept of the BFL program. Although I would not do the protien stuff again. This time around I made it about a month. I was just not motivated to do it like I was the first time. The first time I did stick to the program with great results. I would love to see how the program works with raw food. I think I will make that my New Year's Resolution. Yeah I love to make them, and end up breaking most of them! You really don't need much equipment to do the program except a few weights and good running shoes. I would love to see your progress photos!

[shine72]

Dj!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm over here stomping my feet like a two year old!:rolleyes: I was REALLY hoping you had done it already! You know? Pointers and such!;) Well, I'll start it on the second and let you know how it goes from there okay?;) :D

[Rawmommie]

WOOT! Day 3 for me, just finished my LBWO...my legs are jello now! :p

Well, since we don't have anyone to tell us how BFL+Raw works, we'll have to be the guinea pigs! :D That is good motivation for me, actually. I'm positive I will make it through the 84 days, I'm very motivated to stick with this and I've seen the results of my first challenge 5 years ago, so I know how my body can change!

Ok, I need more weights, for sure. I only have 10 lb weights and haven't been able to switch up my weights on my reps. That's no good!

I'm not messing with my eating for a few weeks, my muscles will be really sore and it will be hard to determine (unless I start really crashing) what is best to eat before/after workouts. This morning I had a salad an hour or so before my workout, just b/c I wasn't sure training on an empty stomach was good. I like to do cardio on an empty stomach tho.

Sunshine, are you getting geared up? :D

[shine72]

Yeah, I always dread the LBWO's, cause I LIKE to be able to walk!:p

Yes, I'm gearing up. I think I'm gonna try juicing about an hour or so before my workouts, and then eating after or have a smoothie or something. After my shower that is!;)

Yep, we'll be the guinea pigs, but I don't mind in this instance. It's gonna be fun!:D

Great job getting your workout in!:D

[Rawmommie]

Oh my gosh, I'm sore! LOL! I forgot about having trouble sitting down on the toilet the first few days after a LBWO. :rolleyes:

Feeling good though! I was on another forum talking about BFL and got asked about protein. I'll be doing a search in a little bit to read up on what successful raw foodist think about protein and training. I KNOW it can be done and I'm starting to believe that I overdid protein (like suggested) my first challenge when I wasn't raw and that is why I didn't lose as much weight.

I guess time will tell! :D

[shine72]

LOL!:D Yeah, cause your legs lock up midway going to sit down!:p You HAD to remind me about that huh?

Your body doesn't need the protein to build the muscles. When you eat some protein containing food, your body has to work to break it down into amino acids, which it THEN uses to build the muscle tissue in your body. Great thing about green leafy's?! They contain the amino acids, not the protein! So they're already in a usuable form for your body to use. This equals BETTER muscle quality AND less stress on the body. HTH!:D

[Rawmommie]

Hey Shine, thanks for posting to me in the hurting thread. I took an epsom salt bath and I'm feeling a little better.

Did my UBWO for today and I felt it! I can handle the arm pain much better than the leg pain, I guess. :p

Hopefully my legs will be better by tomorrow at least a little, and I can do my cardio!

I've been doing some stretches and yoga poses to stretch out my muscles. :)

[Dj 247]

Hi! It sounds like you both are on your way. I am so excited for you both and myself. You have motivated me to start working out again. I am not in the best workout shape, but I am skinny. I would rather be fit. I hope to gain some muscle back and find my butt. I seem to have lost it some where. :eek:

[shine72]

Rawmommie - Glad that helped. It's worse on your legs, cause you use those muscles more than the muscles in your upper body. So they don't really get much of a "rest".

Dj 247 - I don't start until Sunday. Don't worry, I'll be here crying about how sore I am soon enough!;)

[shine72]

I will be starting today, but it'll be later today. DH forgot to clean out the garage and get everything set up while I was out for 9 hours yesterday getting all our food stuffs! So I'm gonna work in the kitchen until he has that done, THEN I'll get my workout in!:D

[Rawmommie]

Can't wait to hear all about it! :)

I took my *free day* yesterday to rest my legs and just finished my HIIT for today. That finishes off week 1! Color me happy! :D

Soreness in legs is almost totally gone, I'm sure it will be back tomorrow after I do my LBWO. Hopefully it won't be as bad this week! :p

[shine72]

but, between me not being done detoxing this crud in my head, and dh STILL not having the garage done, I'm changing my start date to this Wednesday. That way I can get the garage ready AND not have this swimming feeling in my head hopefully.:D

Thanks for understanding.

[Rawmommie]

I'll be here! I'm gonna hold ya to it tho! :D

I was crabby as heck and hungry most of the day today, not sure what gives?

[Dj 247]

Hi ladies, I got a good cardio run in today. It was really nice here in Southern Illinois. I got it in before the rain hit. I hope to hit the weights soon. I am starting a vision board to help me stay focused.

[Tinana pai]

Hi just watched the body for life dvd so that just inspired me to do this challenge and im goin to do it raw, good luck.

[Rawmommie]

Wonderful! Good luck to you! Please keep posting and let us know how it goes for you!

I'm doing good, so far I haven't seen any difference in doing BFL raw vs BFL eating. Well, that's not true...I have more energy than I ever did eating BFL. :)

[Dj 247]

Hi Body for Lifers,
Did any of you take before photos? You really should even if nobody sees them but yourselves. It is amazing how your body will change! Think about all that muscle and toned skin. I lifted weights yesterday and opened the door to my workout room. My husband hates to heat it because he says it is a waste of money (you know since I don't use it regularly.) I guess I will have to prove him wrong! I love when I am right and he is wrong. :D I just remembered that I posted my BFL pictures on RFT. I think it was on Starfire's page I will have to check and let you know. I can't get a picture to post on this forum for some reason. Keep working toward your goal and you will arrive looking fabulous darlings!

I found the pics they are in Starfires posts. I just pulled up all her post and clicked on be4andafter photos. It is in Rawbiesrawk album. I can not believe that I am smaller now just eating raw foods than working out for 12 weeks. I can't even wear that swimsuit now. Remember also that I am 45 years old and that picture was so last year!

[Rawmommie]

I took them on my first challenge (5 yrs ago) and was SO happy that I did! I have been looking at them for motivation on this 2nd challenge and I did take before pics this time too. They are AWFUL. Ugh. I know how much my body will change, so I'm excited to take my after pics this time! :)

Off to look at yours!

[Rawmommie]

I can't find them! Wah! Can you post a link or post them here?

I don't have my first challenge pics on the computer, but I will most likely be posting my challenge 2 pics when my challenge is over! Well, unless for some reason there's not much change, but I can't see how there couldn't be! My before pics are BAD. :eek:

[Dj 247]

http://rawbiesrawk.snapfish.com/snapfish

Here is the website. I don't know if it will work.

[shine72]

I'll probably take my before pics tonight or tomorrow.

Well, I got most of the work in the garage done, then I started puking. So, even if I don't get it finished today, I got enough done that barring still being sick, I'll be ready to go. (Although, working in that garage constituted a workout in and of itself.;) )

Can't wait to get started!:D

[BlondeDove]

I just read this thread. I did bfl about 3 years ago and lost 75 pounds. I was on cooked foods then though with a personal trainer helping me. Now, I am brand new to raw foods. I have been thinking though about incorporating the bfl workouts with eating raw. I thought if I got plenty of greens that would replace the cooked protein. I am excited that you are all doing this. I would like to join you! I will start today with cardio. I have my own bench and weights. This is so wonderful!

[Rawmommie]

Dj, those are GREAT! You can really see the change!!! :)

Welcome Blondedove! You will LOVE eating raw, it's changed my life. I don't think the protein will be an issue, I haven't had any changes or seen any difference.

I did notice that I'm having a lot of BURNING in the legs when doing cardio, etc. but I think that's b/c I'm so so so out of shape and the cardio is just kickin my arse right now! :rolleyes:

Shine, excited for you to start tomorrow! I'll be waiting to hear about it! ;)

I did my cardio today and pushed for those 10s. Felt great!

