"Body for Life" Program?

[Christine]

Has anyone tried this and have any sucess with it? A friend of mine is starting this and I was thinking about doing it with her. I was just wondering if anyone here had tried it...

Christine :)

[gigi6]

Hi Christine........I'm new to the boards, but wanted to answer your question. I have been in the fitness industry for 25 years and I have seen a lot of people do the Body for Life.

You can be very successful, however, it IS a hard program to dedicate yourself to it because it has you at the gym 6 days a week. If you have a home gym...........that is great! Saves you from running up and down the road.

As for the diet - it can work, but you must follow the plan....3 meals, 3 snacks.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that every diet program is different and you need to find the one that works for you. I will say that it's easier to diet and exercise if you have a friend!

Good luck with your new program! I think you will be fine.

[vladthedog]

i read the book and really liked it. i kinda started following it, but wasn't religious about it. instead of keeping track of what i ate every day, i would do it maybe once a week and then just try to imitate it as much as possible. as for cardio, i originally tried to do it his "way" but kinda drifted. my roomie and i got gym memberships, so instead of following strictly to his cardio plan, i'm playing racquetball once or twice a week for an hour or two. plus i'm just trying to ride my bike more places. as for weight lifting, i've been following his plan farely strictly, but i've been doing a lot of research, and actually am getting a book that follows the "high intensity training" method, which i am very curious about.

I couldn't follow his schedual too strictly anyway, because i work 3 days a week, 12-14 hr days (fri-sun) so i really only get 4 days a week anyway. even if you don't follow his plan stricly, and end up coming up w/ something that better fits you and your lifestyle, its a great book to read and a great method to base whatever you do off of.

[NaturalChick]

Doing Body for Life is actually what put me over the edge into becoming vegetarian because I was so sick of eating meat while I was on it! :) However, you CAN do it veggie-style and the principles behind it are sound. If you do live close to a gym or have a home gym the exercise program is suprisingly doable (totaling only about 4 hours/week) -- even though the exercises themselves are quite the challenge. Eat plenty of veggies while doing it though!

I personally exercise at least a half hour 6 days a week, I eat small, balanced meals throughout the day, drink lots of water and tea and my metabolism is SKY HIGH. Body for Life is built on good principles, you'll be successful if you do it. I caution you to not consider it just an "8 week program" though, but a lifestyle. Good luck!!

[vladthedog]

I caution you to not consider it just an "8 week program" though, but a lifestyle. Good luck!!
Isn't it 12? ;) tehe

but ya... the whole point of it is to consider it a LIFE change, not just something that you do for a few weeks to loose some weight. but i really like the idea of "baby steps"... so you do his plan for 12 weeks and once you see the results (and create habits) it will be easier to continue on past the 12 weeks. While my life-goal is to continue on past the 12 weeks, I am only concentrating on reaching that "end goal" of 12 weeks. that way i don't get overwhelmed. In fact, when you wake up each day, commit to doing just that days worth of exercise, etc. Don't "not commit" for the other days, but just concentrate on that day. And as he says, if you DO end up missing a day or two here and there, don't worry. forget about it. continue on like nothing happened. Don't beat yourself down, or double-up on the exercise.

[Moonflower]

I have never heard of this program, can someone tell me how it works or post a link.

sorry, was there one? i don't see it...

[ForestGlade34]

This site is quite heavily associated with BodyForLife.... www.LeanandStrong.net

[kerr]

I have never heard of this program, can someone tell me how it works or post a link.
try these:
Body For Life (http://www.bodyforlife.com/welcome.asp?)
Bill Phillips (http://www.billphillips.net/)
The book at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060193395/104-9587074-3187925?v=glance)

also if you go into a health food store, ask if they sell the BFL video/DVD "Body Of Work". It may be free with supplements.

and for the best abs in the business, Shawn Phillips (http://www.bestabs.com/), Bill's brother.

[Moonflower]

thanks for the links guys!!!

