I have poured my heart into the transformation process. I have changed not only my body but also my mindset. I learned forgiveness, healed past hurts and shed years of guilt. I learned I cannot control others actions, only my own. The journey was a labor of love. I have changed how I eat and my daily habits of living; they now include exercise, fun and daily gratitude.
I love myself enough to take the time to exercise and eat healthy. I can’t worry about the "what ifs” in life. I do the work; the rest is up to God. I have learned a healthy way to live. I have a healthy way to deal with my past, heal old hurts, and forgive others. I can now make amends and move on. I am not a victim, I am a victor. I feel empowered and now seek to inspire others to make healthy changes in their lives. I have found healthy ways to cope with stress and how to reach out to others for help.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!!

Today I will eat 6 meals, Drink 10 glasses of water and do upper body. I am going to rip up a workout!!!! Then stretch.

Meals

1 egg whites and fresh fruit
2 greek yogurt and fruit
3 right light shake
4 tuna , asparagus and brown rice
5 apple and cheese stick
6 right light

I am thankful for another challenge, for family and friends and for transformation. This is a place where I can get and give support.

Whats your plan for today?

Have a transforming day.
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLZxJZ70MQ4

Hi Mary, Way to go. My mother was a nurse for 56 years and she just finally retired at 74 years old. I know how much stress that being a nurse can have on a person and your on your feet for pretty much the whole shift, but on the flip side, the rewards are wonderful as well. I read your story and have to say that I am proud of you, awesome job!!! You are a leader! Remember with great power comes great responsibility.

I like how Marcus put it..........Just for today ~ Marcus Tucker

Your menu looks yummy! I started eating clean and working out at the gym on Feb.15th and I'm starting to feel a bit better, although it's taking longer than I anticipated up to this point, it seems like no changes have happened yet.

My typical menu plan:

7:30am 1 banana,handful almonds,24 oz.coffee

8:30am 30 min. circuit workout, followed by chocolate whey protein shake around 9:30am, only on workout days. I don't eat the 10:30am meal on workout days. (16oz water)

10:30am 1/2c. old fashioned oats with 2 tbsp.honey,1tbsp.peanut butter,handful raisins,16oz water

1:30pm 1 grilled chicken breast, mixed veggies, brown rice, 16oz water

5:00pm 1/2 to 1c black beans, 1c spinach, 4 little cuties or apple, 16oz water

7:00pm 1 can tuna or sardines or (Chocolate Whey Protein Shake, only when I get a chocolate craving and I didn't already have one earlier on a workout day.)

I sometimes may eat fruit or blended 100% fruit & spinach smoothies in between meals. I'm a shift worker, so my schedule is crazy, but I can still get to the gym 15 days a month. 25min. workout and 5 to 7 min. cardio. Working and hoping to gain intensity soon to kick it up a notch with heavier weights and faster treadmill speed...Uuuugghhh!!! =)

Hi Mary,
Thanks for starting this group. I looked at your profile and was amazed and inspired! I started eating clean in January but suffered horrible headaches and nausea for almost 2 months. Turns out I was withdrawing from aspertame. All those years of diet soda and Equal in my coffee caught up to me. I did get back to the gym during all of that, but now that I'm feeling better I'm looking forward to more intense workouts.

Connecting with people online is tough for me. I've always been a face-to-face person, but I'm looking forward to the journey with you guys.

My meal plan for today is
8:30 am Pumpkin oatmeal with protein, coffee
11 am 1/2 c cottage cheese and a handful of fresh raspberries, water 12 oz
1 pm Chicken stirfry from EFL cookbook, water 16 oz
4 pmRL Shake
6 pm Chicken fajitas, water 16 oz
8 pm RL Shake, water
Gym - cardio HITT on eliptical
Spiritual - prayer night at church (gotta keep God in this!)

Cheryl from Philadelphia

Jim your menu looks right on. Lets kick it up!! Nothing stops us but the limits we put on our selves.
I love being a nurse and my transformation has given me so much more focus and energy. It has been a blessing to my daily life at home and at work.
I work nights and 12 hour shifts so I can identify with your post about crazy schedules.
As for change even the weeks you dont see changes onthe scale your becoming more healthy and reinforcing healthy habits. In the long run the benefits are worth the effort. It is progress not perfection!!

I am so looking forward to this challenge. its so wonderful to have goals and a time frame to work on them.

Welcome to the group everyone!!

