Body for Life ... anyone? Too much protein??

studentRN

Hi all,

I just decided this week to start Body for Life, today is Day 3. I had a friend years ago that did it with her husband and at the end of 12 weeks, they looked fantastic!

Just wondering if anyone here is either in the process of doing it or has done it... any experience with it? According to their website, it recommends I eat 1600 cal/day... which I guess makes sense when I have my goals here set to 1300/wk + ex calories each day. The hard part is...

EATING PROTEIN!! :sad:

The Body for Life diet is split up to 40% protein/40% carbs/20% fat. Seems reasonable but at 1600 cal/day thats 160g of protein!!! EEEEEK! :noway:

Does that seem right for a 24 y/o 160# woman? It's not the first time I've been told before that I need to eat that much protein in order to lose fat and tone my muscles appropriately. It just seems so daunting to eat that much! I think I'll struggle to stay on the band wagon doing this much protein 6 days/wk so I may just have to follow it strictly for the 3 days/wk that I strength train since that's when it counts the most anyways. The other 3 days I'll attempt to eat as much as I can.

Now, I am NOT a big meat eater... at all... I like chicken and that's about it. Turkey is doable too...Not a big red meat eater... as in I only consume it about 6 times a year, if that. Just don't really care for the taste. I don't eat pork, lamb, or ANY type of seafood/fish. Oh, and I don't eat eggs either.

I don't really care for protein shakes either... protein bars are loaded w/ carbs so too high in calories. I've got some friends that use UNJURY powder in like a glass of OJ, it has 20g per scoop I guess. Can't stand the "tastes just like a chocolate shake" stuff....tried the so-called "protein bullets"... NASTY! Ugh it was soooo gross!

So.... HELP!!!


Anyone have any creative ideas for me?? I really need ideas for breakfast as I suffer from mostly carb filled breakfasts. I think I can manage eating close to enough for lunch/dinner, but still could use some help.

Thanks guys! :drinker:

ETA: This morning I got creative and made 2 chicken "tacos" w/ wheat tortillas, low fat cheese and some spicy taco sauce...510 cal & a whopping 53g of protein.... just for breakfast!!! I was FULL! :bigsmile:

studentRN

Hi all,

I just decided this week to start Body for Life, today is Day 3. I had a friend years ago that did it with her husband and at the end of 12 weeks, they looked fantastic!

Just wondering if anyone here is either in the process of doing it or has done it... any experience with it? According to their website, it recommends I eat 1600 cal/day... which I guess makes sense when I have my goals here set to 1300/wk + ex calories each day. The hard part is...

EATING PROTEIN!! :sad:

The Body for Life diet is split up to 40% protein/40% carbs/20% fat. Seems reasonable but at 1600 cal/day thats 160g of protein!!! EEEEEK! :noway:

Does that seem right for a 24 y/o 160# woman? It's not the first time I've been told before that I need to eat that much protein in order to lose fat and tone my muscles appropriately. It just seems so daunting to eat that much! I think I'll struggle to stay on the band wagon doing this much protein 6 days/wk so I may just have to follow it strictly for the 3 days/wk that I strength train since that's when it counts the most anyways. The other 3 days I'll attempt to eat as much as I can.

Now, I am NOT a big meat eater... at all... I like chicken and that's about it. Turkey is doable too...Not a big red meat eater... as in I only consume it about 6 times a year, if that. Just don't really care for the taste. I don't eat pork, lamb, or ANY type of seafood/fish. Oh, and I don't eat eggs either.

I don't really care for protein shakes either... protein bars are loaded w/ carbs so too high in calories. I've got some friends that use UNJURY powder in like a glass of OJ, it has 20g per scoop I guess. Can't stand the "tastes just like a chocolate shake" stuff....tried the so-called "protein bullets"... NASTY! Ugh it was soooo gross!

So.... HELP!!!


