OK so eating 6 meals a day and working out 6 times a week for about a total of 4 hours will change your body!
I lost 11 pounds and 4 inches off my waist! My body mass index fell nearly 5 points.
All this with a week off for a concussion and sporadic workouts the last couple of weeks due to work.
I feel so much better than back in June when this started. My sister fit into a size 4 for the first time in her life! I am wearing pants I haven't worn in years!
The hardest part about this program is actually finding the guts to do it. It isn't hard and it isn't time consuming. But it does require a change in perspective about what's important. Giving your body what it needs to be healthy is a good change. I will say that after about two weeks on the program, I absolutely did not miss cokes, my afternoon snickers bar, Marble Slab ice cream, pizza (well maybe a little on the pizza...it is after all a Friday night staple!). But I didn't crave all the junk I normally eat.
Now I'm taking a few weeks off and hope to start again later in September. Good luck to all on the program. It is worth it and you can do it!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Cardio - Bugs and All
I decided to do cardio today on my bike. Outside in the Alabama heat. It's 99 degrees with a heat index of 105 degrees. Typical August weather.
Last year at this time, the state was suffering a drought unlike anything we'd seen in 50 years. The temperature soared over 100 degrees for nearly two straight weeks. The Georgia governor was even so kind as to loan the state water. And the lake was so low that our marina sent all its speed boats back to Florida. Today's heat reminds me of the sweltering mess that we had last summer. The only thing it was good for was barefeet, sundresses and watermelon in the cool air conditioning.
Since cardio is supposed to be only 20 minutes, I figured I could handle the heat and get it over with pretty quickly. I just didn't feel like running on the treadmill AGAIN. And I was excited about riding on my new bike. I've only ridden it twice since I got it back in May. Alabama is not exactly mountain biking country but my neighborhood has plenty of room for road riding.
Around the neighborhood lake I went. Increasing in speed with every minute until it was time to back off for a quick break. The heat made my skin drip and my hair plaster against my head. My lungs burned and my quads agonized with every revolution. Now, if you remember the movie "The Incredibles," there is a scene where Dash is running through the jungle and runs smack into a bug swarm and flips over and over before spitting and hacking out the bugs. Evidently, the neighborhood lake creates these little bug swarms EVERYWHERE! A swarm hit my face about every 10 seconds. The nastiest bunch of little, black bugs you've ever seen squashed against my sunglasses and forehead and lined my forearms. Ewww! Finally I took a turn into a new section of the neighborhood without any access to the lake and was home free. I did the last 10 minutes of the run bug free!
Either way, the ride was the best one I've had in weeks. Heat, bugs and all!
Last year at this time, the state was suffering a drought unlike anything we'd seen in 50 years. The temperature soared over 100 degrees for nearly two straight weeks. The Georgia governor was even so kind as to loan the state water. And the lake was so low that our marina sent all its speed boats back to Florida. Today's heat reminds me of the sweltering mess that we had last summer. The only thing it was good for was barefeet, sundresses and watermelon in the cool air conditioning.
Since cardio is supposed to be only 20 minutes, I figured I could handle the heat and get it over with pretty quickly. I just didn't feel like running on the treadmill AGAIN. And I was excited about riding on my new bike. I've only ridden it twice since I got it back in May. Alabama is not exactly mountain biking country but my neighborhood has plenty of room for road riding.
Around the neighborhood lake I went. Increasing in speed with every minute until it was time to back off for a quick break. The heat made my skin drip and my hair plaster against my head. My lungs burned and my quads agonized with every revolution. Now, if you remember the movie "The Incredibles," there is a scene where Dash is running through the jungle and runs smack into a bug swarm and flips over and over before spitting and hacking out the bugs. Evidently, the neighborhood lake creates these little bug swarms EVERYWHERE! A swarm hit my face about every 10 seconds. The nastiest bunch of little, black bugs you've ever seen squashed against my sunglasses and forehead and lined my forearms. Ewww! Finally I took a turn into a new section of the neighborhood without any access to the lake and was home free. I did the last 10 minutes of the run bug free!
Either way, the ride was the best one I've had in weeks. Heat, bugs and all!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Back in the Game
After a week of running around seeing doctors and reassuring everyone that my noggin is functioning properly, I'm back! Yesterday, the doc asked me about my headaches (not too bad...4 on a scale of 10) and my appetite (I ate like a horse the day before) and my nausea (nonexistent). So I rolled into the gym and did my lower body today. And holy cow - I just about fell in the floor on hams!
Ironically, before I started BFL, I wasn't really in the gym that much. Only when work made me or a friend asked. Running was my one consistent workout. The occasional bout of push-ups and sit-ups like any other service member cramming for their annual PT (that's physical fitness) test. But that's it.
