Re: 5th week fears-- Help!?!?

[Guest guest]

You are having the classic 5 week freakout! Persistence and

consistency with the program will get you results, it just takes time

and patience. Often it can take multiple challenges to get there. The

annoying part is the bodypart you hate the most, is where the change

will happen last. Have you read Hussman's paper towel theory? Have

you looked at the BFL Lady success document in the files section?

You have nothing to be disappointed about! If your clothes fit

differently and you've lost an inch here or there, then you are losing

fat. If your weight is the same, then you have gained lean mass which

means your metabolism is humming. Just think what you HAVE done in a

measly 5 weeks! Are you measuring body fat and tracking measurements?

If things are changing then it is working!!

>>>>I've always hated my legs and have

> tried thousands of diets and workout routines that haven't amounted

> to much. I've been doing BFL for five weeks now- going into my

6th... and I

> haven't seen ANY (or very little) change in the scale, or in my

legs.

> I can see and feel changes in my body otherwise-- my arms are more

defined, i've lost an inch here and there,

> but physically, I don't see any big changes happening. Does anyone

> have suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong?

[Guest guest]

I think you're having the typical freak out! That's what happens around weeks 4

or 5, when women aren't seeing as much change as they want. Then, they either

start tweaking it like crazy until they aren't doing BFL anymore or they keep

going with the program and end up seeing really great results around week 8. It

sounds like you're doing great. Maybe a few more veggies thrown in. Are you

drinking lots of water? Making sure you're REALLY pushing yourself in your

workouts?I have the same tendencies as you, but believe me, cutting carbs is NOT

the way to go! It will zap the energy you need to build that muscle!

k8tzar wrote: Hi.

I need some major help. I'm an athlete- naturally very strong and

bulky around the thighs/butt. I've always hated my legs and have

tried thousands of diets and workout routines that haven't amounted

to much. Soon I decided the only way to lose the legs was to work

out hard, and stop eating. Yes, I have a history of eating very

little (if anything at all), and then extending my workout for hours

if I feel I've eaten too much that day. I gained nearly 15 pounds in

that routine and decided it was time for a change.

I've been doing BFL for five weeks now- going into my 6th... and I

haven't seen ANY (or very little) change in the scale, or in my legs.

I can see and feel changes in my body otherwise-- for instance, I

have a lot more energy, I don't have cravings or feel hungry during

the day, my arms are more defined, i've lost an inch here and there,

but physically, I don't see any big changes happening. Does anyone

have suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong?

My meal plans look (generally) like this

9am- 1portion cottage cheese with pineapple

11am - 1portion cottage cheese, piece of fruit

1pm - BFL chili, piece of fruit OR grilled chicken breast salad

4pm - Shake or Myoplex bar

7pm - Grilled chicken breast salad, or Tuna sandwich, or BFL soup

10pm - Shake

Workouts:

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 8am - 20 min aerobics solution

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7pm - weight training (alternating UB/LB)

I've been following the workouts, increasing weight every week, and

increasing speed on the treadmill-- and I can lift more now than I've

been able to since high school. So I can definately feel changes- I

just don't see any. My clothes fit better, but I haven't gone down

any sizes.

Part of me thinks I'm eating way too much, and should think about

cutting carbs.

Another part of me wonders if I'm not eating enough and slowing the

process.

....help?

~Kate

[Guest guest]

I'm in my 6th week too, and want to share what happened to me

yesterday. I was standing very still in the middle of a park,

watching a line of dressed up dogs auditioning to be the OLD NAVY

mascott (some dogs are jaw droppingly cute), when a random man

said " You work out huh! your arms! man it must be great to be a body

builder "

I think I stopped breathing at that point! Because I was CONVINCED,

that I was not seeing the change- the scale hasnt budged, I cannot

figure out for the life of me what my accurate bf% really is, and

people around me on a daily basis dont mention a thing. But Ive

heard that the change is so gentle, and even sneaky...

I don't know what your salt intake is, but Ive become aware (this

has been my latest awareness phase) that my water intake has to be a

measured 1 gallon a day...and Ive found tricks to make that happen.

Sounds to me like the change is happening to you! And if you could

cut your thigh open right now to prove the change, you'd see

something in there!

Hi.

> I need some major help. I'm an athlete- naturally very strong and

> bulky around the thighs/butt. I've always hated my legs and have

> tried thousands of diets and workout routines that haven't

amounted

> to much. Soon I decided the only way to lose the legs was to work

> out hard, and stop eating. Yes, I have a history of eating very

> little (if anything at all), and then extending my workout for

hours

> if I feel I've eaten too much that day. I gained nearly 15 pounds

in

> that routine and decided it was time for a change.

