THE LADY SUCCESS DOCUMENT (a/k/a “The Eight Week

Miracle!), compiled by Mike Harris, 2006 Men’s BFL Champion

 

ACTUAL POSTS FROM THE GUESTBOOK OF THE BODY FOR LIFE WEBSITE AND EMAILS SENT TO ME,  LAST EDITED 5/1/09

 

This is a document that consists of either actual guestbook posts from ladies, or responses from

personal emails (where I requested additional details) These posts have only been edited by the

Microsoft spell check system to avoid embarrassing or unreadable errors in the posts.

Otherwise, these are the exact words used, and the names and dates on which these occurred.

This document probably represents less than 3 % of the overall number of posts I’ve seen on the

topic, but I chose not to copy posts that did not give detailed information and were only general in

nature. The few that are copies of emails sent to me were sent after I saw a post about progress

on the guestbook, and asked for more details. Of course, as you might imagine, there are some

who have posted and said that they DID NOT experience the 8 week miracle. None of them

admitted to struggling with eating right, but why would they? My sense is that most women who

do not see good results on BFL simply are unable to adhere to the diet 6 days a week. Certainly, there are a select few who either have endocrine problems of a severe nature, or have trashed their bodies with eating disorders, who simply will not see significant results in a program like this. BUT, they are very few and far between.

 

 Happy reading! Mike Harris

 

Posted by Loise Miller, 6/30/04What if I had quit at week 4 when my scale weight went up 5 lbs

and I cried because I worked so hard. I read everyone’s posts about week 8 and 9 and I

continued. What if I had quit on week 6 when I saw no change but I visited Hussman sight  [www.hussmanfitness.com] and he said when there is no change in body weight that is the time your body is changing fat for muscle.

I believed and carry on. If I had quit, at night I would not have gone to bed smiling after looking at

my 8 week pictures. They are absolutely awesome. If I had quit, I would not be jumping for joy

because I have lost 6 lbs of scale weight. The feeling is awesome; this result had me in the gym

so fast I hit all my 10’s and then some. I am in week 10 my next 2 weeks will be the best ever.

Have ever wonder why results come out in the last four weeks? Please stick with the programme

it works.

Denise Kowal, 1/7/04C1D52 I haven’t posted in a while, so I owe you all some encouragement.

After the first six weeks of feeling changes but seeing little, the “high burner” switch must have

turned on inside me. The last week and a half has yielded unbelievable results in terms of

increased energy, decreased body fat, and (shock of all shocks) a little six-pack peeking out! No,

I haven’t changed anything – still eating clean and about the same quantities (like the book

suggests), and workouts leave me in tears every time, but it just goes to show me that patience,

persistence, and hard work will be rewarded. So those of you who are wondering how come you

aren’t getting the results you hear about from other people, remember this: every body is

different, and each has its own schedule for change. Stay with the program, because it works.

Review it often to make sure you are doing what you should, and carry on! Results will be yours if

you stick with it. Be strong! –Denise

Linne, Goleta California, 2/28/05Well, I posted my Week 8 photos on BFL Tracker! I am finally

seeing a difference, my clothes are getting baggier, I’m feeling happier and all is well! So many

people told me they didn’t see a real difference until around week 7 or 8 and I felt like…”week 7 or

8?” “I can’t wait that long!” But you have to power through it and know you may not see it right

away, you may not see it until wk or 7-8-9, but it will happen. For anyone who gets discouraged,

please hang in there, the early weeks can get discouraging (maybe even a little depressing) but

don’t give up, you can do it.

From “Chriss” in a personal email to me on 4/10/05: “my transformation took the entire 12

weeks, didn’t actually see a lot of change until week 8, and I am really GLAD that I did not step on

the scale, measure myself, or anything until day84, and wow what an improvement. Actually, the

photos were the icing on the cake, because the scale only moved 7 pounds, but I lost 15

inches, went from size 10 to a size 6, and lost 12% body fat! So, who cares what the scale says,

and doing the weekly re-measurements is for the birds.”

