WW vs BFL

[Guest guest]

WOW Drew! Congrats on your transformation! That's very

inspiring...do you have pictures posted?? I stopped WW b/c I was

always feeling like I was JUST getting by...and some days I was still

hungry. I sometimes didn't even have the energy to exercise! Plus I

didn't really want to get where I wanted to be and just be thin...I

wanted to be toned, and stronger too (let alone want to stick to the

program for life!). I also REALLY want to develop some speed for

when I play mixed slow-pitch again next year! I love outfield and

think that is my strongest position, but I noticed one of my teams

that I get put on third b/c they want guys out in the field (b/c they

have more speed). I also noticed a girl this year that was totally

slim but REALLY buff, and she knocked a ball out of the park! In all

my years of softball, slowpitch, I've never seen a girl do that! All

the guys on my team think I can too, but I haven't! I'm hoping that

next spring I will! Plus...that girl looked dang awesome...everyone's

eyes were on her went she went up to bat! I want to be like that!

And I want everyone who's only known me in this size to see me like

that!

Anyways, did you go from 215 lbs to 160 lbs in the first challenge??

That's a LOT! I was just wondering what kind of results I could

expect. I'm starting at 202lbs, wearing a size 18, and am 5 " 5.

Also, about the upper body workout, are you doing lots of exercises

that require one arm at a time for the full set, and then the other

arm? I would think that that would account for some of the extra

time. Plus, how slowly would you say you are you lifting the weights

up and down?

> > Hi all,

> >

> > Well, I started BFL a few days ago at 202lbs. I had lost 5

pounds

> > before starting BFL doing Weight Watchers. Anyways, today I

> weighed

> > myself and am at the LOWEST weight I've been at in 2 years!

200lbs

> > on the dot!

> >

> >

> > C1W1D4

> > First Goal: 180lbs by Dec 13th (when I depart for Club Med!)

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

I don't have any pics posted right now, I need to put some up, when

I do I will let you know! I lost about 40lbs on WW. I was hungry

very often and I kept wondering if all the processed stuff (light

bread, lowfat crackers, etc) was actually slowing my progress. I was

also doing cardio for 60 minutes 5x a week and felt completely burned

out yet I wasn't losing anymore weight. I started reading Self and

Shape magazines and noticed that their diets had lots of whole grains

in them (whole wheat bread, not light) and that seemed to make more

sense. I switched to counting calories for a while and that took off

a few more pounds. My sister introduced me to BFL and I started my

first challenge this summer. I didn't do it by the book (I love

chocolate and ice cream) but I followed it pretty closely. I lost

about 10 pounds on BFL but have gone down from a size 14 to a snug

10. My arms are getting more defined and my stomach isn't as big as

it used to be. My chest and shoulders are much better. It is

interesting how you mention that you are not as concerned about being

skinny as being toned, that is the shift that happened with me. That

is why I believe in BFL and am a huge advocate. I honestly feel much

better living the BFL way, I am more confident about the ability of

my body and I have connected with it much more (to try to not sound

too cheesy!). I don't care if I am a size 10 and toned, it's better

than being a size 6 and flabby!

My upper body workout is doing all the exercises in the book, both

arms at a time when called for. I try to make sure to hold the rep

with a count of " one " and that seems to be what takes so long. Also

I wonder if it is because I am at the gym and switching dumbells

takes up time as well, but still I can't figure out how Bill says 45

minutes!

Wow, this is a long one!

Drew

> > > Hi all,

> > >

> > > Well, I started BFL a few days ago at 202lbs. I had lost 5

> pounds

> > > before starting BFL doing Weight Watchers. Anyways, today I

> > weighed

> > > myself and am at the LOWEST weight I've been at in 2 years!

> 200lbs

> > > on the dot!

> > >

> > >

> > > C1W1D4

> > > First Goal: 180lbs by Dec 13th (when I depart for Club Med!)

[Guest guest]

Half of my co-workers are doing WW. I don't really talk about BFL unless

someone asks me, and then I just answer the specific question. There have

been a lot more questions recently though. And one woman that's doing WW

said her friend told her, " You should do what Dudley's doing. Whatever she's

doing is really working. " I'm Dudley BTW.. we call each other by last name

at work usually since we're teachers. But then she never asked me about BFL,

so whatever.

Actually, I tried to get one co-worker that I'm pretty close to to do BFL

because I know she could do a great job and she'd look better once the weight

comes off. But she just doesn't want to do weights and change eating much.

I'm being patient though; I know she'll come around eventually if WW doesn't

get her where she wants to be. And I know that she wants that cute little

cheerleader body that she used to have back, so how else could she get it?

