Testimonials!
All testimonials are real!
Are you still wondering if this program is for you? Well, maybe this will help. Here are almost 800 unedited and uncoached people and what they have to say about this program. Nobody was paid to say any of these things about us. It just works!
I actually lost 22 pounds at the end of 2006 following your program. I am grateful. Some 18 months later, I have only gained 2 pounds of it back. I still want to lose more weight, but I understand the program, am grateful for all that you have taught me.
- Robyn
Your program has been a bit of a challenge for me, but I'm excited about the results I've seen so far! This is truly a lifestyle change for me but is definitely the RIGHT answer. I'm excited to see how far one rotation can take me!! I am currently what I weighed in high school and will look better than that when I am done. Who would have thought I would look my best at 40 (almost)?!! Thank you for this PFA program... it is truly changing my life for the better! :o)
- Renee
As I struggled to make it up the stairs at the gym yesterday, two different people came up from behind and asked if I had lost weight! Then another asked while I was working out! I had to be honest, "no, but I'm pretty sure I have gained muscle and lost some fat, and that makes a lot of difference." Aaaah, to hear that sweet phrase...
- Mandi
Fad diet??? Hardly...it's clean eating at its best in my opinion. You have to trust the program for one thing. You have to take the time to read, and understand what its telling you. I have also used the Diet Power software for over 4 years and that is a program which tracks food and exercise for you and rates how you're doing. The best rating that a person can get is 'genius' and I started scoring
'genius' on that program when I started using THIS program. So that is proof that there is nothing unhealthy going on here and no fad bs. Take a look at the pictures....hell, take a look at Ric...he sure doesn't look unhealthy to me...in fact, he's my inspiration to keep going. This is the only program which has broken my diet plateau...no other program...not ediets or even using a dietician was able to find a solution for why I couldn't lose the last 8 pounds. This is also the only program where I showed amazing strength increases in a short amount of time. I attribute it all to this program and the advice I receive here.
- Georgeann
I can't believe how well this program works! I began 3 short weeks ago (Conditioning) and lost 7 lbs! Also lost 3 inches off my waistline! All this without working out because of 2 non related injuries! I am looking forward to Fat Burning and beginning to lift weights again! I have 6 weeks until I can stop wearing my brace and "resting" my wrist and hope to start lifting again then!!! I have recommended this program to many people and even got my husband in on the act! (He lost 11 lbs and his uniform is getting loose, he is excited) That's all!! PFA rocks!!!
- Michelle
I’ve been married to the most wonderful guy for 10 years. Until the last two years we’ve had other priorities than starting to add to our family with children. I’d always been told that I was healthy as a horse, except for the first doctors appointment where I declared my intent to get pregnant. After the usual round of testing, it was determined that I have PCOS (with normal cycles). Flash forward to a few months ago – I’d been noticing rather irregular monthly cycles – the days just kept increasing and I started being rather concerned that it was the onset of menopause (I’m 37). I talked to the doctor about my concerns and my desire to achieve pregnancy. She suggested that I lose 10% of my body fat as that it would likely help. Two months later I found the PFA. I started with a 7 day evaluation, 4 weeks of Conditioning and I’m now in week 9 of Fat Burning. I’ve lost about 10 pounds but more importantly, I’ve lost a lot of fat (I can’t tell how much as I can only see the last 70 days). This morning, after about 3 weeks of suspecting – I have confirmed that I am expecting. I can’t tell you how thrilled my husband and I are. I can’t say that I owe it all to the PFA, because I had to do the work, but I do owe you a huge debt of thanks – one that I am not sure can be repaid.
- Susan
I've been amazed (once again) with this program. Here I am 50 something, eating more calories then I have ever eaten in my life... and I'm losing a lb. a week, which is the most I can lose at this age, on a crash diet! I'm getting comfortable with the menu change now that I am nearing the end of the third week of Fat Burning. My life has been quite busy these 3 weeks, so not much time to change my menu around much, just use the same ones over & over in rotation. But hey, works for me! I'd have to say that the easiest days for me are the low-calorie days... but I'm not complaining!! hehee... that really is the whole point! Not "having" to lose weight at extremely low levels & thus be hungry all the time. Those that are on conditioning... hang in there! Its so worth it! Almost immediately you can "feel" the fat melting off, even if it doesn't show that much on measurements, its coming off in places you don't measure. Anyway, all this hard work really pays off! Even for those of us that don't go crazy with the exercise. Blessings.
- Debby
Ric, this is only the 2nd post I've even written but I've been with the PFA for a few years now. Originally I had thyroid problems, which kept me a bit overweight my whole life. Even after they corrected the problem and removed my thyroid I became more overweight. I found the PFA website and through the use of standard mode my weight went from the high 140 pound range to 125 and I was able to maintain this for a few years. I've been thrilled- then this year I decided to take it to the next level. In May I started my transformation. Today I am in maintainance at 114 ponds- It was tough but 11 pounds was a hugh loss!!! THREE CLOTHES SIZES!! That says more than the actual scale. At 43 I have been approached by people I don't even know asking me how I keep such a great figure! That has never happened to me before. It has been a long process, and the most difficult thing for me was the fact that I didn't lose anything until the 8th or 9th week of fatburning. All of the weight came off slowly, so sheer determination and envisioning myself at my goal helped me to keep going. Mindset was a hugh factor in this, because I really didn't have any support (other than the posts and the website). When you tell people about the PFA they all look at you like you have a third head. Actually my doctor recently asked me to tell him about it again after my ability to lose weight without having a thyroid!! They were surprised by my progress on the standard mode, but this really gave them a shock! Maybe one day I will have the courage to send my success pics, but that before pic is pretty humiliating now. Anyway, thanks Ric and I'll continue to be a PFAer for years more to come!!!
- Jeanette
I started back in May at 231 lbs 33% BF. I'm now 178 at 9% BF. It does work if you stick with the program. I'm now in the Maintenance phase. Good luck and believe. [Ric's note: If you do the math, David started out at 154.75 pounds of lean mass and 76.25 pounds of fat. His after stats reflect 162 pounds of lean mass and 16 pounds of fat. David lost 60 pounds of fat while not only NOT losing an ounce of lean muscle, but actually GAINING 7.25 pounds of muscle in the process. This is what a professional calibur physique transformation program is all about].
- David
Weight is just falling off! I continue to be amazed. I'm still in Conditioning, eating 400 more calories per day than when I started and the weight is coming off. I also lost an inch off my waist. Five years ago I went to see a nutritionist about my stalled weight loss ..she couldn't figure it out and told me to be happy with the weight I was at since my BMI was good. My doctor also told me to be happy with my old weight and that it was a fact or life that women are gonna gain weight as they age. I guess they have been proven wrong. This program is state-of-the-art.
- Georgeann
Hi Ric. I just wanted to take a second to thank you for your kind words, they really mean a lot to me and also helps me to stay focused on my goal. Also I wanted to thank you for this program, it is a God send. After all these years I am finally getting my life back. May you and your wife forever be blessed. Thank you again.
- Sheila
Already noticing a difference in how I look and feel. It must be all the water I'm losing. I was looking at my thighs which had a bit of cellulite starting...well, now they look lots better. I'm so psyched! Not in 4 years of dieting have I been this happy so soon and I'm only in Conditioning. Even my skin looks better. Is it possible to feel so good so quickly? I have tons of energy now... before, I was ready to collapse in the afternoon. Sometimes it was all I could do to lift my arms..I am not exaggerating. I attributed my lack of energy to a possible illness starting..like maybe diabetes or just getting older. Man, what a difference so far. My mood is much improved too... I was crabby and irritable for a long time..I figured it was just hormones. Now I'm not so sure. No more starving..though I am still a little hungry at night. I figured that I would just have to starve for the rest of my life in order to maintain a decent weight.