Kellie, from Santa Clara Utah, 5/16/05Happy Monday Everyone!!! I am proud to write it is C2D1

Here!!! I NEVER would have believed that I would be writing that! It’s amazing what happens

when you commit to a goal and actually FOLLOW through. All you women starting out, don’t get

discouraged. Keep working towards your goal. Keep your self promises. If you falter a bit, don’t

get down and out just brush it off and over come it. Be patient with the results. I didn’t see any till

week 8, but what happened between then and the end, is amazing to me. Am I the best??? Far

from it!!! But in my opinion I’ve already won!!! I’m already a champion, because I followed through

and finished something that is important to me! My greatest reward is a healthy body and a brain

that says I CAN DO IT, energy to keep up with my 12 1/2 year old daughter who runs a 6 min.

mile and my 2 year old who just plain runs me ragged!!! The level head that keeps me sane when

I’m rushing from work, to ball games, to ballet!!! And the self confidence that I’m not so bad after

all and I know that I can handle all of the above!!!!

Karla, in an email to me 8/12/05I could tell a difference after 4 weeks, but it was slight. The

biggest change I noticed was after 9 weeks, when I took a photo. I’m highly critical of myself in

the mirror, but I couldn’t deny the change in the pictures. Also around week 9, my clothes were

more loose fitting, and now, most of them don’t fit at all. To be clear, I wasn’t overweight before.

But I was completely out of shape. I don’t know if it’s harder for really overweight people or not,

as far as seeing quicker results. Even though I didn’t see the physical changes right away, the

mental changes came within a week or two. Not to the level I’m at right now, but I could already

tell I was feeling good. And in other ways physically, the better diet has helped in so many ways,

and early on. I hope people focus on the bigger picture, instead of only worrying about their

appearance, weight on the scale, etc. I know it’s hard to do that. Sorry for the long response.

Thanks for your interest!

Amy San Diego, 8/7/06Hello I know it has been a while but as some of you know I have been on

the hunt for a job! It is going well a few interviews here and there. I am completely elated with all

of my changes so far I am in week 10 and people are now noticing the differences. Hallelujah! I

got asked if I had lost 15 lbs. ****************************For all of those concerned with not

dropping scale weight I haven’t lost a pound but I look like I have and my pant size doesn’t lie!!!!

Size 11/12 to an 8!! Keep up your dedication and hard work! Started boot camp for abs today…oh

my gosh! I know I will be feeling this in the am. I had a funniest home video moment in the gym

today. I feel very at home in the gym and comfortably know my way around. Well today was a

different story I was following the abs training and only could find a flat bench for the side

obliques. (Now it is visual time) I reached up to hold on to the bench and twisted my body as I

curled my legs up I fell off the bench…Ha Ha Ha!! I was sooooooo embarrassed but I shrugged it

off and kept up with the ab workout. Guaranteed that everyone in the gym saw the fall out. At

least I laughed and moved on!! Keep up the good work everyone it is totally worth it!

Kimberley, Bunker Hill W.V., 2/8/07 I have been reading some of the other posts and the 8-

week change. It is sooo true. I did this program in 2003 and week 8 and all the rest of the weeks

were stunning. I would wake up looking different everyday. Amazing. I had been so discouraged

because my husband was losing like crazy and looking great. And here I was stuck, so it seemed.

Week 8 oh week 8 I cannot wait to get there. I could see a different lump (that’s a good thing,

muscle) everyday. I would look in the mirror and wonder who the heck was that. Hang in there

ladies. The results WILL come. It is like Christmas. Almost overnight it happens. I can’t wait for

week 8, I can’t wait for week 8.

Posted by Jami from Medford Oregon on 3/8/07 Okay, this is going sound lame, but a few

tears shot out of my eyes this morning when I changed into my workout clothes and took a

gander at my progress from yesterday. We’re in the middle of week 10 and we’re literally seeing

change every day. THIS PLAN WORKS!!!! The more faithful you are to how it’s laid out, the more

results you will see. My goal for the 12 weeks was 20 pounds lost and I’m now down 23.5. I cried,

I guess, because I was so hopeful when we began and wasn’t sure how it would go. Tears of joy.

The changes inside are more wonderful than the exterior. I am really blown away at how life

changing it really is. EDITOR’S NOTE: Jami’s couple’s challenge was on the featured

challengers of the 2007 BFL website. She and her husband are featured in the Champions

Body for Life book as well.