[rainbowmoon]

I am familiar with the Body for Life Program, having worked at a gym for a few years. Although I think I could stick to the program for awhile, being vegetarian, I don't think it is something I could stay on forever. Has anyone on here tried the plan?

[toadstool]

I did Body for Life, but not as a veg.

I did drop a few pounds and got into better shape, but I don't think the program has enough cardio. Also... Bill doesn't recommend much of a warm up, either. Also... the weightlifting routine is pretty time-consuming... and I had a home gym!

It's not a bad program... though I think it's kind of restrictive, even with the "free" day. I couldn't make it stick.... Tried it twice... the first time I made it to 8 weeks, and the second time I made it to 10 weeks. I just didn't have the gumption, I guess.

[kerr]

I think it's kind of restrictive, even with the "free" day.
The whole point of the free day is to eat whatever you wish, but within a few weeks, you come to the decision that you don't really want to waste all of your good efforts by eating garbage. So you should only have a free day for the first month or so, before you really get serious about a dietary lifestyle change (24x7).

[toadstool]

Well... Bill Phillips talks about the stuff he eats on his "free" day in the book... so he doesn't make it sound as if he's following the program 24/7.

[Gashlycrumb]

This is the program that got me to the point of being able to train for my current obsession - triathlons. I started BFL soon after turning 30. This program totally worked for me. Granted I didn't have any major weight to lose, but I was starting to get flabby (eek!) and this program gave me a nice, tight, muscled body. You can completely see a difference between my before picture and four week picture. It's crazy surprising. DO THE PICTURES (Every four weeks)!!! It's embarrassing (get a lover or friend to take the photo or push your way to a professional photographer if that gets you more motivated), but worth it if you really stick to the program. Not to mention the before picture may help push you on rough mornings. Make sure you take it in the same place, at the same time, with the same clothes (bikini, underwear, whatever shows the most skin).

Of course I did the program as a vegan and I couldn't handle eating so often. I tried at first, but I felt uncomfortable, so I only did about 4 meals a day. I didn't drink or eat any of those BFL supplements, I just focused on good whole foods: veggies/beans/fruits/grains/nuts. I also didn't give myself a "whole" day off. It was more like one meal or treat per week. A whole day was too much.

FYI: I am a Type A - I gave this program my all. I continued the program after 12 weeks, but changed things up more. I think working out 6 days a week was the key. Also working out in the morning before work or school. Then you have no way to miss a session. You can start to modify the program after 12 weeks, but I'd say focus on mornings and the exact BFL program until your 12 weeks are up. Otherwise you might not see the changes.

I wish you well if you decide to follow this. I know you can do it if you commit yourself to it. The personal photos of your changing body will help push you along the path. Good luck!

[SouthSeaWitch]

I did this 6 years ago (pre-veg) and was able to keep it up for a year. it is very intense. I was even a Sports Model (locally) for a while. However, after I started my business I was unable to keep it up as I was working 14 hour days. I am just now looking after my health again and have been veg a few months now. ( I was veg and fish over a year, call me a transitional veg). Altough I am still not vegan as I eat the Soy Cheese from the grocery store which contains some milk derivitive. Transitioning one day at a time.

Anyone want to pursue this with me? I would love to have support and someone to "check in" with?

I would so love to tell Omnies, yes I am veg and be sporting 6 pack abs hehehe. So much for skinny, boney, frail, vegs. :D

[rainbowmoon]

Honestly, I might be crazy enough to try it if I didn't have to eat in the caf here at school. Also, it seems terribly bland to follow for the rest of my life.

[Christine]

Thanks so much for all the advice and sharing your experiences! I am going to the book store tonight to get the book and am going to start tomorrow!! I'm excited because I have been getting into a real rut lately with the same workout routine (I've been doing the same thing for 18 months!) and lately just loosing my motivation to go work out since I'm so bored with it. I think this will really help me set some new goals and get excited again - I'm definitely doing the pictures every 4 weeks idea!

Thanks again!
Christine :)