Cheryl welcome!! Your meal plan is fantastic!!!Thanks for your kind words. I feel fantastic now that I have dumped so much baggage and weight. Have you tried stevia or truvia? They are all natural no cal sweetners. The come from the stevia ( sp ) plant. I know aspertamr made me more hungry and I felt terrible when I tried to use diet stuff with it in it.
Have a great night and church and say a prayer for me. I hope to make this a great group and be a blessing to all who join.

Hey Mary and fellow members !

KICK IT UP A KNOTCH is what Mary is known for and I need that in my life right now. I am going to go for it. I'm not going to over think it but realize I need to plan better.

Just returned from family visit so tomorrow I'll restock the pantry and get an eating plan in print. That was my plan today but got sidetracked by a sick kid of a neighbor who needed an Uncle John to take care of her. Glad I got my work out done early. Stats already taken - will finish with the photos and post all on my site/blog.


I do work out 6 times a week. UB5/25 with 15lb weights 2 times a week with a 2 mile cardio put out by the American Heart Association . The other days I do a 3 mile cardio also by AHA or a HIIT 5/25 cardio. I feel like I could/should do more or better. Just not so sure what and sometimes how.

I'm proud of myself for signing up here - challenging myself .

Thanks Mary ! John

Welcome John and thank you!! This is going to be a dynamic group and we are all going to help each other get to our best every day. If you need a hand up just ask. Lets dig in and make this a great first week.
PLAN PLAN PLAN!!!
Stock your pantry and shop for plenty of fresh fruits and vegis. Any recipes you want to share or personal bests go ahead.
Today I am having to really watch it I need to step it up on the water intake. Thars one of my week spots. I am just going to keep a glass with me and try to do better.

Here is a link to the overview and the 84 day pdf chartOverview of the 5-25 Workout Plan / Bill's posts / Bill Phillips Transformation

Hi Mary and all! So happy to be part of this group. I had a very successful BFL challenge in 2008 and I'm so ready to do this....I've finally realized that this is a marathon not a sprint....I'm ready.

Here was what my meals looked like today:

1 myoplex lite shake w/ lite almond milk
2 almonds and apple
3 big salad w/ turkey and veggies
4 green drink (veggie juice I made) and handful of nuts
5 salmon and veggies
6 greek yogurt

48 oz H2o

Nice workout today, did the "old school" ubwo, going to switch to 5/25.
Also got in a 45 min spin and abs.
Very grateful today for the wonderful people in my life.

I still need to take pics.....

Quick question: Where should we log in our stats? I remember when I did the BFL challenge, there was a packet that will filled out and mailed in....I have the transformation book and the assignments.....how does this all work together since the transformation is 18 weeks and the new challenge is 12?

Looking forward to getting to know you all !

MJ your meals look perfect!! Glad ya got in a great workout too. WIN's all arounf for you today!!!
Here is the link to the contest and how to enter. You mail in your 500 word essay at the end . The details for the other prizes along the way will be passed along as we go. Take your pictures and measure and hold on to them. You can do the 18 week step work as that only makes you a healthier and happier person. I am not sure how the 12 week steps will go but Bill will post and let us know as we go. It is kind of exciting to anticipate the coming weeks. It is a lesson in patience as well as gettting healthy isnt it!!
I will post what I know as I get emails and updates.
Tomorow is my 5/25 cardio. WOOOHOOOOOOO.
This is a 12-week Challenge. You can start as early as March 5, 2012 but no later than March 26. You must finish your before to after program 84 days after you begin and send in your photos and story no later than June 20, 2012 (must be pThis is a 12-week Challenge. You can start as early as March 5, 2012 but no later than March 26. You must finish your before to after program 84 days after you begin and send in your photos and story no later than June 20, 2012 (must be postmarked by that date to qualify). Send to: Transformation Challenge, 221 Corporate Circle, Suite K, Golden, CO 80401ostmarked by that date to qualify). Send to: Transformation Challenge, 221 Corporate Circle, Suite K, Golden, CO 80401
A Challenge to Change Your Body and LIFE! / Bill's posts / Bill Phillips Transformation for Bills whole blog on the contest.

Hello Team,

I hope you don't mind me hanging with you for the next 12 weeks. I started the challenge today and I am ready to take my fitness to the next level.

Please call me Buff, I am determined to give this process my best shot and then sit back and watch the fireworks. I wish all of you the best on your journey and I will talk to you all later.