Posted by Sarah, on active duty in Afghanistan, on 3/21/07 Well, here I am- staring down

the last 48 hours of my challenge. I feel like I’ve been through it all. I had the withdrawal

headaches from sugar in the beginning. i had the aches and rotten attitude during the first couple

weeks- wondering why the fat wasn’t falling off of my body and why I hurt so darned much. I’ve

been at that point where I couldn’t understand why my weight would plateau…and I would get on

the scale every day. I measured my body every day- more for accountability purposes than

anything else. in the process, I learned how sensitive my body was to extra calories and sugar

(which would explain why everyone in my family is diabetic!) When I hit a plateau and felt

frustrated, I kept asking myself how much effort I had put into eating exact amounts that day. I

discovered a few things. 1. I lost a majority of my weight in the first three weeks, but a majority of

my inches after that. 2. The last two weeks really do matter. My last 7 pounds came off and I went

from a snug size 8 to a size 6, AND I lost another 2 inches from my waist. I am energetic and full

of hope. For everyone who wakes up feeling bloating or wondering why they just aren’t losing that

fast, I have three recommendations for you. Ask yourself if you’re eating the right amounts (for

women- that’s less than 1500 calories a day). Ask yourself if you’re eating high glycemic carbslike

a lot of fruit. I’m not saying that fruit is bad- I’m just saying it could have a profound effect on

your challenge. And lastly- are you eating a lot of sugar-substitutes? They are a lesser evil than

sugar, but plenty of substitutes will cause your body to react in the same way as it would to sugar.

Anyway, I’m getting ready to head back to the states after a long year in Afghanistan. I had a few

days where I was dragging my food around the mountains with me- it took some creative

planning on my part. Oh yeah- for all you new guys starting out. Stay flexible. If you cheat, give

that day up as your free day. If you miss a workout, let that be your free day. Don’t tell yourself

“oh, no big deal…I still am going to take my original free day.” Realize that you may be breaking a

sugar addiction and be patient with yourself and your cravings, but be strong. I’ve got faith in you.

I’m 26 pounds lighter and went from a size 12/14 to a size 6. I’m looking forward to sending in my

packet- not because I expect to win- but because it symbolizes my completion of a something

great. See you all next year at the expo! (I’m planning ahead.) AND, a personal email to me from

the same Sarah: “Mike, feel free to add anything I said to that document. It helped me

immensely to read that women’s document- and if I can be a part of inspiring or helping other

people out, I’d be proud to be a part of that. I just felt so compelled to share my joy with everyone

today, so I posted that note on the guestbook. I hope that others out there realize if I can drag my

rice and tuna around the mountains (questioning my sanity the whole time) while working with the

people/livestock or whatever the mission/crisis was- they can do it with their own particular set of

adversities and challenges. if I even inspire one person, I’ve done great. So yes, please add me

to that document. I’d be proud to be a part of that. Sarah” (email 3/22/07) EDITOR’S NOTE:

Sarah’s transformation was also among the 2007 featured challengers on the BFL

website.

Posted by Lacy, Olney, Md, on 4/2/07 “Hi all! First all, I’m stoked! I looked in the mirror

yesterday and saw the makings of a lil’ 6 pack, too cool!! If that isn’t motivation I don’t know what

is!Okay, I’m on challenge 2, week 2 day 1. For those early in the program with no changes,

please listen to my story….

NO CHANGE in weight, barely any in clothing, and little difference in the photo up until week 8.

Then I started to see some changes. Week 12 I took my photo and was literally astonished with

my new bod, jumped on the scale and weight EXACTLY the same thing as my starting weight!

Dropped from size 16 to size 12 and the photos don’t lie. Same weight on the scale. That hit me

hard, but I’ve since had my sanity talked back in and I’m really psyched. I’m on essentially week

14 and just feel like at the end of this second challenge I’ll have that body I’ve always wanted!So

please, please, please don’t expect pounds to melt off fast, this is a slow moving program where

you literally get healthy on the inside before you start to see it on the outside! You must be

patient, you must stick with the program, and you must keep going or you will never see those

changes start to manifest them on the outside. You can’t visualize the great things happening

inside, but if you keep going and keep going, soon they will be on the outside and when they start

to show, they show fast!!” (In an email to me, Lacy told me that she weighed 173 at the beginning

and end of that first challenge and that people have told her she looks like she weighs 140.)

KRISTY, a 41 year old lady who did BFL three years ago with good results, reported on the

guestbook on April 24 2007 that she had seen great results at the beginning and near the end of

her challenge, losing five pounds or more in weeks 10 and 11. She has gone from a size 8 to a

baggy size 6, but not quite a size 4. She estimates her starting body fat at 35% and knows that

her measured body fat at the end of week 11 is 24%. She has lost 17 scale pounds so far. She

was sedentary for the most part before her latest body for life transformation and endured a

lengthy plateau between her early results and the results that came in weeks 10 and 11.

Sometimes it doesn’t take quite 8 weeks to see really amazing things.