Anyone have any creative ideas for me?? I really need ideas for breakfast as I suffer from mostly carb filled breakfasts. I think I can manage eating close to enough for lunch/dinner, but still could use some help.

Thanks guys! :drinker:

ETA: This morning I got creative and made 2 chicken "tacos" w/ wheat tortillas, low fat cheese and some spicy taco sauce...510 cal & a whopping 53g of protein.... just for breakfast!!! I was FULL! :bigsmile:

runawaybride

:flowerforyou:

I don't do any diet trends or things like that anymore because I never had any luck....but who is to say you won't ....good luck and I sure hope it works for you

KrisKabob

I'm not sure what all the program entails but be sure that you are working out quite a bit if you are taking in a lot of protein otherwise you will be defeating the purpose, ya know?

I have never had a problem getting in protein cause I really like protein-packed foods... like skim milk, cheeses, lean meats, etc. In fact, I am usually way over my recommended protein intake daily. *shrug*

Good luck! :flowerforyou:

runawaybride

Congrats on quitting smoking !!!!!

studentRN

Sorry I guess I should have stated what it entails....

http://www.bodyforlife.com

I'm not doing the "official challenge" just doing it for myself.

It's a 12 week "program" where 6 days out of the week you follow the guidelines. 3 days a week are cardio, 20 min "interval" training (I've done this before and it works your butt off!), the other 3 days are strength training for 45 minutes. One week does upper body x2, lower body x1, next week lower body x2 and upper x1... every week it alternates like that. The 7th day of the week is FREE DAY!! Eat whatever, and no workout.

mello

My hubby did it with great success, he's gained some back now, but only because he started eating fast food again.

He's actually starting it again, just started yesterday.....he trys to eat the EAS bars and drinks most of the time to get all his protein. He doesn't pay much attention to carbs because the workout program takes care of that.....the cardio interval training alone will burn the carbs.

studentRN

Congrats on quitting smoking !!!!!

Thank you! :drinker:

Fab140

Now, I am NOT a big meat eater... at all... I like chicken and that's about it. Turkey is doable too...Not a big red meat eater... as in I only consume it about 6 times a year, if that. Just don't really care for the taste. I don't eat pork, lamb, or ANY type of seafood/fish. Oh, and I don't eat eggs either.

I don't really care for protein shakes either... protein bars are loaded w/ carbs so too high in calories. I've got some friends that use UNJURY powder in like a glass of OJ, it has 20g per scoop I guess. Can't stand the "tastes just like a chocolate shake" stuff....tried the so-called "protein bullets"... NASTY! Ugh it was soooo gross!

First of all, protein shakes are really hard on your gallbladder and little organs. So yay for not liking them!!!

Next......protein comes in a lot of forms other than meats and little fishies. :flowerforyou: take heart!! seeing as your good carbs are high and your fats are kinda low, it'll be a challenge, but here is an article I found for you:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_n233/ai_18973666?tag=rbxcra.2.a.3

It's a way for vegetarians to add more protein to their diets. I know you aren't vegetarian, but there are recipes for you too!

:flowerforyou: You caught me at a very slow time at work! yay!!

Good luck!

studentRN

here is an article I found for you:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_n233/ai_18973666?tag=rbxcra.2.a.3

It's a way for vegetarians to add more protein to their diets. I know you aren't vegetarian, but there are recipes for you too!

Interesting article... I could try the soy "burgers" and "sausage" perhaps... I've tried tofu.. can't stand the texture... the "eggless" eggs are out.. another texture issue.

Some of those recipes though have sooooo much sodium.. one had over 1800mg of sodium! YIKES... I'm having such a hard time trying to balance everything! :explode: Very frustrating.

studentRN

Selfish BUMP for the evening crowd! :bigsmile:

songbyrdsweet

I did 40/40/20 for over a year...at times it was challenging to eat that much protein, and it's not entirely necessary, so don't stress if you have to do a 40/35/25 or even a 40/30/30. The only reason to eat that much protein is to reach your caloric needs without eating a high carbohydrate or high fat diet. The body regulates protein synthesis, so regardless of how much protein you're eating, you'll only build muscle at a certain (slow) rate...it's like filling a funnel. Putting extra into the funnel doesn't make it empty any faster.