- Georgeann
Hi Tammy - I have been on PT since April 30,2007 - I started at 199.6 lbs. I lost 9 lbs in Fat Burning and have lost 26 lbs to date and over 31 inches. My initial goal is 140 lbs. I am the lowest weight that I have been in 16 years. To me that is the true testament to this program. I have never been able to get lower than 185 lbs in any other program that I have done - no matter how much I exercised. I would either go into a major plateau for months or simply just start to gain as soon as I hit 185 lbs. This program does work. Most people with a lot of weight to lose - do lose weight in Conditioning. I also have had IBS for the last decade and many times could barely leave my house. My IBS is the best it has been in years being on this program. Hope this helps with your doubts. - Have a super week.
- Debbie
I went through the transformation and had great results. I went from 17% body fat to 11.5% body fat. I have been in maintenance 1 year and am about 12-12.5% body fat. I learned a lot about how to fuel my body and my cravings for junk food have dramatically diminished. This program is great. If I happen to slip again I will be back, but I sincerely doubt that will happen since I feel great when I eat right and am hardly ever ill. I don't have time to check in like I used to since family and work demands have increased. I still take the time though to pack up my food for the next day and exercise. The blogs were very helpful when I was going through it and I received great support and motivation when I wanted to give up. Thanks for a great program.
- Mary
I have less than a month left in FB and I have changed my physique. I have gotten off all my meds [my original goal]. I know at first it is a daunting task to pick clean food, weigh and measure everything you eat but, I can truly say that if you stick with the program it will do exactly what it says. Even though my schedule stayed on track I dreaded answering no on Sunday morning because I knew it would mean more cardio and less calories. But seeing the scale creep down over the next few weeks was worth it. The fitness leagues at first seemed sort of silly to me but having accountability to everyone else is a great motivation. Prior to starting this program I would not weigh over once a year, I did not like to think about my weight. Now I am happy to weigh everyday. I am still amazed that so many people comment how healthy I look and they all want to know how they can do the same. Thanks Ric, starting this program is the best thing I have ever done for my health. [Ric's note: From a starting point of 229, a Type II diabetic on 10 different medications, David as of this post is now 177, 12 pounds away from his goal weight of 165. As he mentioned, his doctor has discontinued all 10 of his medications, his blood sugar is now normal and he has no diabetic symptoms].
- David
Five kids later and my body is starting to look better than it did when I was in my early 20's. I started working out and eating cleaner back in May. I've gone from 157 1bs. to 122 lbs. 25 1/2 inches smaller. I have lost 11% body fat. I was given this website from a Personal Trainer at my Gym and I am currently working on the next chapter in my life. Total Physique Transformation!!! I have never felt better. This program has really opened my eyes and I cannot wait for the next phase.
- Diana
Week 5 Update: Conditioning. Instead of Conditioning I am calling this phase Amazement. I am sooooo amazed that I am now up to 2304 calories per day and not really gaining any weight (I fluctuate within 2 pounds during the week, but no real gain). I can tell that my metabolism is really revving up because I am now full when I eat, but within a couple of hours I am hungry again. I think week 1 of Fat Burning is going to hit me hard with the calorie drops, but I am running smooth for now. One thing that I have noticed that I believe someone mentioned on here before is that my weight is the same, my measurements are currently the same, but I have spots on my body that have gotten really jiggly while other spots have gotten really firm. It's as if my weight is reshifting. I am trying to wait until the end of conditioning to take update pictures, but I am starting to get really curious to see my photoes side by side now.
- LeAnn
Went shopping last night. My clothes just didn't look right anymore...these are the ones I bought just 4 or 5 weeks ago during Conditioning, the size 10s. I didn't have time to try things on and just picked up a few things thinking I'd probably have to take at least 1/2 of them back. You know how different makers seem to be at least one size off. All the pants I picked up were size 8, the tops all medium. Guess what! Nothing is going back to the store and I don't have to lose a little more to fit in them! This is pure testimony. When I started this program I weighed 161. Today I weigh 157. Would you rather work 5 months, get by on very few calories and lose 15 pounds just to have your size 12 fit the way it should, or do this program 2 months, lose 4 pounds, but drop two sizes? Rocket science?
- Melinda
Let me first direct a little praise out to two individuals who in my estimation have changed my life in a very positive direction: Ric Rooney and Randy Featherston. Ric, thank you for a wonderful program. This marvelous tool has helped me lose 40+ pounds in a little over a months time [Ric's Note: Robert started at a weight of 350 pounds]. I have approximately five weeks remaining on my Conditioning phase and the extreme change in my diet alone, plus an evening exercise regimen twice a week, has truly changed my outlook, the way that I feel about myself, plus an added bonus: I was diagnosed a diabetic approximately 2.5 years ago. Since that time, I became accustomed to 4 shots of insulin daily. For the last year and a half, I was taking 25 units of insulin 3 times daily. I simply could not function without it. It was a necessary part of my life. I am deliriously happy to report that the 40+ pounds of weight loss has negated my need for insulin. It began with stretches of 3-4 days with a single shot and has now progressed to well over 10 days without a single unit of insulin. I feel wonderful and I have not had this level of energy in many years. I no longer shake before, nor after meals. I believe that I am nearly free of that daily burden. My glucose levels are within a normal range of 90-120 mg/dl. I monitor my glucose frequently and have not seen these levels in many years!!! Thank you, Ric and Company!!!! Additionally, I owe a serious debt of gratitude to Randy Featherston (RadioRandy), Station Manager of my favorite radio station, KBJS 90.3 out of Jacksonville, Texas. Randy's testimony and touting of the PFA on this station and his interviews with Ric led me to this awesome online slice of heaven. Randy, thanks to you, buddy, my walk with Christ is now a much thinner, enjoyable walk!!! May God continue to bless you Randy and the wonderful folks at KBJS! My goal is to lose another 30-35 lbs over the remaining weeks of my Conditioning and fat burning phases. With the help of this program, lots and willpower and by the loving grace of God, I will!
- Robert
You know one thing I had not thought of is the necessity of having to buy new clothes. I have gone from wearing XL shirts to medium and 36 waist paints to 31. I must also say I get complements everyday from someone, they all say how healthy I look, not like people who go on starvation type diets. I have many people coming to me and asking how they can do what I have done. I tell them all to go and download your e-book to get started. Thanks for creating and maintaining this program. [Ric's note: David was a Type II diabetic taking ten different medications when he started this program. Six months later he's lost 47 pounds, his doctor has discontinued all ten medications and has no Type II symptoms].
- David
I have been on this program for two years. It has done WONDERS for my physique, my confidence, my health, my life. It has given me the knowledge of what my body wants to metabolize for health and what it doesn't like or react to in a healthy manner. This program has done such an awesome job of educating me that I no longer need it's structure to live a healthy life. Thank you ever so much and much thanks to Sheri Lynn Foster who introduced me to this program and helped me through it.
- Renee
Lovin' this Program! This is my third week of fat burning; I'm at my lowest weight in several years, back in size 10 and pushing size 8! My body fat has dropped significantly, and that was my priorty when starting this program. Learning the system has been some work, but well worth every minute. Thanks, Ric, for sharing your passion!
- Melinda
Ric, thank you, thank you! I am psyched. I appreciate all the work you've put into this. So many benefit from it and I count myself among them! I had been working out 3-4 days a week for a couple of years but the progressive success with it seemed to slow way down. I knew I had to tweak things and keep myself going in the positive direction but there was so much contradictory information out there. I was lead to your information while searching for better, more effective ways to workout. I have already read your e-book. Your site and information made so much sense to me. You mentioned the freestyle method for women in one of your online articles.
I did the research on that and I bought the lunge bars...That's what I have been doing for about 10 weeks now...5-6 days a week. It's fantastic. I am seeing muscle development in all the right places :-) So now I'm implementing your PFA tool. I used to be on a verrrrry low calorie diet -- 100% raw food (raw veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds only.) Maybe 800-1000 calories a day. Couldn't gain muscle.You finally explained why! Revelation. On my own, I was slowly adding foods like chicken breast and egg whites....some rice, etc.