Robin

In a message dated 4/19/03 12:16:50 AM Central Daylight Time,

angkaren@... writes:

> I had done WW and quit and gained all of my weight back. HUGE bummmer! BFL

> seemed like so much food to be eating so I calculated my points for an

> average day and I was at the very low end of my range. After that I haven't

> lokked back to the WW way of life. I din't excersize at all on WW, lost 10%

> of my body weight and still ate very poorly. It's pretty easy to find ways

> to " cheat " and still be in range. MY friend and I would weigh in and then

> go eat frozen yogurt. I love BFL and think WW was just not hte program for

> me.

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know who this was directed to, but I'll put in my $.02. I

got great results on WW but couldn't maintain my weight. It was a

LOT of hard work and sacrifice to get to my goal. But looking back,

I realized I was eating a VERY carb heavy diet. Also, when I

started it again, I hit the stereotypical wall that Bill

talks about in yo-yo dieting. I lost 10 lbs. then NOTHING. And

that was without eating my flex points. I was hungry ALL the time

and I realized that I couldn't reduce my intake enough to make it

doable. I would have had to reduce my caloric intake more and more,

just to lose the same amount I had lost last time. I needed to do

something more balanced, and that's when I remembered that on BFL, I

was rarely hungry, and never starving. So I read the book again in

February, and here I am. I don't know what other people's stories

are, but that's mine!

Amy

> Why did you stop doing WW? I've been doing WW for years and I've

had

> great results. The reason I switched to BFL is because I wanted

to

> add strength training to my exercise routine. But I still count

> points every day to make sure I'm not eating too much.

[Guest guest]

I had a similar experience with WW. I ended up eating a lot of carbs

because they were low points. And I didn't use flex points and still

couldn't lose weight. I'm just trying to lose 5-10 lbs or at least

look like I lost that much.

Has BFL worked before for you? I started BFL in Dec and actually

gained weight (my clothes are tighter) when I made the switch from WW

to BFL. I am more muscular but I'm hoping to shed the fat soon. I'm

in week 12 or maybe I'm in 13. I'm not doing a challenge so I tend

to forget the week.

> > Why did you stop doing WW? I've been doing WW for years and I've

> had

> > great results. The reason I switched to BFL is because I wanted

> to

> > add strength training to my exercise routine. But I still count

> > points every day to make sure I'm not eating too much.

[Guest guest]

Actually BFL did work great for me before. I had only done 6 weeks,

but had lost 9 lbs in that 6 weeks. Don't know what my other

measurements were. I really wish I had stuck with it that time.

> > > Why did you stop doing WW? I've been doing WW for years and

I've

> > had

> > > great results. The reason I switched to BFL is because I

wanted

> > to

> > > add strength training to my exercise routine. But I still

count

> > > points every day to make sure I'm not eating too much.

[Guest guest]

Just my 2 cents... I know that Weight Watchers works for many people.

In fact my sister-in-law recently lost about 80 pounds osn the

program; I myself, tried it a few times and had some success. The

problem is that the only discipline on the program is where to spend

your points...so if you wanted to save up for chocolate cake every

day - you could. I also noticed that I was very weak on WW wheras on

BFL I have what seems like unlimited energy. After week 4, I felt

this incredible surge of energy - my family laughs at me because I am

always on the go and I never stop running around, but its amazing

that BFL can pretty much create a natural high that many other

programs can't match. Thank God for Bill !

> > > Why did you stop doing WW? I've been doing WW for years and

I've

> > had

> > > great results. The reason I switched to BFL is because I

wanted

> > to

> > > add strength training to my exercise routine. But I still

count

> > > points every day to make sure I'm not eating too much.

[Guest guest]

I am just getting started again after being off BFL for a long time

BUT when I did my first challenge I had tried ww's and would eat

crazy stuff just because I could and realized that was a bad habit to

get into so I changed to BFL. I started out gaining weight so then I

tried using the BFL way of eating but counting points to help me with

portion control since I was not losing and I started doing great. I

went from 150 size 8 or 10 to 135 size 6 some 4. I am doing the same

thing now counting points but only eating authorized food and during

my free day I am using my flex points. I find it works really well

for me. Free days without counting anything I tend to go wacko and

make myself ill.

-- In , " stacie0721 "

<benson.stacie@m...> wrote:

> I had a similar experience with WW. I ended up eating a lot of

carbs

> because they were low points. And I didn't use flex points and

still

> couldn't lose weight. I'm just trying to lose 5-10 lbs or at least

> look like I lost that much.