[Dj 247]

In my first BFL attempt I thought my back and legs got a lot better, but my stomach was just smaller not really firm. I guess it is all about what I put my attention on. I hated the ab work and weights so I did not give them my all out effort like I did with the cardio. This time when I start I am going to give my abs and weight training a lot more attention at the very least equal attention. :D Do any of you know what MTO stands for? M= Minimum- the least amount you allow yourself to do, T= Target- what you plan to do, and O = Outrageous, you gave it a 10 and then some! I have been setting my goals this way and it has helped me reach them and more. Just thought I would put that out there in the thought it might help you all as well. This is going to much more fun having other to do this with!

[shine72]

I did it! I did it, did it, dddiiiiiiiiiidddddddd iiiiiiiittttttttt!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, you know that was skipping around in song right!;) :D

Did my first return to BFL workout today! Upper body. It felt like....home. Can't really explain it other than that. Now, don't expect all this love and glory when it comes time for me to do LB (Friday), cause that just well, sucks! I've always enjoyed upper body the most. Lower body and cardio tie for least favorite. Cause I'm super sore from LB every time, and cardio is not my idea of fun. I actually LOVE the DOING of the LB workout, it's just the soreness after that kills it for me.

Had a banana before I worked out. I'm about to go and make a fruit smoothie with hemp seeds.

Catch ya'll later! How did it go for you ladies?!:D

[Rawmommie]

Yay! Glad you got started!! UBWO and LBWO are both great, I love them...but cardio...meh. I don't like it, but looking back on my journal from my first challenge, apparently I learned to love it. We'll see if I feel that way this challenge! :rolleyes:

I'm doing great! I've lost 5 pounds in the last week, I can feel my tummy slimming down, and I'm not painfully sore this week.

I have UBWO today and it's the first time I've used my new bench for UB, so I'm excited!

How's everyone else?

[shine72]

Yay! Glad you got started!! UBWO and LBWO are both great, I love them...but cardio...meh. I don't like it, but looking back on my journal from my first challenge, apparently I learned to love it. We'll see if I feel that way this challenge! :rolleyes:

I'm doing great! I've lost 5 pounds in the last week, I can feel my tummy slimming down, and I'm not painfully sore this week.

I have UBWO today and it's the first time I've used my new bench for UB, so I'm excited!

How's everyone else?

Great job Karen! :D

I had a great bench, and then gave it away before we moved, since we didn't know where we'd be moving to. REALLY wish I hadn't done that. But I do still have my flat bench. And that's what I first started my first challenge with, so it's kinda fitting in retrospect!;)

[Dj 247]

Shine, way to go! I know it is a challenge for you to fit it "all" in. I am so proud of you for getting started even though you did not feel well. That is a testament to your commitment.

Karen, I think you are going to be the cheerleader of the group!

I did a lower body workout yesterday, but I need to really work a bit harder. I was some where between a M and T, and no where near Outrageous! lol.

Today I am going to give my rebounder a good workout! :D

[shine72]

Hi ladies!

I was thinking. Something that might help ourselves, each other, and others interested in this, is if we posted what we're eating. Now remember, in keeping with the spirit of the board, and since some of us are definitely giving this all we got trying to be 100% or as close to it as possible, let's not post the cooked. But I was thinking that it may be helpful.

So, what do ya'll think? I'll break the ice.

Pre-workout - 1 banana
1 hour post workout - shake - which had about 3 tablespoons hemp seeds, 1 cup water, 1 banana, 1/2 - 1 cup frozen strawberries, about 3/4 tsp. of maca, just under 1/2 tbsp. of coconut oil, and small squirt of agave. Half of this went in a glass and I drank it. The other half went into the freezer in a container for a snack later.

ETA: Am currently polishing off a huge salad with organic spring mix, cuke, tom., sunflower seeds, and heaps of Juliano's Raw Dressing. Forgot how much I loved that dressing! Oh, and two flax crackers! (I forgot how hungry I got on weight training days before!) 11:31 am.

ETA 2: Just finished the rest of that shake that I put in the freezer. It was even yummier frozen! Yay me! :D 3:56 pm

ETA 3: I just had flaxseed crackers and guacamole for dinner. Sorry, didn't count. Started when I was hungry, stopped when I was satisfied (not quite yet full). 6:30 pm

One of the things I'm going to do is just follow my hunger and pay as close attention to that as I can. If it means I eat 3 huge meals one day and then 4-6 smaller ones the next day, so be it. I just don't want to be in a position where I'm not feeling hungry and then thinking "yeah, but it's TIME to eat". Ya know?

Oh, and I figure to keep from having a trillion posts, maybe we can just come in and edit after we've eaten something more instead of starting a whole new post. (I have to post shortly after having it, or I'm liable to forget.)

Well, let me know what ya'll think okay? Thanks!:D

[Rawmommie]

Sounds good to me! I think you'll get tired of seeing my boring eats though, I eat almost the same thing, day in, day out. I'm a salad girl. :D

I haven't had anything this morning, yet, but I'll be having a salad in a bit. I ran out of bananas, I was going to have one before my UBWO this morning, but instead I didn't have anything. Not sure if that's a good choice.

Cash is low & I'm running low on food, so my salad will be boring, just lettuce, field greens, tomatoes, broccoli, little O.O. and acv.

[shine72]

That salad doesn't sound boring to me. It sounds YUMMY!:D

[Rawmommie]

Well, when you eat it 2 or 3 times a day for 3 years, it gets a little boring. http://emoticons4u.com/happy/028.gif

J/K... I try to change up my salad's a lot and add different things b/c they are the staple in my diet. I live in an area where it's difficult to find good produce, even in the middle of summer, so I usually prefer salad.

[Dj 247]

Today I had breakfast (not raw). I'm was so cold and it warmed me up. (no excuse I know) When I get my dehydrator I hope to step up the raw more. I have one on order from Alissa's site. I have donated a lot of stuff to the Salvation Army and my coffee maker was included! :eek: I really can't afford to buy a new one so I am safe from coffee. I am now drinking a green smoothie (apple, romaine, cinnamon) Shine you will have me stepping up my raw real quick when I have to post what I eat to the world. Well, I gotta bounce as soon as I get the kids down for a nap. I hear the rebounder calling!

[shine72]

Today I had breakfast (not raw). I'm was so cold and it warmed me up. (no excuse I know) When I get my dehydrator I hope to step up the raw more. I have one on order from Alissa's site. I have donated a lot of stuff to the Salvation Army and my coffee maker was included! :eek: I really can't afford to buy a new one so I am safe from coffee. I am now drinking a green smoothie (apple, romaine, cinnamon) Shine you will have me stepping up my raw real quick when I have to post what I eat to the world. Well, I gotta bounce as soon as I get the kids down for a nap. I hear the rebounder calling!


Hey, whatever works right?;) :D

[shine72]

"I'm back in the saddle again, I'm baaaaaaaaacccccckkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!"


I did my cardio. And while yes, the air was so cold it made my lungs hurt, yes, it released so much snot and gunk I thought I was gonna choke on it, yes it was a bit to hilly for my liking (knees), and yes I felt like I was gonna die by the end of it but ......

It just felt SO DANG GOOD! Just to know I was out there doing it again felt GREAT, FANTASTIC, SPLENDID, BLISSFUL even! (Cue that cartoon cat.)

There are certaing things in this world that bring that song to mind "You make me feel like a natural woman", and for me, one of them is working out and getting strong. To me, there is something sexy about a woman having good muscle tone (anyone reading this with their mind in the gutter can get it out now). I'm not talking about those women that try to keep up with the men in the muscle mass dept., I'm talking about women in general who are just in really great shape and you can see that they have muscle, they don't have to prove it. Funny how when I let myself get to 238.9 pounds, I had allowed myself to forget that I felt that way. That I LOVED being strong (starting out now, I am definitely NOT strong in the muscle dept., but I'll get there)!