Nicole T wrote this email to me on 4/25/07: “I am 43, always been active and healthy but

weighed 185 lbs on January 1st of this year. I vowed to learn to eat reasonably and lose some

weight. I started by buying a skin tight pair of size 15 black jeans which I would use as my

benchmark. I weighed and measured myself as well. I tried on my own to change my eating

habits and exercise but wasn’t progressing. I finally gave Body for Life a chance. I started my

first challenge on March 5. My jeans were still skin tight. I followed the program to the letter. At

the four week mark I couldn’t wait to weigh and measure myself and try my jeans. I did and I was

so devastated. The scale hadn’t moved although I was ready and warned about that. So I went

to my measuring tape. I was sure the changes would show there. Nope. Not one centimetre

lost. In fact I GAINED on my thighs. But the worse came when I tried on my jeans, they were still

suck-in-your-gut-to-snap-shut tight. I only kept going with BFL because I’d heard that week 8 was

the week to see changes. Truthfully, I didn’t think I would see them. I did not alter anything; I

stuck to the BFL following it to the letter and counted the weeks. Well, at the end of week 7 I was

getting dressed for work and pulled out the only clean pants I had: the black jeans. I couldn’t

believe my eyes. They were huge and baggy! I was making my children’s lunches and had to

keep pulling up my pants because they were hanging at my hips! My daughter told me I was

gross because she could see my underwear. I finally had to get a belt to keep them on. I haven’t

worn those pants since. They’re TOO BIG! That was last week. I can’t wait to see what the next

few weeks have to offer.” Signed simply, “Nicole”

Posted by Frances from Biloxi Mississippi on 4/29/07: Hi, everyone! Just dropping in to let you

know about more changes I am going through. If you will remember, I am one of the ladies whose

fat is just so darned stubborn it won’t budge. Well, week 8 came and went and not much diff:(

BUT…week 9 came and something began to happen. Inches started coming off and weight

started dropping on the scale. The BF% did not change but at least it did not move up. I

previously had lost 5% BF in the early 5 weeks and was amazed at how much marbleized fat I

had in my muscles. I truthfully just didn’t have much muscle mass to begin with so I was carrying

quite a bit of adipose tissue on some skinny bones. WoW! I just had to go back and change the

last sentence to reflect a PAST tense! So here are some more changes and I am only day 3 on

week 10. I woke up skinnier! Yep. I stretched to get the mind racing and when my hands fell

across my abs there was nothing there!!! I jumped out of bed and the scale was down another

pound. Now my scale has not moved in weeks. I think I might have lost 2-3 lbs the first 4 weeks

and then nothing until week 9. I began to lose a pound a day! I am not fibbing here. A pound a

day! I am eating 6 balanced meals a day, sometime 7-8 depending on how long the day has

gotten. I exercise with all I have and do the appointed workouts as BFL wrote them. That is it! I

am losing inches, too! I lost 3 inches last week in my waist. I know I have lost more but I am not

measuring again till Thurs (my free day).BTW: Regarding free day for me, I take a free meal. And

not just some junk meal because I can. I just eat out someplace and get home cooked style food

that is not as artificial as the fast-food places. I watch my portion size too! For me, eating BFL is

about eating wholesome foods, not “dieting”. I was already a whole foods buff, but I still have

cake and hot dogs and what not on my free day but it is all natural products and usually a dessert

I made from scratch using wholesome ingredients. These things are not bad for you if you begin

with healthy ingredients. It’s that other stuff that is killing us all! Well, that and eating way too

much of it! So try to think in terms of long-term health when using your free day/meal. It is not an

opportunity to junk out. We should never ever have an opportunity to do that to our bodies! If you

are craving processed food, go make the item you are craving from scratch! I am NOT saying not

to eat cake, cookies, doughnuts, pizza, etc…just saying make them yourself using wholesome

ingredients. That is MY take on Free Day/Meal. ABS MAY APPEAR EVEN LATER THAN WEEK

10 IN LADIES!!

Here is a guestbook post from Jocelyn of Waco on 5/31/07 (whose husband works in a Snicker’s

Candy Bar plant by the way!!), followed by an email from her with a bit more information: “Thank

you all so much for your compliments! I trained my abs HARD like every other muscle. As the

layers of fat melted off they eventually uncovered my abs. It wasn’t easy; this is the first time in

my life I’ve seen abs, and that’s after having 2 kids lol. It’s possible, just not easy. I got my packet

sent in I also had delivery confirmation added to it, so at least I know EAS will get it “On

June 1, Jocelyn added dietary details to her remarkable results story: “My progress started

stalling out a few times. At week 10 I was at my old afters (from 03) measurements and weight

wise), I thought there was no more room for improvement. So I figured I’d end strong. I cut out

whole wheat bread and tortillas and pasta out after week 10, week 11 I cut out fruit and I upped

my water. Week 11 was when I started noticing my abs were coming out, I couldn’t believe it.

