Good morning everyone!

Monday again. Perfect timing.
Today I start the new challenge

~ Helene

Morning guys!!

Helene - Great to see you here,fired up and ready to go xx

I am home from work today as my cold is still quite bad and the other guys in the office would kill me if I passed it on!! Funny as that is more than likely where i got it from in the first place!!

So the plan today is to catch up here and read, meditate and heal my body with good nutrition. I am hoping to get in a workout of some sort later but want to be careful that I don't ,ake things worse. I HATE feeling ill so need to stay positive so I don't get on my own nerves LOL!!

So far food has been eggs and otmeal.

So what are your challenge goals going to be for the coming 12 weeks???

Remember what Bill says we need to be specific with our goals. It is no good saying I want to get healthy or I could do with losing a few pounds GET SPECIFIC!!

For example a good goal is

Currently I can run 3k ( that is the base or where we are now) 12 weeks from now I will be running 5k

So what do you need to do to get there??? well you need to out in some time and effort. Break it down into smaller goals, running 3.1k then 3.2k. That way you are moving forward towards the bigger goal and making PROGRESS!!!

I would also say make the goal REALISTIC!! If you have a big mountain to climb it may take you several challenges to get to the top BUT being half way up will feel SOoooo much better than being at the bottom.

So we have 12 weeks guys, so if you are looking to lose some fat and gain some muscle think about the time frame 12 weeks @ 2lb a week would be 24lb. That to me would seem realistic

Think about your goals, then think about what you need to do to achieve them, THEN DO IT!! Simple???

Simple yes, easy NOT ALWAYS. We are however all here to make changes so together as a group we will help each other get to where we want to be.

I am SUPER excited.................... Is the next Transformation Champion going to be from this group???? Why the hell not!!

Have a great day guys and I will be back later

Lots of love and energy

Niki xx

I got on the scale this morning for my starting weight of the new challenge, didn't like what I saw. But its OK that is my starting point and now I am off to bootcamp class this morning!

GO TERRA!! As you say that is just your starting point, forget where you are and look to where you want to be!! Again as Bill says "We get more of what we focus on" So if we keep our focus on moving forward so we shall!! xx

Hi, everyone. I took my "before" pics yesterday UGH. I can't believe how I've back-slid since Christmas time. No matter - I was psyched to kick this challenge's a$$!!! Soooooo... I did 1 hour cardio/weight circuit this morning, have my food packed for the day, dinner planned for tonight.

THEN... I got a sucky phone call that made me waiver in my confidence. Some of you may know that I battled thyroid cancer 14 years ago. Well, some of my numbers from my blood test came back "off" and I need another full-body nuclear scan. This in itself doesn't really worry me... but the meds I would need for the scan are in shortage, so I have to go off my thyroid meds for a month. This is basically like having no metabolism (VERY SLOW, anyhow) for a month. I will feel like death warmed over... no energy, falling asleep at the desk, etc. I am scared more about this than the scan.

How am I going to have the energy to live the life the way I do??? (I am a busy person.... I don't lay around.. I am active with my kids and hubby) How am I going to have the energy to cook, clean, and take care of my household? How am I going to work and stay awake in meetings? How am I going to have the energy to do this challenge with any success?? I am on the verge of tears right now because everything I was so hopeful for now seems like it's unreachable.

Then, I feel guilty because it's only a month or two of my life before I start feeling semi-normal again. Some people battle illnesses that take them years to overcome. I'm just having a pity party. I WILL do this challenge to the best of my ability at this time in my life, I guess I just need a chance to come to grips with what will come down the pike.

Considering my OWN challenges, I'm finding it hard to come up for goals for the T.com challenge. I have no clue what to expect or how my body will respond, so I am not making my typical "weight-loss" or "inches-lost" goals. Here are my NEW goals:

Nutrition Goals:

• I will log my nutrition daily
• I will stay under 1300 calories/day, with the exception of one free day/week

Sleep Goals:

• I will get at least 7.5 hours of sleep/night

Exercise Goals:

• I will work out 5 days/week for the first two weeks
• I will work out at least 3 days/week for the next 4-6 weeks, to the best of my ability

Support Goal:

• I will log on to T.com daily - for support throughout the challenge

So there you have it... much different goals than I ever had before. Less focus on the outcome... more on the process. Who knows??? Maybe it will be one of my most successful challenges yet???!!!

Yehaaw!! I'm so excited about this challenge and being part of a great group!! I am SO ready for this change and the work ahead of me!! I know that it works and I adore the changes that the first Challenge made in my life!!!

