Body-for-Life Challenge 1 Recap

So, Day 85 for my first Body for Life Challenge was May 2...  Since it's September 5, I thought it was a great time to provide an update on how my first challenge went.  Here is what I wrote in my challenge entry kit back in May:

I had been working out and eating rather healthy for a few years now, but I had reached a plateau.  When I got the email announcing the 2011 Body-for-Life challenge, I saw this as a way to take my workouts to the next level.  Also, the Misses had been concerned about her weight and appearance.  I saw this as a way to challenge her to eat a well balanced diet and amp up her workout intensity. 

I am most proud that the Misses and I did not miss one workout during the challenge.  While we did some schedule re-arranging when we missed a workout, we always made it up that week.  With only two weeks to go in the challenge, I started getting headaches during weightlifting.  Instead of quitting the challenge, I went to the doctor.  He helped me with a combination of medicine and strategies to help manage the headaches.  I took my ibuprofen, got back in the weight room, lowered the weight I lifted, and focused on my form.  I was able to stay on track and complete the challenge. 

The nutrition aspect of the challenge was the most difficult for me.  While I was good at sticking to a BFL meal plan Monday through Thursday, the weekends were a different story.  The Misses and I had created a lifestyle where our fun activities revolved around food and drink.  As we adapted to our new diet, we were forced to find new pastimes.  We took this opportunity to play game with our kids, do yard work, and overall get more active.  We weren’t perfect, there were visits from grandparents and holidays that derailed some weekends, but this is an area I know I can improve.  The successful weekends gave me the experience of how much better I feel the morning after staying true to Body-for-Life really motivate me to stick to it. 

Overall, even though I did not reach all my goals, I feel the challenge was a great success.  I lost 2.5” off my waist, and I learned that I can push my exercise beyond the limits I placed on myself.  I know the strategies I learned during Body-for-Life will create a solid foundation for future successes.  Furthermore, I’ve got the Misses on board with this new lifestyle, and we both can keep each other on the right path. 

Four months later, I can report moderate success with keeping with the Body-for-Life plan after the challenge. The summer brought a lot of events that ended up being gorge fests.  I went to Holland, Texas, and the Wisconsin Dells.  I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything, but from Challenge 1 (C1) I know I have the potential to do much better in eating and exercising.

That's why tomorrow, the Misses and I will start Body-for-Life Challenge 2 (C2).  This time, I'm sure we'll be able to meet our goals!

Average Dave's Upgrades - Weight Bench

I've mentioned my first weight bench here before.  A couple years after I got that bench, I had outgrown it.  The weight I was lifting plus my body weight was approaching the weight limit for the bench.  I went on the eBay and found a dude selling a weight bench in my area.  For $125, I bought a torn up piece of crap weight bench; but it came with approximately 400lbs of Olympic size weights and a bar.  At $0.03/lbs, the weight alone was an awesome deal.  This bench took me to a whole new level of weight lifting, now I was using equipment like the stuff in a real gym.

Since the Misses and I doing Body for Life together, this bench proved to be a real drawback.  First of all, it was bulky and hard to move around.  Average Dave's is in a small room in my basement with the furnace.  We do a variety of exercises, and the bench needs to get out of the way if we do squats or any standing exercises.  Also, the incline on the bench wasn't that sturdy and wasn't easy to set up.  You have to hold up the bench while trying to get a pin through a little hole in the bench.  So, I asked the finance committee (The Misses, and only the Misses) if I could buy a new bench.

I got a Bowflex SelectTech 5.1 Series bench a couple weeks ago.  First of all, it looks bad ass.  The black and red leather is a real upgrade from the ripped plastic like material.  Second, it has wheels and a handle. Compared to my old bench, it is super easy to pick up and move to a new second.  Third, it has 6 positions from 90 degrees to decline, and it is really easy to move between positions.  You just pick the bench up and let the arm fall into the slot you want it.  It feels much more secure than my old bench.  I love it.

One drawback I think this bench has is that it is pretty long, so it takes up a lot of room.  It is hard to transition from a exercise on the bench to another standing exercise because it is so big.  Really, this is more a drawback of Average Dave's limited square footage than the bench.  Also, I now use my squat rack to hold the bar when I am doing bench press.  It's taking me a little while to get used to racking the bar and not hitting the pins when exercising, but I'll get there.

Oh, and according to Play to Again Sports, my old weight bench was worth $12, $15 in store credit.

Starting Body for Life February 7

Here I am, 32 years old, a father of two, and a finance manager.  When looking for what's missing in your life, do you ever think, "six pack abs and chest definition"?  I know I sure do.  That's why when my company put out a call to start the twelve week Body for Life Challenge, I answered the call.  What is BFL?  Its a 12 week exercise and nutrition program designed to help you build lean muscle mass and burn fat.  It's a program to get six pack abs and chest definition.  In a way, it will help you look like the modern incarnation of James Bond.  

Alright, so, clearly this program is going to demand some intense workouts and a balanced diet of nutritious food.  But will I make it through the 12 week challenge?  Will I reach my goals?  Let's find out.