Building a Body for Life- DPC BFL Challenge (long)

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

02/14/2005 06:56:09 AM · #1

It's February. How are those resolutions going. You know the ones about eating better and working out?

What if you knew that in 12 weeks you could totally change the way you feel about yourself. What if you had the power to create the body and the life that you've always dreamed about?

In 2001 I was 175 pounds, and a size 16. I thought I was happy with who I was. I was wrong. I was tired, I'd get winded walking up and down stairs. I was missing days of work due to illness related fatiuge. My brother gave me a copy of the book Body for Life.
I hemmed and hawed for a couple of months, then decided to give it a try.

It's a lifestyle program. Weightlifting, cardio, and sensible nutrition. No eating nothing but meat, or nothing but grapefruit and peanut butter. The exercise takes 3 hours a week. Basically a half hour a day. That's it.

In 16 weeks I lost 40 pounds. I'll be posting that before and after shot for you guys later today. :) I went from a 16 to a 6. After 2 years living healthy, I was down to a size 4. I felt great.

Then I moved. Stress and breakdowns in my routine lead to progressive weightgain. By December of this year, I was up to 180. Well to hell with that. In January I started watching what I ate and moderate exercise. I've dropped 15 pounds. Today is my official kickoff to my first Body for Life Challenge of 2005.

I know there have got to be more of us out there. More of us who want to be healthy and live our dreams. For those who struggle with liking who you are, take some time today to read the BFL website. Also check out Oprah this afternoon. She's doing a segment. It will take no more than an hour of your time, and it may give you the key to something simply amazing.

Dreams have power, goals even moreso. My goals for this challenge move and inspire me. I love this community and the people here. I'm not the best photographer around. I look for other ways to give back. This is one way I can do that. So come, join me in this journey and take back your life. At the worst, after 12 weeks you are going to be in the best shape of your life.

At best your whole existance will change. What have you got to lose?

Clara

Fleximus

Canon EOS-50D

02/14/2005 07:00:24 AM · #2

Great stuff Clara, I really wish you success in your goals. The diet sounds good, eat sensibly and exercise (sounds a lot better than the Atkins etc).

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/14/2005 07:06:27 AM · #3

And let's make that 16 pounds since December. :)

Clara

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

02/14/2005 07:11:52 AM · #4

I'm in too (Clara has already told me a lot about this program).

I'm not looking to lose weight but to have more energy and get in better shape. This program (adjusted to a higher food intake) is good for that too.

It's important to understand this is not just a "diet." The program requires both dietary modification and exercise.

I'm looking forward to not coming home and crashing every day after work.

Incidentally, if you are thinking of trying this and want to save a little on the book, used copies are available here for about 9 or 10 dollars less than you would pay new.

Clara, good luck, and good luck to everyone who tries this!

-Terry

orussell

Canon EOS Rebel T6s

Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM

02/14/2005 07:12:20 AM · #5

Go for it Clara.

Personally, I don't believe in "diets" per se. Attitude change and lifestyle change is what I needed. I had to give up my old routines and eliminate things I didn't need. I no longer eat at night, I don't drink pop anymore, I use a smaller plate (that way you can still have seconds), I gave up my daily double/single at Tim's, I eat whole grain instead of white flour products, and other little things.

Since Christmas, by changing the way I live, I have lost a few pounds and can wear clothes that I couldn't for a couple of years. I didn't even weigh myself starting - that way I didn't have anything to live up to - no high expectations. A guess would be a loss of 8 - 10 lbs. I can definitely see it on my belt. Now if I could just get motivated to exercise. :)

Owen

colda

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/14/2005 07:16:00 AM · #6

I've lost 14lbs in Jan :)

I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my wife, LisaCan who at the end of 2003 realised a need to change her life and has lost 158lbs so far. That was not a typo, she really has done amazingly well, although her journey is far from over I've no doubt she will triumph.

02/14/2005 07:21:44 AM · #7

Originally posted by colda:

I've lost 14lbs in Jan :)

I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my wife, LisaCan who at the end of 2003 realised a need to change her life and has lost 158lbs so far.

Wow. :) Lisa, you are my hero. That's just amazing. I know so many people who've done the same thing. *hug*

The great thing is that this isn't just about losing weight. It's about being healthier and happier. I would probably have stayed in Colorado Springs the rest of my life without BFL. I had the confidence to believe I could move to DC and face some very deep fears about going back to DC.

Again, Lisa you rock my world. :)

Clara

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/14/2005 02:09:54 PM · #8

and a *bump* for the afternoon crowd.

Clara

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

02/14/2005 02:19:56 PM · #9

BFL is an amazing program, and I really wouldn't call it a "diet" at all. More like a new lifestyle. I've "failed" at BFL twice (started losing weight, then failed to maintain the program, and gained some back), and would love to do it and stick with it. I'll have to dig out my book.

Lisa and Clara both, I admire your determination so much, you make wonderful "role models" for those of us who have had trouble sticking with it.

Linda

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM III

02/14/2005 02:25:20 PM · #10

Originally posted by lhall:

I've "failed" at BFL twice (started losing weight, then failed to maintain the program, and gained some back), and would love to do it and stick with it.

So dig out the book and let's go. It never matters how many times you fall, it matters how many times you get up again. It's one heck of a Valentine's Day present for yourself.