> I've been doing BFL for five weeks now- going into my 6th... and I

> haven't seen ANY (or very little) change in the scale, or in my

legs.

> I can see and feel changes in my body otherwise-- for instance, I

> have a lot more energy, I don't have cravings or feel hungry

during

> the day, my arms are more defined, i've lost an inch here and

there,

> but physically, I don't see any big changes happening. Does

anyone

> have suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong?

>

> My meal plans look (generally) like this

>

> 9am- 1portion cottage cheese with pineapple

> 11am - 1portion cottage cheese, piece of fruit

> 1pm - BFL chili, piece of fruit OR grilled chicken breast salad

> 4pm - Shake or Myoplex bar

> 7pm - Grilled chicken breast salad, or Tuna sandwich, or BFL soup

> 10pm - Shake

>

> Workouts:

> Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 8am - 20 min aerobics solution

> Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7pm - weight training (alternating UB/LB)

>

> I've been following the workouts, increasing weight every week,

and

> increasing speed on the treadmill-- and I can lift more now than

I've

> been able to since high school. So I can definately feel changes-

I

> just don't see any. My clothes fit better, but I haven't gone

down

> any sizes.

>

> Part of me thinks I'm eating way too much, and should think about

> cutting carbs.

> Another part of me wonders if I'm not eating enough and slowing

the

> process.

>

> ...help?

>

> ~Kate

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ooh, ain't that cool when people notice? (Did you challenge him to an

arm wrestle?)

Naomi

******

> I'm in my 6th week too, and want to share what happened to me

> yesterday. I was standing very still in the middle of a park,

> watching a line of dressed up dogs auditioning to be the OLD NAVY

> mascott (some dogs are jaw droppingly cute), when a random man

> said " You work out huh! your arms! man it must be great to be a body

> builder "

>

> I think I stopped breathing at that point! Because I was CONVINCED,

> that I was not seeing the change- the scale hasnt budged, I cannot

> figure out for the life of me what my accurate bf% really is, and

> people around me on a daily basis dont mention a thing. But Ive

> heard that the change is so gentle, and even sneaky...

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

If you are having a grilled chicken breast salad, where is the carb? I

don¹t know the BFL chili recipe, but is the piece of fruit your carb or are

their two in that meal? Is the pineapple fresh or canned. Those are the

only things that stick out to me, then be sure that your portions match your

fist or the palm of your hand and make sure your intensity is where it

should be on your workouts. I suspect the adjustment is minor as it appears

you have the foundation correct.

> Hi.

> I need some major help. I'm an athlete- naturally very strong and

> bulky around the thighs/butt. I've always hated my legs and have

> tried thousands of diets and workout routines that haven't amounted

> to much. Soon I decided the only way to lose the legs was to work

> out hard, and stop eating. Yes, I have a history of eating very

> little (if anything at all), and then extending my workout for hours

> if I feel I've eaten too much that day. I gained nearly 15 pounds in

> that routine and decided it was time for a change.

> I've been doing BFL for five weeks now- going into my 6th... and I

> haven't seen ANY (or very little) change in the scale, or in my legs.

> I can see and feel changes in my body otherwise-- for instance, I

> have a lot more energy, I don't have cravings or feel hungry during

> the day, my arms are more defined, i've lost an inch here and there,

> but physically, I don't see any big changes happening. Does anyone

> have suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong?

>

> My meal plans look (generally) like this

>

> 9am- 1portion cottage cheese with pineapple

> 11am - 1portion cottage cheese, piece of fruit

> 1pm - BFL chili, piece of fruit OR grilled chicken breast salad

> 4pm - Shake or Myoplex bar

> 7pm - Grilled chicken breast salad, or Tuna sandwich, or BFL soup

> 10pm - Shake

>

> Workouts:

> Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 8am - 20 min aerobics solution

> Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7pm - weight training (alternating UB/LB)

>

> I've been following the workouts, increasing weight every week, and

> increasing speed on the treadmill-- and I can lift more now than I've

> been able to since high school. So I can definately feel changes- I

> just don't see any. My clothes fit better, but I haven't gone down

> any sizes.

>

> Part of me thinks I'm eating way too much, and should think about

> cutting carbs.

> Another part of me wonders if I'm not eating enough and slowing the

> process.

>

> ...help?

