Has anyone ever done the "Body for Life" challenge?

[terrya]

A while back, I bought the Bill Phillips book and read it. I looked at the pictures in the book...the success stories...and could not believe what I was seeing...how people could change their bodies so drastically in just 12 weeks. I've been in and out of the gym for years now...gym memberships, various fitness plans...I even hired a personal trainer when I had my Bally's membership a couple of years ago. The personal trainer was great...he instructed me on form (he stressed, over and over, that it was far more important to do the lifting right rather than how much weight I used). But my gains from the time with the personal trainer have disappeared.

So, I'm thinking of maybe doing the Body for Life challenge. Having access to a gym isn't a problem (there's a fitness center here at the place I work. Some machines and free weights).

I was just wondering if anyone has done one of these fitness challenges or know someone who did. And what your thoughts were. Whether you fully and completely instill fitness and nutrition into your life...or whether it's a bit of hype as well.

Thanks!
Terry

[Longhorn]

1. I've followed the workout plan

but I haven't formally signed up for the challenge. I like the way you do 12 reps at a lower rate, wait 1 minute, then do 10 reps at a slightly higher weight, etc. I use a timer and the plan gives my workout structure and it actually goes a little faster than before because I was resting too long in between sets. There's also a good interval plan for the aerobic portion. I do mine on the elliptical.

I downloaded and printed the forms from http://www.bodyforlife.com/index.asp? and I keep them on a clipboard and keep track as I go along. I see they have a new starter kit that you can download, too. It looks interesting. Thanks for reminding me about that program!

[Poiuyt]

2. It's supposed to be pretty good

I've never tried it, but I know that Body For Life has a proven track record. The nice thing about this program is that it keeps things simple and easy to follow. At the end of the 12 weeks, you might want to make adjustments or move to a more advanced program. If you stick with Body For Life for 12 weeks, you WILL see an improvement. The important thing about any training program is dedication.

Be realistic with your expectations (take the before/after photos with a grain of salt).

[Left Is Write]

3. I didn't do Body For Life, but

when I signed up for a personal trainer at Gold's last spring, I did the 12-week challenge. The changes in my body in 12 weeks were astounding.

I started at 135 pounds and 32.6% bodyfat. I had almost no muscle tone at all. My middle was soft after two closely spaced pregnancies. After 12 weeks (just in time for my 38th birthday), I was down 20 pounds, my bodyfat was about 24%, and the definition in my shoulders, biceps, and back was so amazing and fascinating to me that I used to do poses in front of the mirror. My abs became so well-defined, I could see a six-pack when I tightened.

I kept going and lost an additional five pounds and got my bodyfat down to 20.4% by July. I recently had my bodyfat checked again and it's still that low.

[Cobalt Violet]

4. I'd be interested to know if this is adaptable to a nautilus workout.

Since I use and like nautilus.

[Longhorn]

5. Sure!

The actual workout goes like this: one day, aerobics, next day, upper body, next day, aerobics, next day, lower body, next day, aerobics, next day, upper body, etc.

While doing the aerobics, you increase intensity each minute until you reach a peak, then back off to a lower level and build again, etc.

While doing upper body exercises, you increase weight while decreasing reps, resting between sets. Each exercise from one muscle group. Same thing for lowerr body workouts.

They have a list of exercises that you can easily interchange with nautilus exercises. Check out the link in my post above!

[midnight armadillo]

6. If you stick to it, then go for it.

If you're new to gym workouts, and BFL will help you get in there and stick to an exercise routine, then go for it.

Another good source are the books by Clarence Bass, www.cbass.com, such as his Lean for Life book.

Here's a pic of mr. bass at age 60 or so:

so clearly he can walk the walk!

[semillama]

7. I liked it

when I didn't have a job and lifestyle that involved frequent travel.

I really like how focused it was, and having a job that gave you a paid half-hour a day off if you spent it exercising, and a up-to-date fitness center on the way to work that was free to use, made it really easy to do.

Now I travel a lot, and with something that is so scheduled like BFL, I have a hard time keeping to it.

I think after my life settles down, I could see myself going for it again. I never got through the whole 12 weeks though - I usually got derailed by something around week 7. My job also involves periods of intense physical activity, which would cut into the time and energy I had for workouts.

But that's me. If you are the type of person who can stick to a program, then this is probably the best thing going.