So funny enough, after nearly a week out, I have missed it. The rubbery smell of dumbells, the loud music, and of course, the people. You know which ones I'm talking about. Big-chested-are-the-girls-checking-me-out-as-I'm-looking-in-the-mirror guy. Heaving-like-I-ran-a-marathon-on-the-treadmill man. And my personal favorite -- is-my-hair-still-perfect-as-I'm-on-the-elliptical girl. These people are what make the gym great. Who cares that they're checking themselves out or sweating buckets; the bottom line is that they are working out. Doing great things for their bodies.
I hardly noticed any of this five weeks ago but being forced away from the gym has made me realize how much good I was doing for myself as well. Sweat rolling down my back, breathing hard in my chest, stretch of a tight muscle -- I love this stuff and am so excited about pushing through to the end!
Ironically, before I started BFL, I wasn't really in the gym that much. Only when work made me or a friend asked. Running was my one consistent workout. The occasional bout of push-ups and sit-ups like any other service member cramming for their annual PT (that's physical fitness) test. But that's it.
So funny enough, after nearly a week out, I have missed it. The rubbery smell of dumbells, the loud music, and of course, the people. You know which ones I'm talking about. Big-chested-are-the-girls-checking-me-out-as-I'm-looking-in-the-mirror guy. Heaving-like-I-ran-a-marathon-on-the-treadmill man. And my personal favorite -- is-my-hair-still-perfect-as-I'm-on-the-elliptical girl. These people are what make the gym great. Who cares that they're checking themselves out or sweating buckets; the bottom line is that they are working out. Doing great things for their bodies.
I hardly noticed any of this five weeks ago but being forced away from the gym has made me realize how much good I was doing for myself as well. Sweat rolling down my back, breathing hard in my chest, stretch of a tight muscle -- I love this stuff and am so excited about pushing through to the end!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Concussion stops BFL - just for a bit
So I got a concussion. Coolest story ever -- I was in the turret of a Hummer. For you non-mil types, that's hanging out the top. And we took off and crashed into a tree. The ambulance charged in and whisked me away. Six hours later the guy driving picked me up at the ER and took me back to the dorms. I got a swelled brain and a bruised sternum out of it not to mention a story that is running out of control.
But now I have halted my BFL. Just for a week. I'm recooping and my sister swears that will be OK for the program.
I'll let you know Monday!
But now I have halted my BFL. Just for a week. I'm recooping and my sister swears that will be OK for the program.
I'll let you know Monday!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Fell out yesterday
So I normally work out between 5 and 6 every morning.
My parents don't believe it. I was always the night owl, up late watching The Goonies or Indiana Jones movies as a kid and NEVER up before the sun. My grandmother had a great expression, "If God wanted me to see the sun, he would have it come up at noon!"
Well, with kids and work, the only time to work out is before the sun. (I will say that I thought 5 AM was early but on the BFL guestbook, there is one guy who gets up at 3:30am and a woman who gets up at 4:30 am. UNBELIEVABLE!)
So, anyway, I get up super early and that makes me feel all grown up. And then I go to work and am usually home by 5:30 pm to do all the normal dinner, kids, husband, ready for tomorrow stuff. On my normal schedule, I'm not too tired but on BFL, I've noticed that I am wiped out by the time I get home or even sooner. Naps sound great. Pillows make my eyes droopy. I've been known to nod off from time to time in front of my computer. Now, according to the folks on the BFL guestbook, this is not an unusual phenom because my body isn't used to all the working out that I do. I can certainly attest to that!
But last night as soon as I got home, I decided to just close my eyes for a minute on top of my covers. Just rest my head on my pretty, blue pillows with the little one hugged to my chest. Only for a couple of minutes with the cool air coming from the ceiling fan. Then all of a sudden I hear AAAHHH --- AAAAHHHH --- AAAAAHHH. It's 5 AM!!!!!
Today was the best lower body workout I've had yet!
My parents don't believe it. I was always the night owl, up late watching The Goonies or Indiana Jones movies as a kid and NEVER up before the sun. My grandmother had a great expression, "If God wanted me to see the sun, he would have it come up at noon!"
Well, with kids and work, the only time to work out is before the sun. (I will say that I thought 5 AM was early but on the BFL guestbook, there is one guy who gets up at 3:30am and a woman who gets up at 4:30 am. UNBELIEVABLE!)
So, anyway, I get up super early and that makes me feel all grown up. And then I go to work and am usually home by 5:30 pm to do all the normal dinner, kids, husband, ready for tomorrow stuff. On my normal schedule, I'm not too tired but on BFL, I've noticed that I am wiped out by the time I get home or even sooner. Naps sound great. Pillows make my eyes droopy. I've been known to nod off from time to time in front of my computer. Now, according to the folks on the BFL guestbook, this is not an unusual phenom because my body isn't used to all the working out that I do. I can certainly attest to that!