That said, there's nothing wrong with filling your requirements in that way as it still allows you to take in adequate amounts of other macro and micronutrients. I've seen dehydration and extremely high levels of protein in the diet (think up around 70% of total calories) change blood viscosity, so I'm not saying that high protein intake is harmless, but 160g a day isn't dangerous at 40% of your calories (obviously if BFL caused widespread kidney failure, it wouldn't be such a success).

I agree that protein shakes are pretty gross for the most part, and I can't even take whey because it causes GI problems, but some unflavored soy proteins are easy to hide in other foods (I used oats). I don't eat a ton of meat either, so I get most of my protein from dairy (greek style yogurt is an excellent source), protein powder, and legumes (lots of natural PB and black beans). I generally eat beef, chicken or pork with one meal a day (too expensive ). I used to eat a ton of eggs, but those get pricey too, and I hated having to throw out some of the yolks! I also buy Morning Star veggie burgers and chik'n patties, which are also high in fiber and really tasty (just don't expect them to taste like beef or chicken).

studentRN

Thanks songbird, your post was really helpful to me. I changed up my goals to reflect BFL recommendations, I have an allottment of 1600 calories and changed up protein to reflect 30%, seems a little more attainable to me in the long run. I really want to stick with this.

Today after I work out here shortly, and try a new protein shake (I read a yummy idea to use it w/ milk and use a chocolate powder w/ some instant coffee) The coffee may help cover up some of the "whey" flavor, to make a "cafe mocha" if you will. :drinker: Anyways, back to the point, after the shake, I will have had a little over 130g protein today.. and you know what's amazing? I haven't been hungry all day! I've stayed full... didn't feel the need to graze my cabinets! Weird huh?

The "bad" part is... I will have only had a little over 1200 cal... falling short of my 1600 by quite a few... but I just wont be able to eat anymore! And I will have worked out w/ cardio interval + some strength traning tonight... I guess I'd better see some change on the scale w/ this calorie deficit today! :bigsmile:

2Shoes

First of all, protein shakes are really hard on your gallbladder and little organs. So yay for not liking them!!!

Wish I would have known this prior to me drinking them. I did the Body For Life about 8 years ago. Did ok, I lost 30 lbs......but gained it all back and then some very quickly. I did drink a lot of the protein drinks too. I just had to get my gallbladder removed in February of this year, not due to stones either (I didn't have any stones), my gallbladder just stopped functioning properly. I wonder if all the protein shakes had anything to do with it.:huh:

studentRN

First of all, protein shakes are really hard on your gallbladder and little organs. So yay for not liking them!!!

Wish I would have known this prior to me drinking them. I did the Body For Life about 8 years ago. Did ok, I lost 30 lbs......but gained it all back and then some very quickly. I did drink a lot of the protein drinks too. I just had to get my gallbladder removed in February of this year, not due to stones either (I didn't have any stones), my gallbladder just stopped functioning properly. I wonder if all the protein shakes had anything to do with it.:huh:

I'm not quite sure I agree with this.... protein is protein... I'm not sure why a "shake" would hurt your organs any more than a big 'ole piece of steak... If there's a research article out there I'd love to read it.

songbyrdsweet

First of all, protein shakes are really hard on your gallbladder and little organs. So yay for not liking them!!!

Wish I would have known this prior to me drinking them. I did the Body For Life about 8 years ago. Did ok, I lost 30 lbs......but gained it all back and then some very quickly. I did drink a lot of the protein drinks too. I just had to get my gallbladder removed in February of this year, not due to stones either (I didn't have any stones), my gallbladder just stopped functioning properly. I wonder if all the protein shakes had anything to do with it.:huh:

I'm not quite sure I agree with this.... protein is protein... I'm not sure why a "shake" would hurt your organs any more than a big 'ole piece of steak... If there's a research article out there I'd love to read it.