So for the past year I've been trying to raise my daily caloric intake...to raise my metabolic rate, but it caused me to gain weight (some muscle from working out & some fat.) Your PFA is the perfect tool....because I was a bit surprised to read that during Conditioning I should get to 2800 calories. Whoa. That's a world away from 800-1000 a day! (apparently starving.) My thought process is, how fortunate to have this very specific guidance so that when I get to the fat burning phase, it will be exciting to unveil the sculpture. :-) I look forward to each assignment. I am dedicated to the plan and my success. Thank you, Thank you for providing astute guidance.
- Elizabeth
Hi Sarah! I'm intrigued by your story and so glad you posted! I'm wrapping up my 2nd (of 5) weeks conditioning. The first month (including analysis) has been very time consuming but once you get yourself acclimated and organized, it's a very workable program that seems counterintuitive to many but makes perfect sense to most people in the program. That's because you will notice positive, if not dramatic, changes in your body and life almost immediately commencing conditioning. The first 4-5 days were the most fun I've had in a long time. Things got a little more challenging towards the end of the first week feeling bloated from all the carbs. One day was excruciatingly painful as my body seemed to respond to the influx of nutrients by rewarding me w/gas. The next day was more comfortable and the energy is unbelievable. You will notice a lot of people on here use language laced w/unusually high percentage of superlatives. I suspect thats in part because we're all high on nutrients! Especially after fast food, you will notice everything comes into sharper focus. I have a history of depression that has been unmistakenly alleviated during this process, which makes me wonder just how much of it had to do w/fast food. Anyway, the best of luck to you; my agnostic soul will pray for you....if only because I hope to see "more" of you on the blogs!
- Tammy
Feeling awesome! I have finally lost 15 pounds. I love what I am eating, some days I admit not to eating my plan, but overall I have made some great changes in my diet and now the weight is coming off. I am finally wearing jeans I have not worn for a year and they are feeling loose right out of the dryer! haha.. I still have 15 pounds to go to my goal weight, but I feel I am on the right track. Grarey (sister) is such a help and just looks so good. Flacadriver (neice) and I are hoping to follow in her footsteps of being strong, tiny and healthy. I admire everyone in this program. I believe this is a great program for getting on the right track for a healthy diet. It sure gives a wake up call when you plug in some food item and think WOW it isn't that good to be so bad for you. haha
- Mary Jo
Man I am so excited about the possibilities of this program. In the first week, before I started changing any thing about how I ate, just by adding water I have lost 10 pounds and yes I realize that it was all fluid build up but hey that's 10 pounds that isn't on my fat tail LOL. And all the advice I am getting from a couple of the people already in this program is so appreciated. I am already feeling much better I guess just knowing I am doing something about my weight problem. I don't think I have ever been excited about a diet but most diets make you all but starve yourself and I am having trouble eating what this one wants me to eat! But this is so great cause I am feeling better also.
- Sheila
No more med's. After 5 1/2 months I have lost 40 pounds and no longer take any medications [Ric's note: David was a Type II diabetic taking ten differerent medications when he started this program]. I still have 25 pounds to go but it now seems so easy. Thanks so much for creating this program; I now feel that I am in control of my body, instead of my body controlling me.
- David
I have been using PFA for about two years and it has been an invaluable tool. I started out at about 180 pounds with a BMI of 29 and a 38 inch waist (WHR >1.0). My doctor had put me on two high blood pressure medications and threatened statins for my high cholesterol which was at 247 (normal is less then 200), triglycerides at 289 (normal is less then 150) and additional medication for my poor blood sugar control with an HbA1c of 6.3 (normal is <6.0). I also had excessive inflammation HsCRP >1.0 (risk ratio for heart attack). After considerable experimentation I have gotten on a health plan more geared to health than weight loss per se which includes exercise, and emphasizes raw organic vegetables and some good fats including Olive Oil, Flax seed oil and even coconut oil. I just went for my lab tests and got the following results:
Initial Weight: 180 pounds. Current: 152 pounds (lost 28 pounds).
Initial Body Mass Index: 29 (nearly obese). Current: 24.7 (normal range).
Initial waist/hip ratio: 1.00 (increased CDV risk at .9). Current: .89 (normal range).
HS CRP: 1.8 mg/l (increased CDV risk: 1). Current: 0.5 mg/l (normal range).
HbA1c: 6.6 (pre-diabetic >6.0). Current: 5.9 (normal range).
Total Cholesterol: 247 mg/dl (increased CDV risk >200 ). Current: 188 mg/dl (normal range).
Triglycerides: 289 mg/dl (increased CDV Risk >150). Current: 112 mg/dl (normal range).
Systolic BP (uncontrolled): 160 (increased CDV risk at 140). Current: 135 (normal range).
Diastolic BP (uncontrolled): 95 (increased CDV risk at 80). Current: 75 (normal range).
This medical miracle was achieved without drugs and I have dropped all my medications, just paying attention to some life style choices that matter. I have used PFA to monitor my critical numbers each day including calories, fat, sugar, sodium and nutrients and it has become a great support to me and even a hobby.
Thank you very much for your expertise. Nobody at the gym believes I am 65. I can now bench press my own weight for the first time in 40 years since I was on the wrestling team at UCLA. To do that I closed a 40 pound gap by losing 20 pounds & increasing my
strength by 20 pounds.
It is a total crime that the only thing the docs know how to do is to prescribe meds to attack sysmptoms but not the cause of the disease.
According to my doc I had 4 problems requiring 4 different medications:
1. Hi BP
2. High Cholesterol/troglycerides
3. Poor blood sugar control
4. Inflammation
Actually there was only one disease, I wasn't healthy. Knowledge of health and some tools like PFA did more for me the last two months than the entire medical profession for ten years. The medical system can't prescribe enough pills for people who make the wrong personal choices.
- Bob
I'm posting a lot but I have exciting news this morning. This is the first time I've dropped 2lbs.!!!!! WHOO HOOO! I actually took my first drop for this week, keeping my two cardios and I lost 2.2 lbs. Yay. I've also dropped 1.5 in. off my hips in the past two weeks. My pants that I just bought are really really baggy. It's kind of absurd. Also, I looked at my Bodyfat % from July and now and I've dropped around 4% points. Again- very exciting. I have auditions monday for the first show of the season (in the theatre dept). It's Agatha Christie's the Mousetrap. Anyway, I'm very excited about that...I'm also excited (can I possibly use that word any more?) about the fact that if I get cast, I will definitely by much smaller by the time the show opens. Anyway, that's all.
- Callie
I teach 4 Turbo Kick classes and 2 Yoga classes a week and I was slowly gaining weight. Found out in the Analysis Phase that I was way under-eating. In my second week of Conditioning and I can't believe how much more energy I have now that I'm eating more. I also lost 1.5 lbs.
- Deanna
I spent over 6 weeks this rotation doing a half-baked attempt. I finally got my discipline back and am back on track with great results. Stick with us.
- Gwen
Hi Lauri. It is really beneficial to do the diet analysis for a whole week so you get a better picture. This program really does work. I have lost 19.6 lbs and am the lowest I have been for 16 years. I have lost over 14.5 inches as well. During diet analysis you can continuue doing the cardio. When you start conditioning you will stop the cardio and do only weight training to build as much muscle as possible to help get your metabolism up. I wish you all the success in the world.
- Debbie
1 pound lost in two days, baby steps to success. I am now beginning to really understand that all those hours of workouts don't count for a bad diet. Before I started the program, I used to snack on imported cheeses with wine and thought 'just a little treat, as I am working so hard', but the diet analysis soon made it clear that my hard work was wasted. I only acheived an F/59% diet score initially. WOW! What a wake up call. Now I achieve an 'A' 6 days a week and am feeling more positive each day, and I have lost 1% BF in Conditioning, and 1 pound in the first two days of fat burning. I feel so blessed to find Physique Transformation. Thank you a million times!!!
