My Vegetarian Body-for-LIFE Journey

Body for LIFE-Day 2

2009-08-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Day 2 went well.

Had a good run, hit my 10s.

I had 5 meals. 2 Premier Chocolate protien shakes, 1 bar, and 2 meals.

For my meals I had 1 Grillers Prime patty, 1 portion sized baked potato, and a salad.

I have been better at drinking more water and not drinking Diet Coke. Man that one was a hard one to give up!

Body-for-LIFE Day 1

2009-06-08T10:23:00.001-07:00

I started my Challenge on Sunday the 3rd of August 2009.
I got a good upper body workout in using my dumbells.

I only ate 4 meals instead of the required 6. But it was day one and I will be picking up steam as I go.

My starting weight was 192 lbs :(

I cooked up a bunch of steamed broccoli, Boca Vegan patties, Baked potatoes, Quinoa and pan fried tofu in Pam. This way it is easier for the week if we have some food already prepared.

Apology

2009-05-23T14:47:00.001-07:00

Sorry to all the people that have visited and found no new posts and not much of anything on here. I have been very busy and I got off track for a while. I will be keeping this blog up to date from now on out. Sorry for the inconvenience. Michael.

To get in shape

2009-04-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

I am so ready to get in shape and to start eating clean and healthy. I am tired of being overweight and being embarrassed to take off my shirt in front of people. I want to get my 6 pack back, and to have a sexy muscled body that my wife will love.

My wife and I will be doing this as Vegetarians. So I will be posting up food ideas, and recipes to help others find interesting and new things to eat.

I know my wife and I can do this. We need to motivate each other and support each other. We can do very well in a couples challenge if we set our mind to it.

I just picked us up new Success Journals so we can have brand new fresh ones for our Challenge.

We start on Monday 25 May 2009 and end on 17 August 2009.

Looking for someone?
Then follow this link and find them!
I have used this service for a while now and have found many of my old friends that I have lost contact with over the years. Click on the link type in the name and reconnect!
http://Acme-People-Search.com/1243108874LCOL

Link to 1st blog entry:

My Body-for-LIFE Journey: Starting my journey for a better me!

Link to the blog main page:

http://mybody4life-michael.blogspot.com/

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Body-for-LIFE Books

2009-04-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

I have all the Body-for-LIFE books that you might need listed on the right hand side of this blog. I wanted to put these up on here so that anyone interested does not have to go all over the place trying to find out what books there are, and where to get them.

Amazon is the place I decided to use to post up links to the books because they have the lowest prices typically, I have had very good experiences with them and I love to use them.

Link to 1st blog entry:

My Body-for-LIFE Journey: Starting my journey for a better me!

Link to the blog main page:

http://mybody4life-michael.blogspot.com/

My starting measurements

2009-04-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

My starting measurements:

Left thigh-23 1/4

Right thigh-23 1/4

Hips-42

Waist (where wife took it)-41

2in above belly button-38 1/2

Left calf-15

Right calf-15

Left bicep-13 1/4

Right bicep-13 1/4

Left forearm-11

Right forearm-11

Neck-16 1/2

Chest-41 3/4

Actual waist (I wear 34in jeans)-37

Link to 1st blog entry:

My Body-for-LIFE Journey: Starting my journey for a better me!

Link to the blog main page:

http://mybody4life-michael.blogspot.com/

Comments

2009-04-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

Please feel free to leave comments on what you think about the program, any insights, helpful information, tips and or any other comments you wish to add.

Also please email me if you have any specific questions, or need any additional information at

skypherindustries@live.com

Thank you in advance

Link to 1st blog entry:

My Body-for-LIFE Journey: Starting my journey for a better me!

Link to the blog main page:

http://mybody4life-michael.blogspot.com/

Bowflex Ultimate Home Gym

2009-04-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is the Bowflex Ultimate that most of my workouts will be performed on, I will be using my treadmill, and eliptical also as well as running on the roads.
I love my Bowflex I get great workouts from it. It is a very versitile machine, capable of performing any of the workouts I need to do.

Link to 1st blog entry:

My Body-for-LIFE Journey: Starting my journey for a better me!

Link to the blog main page:

http://mybody4life-michael.blogspot.com/

Vegetarian

2009-04-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

Oh, by the way I am a vegetarian, so you will see that all my foods are such and contain no meat. I will be posting information as I go along this journey about different vegetarian options, as well as some recipes that I will be using.

Link to 1st blog entry:

My Body-for-LIFE Journey: Starting my journey for a better me!

Link to the blog main page:

http://mybody4life-michael.blogspot.com/

Quinoa

2009-04-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

A little about Quinoa that I will be using as a protein sourse for anyone that does not know what it is.
This information was taken from Wikipedia:

Quinoa (pronounced /kinw/ KEEN-wah or /kino/ KEE-no-uh, Spanish quinua, from Quechua kinwa), a species of goosefoot (Chenopodium), is a grain-like crop grown as a crop primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal, or grain, as it is not a grass. Its leaves are also eaten as a leaf vegetable, much like amaranth, but the commercial availability of quinoa greens is currently limited.

Nutritional value

Quinoa was of great nutritional importance in pre-Columbian Andean civilizations, being secondary only to the potato, and was followed in importance by maize. In contemporary times, this crop has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (12%–18%), making it a healthful choice for vegetarians and vegans. Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source. It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Because of all these characteristics, quinoa is being considered a possible crop in NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights.

Preparation

Quinoa has a light, fluffy texture when cooked, and its mild, slightly nutty flavor makes it an alternative to white rice or couscous.

