Hi Doug,

My name is Paul. I'm 34 years old and live about an hour west of
Philly. I just finished my 12th week yesterday! I'm down 44 lbs. and
have the best muscle tone that I've ever had in my life! It was a
tough 12 weeks because I had several family birthdays, graduations,
vacations and my 10 year wedding anniversary during that time, but I
have been so focused on my goal, I can honestly say that I have done
my absolute best both eating and workouts.

Just to give you a little backround... I completed the challenge in
2003 and lost 54 lbs. I keep it off for about 2 years, but when I
was forced to drop my gym membership, I stopped working out and my
old eating habits creeped back in. Before I started this current
challenge back in June, I had gained it all back plus a few. I half-
hearted it a couple times back in the Spring, but never lasted more
than a couple weeks. I hit 239 on the scale and told myself "enough
is enough...there's no way I'm hitting 240!" That was the first
week of June and I've never looked back.

A big inspiration for me this time around, was meeting with the 2005
BFL UK winner. He lives in Wildwood, NJ for the summer and offers
personal training. I met with him for about an hour and a half and
he helped me tweak my workouts and had good nutritional advise. But
the biggest help was just to see and talk to someone who lives BFL
everyday and has gone on to win many bodybuilding competitions since
his challenge. Every time I felt like cheating, I would just picture
the results he has seen and remind myself that I can do the same
thing.

Keeping a journal was another big help for me this time. It was hard
because I've never been good at that type of thing, but has really
been an invaluable tool for me. Each morning before my workout, I
would look at the previous week and mentaly focus on beating it,
even if it was only lifting 5 more pounds or going 1/10 of a mile
further. It has really been key for me to surpass the results I saw
a few years ago. Even though I'm still about 14 lbs heavier than I
was at the end of my last challenge, my muscle tone is far better
and I know I'm getting more out of my workouts than I did before.

Eating for me has always been the easy part. There are so many good
recipes in the "Eating for Life" book, that it's never been hard to
find meals that the entire family can enjoy. I also happen to really
like the Myoplex shakes, so that has always made a convenient, no
thought, well balanced meal replacement for me. The first couple
weeks are the hardest, because I would still get a little hungry at
times, but once the first few weeks are over, your body gets
conditioned to the smaller meals. Now, I have a hard time finishing
even a BFL portion size. It sounds like you are getting to that
point too.

So, I'm still going. I still want to lose 5-10 more lbs. of fat and
build some additional muscle. My goal is to get the six pack I've
never had. I am more determined than every to get there and stay
there! My sixth child is on the way and I want to make sure that I'm
doing everything I can to ensure that I will always be there for
them and hopefully be an inspiration to them, to always live a
healthy lifestyle. I'll post some before and after pics soon.

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack your thread. I joined this group a
while ago, but it's been really quiet. Reading your post finally
motivated me to respond.

Keep up the good work! You can do it!!

God bless,
Paul

--- In bodyforlifeinpa@yahoogroups.com, Doug Lecorchick
<d.lecorchick@...> wrote:
>
> Hello Sharon,
>
> It is going good so far. I have noticed a major increase in
stamina, that's for sure. I still get a little hungry between meals
but not like the first couple days. haha...I am amazed I am this far
into it already. I did my UBWO this morning and tomorrow my cardio
and that wraps up week 3! Wow! Anyways, Where are you at with yours?
Do people in the group get together for events or anything. 150
people seems like alot. On the site it says 5% of the people who
start actually finish. I believe it too, I attempted half hearted
about 3 times and I hated myself everytime I quit. I got the book
and journal to help me this time, but for the last 5 days I haven't
been recording anything in it.
>
> Reply when you can,
>
> Doug L.
>
> Sharon <yoshar706@...> wrote:
> Hey Doug ...
>
> So how is your Challenge going so far? Week 3 ... you should be
> feeling some pretty nice changes already! :)
>
> There are close to 150 members in our little PA group here. It's
been
> quiet lately, but hopefully we can drum up some interest and new
> conversation!
>
> Congrats on making the decision to change your life (not just your
> body) and all the best in your challenge!
>
> Sharon :)
> YoShar706
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>