When I did my final measurements my hips and my thighs were both one whole inch each less

than my old afters (I didn’t think it was possible to get any smaller than that). In my 2nd challenge

I lost about 24 lbs, went from 26.9% body fat to about 12%, and I am in better shape than I EVER

have been before. I am smaller than I was in high school, better shape than the last times I did

BFL.” [Editor’s note: Dropping the starchy carbs in week 10, cutting out fruits in week 11 and

increasing water consumption really helps to drive out those last few pounds off fat and water

between the skin and abs, and is a strategy long used by professional bodybuilders and fitness

competitors.] And in an email to me she tells more about how it happened: “Wow Mike I am

very honored that you’d ask to put this in your success document! Of course you can!! My abs

didn’t appear until I was below my possible perceived smallest weight and waist size. I didn’t

think it could get better, I didn’t think I could see my abs. I felt them rock hard below that last

layer and in my very last week of this challenge they uncovered. Honestly I thought things

couldn’t get better, but I ate a little bit cleaner just to see and made sure I hit my 10’s and

they came out. (the bold is mine, not hers)The # of inches and everything is irrelevant, everyone

is different. When I had my week 10 results I didn’t think there was room for improvement, but I

found that there really was. I hope this is helpful to you! Thank you Mike ” EDITOR’S NOTE:

Jocelyn’s transformation was among those selected for featured challengers on the BFL

website. She is also a feature in a new infomercial for the P 90 X fitness program. She is

also a Beach Bodies grand champion and she currently lives in western Michigan.

From Michele B, received by email of 11/8/07: Mike, I promised I would send you information

for the ladies success journal, so here it is: During the first 6-7 weeks of the challenge I was one

of the “lucky” ones. What I mean by that is I saw steady weight loss on the scale during those

weeks. However, when I took my week 6 picture I saw little change. There was some drop in

inches, and I went from a 16 to a loose fitting 14but still not a 12. At the end of 8 weeks I

wondered if I had any chance of seeing the “8 week miracle” that so many women with little to no

weight loss speak of getting. Somewhere around week 10 I started seeing the difference. The

size 12 pants fit, and the next week they were loose. By week 12 I was in a comfortable size 10!

The inches seemed to melt faster after week 10, and people started noticing it in my new body.

Even one of the very conservative guys at work commented on my weight loss! That was when I

knew it was real. I lost 24lbs total over the 12 weeks, but dropping from a size 16 to a 10 was the

bigger accomplishment. The best part was when my husband stared at my legs one day while I

was tying my shoes before a run. He said he was amazed at how strong my legs have gotten,

and that he could really see the muscle coming out. After 17 years of marriage I’m thrilled that he

is still checking out my legs! One of the women at work told me I look “fit”….me, fit? Imagine

that! I’ll be forty in less than a year, and thanks to BFL I am on my way to 40 and FABULOUS! I

have more energy than ever, and I’m not even the least bit moody anymore (yes, I admit I WAS

moody). The sugar highs and lows are gone, and the cravings have gone from cupcakes to long

runs. I’m training for a half marathon now and am currently running over 7 miles without falling

over on the side of the road…all thanks to my improved body…thanks to BFL and hard work! I

hope this helps someone else hang in there. I wanted to give up more than once, but I stuck it

out with the support of the wonderful people in my life, especially on the GB. If you are a lady

reading this…YOU CAN DO IT! The end result is WORTH the difficult days. And here’s the best

part. I am still exercising regularly with cardio and weights, eating 6 meals each day, and

following a maintenance eating pattern and the weight is still coming off. I would like to drop one

(or 2) more sizes, and I know I can do it by completing another challenge after the half marathon.

Life is good! Michele

FROM LIL OFF THE GUESTBOOK on 12/3/07: Robin, 8 Week Miracle Story here. If you are

frustrated with or questioning your progress, I am a living 8-week miracle. At weeks 6 and 7, I

was considering whether I had the ability to lose weight at all. I saw no change in my pants.

Around week 8, people at my office started commenting, and I noticed a change in my pants, etc.