- Dianne
Hey Everyone, I have to say I am just addicted to this program. For the first time in my life I am enjoying this way of eating and accounting for it! I am in my 4th week of conditioning and am actually losing weight. My problem is I have a knee injury, just saw the doctor today and will be going in for an MRI & most likely surgery. What can I do once I get into the fat burning stage to make the most of it if I can't do cardio right now! Also if I end up going into surgery around the end of the month, how or what can I do to get firm and toned without hurting myself again. I am so worried my muscle are just going to turn to flab! Thanks for any and all help. PS- Ric thank you soooooo much for setting up this program, it has put me mentally back on track and most likely saved my life!
- Ray
Good Report From Doctor! After losing 30 lbs during 16 weeks of FB I have gone from taking 10 prescription meds a day to only taking 2. After blood test, my doctor called and told me to keep doing just what I was doing because it is working. Before starting the PFA program I was taking two meds for cholesterol and triglycerides, one med for high blood pressure, and four meds for diabetes. My blood sugar was totally out of control. I now just take one med and my readings are perfect. I fully expect to be off all medication by the end of this program.
- David
My darling, I've struggled with anorexia and bulimia most of my life, and have had the weight rollercoaster syndrome attached to it. When I saw this program, my first thought was... "You mean, you can eat to lose weight, come on!" So I tried it, and I'n in my third week of conditioning, I'm eating like I'm on a bulemic binge, and haven't gain a single pound. What up wit dat! So, now I'm trying to get my friends to hop on the program, and they are still wading in their own self pity so I'm on my own, but alas! You people are here with similar experiences in life, and (wow!) it feels good to be able to talk to people about food in a positive light. I've had two surgeries because of my eating disorders, but also was born with a birth defect. I have a twisted stomach, so I'm sure my eating disorders have tied into that pretzel. Now, I also believe that diet can pull you through anything (along with a great exercise program), so, I'd like to be there for you for support. I think we are all here for your support.
- Suzi
Elise, nice to see your blog and to know you are still with us in spirit. Take care of your Dad and I will say prayers for you. Hope you will be able to join us soon.You were such an inspiration to me when I started this program last Oct. and I am now only 2 pounds away from my goal!! (Just in time for my son's wedding) But, this is addicting and I think I will move my goal down another 5 or so pounds. I have lost almost 35 pounds and am down to a size 6/8 pants (from 14) I will post pics soon. Take care of yourself.
- Victoria
I had my 3rd strike, I've been on vacation and taken a break. I lost 24 pounds during my 4 months on the program and now I want to get started again. Where do I start?
- Marti
Louise, I think you are trying to make this too difficult. I think you should forget about all the other stuff and just go gung ho with this program. It sounds to me like you are afraid to trust it. I don't actually cook too much different than I used to except I don't use sauces any more. My family and I eat the same things only I eat WAY MORE than they usually do. Before I signed up -while I was reading the E-Book I added snacks to my day. I didn't change what I ate at all - just added snacks and I lost 4 lbs. I have been doing the program since April 27 and have lost 11 lbs. It does work, and actually this is the culmination of everything I have been reading and studyinig for 20 years. The only difference - it tells you exactly how to do it. Everything else gave theory but was not precise. Give it a try Louise.
- Debbie
Hi Jackie H! I am also a Jackie H. so I thought I should welcome you. This is an amazing program it really works. I am 8 weeks in to it with 4 weeks of Conditioning and 3 weeks of Fat Burning. I have lost 20 pounds, more than 15 inches, reduced my BF by around 15%, I think. Keep blogging, you will receive a lot of help and advice from everyone. They are a great group and have been wonderful to me. I'll be watching for you!
- Jackie
I'm Type II diabetic, and I've done beautifully on the program. At no point, even at the highest level of calories and the highest ratio of carbs to fats/proteins, did I have any trouble at all. I predict you will do very will with this program, and even a ten pound fat loss can help you avoid diabetes.
- Shari
Take the plunge and jump in head first. This program will give you lasting results if you approach it with trust and patience. I was asking the same question (Can I do this program?) 8 months ago and am so glad that I decided to jump in and do it. PFA has changed my life.
- Kathleen
4th week in FB and I just hit the 135's, well 135.8 to be exact but hey I haven't seen that number in 4 1/2 years. Actually I saw it briefly 3 years ago but that only lasted about a day. I do like the feeling that this weight loss is going to last. I have 5.8 lbs to go before I reach goal and only one camping trip in between here and expected goal date.
- Stephanie
I am over the moon with what is taking place with my body. As of this morning I have lost 19 pounds in the 7 weeks I've been in the program. I also passed the milestone of getting below 160#, 159.2. Yeah!!!!!!!! Don't know why I am so successful when I don't get A+ menus and haven't been able to do cardio since my knee surgery. It is so much more than I expected & I love getting into my old clothes again! I want to encourage everyone who is just starting to stick with it & let your body react. I tell everyone about PT every chance I get --it's the answer I've been looking for!! Happy, happy, joy, joy!
- Jackie
My first day I got a 37%. I am in my second week and have gotten an A 3 days in a row now! The first week is very time consuming, my husband said that's all I talked about. He was sick of hearing about it and laughed when I bought a food scale and weighed my meat and potato. But only into my second week of conditioning, I lost 2 inches off my waist! Not really any pounds to speak of, but it is working, and I am eating so much, some days I feel like I am going to puke. My son said I was going to gain weight when he saw the powder that I bought from GNC, but now he wants to use it. Stay motivated, this needs to become a way of life, not just another diet.
- Donna
Someone noticed! I'm so excited - I'm in my 6th week of fatburning and down about 14 lbs. since I started. I have noticed changes, but last night a friend of mine said, "Girl, you've lost a lot of weight, haven't you?" Woo-hoo, was I excited to hear that! Of course, I have a very long way to go, 14 is a long way from 40, but what a boost - definitely gives me encouragement to continue! Just wanted to share!
- Sarah
Welcome Marge, This is a great place to start. I am new as well and this group is so very helpful. I must say my body really likes being fed and watered and is responding well. Read the ebook and make the commitment. We go through this together.
- Dianne
So I finally got a copy of my labs to show a comparison. My Previous lab was done on 8/16/05 and my most recent is 4/13/07. Total Cholesterol went from 249 to 207. Trigs - 123 to 68. LDL(bad chol) 149 to 110. HDL (good chol) 75 to 83 and my ratio from 3.3 to 2.5. My Vit B12 was the only thing that ws not good - went from 470 to 340. I am so amazed at the lab work as I have always kept a high Total Chol and LDL but now they are well within normal range. This is great. Thanks to PT. Maintenance is going well. I have slowed on the exercise and still maintaining at 136. I am happy with where I am at. I will start a new rotation in the fall to decrease more body fat % but will enjoy the summer. I will continue to check back in to see how my friends are doing. Keep up the good work- it is worth it!
- Peggi
Great result from Conditioning phase. Last measured day of Conditioning after 5 1/2 weeks and just wanted to record where I am for me and hopefully to give some confidence to any one out there worried about Conditioning. I started at 28% BF, I measured this morning on the PFA calculator and then checked with Acumeasure Calipers both agree 21% BF. My weight started at 198.6 lbs and has ended at 198.6 lbs, in between it's been up to 200.4 lbs and down to 194.6 lbs. The most important thing for me is that even in Conditioning eating 3161 calories a day I have lost approx 13.9 lbs of BF and gained 13.9 lbs of muscle (I still can't believe this works so well). Another first today, I managed a diet score of 103% almost by accident. I had set 15% BF as my goal I think I need to revise that down to 10%. Now for fat burning.
- David
Here I am in the home stretch of fat burning. As always, the PFA works its magic. I've been on the road a lot and have had some tough challeges with my eating, but I am able to pick-up where I left off during the program and still began this session at 22% body fat and am now at 15%. I'm going to extend fat burning for a few more weeks and shed at least 4-5 more pounds and +/- 2% body fat. I feel and look good at 12% on average. I'm going to buy a new ditital camera over the next few weeks to share some "after photos." My wife is starting fat buning next week! Please send words of encouragement, Ladies. She's excited. She's seen me transform many times since the launch of the PFA program. Keep the faith. You'll reap the benefits at the end.