I'm SO glad I have ya'll helping me keep accountable! It would be so easy for me to say I don't have time, or I just can't right now cause I'd been sick/detoxing. But I didn't want to let myself or you gals down, and that has helped immensely. It's what gets my wanting to sleep behind out of bed and MOVING!;) I just really wanted to say thanks to you gals for helping me get back on track in the area of exercise! So THANKS!:D

Haven't eaten anything yet, will probably go downstairs and get a big glass of fresh squeezed oj here in a few!

Boy, all that, just to say I did cardio?! What the heck got into me?!:confused:

[Rawmommie]

Whatever has gotten into you, I hope we all catch some of it! I'm so happy for you! I totally understand what you mean! I'm so excited to get in shape again. There's just no describing how wonderful it feels to be in control of your body and I think being raw will just add to it and make it more spiritual. :)

[shine72]

Thanks Rawmommie! :D

BTW, just so I knows later (and ya'll do to), I got on the scale yesterday, for my BFL day one, and it said 160 pounds. Wanna know the really cool part though? That's 9 pounds LESS than when I FINISHED the challenge last time! Woohoo, woohoo....... woohoo, woohoo, woohoo!:D

I'm trying to find the bottoms to this one workout type outfit I had bought at the end of the last time I did BFL. So that I can do my before pic with it (it'll show all the fugly bumps and lumps). So, I'm trying to hunt that down. If not, I have another outfit that I can just roll so that you can see more (it's got a tank and capri pants). I'm debating whether to just take the before and after and then post them here when I'm done, or if I'm actually brave enough to post the before after I take it and then take pics every 2-4 weeks to show progress. I haven't decided yet whether or not I want to push my comfort level that far yet. We shall see?

You know, I'm thinking of contacting BFL and saying, look, I know it's all about the supplements and food and workout plan for ya'll, but can a girl who's not taking your supplements and everything please still join the challenge just like everyone else? That way, when I have the results I KNOW I can have with raw, THEY can see that raw does a body good too! What do ya'll think?

Dang, what the heck HAS gotten into me today????????? Ah well, there's no telling. Let's hope it sticks around though! :D

Go us with our bad a.. BFL-selves!:D

[Rawmommie]

Endorphins! :D

I wanted to put a quote here from RawKev in another thread b/c I thought about it today doing my cardio and it really make me push just a little harder to hit those 10's:


As much as you may not want to hear it you may have to endure a little pain in order to make progress. Now you shouldn't be stretching to the point of pain or attempting exercises that can injure you, but you must experience and endure some mild discomfort. When I train or compete in running races or bike races there is always pain, it's not a sharp injury pain, but it is a discomfort due to extreme physical exertion. People that win the races and the greatest champions are the ones that can endure the most discomfort. Nobody ever said getting into shape was a relaxing, easy process.

It feels great to push myself to that limit. SO rewarding, physically and mentally! :)

I just finished Day 11 (HIIT cardio). I've lost 6 pounds so far. :D I have a lot to lose though, I'm one of those people that didn't get skinny eating raw, even for 3 years. I believe I have a very slow metabolism and MUST exercise to speed it up. I hold my weight well, luckily, no one ever believes me when I tell them my weight, but I still have a bunch I could lose. I weigh 201 (I'm 5' 10') and the lowest weight I have EVER been as an adult is 187. That's my goal for this challenge, and I'm hoping to surpass it!

[Dj 247]

Well the good news is my dehydrator is in! The bad news is that they are making me wait until Chritmas. :( Still I have a dehydrator! I did not get my workout in yesterday. :o I will really work hard today. I had a busy crazy afternoon and evening. I really don't feel bad. I am just glad I survived. No stress though, well not too much. Today is a new day! I 'll make yesterday my free day! Good job on your workout Shine.

[shine72]

Karen - Thanks for posting that! And WAY to be kicking major butt girl! :D Keep it up at this rate, and we'll have to send a search party to find you by day 84!;) :D

Dj - YAY!!!!!!!! I'm so happy you got your dehydrator! You are gonna have so much fun with it. I find for me, when the urge for cooked hits, it's a life saver (yes, even I get urges once in a blue moon). Girl, if you get to workout today, why not maybe try doing a half of yesterday's workout with it. Do you know what I'm meaning. So you're not totally doing two workouts in one day, but you are still getting some of the benefits of what would have been yesterday's workout in? Unless you just do want yesterday to be your free day. If so, then rawk on chica!:D

Ya'll just don't know how proud I am of each of us! We RAWK! You know that right? RIGHT????????!!!!!!! (woulda been a wink there, but I already used my four smilies)

Okay, so far I've had:
16 oz. of fresh squeezed oj (Man that stuff is so good!)
And I'll be having one of Ani Phyo's breakfast cakes here in a minute! (12:18pm)

Just finished eating a salad with Juliano's dressing and a couple of flaxseed crackers. 3:00 pm

Flaxseed crackers and guacamole and salsa 6:00 pm

Chocolate shake that dh made so I'm not sure what's in it. I do think I taste goji berries though!


Hope you girls are having a RAWESOME, AMAZING day!

[shine72]

Good morning you RAWKIN' BFL'ers!:D

Got in my LBWO this morning. Boy, I really HAVE let myself get really weak! Oh well, this'll remedy all of that.

I did think of one thing though. I shoulda waited until Sunday. We all know I'm gonna be gimping by tomorrow. And tomorrow I'm giving a class at the local chiro's office!:eek: I REALLY shouldn't be gimping for that now should I?!
Oh well, grin and bear it maybe? LOL!

Okay, so far, I had a banana so I could stop feeling like I was gonna puke! I didn't feel that way when I woke up, so I figured I didn't need to eat one before my workout. Wrong answer! By the end of it I wanted to hurl. Ugh! So, note to self, eat at least one banana before weight training, so hopefully that doesn't happen again. Didn't seem to need it for cardio. We'll see!

So, what are ya'll up to? And how come I'm the only one posting my food intake here huh? HUH?! Don't make me get all "Mommy" on ya now!:p

Okay ladies, can't wait to hear how yours went!:D

[Rawmommie]

I'm serious Shine, you don't want to see my food intake, it's just BO-ring. :p

Yesterday I had 3 salads and 2 apples. That's it! I told you it was boring. :rolleyes:

I have LBWO today too, I need to push myself b/c I expected to be sore again this week, like last, but I wasn't? Heehee, I guess I equate soreness with progress. :p

Feeling amazing and can't believe I'm almost finished with week 2 already!

[Dj 247]

(Breakfast) I had a handful of raw walnuts, with something unraw, water (Lunch) I ate a Lg salad with every veggie I had on hand, raisins, ACV/lemon/olive oil dressing, glass of red wine. It was 5 o'clock somewhere!
(Snack) Apple w/nutbutter (organic, but not raw) water
(Snack) unraw snack here :(
(Supper) Veggie sub sandwich, water
(Snack) apple, water

When you write the food you eat down in black and white you do get a clear picture of your diet.

[shine72]

Rawmommie - It's not just for me. I want it for others later. They will be able to look and see "oh, she did it this way and got these results, she did it that way and got those result, she did it another way and got another result." See what I mean? It's not JUST for us. It's also for those who may choose to follow in our footsteps.

Okay, I've been crazy busy today getting everything ready for tomorrow's raw talk at the chiro's office. AND while I was out getting some stuff for that, I got a last minute call asking me to make dips for a Christmas party and Oh, would I like to come too? So I've been in running/food prep mode today. Let's see if I can remember all I've had to eat thus far:

1 banana
2 small flaxseed crackers with guac. and salsa
after workout shake (bananas, water, soaked goji berries and soak water, maca, coconut oil, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, black berries, and cacao)
large salad with Juliano's dressing and a flaxseed cracker
small taste of crepe filling (had to make sure it was sweet enough)
small taste of eggless egg salad

I took the rest of the shake and put it into three different containers to freeze (like an ice cream of sorts). I'm about to have one now!;)

Dj - See girlie! We'll get you all raw yet!;) :D

[Rawmommie]

I SHOULD put what I'm eating, for that very reason...and to keep myself in line. Sigh. I had cashews yesterday, made some awsome raw cranberry thumbprint cookies (recipe in the recipe room) and ate them. Also had 2 salads...GUESS WHAT? I'm up on the scale almost 2 pounds this morning. :mad:

It's not the cashews fault, it's MINE. I cannot eat nuts. If I'm ok with my weight and want to stay where I'm at, I can have them as a treat, but I get this idea that I'm like everyone else and can have them and lose weight and be thin on raw...and I can't. Sigh. That's exactly why I've been raw 3 years and still weight 200 pounds. No more for me!