Here WE GO!!!
I'm making this quick because today is pretty packed with running around and I'm headed to the gym to get that in first! Always important! It makes my day a billion times better to get those endorphines transmitting! Will complete assignment 1 tonight!!

Workout for today:
Chest, Abs and Cardio (Stairmill/Treadclimb)

[b]So my meals for today [b]
(during this challenge I will also be stepping on stage for the second time as a vegan Figure competitor here in Panama City Beach- so please don't think that these meals are normal!! If you're new to t.com please pick up Bill's Eating For Life book or click on the Nutrition tab!!)!


M1- Rice Protein
M2- Cinnamon Oats
M3- Brown Rice, veggies and rice shake
M4- Apple and (all natural- nothing added) PB
M5- Rice Protein, steamed veggies and beans
M6- vegan Amino Acid Powder mix

Awesome! Let's do this!!!
LOVE YOU GUYS! ~romney

Oh, for cryin' out loud. Somehow I missed that a new thread had started, and I posted another one. I'll just duplicate my posting here.

Overall Notes: Here in Florida, if you just let Nature alone, she'll take back the land. Well, we are in our first Spring in our new home, and the landscape has been "let alone" for at least 4 or 5 years. I spent the weekend battling Nature to try to re-domesticate the land. My arms and legs are scratched bloody due to the fight (thorny vines were choking azaleas and climbing trees and electric lines - some Florida plants come with sharp spikes and razor-sharp fronds). I've got the first sunburn of the year - a new record for early sunburns for me. We've had a big bonfire to burn off piles of dead branches, etc. - and we're going to need another one. I've got a new "compost heap" that is up to my eye level, and I'll be starting another one. I've completed maybe half of the task and I'm already pooped. Don't underestimate Nature - she's tough. Work on organizing and re-modeling the "warehouse" storage building will wait while I clear the land, transplant some shrubs and other plants from our old home, and start my vegetable garden (weather & the growing season are setting the priorities).

Did I stick to the food & exercise plan yesterday?? Yes

Today’s Exercise: Stretching/Core strengthening routine; 5 mile LIIT (Low Intensity Interval Training) run/walk
Countdown: 12 days until the ”Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve” 10K trail run in S. Ponte Vedra Beach

Today’s Food Plan: Wheat-free & Low Glycemic Index

M1 (B’fast): Turkey & cheese roll-ups
M2 (Lunch): Tuna Salad over lettuce; fresh grapefruit
M3 (Midmeal): Protein shake
M4 (Dinner): Spaghetti squash with tomato sauce and meatballs
M5 (Dessert/Snack): Protein shake; Fruit & heaping tablespoon of natural peanut butter

Tom

Terri - don't call it a pitty party or think about what others might go through. You've got challenges ahead. Darn - it's tough enough taking care of kids and a home (and sometimes a husband when you feel 100%. I'm happy to help support you any time you need it.

Me and my husband are starting the challenge this Wednesday - he is on his way home (been out of town) today. We want to use tonight and tomorrow to clear the cobwebs and get ready to really do this.

We have been "starting" for years - enough is enough. I am committing to give these 12 weeks everything I've got and am excited to see the results.

And yes, Niki, the champion will be from our group . . . I want to WIN! Or I should say WILL WIN. How cool to meet Bill at the Transformation Center?! I usually don't put that much conviction in something but something is (finally) different this time. Will post goals Wednesday or Thursday. Kirsten

DAY 1 - WEEK 1

Looking forward to completing the new 12 week challenge. I will stick to my nutrition plan Bill has put together - works for me. I will also continue with the Olympic triathlon training plan as I work on the 12 week challenges. I will put my whole heart and soul into the next 12 weeks!


Weeks Training:
Sunday - 1 hour 30 minute Bike - completed
Monday 2 hour Run
Tuesday 1 hour 30 minute Bike & 30 minute Run
Wed 1 hour 30 minute Bike & 30 minute Swim
Thursday 30 minute swim
Friday 1 hour Run
Saturday 2 hour Bike

Today's Nutrition
M1 Oatmeal & raisins
M2 Recovery shake
M3 Grilled chicken & salad
M4 FF Greek Yogurt
M5 Ground Turkey with Brown rice & Broccoli

Started this new challenge off with a bootcamp workout with the new gym owners. IT was a great upper body workout and it pushed my shoulder a little but overall it was just what I needed to kick this off!