Yea, and besides that, bile is used for the digestion of fats, not protein...I can't see a protein shake putting extra stress on the gall bladder.

TNTPete

Try adding almonds or walnuts , drink milk and beans. They are all good nutritionally and will help you quickly attain those extra calories you are having a hard time getting to. I know several BFL people and they recommend eating what they tell you to and love those protein bars.. but - mostly men. Woman I have known on it have a harder time on the protein diet and some gain so watch your body for its response.

chiefiron

Im far to lazy to read all of the posts so fogive me if i go over some of the info already given.

I am in week 7 of my body for life cycle. I eat Red meat maybe once every couple weeks.

1. Bonless skinless chicken breasts and lots of it
2. Protien powder (BSN is the best tasting i have ever tried)
3. Egg whites
4. lots of green veggies
5. low fat cheese
6. small'ish portions of pasta, rice or baked potatoes.

Along with some supplements that would not be good for you or women in general (test boosters)
that is my diet.

I did the Zone diet years ago (best diet books ever IMHO) and i think it calls for 40 30 30.

Right now i am doing 45 35 25 because im really into gaining lean mass while holding my cals down to 2000 (2500 to 2900 after exercise) so ive added a little more protien.

I know its tough getting in all the protien, thats usually where i still have a few cals left but if you eat 5 or 6 times a day and have a few snacks that include some protien you will find you are getting much closer.

Good luck and keep going it will work if you make it work.

alf1163

Keep us up to date. I am reading body for life for women now. I am thinking about doing it. I am soooo bad at commiting to long periods of a certain program, I usually quit by week 4 :grumble: I still have to check out the website. A few yrs ago I kinda did it with my some of my former co-workers, they were all personal trainers. I was in great shape then though and weighing about 130lbs or a little less. Being around them was a great motivation. Good luck!!!

Fab140

First of all, protein shakes are really hard on your gallbladder and little organs. So yay for not liking them!!!

Wish I would have known this prior to me drinking them. I did the Body For Life about 8 years ago. Did ok, I lost 30 lbs......but gained it all back and then some very quickly. I did drink a lot of the protein drinks too. I just had to get my gallbladder removed in February of this year, not due to stones either (I didn't have any stones), my gallbladder just stopped functioning properly. I wonder if all the protein shakes had anything to do with it.:huh:

I'm not quite sure I agree with this.... protein is protein... I'm not sure why a "shake" would hurt your organs any more than a big 'ole piece of steak... If there's a research article out there I'd love to read it.

Yea, and besides that, bile is used for the digestion of fats, not protein...I can't see a protein shake putting extra stress on the gall bladder.

My husband's gallbladder has turned to producing too much sludge. In the process of figuring out what "sludge" was, we came across many articles about the link between protein shakes and other manufactured items and gallbladder stones and "sluge". A lot of it seems to stem from your body not absorbing it and it hanging out in your gallbladder without proper means to be pushed out. A lot like greasy foods.

studentRN

Well yesterday I was able to pull it off, and amazingly only had about 1250 calories...I was never hungry all day... probably had something to do with the fact that I had 53g for breakfast!

On another note, I found a VERY doable protein "shake".

I picked up a packet of Jay Robb's (no I don't work for him) Chocolate Whey Protein Powder. I mixed it w/ 6 oz of whole milk and some instant coffee... tasted very much like a Cafe Mocha! It didn't have that "whey" taste that most of them do. I'll try it again blended w/ some ice... maybe it'll be like a Protein Frappucino! If I have one of these morning and night and eat about 25-30g w/ B, L & D I'll be good.

The BFL workouts are really doable for me... I think I like it better to only do cardio or only do strength training.. I'm working on making exercising "something that has to be done" just like taking a shower everyday...

Thanks all for your input.