The Body-for-LIFE Challenge

Ready?  Almost...
Set.  Not yet, grocery shopping today.
Go!  On Monday, August 29th

It's time for the Second Phase of my weight loss plan, a 12-Week Challenge with "Body-for-LIFE".

I'm a few months behind on my original goal starting month, but better late than never.

Body-for-LIFE is a dedicated 12-week program where you focus on meals and specific weight training.  The categories to choose from are:

• Wight Management (this is what I'm doing)
• Size and Strength
• Lean and Tone
• Groups and Families
• Lean and Strong

FOOD:  The program focuses on eating low-fat, low-sodium carbs and proteins, along with drinking lots of water.  This is followed for 6 days and your 7th day is a "FREE" to eat whatever you want.  This should be the really easy part, as I'll need to take in more carbs that I currently eat to fuel my body for the heavy workouts.  This is not a calorie counting program, but focuses on eating what your body needs.  I'm use to about a 1300 caloric day, and imagine I need to boost it up to 1600 or so to withstand the workouts -- key is to burn the fat, NOT the muscle.  

WATER:  In terms of water intake, will focus on drinking half my body weight in ounces, so about 6 bottles of water per day would do the trick.  SO MUCH easier said than done.  Plan is 10 servings or 80oz of water per day.

EXERCISE/WORKOUTS:  This is the biggest challenge --  the workouts.  I'm still not comfortable with handling the gym on my own -- knowing the machines and how to use them.  Initially, I will use our Total Gym to meet the upper and lower body workouts, and head to the gym for cardio on the treadmill and elliptical.  After my first couple of weeks, I plan to use the gym with the hubster after work, choosing specific machines, and trying to memorize where they are so I can eventually go on my own.  We'll see how that works out.  Back-up plan will be to use the gym near my job and have a co-worker show me the ropes.

MEAL REPLACEMENTS:  Suppose to use 1-2 meal replacements per day, but I HATE protein drinks and nutritional bars are basically nasty.  However, since they are part of the program, I've selected the Myoplex line and grabbed some of their "Strength" Cookies & Cream Bars, and their "Lite" Chocolate Protein Shakes.  Will introduce those in the middle of next week.

SUPPLEMENTS:  So NOT here.  After advice and research, I will wait a couple of weeks to see how my body reacts to the regimen, then get a supplement for the needed areas (i.e., nutrients for muscle recovery).

PICTURES:  You know the ones, and have seen them everywhere.  Those front, side, and back shots in a bikini or skimpy running shorts and top.  A necessary evil initially, but the comparison later will make it all worth the shame of sharing.  Will take the first shots tomorrow evening, and every Sunday for the following 12 weeks.

Today's Goal:

• Reading Success Stories
• Meal Planning
• Grocery Shopping 

~d