6 wk results

[Guest guest]

Hi guys--

I've been reading the posts for about 8 or 9 wks now and jumped into BFL

training 6 wsk ago. Today is c1w7d1. You guys have been so helpful with

information, personal experiences and websites and I have to say that

Cheryl's website is what pushed me into the program. She truly is awesome.

http://cheryl_qltz.tripod.com/

Here are my stats for 6 wks into my first BFL challenge

C1W1D1 C1W7D1

Age 48 48

Weight 282 261

Lean 181 186

Fat 101 75

BF% 35.8 28.7

Chest 50 48

Waist 50 45.5

Hips 56.5 52.5

Thigh 28 28

Calf 18.5 18.25

Upper Arm 17.5 16

Forearm 13 13

I, needless to say, am pretty pleased with the results. But I also learned a

dose of reality. I wanted my waist to be 36 by the end of the 12 weeks. I

think it will take a 2nd challenge for that. But I know now BFL works as

long as you work it by the book. I will say that I have tinkered with it

slightly to make it more convenient for me, hopefully without throwing the

balance off. When I did change anything slightly, I did only one change at a

time so I could see the effects if any.

For the first few days I exersized at home and planned to buy dumbells. I

did Cardio on a rowing machine. (I started on a Tuesday. Thought I'd start

on a Monday but when I decided to definately do it, I decided not to wait!)

I decided to go to the gym around the corner until I got the dumbells. I was

actually a little concerned about being intimidated by some of the " gym rats "

over there. Pretty serious and pretty amazing bodies although I don't think

they all are 100% natural. But a lot are natural and instead of being

intimidated, I decided to make them an inspiration. It was a matter of

focus. I never did get the dumbells although I may want them for those cold

winter morings when I don't want to give myself an exuse not to go.

Anyway I was determined to get my workouts in. I told myself that if I could

quit smoking in one day ten years ago--just decide and do it--I could change

my relationship with food and weight in only a day too. The follow-through

would be the proof of the change--not the change itself. Within a few trips

around the corner I realized I could just go, do my workouts and that was

that. The others were basically there to get their workouts in too. The

reasons I used for not going before were more in my mind than theirs.

(Although I didn't face attiutudes like enountered at work. ,

you are terrific and so are all the people who support you--and a lot of

others like me on the list who benefit vicariously.) Actually people have

been fine at my gym and I think now that I've gone for 6 weeks the ones who

noticed seem impressed with my determination. I tried to go every morning

and those days that I didn't make it, I went in the afternoon. I at least

made most of the Cardio days in the morning unless I had an early meeting

etc. I was there again this morning.

I also found that on the ubwo I was getting very tired by the time I got to

the biceps exercises and a couple times couldn't even finish. I now do them

on the lbwo days at the beginning and have lots of energy for them. I feel

they are no longer left out. I do abs on the cardio days and that seems to

balance the time for me better. I'm not advocating anyone else switch. This

was just my way of making it work without throwing in the towel altogether.

For the first few weeks I was very tired at 4 pm, but that seems to have gone

by now. Just building up stamina. Eliptical crosstrainer is great for me

and easy on the knees. I now do 30 min. Seems to help the fat burn. Again

no advocacy, just reporting what I do.

Nutrition includes Myoplex shakes and Bars and Myoplex Lite Bars for variety.

Most every morning I order a 6 egg white omelet with chicken chunks from a

local Fitness Restaurant here in NYC called " The Pump " I also get a protein

blueberry muffin for later. Meal 5 is usually a chicken breast, 6 baby

potatoes with skin nuked and another vegetable or green salad. I like the

low carb Myoplex bars because you can add a piece of fruit. Or cottage

cheese and fruit is great too. I keep Myoplex or " Pure Protein " (P 21g C 9

g) bars in my desk at work. My free day is usally Saturday night/Sunday

morning but I try to go easy on the high cal or high carbs. I do have Vodka

or Wine Saturday nights, although not this last weekend--no descernible

difference in wt losss with or without. No add-vodkacy here either. Just

my BFL first 1/2 challenge report.

I'm please with my results so far and look forward to another 6 wks. Then on

to Challenge 2 to get to my personal goals. I think this is a process and

one needs to ACQUIRE proficiency. I doesn't all happen at once but by 3 or 4

wks I think I was pretty sold. Actually since I had a lot to lose, my first

week 7 lb loss really motivated me. There has been a lot of discussion about

measureable success and I think for men and especially big men who go on

this, the initial payoff is quick. I think it might be harder for some women

especially those with less to lose. My hat is off to those who perservere

without the quick weight drop. Hopefully you will be able to realize that

you also don't have as many health risks to correct either. Another matter

of focus.

I gave a eulogy for my sister who died of breast cancer a little over a year

before I started BFL. I've spent the last year trying with food to insulate

and isolate myself from pain. Or that's what I thought. In the eulogy, I

said that most things for my sister were just a matter of focus, that on bad

days she would focus on the positive and get through it. I re-read what I

wrote a year ago and realized that for me it also was a matter of focus. Was

I going to continue to be in denial about my weight and give up things I

wanted to do because of it, or was I going to pursue a program with proven

success for thousands and thousands of people that seemed practical and

scientifically sound? Just a matter of focus. I also think you do things

when you are ready to do them.

JMHO

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