- Tim
Elise, you are doing great things with this program. I tell myself that if Elise can do it, so can I. I have watched your numbers go down, down, down and you always talk about the woosh of pounds coming off. Now I know what you mean!!! These past few weeks I found my sweet spot. The pounds and inches are just falling off. In fact, I bought a dress for my son's wedding for this July and now I am afraid that it is going to be too big!!! I guess that is a good problem to have. Keep up the good work!! I am right behind you!!
- Victoria
Today, I'm literally "over the hill" -- I'm celebrating my big FOUR-OH (pounds) and I want to thank all of you for your encouragement. Now for the next phase of this project: Losing the next pound. Yes, I take them one pound at a time. In fact, if the truth be known, I'll be dancing over then next five ounces lost -- 'cause I'll be in the 170's!
- Elise
I'm so excited! This is my second week (of 11) of Conditionig and I've already lost seven pounds. I just had a baby and I'm nursing and no matter how I cut my calories I wasn 't dropping anything, but since I have been adding them I'm really seeing results not only on the scale, but in the mirror. YEAH!!!!
- Lori
Hey Everyone, I have to say I am just addicted to this program. For the first time in my life I am enjoying this way of eating and accounting for it! I am in my 4th week of conditioning and am actually losing weight. Ric thank you soooooo much for setting up this program, it has put me mentally back on track and most likely saved my life!
- Shelly
Coming towards the end of week 5 of conditioning and now up to 3000 calories, which takes some planning and eating, up another two hundred next week and then one more week and into FB, Yipee! I have found the journey fairly easy up to now but boy all this food does make you wonder. On the plus side, and a reason you should take the time to record body fat weight and inches, (I didn't do inches to start with and wish I had, also wish I had taken a before photo) is that this programme is about having faith in the process. When your feeling full and bloated you have to stick with it. I liken it to flying on Instruments in cloud. When you are in cloud, after a short while you cant really tell which way is up or down or sideways and in fact you can often feel that the instruments are wrong, any pilots out there will know what I mean, at that point you have to trust what the instruments are telling you even if it feels wrong. Like this programme what you feel is probably not what's happening. In my own case I am feeling pretty uncomfortably full and fat most of the time but when I look at the numbers I am up 2lbs but body fat has dropped from 28% to 23% over the last 5 odd weeks and my belt is in another notch I am amazed and delighted and it's refocused me for these final 2 weeks. Good luck to everyone out there, I can now understand some of the blogs I've seen from people toward the end of their conditioning.
- David
I look forward to hearing your results. The clean eating made a 50 point difference in my cholesterol (178 down to 126). I hope you get even better results!
- Jeanie
The program is not for me...However, I have incorporated the knowledge gained from my participation in the program into my eating plan. The results have been great. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience...All the best.
- Brent
By the way, I mentioned to Crystal that I got a great clean bill of health from my naturopath a few weeks ago. He loved how my liver and blood looked and was very interested in getting information about the program. My blood sugar was ideal. I gave him the copy of my menu for that day and on the back I had printed the nutritional info. He advises patients with weight issues and sees this as a real help. I hadn't had a check up in over a year and he could really see the difference.
- Gwen
In my third week of conditioning and am AMAZED that I have not gained any weight. My weight-struggle journey has been exceptionally long, frustrating and so painful that it is hard to write about. It was SOOOO counter-intuitive for me to eat so much food, had I gained I would have been sorely tempted to quit. Right now I am trying to be patient, trust the science and hope for the best. The whole philosophy of this program makes so much sense, I wish I had found it long ago. But then again, when my weight battle began "software" meant a silky dress, and on-line meant you hung it out to dry!
- Marylyn
Thank you very much. This is such a wonderful tool. I completed my second rotation and exceeded my goals thanks to using the PFA. I was so successful this time because I really "got it". I really understand how important the ratios are to acheiving the lean body I now have. I didn't participate, but I would read peoples' posts and got so much encouragement and advice. The support here is tremendous. I send friends and family to this site when they ask me "how I did it." The most important thing I learned over the last year and a half is that healthy, balanced eating and excerising is a lifestyle. Thank you again!!!
- Angela
That's great news on the medical front! [Ric's note: Jeanie was bloging to Doug, a Type II diabetic whose A1c blood tests have been steadily dropping since starting the PFA] One thing I can positively say about the PFA is it really does improve things medically. Blessings for continued success!
- Jeanie
I am in my 10th week of Fat Burning. I am 6’ 2” and when I started my transformation I was 195# with 21% body fat. I am currently 182# and 13% body fat. I will post before and after pics once I find my camera! My original goal was to get down to 10% body fat but my strength is beginning to wane even though I have not lost any lean body mass, and I am swimming in my pants! Everything I lost was fat. I am thinking of ending Fat Burning after this week and begin working on gaining muscle while keeping my body fat % the same. Once I gain some muscle, I will then do another rotation to reduce my body fat even further.
- David
I think it is a miracle that a person can eat carbs and still lose weight. I have never felt better while losing weight. I used to be a low-carber.
- Mary
As I've gone from a tight 22 down to a 12, once I am solidly in a new, smaller size, all the old stuff goes to the local clothing bank. No going back!
- Jeanie
I am using a new database for my work. I am not giving up and this process has served me well. I am 43 pounds lighter and have 11 more to go. Thanks again.
- Jamie
OK, so I bought these pants in the middle of November...when I bought them, they were so tight on me that I had to wear them with stockings underneath so that I wouldn't have VPL (visible panty lines, for the guys). I put them on today and it's like they belong to someone else. I can roll them down at the waist because it's so big. Forget about wearing them with hose - if I wanted to, I could wear them with another pair of pants underneath!!! YO, what a feeling this is! UNBELIEVABLE!!! My husband was shocked. And the funniest thing is, there's not a huge difference on the scale since November - 4 or 5 pounds. But in the real world of pants and mirrors, OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!! And the greatest part is, it all goes hand in hand with feeling so good about ME - like I can do anything I put my mind to! This morning in the gym I did a killer resistance session, with front squats and deadlifts to failure, and then I got on the treadmill and ran and ran and ran, HIIT at the highest speed I've ever hit! I was so pumped up. I'm sorry if I'm going on and on, guys, I am just so psyched about all these changes. It took a little while to happen, but it sure is happening! A LOT of this is due to Wendi's tutelage - so thank you, Wendi! Such a great feeling!!!!! I'm looking forward to shopping for some new pants!
- Sheryl
I took some measurements today- WOW! In under 5 weeks of conditioning I've already lost an inch off my waist and an inch off my hips! My weight is the same- but things are definitely changing in terms of bodyfat. I don't think I have ever had results like this-- EATING SOO MUCH FOOD, lol. I have been very diligent with my workouts- going heavy and high intensity in the gym with weights. So I believe its a great combo thats finally working and my body is all happy inside :) I'll post pics once I get a new camera.
- Piera
My husband doesn't blog, so I thought I would for him...31 days ago, bear with me on this, I did say 31 days...he was at 210 lbs. This morning he weighed in at 185.6...IN CONDITIONING!!!!...so as his calories went up this week and will by another 200 next week it will be interesting to see what he does. Now, he is amazed and I personally like all those little kisses I get when he is thanking me for changing our eating lifestyle. So what ever the challenge is bring it on...we are ready!!!!
- Kathleen
I have to share my joy! The last two weeks when donning a fresh, newly "starched" uniform, I did not have to suck in my gut. The pants were nicely fit, and this morning, well this morning, I was able to bring my belt buckle almost 2 inches 1.78 (yes I measured it) closer to me and not farther from me!!! I am soooo elated!!! I have this week and next to get through with Conditioning and then I am on the way to fat burning and I cannot wait! Have a great day all!!!
