Belle.le.disko

Awesome difference! Can't wait to see what hitting the gym every day will yield!

Wow!!! Awesome gains! Way to represent!

Impressive difference! You look much stronger and healthier now too.

I'm a newbie too. Welcome! I do weights/ resistance 3 days a week: Sun, Tues, Thurs and vinyasa yoga Mon and Wed. I do cardio on Thurs for an hour, and at least 2 30 min cardio sessions each week, after weights or yoga. I would think that ashtanga is too intense. I take yoga for the stretching and am often sore doing the various poses. I bumped up the calorie/ protein about 2 weeks ago, and have gained flab in my stomach area also-- and, only in that area. Lots of luck!

Rock on, Derek!! Great pictures of your show! No doubt you can hit 200!!

Very, very cute!

Try adding tempeh, tofu or seitan to your veg/ rice mixes. They're all full of protein, and low in both calories and fat. And, seitan is crazy easy and cheap to make. Also, add at least one scoop of veg powder-- that's 13g protein.

I've been taking the liquid orally for 2 years now. I see more and more dubious health and weight loss concoctions claiming L-Carnitine, and I have yet to see it listed as a supplement used by anyone on VBB. So, I'm now wondering if it does anything positive. I was wondering if anyone else was taking it, had taken, recommends not taking it... Thanks! ps-- Carnitine is used by cells to process fats and produce energy-- some studies showing that it increases muscle mass and reduces fat mass. It's mostly found in dairy and meat, though tempeh is quite high.

This project has the potential to be very powerful! How'd you get involved, Robert? The National Home Potluck Tweetup on Nov 5 is a great excuse for a potluck/ house party! Yay!

Still uncertain if I'll be dressing up-- always made my and puppy's costumes. I'm the momma to three puppies, but only one has the misfortune of dressing up each Halloween. The whoopie cushion costume is cute!

Interesting luck for me! Received an email from Amazon yesterday that my payment didn't go through... Confounding, but excellent! I'll make my payment to you through paypal right now! ps-- just purchased and am excited! Thanks, Robert!

Since she is so sure eggs and dairy will make you healthy, have her watch "Forks Over Knives" and/ or read "The China Study." These show the negative health effects of a non-plant-based diet, esp one including dairy. It's a powerful doc. She will understand your health reasons for not consuming animal products. You can take flax seed oil and DHA capsules. You guys can research vegan supplements together. Also, get substitutes for eggs, butter, milk. Vegweb.com has thousands of vegan recipes and about every substitution imaginable. Cook with her some nights-- show her how easy it is to veganize many dishes-- esp apple pie! Find lots of great vegan recipes, fix them with her for Vegan Night for the family. Wash your own dishes. Your veganism can help you two bond-- then your mother will view your food choices in a positive light. Now, she is seeing them as separating you from the family and making you unhealthy. Change the way she views them and change her attitude about them.

I have stretch marks too from when I grew to 5'10" in fifth grade. I've tried every cream and treatment, even laser removal. The lasers will take the red out. If they are white (like mine were) they will fade slightly and the indention will plump up. The lasers will leave bright purple, raised patches on your skin for months also. Really. Super scrubbing with a loofah, then lots of moisturizer each day will help.

Booo! I just ordered your book from Amazon, and ordered more VEGA online too! My timing is about 3 days off!

Never heard that one, and I've been veg a while! Me oh my. Welcome, Hope! I too lost almost all of my awesome muscle and curves, and I intend to reclaim them! I got very ill when I was 19 and lost a ton of weight. Finally putting the weight back on, I didn't work out or make great eating choices, so I'm currently rocking the "typical vegan" look. I wish you the best. there's a lot of great info/ meal plans/ workout schedules on the main page and in the profiles. That's where I'm getting my info while I wait on Robert's book in the mail.

Welcome, Aussie Scott! A Bed and Breakfast sounds fun-- and Vegan sounds doubly fun. Where in Australia? Is there a link yet?

Hi Powermi! Vegan since 4-- wow! Why? How old are you now? What kind of fitness? Welcome!

Welcome, mrivard! I'm a newbie too, so I won't try to offer you advice on lifting. I'm impressed by your cardio work, for sure. What is an 80/10/10 lifestyle? I'm sure everyone is blown away at how weak they are when they first start-- it will improve. I've been lifting for only 2 weeks, and I can already do a few more reps for squats, asst'd chin ups and dips. Lots of luck in school! Are you taking it online or attending classes?

Hi Kia! That is an awesome goal of entering a BB comp next year! I'm about to turn 29, so I understand you being bummed about your age. I've been vegan about 6 years now, and I consider that one of the smartest, most responsible choices I've made! If I had children, they would be vegan too-- my 3 dogs are vegan. I'm sure you can list your blog in your sig. I've seen this on others posters' sigs. I'd love to see your photos!

Great job in the weight dept! Welcome!! What do you think of KFM? I'm looking into Krav Maga.

Hi KristiiKam! I agree that your avatar has some kick ass arms and shoulders! I wish you all the best and hope to see you around-- I'm new here too.

How do you find out which studios teach commando and which teach worthwhile Krav Maga? There is a studio near my house, but nothing on their website mentions which kind of KM it is. One instructor is a KMA Force Civilian Law Enforcement Instructor, Cross Fit Instructor, and 4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do with over 20 years martial arts exp. All of the other instructors are people with fitness backgrounds, and some are certified personal trainers. The studio offers a free class. Should I bite? What questions should I ask? http://krav.pro/instructors Thanks!

How do you guys take yoga? At a studio, at home from a video, from a class at the gym? And, how many times a week are you taking yoga? What's recommended? I am going once or twice a week to a class given at my gym.

Great question. I've been looking into this also. Here's from wiki: A number of certifications are available in United States of America, although a number are not accredited. Most require a high school diploma, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) certification, and some type of examination.[6] A 2002 investigation evaluated a random sample of 115 personal trainers using the Fitness Instructors Knowledge Assessment (FIKA) (which measures knowledge in nutrition, health screening, testing protocols, exercise prescription, and special populations). The study described that:[8][9] 70% of those surveyed did not have a degree in any field related to exercise science. Those who did not have a bachelor's degree in exercise science-related field scored 31% less than those with a bachelor’s degree or higher in the field. Those holding either an American Council on Exercise (ACE), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certification scored 83% of the questions correctly. Those holding any other certification (not ACE, ACSM or NSCA) answered 38% of the questions correctly. Years of experience was not predictive of personal trainer knowledge. In partnership with the fitness industry, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) (which represents over 9,000 health and fitness facilities) started an initiative in 2002 to improve standards for both its own clubs and the industry as a whole. In January 2006, IHRSA implemented a recommendation that its facilities only accept personal trainers with certifications recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or an equivalent organization. IHRSA considers other accreditation agencies if recognized either by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the U.S. Department of Education (USED). As of January 2010, the ACE, ACSM and NSCA certifications are among the 15 accredited certifications recognized by IHRSA, two of which are accredited by an agency other than NCCA (the Distance Education Training Council (DETC)).[10] There remains no national legal restriction on the industry to date. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_trainer -----------

Hi, Luis! I grew up on animal farms, but didn't see anything awful until I was about 11-- been vegetarian ever since. Welcome! Hi, wannia! Hope to see you around!