Clara

jab119

02/14/2005 03:06:45 PM · #11

Clara and all, its really good to eat right and exersize, but Im against buying books or programs that tell you what to do. We all know what to do, its just doing it that is the problem. Exercise is the BIG key factor in weight loss, what you eat and how much is the other important key.

A few years ago I was about 225, I should be 160 to 165, but thats too skinney for me. So I got me a bike and rode it regularly and started eating better and cut out fast food all together.

8 months later I was in great shape and lost 40lbs. Since then I have gained about 15 lbs back, due to not exercising and not eating right. Once my knee is 100% I am getting back on my own routine and eating better to get rid of that 15 lbs.

Good luch to everyone

James

shutterfly

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

02/14/2005 03:18:04 PM · #12

Clara, thank you so much for showing me this website and diet plan! I am so excited to get started. I oredered the book, and after my trip to Florida next week, I'm taking the challenge. Wish me luck!

Wendy

LisaCan

Panasonic DMC-FZ2

02/14/2005 04:47:00 PM · #13

Hi blushing slighty here but thanking darling hubby for his ever continued support! Losing so much weight certainly brings around a certain type of rite of passage so to speak. We should not wait for the new year to evolve and make personal changes and aspirations, take those dreams and live them now I say! For me Weight Watchers proved a very normal way of living combined with a gradual increase in exercise a positive attitude and never ending focused determination is a winning solution. If we stumble forgive and offer ouselves a kind hand to get up and start again, mistakes are the perfect forms of wisdom as long as we listen and embrace them we grow in knowledge of ourselves each mistake is a gift turned inside out if we let it be so.

Thanks for the kind words and to you all wishing you every success!

best wishes

Lisa :)

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/14/2005 04:55:46 PM · #14

I stopped smoking two years ago and became a fat bastard. I started lifting weights again and walking at night. Hard to keep a routine with the kind of schedule I keep at work. Oh yeah, and stop eating at night ... naughty naughty. Maybe I'll be in shape by summer. At least my shape will be less round.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

02/14/2005 05:34:59 PM · #15

*clapping*

good for everyone!

Alecia

Canon EOS-10D

02/14/2005 07:25:01 PM · #16

wow guys--there is some serious motivation in this thread--congrats to everyone for having the wherewithall to stick with your goals...and what awesome results!

my own body goals are mainly to tone up, but my downfall is a great love of good food and wine, the whole dining experience...love it. so, i force myself to go to body pump 3 days a week and nazi-pilates one day a week. (ok, it's not really nazi, but i'm convinced that our instructor was, in a past life!) ;)

so this thread is great, knowing that there are others out there determined to better themselves, is really helpful for motivation to stick with it. thanks to all! :)

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/15/2005 02:38:53 AM · #17

Originally posted by jab119:

Hi James,

I wholeheartedly agree that "eat right" and exercise is the only way to lose weight (though in my case I am actually not looking to lose weight). Simply put, there is only one way to lose weight, and that is to burn more calories than you consume. That part is not why I need the book.

The fact is that many people are not sure what exactly "eating right" means. There's so much conflicting information out there, it's hard to be sure what is correct. Even when we understand what we should eat, knowing how much and how often is also an important question.

Among those of us who are sure, there's still the question of how to work eating right into a busy lifestyle. I work in Information Technology, for example. I may have plenty of healthy food items waiting for me at home, but one lightning strike and I may suddenly find myself in Shamokin, PA with a couple of pizza shops and diners as my options, and I need to know how to make the best of my situation.

Exercise presents a similar dilemma. We all know we should be doing it, but what? Anything is better than nothing, of course, but many of us need guidance in what types of exercise are best for our individual goals. What combination of cardio and strength training is best to meet those goals? You mentioned, for example, that a bad knee is currently preventing you from exercising, or at least from cycling. Could you substitute some upper-body strength training to keep yourself in your exercise routine?

You're right, I don't need a book to tell me that I need to eat right and exercise. With that said, I'm gladly willing to fork over $13 for some guidance on exactly what that means, and how to best accomplish it and meet my individual goals.

-Terry

Message edited by author 2005-02-15 02:39:18.

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/15/2005 02:42:45 AM · #18

Originally posted by Alecia:

That's where the "free day" comes in. You get one day a week where the dietary and exercise requirements to not apply. Got a hot date at your favorite restaurant? Schedule your "free day" for that day and you're all set.

-Terry

nsbca7

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

02/15/2005 02:58:57 AM · #19

I'm all for eating better. I try to eat better all the time. I eat better steaks, fatter shrimp, and cheesier pasta all washed down with better (Rolling Rock) beer. I have always aspired to be as happy and cheerful as Dom DeLuise.

02/15/2005 06:13:55 AM · #20

Originally posted by nsbca7:

I have always aspired to be as happy and cheerful as Dom DeLuise.

Dom is an awesome guy. Waaaaaay back when I was an extra in a movie he was shooting at my high school. It never made it to the theaters cause the producer ran out of cash. 2 of my classmates and I ended up spending the afternoon with Dom. Poor guy was suffering from a nasty case of gout. (Which he was convinced was a result of bad eating. Not that he stopped eating badly. :) )

He was incredibly kind to a group of starstruck middle and high schoolers.

02/15/2005 06:59:58 AM · #21

For those who think that it's hard to get up in the morning and do your exercise.

Julie Whitt This year's Grand Champion in the Inspiration category. She's an amazing person. She wears O2 to exercise due to her medical condition. If she's doing something, why aren't you? :)

Clara