>

> ~Kate

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Totally normal. It's easy to gain muscle in your hips and thighs, but

it's the very last place you're going to lose fat. Hang in there,

because once the fat loss catches up, you'll have some sleek, rock

hard, jiggle free legs that are smaller than what you started with.

Quite a few women never get there though. They gain an inch in their

thighs the first couple weeks of training, wig out, and go back to

being flabby and soft. If they'd stuck it out for 12 weeks, they'd

have found that the fat loss catches up and their legs start looking

amazing!

Getting the fat off of your thighs is mainly a matter of diet and

cardio. Eat clean, be careful with your free days, and push yourself

to the limits during HIIT. You might also throw in some moderate or

recreational cardio to increase your overall calorie deficit. Grueling

leg workouts do wonders for your metabolism and your fat burning

ability, so definitely don't lighten the weights or back off on the

intensity.

Your food looks good. The only thing that stands out is that it might

be pretty high in sodium with the cottage cheese, shakes, bars, soups,

chili, and sandwiches. That may or may not make a difference. Some

people are more sodium sensitive than others. It sounds like you're

right on track, and you're seeing changes in the normal order, which

means your upper body will start looking amazing before the legs and

butt catch up. That's mainly a matter of being consistent and waiting

it out.

Here are some articles that may help:

Do You Want to Lean Out or Swell Up

http://www.skwigg.com/id55.html

Uh-Oh, a Plateau!

http://www.skwigg.com/id66.html

I don't think there's any indication that you've plateaued, but some

of those tips may help you speed things along.

> Hi.

> I need some major help. I'm an athlete- naturally very strong and

> bulky around the thighs/butt. I've always hated my legs and have

> tried thousands of diets and workout routines that haven't amounted

> to much. Soon I decided the only way to lose the legs was to work

> out hard, and stop eating. Yes, I have a history of eating very

> little (if anything at all), and then extending my workout for hours

> if I feel I've eaten too much that day. I gained nearly 15 pounds in

> that routine and decided it was time for a change.

> I've been doing BFL for five weeks now- going into my 6th... and I

> haven't seen ANY (or very little) change in the scale, or in my legs.

> I can see and feel changes in my body otherwise-- for instance, I

> have a lot more energy, I don't have cravings or feel hungry during

> the day, my arms are more defined, i've lost an inch here and there,

> but physically, I don't see any big changes happening. Does anyone

> have suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong?

>

> My meal plans look (generally) like this

>

> 9am- 1portion cottage cheese with pineapple

> 11am - 1portion cottage cheese, piece of fruit

> 1pm - BFL chili, piece of fruit OR grilled chicken breast salad

> 4pm - Shake or Myoplex bar

> 7pm - Grilled chicken breast salad, or Tuna sandwich, or BFL soup

> 10pm - Shake

>

> Workouts:

> Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 8am - 20 min aerobics solution

> Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7pm - weight training (alternating UB/LB)

>

> I've been following the workouts, increasing weight every week, and

> increasing speed on the treadmill-- and I can lift more now than I've

> been able to since high school. So I can definately feel changes- I

> just don't see any. My clothes fit better, but I haven't gone down

> any sizes.

>

> Part of me thinks I'm eating way too much, and should think about

> cutting carbs.

> Another part of me wonders if I'm not eating enough and slowing the

> process.

>

> ...help?

>

> ~Kate

[Guest guest]

No, because he had a look of intimidation on his face- har har

>

> Ooh, ain't that cool when people notice? (Did you challenge him to an

> arm wrestle?)

>

> Naomi

> ******

> > I'm in my 6th week too, and want to share what happened to me

> > yesterday. I was standing very still in the middle of a park,

> > watching a line of dressed up dogs auditioning to be the OLD NAVY

> > mascott (some dogs are jaw droppingly cute), when a random man

> > said " You work out huh! your arms! man it must be great to be a body

> > builder "

> >

> > I think I stopped breathing at that point! Because I was CONVINCED,

> > that I was not seeing the change- the scale hasnt budged, I cannot

> > figure out for the life of me what my accurate bf% really is, and

> > people around me on a daily basis dont mention a thing. But Ive

> > heard that the change is so gentle, and even sneaky...

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

>

[Guest guest]

> to the limits during HIIT. You might also throw in some moderate or

> recreational cardio to increase your overall calorie deficit.

As its only been five weeks (note about the four week freakout

article on s pages), I wouldnt go tweaking much if you say you

are towing the line as much as you really are. Many people over

estimate - it may seem like a ten but imagine if you could push

yourself more (like imagine a drill sargent barking at you! could

you eek out that last rep!? most of could!)