My weekly plan has been made and I've sent it to my APs. I'm going to have a lot of shakes and nutrition bars this week out of necessity, my schedule is just that crazy with physical therapy appointments for me, the hubby and my daughter; dentists appts for me and both girls; two other doctor appointments; swim lessons, piano lessons, gymnastics and some where in all this mess I actually have to squeeze in a full week of work!!! :-)

So today my food plan looks like this:
M1 coffee w/almond milk & stevia and RL shake - done
M2 nutrition bar - done
M3 RL shake made with coffee and apple
M4 nutrition bar
M5 chicken & veggies
M6 RL shake or just a cup of warm decaf tea or coffee

Happy Day 1 for those starting today! Here is a successful challenge and I promise (mostly to myself) to finish the challenge and most importantly get the paperwork sent in at the end. (Just so ya know I have finished two challenges but never turned in the final paperwork ever. This time I will follow through to the end!!!)

Morning everyone!

I am new to this group, I've been a member of Mellie's group for 3 or 4 years now, lol, I can't remember! Romney motivated me to follow her here, so I'm looking forward to making some more transformation friends!

Today is cardio in the AM and upper body wo tonight. I'm also vegan - nutritarian, specifically - so my meals look a little different, my protein comes in volumes of greens, and about 90% raw.

** This has been sitting on my computer for hours today - had to step away, haha! Hope you're all having a great day!

~jen (:

This is day 57 of my first 2012 challenge. I will start the Spring Forward Challenge on March 19, after returning from vacation. Until then I will continue to maintain the structure of my current challenge.

I had a very emotional weekend and it left me really drained this morning. I had a hard time getting through my workout, and ultimately cut it short by 5 minutes. As I was on the way home, I heard a fascinating interview about a new book called The Power of Habit. The author talks about the formation of habits and changing habits, which was timely for me because I believe an addiction is just a habit over which I have lost control. Anyway, I immediately bought the book for my iPad and am reading it along with a twelve step book I bought on Saturday. Tomorrow I plan to attend a twelve step meeting.

For all of you who are starting the Spring Forward Challenge today, Good Luck! I'll be here to support you and cheer you on.

Best wishes,

Hal

P.S. Here's a link to a story and audio file about the book from an interview on National Public Radio: How You Can Harness 'The Power Of Habit' : NPR

Hal - glad that you shared that book . . . sounds like something I need to read.
Day 57 of your first challenge - that is really something to be proud of. I have tried and tried to 'start' so many times so I admire that you've gotten that far. I know several in our group have been really successful and made great progress.

Did someone mention that they've done P90X? I'd be interested to hear your opinion - if you like it, etc. We have it but haven't used it - back to that "start" thing again. I've tried Bill's 5-25 for lower body and it was tough! I really like that and want to do it but it might turn out that some days I'm at the gym while my husband works out at home . . . we were trying to figure out if we can work in the P90X.

Kristen - First of all, thanks so much for your comments. I think I really needed to hear that. I am scared and feeling guilty. You know, you watch the news and see all this devastation with the tornadoes, people who have gone through hell and back, and I feel guilty for feeling angry and scared. I guess I just needed to hear someone say that it's OK to feel this way... thanks. Anyhow, I've done P90X. I loved it, but was ready to move onto something else after 3 months of it. But, heck... you already own it. I say make a commitment and try it out.

Hal - Thanks for sharing the link. Isn't it amazing how things are given to you at exactly the right time?

Terra - Hooray for turning in the paperwork. That's a great goal. And no matter how you do, you still get the Transformation seal on the top your profile page... cool stuff.

Joey - A triathlon?? You are my hero!!

Romney - I feel like I've lost touch with you, but girl, you are looking better than ever!! You are such an inspiration.

Nikii and Helene - Hi, my friends!!!

Monday
Hello to everyone!! Today is day one of the Spring Forward Challenge for me. Took my measurements and photos last night.

Exercise-Rx
5-25 Cardio: Tread Mill
-walk 2 minutes
-jog 2 minutes
-sprint 1 minute
(repeated 5 times)
5-25 Weights: Upper Body
-bench
-shoulder press
-lateral wide grip pull-down
-triceps overhead extensions
-preacher bench curls
(10 reps each exercise repeated 5 times)

Right Nutrition
9:30am-meal one: Right Light nutrition shake mixed in water (1 1/2 packets)
12:30pm-meal two: grilled chicken, grilled veggies, sweet potato, glass of water
3:30pm-meal three: Right Light nutrition shake mixed in water (1 1/2 packets)
6:30pm-meal four: grilled chicken, salad, sweet potato, glass of water

Hello All,

Sorry I've been MIA, the weather here in San Antonio has been amazing and we've been out and about doing yardwork, cleaning cars, pulling weeds and all tha fun stuff. I love this time of year here!!