Hopefully it will come right back off. I have cardio today and I'm supposed to rest tomorrow, but may do some yoga or some light exercise if I feel like it.

[shine72]

I'm up a bit too Karen. But don't forget, you're at the beginning of the BFL stretch too. Some people tend to put ON weight first when exercising, and then it starts coming off a bit more into it. So don't let it get you stressed, k? Besides, stress'll make you hold on to weight, not release it.

Okay, yesterday, add to my food, four large pieces of Onion Bread!:D

Today is my day off from working out, and I have a lot going on, class, kid selling his gratitude rock at the herbal shop, come home and make "dips", and then wrap mystery gifts and head off to the Christmas party that I got a last minute invite for. Hey, better than no invite at all right?;)

I know I'm gonna go have a wine glass full of grapefruit juice here in a minute, but other than that, I don't know yet. Hopefully I'll remember it all by the time I get a chance to post again! :D

Have a GREAT day ya'll!

[shine72]

Good morning ladies! Well, looks like I'll be posting photos here as I go, cause I opened my big mouth at my talk yesterday and said I would!:eek:
Gotta take 'em first though!;)


I did my UBWO this morning. Was still a little tight from last week, but nothing that couldn't be worked through.

The rest of yesterday's food was:

Eggless egg Salad on Onion Bread (two sample pieces)
Strawberry crepes (two sample pieces)
Choc. Mousse Surprise Pie (two sample pieces)
Carrots, grape tomatoes, broccoli, celery and cauliflower with Alissa's Onion Dip (It got RAVE reviews at the party!)
Broccoli salad

I haven't eaten anything yet. I'm probably gonna go and have some of the shake I froze on Friday here in a second.

How are the rest of ya'll doing?

[Rawmommie]

Mmmm, your foods sound good from yesterday!!

I will NOT be posting pics until I have something better to post with them! They were scary! :eek:

I had UBWO this morning too (it's actually my free day, but I'm trading with tomorrow b/c my Mom & sister are coming tomorrow). I decided to eat a salad a little while before my workout to see if it made a difference and I didn't see one at all. That's a good thing b/c I really like to do my workouts first.

Been eating salad, frozen rasberries & bananas the last 2 days.

[shine72]

Thanks Rawmommie!

Okay, yesterday I had:

That frozen shake
Huge salad w/Juliano's dressing
Strawberry cream smoothie (don't freak, it's all raw. It's something my son makes that tastes just like a strawberry creamsicle!)
a clementine

I hate posting food the day after, cause I'm always afraid I'm forgetting something. But that's what I gotta do on the crazy busy days I guess.:rolleyes:

Well, got my cardio in! Learned an important lesson. MAKE SURE to get my butt up and my cardio done before people start heading off to work and the buses start coming through. It is NOT fun choking on exhaust fumes!:o

Well, I'm getting some laundry together to wash, then I'll head for the shower. I think breakfast'll be some kind of choc./banana/strawberry/maca/water/soak water (from goji berries) shake. Ooh! Don't forget agave in there!:D Or maybe I'll do honey? Only time will tell.;)

So ladies, how's it going with ya'll? Dj, where you at girl?!

[shine72]

Where did everybody go?:(

This is my first chance to post today, and then I'm headed right back out the door.

I did my LBWO today.

So far I've had:
Smoothie (bananas, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, maca, cacao, coconut oil, agave)
Eggless Egg Salad on onion bread
Water - Lots and lots of water
Dinner was at 6pm. I had onion bread (little chip size pieces) with salsa and guac.

Alright, where'd ya'll go?

[Rawmommie]

I'm here! Just been busy!

I did my cardio today and crunches. I'm on day 16. :)

I've had
2 salad's and later I'll be having some raspberries and bananas.

[shine72]

Cool! Glad you're still here!:D

I slept in today. So I'll be doing my cardio after dh gets home from work today. ;) :D (Oh, wait, not THAT kind of cardio!:o I just realized how that could have been taken. I mean I'll be doing a 45 minute walk!)

p.s. I want some raspberries!

[Rawmommie]

Meh, don't get to excited about raspberries, they're frozen. I can't get good produce out where I live, especially this time of year. It's part of the reason I eat so much salad!

I have LBWO today. I need to get some more weights for my bench, but haven't had the cash, so I'm just going to have to push myself more and do more squats & lunges (I HATE lunges!). I may jog a bit on the treadmill too, I have been trying to build myself up to where I can run consistently. For now, I've had to run/walk in intervals b/c I'm so out of shape. :rolleyes:

[Dj 247]

Hi... sorry to go missing, but it has been crazy around here. I have been doing pretty good on my food intake. Shine and Rawmommie I eat so much more than you all do! I had a Christmas program to go to last night and I had nothing to wear. All my dress clothes are way to big. I replaced my everyday things, but duh I didn't think about dressy stuff. I got a pedometer to keep me up and moving. Since it counts my steps I can't sit here and chat all day. My workouts have been inconsistant, but I am not really officially starting until Jan. 1st.(big excuse here) Also I have been having to much fun playing on my grandaughter's webkinz site. (another lame excuse) But, I am so proud of both of you.

[Rawmommie]

Aww, thanks. :)

I can't imagine anyone eating more than me though. I find that I eat a lot more than most raw foodists. When I say I'm eating 2 or 3 salads a day, remember, they are HUGE bowls of salad. I had to cut down my avocado usage too b/c I was putting at least one in each salad and I actually gained weight. :rolleyes: When I have raspberries and bananas...there's like 3 bananas cut up in the bowl! It's a lot...my biggest downfall and probably the reason why I'm still overweight after 3 years raw. :o

It's WONDERFUL that all your stuff was too big on you! Congrats!!! Gives you a reason to go shopping, right? ;)

[shine72]

Dj - Like Rawmommie said, it's not like I'm putting quantities or anything on a lot of my stuff. And when I have a salad, it's a huge mixing bowl of it. And sometimes, I might list salad, and it means I've had two that day. So don't let names of my food fool you. Most days I eat quite a bit!;)

Look, I don't know if I'm more exhausted than I gave myself credit for, or if it's detox, or both. But I've been asleep for about 1/2 the day and I woke up drenched in sweat. So I'm gonna nix that walk. Sorry, but tomorrow's a new day, and I'm honoring my body on this one.

In other news, the scale went up from my start weight last week. I almost flipped out! Then I reminded myself that muscle weighs more than fat. So, I'm not gonna worry about it!:D

So far today I've had:
Clementine's
Ani Phyo's coconut breakfast cake topped with strawberry sauce
Salad w/Juliano's dressing (I've been needing the heavy garlic that provides)
more clementines

[shine72]

Last night I had another salad.

I've been up most the night with my little man who was having stomach pains. He's fine now, and sleeping. So instead of working out, I'm goona sleep now too. I'll be sure to post my food today though.