>

> Has BFL worked before for you? I started BFL in Dec and actually

> gained weight (my clothes are tighter) when I made the switch from

WW

> to BFL. I am more muscular but I'm hoping to shed the fat soon.

I'm

> in week 12 or maybe I'm in 13. I'm not doing a challenge so I tend

> to forget the week.

>

> > > Why did you stop doing WW? I've been doing WW for years and

I've

> > had

> > > great results. The reason I switched to BFL is because I

wanted

> > to

> > > add strength training to my exercise routine. But I still

count

> > > points every day to make sure I'm not eating too much.

[Guest guest]

WW worked for me too - on the scale. Though I suspect I was losing a

fair bit of muscle as most weeks I was losing a kilogram at least

(1kg = 2.2lbs).

For me, WW didn't deal with the real issues though. I was working on

pure will power. I was tired a lot of the time, hungry too. I was

not getting a healthy amount of things like protein & fat because

there were too many points. And when I fell off the wagon I would

beat myself up over it fand feel like crap for ages and ages,

sometimes getting so down about it I'd just quit. Free Days are my

best friend, I feel great having them, and great the next day when

I'm back on track.

I guess the main thing is that WW is a *diet*. I had to count

points, and only felt like I was successful if the scale moved. on

BFL I feel like I'm free, for want of a better word. It isn't hard,

I'm never hungry, never tired. And every day I feel successful, with

every decision I make.

in NZ

C1W9D5

> Why did you stop doing WW? I've been doing WW for years and I've

had

> great results. The reason I switched to BFL is because I wanted to

> add strength training to my exercise routine. But I still count

> points every day to make sure I'm not eating too much.

[Guest guest]

Very well said! I feel like I used up all my willpower the first

time I did WW. And you are right, it doesn't deal with the real

issues. It did nothing for my emotional eating and the scale was

the holy grail. Only if the scale went down did I feel successful.

I was not motivated to exercise or eat correctly. I cannot be left

to my own devices. I'll start " accidentally " eating more here and

there and more of the stuff I don't need. I need things spelled

out, and the free day on BFL really helps me keep on track!

> > Why did you stop doing WW? I've been doing WW for years and

I've

> had

> > great results. The reason I switched to BFL is because I wanted

to

> > add strength training to my exercise routine. But I still count

> > points every day to make sure I'm not eating too much.

[Guest guest]

Hi Stacie,

13 weeks with gains, no losses? Thats inches and lbs gained? Perhaps

you could post a regular day of eating so we could see, maybe your

diet needs some minor tweaking. 80% of BFL results are diet so if

your not loosing and you are doing all your work-outs, weight

training as per BFL and HIIT cardio it is probably diet that is

snagging you up.

Let us know what a day of eating looks like and a week of working out

we may be able to help you get the numbers moving in the right

direction.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/18/2004 3:06:02 PM Eastern Standard Time,

no_reply writes:

> I guess the main thing is that WW is a *diet*. I had to count

> points, and only felt like I was successful if the scale moved. on

> BFL I feel like I'm free, for want of a better word

I think that is the difference between BFL and everything else out there.

BFL is a lifestyle not a diet. I don't believe in dieting. I think it is best

to eat healthy foods at the right times. I have never been fond of diets

because in the long run being on a diet doesn't work. When I read the BFL book,

everything came together for me and made sense. At the time I was strictly

eating 3 meals a day with no snacking and exercising 4 to 5 times a week. It

was

a struggle to lose weight. Eating balanced meals more often made perfect

sense to me. There is so much research out there to back this way of eating.

the exercise program made perfect sense too. I felt like I was working so hard

and getting no where. Now, it is amazing how much my body is continuously

improving. I think people need to comprehend that this is a lifestyle not a

short-term fix. BFL has given me the knowledge to accomplish my goals. I just

don't think there is anything else out ther that could do that.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/18/2004 4:12:58 PM Eastern Standard Time,

acharny@... writes:

> Only if the scale went down did I feel successful.

> I was not motivated to exercise or eat correctly.

I have a couple of friends who quit lifting weights after starting WW because

they were gaining muscle and thus not losing enough scale wieght. I just

don't know how that can be healthy for you.

[Guest guest]

It's great to talk to someone with a situation similar to mine. When

I initially started BFL I gained weight right away. I went from 115

to 120 and some of my clothes are too tight. I now counting my

points but I haven't lost the fat yet. But I have gained anymore

either. I hope to start shedding the fat soon.

Do you do 20 points a day? I also use flex points on my free day but

not all of them. I might do 25 points on a free day.

