Body for Life questions

[bearcatfan]

Hi all,

I recently read and re-read BFL, and have some specific questions that I can't remembering reading about:

1. I didn't see any mention of calories, only portions and "good" foods. While it's good information, what kind of calorie ranges do these menus end up with? I have had great success managing calories, so I'm a little nervous about going into it blind on calories.

2. What Cathe videos, if any, fit his definition for weight training? I would think IMAX would work for cardio.

3. What's with all the supplements? Any pros/cons to using/not using all those shakes and powders?

Thanks! Rose

 

[ColleenM]

BFL is made to be simple, there really is no calorie counting. It took me awhile to let go of measuring, but I found that palm/fist worked out to the exact measurements anyway. I have put my meals into fitday and usually come out with a 40/40/20 range and about 1400 average calories (without flax). I'm 5'5, 118 lbs to give you an idea. But most people don't count calories at all. One of the ideas behind the palm/fist measuring is that it also varies your caloric intake from day to day. For example, a fist size portion of potato might be more calories than a fist size portion of fruit, etc.

There aren't any weight videos that follow BFL style of lifting. Possibly the pyramids when they come out. But as far as I've seen (although I haven't seen any of Joyce Vedrals), I haven't seen a video that matches his style. I used free weights, followed his routines and watched tv for the first 20 weeks or so. I think I may do a Slow/heavy series for this challenge, BUT for your first challenge I think it is crucial to follow it by the book or you will never know how well it works for you. I'm only changing because I'm bored. I got great results.

I don't do any supplements per se other than a multi-vitamin, flax and an occasional protein shake. I think real food is better any time you can eat it rather than a shake. And bars aren't really worth much nutritionally; the protein quality is very very very poor and most of them are loaded with sugar. That being said, if I was on the run and had to choose, fast food grease-mobile burger vs. bar; I'd choose the bar. If you are going to use supplements the only thing else I'd suggest is glutamine for muscle recovery and maybe creatine. I'm on a tight tight budget so I'm not using any of them and I've had great results.

Colleen

 

[MsDee]

Colleen did a great job of answering your questions I love the fact that I don't have to count calories on BFL.

I don't know of a video/dvd that follows the BFL program. I wish Bill Phillips would make one to accompany the book because it would be easier to look at the TV than trying to look at the book while working out :O

From what I understood about Cathe's pyramid on the new DVDs/videos, it will be a full pyramid while BFL is only part of the pyramid. I think that means it will start with lighter weight / more reps, increase weights / decrease reps and POSSIBLY go all the way back to the original ligher weight / more reps. Anyone else clear on what a full CATHE pyramid is like? I DO know it will kick our b's!


dee c.

 

[[email protected]]

I am going to attempt to begin another BFL Challenge, tomorrow. I will still use my vids, just do UB workouts, cardio, and LB like he tells you in the book. I was very successful at a Challenge 2 years ago, and I did my 3 cardio days, and 2 UB workouts a week, and 2 LB workouts a week. The nutrition part, I followed to a T.
Lori

 

[bearcatfan]

Thanks for all the info. I've been journaling my food for three months now, and I think I have a good enough handle on food and portions that I am going to give that up. For the past two days, I've done BFL a little in that I've had cottage cheese, brown rice and some other stuff I avoided before for some reason. If it's possible to see something so quickly, I feel much better and fuller and lighter. I even lost a pound!

At first I was skeptical of some of the transformations, but after 12 weeks I would imagine most people would see some pretty amazing results assuming they followed the program exactly.

I'm going to stick with Cathe videos, though, since I am not good at doing things on my own. I'm eagerly awaiting those new DVDs!!

Rose

 

[MsDee]

Hi Rose!

It sounds like you are off to a great start! It is possible to see a change so quickly esp when you cut back on foods that make you retain water! A pound is super!!!

I just finished C1 and will start C2 tomorrow. I will also be doing BFL nutrition with Cathe DVDs. (Although I did also order PowerStrike M3)

I did strictly BFL WOs my first 4 wks, then used PS. I would say that PS and S&H would be closest to BFL WOs, though w/o the pyramid. Still, you do gain strength. We went to the zoo today. I carried our granddaughter most of the time and my arms never got tired. It was truly amazing! Before Cathe and BFL, I would get tired and she was much smaller then! (thanks, Cathe

My C1 results: lost 19.5"
My C2 goals: get leaner, esp arms!

dee c.