So far:
2 clementines 7:30 am

Over the course of the rest of the day I've had:
2 LARGE salads w/Juliano's dressing
RP's brownies topped with walnuts (ya'll REALLY don't want to know how many)

[Rawmommie]

I hate nights like that Shine. I hope he feels better and you catch some sleep! :)

I have cardio today, I'll be doing that in an hour or so. I'm so sick of my weight not moving down! I wanna be out of the 200's. Sheesh! I can tell things are tightening up and my body is changing, so I won't complain TOO much about it, for now. ;)

[Dj 247]

Hi, thanks for clearing up the food amounts. I was starting to wonder if something was wrong with me. My new pedometer showed me I need to start moving more. I thought I was moving a lot but the step counter showed that I need to get off my @#$. :eek:

[mel_s12]

Ooh Ooh Ooh.. can I join in on this BFL challenge?
I completely forgot about BFL up until reading this forum. I used to follow the program and loved it, but was playing too much soccer and kind of stopped after a while. Well, now that I'm only doing soccer once a week, I want to get some kind of weights/cardio plan going again.

The problem with me is that I always HAVE to have some kind of plan, and when something comes in between that plan, I stop. So.. the thing is, that I am on-call for work (flight attendant) so I can't really say Mondays is this day, or Tuesdays is that day.. you know?

So I'm not really sure what to do with that. Maybe I'll just try as much as I can to do the workouts everyday, and try and make do in hotel rooms and stuff. Hmm.

[Rawmommie]

How about using the BFL schedule, but just marking off each day when you can get them done (ex: if you have to skip a day or so, just don't mark of the next workout until you do it? Here is the schedule, it will make more sense if you see it, I think:

http://www.bodyforlife.com/exercise/downloads/bfl_charts.pdf

[shine72]

Good morning everyone!:D

Welcome Mel! Glad to have you here!:D

Okay, I did cardio this morning. I went for a walk. It was only supposed to be 35-45 minutes. It ended up being 57! I wanted to see how far back this one road went, and apparently it went back farther than I thought! No biggie, it was fun!

So far today, I've just nibbled at the crumbs from the dehydrator trays full of crackers. I was too busy working in the kitchen to eat. I think I'll get my shower, and then get some fresh squeezed grapefruit juice to get me started off in a yummy direction!:D

I had that grapefruit juice. YUMMY!

I then had a big coconut breakfast cake topped with strawberries.

About an hour and a half later, I had the yummy flaxseed crackers I've been making with a bowl that was filled halfway with guac. and salsa.

[shine72]

Okay ya'll, where are ya?!:(

[mel_s12]

Rawmommie.. That's a good idea! I printed out the sheet and am definitely going to do that. I love how you can get all the resources on the website without having to go out and buy the book.

So today I started my Body For Life program with the boyfriend. It was fun. It was probably the best workout that I've ever had. We are going to make before and after pictures and the measurements and everything. Yay :)

[Rawmommie]

I'm here!

Mel, I'm so glad you started! Definitely get those pics taken, it really makes a difference when you SEE the changes in your body!

Meh...I'm getting that funk that comes after doing 20 days, every day, and not seeing the scale move like I want it to. I know things are changing in my body, I have lost some inches, but I'm getting weary of the workouts. I'm dreading my cardio today.

I'll do it though, and push through this b/c I know it will get better, I know my body is changing, and I don't give up!

[Rawmommie]

I did it! I did my cardio and did it WELL when I REALLY did not want to do it. I was in tears, crabby, & resenting that I have to exercise so much to see a change in my body, but I got on the treadmill and really pushed myself. I feel SO much better now! :)

[shine72]

I'm so glad you did it! I'll let that be my inspiration for the next time I'm not wanting to do one!

Today was my off day. And I headed out of town for the day, hence my just now getting on here! Hope ya'll had a great BFL RAW day!:D

[mel_s12]

The cardio is a pain to do, but once you do it, you feel so great! So just think about the feeling you get afterwards, before you do it! Does that make sense? lol
I just did my first cardio back on the plan and I feel great. My normal cardio used to be 30 minutes of jogging at 5.5 or so. But 20 minute intervals loses just as many cals and is so challenging! I love it!

[Rawmommie]

Ran/walked on the treadmill today, even though it was my day off! :D

[shine72]

Hi everyone!

I did my LBWO this afternoon, even though my sciatic nerve is hurting like the dickens! I just used Rawmommie for inspriration!;)

So far today I've had:

Piece of my mango pie
tomatoes with olive oil, sea salt, and basil
more pie
olives

Dinner was salad with: Organic baby spring mix, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, sunflower seeds, and Juliano's dressing - YUMMY! :D

[shine72]

Good morning everyone!:D

Okay, today was cardio, and I did my 20 min. HIIT!:D And it was COLD out there. Made me lungs hurt a wee bit!

Then I came in and had some clementines after I got my shower. LOVE them things!

Hey Rawmommie! I've been thinkin'. (Yes, I tend to analyze things quite a bit.) This whole the scale not going down for you (it's actually going UP on me) thing. Why don't you try looking at it through your mothering eyes? You know. Mentally switch places. If this was one of your kids, and you saw all they were doing to lose weight/get healthy, and the scale wasn't going down, what would you say to them? I want you to look in the mirror when you do this. And look directly into your own eyes when you say these things, because you really need to SEE yourself saying these things for it to truly sink in.

For example, the scale is going up on me, and for half a second, I thought about throwing an all out fit. But the logical side of me won out (thank goodness), and it played out like this:

(Me looking in mirror) - "You know muscle weighs more than fat. And you KNOW at the beginning, you tend to gain before you start to lose. Nevermind the fact that you have candida issues going on right now, and that can slow down/inhibit weight loss. Your jeans that were fitting just right two weeks ago are now loose. Your face has slimmed down even farther than the last time you took pics. So chill. The scale is NOT your friend. It's NOT the best indicator of your progress. You can check it occassionally, but you really need to be going more with how your clothes fit and the way you can SEE the changes in your body in the mirror now more than ever. Go by those, and chill out with the numbers on the scale. They'll go down when they're good and ready."

See, I wasn't upset, or down on myself just because the numbers wouldn't move down (and are instead moving up). I talked to myself just as I would've talked to one of my kids. I deserve the TLC just as much as they do, and so do YOU!:)

HTH!:D

[Dj 247]

Shine, I love your attitude! I do something along that line everyday. It really works! You just have to get in the habit of complimenting yourself. About the scale I weigh in every day, but I have a five pound range that I try to stay within. I always weigh in at the same time each day. If I forget I don't weigh in later I just skip it. I have not worried about my weight since I have started eating raw foods. Well, I was worried at first because I was melting away! Like going from a size 9 to a size 3 in a very short period of time! I hung on to my bigger clothes for fear of gaining the weight back, but I have since given them all away. How is that for confidence! I do need to get fitter, but it is so hard for me to get myself to workout everyday. You are doing so GREAT!

[Rawmommie]

Shine, that's great advise! Thanks!

I did my LBWO this morning, my legs are all wobbly now. :rolleyes:
Today is the beginning of my 4 week! Eeek! I will be taking measurements and weight next monday and hope that there is some sort of change. I always get nervous there won't be...but then there always is. :)

[shine72]

Thanks Dj!:D

Rawmommie - I did my leg workout yesteday. And then my legs were about crying at the end of cardio. Now the muscles have pretty much locked up! And that makes me happy?! I am one warped individual, I'll tell ya!:p

So I had those clementines this morning.

Then I had at about 10:30 am - one yummy smoothie
Then at 12 and again at 1:30, I had yummy salads! :D Both had the same ingredients, baby spring mix, grape tomatoes, sunflower seeds, and Juliano's dressing.

Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but I'm craving bread! (Not gonna do it, it's my candida talking, not my true desires/hunger/cravings!)

[shine72]

I didn't do my workout today. I'm taking today as it comes. It was supposed to be a "full-on" day. But between me barely being able to walk, and lil' man getting sick this morning and still not feeling well, I've had to rapidly adjust fire accordingly. I'm still hoping to loosen up enough that by the time dh gets in this evening, I could still hopefully get the workout in then. We'll see. I'll definitely let ya'll know though.

