12WBT February 2013 #2

**LionsandBears** · March 22nd, 2013, 04:45 PM

Continuing on from here.

**The[cookie]Doctor** · March 22nd, 2013, 07:42 PM

N2L if you continue reading in the new thread, 1200 doesn't work for some. I am part of a 30+(kg to lose) group on FB and there are several that say they tried the 1200 it didn't work for them so they gradually increased to 1300 or 1400 or whenever they found a good balance that seemed to work for them.
The program is very variable - it's supposed to teach good principles about food and choice and portion control etc but you can vary it as much as you want to suit your needs. Obviously as designed they believe it will work the most effectively but there are plenty of people who have success doing what works for them.

Other sites like Myfitnesspal or Calorie King calculate only slightly higher calories (variably between 50 and 80) and I have 50kg to lose. What I don't understand is people that say "eat your snacks and don't dare go under 1200 your body will go into starvation mode" but then how does burning an additional 500-1000 cals on top of that not do the same!!!!

In regards to maintenance an old post from their support cew said most people resume 1400-1500 cals a day and training still 5-6 days per week. At my healthy end goals 1400 is what my BMR would be.

We follow the dinners only and I eat breakfasts and lunches that suit the calorie intake and our budget. Many ideas i have had (like breakfast crumble, apple muesli, pancakes) from the recipe index anyway.

**beansbeans!** · March 22nd, 2013, 08:31 PM

Because Im still bfeeding Im on the higher calorie count, of 1700. So far I have lost over 30kgs doing wbt.

Honestly I donnt really calorie count. I dont eat her brekkies or lunches, mainly because its just me eating them and also Im a creature of habit, I really like my brekky combo.

I follow her recipes for dinner though. I dont calorie count because I dont think that it is healthy long term. Instead, by following the program I have realised that my protion sizes were huge, that I was a massive emotional eater (and yes I still am, but no where near as much). I do have my snacks and I make sure that I eat through out the day. If I think I have hit my calorie limit and Im still hungry then I will have some fruit, or something healthy.

The program is great, it has a lot of lessons in it that have had a huge impact on me. The weekly videos, the preseason tasks and the lessons are almost important as following the meal and excerise part.

**peanutter** · March 22nd, 2013, 09:27 PM

I'm useless with the snacks - I just forget to have them. I get busy at work or at home, or I put them in my bag and *still* forget them, etc.

I often only end up having 1000 calories or whatever, and yeah I'm hungry, but not problematically so.

I was in the first couple of weeks, but I got used to it fast.

Exercise has been a much MUCH bigger problem - I just haven't been getting to the gym. I've been working long hours, and then it's too late for the gym and too dark for it outside, and the kids are too asleep for me to be doing it inside!

That being said, I've had a loss every week.

**nothing2lose** · March 22nd, 2013, 09:44 PM

Thanks everyone

I'll give it some more thought.

Good luck to you all in the meantime!

**Gigi** · March 23rd, 2013, 11:16 AM

i am curious about the 12WKMB thing, considering doing it, but am curious, i see snippets of the tv show (the biggest loser) which i'm assuming is tied to the 12WKMB, as Michelle Bridges does both - and i'm wondering, some of the humiliating comments/mentality i see on the Biggest Loser, is that also in the 12wkMB program too?

i realise everyone doing the program is very pro-this program, i'm not having a go, just honestly curious. Already feeling very low and deflated about my weight, hoping the 12wk program is positive, not negative (like the tv show seems to be, to the point where i TRY to watch it, and get so upset by what i see, i have to turn it off).

**PumpkinZulu** · March 23rd, 2013, 11:34 AM

12wbt and BL aren't linked at all. In all the workout videos, Michelle stresses that there's no shame in taking a break when you need to. I find the whole program very supportive and accommodating to all levels of fitness tbh.

**~Gee_Whizzy~** · March 23rd, 2013, 12:05 PM

12wbt and BL aren't linked at all. In all the workout videos, Michelle stresses that there's no shame in taking a break when you need to. I find the whole program very supportive and accommodating to all levels of fitness tbh.

