First, I am going to admit that I have not read the Body for Life book yet, but I have been intrigued by all of the comments and successes on this board. I bought the book last night, so I am going to start reading it after work this evening. Since there are so many “experts” here, I thought I would present my scenario to see if you think Body for Life would work for me.

I am 5’7” and I am hovering somewhere between 157 and 159 on the scale (25 pounds have been shed on Atkins). I have been working out fairly consistently for the past ten years, so I know a lot of my weight is in muscle. I am not as concerned about an ending body weight as I am about clothes size. I started Atkins at a 12-14 clothes size, and I have worked my way down to a large 8. Ultimately, I would like to end up a firm size 6. In recent weeks, I have been spending 1½-2 hours a day in the gym, 5-6 days a week. At first, I saw rapid weight loss, but I have not seen the scale budge in 2 weeks. I was hoping Body for Life could help me get to my desired size… better yet, in a 6 by the holidays.

My other concern is the eating... I know I can get in the 6 meals, but I think the main reason I have had success on Atkins is that I can dine out with my boyfriend and friends while staying on the plan. I have failed miserably countless times on Weight Watchers because I couldn’t enjoy meals out and stay on track. Would I still be able to dine out while doing Body for Life?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Hi Lisa. I don't see why it wouldn't work for you

Dining out is always 'doable' - whether you follow BFL by the book or keep doing it LC. And dining out on 'free day' is definitely 'doable'



Judging from your workout regime, I would say that you'd notice a difference with BFL owing simply to the fact that you would be working out less. By limiting weight workouts to 45 minutes 3x a week and cardio to 20 minutes 3x a week you'll probably see results right away.

2 hours a day, 5-6 times a week in the gym is excessive and can lead to overtraining, under recovering and no fat loss. Worse - no muscle gain. Muscles grow and heal when you are not in the gym - that time is more important, IMO, than the 45 minutes you spend in the gym 3x a week.

Have a read through the book and the forum while you decide what's in your future and let us know what you decide

Cheers,
Nat

Thanks for your quick response.

I agree with my current gym workouts being too much. I have noticed that my strength was starting to decrease, so I am going back to 30-45 minutes or so of cardio a day until I decide on a program. BFL looks like a plan I could stick with, so I hope to start as soon as I finish the book.

One more question... I have been avoiding all alcohol for the past 3 months. Would it be OK to have a glass of wine every so often on the BFL plan, or do I need to stay in avoidance mode?

Wine, and all alcohol, is truly one of those YMMV things. It will slow fat burning and it will dehydrate you. In moderation is it a bad thing? Probably not. It's entirely up to you. I have found after a year of LCing that I just can't handle it and stay 'sharp' - so I save it for those days I spend on the beach on holidays.

Nat