From that point on, I saw almost daily changes. End of challenge results: 15.5 lbs lost; down .

8% body fat; all tape measurements went down,; my waist went down the most (2 inches). Mike,

feel free to snip and drop this into your ongoing “book.” Thank you to all who helped me along the

way! I am so glad I finished! I am so proud. Thank you, thank you. 1/23/08 KARLA sent this to me

via email: “In my first 4 weeks of BFL, I had the normal 4 week freak-out because I wasn’t seeing

any really noticeable results. I’d lost 3 pounds and nothing more. Then I ran upon your “Success

Document” and had hope of what I might begin to see at the 8th week. The 8th week came and I

did think I was seeing some changes. So, I pulled out the measuring tape and I had lost 3 inches

off of my waist. By the 12th week, I’d lost a total of 5 inches off of my waist. I also fit into a smaller

pants size in the 11th week. After taking all of my measurements, I was down 6 inches all over.

The definition of muscle that I was seeing in my legs and my arms also began around the 9th

week. Now, that scale of mine wasn’t doing much in terms of moving, but I was definitely seeing

and measuring those changes. Right then I knew for myself that the scale is NOT a good

measure of how well I was doing on this plan. I don’t care now what the scale says…if I can look

good at this weight then so be it. That is what I’m after anyways. So, to sum it all up, at the end of

12 weeks, I lost a grand total of 8 pounds and 12.75 inches. So, I lost 5 more pounds and almost

another 7 inches in the last 4 weeks of BFL!! BFL works!! Just keep with it and don’t give up or

give in!! I can’t imagine what I will look like from here on in. It can only get better and better!!!

Then, KARLA, who already had the lady success document added: “I know when I doubted, I

would re-read that document and keep working hard knowing it would happen!”

FROM LINDA from Winnipeg, on 3/31/08: “One week ago, I posted voicing my frustration with

lack of weight loss and no change noted on pictures between weeks 6 and 9. I was hoping for the

results most women get in weeks 8 and 9. Well, I weighed in yesterday at the end of week 10 and

I was down 6 lbs! My new jeans are so loose they are uncomfortable. So, hang in there! It will

happen.” HERE IS LINDA’S end of challenge information: “ Day 84! I’m happy with the results.

I lost 10lb. Very strange…I lost 4 in the first 2 weeks and 6 in week 10. My goal was 135 and I’m

at 144 so I have a ways to go. Better than scale results though, I lost 2 inches on my chest, 3 and

a half on my waist, 3 on my hips and 1 and a half from my thighs. My menopot is nearly gone and

I feel great. I am taking a few days to rest and reflect on new goals before starting again.”

FROM JULIE OF MERRIMACK N.H.: on 4/12/08: “Lynette – I took two weeks off between

challenges with the recommendation of Mike Harris. I was only going to take one week but I sure

am glad that I took two. I didn’t gain anything back, actually lost a 1/2 lb. and felt much stronger

when I started back up this past Monday. I will do the same thing again after this challenge! Your

body totally needs that rest from all the heavy lifting.”

6/17/08, posted by Mary Okoniewski from somewhere overseas: “DAY 85! Thank you so

much it has been an awesome journey- I could not have done so without the guest book, blogs,

and the support of other people. I am so thankful – I joined the military 23 years ago because I

lacked self discipline. I realized shortly thereafter that self discipline comes from within and that

could not be instilled by another. I went about my days letting life happen to me, not really

concerning myself with my lack of discipline. These 12 weeks have been a challenge in several

ways, as they are for most (if not all) I’m sure. For me… I’m retiring from the US NAVY after 23

years of service, I just completed my BS on June 6th, my daughter graduated from high school

last week, I’m coordinating three separate household moves, I don’t have employment after the

service(I know it will come:), my girls leaving their friends.. moving once again…, trying to be the

rock, stable and supportive, has been difficult. But through it all I have derived my strength and

determination from all of you here and have inspired three others to take the challenge. Let me

share what happened on cardio day Week 11 – my workouts were getting pushed later and later,

my eating wasn’t “clean” 100% but rather clean and never missed a workout. I was running

people here and there… and was to go out for lunch when I realized.. no, I HAD to workout – so in

the 90 degree heat I put my running gear on and went. As I was jogging along I realized – this

was it – this was SELF DISCIPLINE – I was so happy – I never imagined that this journey would

lead me there – what I’ve admired in others my entire life I now had. What a gift – I ran 2.5 miles in

20 minutes! Hit my HIITs and set a personal record. When I returned home I looked up self

discipline in the dictionary just to be sure – self discipline: the regulation or correction of one’s self

for the sake of improvement. WOW – Thank you Bill Phillips, Guest book, Champion Bloggers,

and numerous others. I have received the greatest gift. I love my new self and looking forward to

the taking and facing my next challenge whatever it maybe. Thank you and I will continue to read

and hopefully inspire.