The first step in preparing quinoa is to remove the saponins, a process that requires soaking the grain in water for a few hours, then changing the water and resoaking, or rinsing it in ample running water either in a fine strainer or in cheesecloth. Removal of the saponin helps with digestion; the soapy nature of the compound makes it act as a laxative. Most boxed quinoa has been pre-rinsed for convenience.

A common cooking method is to treat quinoa much like rice, bringing two cups of water to a boil with one cup of grain, covering at a low simmer and cooking for 14–18 minutes or until the germ separates from the seed. The cooked germ looks like a tiny curl and should have a slight bite to it (like al dente pasta). As an alternative, one can use a rice cooker to prepare quinoa, treating it just like white rice (for both cooking cycle and water amounts).

Vegetables and seasonings can also be added to make a wide range of dishes. Chicken or vegetable stock can be substituted for water during cooking, adding flavor. It is also suited to vegetable pilafs, complementing bitter greens like kale.

Quinoa can serve as a high-protein breakfast food mixed with honey, almonds, or berries; it is also sold as a dry product, much like corn flakes.

Quinoa flour can be used in wheat-based and gluten-free baking. For the latter, it can be combined with sorghum flour, tapioca, and potato starch to create a nutritious gluten-free baking mix. A suggested mix is three parts quinoa flour, three parts sorghum flour, two parts potato starch, and one part tapioca starch. Quinoa flour can be used as a filling for chocolate.

Quinoa may be germinated in its raw form to boost its nutritional value. Germination activates its natural enzymes and multiplies its vitamin content. In fact, quinoa has a notably short germination period: Only 2-4 hours resting in a glass of clean water is enough to make it sprout and release gases, as opposed to, e.g., 12 hours overnight with wheat. This process, besides its nutritional enhancements, softens the grains, making them suitable to be added to salads and other cold foods.

Link to 1st blog entry:

My Body-for-LIFE Journey: Starting my journey for a better me!

Link to the blog main page:

http://mybody4life-michael.blogspot.com/

2009 Partners Challenge

2009-04-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

I will be entering this challenge with my wife as a couples entry. She will also be blogging her experiences in her blog which I will link to from here.

Link to 1st blog entry:

My Body-for-LIFE Journey: Starting my journey for a better me!

Link to the blog main page:

http://mybody4life-michael.blogspot.com/

What I want to look like

2009-04-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

Here is what I want to look like after my 12 week challenge is over (of course I am talking about the after picture)

This is Charles DeConnick a 36 year old (same age as me) man from Birkenhead, New Zealand (which is where my Grandmother and her family is from).

He reduced his body fat from 24% to 9%!

Link to 1st blog entry:

My Body-for-LIFE Journey: Starting my journey for a better me!

Link to the blog main page:

http://mybody4life-michael.blogspot.com/

The Body-for-LIFE Challenge

2009-04-01T06:15:00.000-07:00

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The information posted below about the Body-for-LIFE Challenge is copied and pasted directly from their website (http://bodyforlife.com/challenge/whatis.asp)
so all credit goes to them, not me.

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The Body-for-LIFE Challenge is a 12-week healthy living contest based on the proven principles in the best-selling book Body-for-LIFE.

Participants are encouraged to record their progress with before and after photos.

They are also asked to record their inner transformation in a short essay and they are judged on the quality of their outer and inner transformation. $1,000,000.

View Frequently Asked Questions..

Crucial steps to success in your 2009 Body-for-LIFE Challenge Register now for the 2009 Body-for-LIFE Challenge by clicking here.

The registration process only takes a minute, but the changes you'll see after your 12-week transformation will last a lifetime.

Once you've registered, you'll be able to download the official Challenge Entry Kit.Download your 2007 Body-for-LIFE Challenge entry kit.

Take your "Before" photos Start your transformation

Follow our exercises and nutrition recommendations for best results.

Take your "After" photos Record your inner transformation Send in your packet!

We must receive your completed Official Competitors Guide within 15 days of the end date of your 12-week Challenge.

Keep up the great work — Look what you've done in 12 weeks! Enjoy your progress, but continue on with your new healthy lifestyle.

Link to 1st blog entry:

My Body-for-LIFE Journey: Starting my journey for a better me!

Link to the blog main page:

http://mybody4life-michael.blogspot.com/

Starting my journey for a better me!

2009-04-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

01 April 2009

I am a 36 year old "frumpy" man, not in the shape I used to be in and finally decided to do something about it.
I am in the Navy, have been for almost 18 years now. I use to stay in shape by running all the time, playing soccer and working out at the gym.
Over the last 2 years I have really let myself go. I had a torn miniscus in my knee and had to wait a while to get into the doctor and get it scoped. I had the operation last summer, it has just recently finnished healing enough for me to start running.
I was able to run my last PRT (physical rediness test) in the Navy. First one in 2 years, I ran a 10.30 mile and a half. Not bad for only being healed for about 2-3 months.

Now I really want to build on that success and take charge of my life with this program. I am so excited to see and to show off my new body in 12 weeks. I will be so happy, and feel so much better.

I will be posting weekly pictures of me as I go through this challenge so we can all see how my body responds to this way of living.

My goals are to loose 30 lbs of fat, gain 20-30 lbs of muscle, be a more positive person, have more energy and feel better about myself

Body for life is not a "Fad" or a "Diet" it is a way of living from now on. The concept revolves around eating 6 small meals (portioned into fist sized portions of a protien a carb and a vegitable) spaced 2-3 hours apart every day as well as a workout program that alternates weights and cardio workouts every other day with the 7th day being your "day off".

Here is the website for Body-for-LIFE
http://bodyforlife.com/

These are links to the other posts in this blog:

I also have a Financial blog about My Quest for Financial Independence that you can see here:

http://quest-for-financial-freedom.blogspot.com/

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