[BFL] Inches, Body Fat % and the Scale

[Homegirl]

Okay,

I am interested to know what you started to notice first on the BFL program--changes in inches, body fat % or the scale?

I am all over the place. I am just starting my 4th week of BFL but I had started weight training in November.

I will be taking my 4 week measurements and recalculating my Body Fat % on Sunday AM but I am really afraid that I have actually gained in all those areas :eek: and not lost. The scale is all over the place and the fit of my clothes is not reliable.

I was prepared for this to happen, I am aware that the closer you are to your "goal/ideal/etc." the changes will be more subtle and I also know that sometimes the real visible changes don't occur until anywhere from the 7th to the 10th week of BFL for some people. However, knowing those things and actually living them is another matter. When I first started I really noticed a difference. But right now, even though I am pushing for and reaching those 10's, it doesn't really feel like anything is actually happening.

It doesn't help that I am feeling very out of control with food right now. Didn't say I was out of control just feeling that way and I don't really know why. I am not used to feeling this way.

On the positive side I do feel much stronger and more confident and I think my body is looking pretty good for an old grey mare. But I am frustrated that I am soooooo close to where I want to be and yet it seems almost as far off as when I started this journey a year ago.

Any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated.

[Natrushka]

Bobbie, because you are so close to your goal weight and because you have a lower lean body mass than those of us who are heavier doing this program (on this board anyway :) ) it would be very likely that you'd be gaining some muscle. Newbies to lifting often make huge gains in losing fat and gaining muscle - most body builders will tell you that it's next to impossible to do both at once - unless you're new to lifting and have a considerable amount of body fat to lose. To put it bluntly, you do not have a lot of body fat to lose.

BFL is about body transformation (and inner transformation) You are feeling stronger and more importantly more confident - the inner transformation is working! Being so close to your current 'goal' it will probably take you until your last few weeks to notice the changes - but hang in there, they are happening. Growing muscle typically takes 6 weeks. I would think that by week 8 you'd see a difference - this is a comment directed at your case in particular.

The best advice I can give you right now is avoid the scales - let your body do what it has to do and check in with that evil thing every 4 weeks. Take measurements instead. Use what the BFLers call the "Pants-o-meter" How does your clothing fit?

Another interesting point - I have seen the results of 12 weeks from people around your size and while some of their measurements went up their clothing size went down (thighs got 1/2" bigger, arms etc - but clothing that used to be too tight fit them) It really is about changing your shape and replacing fat with muscle.

The dramatic inches and fat lost you've been reading about from Dani, Beth and Marlaine must be taken in context - they had more fat to lose and they have greater muscle to burn that fat. You'll grow some too. It wouldnt surprize me if you ended up weighing more after the challenge but losing a few dress sizes - it's very common.

Check out the lean and strong transformation gallery - the name that comes to mind is 3lambs - she's done remarkable things and she's about your size. (not sure if this will work but her "before (http://66.34.72.178/cgi-bin/filelib/library.cgi?forum=open&read=000714-000000.msg&session=3c692bf8184c6910&use_last_read=on&last_read=0) " pic and her "after (http://66.34.72.178/cgi-bin/filelib/library.cgi?forum=open&read=000715-000000.msg&session=3c692bf8184c6910&use_last_read=on&last_read=0) " pic - she's done another challenge since)

Hang in there, you're doing great.
Nat

[Homegirl]

Thank you so very much Nat. DivaDani just replied to me in my journal too so I got a really good boost this morning. Just what I needed.

Of course, I have no intention of giving up or giving in. I am just going to keep on keeping on and as you said, see what the 12 weeks bring me.

Oh, and I wanted to say, you got me the other day. I saw the raspberries and cottage cheese in your journal and that put a bee in my bonnet about cantelaupe and cottage cheese--just love it. So, throwing caution to the wind, I got me a cantelaupe and I don't care about carb content or sugar I am just enjoying the taste. Just making sure I eat it on an empty stomach as the cantelaupe does make me bloat (course, only a twit like me would decide to eat it after doing the Vitamin C flush a la Doreen which already left me feeling bloated. Sometimes I think there is no end to my stupidity! :D )

Anyway, here's to BFL. It rocks!

Oh, and loved the pics of 3lambs. I am aiming for that "after" toso. This pot belly is the bane of my existence. It's as if someone took the same size chest and legs but gave me one size larger for the tummy. Urgghhh. I am going to weightlift it into submission even if it kills me :D. I keep reminding myself that it's just the last layers of the onion. I need to be patient.

[Natrushka]

Bobbie, cantaloupe would be a good fruit for after your lifting workouts - it's higher glycemic so it will deliver the protein to your muscles all the more.

Isnt it nice to be able to increase the carbs and not have to worry about it? One of the benefits of being more active.

Nat