So far today I've had a strawberry creamsicle smoothie. Don't ask me how to make it. It's not my creation, it's my 12 yr. old son's creation and it is HELL-O good! :D I told him he definitely has to give me the recipe for my ebook though. So we'll all find out in due time I guess.;)

[Rawmommie]

Mmmm, that sounds good! I had chocolate/banana ice cream for breakfast with raspberries in it! Gotta love raw! :)

I'm sorry you haven't gotten your workout in. Maybe you'll feel up to it later!?!?!?!

I just finished Day 23, HIIT cardio. It feels SO good! I haven't missed a day yet, in fact, I've worked out on off days too. There's a reason for this tho... I know if I skip a day or two it will just spiral out of control and I'll end up quitting. I know myself well enough that I have to push push push and be strict with myself or I end up on a slippery slope. I'm an all or nothin kinda gal, which gets me into trouble!

My hubby is coming home at the end of the week and I want to be as hard-bodied as I can be! I haven't seen him since before Thanksgiving (truck driver) and I'm excited to see if he notices any changes in my body (he'll tell me he does, regardless tho) :rolleyes:

Sorry for all the rambling! I just got done running, I'm sitting on the floor so I don't get my chair all sweaty and I'm all giddy from the endorphins. :p

[shine72]

Ramble away girlie! That's what we're here for!:D

I'm sorry to say, the workout just ain't happening. I'm not stressing over it though. I didn't get much sleep last night, and my body was still pretty locked up today (probably cause I didn't get enough sleep), so, I'm chalkin' this one up to ain't happening!:o

Rest of the food today:

HUGE, HUMONGO salad with spring mix, cukes, and LOTS of grape tomatoes, sunflower seeds, and Juliano's dressing

RP's brownies

And I've been drinking water too. So overall, not too shabby.

[Rawmommie]

Sigh. I miss Raw Priestess and LOVE her brownie recipe! :)

I was SOOO SOOOOOOOOOO hungry today. I kept eating and my stomach kept growling. I guess it's b/c I did a good hard cardio? I dunno, but I don't like feeling hungry. Makes me overeat. :rolleyes:

[shine72]

I find it best to eat when I'm like that until I'm satisfied. And I know what you mean, I don't like feeling like that either. But I figure my body knows best. And I usually see either a drop on the scale or a physical improvement in the days that follow it, so I've learned to just go with it.

My cardio today is actually going to be a mad cleaning session. Not angry mad, just a lot to do since I have Justine and the girls coming and couldn't get anything done yesterday. So while it may sound like a cop-out, I promise, my heartrate will be up and I WILL be working up a sweat!:)

Feeling sick to my stomach this morning. Just nauseated. It's been like that a lot lately. Just first thing in the morning. And no, I'm not pregnant, THAT I can guarantee you (but oh, it'd be SO nice if I were). Anyhow, anyone else dealing with this. It's only been since I started the workouts, but I can't for the life of me figure this one out.:rolleyes:

[Rawmommie]

Is it first thing before you eat or drink anything? I get that occasionally (haven't during this challenge) when I'm dehydrated and need water. Maybe you need to drink some right before bed (well, if you can, for some that would make them get up in the middle of the night) or right when you wake up?

I've got my UBWO this morning

[Rawmommie]

How is everyone???

Shine, I hope you are feeling a little better! (& hope that santa thread didn't offend you, ITA with the things you said and respect your personal parenting choices!)

I did my cardio today and I'm feeling good! Went shopping (MIL gave me a gift card for xmas) and got some tops and they look nice with my upper body slimming so well! I didn't get any bottoms b/c I'm hoping that will start shrinking too? Please??? LOL.

Today we are having a solstice party at my house for our homeschool group. One of the mom's is bringing vegan chili and it will be my challenge for the day. I can avoid cookies and junk, but I keep trying to rationalize the chili in my head... :rolleyes:

Hope everyone is keeping up with their workouts! I'm going to make sure I get ALL my workouts in this week & next, I'm just going to take my free day on Xmas instead of Sunday.

[shine72]

It's okay, I wasn't offended, I was just giving a different perspective, because there are things in this life that aren't cut and dry.;)

I'm not working out yesterday and today. I'm a little run down, but I'll do a walk tomorrow morning. I know I haven't totally stuck to plan, but, I'm still working out more than I was before (which was nothing), so I'll give myself that credit!:D

Hungry, but don't know what I want.

I had that creamsicle smoothie earlier. Trying to figure out what's next. Decisions, decisions.:p

[Rawmommie]

I find that it's very rare that things are black and white in this world! :)

That creamsicle sounds GOOD! I heard of an orange one with frozen cantelope and orange juice, but the cantelope is nasty right now.

[Rawmommie]

Is everybody still hangin in there? I know it gets hard to fit in the exercise with the holidays!

I ran today, outside in 19 degrees weather and it was exhilarating! (and painful). I was FREEZING, but I can tell that I worked different muscles by how my legs feel right now. I guess you use different one's when using a treadmill? My lungs hurt for about an hour from breathing in that freezing air so deep, but I felt *cleansed* in a way. May go running again tomorrow. I'll be taking my free day on Christmas, but I shall not be eating cooked! I always cave on xmas and then I feel icky, so this xmas I got lots of raw goodies and have been dehydrating stuff that I can have.

Hope you are all doing well!

[RawDietitian]

I'm so happy to find BFLifers here! I love the BFL program, although I am not currently participating. Good luck to you all in the challenge and in your personal goals!
Awesomeness...

Peace,
Lorena :rolleyes: :D

[theplatypus]

Curious about this BFL workout.


wait two minutes before moving on to your next muscle group, complete this pattern five times for the upper body training experience and four times for the lower body training experience.

Are they really asking you to perform 300 repetitions of a specific exercise?
Repetitions: x12, 10, x8, x6, x12, x12 = 60 x 5sets = 300 reps.

[Rawmommie]

Yes, I guess when you add it up it's 300...but it's not 300 of each exercise.

For example: There are 5 different areas you target on the UBWO. First you do chest: pick an exercise such as lying dumbell presses...do 12, 10, 8, 6, then 12. Then you do a different exercise still focusing on chest for another 12 reps.

THEN you move on to shoulders and do the same. It actually doesn't seem like enough to me on some days. If you don't wait the 1 or 2 minutes between reps (which I rarely do, have you ever timed it, it takes forever!) then the workout goes pretty quick. You'll have done 300 (different exercises) reps by the end of the workout.

HTH!

[Rawmommie]

So, this is supposed to be week 4 for me and b/c of xmas, I haven't done a thing! I've also had copious amounts of wine and decided that I'll take the rest of this week to ease back into my workouts and next Monday will be week 4 for me. I'll still be working out, but I don't want to be so strict with myself that I feel like when I take a break everything falls apart and I get no results (I know the scale is up from the wine and lots of nuts/nut dishes).


How is everyone else doing with their challenges?

[shine72]

I haven't been doing it. I think I'm going to take this time off during the holidays. I know it sounds lame, but this is the only time hubby gets a lot of time with us. So I'm taking advantage of it while I can. I'll get back on track after the holiday.:)

[theplatypus]

bahh!

My reading comprehension seems to be off at 5am. It's 300 reps total spread out over 5 different exercises and 4 for the lower body workout.

[Eva]

DJ if you're still around checking in on this.... I just checked out your before and afters and you look WOW/HOT/RAWKIN Body for Lifin' AMAZING!!! I would see you and be reminded why I need to work out regularly!!! That's how great you look.

It's fun to hear about everyone else's experiences with B4L too! :)

[Rawmommie]

I'll be calling ya out after the holiday's Shine! (mostly to keep myself going too!). I find the 4 week mark is the spot where I start to fizzle and need to keep working. Taking a break this week will renew me, but MARK MY WORD, I will be back in here posting Monday about my workouts! :)

[shine72]

Sounds great to me Rawmommie! Working out is THE area I really need to be called out on, so thank you!:o :) Mine'll start back up on the 3rd of Jan. That's when dh goes back to his normal work schedule.