I’m sitting here… surround by movers…who don’t speak my language…LOL… all that is left in my

room is my computer!!! YIKES My Body Life Success Journal has been packed- oops- these guys

are good. I thought I might share some of the numbers with you!

I am a 43 yr old female, 5’6″ tall, who started BFL on the 24th of March 2008. I weighed 178lbs,

my waist was 34″, my thighs 26 1/4″, I wore a size 14. Today, i weigh 157!! and my waist is a slim

28 1/2″.. my thighs 24 1/4″…and wearing a size 10 but tried on three pairs of 8’s two weeks ago..

and YES I can wear an 8… is that CRAZY???? Yes crazy… but wonderfully so!!! it WORKS!! I

saw the physical results early on and then very slow – but the greatest reward is not in the

numbers but on the inside … although don’t get me wrong – the numbers ROCK!!!! I’m sorry if I’m

rambling… just so pleased and thankful.”

Posted by Janice from Indiana, by post and email of 10/22/08: My journey began because I was

at the end of my rope, I had tried and failed at every weight loss program there is. Truth be

known, I used the weight to hide behind, and even though I am outgoing and an extrovert, I have

low self-esteem. The program was recommended to all members of the gym I go to, so I bought

Bill’s book, read it, and was immediately hooked, I COULD DO THIS, I was sure. Like all of us, I

was mortified by my before pictures, but my liberation began the day I posted them on tracker, it

was one of the hardest tasks I have ever accomplished. Over the course of the next nine weeks, I

would post pictures and not see much difference with my eyes (others apparently could see

things I could not). Week 9 was a horrible week for me. I ate a box of chocolate caramels by

myself and came home in tears that night, certain that I was in a stage of self-sabotage.

Fortunately, there was the BFL Community. They rose to the challenge and got me through my

darkest hour. Oddly enough, when I posted my 9 week pictures at the end of the week I could

actually see the changes myself. Bear in mind, the changes I saw were nowhere near the

changes that others saw. The next day someone on the tracker website noticed my pics and

started a thread about them, I was shocked and amazed that others thought I had done

something great. That was the catalyst that pushed me over the edge and gave me the

determination to go on.

I am 54 years old. To date, I have lost between 5 and 6 lbs. of weight. Hey, NO BIG DEAL. 5 lbs

is 5 lbs but, more importantly, I have lost 16 lbs of body fat and gained 11 lbs of muscle. I have

lost nearly 16 inches, including 4 inches from both my waist and my hips. WOW!! Oh and my

Body Fat has dropped about 9%. The eight week miracle doesn’t always hit at week 8,

sometimes it is at 6 weeks, sometimes not until weeks 9, 10, 11 or even 12, but it will hit!! Hang in

there, please do not give up. Body for Life is not really about the external changes although they

are a huge plus, but they are about the internal changes, learning to love ourselves so others can

love us for who we are. I was by no means perfect on the plan, I stumbled, but BFL gives you the

opportunity to pick yourself back up and get back on track. One meal or one day or one week is

not going to completely derail anyone, the important thing is to pick yourself back up and get your

act together, so you can achieve the life and the body you want for yourself. I encourage you to

share your pics online, if not for yourself, then for others who may be inspired by your success.

Even if you can’t see changes, others will if they are there. The successes you cannot see may

well be the ones that save someone else’s life.

From Alicia, on the guestbook, 3/13/09 [the post was directed to a specific person whose name

has been deleted here]

Let me just say I know where you are coming from. I work two jobs and I am the soul provider for

my husband, two dogs and myself. I am sure your life is a little chaotic and hectic, even more so

than mine. But I want you to take that fear and channel it into this program.

I know that you are afraid of the results and not seeing what you want. I have tried every fad diet

out there as well as every pill. I would spend 90 minutes on my ellipical and tried to burn more

calories than I was taking in, and not in a good way. I thought if I ate a pizza I would just have to

work out harder the next day, and I thought that was healthy. I was very skepitcal when my

husband told be to read the BFL book.