Dr. Hussman's site (who many people on this board highly recommend)

even suggests using WW to help keep your portions reasonable. I know

so many people that overestimate the size of their palm or fist. I

like to know exactly how much I'm consuming in a day.

> > > > Why did you stop doing WW? I've been doing WW for years and

> I've

> > > had

> > > > great results. The reason I switched to BFL is because I

> wanted

> > > to

> > > > add strength training to my exercise routine. But I still

> count

> > > > points every day to make sure I'm not eating too much.

[Guest guest]

Yes that's inches and lbs gained. I have kept a food journal since

1/8/04 that I can email to you. I haven't missed a workout and I even

do cardio on my free day. Also on my free day I don't go hog wild.

I might consume a couple hundred more calories.

Prior to BFL I did WW for 7 years. I consumed around 1100 calories a

day (if that on some days) and ran 3 miles a day 5-6 days week.

If anyone else wants to critique my food journal just let me know.

I'm more than happy to hear your advice.

> Hi Stacie,

> 13 weeks with gains, no losses? Thats inches and lbs gained?

Perhaps

> you could post a regular day of eating so we could see, maybe your

> diet needs some minor tweaking. 80% of BFL results are diet so if

> your not loosing and you are doing all your work-outs, weight

> training as per BFL and HIIT cardio it is probably diet that is

> snagging you up.

> Let us know what a day of eating looks like and a week of working

out

> we may be able to help you get the numbers moving in the right

> direction.

>

[Guest guest]

,

Do you mind giving me your email address so I can send you my journal?

> Hi Stacie,

> 13 weeks with gains, no losses? Thats inches and lbs gained?

Perhaps

> you could post a regular day of eating so we could see, maybe your

> diet needs some minor tweaking. 80% of BFL results are diet so if

> your not loosing and you are doing all your work-outs, weight

> training as per BFL and HIIT cardio it is probably diet that is

> snagging you up.

> Let us know what a day of eating looks like and a week of working

out

> we may be able to help you get the numbers moving in the right

> direction.

>

[Guest guest]

When I stopped last time I was injured and couldn't work out.

Instead of still eating well even though I couldn't work out I went

bonkers and ate horribly. I went up to 160! The highest I have ever

been so I am at 22 points. I use all of my flex points on a free

day. I figure that is what will keep me from reaching a point where

I am stuck because it will keep my metabolism from getting used to

the same intake. I have been doing really well with that. I would

use all my flex points if I were you on your free day. You have less

to lose than I do. I am sure you are gaining muscle so don't focus

so much on the scale weight as much.

-- In , " stacie0721 "

<benson.stacie@m...> wrote:

> It's great to talk to someone with a situation similar to mine.

When

> I initially started BFL I gained weight right away. I went from

115

> to 120 and some of my clothes are too tight. I now counting my

> points but I haven't lost the fat yet. But I have gained anymore

> either. I hope to start shedding the fat soon.

>

> Do you do 20 points a day? I also use flex points on my free day

but

> not all of them. I might do 25 points on a free day.

>

> Dr. Hussman's site (who many people on this board highly recommend)

> even suggests using WW to help keep your portions reasonable. I

know

> so many people that overestimate the size of their palm or fist. I

> like to know exactly how much I'm consuming in a day.

>

>

> > > > > Why did you stop doing WW? I've been doing WW for years

and

> > I've

> > > > had

> > > > > great results. The reason I switched to BFL is because I

> > wanted

> > > > to

> > > > > add strength training to my exercise routine. But I still

> > count

> > > > > points every day to make sure I'm not eating too much.

[Guest guest]

Well put. That is why I quit WW's and am doing body for life. I

used to not drink much water the whole day before weigh in so that I

would show a loss on the scale....what was I thinking?

> In a message dated 3/18/2004 4:12:58 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> acharny@w... writes:

>

> > Only if the scale went down did I feel successful.

> > I was not motivated to exercise or eat correctly.

>

> I have a couple of friends who quit lifting weights after starting

WW because

> they were gaining muscle and thus not losing enough scale wieght.

I just

> don't know how that can be healthy for you.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I did stop lifting once I started WW. They advised that if I wanted

to reach my goal to stop lifting. However, I think WW is changing

their attitude. They now promote exercise and even weight lifting

(very light compared to BFL).

> In a message dated 3/18/2004 4:12:58 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> acharny@w... writes:

>

> > Only if the scale went down did I feel successful.

> > I was not motivated to exercise or eat correctly.

>

> I have a couple of friends who quit lifting weights after starting

WW because

> they were gaining muscle and thus not losing enough scale wieght.

I just

> don't know how that can be healthy for you.

>

>

>

>

>