[tvillemom]

A friend let me borrow this book....I was thinking of trying it out, you know, January 1st, "new years' ...the big "r" I HATE that concept, but I can feel myself CRAVING my time at the "y" and looking forward to the workouts. I'll look for my book (hoping I didn't toss it) and get back to you. By the way, a friend let me borrow the book, and then she disappeared from my life....she wanted me to read it and asked my opinion about the program. I hope I didn't throw it away, I know she's forgotton about it.

Anyway, looking forward to the new year.

[Rawmommie]

Ack, not the best week off-plan. Sigh.

My son broke his collar bone and we all came down with a nasty cold. I'm getting better and DETERMINED to start up my week tomorrow, sick or no! It's just a UBWO, I think, not cardio, so I think I can swing it. I won't go down the slippery-slope to quitting this challenge! (just a little self-pep-talk here) :D

I hope some of you that have slowed down working out or stopped b/c of the busy holiday's will rejoin me come 2008! This is the year I make working out a HABIT.

[Dj 247]

Hi everyone! I can't believe what I am reading. 12 weeks, let's do this! You deserve to give your body 12 weeks of tough love! Use your free day (eat whatever you want, spend all day doing whatever you want) because it will save you, I promise! I am starting Jan. 1st. Please come along with me! I knew I could not make it through the Holidays so that is why I waited to start. Jan. 1st! I am so ready. I will be here for you! Do you want to do this? I mean do you really want it? Check your answer with the Byron Katie test... Is it true? For me it is a YES! My proof is that I am already getting myself in gear by preworkouts, meditating on it, and telling everyone I going to do the program. I half @$$ed it the last time I did the program, but this time I am going to go for it!

[Rawmommie]

I'm with ya Dj! :)

I did my UBWO this morning and I'm already sore! That's what you get for taking a week off from the challenge! I'm back to it and today started week 4 for me.

[tvillemom]

I'm with you DJ.....let me see if I can find that book now.

I am going to be exercising everyday during the month of January....oops...I mean 6 days a week...

I feel really motivated this year...not just thinking about my resolutions, but I feel like I actually have a plan to DO the things I want to!!!

YEEEHAW YA'LL!!

[Dj 247]

Hi everyone! Do any of you watch the television show, "The Biggest Loser?" I have watched two seasons now. I don't follow the food program, but their spirit and dedication are worth tuning in for. The new season starts tonight. So day 1 is here. I hope you all got a workout in today. If not, why not do it right now? Or do it later while watching the new Biggest Loser episode. Let's get it done! If you really can't do it today make today your free day for the week! Remember you only get one free day! I believe you will get it done because I believe in you and your dedication to yourself.

[Rawmommie]

That's the spirit!

SHINE?!?!?!? Don't make me call you out! ;) Are you starting up today?????

Did my cardio today (W4D2) and some crunches thrown in for good measure. It's awful how fast you lose your stamina. It's only been a little over a week since I've run and it was harder after taking that week off! I had a cramp too, but I pushed through it and finished hard. I WILL MASTER this body with my mind. It's one of my biggest challenges, but I'm up for it! :D

[Dj 247]

Do you realize that working out smart (BFL) for less than 1 hour per day for 6 days per week for 12 weeks you could change your body? I mean really change the shape of your body! Wrap your mind around that! Close your eyes and really see it! Wow! A Strong, Sexy, and Healthy YOU! Dang, I am looking good. How do you look? Now, I will ask you again, Do you want it? Give me a H#LL yes! Let's get moving!

[tvillemom]

ok...I found my book! I'm going to read it and post later. Hope I'm not too late to join. I feel like I need a "program" and some accountability partners! So can I join??

[Rawmommie]

Nevereverever too late! Welcome and I'm glad you found your book! I had to haul mine down from the attic too!

I did cardio this morning, I had to drag my arse onto the treadmill, but I knew once I got started I would feel great...and I did. :)

How's everyone else? I hear an echo in here! Echo...echo...echo...anybody out there???

[Rawmommie]

Bumping for KittyMommy! :)

[Rawmommie]

Am I all alone now? :confused:

Either way, I won't stop! I'm doing well, I just took my weight and measurements this morning to see my progress. I've lost 8 inches around my body (2 from my chest, 2 from my waist, & 2 from my belly area) plus a little from my arms and legs. I only lost 4 pounds, but my body is resistant to weightloss and I'm ok with that, as long as I'm still losing inches!

Today will be the beginning of my 6th week! I wish you all well.

[tvillemom]

RAWMOMMIE: You are not alone! I am just starting though! I am going to take my measurements today. I actually did cardio on Friday, but was too busy on Saturday to make it what will be my day 6 next week (like, I'm trying to establish a routine)...so today I am planning on Lower body. I am going to the Y, and I'm not sure how my routine will go....but I will try my best to incorporate what he says to do! Any suggestions on how to use weight machines?? I know he doesn't suggest that, but it's the best I can do!

I'm here with you RAWMOMMIE, so hang in there, I need to know what to expect during the next 6 weeks...12 weeks on his program seems long, but I see that the cardio days are only 20 minutes, so I think that will be ok. On his program, do you think you are getting enough cardio?? Like, healthwise, do you think it's enough, or should I get some cardio during weight training days too??? Are you following his program strictly??

I know this is alot of questions, but I guess I am nervous about going to the gym today and not following the normal circuit, and carrying around a slip of paper to help me.

Thanks for your help.

[Rawmommie]

Wendi, I'm so glad you are here! :)

As for the training, I would just focus on doing the reps correctly (12, 10, 8, 6, 12, 12) and you are supposed to increase the weight as you go down in the number of reps. Sometimes I do this, sometimes I can't (b/c I don't have the weights here at home yet to do so).

As for cardio, if you are doing the 20 minutes as instructed, I think it's enough. You MUST push yourself as hard as you can for those 10's and then build it back up again. It's the intensity of the workout that makes it so effective in just 20 minutes.

For other days if you really want to do more cardio, I might take walks, roller blade, ride a bike, but not with the intensity of the 20min HIIT, your body must rest.

Expect some soreness...or a LOT. I could barely walk my first week, but I had also not done much exercise in the previous 6 months or so and was really out of shape.

I'm glad you are here! Can't wait to see how things go for you!

[tvillemom]

Thanks Rawmommie for the encouragement! It helps to know someone will be watching and waiting for me to report. I can't wait to see some changes in my body. My thyroid is extremely low...and I am on meds now, for the past 6 weeks..but they had to re-adjust it (they actually said it was too high on Jan. 2nd) but I have been SOOOO tired. I can't wait to loose some weight, and firm up. BFL program makes so much sense! I am off to find a tape measure and measure my body, so I can report how much I loose! I'm not so worried about the scale, but I REALLY want to loose inches. Not that I don't need to loose weight, but I'm trying to think healthy, lean muscle, not just focus on the scale!


Thanks again......I guess everyone else will report soon??!!! I sure hope so. Reading everyone's progress will help me. I am really out of shape too, and feel more so with the weight I've gained during the last 6-8 months!!:eek:

[Rawmommie]

Well, I'm still going strong, going into the end of my 6th week.

This morning I got to run outside instead of on the treadmill and it was wonderful. I wish I could find a way to do that more often! Feeling great and I'm able to run longer without walking now.

[Rawmommie]

Half-way done! :D

Finished up week 6 today with my cardio (running). I can see my stamina really building, I can run for longer without walking inbetween! Yay!

I've lost 7 pounds, which is pretty good considering I'm building muscle AND I'm VERY resistant to losing weight (ever known anyone who's been raw 3 years and still weighs 200 pounds? Now you do!) :p

In any case, I feel wonderful, I can SEE my body shape changing, and I can say that doing BFL RAW has been 100% better than when I did it Lowcarb & following BFL eating. I don't have the energy issues that I had with BFL eating AT ALL, in fact, I haven't really had any issues with my eating plan and last time I was constantly trying to eat the right thing to give me enough energy to do the workouts. I was exhausted by the end of the 12 weeks and I don't feel that way at all this challenge! :)

[tvillemom]

Hi RAWMOMMIE! I would love to report that I've done great, but I didn't even start:mad: I'm sorry. I just could not figure out how to incorporate the exercises at the gym. I guess I didn't try hard enough. The weather is snowy today....and tomorrow we have stuff going on most of the day. I promise I will try to start tomorrow or Monday.