I like Tom Venutos take on cardio - to make a consistant caloric

deficit (especially if you are sedentary the rest of the day) some

form of 'get yourself moving' is needed to kickstart your metabolism

more (especially since you have wonked yours by previously starving

and making it go into fat storage mode!). Toms articles at Female

Muscle: http://www.femalemuscle.com/q_a/question16.htm

> Grueling leg workouts do wonders for your metabolism and your

> fat burning ability, so definitely don't lighten the weights

> or back off on the intensity.

You might want to train your legs a bit differently tho - again an

interesting article about leaning out ones legs if they are a

bit 'too muscular' (which btw is rare, but possible):

http://www.femalemuscle.com/nutrition/leg_muscle.html

> Your food looks good. The only thing that stands out is that

> it might be pretty high in sodium with the cottage cheese,

> shakes, bars, soups, chili, and sandwiches. That may or may

> not make a difference.

Agreed, but what also sprang out at me is you are not eating much in

fiber. Yes fruit has fiber, but also can be high glycemic(in other

words not always the best choice for a carb, ok sometimes but you

need to be picky.) A much better source would be oatmeal(whole

grains), and of course vegetables - more than lettuce ya know. Real

green stuff - think rainbows of colors when choosing others - the

more the better. Fiber is like the secret weapon to fatloss that

people just dont understand as an important part of the body

cleansing itself. Your body breaks down fat for energy, if its not

used its recirculating in your system and if not 'sopped up' (for

lack of a better way to put it lol!), then of course the body pops

it back into a fatcell for a rainy day. Aim for at least 30grams of

fiber a day. Quit wrinkling yr nose and eat more veggies! You'll be

surprised how your tastebuds change - try a new one every week - and

no they dont all come in a can ;-)

joni

-------------------------------------------------------

*Fat loss is not under the control of the magic fat loss fairies.

It's based on simple changes in behavior.*

[Guest guest]

I totally agree with (who doesn't?). The only thing I'd add

is that I've read that the magic number for most women is 18%. They

say (I'm nearly there but not quite) that when you reach 18% your

legs should be leaner. For me, it may be 17%. But, 18% is a good

goal for me so I'm going for it. My main leg issue is skin. My

skin is saggy from being obese a few times in my life. But the

advice for that is to get to 18% and maintain it for a year and then

evaluate the legs.

Good luck in your quest to build new legs. Make 'em hurt with your

workouts if you want them to change. ;-)

I also put the Jergen's tanning lotion on my legs every day as I

talk them into looking better. Affirmations for my legs... who'd

have thought I'd go that route...

Jami

> > Hi.

> > I need some major help. I'm an athlete- naturally very strong

and

> > bulky around the thighs/butt. I've always hated my legs and have

> > tried thousands of diets and workout routines that haven't

amounted

> > to much. Soon I decided the only way to lose the legs was to

work

> > out hard, and stop eating. Yes, I have a history of eating very

> > little (if anything at all), and then extending my workout for

hours

> > if I feel I've eaten too much that day. I gained nearly 15

pounds in

> > that routine and decided it was time for a change.

> > I've been doing BFL for five weeks now- going into my 6th... and

I

> > haven't seen ANY (or very little) change in the scale, or in my

legs.

> > I can see and feel changes in my body otherwise-- for instance, I

> > have a lot more energy, I don't have cravings or feel hungry

during

> > the day, my arms are more defined, i've lost an inch here and

there,

> > but physically, I don't see any big changes happening. Does

anyone

> > have suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong?

> >

> > My meal plans look (generally) like this

> >

> > 9am- 1portion cottage cheese with pineapple

> > 11am - 1portion cottage cheese, piece of fruit

> > 1pm - BFL chili, piece of fruit OR grilled chicken breast salad

> > 4pm - Shake or Myoplex bar

> > 7pm - Grilled chicken breast salad, or Tuna sandwich, or BFL soup

> > 10pm - Shake

> >

> > Workouts:

> > Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 8am - 20 min aerobics solution

> > Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7pm - weight training (alternating

UB/LB)

> >

> > I've been following the workouts, increasing weight every week,

and

> > increasing speed on the treadmill-- and I can lift more now than

I've

> > been able to since high school. So I can definately feel

changes- I

> > just don't see any. My clothes fit better, but I haven't gone

down

> > any sizes.

> >

> > Part of me thinks I'm eating way too much, and should think about

> > cutting carbs.

> > Another part of me wonders if I'm not eating enough and slowing

the

> > process.

> >

> > ...help?

> >

> > ~Kate

>