Reigster now for free to join this or any of the thousands of ongoing discussions - Connect with thousands of athletes, post questions, share thoughts, find a training buddy,access triathlon training programs, marathon training programs and more!
Discussion: new goal/new program
Subject: new goal/new program By: Mary C. Written on: 2006-05-10 11:04:52 Message: I have decided to embark on a different road for the next 12 weeks. I have decided since my knee surgery (gives one time to stop and rethink things) and being too much of a cardio queen that I must change my lifestyle a bit so I have made a decision to take the summer to try and transform my body by entering the body for life challenge. I am excited about this and scared at the same time. It will require a lot of change. One of the biggest sacrifices for me will be not to run/bike/swim every single day. I will only be doing intense cardio (20 min) every other day and intense weight training on the other days. I do plan to do something long (brick) or just long run or bike on Sat and I will have to consume extra carbs on that day - my day off will be Sunday but plan to swim easy that day too. I am wondering if anyone knows about body for life and has actually entered the challenge. I really want to see if I can do this. Feel very focused which is amazing - I am always so leary about giving things up and changing what I am used to - have this wierd thinking that I must train cardio like an animal every day. "just for today, I will live through this day only and not tackly all my problems at once. I can so somehting for 12 hours that would appall me if I felt I had to keep it up for a lifetime". Thanks for any feedback. Mary C
Subject: RE: new goal/new program By: Jael A. Written on: 2006-05-10 11:14:24 Message: Mary, I have never done the Body for Life Challenge; but I just wanted to Congratulate you on making the decision to switch to cardio and stretch your limits to a different level. You can do it! You can do anything you set your mind to. Just stay with it and do not give up. I strongly believe that it is by stretching our limits and going beyond our comfort zones that we all grow both physically and mentally... I commend you... You seem to be a very strong person. It takes guts to decide voluntarily to make changes like these knowing that you will be encountering challenges along the way. Bravo! Go for it! We'll be here to support you! Jael
Subject: RE: new goal/new program By: Jeff S. Written on: 2006-05-10 12:48:39 Message: Mary, My wife and I have done Body for Life and she is actually just starting up again. We didn't finish our full 12 week session because of some family issues. However while doing it, I was preaching the good word on Body for Life to everyone who would listen and in doing so I turned a lot of people on to it. I have since heard from 4-5 of them who can't thank me enough for as they have said "Saving their lives" and also "Changing their lives". Body for Life is a great plan and if you follow it, it really works amazingly. My wife and I still use recipes from the Eating for Life book all the time, the food is not only health but it is so good. My one suggestion to you, is that after 12 weeks of eating 6 times a day some of your meals will start to feel repetitive and boring, try to come up with new and interesting ways to keep your meals exciting so you don't lose interest. I would be doing Body for Life right now but I am more focused on training for my 1st Triathlon on August 20th and I dno't want to mix and match the plans because I am not knowledgable enough to make those kind of judgement calls. Once I am done with my Triathlon if I have any concerns about my weight or my physical fitness I think I am going to do another session of Body for Life. I really hope that you are successful with it and I really hope that you get the results you want. I will tell you, don't expect to see physical results until around week 4-5 but then you will be amazed at how quickly your body changes. People will openly comment to you about how good or different you look. The more religious you are about following the plan, the better it will work for you. Also a word of advice, premix your shakes and keep them cold with ice or a cooler, because they are a much better consistence to eat or drink if they are premixed and given some time to settle then if you mix them just before drinking it. A little tip I learned while doing it. Body for Life also takes TONS AND TONS of planning, so be prepared for that and you will definately succeed. Congratulations on making a change for the better in your life. I'm proud of you. Good luck, Jeff
Subject: RE: new goal/new program By: Mary C. Written on: 2006-05-10 14:45:25 Message: Thanks Jael for your encouraging words. Jeff - I sent you a private email w/ some quesitons about the BFL program thanks so much for your reply. Mary C
Subject: RE: new goal/new program By: Matthew S. Written on: 2006-05-10 15:08:44 Message: My dad, and kind of by default I too, did hte BFL challenge, I believe that it is truely a great program and even if you dont win the big prize, the best prize you have is the before and after photos, the differnce is amazing.
Subject: RE: new goal/new program By: Mary C. Written on: 2006-05-10 15:45:31 Message: I am so excited that some of you have done this - I need all the help I can get - it will be so hard to cut way back on my cardio but I know it is necessary to get stronger and build more muscle. thanks mary c
Subject: RE: new goal/new program By: Carie M. Written on: 2006-05-10 21:29:18 Message: I have also done the body for life program-- I did it in the last 3 months before my wedding. My friends and family were amazed at my transformation, and I did a lousy job w/ sticking to the diet. It's not an easy program, but of course neither is a marathon or tri, or anything else worth working for. It's a completely different kind of challenge, but I think you'll like the result!
Subject: RE: new goal/new program By: John H. Written on: 2006-05-10 21:36:18 Message: I have done and finished the BFL a few years back and it isn't easy. Keep your focus, that's the hard part. The training schedule I found was easy to do since I was already doing weights and some cardio. The diet is the most difficult. I managed to drop about 6% BF and 10lbs. Now the trick is doing your photos. If you look at the winners before pics they slump, kinda stick out their bellies and the photo may not be too well lit. The after pics, they're standing tall, chest out, tummy in etc. The photos generally look like they went to a studio. All that is just window dressing for most people so don't focus on trying to win. Do your best and set a realistic goal. If you hit it or even come near, then give yourself a well deserved pat on the back (or just post it and we'll pat your back for you). Remeber "Winners finish, Finishers win". Oh, and if you do finish they'll send you a T shirt. Good luck
Subject: RE: new goal/new program By: Mike M. Written on: 2006-05-10 22:18:29 Message: Mary, I have successfully incorporated the Body for Life program into my lifestyle and I love it. It has been a part of my life for 4 years now. I am able to maintain a phenomenal balance between strength, endurance and body composition. I have modified it a little bit over the past 2 years to fit my own needs. I just want you to know that it is hard, but it is not about a 'diet', it is about who you are. That is what helps me...my diet is not something I am on...rather it is a part of who I am. If you have any questions let me know. By the way, I have not done the challenge...the challenge for me comes a day at a time. Just for today.....mike
Subject: RE: new goal/new program By: Mary C. Written on: 2006-05-11 09:53:01 Message: Oh I am so excited for all of your responses to this post! I have been practicing the diet this week and I feel bigger for some reason - I think it is because I was so used to running 5 mi a day and always doing cardio - maybe dropping lots of water weight but eating too many carbs and not strong at all - so I have trouble swimming faster or riding faster - that is what I hope BFL does for me - makes me stronger. I will keep posting here so you all can be my support group and if I can ever add encouragement and hope to your lives I will. thanks so much, Mary C
Back to Discussion Index Triathlon Training  Triathlon Gear  Marathon Training  Health and Fitness