Congrats to you though....you are doing great and you are a great role model for ME!!

Have a great weekend.

[Rawmommie]

Thanks Wendi! :)

Are you interested in doing it at home??? I don't belong to a gym, I have a small bench and dumbells and I do everything at home, it IS possible! As for what to do at the gym, do you have any of the workout sheets printed? You can write which exercise you have chosen and use that as a guide at first. Once you get used to what exercises you are doing for UBWO and LBWO, you don't usually need to see it written down anymore.

I'm still trucking along! The scale is my enemy right now, I'm VERY frustrated about it. I almost went on a rant on a thread in the main discussion room about how you can be raw for THREE YEARS and still be overweight and just b/c you are raw doesn't mean you will lose....but I realized that I'm the exception to the rule, so I digress...

Sigh.

[Rawmommie]

Finished up week 7 today! :)

I didn't do 2 of my lifting workouts (UBWO & LBWO) this week b/c I pulled a muscle in my back somehow and didn't want to strain it. I did get in all my cardio though and I've lost 7 pounds so far. A pound a week is pretty good for me, so I'm pleased!

[Kristen23]

Hello everyone,

I am so glad I found this site, and this thread inparticular! I just finished my first BFL 12 week challenge. I was not eating raw for the first 11 weeks, just a vegetarian diet, and a pretty crappy one at that. However, I still saw decent results! I lost 10 pounds (bringing me to 128lbs), and lost 13.7 inches total off my entire body!

I had been researching eating raw for quite sometime and have recently implemented it into my life. I feel great!

I am still doing BFL (on day 2 of my second challenge), and am glad there are people out there that are doing it while eating raw too!

I'd love to keep up with you all if you'll let me.....

Thanks,
Kristen

[Rawmommie]

Kristen! HELLOOOOOO! (*I've been alone in here too long, I've gone a little loopy!*) :p

I just started week 9!!! This is my second challenge also (but my first was 5 years ago.) LOL

I really slacked off the last 2 weeks, but I'm determined to make the last 4 really count! :)

I've been raw the whole time and it has been so much easier to just eat how I know feeds my body well and not worry about proteins and carbs, eating 6x a day, etc. and just focus on the workouts. I've lost 11 inches so far, but I've got lots more to lose. :rolleyes:

Welcome! I hope you'll check in and keep me company!

[Kristen23]

Week 9, huh? You are almost there! Did you do the before and after pics?

Congrats on the 11 inches lost! That is almost a foot!!!

I know what you mean. I am doing the BFL challenge with a coworker who insists the program will not work as I am not getting loads and loads of protein and unnatural supplements. I beg to differ though!

I am also just trying to get into the habit of eating when I am actually hungry, instead of on a certain schedule. I am used to eating 5-6 times a day, and I don't want to be a slave to that cycle. Part of the reason I decided to go raw, was to get back to the basics. Eat the food I am supposed to be eating, and on a natural schedule.

I am confident I will have even better results this challenge than last where I was having 3 protein shakes a day!

I also have found that getting some good fats like avocados helps power me through workouts!

I am so glad that you are doing BFL routine while eating raw. I didn't know if there was anyone out there! :D :D :D

-Kristen

[samadhisoul]

I'm so glad I found this, I would like to start! I don't have the book but will check out those links...will have plenty of questions forthcoming.
:D
BTW, my name is Aisha, was 100% raw a couple of years ago -twice actually, for 6 months the 1st time and 4 the second...I guess I fell off after my youngest's phenomenal RAW 1st birthday party---but that inspired my mom and sister , who have been about 85% ever since!!!!!!

anyway, I digress...I'll be back

[Rawmommie]

Hi Aisha! You don't need the book the website & printouts they have should be just fine! Let us know when you start! :)

[samadhisoul]

Actually, Rawmommie..I'd like to know what YOU do...I don't really have access to the gym like I'd need to but have some of my husband's weights here...really wanna know how I can make just those work well for me.

[Rawmommie]

Sure! I warn you though, I'm burning out, so you can intensify any of these workouts. Maybe typing them out will help spark something in me again. I've lost my *heart* this week. Sigh.

So, here's what I've been doing: (not sure what you know about BFL, so you may already know some of this)

6 workouts a week: the UBWO and LBWO revolve each week on MWF. For example: this week I do LBWO on M&F, UBWO on W. Then next week UBWO will be on M&F, LBWO once on W. Still with me? ;)

T&TH&S are the 20 min. HIIT cardio. I run/walk usually on my treadmill, but have gotten lucky on warmer days and gotten to run outside. The 20 HIIT is
hard to describe in type! Warm up the first 2 min. then start pushing yourself in intensity until at min. 5 you are at a level *10* intensity (like you feel like you can't go any further without collapsing! LOL) Then minute 6 you slow down again to about a *5* intensity and begin to build again until minute 9-10 where you push it to a *10* again. You do this 2 more times until the 20 minutes is up. If it feels like the 20 minutes wasn't enough...then you didn't hit your 10's! I also cool off walk for about a minute and then do some crunches for good measure.

UBWO: I do these at home on a weight bench, but I only have 10lb weights, so I can't increase my weights with reps like BFL wants you to. Maybe next challenge. So, here is my UBWO:

Chest-Dumbell fly's Reps: 12, 10, 8, 6, 12
then immediately follow with another 12 of a different exercise like dumbell presses: 12
(hope that's not too confusing! All of my exercises go like this in decreasing reps, followed by 12 reps of the first exercise and then a different exercise targeting the SAME muscles for 12 reps too)

Shoulders- Seated dumbell press 12,10,8,6,12
then front raises 12

Back-One arm rows (one each side) 12, 10, 8, 6, 12
then back crunches 12

Triceps-Seated tricep pressed 12,10,8,6,12
then lying presses 12

Biceps-standing dumbell curls 12,10,8,6,12
then preacher curls 12

They say to wait 1 minute between reps, but I just can't. I just sit there (you wouldn't believe how long a minute is when you are doing this stuff)

LBWO (it's the same 12, 10, 8, 6, 12, 12(of a diff. exercise) but I won't put that every time, ok? Just pretend it's there.

Quads: leg extentions (40 lbs- this is all I have! need to get more!)
then squats (12)

Hamstrings: Lying leg curls (30 lbs)
then dead lifts (12)

Calves: standing calf raises
then more standing calf raises (can't find another exercise for calves that I like)

Abs: crunches
then reverse crunches

Hope that helps more than confuses! It's hard to put exercise in type, I find! :)

[samadhisoul]

thanks!,
I printed out the workshts, now I need to print this out as well!!!

[c'estlaviebelle]

I've decided I'm starting *today* on Body for life. My chiropractor had lent me the book a few weeks ago- and it looked interesting but I didn't have time to read the whole thing. However, after seeing the changes (and seeing as how my body is in need of some serious toning- especially in that fat roll/brastrap area) I've decided when better to start than a monday? :D

So- Will begin tonight on day 1 upper body. I may throw 10 minutes of cardio in there for good measure. :)

The cool thing is- being raw I don't have to worry about my diet so much. In the past I would start fitness programs, but because my diet was so atrocious, it never made much of a difference. *Now* I think I will see big changes. I wish I was here sooner and could have started with some of the rest of you!

[MOTH]

How do I find out how to do Body for Life?

[samadhisoul]

do you all still have raw desserts?

please say yes :o

[c'estlaviebelle]

Rawmommie- That is a great post! I'm following your lead. I took the printout of instructions with me to the gym last night and did UB (and I am *sore* today already), but it was hard to decide which exercises to do - plus I don't know what a few of them are. But, I do know all of the exercises you do. So I'm gonna steal your workout! :)