But here I am closing in at the end of my week 10, I have lost all the weight I set for a goal in the

beginning!! I have quit smoking after 20 years, I eat right and I am truly in better shape than I ever

was!!! You can do this. If you plan well and take some time out on Sunday premake meals, and

plan your workouts you will succeed. Then you will have the best feeling about yourself and your

accomplishments. There were times during my challenge that I wanted to quit, when I didn’t see

anything happen to my body then the miracle happened. Around week 7-9 I woke up and it was

just there. I have abs, I fit into all my clothes I was going toss because I was to fat to fit into, and I

was running faster, lifting more. I had more energy and was not napping on the sofa all weekend.

I am living life and feeling great for my accomplishments!!!

I know you can you do this. Your life right now is a big Challenge, working, school, single Mom,

and you are surviving, you are pushing forward. You aren’t letting things get you down there, you

just keep pushing. And that is all the BFL Challenge is, pushing yourself and going farther. If you

weren’t going to school right now you would be stuck never learning, never moving forward. And

that is exactly what this is, learning using that knowledge to move forward and grow. YOU CAN

DO THIS!!!

A personal email from Alisha with her statistics at week 10: “Thanks Mike. I feel so good and

privileged that you want to add me, and I hope to help others when they think “this

just isn’t working” or if they are skeptical. I have read it and it helped me when I

thought I would throw in the towel.

I was 139lbs at my first weigh in and my goal was to be 120-125lbs. I currently

weigh 124lbs. When I was 139 and only 5′ 2″ I was wearing a size 9 or 10 and now

I am down to a size 2-4 depending on the pants.

Thanks again Mike, without your help and your knowledge I am not sure I would be

 

Lori from Colorado on 5/1/09, an email that I requested after seeing a post on the guestbook.  The key topic here is the 2 weeks of active rest, but the challenge results as well will be of considerable interest to those of you who think you just didn’t see much happen:

 “Hello Mike,

I started my challenge January 19 and completed it on April 12^th.  I had very few results initially and really wondered if the “8 Week Miracle” was true. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Week 4 found me somewhat discouraged, but all of you encouraged me to keep going.

By week 7, I thought I was starting to see some slight changes but continued on. Once week 9 hit and I took measurements I realized ‘something’ was beginning to happen for me at last. Weeks 11 and 12 flew by and I didn’t realize the truth of what had occurred until I viewed my final photos.

At week 12, I had lost a total of 8 pounds (151 to 143) and my body fat went from 26.4% to 21.8 %. I lost a total of 11 inches in hips, chest, waist and thighs. By April 21^st my weight was down to 141.

During  my 3 weeks of active rest, I continued eating 6 meals a day with very little change to what I did during the challenge. My free days were actually a little ‘free-er” with my birthday and a trip to Vegas occurring during this  time. I had cheesecake and other yummy foods on my birthday, and one Vegas buffet and one visit to a Mexican Restaurant on the same day.  I did plan very well for my Vegas trip and brought food for my regular days. I took cooked chicken, apples, oatmeal, boiled eggs, protein pancakes, protein shake packets and a few protein bars. My suitcase was still under 50 pounds!!

( Ah…who needs clothes in Vegas anyway!!) (kidding) This lasted me to my free day with enough ‘good’ food for my trip home on Monday. My free day was a doozy and I did  pay for it with a stomach ache that night. It was so good to have a reminder of how wonderful you feel when eating properly 6 days a week.

Today, near the end of my 3 weeks of active rest, I had my weight and body fat % checked with a very accurate piece of equipment. My body fat during active rest dropped from my end of challenge 21.8 % to 18 %. My weight dropped from 143 to 138. My friend bought me size small workout clothes and I thought she was dreaming. I have NEVER seen myself as ‘small!’ Now I do because they fit!

My  various workouts during active rest included some light yoga, pushups, abs, walks with my kids, an outdoor run or two, a first attempt on the Precor elliptical machine (loved it), stretching, few pull ups and some parts of a video for legs. I had one session with a trainer for abs. I did what I wanted and did no weight lifting at all. My cardio was relatively light and I enjoyed myself. I also had a massage….does that count?

I am really happy in my skin once again and now feel as if I have the ability to continue this lifestyle. I realize I do not have to be constantly pushing myself to stay in shape. With the principles I’ve learned from Body for Life and the faith I used to get through the tough stages, I am empowered to help others achieve success. To me, that is what truly matters.

Thanks Mike for your support and kicks in the pants! I have needed both. I’m so excited to see what the future holds. I feel more alive than ever.

 

Sincerely,   Lori