^^^yep this ^^^

12wbt is a complete lifestyle and attitude overhaul. For me, the weightloss is an added bonus.

BL, whilst it is also about lifestyle changes etc it is also about tv ratings and 'entertainment'. With the 12wbt Michelle pushes you 'virtually' (online chat, support messages and mindset videos - all of which are done in a supportive, not belittling, way not what's shown on BL!) the actual onus is on you to follow through with the nutrition and excercise plans that she and her team supply you with

**The[cookie]Doctor** · March 23rd, 2013, 02:02 PM

12wbt and BL aren't linked at all. In all the workout videos, Michelle stresses that there's no shame in taking a break when you need to. I find the whole program very supportive and accommodating to all levels of fitness tbh.

I third this.

**peanutter** · March 23rd, 2013, 04:31 PM

Gigi - you just go at your own pace. Eg: it's easy enough for me to stick to the meals at least 75% of the time, so I do that. But some weeks I can only really get to the gym 3 times a week, some times it's once ...

We all have busy lives, a while you can make certain decisions and priorities, sometimes life just gets in the way.

You just take it at your own time, at your own pace, and go from there.

**~Hestia~** · March 23rd, 2013, 05:08 PM

N2L I don't stick to the 1200 calories, I am still breastfeeding so add on an extra 300 or so. Plus I want this to be a lifestyle change and so it needs to be sustainable for me. I figure as long as I move everyday and make more concious decisions about what I am eating, I'm on the right track. I usually have the breakfasts and dinners while organising my own lunch.

I'm a massive emotional eater and am getting better in that regard while learning heaps about why I eat. That's probably the biggest thing I will be taking from the program

**Gigi** · March 23rd, 2013, 06:06 PM

thanks for all the replies - you have put my mind at ease!

i'm on my own personal countdown to doing the 12wk program. I have made a list of all the things i think i will need to do it, and am gradually marking all those things off. (so far, i have bought a kitchen digital scale to weigh the portions on, a set of scales to weigh me on, next thing is a pair of sneakers to workout in as i don't have any supportive, filled in shoes to wear at all).

i do find all your posts about this program, very inspiring, esp the bits you struggle with, cos that's real life, and you all give each other heaps of great things to try (to get past, whatever is the struggle).

**RockingBaker** · March 23rd, 2013, 10:05 PM

Eeekkkk I signed up this morning and absolutely wetting myself over it. I'm an emotional eater and pretty lazy with my food choices unfortunately. I'm going to focus on the food side and try and manage exercise where I can. Will I really need kitchen scales? I never thought of that before.

**PumpkinZulu** · March 23rd, 2013, 10:48 PM

Yep RB, definitely get some digital kitchen scales. Especially if exercise is going to be when you can fit it in, the portion sizes are really important. Eventually you won't need to weigh so much, you'll know by sight what 60g of something is etc. I still weigh everything because I want it to be exact.

**RockingBaker** · March 23rd, 2013, 10:54 PM

Can you prepare snacks and lunches the night before? I'd like to so I make sure I eat properly.

**PumpkinZulu** · March 24th, 2013, 12:25 AM

I do. If I don't I snack on **** all day or over eat. It's also easier time wise...and I've only got two little ones lol!

**peanutter** · March 24th, 2013, 07:58 AM

Yep, definitely get kitchen scales.

Particularly as a lot of the recipes have "one medium onion 89gm" and then I get one medium onion, and it's 128gms ... weigh everthing!

And yes, a lot of the recipes can be made in advance.

Also, get "MyFitnessPal" or something similar on your phone, because it helps you track calories during the day, and will also help you to figure out if you can eat something with your left over snack calories.

And even if you're focusing on eating right, and exercise is a little bit on the back burner, try to get out at least once a day - even if it's just a walk around the block. Just to get it into your mindset that exercise is something that you do, ITMS

**BrightSparkles** · March 24th, 2013, 09:01 AM

So I've decided I'm not going to spend the money this round and allow myself the full 3 -4 months to recover. I am going to follow the meal/ exercise plans in her books as much as I can.
Started this morning with measurements and breakfast - tomato, mushrooms, English spinich and toast. My gosh I'm so full!