Hello, Group. I'm very excited about this 12 week challenge. I've been on t.com for over a year now, I'm really not antisocial, just really busy, but just as much afraid of commitment and accountability if I'm really honest. I'm going to dedicate some time each day to coming to at least this group, still haven't quite figured out the forums and chat rooms.

My before pics today were a total shocker. I really thought I was doing better than that. My workouts are spot on, but I've been struggling with stress and proper nutrition. "Just for today" I'm going to eat six small meals, and reel in my negativity, and get up at 6:30am for a 20 min. HIIT session.

Thank you all for being here. This is going to be awesome.

Hello Mary and thank you for forming this Spring Forward Group and Hello to all the members who have joined this group!
Well I am a bit beaten and bruised but I am desperately grasping at the reigns to save my life and my marriage. I desperately want a brighter future for my family and my four kids. I hope and pray for diligent support, prayers, and a kick in the pants as well as giving the same to help others along their way.
I joined a year ago but fizzled quickly. I have to complete this challenge this time. I will be 35 March 20th and hope to be well on my way to a healthier body, mind and spirit.
Thanks,
Adam

I work nights so I got in a great nap after getting home from our sons house. Today is cardio and I am going to tear UP 5/25 on the elliptical.
I do a free day each week. That is my choice to eat whatever I want but more important it is my rest day. I try to do that on Sundays. I sometimes just do a free meal and a snack or treat ( like some candy at the theatre or BBQ at the fair ).
One of the hardest things when I first started was stopping the free day. That is right I had nt problem getting to it. I just found myself wanting junk the next day too lol to “not waste” something OR the " I just want one bite or a taste of it ". At work often someone brings candy, cookies, something to say thank you to the nurses. ( I am a nurse at a hospital ). I had to learn to just be polite and say no thank you. One taste and then it the whole cookie and then before you know it the guilt gets to you and then I had mental baffoonery going on. "Well I messed up I might as well just eat how i want and start again tomorrow.” “Homemade cookies can’t be that bad, just a few won’t hurt this time", " I will just add extra time to my cardio and work it off".
I quit smoking and started trying to get my plan together in November of 2010. I didn't commit to a challenge. I was trying to " do it myself" Well I actually gained a pound or two which made me feel more like a failure and don’t get me started on needing to buy yet another size up of scrubs.
What changed was a Champion ( Shane Anderson ) and I ran into each other in a chat room after one of Bills radio shows. He gave me the challenge to “just start today".
There really isn’t a good day to start, a perfect time. I just had to commit and be accountable. Also I needed a group of positive people to hold me accountable. I sure didn't want to post my daily accountability and have to add well I am typing this with sticky fingers from candy and a mouth full of Oreos!!
I made the bold and crazy statement to do 18 weeks without messing up!! Is it possible YES!! I did it. That’s the results you see in my picture. It was very hard and I had to plan and carry out the transformation process every week.
If I can do it YOU can too.
Now a year later, its second nature for me to prepare food ahead of time. get my work outs in. I have my portion sizes down to a science. I want to take it to the next level!! I could not have gotten here without a group of supportive people and a plan.
Trust the process. It works.....
Do I have days where I just don't feel like working out. YOU BET!! Some weeks I work 6 shifts in 7 days ( 12 hour shifts 7p-7a ). There are times I am so tired when I get home I just fall into bed and getting up to work out is the last thing I want to do. I want to sleep until that last second before I have to get into the shower and do it again. At that time I turn to why I am doing it and of course daily posting to my group. Who wants to get up and say " I am a slug, I just couldnt do it"????? NOT ME.
Use this group as a tool to get it done. If you see someone struggling give them a hand up. If YOUR struggling then post it. Bill has a NO NEGATIVITY rule, so this is a safe place. No one will judge you or give you a hard time. A swift kick in the rear and some good old fashioned being held accountable isn’t a negative thing. We can love each other enough to set high standards and encourage others.
We are human and we all will mess up along the way. Don't sweat it. If you trip and fall just dust yourself off and get back in the game.
Welcome everyone and when you’re comfortable posting more about yourself and you goals it would be wonderful to get to know all of you.
I don’t want to offend anyone and this group is open to all. I pray A LOT! If you need prayers ask and I will surely pray for you. When I made the leap to do the challenge I found a lot of strength from my faith and more than once I called out to God to help me through a hard day.
I had a great accountability partner. We still talk and that helps me so very much. I urge you to check out the other folks in the group and see if there is someone you can pair up with. We pushed each other and shared a lot of the step work. He also held my feet to the fire on my workouts.
Bill is going to release things as we go about challenge over the coming weeks ( 4 week, 8 week progress prizes ) It is motivational and I think it is wonderful of him to offer this.
Put on your seat belts, Springer’s because we are in for the ride of our lives!!!!! I don't claim to know Bill well, but I do know that he knows his stuff and has a heart of gold. He has been helping people transform for a long time and has given us some amazing champions. The next one could be YOU!! Whatever he has planned, it is going to be dynamic and geared to helping us get the most out of our challenge.
This helped me and I thought it was corny until I tried it. I added daily meditation to my plan. I set aside a few min. each day for gratitude and to ask for strength, I also used positive mental images. See yourself reaching your goal. Buy a size ____ and put it where you can see it daily and every day tell yourself you’re going to be in that in 12 short weeks.
See yourself at your goal, using positive visual and mental exercises. They were motivating and also helped reduce stress. DARE TO DREAM!!! It is when we have a plan and take action that dreams come true.
Today I plan on 6 meals and a text book 5/25 of intervals. I will drink 10 glasses of water, take my vitamins. I will do my best!!!
Meal one is going to be egg white ommlet with microwave baked apple with stevia and cinnamon. Meal 2 a right light shake,
Whats your plan for today?