- Kathleen
This doesn't feel like any diet I ever have tried- need some advice! I'm really getting the groove of Conditioning. I can't say its entirely a piece of cake- or better a chicken breast, but I am feeling great by eating well and only clean foods. I am eating soo much its incredible I haven't put on 10 pounds. I actually lost those 3 pounds I put on in the second week, which brings me back to my starting weight. But what happens in fat burining when you start cutting calories? Do you feel hungry? How do you mentally adjust to less food? Just wondering. It seems I am getting used to eating what seems like a lot more cals. When I signed up for this program, I truly thought I was going to be in for a very strict, low cal diet. Little did I know, it was more profound and intelligent than that! Ric your a genius by the way ;) But it hasn't felt like a diet at ALL! I DON'T feel hungry, nor do I really crave all the chocolate and sugar I used to. THIS IS defintely amazing! I'm just wondering if in fat burning- those cravings might come back. Any veterans wanna share their experiences, would be very grateful :) thanks.
- Piera
I have been faithfully working out six days a week alternating cardio and weight training since July 2006 with minimal results. After having read your booklet I know that I am not skimping on the work outs and training (I work very hard) so the secret to my lack success most definitley has to be the way I am eating, which, in my opinion, is not that much. My sister has commented to me that maybe I wasn't eating enough but because I don't know how to eat more to get the results I want I was afraid to try for fear of gaining weight - how often have you heard that?! Even though I have had no luck with the scale I have managed to keep myself motivated and have lost a few inches making my clothes feel a bit less restrictive. The one thing that has consistenly eluded me though is my waistline. In six months of excercising and doing endless sits up - you name it- I have not lost anything from the waist! I met a lady early in January. We had both accompanied our husbands to a conference and were working out in the gym one morning. After I left the gym I took my husband back there and as we peered through the window while she was working out I said to him "That is what I want to look like!" She looked great - fabulous defined muscles, fit as a fiddle. The next day I commented to her how awesome she looked and she told me it was all because the help she received from this website! Needless to say that I looked you up immediatley when I got home. I downloaded and read your book and have read the info on your site feverishly. After all the hard work I have done I know that there is a great body waiting for me under this layer of fluff! Thank for your help.
- Melanie
Marcus, My husband and and I are both on the program and WOW! It is really working for us. It is worth every bit of time learning the how to's' of eating well
- Elise
It takes a change on the inside first to commit to do what we're doing. When I got sick and tired of being sick and tired of dieting, I turned back to take another look at this program. It is hard to convince anyone that the diet they are on is "wrong", or that another way is "right". Until they are ready to hear it, you can only give those gentle (or sometimes not so gentle) suggestions. In these few short months of working with PFA, I tell those who express an interest about the program. Some of them come back and ask -- what was that website? Some of them don't. For anyone to want to lose weight is a step in the right direction -- each time we tell them about what we are doing, it plants a seed, adds a bit of sunshine or waters it. People have to know this exists first, chew on it a bit because it's totally unfamiliar to them, and then, when they are ready, they will try it. After initially finding PFA, it took me three years to let go of the reduced calorie "diet" and give this a serious try. Keep loving them and keep hoping your words will have an impact! Be consistent with your own life -- sometimes actions have more impact than words.
- Elise
My mother, sister, brother-in-law and niece all started Jenny Craig last week. I spoke to my sister yesterday and she told me that in the first week on the program she had lost four pounds. On the one hand, I was thrilled for her - she's been battling with her weight almost as long as me! On the other hand, I was so upset. I know, as sure as I'm sitting here typing this blog, that it's mostly water weight, that this program is not going to teach her anything about how she should eat, that eating 1200 calories a day of prepared food that she buys from the Jenny Craig company means only that she's probably eating way too much sodium, sugar, saturated fats and processed crap that is bad for her body, and that on 1200 calories a day her body will soon realize that it's going into starvation mode and then the whole party will be over. I couldn't tell her any of that. I wasn't brave enough. It would have been too sad to burst her bubble. And my mother and brother-in-law and niece are making the same mistake. I have come so far on this program in terms of my education, the way I eat and the way I think that I could NEVER, NEVER, NEVER go back to the "immediate gratification" type of diet. I feel so much better, I know how to make the right choices, my body has changed - have I mentioned lately that I'm routinely wearing my daughter's pants? Yup. She's 17 and I'm 46. Hurray! The scale number hasn't really changed much in the past couple of months although it's definitely going down - slowly but surely. But my body has changed and my feelings about my body have changed right along with it. I wouldn't trade that for a free year's worth of food from Jenny Craig! Now, how do I gently break it to the rest of my family? I've tried before and they just aren't willing to do the work - that's the hard part. If you can buy your precooked, prepackaged, premeasured food, why spend time crunching the numbers, learning the P/C/F ratios, figuring out what works for your body and what doesn't? It's a hard sell. I really have tried. They all think I'm crazy, eating all the time. So I guess they'll never find out that THIS is the program that works, not Jenny Craig. Oh well. I guess only some of us can HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!!
- Sheryl
You have found the right place! I'll spare the details for now but when you sign-up check out my blog..logman. I'll bet I have tried a few diets you haven't and almost certainly a good many of the ones you have. I find its like jumping off of a cliff...the end is the same...you hit bottom. I think you will like PT and the PFA...there is no bottom to hit. You follow the program, you win. You finish the program and you are where you want to be. I am 59, started at around 350/ high body fat (PFA doesn't measure that high!!) Today I am at 315 and starting week 3 of Fat Burning. We'll be watching for you on the PT site.
- Doug
New Pants! Since my pants are literally falling off of me it was time again to hit Old Navy this week on the way home from work. Ladies and Gentlemen, you may not believe it but I am now a women's size 8!!! I kid you not. The fact that I fit into women's jeans at all is astounding. I've been wearing men's relaxed fit jeans for years because they were the only ones that would fit around "the bounty" yet still fit at the waist. Well, I am now the proud owner of a pair of low-slung chino-style size W pants. Previously, I would "fit" into 12/14s but the butt/waist ratio was always an issue and I certainly would never be seen in public in those type of pants. Can I just say that I am looking pretty HOT?? Hahaha... this I share only with those who will understand. I also bought some men's jeans size 31x32. Recall that a month or so ago I rejoiced at fitting into 32s. So, tomorrow I will try to get photos. It's warmed up these last few days in AZ so the bathing suit shots might work. Heck, I'll take pics for ya in my new clothes!! ta ta, Kathleen (smiling big right now)
- Kathleen
I am hypothyroid also. Trying to get my meds balanced has been a three year struggle. I have found that the weight doesn't come off as quickly, but this is the only program that gives me enough control over my eating to make a difference. My weight loss has been slow but in the right direction. I am down over 30 pounds from my starting weight and still plugging along starting another rotation.
- Lora
I just LOVE watching the newbies go thru the same wonderful steps that I had during my introdution to the program. I get all excited and reinvigorated just reading your post. Do you feel in control for the first time in your life? I did... With your attitude you are going to do great. Keep up the good work!
- Kathleen
Lots of small changes add up to big changes. Last night I met some friends for a happy hour gathering. My evening, shoot...my entire WEEK was absolutely made when one gal who has not seen me since I started the program last September was absolutely floored by the changes in my physique. "Where did Kathleen go?" Everyone was quick to point out that I was never "fat" but that they love the new, lean, Kathleen! It was a proud moment.
- Kathleen
I'm keeping my eye on the goal. My previous short term goal was to eat right and exercise for health in order to lose fat and bring my body weight down below 200#. Today I found myself somewhat lost! I stopped and asked, what am I aiming for this time? So I have set another short term goal to eat according to the PFA and exercise in order to allow my body to shed another 20 pounds of fat. Although I know the timing of the loss will be at the rate my body chooses, it’s all about staying motivated and having the goal set – and the results to keep my eyes out for!