Well, quickly posted my pics and beginning stats for the Spring Forward Challenge, I definitely plan on rocking this although I will have challenges. Vacations and Work Trips both of which will be difficult, but I'll have to plan ahead for those.

The good thing is I got my Right Light Shakes in to help me out hurrah!! It came with a nice little shaker bottle too. Perfect for me to take to work.

I've been on track, but surprised to be only 1 pound down, however happy because I'm a half inch smaller in some areas!! This weekend was much better, but I still have some tweaking to do. This week I do the Nutrition Step.

Today:
Workout: Chest, Shoulders and Tris

M1: Egg Whites and Toast
M2: Right Light Shake and Apple
M3: Grilled Chicken, 1/2 cup pasta, Broccoli
M4: Right Light Shake and Orange
M5: Grilled Chicken, 1/2 cup pasta, Mixed Vegs
M5: Protien Bar

Blessings to all, I'll try to take more time this week and say hey to everyone.

Sincerely,
Robin

I posted this in last weeks thread by mistake:


DSC_0008 by Boots46, on Flickr

My mom is have surgery today so I'm going to be hanging out with the family this morning. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. She's in great spirits and is the strongest lady I've ever known. I know she's looking forward to being whole again.

Well, I'm on the home stretch of round 1 P90x Lean. I'm in recovery week that includes cardiovascular and strength training. My goal is to finish strong. I weighed in at 232 lbs even which is not much of a change over last week, but the bodyfat % is down. I'd wager to be I've gained some lean mass since upping the working weights and ride intensity.

Yoga X
Time: 01:03:01 Calories: 391 HR 101 Max HR 135

This morning I completed (in good form) all my moves for YogaX. My nemesis, the single-side arm balance was toast. I completed both arms and my core was solid. I'm pretty well pysched over that.

Yesterday, I talked things over with Julia and we decided to update our workout library and purchased the new and revised version of P90X called, what else, P90X2. We've had a blast with the first version and it fits with our current schedules. So you may see some slightly different titles to my blogs because it is my intention to continue my transformation 2012 (the 18 week version) with daily blogs on my progress. I just see no reason to stop after getting into my groove, because I'm challenging myself to get into the best shape possible. If and when that occurs, it is the only reward I need. I surely do encourage and cheer for those starting out today, because they are fun and motivating.

THE Plan:
Pre-Workout - "Morning Thunder Tea" w/anti-oxidants
M1: Shake and Supps
M2: Greek Yogurt and Strawberries
M3: Spinach Salad, with Feta, carrots, tomatoes and such... N Supps
M4: Protein bar and Grapes
M5: Talapia
M6: Protein Shake

I'm grateful for my family and all my needs being met. I'm grateful for the friends I've made, and the new ones I just came to know. I'm grateful for my parents, and their health and my siblings, who continue to mentor me in nursing studies.

"I especially pray for the wisdom and guidance of the doctor who will perform my moms surgery today and for her quick recovery."

Let The Games Begin!!!

So excited to see all the action and energy our group is gaining. So excited for Bill's new official 2012 Transformation Challenge. I TOTALLY AGREE with Niki...I think the next Transformation Champion can come right from this group!! You guys are rockin' it. Stay focused. Set goals. Hit them. You can accomplish so much when you set your mind to it and move forward with intense focus. I'm so excited to see the changes so many of you are going to make in the coming weeks.

Let's do this !!!

Today was a good day. Life is back to normal pace. I'm happy that even in the craziest of times, I'm sticking with my nutrition and exercise. It's now a part of me. A lifestyle I know I will sustain long term. No longer do I let the stress of work and life push me towards bad eating or inactivity. I still embrace my health in the midst of such times. I'm so excited!!!

I had a great LBWO tonight. I deadlifted 160lbs. Felt good! Increased my HIIT on the spin bike to 25 min.

Meals today:
M1 - Eggs and oats
M2 - RightLight
M3 - Shrimp, brown rice, salad
M4 - Nutrition shake
M5 - Ham, potato, broccoli, salad
M6 - Post workout shake



.

Hi group. I got sick yesterday so I ended up home from work.
Will use this time to make plans and set my goals for this challenge. Challenge start will be delayed but I will be better prepered.

Wishing you all an awesome Tuesday

Love ~ Helene