Good Morning Group,
Mary, thanks for the information. Day 2 for me, here is my plan....
HIIT cardio on the elliptical.....
Meal 1: Supplements, coffee and a myoplex lite shake w/ water
Meal 2: Cottage cheese and apple
Meal 3: Salad w/ turkey and veggies
Meal 4: greek yogurt
Meal 5: Salmon and veggies
Meal 6: ?

I will try to upload a picture later on today...

Hope you all have a great day! I am grateful today for my family and a place to workout this morning!

~ Marci

Good morning Springers !

Good post Mary. Yep, for me its that first step. I love the "just start today" statement.
I'm getting out of bed early and have a shake as meal 1.
M2 - oatmeal with blueberries and egg whites
M3 - shake
M4 - chicken - wassa bread - mustard
M5 - chicken -roasted turnips - whole grain
M6- fruit - usually an apple or pair

M5.5 is something to be avoided altogether - cocktail hour. That can be saved for a free day if at all. That'll also be a hard habit to break . I'm aware of it. It's another "just start today" moment.

5/25 ubwo and a 2 mile cardio.

Knock out a great one friends. John

Mary, thank you for inspiring me this morning. As a nurse, do you ever find yourself picking up negativity off of others? I'm a personal trainer, and I often seem to pick up bad attitudes and habits from my clients. It angers me that I don't realize in time, because I really should know better.

I did my 1st transformation in '05. I lost over 70 lbs, and my waistline went from 49" to 36". Since then I've fallen in love with the weights, but I have a bad habit of "going heavy" in the winter months, and letting my diet fall to the wayside. I'm not quite the "chubby personal trainer" but still I'm sick of sucking it in, and dressing to hide the waist and accentuate my chest and arms.

Ok, for today, I did my HIIT this morning, but I was so tired it was more like LIIT. I'm going to study up on 5 25.

1. Protein Shake
2. 2 eggs, potato
3. Chicken, brown rice, broccoli
4. banana, almonds
5. hamburger, oatmeal, apple
6. can of tuna, and a salad

Thank you Mary for the invite to the group... Hi everyone... I started yesterday and look forward to this journey with you all..

Hi!! I just found this group and KNOW it is what I need! Mary...WOW! I just viewed your photos...I am where you were...I honestly didn't think I could ever get to where you are now...but you are giving me hope that YES I CAN and YES I WILL!

I have been here for several years...I have come close to finishing a Challenge but never have. I am a great beginner...the follow through is what I am poor at.

This time is different though. I am 45 years old. I am feeling fat and frumpy and old. I am tired of this. I am tired of clothes not fitting, etc.

I have A LOT of neck and shoulder pain caused by a crack in my C2 from years ago. It is VERY difficult for me to put any kind of weight on my shoulders...HOWEVER, I am going to start slooooowwww...use no weights at first and see how I do then add light weights. My goal by the end of the 12 weeks is to be lifting light weights without pain.

I am so grateful to be here. I began yesterday and am DETERMINED to be here till the end!!!

Love,
Leslie

Good Morning Group,
I just finished my second day of running, ouch! My quads are sore. I am going to try to have 2 right lite shakes today instead of meals. I also aim to drink a gallon of water.

If anyone has advice or is dying to help, please don't hesitate to help me out.
Thanks and good luck today!,
Adam