1. My goal is my number one priority.
2. My goal is not out of reach.
3. My goal is mine . It was not inspired or chosen by someone else.
4. My goal is motivated by self respect and not self rejection.
5. My goal is something I want not something I "should" do or "must" do.
6. My goal is not driven by the fear of either success or failure.
7. My goal is in alignment with my true self.
8. All of me wants to achieve my goal. No part of me is holding back.
9. I have a plan so that I don’t become bogged down by all the actions I need to take to achieve my goal.
10. I feel enabled, not powerless, to achieve my goal.
- Elise
I'm in day 4 of analysis phase and can't believe how supportive everyone is! Thanks for all the kind posts on my blog. Although I still have major concerns about looking my best by a deadline (sorry folks, can't give you details or even posts pics until after the big date) I've clearly stumbled onto a group of highly motivated people who seem to have the same mindset as me and are there to make the journey that much more rewarding. This is by far the best program I've found and will most likely be signing up for the full program. Have a great day everyone and thanks again!
- Ranell
I finally got an A+!!! Its taken me 2 weeks but I think I am getting the hang of this. Its incredible how much energy I am feeling. Every 3 hours I need a meal, its like my body is running on a clock. This is truly awesome. I've never been so satisfied on any diet or meal plan before! Usually I would get wicked cravings that would blow my whole effort to get to my goals. But it seems that feeding my body good CLEAN food is really what it wants AND my workouts have improved tenfold! I was curling ( bicep and tricep day) 20 pound dumbells in each hand today! I'm not event taking any fancy supplements like creatine or fat burners and I feel my strength increasing. I will just have to keep at this. It is still rather difficult getting all my calories in. I really have to be up early and start my meals at 7am in order to get them all in. But I am praying this will really work out :) thanks again all for your support :)
- Piera
Ric, in response to my blog - my final goal is 130. I will leave the fat percentage to what it falls at this point and definitely wanted to be in a size 6 so I am almost there. About 7 more pounds and Wendi will get me into maintenance. It is a wonderful feeling. I look good and feel great!. Thanks for this wonderful program.
- Peggi
Starvation diets are not the way to go. Over the years I was on many of them and each time I gained the weight back and then some. Over the years the fat just stayed on. I started PFA because I was desperate to lose and feel healthy. With much skepticism I started and low and behold I started losing. Ten pounds were gone by the end of Conditioning and I felt great and my old clothes were fitting. Now in FB for a few weeks and have noticed changes in my shape rather than my weight. Down to another set of old clothes!! Start now and you will be just that much further by March. Good luck!
- Victoria
I was like you a couple of years ago, albeit already in my 40's. I was over 150 pounds and around 25% BF. At 5'8", I spent over 20 weeks in fat burning after an 8 week conditioning cycle. I lost 25 pounds and got to 15% BF. So stick with it girlfriend. It's worthwhile and hard work, but so rewarding. I travel quite a bit but am an internet junky so drop me a line when you need to. Good luck.
- Kristen
I am a type II. I have talked to my Dr. and shown her the plan and the charts. I have lost over 20 lbs and several inches while in Conditioning. I take 5 different oral meds plus insulin (Lantus). I just was able to cut one med in half and can completely take it out as long as fasting glucose is below 100. I feel great. I see progress and I'd never thought I would be stumped by having too much food to eat. On the home page you will see under the testimonials a "more" hyperlink. Go there and do a search for diabetes. You will be amazed at the number of folks on this program who have lowered their intake of meds, and some who have completely rid themselves of the dependency on insulin.
- Doug
I did your program back in 2002 then went through some hardships and had to cancel. I wish I had been able to finish it through. Your program allowed me to drop weight and get into the best shape of my life. I have spent the last two years putting on muscle (24 lbs) and now I need your service to chisel myself back down again. Thanks for a great service.
- Ken
I filled out my chart and it's posted above. The one thing it does not show is my status right after the pneumonia where my lean mass was down to 122 pounds. So, I really am pleased with the results so far because my lean mass is now 131.5 pounds. The first 4 pounds of lean mass came back just because I kept my protein high as I wasn't lifting anything but myself during July - another testament to how well this program works even if you're just doing the food part. Even though my weight is up, my measurements are down.
- Jeanie
First of all Happy Thanksgiving! Your program has been a very good lesson in nutrition. This week I am eating 2247 calories and working my way up to 2773. Though so far I have lost almost 10 pounds, I am finding it difficult to eat that much food, but your delicious supplements are helping.
- Victoria
Last night, I weighed myself and smiled. I KNEW that in the morning the scale would read a pound less than it said I was at bedtime! It was actually a 1.5# drop! All the ducks outside know it too. There's nothing like gleeful "Woohoo" screams going through the crisp southern air at 4:30AM. I finally listened to all of you and CUT my two (brief, but existing) cardios out this week.
- Elise
Just checking in 1/2 way thru my Nov challenge. Currently sitting at 128 (my original goal) and as of last week's measurements, 20.3% fat (just above my goal). Feeling good mentally & physically. I'm enjoying a new workout plan and have done much better at getting my 200 oz of water in each day (the benefits of both being reflected on the scale and in the mirror). This is the last full week to push to lose this stubborn fat as I plan to relax a bit for the holiday, then the final push to 11/29. Then it will be on to maintenance. It’s been slow going, but its going. And I'm almost there. It’s a really nice feeling.
- Beth
Don't want to get my hopes up but... I've lost 1.5 lbs this week!!!!!!!!!!!! Can it be true?! :)
- Suzy
I am totally amazed! I am in week 4 out of 9 of Conditioning and I have dropped 9.4 pounds! I can actually fit into a pair of pants that I have not worn in two years! After analysis, I started at 1400 cal. Now at 2000cal and working my way up to 2700cal. I keep waiting to step on the scale and find that I am ten pounds heavier, but not yet. I keep eating and eating and I am losing and losing. I knew my metabolism was flat after eating 1000-1200 cal a day for years and gaining weight. But this is soooo amazing! I will still have faith if I put on a few pounds by the end of conditioning because I feel GREAT! (You have to understand that I am the biggest skeptic around. I do not believe everything I read or hear. Soooo- this took a lot of faith. So far so good-just have to make it through the Holiday seasons. :-)
- Victoria
I'm enjoying maintenance. After not losing any weight my last week of fat burning, I lost 4 pounds my first week of maintenance. It's fun to have a bit more freedom and test yourself to see if you learned anything in the process. With the program being down Thursday and Friday, I was able to eat out without preplanning and still have an A-. I still have a little way to go to get to my goal of about 22% body fat (currently at 29%) but felt after 36 weeks of fat burning I needed a break and was also feeling I could use a bit more healthy fat in my diet. I will start another rotation by the first of the year to get to my final goal. This program has really exceeded my expectations. I currently weigh about what I weighed when I graduated high school, 149, the lowest in my adult life. I also am wearing the smallest pants size (8) in my adult life also. I originally thought I'd be lucky if I lost 30 pounds and got to 175, then I thought I'd be lucky if I got below 159. I never dreamed I'd ever wear any size lower than a 12.[Ric's note: Peggy has lost 60 pounds so far in a single rotation]
- Peggy
What makes a 59 year old man named Al Carter come to this website and think he can successfully complete a physique transformation program at his age, a process that routinely breaks men twenty and thirty years younger and causes them to quit after just a few weeks? And what on earth would drive this man on when he did the improbable and actually completed a successful rotation, to believe that he could do the impossible and set the record for most pounds lost in a single rotation, then do it? So why did Al produce such outstanding results? The answer is simple: because he could. It was always within him, as it is within you. [Ric's note: Al is the current record holder having lost 65 pounds in a single rotation]
- Ric
Thanks so much for all your help and advice. I SOOOO appreciate it. This time I am a lifer to the program as there is nothing out there that I have found to be as good as yours or one that works. Last rotation when I did it 3 yrs ago I was going to give up faith when in the first month I felt fat and bloated but all I could remember was you saying give the program all your trust and it will work. I did and got down to 17.5% bf and had so much energy and I felt great. I am so glad to be back in here. Thanks.
