BFL'ers -Some questions..

[tricia]

Hey everyone,
I hope all are doing well on the newly begun challenge! I am unofficially on the challenge until I get my info packet from EAS -I'm doing the pictures, the whole deal, going for broke. I am wondering about a few random things and I thought you guys might have some helpful ideas.

First - I am having the most difficulty with meal planning. I get overwhelmed thinking about the whole week, so I'm thinking of only going one day at a time.
Second -I'm a stay at home Mom with a 17 month old daughter, whom I also have to prepare meals for. Any ideas as to how I can plan for both of us? Or any ideas for quick, easy Toddler meals (Websites you've seen or anything like that?).
Third - Do I need to cut out coffee from my mornings? I'm ready if I do, but I'm wondering how everyone handles this. I don't drink pop or juice, just coffee in the morning. (Although, now that it's getting warm and I live in the South, Sweet Tea will soon be an issue as well!!)

On the workout front, I was wondering if doing the whole Pyramid wouldn't more closely match the workouts in the book? If I recall correctly, he suggests five sets of each exercise, doesn't he? I think I could make the time commitment as long as I know I'm going to be on the right path. I know he says 20 minutes of Intense cardio, which I feel Cathe's cardio will definitely provide and it won't hurt to go over 10 or 15 minutes on this.

(I should note that although I'm a stay at home mom, I am busy working for our construction company. SO my days are spent in the house, but I would only be able to work out in the morning before work, during afternoon nap time or at night after 8:00 bedtime.)

Sorry this is so long. I'm really getting excited about this and I want to do it all out!

Thanks,
Tricia

 

[kristi]

Hi Tricia! I will try to take a stab at some of your questions.

First - I go grocery shopping every 2 weeks so I plan way ahead. Normally I eat the same things for breakfast, the 2 mid meals, and lunch. It can be boring but it takes the guess work out of what I am going to do. For breakfast I make my BFL breakfast casserole which makes 8 servings. I refrigerate them so it is ready first thing in the morning since I am generally rushing out the door with baby in tow. Midmeals are ff cottage cheese & fruit or string cheese & apple. Lunch is generally a sandwich and some veggies or if you make an extra serving at dinner the night before then you can eat leftovers at lunch. I try to keep everything simple so I can grab and go if I am short on time. However, my suppers are a different story. I try to add variety and flavor wherever I can. The Eating for Life book has some great recipes that my family already likes.


Second - I might not be a well of info for you. My 21 month old son goes to daycare and eats very well there, but is very picky at home. He loves yogurt, cottage cheese, and cheese. The only veggie he likes is potatoes, mostly the french fried kind. Funny how he eats his veggies at daycare but not at home, must be because of the other kids eating theirs. Just try to incorporate what you eat into her diet and see if she likes it. The great thing about BFL is the use of whole foods, not processed stuff. Sorry I can not help you much. I'm trying to get my son to expand his palate beyond hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and fries.

Third - I remember reading somewhere in BFL and EFL that you can drink your cup of coffee/tea/soda, but you will need to drink another glass of water for each cup you drink. I love sweetened tea myself so I don't mind limiting it and then drinking a more water if that means I can have some.

Good luck. Sorry if I did not completely answer your questions. You will find your niche, but be prepared for it to take a week or two. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask and I'm sure someone will be more than happy to answer your questions. Eating well is hard until you get into a routine.

Best wishes,
Kristi

 

[ColleenM]

Just my two cents, but for your first challenge to really be able to compare BFL and see how/if it works for you, do it entirely by the book. After that, then change up exercises, if you want to. I find I get the absolute best results from BFl strength training but I also found after 12 weeks I MISSED my videos. I usually do 4 weeks BFL, 4 weeks S&H and 4 weeks Pyramids.

I have not given up my diet coke. Just add 1 glass of water for ever cup of coffee you drink.

Colleen

 

[tricia]

Thanks Kristi and Colleen,
I appreciate you taking the time to answer and throw out your two cents! I really enjoy getting as many ideas as possible and as always I feel so much better from the support I get here!

Thanks again,
Tricia

 

[skoobie]

hi guys! what a timely topic since i just finished reading EFL last night. i have a couple of questions as well. first of all (and this is probably a dumb one), on the portion size thing-- is a portion of meat the size of just the hand part of your open palm or the hand including your fingers? i'm guessing the former but just want clarificiation.

secondly, i have never read BFL b/c i am not to the point where i am really dying to lose some pounds. but if i started to incorporate some of the eating principles with my current workout schedule (i work each body part HARD once per week and do about two hours of pretty intense cardio), would i get any results? believe me, i *know* that following the BFL program to a tee will give the best results... i just wonder how or IF bits & pieces of it work as well. along the same lines, how much difference would it make to work out in the evening vs. in the morning as he recommends?

thanks!