But last night as soon as I got home, I decided to just close my eyes for a minute on top of my covers. Just rest my head on my pretty, blue pillows with the little one hugged to my chest. Only for a couple of minutes with the cool air coming from the ceiling fan. Then all of a sudden I hear AAAHHH --- AAAAHHHH --- AAAAAHHH. It's 5 AM!!!!!
Today was the best lower body workout I've had yet!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Motivate, Motivate, Motivate
The key word in all this is MOTIVATION.
It's what gets me slamming on the alarm clock at 5 AM and actually putting my running shoes on. It's what makes me ask for a to-go box as soon as the Mexican food hits the table. It's what puts the "umph" in that last set of barbell lifts. And it's also what has me drowning myself in a gallon of water every single day.
I love the way I feel when I'm done killing myself on the treadmill or scrapping myself off the floor after tricep dips.
It has spiced up my life with a hobby and even better, a hobby that I can share with my sister. So I decided it was time to list the top ten things that keep me on BFL, so here goes:
10 -- My tushy looks much better in a size 4 than in a size 8 :)
9 -- I've gotta beat my sister (see #7)
8 -- Myoplex Lite Chocolate Bars are really not that bad
7 -- I'm too competitive for my own good
6 -- I love wearing a two-piece swim suit!
5 -- Sprinting up hill for 2 full minutes makes me feel like Wonder Woman
4 -- Feeding my face six times a day is heaven
3 -- Crossing off a square on the 84-day BINGO chart is like being on a game show
2 -- The Pentagon could hire me to develop war plans if they see the meal & exercise plans I can spit out
1 -- (DRUM ROLL PLEASE...)
I LOVE HOW EASY THIS IS!!!!!
It's what gets me slamming on the alarm clock at 5 AM and actually putting my running shoes on. It's what makes me ask for a to-go box as soon as the Mexican food hits the table. It's what puts the "umph" in that last set of barbell lifts. And it's also what has me drowning myself in a gallon of water every single day.
I love the way I feel when I'm done killing myself on the treadmill or scrapping myself off the floor after tricep dips.
It has spiced up my life with a hobby and even better, a hobby that I can share with my sister. So I decided it was time to list the top ten things that keep me on BFL, so here goes:
10 -- My tushy looks much better in a size 4 than in a size 8 :)
9 -- I've gotta beat my sister (see #7)
8 -- Myoplex Lite Chocolate Bars are really not that bad
7 -- I'm too competitive for my own good
6 -- I love wearing a two-piece swim suit!
5 -- Sprinting up hill for 2 full minutes makes me feel like Wonder Woman
4 -- Feeding my face six times a day is heaven
3 -- Crossing off a square on the 84-day BINGO chart is like being on a game show
2 -- The Pentagon could hire me to develop war plans if they see the meal & exercise plans I can spit out
1 -- (DRUM ROLL PLEASE...)
I LOVE HOW EASY THIS IS!!!!!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sibling Rivalry & Fireworks
Family rivalry should never be discounted as ineffective. What an amazing motivational tool!
I met my sister at my mom's for 4th of July. We had already scouted out a local gym to use for Friday morning's upper body workout. We packed protein shakes, bars, BFL books and cookbooks. And the ever important, BFL planners.
She helped write out my plan while I drove the 20 minutes to the gym. We arrived as soon as they opened, and the perverbial cat-and-mouse workout session insued. She showed me her 20-pound curls. I fought back with 25-pound hammer curls. She swung 15s. I lugged 20s. She shouted at me for making her laugh and I cried after shoulder pressing her weights. She fell in the floor after doing my dips. I laughed out loud!
All in all, the fireworks at the gym hilariously drove us to push ourselves. Tens and highs all the way around. That night, as fireworks exploded overhead and the smells of BBQ wafted around us, we toasted to the end of 3 weeks on BFL. With a good dose of family rivalry, we had made it to our free day with a bang!
I met my sister at my mom's for 4th of July. We had already scouted out a local gym to use for Friday morning's upper body workout. We packed protein shakes, bars, BFL books and cookbooks. And the ever important, BFL planners.
She helped write out my plan while I drove the 20 minutes to the gym. We arrived as soon as they opened, and the perverbial cat-and-mouse workout session insued. She showed me her 20-pound curls. I fought back with 25-pound hammer curls. She swung 15s. I lugged 20s. She shouted at me for making her laugh and I cried after shoulder pressing her weights. She fell in the floor after doing my dips. I laughed out loud!
All in all, the fireworks at the gym hilariously drove us to push ourselves. Tens and highs all the way around. That night, as fireworks exploded overhead and the smells of BBQ wafted around us, we toasted to the end of 3 weeks on BFL. With a good dose of family rivalry, we had made it to our free day with a bang!
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