Wednesday, January 07, 2009

What is Body-for-LIFE?

A couple of weeks ago, I commented that I was doing Body-for-LIFE and a few of you asked for more details. Ask and you shall receive. Granted, it may be a few weeks until you receive, but hey, I did get around to it!

Body-for-LIFE is a program developed by Bill Phillips, who is a body builder and a fitness guru. He noticed that his clients weren't losing weight when they followed the high-carb diet that was currently the trend, so after doing some investigating, he came up with this system which balances protein and carbs. Essentially, you eat a carb and a protein together, with a side of vegetables. A sample meal would include a piece of baked chicken breast, a scoop of brown rice, and a portion of steamed broccoli, without heavy sauces. You eat three meals a day and three snacks, and you do this because your meals are rather small. Rather than eating an entire chicken breast, you're only eating a piece of it the size of the palm of your hand. Your portion of rice and of broccoli will only be the size of your fist. In addition to that, you drink a protein drink (I get the Body Fortress brand from Walmart) between meals which helps keep your body strong.

To go along with this, you exercise. I was doing it all wrong before; I was doing aerobics, but as Bill points out in his book, when you do aerobics you might lose weight, but you're not changing the shape of your body. If you started out as a pear, you'll just be a smaller pear. It's through weight training that we change the shape of our bodies by changing the shape of our muscles. He's a body builder, so of course he's doing the fifty-pound weights, but you can start where you are, even with soup cans, and just do the best you can. Over time, you'll see a real difference in your body.

I've been doing the program since December 15th, and so far I've lost ten pounds and almost four inches. I haven't been able to do it 100% faithfully yet--I can't exercise quite as long as recommended (but that's okay) and I have slipped up on the eating part (not quite so okay, but not totally evil, either). I have found, however, that my body is responding. I've tried so many other eating plans and so many other forms of exercise, and I always felt like I was putting in all this effort for no results. Now I feel like my body is listening to me.

If you want to check out the book, you can click here. I got my copy for a penny and just paid for shipping.

I have a lot of weight to lose, so I'm not expecting to wake up thin tomorrow. But come next Christmas morning, I am going to wake up healthy, slender, and just totally dang good-lookin'. That's my goal, and I really need to push it through this time. My doctor says it would be a good idea. You sort of have to pay attention to stuff like that. Keep an eye on my sidebar for updates on my progress.

8 comments:

ali cross said...

I have known a lot of people who have enjoyed wonderful success with this program - and they are still living the program today. I wish you the very best with this Tristi!

I'm not ready to do anything 'official' just yet, but I'll be looking to you to inspire me when I do!

Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

That's fabulous! Good for you Tristi!

Anna Maria Junus said...

I wish you the best with this. I understand about weight problems.

Josi said...

I did this a few years ago--we were hoping that getting it tip-top shape would make my final pregnancy complication-free--that didn't happen, but the program was great! Way to go on 10 pounds already, that's awesome! Good luck.

Haley Hatch Freeman said...

I tend to hate the idea of diets, often they set people up for failure and tell the person they can't make right decisions themselves. (that's why I really don't like the diets that the meals are pre-planned out each day and each meal. What if you don't feel like fish on Friday at dinner? Do you ignore your own body or follow the diet.) But I think this one sounds sensible and balanced. It isn't an unhealthy fad diet which is good and I agree with any program that acknowledges the companionship of exercise. Way to go on the 10 pounds. I'm all about feeling better and being healthier.

violetlady said...

That sounds like a very good program. I was reading how Brad Pitt got in shape for some of his movies and it sounds like a similar program.

Cindy Beck, author said...

Tristi,
Congrats on losing ten pounds. That's awesome! You go girl, you can do it!

Heather Moore said...

Congrats, Tristi! I've read several things about the benefits of weight lifting. So I've tried to work it into my cardio (which is mostly speed-walking).

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