- Cheryl
It just blows my mind that I could be eating so much and lose weight. It's counter intuitive in every way, which makes it hard to believe. I still don't completely trust this - I fear the scale in the morning, even though I was an 'A' today. I went out to lunch with friends and just had an ice tea. When they gave me the pity look at not being able to eat anything there, I laughed - I told them not to worry - I could eat something there, but that I had 2000 calories of food waiting for me at home that I was choosing to eat instead! This is a wild journey, Ric. I'll keep you posted.
- Linda
I was so bummed that morning. I wracked my brain to think of anything that I could be doing wrong. All I could think of was that I had been eating a lot of canned, refried beans to save time - and realized that their salt content may have been a factor. It didn't seem like some salt could make much of a difference on my small frame but hoping upon hope, I made my own beans to eat on Friday and Saturday - no salt - and kept my sodium below 100% and . . . . HOT DAMN . . . I was 131.5 this morning. Down 2 pounds for the week. Wow.
- Linda
I'm into week 3 of Conditioning and have followed my menus to the letter. I’ve lost 5 lbs and eaten tons of food! I spend a good part of the day trying to perfect the following day’s menus trying for that A+ score which I have yet to achieve. A is my best and have only had a B three times. When I'm not at the computer I feeding my face as i call it or out shopping for groceries. I've never bought so much sweet potato or brown rice in my life. But I'm so proud of myself for following this and doing it with so much enthusiasm. I have week 3 & 4 of Conditioning to complete then fat burning yippee!!! For the first time in my life I really feel like i can achieve something I've dreamt of for so long.
- Bec
What an awesome feeling to get on the scale this morning and have a new low. I love it. For those that doubt this program please hang in there. I was 140 on Monday and weighed in today at 136. My weight is all over the place. Sunday I had too much sodium and sugar, a luscious small piece of pecan pie, and my weight shot right up. I was 137 3 weeks ago. I was then dealing with woman issues a few days after that which caused my weight to fluctuate anywhere between 137.5 and 140 for 2 1/2 weeks. As of Monday I decided to really eat clean and because of that I was rewarded this new low. All I have to say as a woman in premenopause years you just have to be patient, trust the program, and the results will be there.
- Mary
I have reached my 20 pound weight-loss goal, and would prefer to keep at it a while longer since I am continuing to lose. Thanks!
- Judy
Mind Boggling Progress! I am very much in awe of how much FAITH it takes to do this the first time -- especially those women whose scales show a weight gain during conditioning. This type of "eating plan" is absolutely mind boggling to the mainstream diet culture and is largely why I didn’t try it when I first ran across it in 2003 (or was it 2004?). I am very connected to the scale as a measure of progress. I cling to, and anticipate every half pound the scale drops. Whenever the scale shows no downward progress, I get the tape measure/calipers out – and whenever that shows no progress, I get my food diaries out to show myself I’ve been true to my plan, and if THAT doesn’t do it, I read the 10 Secrets e-book. I also check the blogs and profiles and yahoo-group for encouraging comments from those of you who have been successful. This is a real psychological challenge!!! For me, conditioning is eight weeks total and Week 4 starts this Monday. I’ve attached a visual on weight loss because it’s one of the amazing things that are contrary to what I “think” should be happening by caloric standards [Ric’s note: Elise has lost 13 pounds so far during Conditioning]. Those days that spiked upward -- my eyebrows rose right along with those upward spikes. I can only explain the general downward curve as increased metabolism, increased veggies and decreased simple sugars and sodium. The weight loss during conditioning is something I’ve been told not to expect. I'm reading that this is not everyone’s experience. That must be a real mind-twister and you all have my “Hurrah!” for sticking to it.
- Elise
Another month's progress, slow & steady wins the race... Down 6.5 more pounds and 1% body fat in the last month. Plus another 1/2" off hips, 1" off waist, 2" off shoulders, 1" off chest, 1.5" off thigh. To be honest, this has been done mainly thru diet, very little exercise. Something I need to improve, obviously. So last night I got off the wagon (literally) and walked a mile with my son during the Halloween trick or treating hayride out in our semi-rural neighborhood. I can see great progress in that I was ABLE to do that, now that I am down a total of 31 pounds. I am ABLE to get on and off the trailer by myself. I have to remind myself sometimes that THIS is why I am really doing the PT program -- so I can do the fun things in life. It's not really about the number on the scale, that is just a tool to keep track of your progress. My total weight loss so far (4 weeks conditioning plus 12 weeks fat burning) is 31 pounds. My calorie levels haven't changed yet since beginning fat burning 12 weeks ago -- still 2607 to 2007 calories every day -- amazing! Can't wait to see where I am in another month!
- Sandy
Wow! It's only been 4 days since I started Fat Burning and I can already tell I've slimmed up a bit. This is pretty exciting.
- Jason
Wonderful new low! I weighed at the gym again today, the doctor office kind of scale. A firm 158.75#. I had a lower diet score than usual for a Monday because I wanted to eat a portion of the stew my husband made on Sunday. We had friends over Sunday and I had stew, french bread, olive oil to dip the bread, salad and a triple chocolate cookie that I made earlier in the day. I am thrilled that my body is burning up what I eat. My waste system is working more efficient than ever and I feel fabulous. For me, the program is working because I'm in no hurry and I fix meals that have been adapted to have less sodium, sugar and fat.....but I get to eat au gratin potatoes, stew, spaghetti and such. The biggest thing though, I don’t feel like a fat person anymore. I’ve been very overweight and even when I started in Feb., I was 185#. That was 50# less than my all time high ten years earlier. I don’t automatically wear XL anymore. It’s just grand. For any of you who are feeling large, the time factor works in your favor. Part of the whole process is to change your self perception. Ok..off the computer, I have homework to finish!
- Gwen
Since Feb 23, I have lost 25.5# off the scale but 26# of body fat. I am pretty darn happy with that! I can see that I still have a way to go. I'm not quite a close as I thought I'd be at this weight. I may have tipped in at 157.5 today but recorded 158. I think I'll try to head for 150 rather than 155. After that, we'll see.
- Gwen
One of the reasons this program works is that because you're eating plenty of whole foods, your food obsessions just about disappear. I used to NEED chocolate every day but I don't anymore. I personally think that those obsessions happen when your body isn't getting something it needs. It just doesn't know what it needs, so you run to something that you think will help you feel better. However, when you are getting the nutrition you really need that problem disappears.
- Veronica
So far what I like about the program is -
1) it is online,
2) it offers ongoing education about nutrition,
3) it is about developing a healthy metabolism as opposed to losing weight (for me anyway),
4) it is very detailed (lots of data stored and ready to use),
5) it factors exercise into the program (not just about diet or vice-versa),
6) is about what I do/eat, not about prescribing an artificial "diet" or "program",
7) does not shock the system, so my metabolism can get straightened out.
This is a really excellent tool for developing a healthy diet. Thank you so much!
- Barb
Thanks Ric. It's odd but my low calorie days seems just right while the high calorie days seem like too much food...but I am still pretty happy 22 pounds gone and roughly 12% body fat and best of all its becoming an easy way of life! Thanks again!
- Steff
The program is far exceeding my expectations...tightening up all over and in conditioning phase week 3. Thanks again.
- David
Wow, I actually managed to put together a menu that scored a 99.0% (A+). I can't believe how this has provided focus to the nutrition in my diet and what things can help/harm a good day. Potatoes seem to be the super-food of choice!
- Scott
I'm in week 11 of fat-burning and I am pleased to announce that I have lost 15 pounds. I'm pretty much on schedule of where I should be. I have to admit it's been tough at times. I have taken the advice of many and haven't been dropping my calories too fast. I have been on the same calorie schedule of 1524 low-day calories for about 6 weeks. This diet has changed my life. I haven't seen the 130's on the scale in years. Yippee!!!!!!!
- Mary
My weight is down, that is :-) ! Down another 8 pounds and 1.4% fat this month, for a total loss of 24.5 pounds. I'm ending week 8 of fat burning, still no calorie drop. I'm ranging between 2600 and 2000 calories.
- Sandy
I am down around 35.4 pounds since starting FB in January. I am nearing the end of FB and then plan on maintenance, then conditioning and another round of FB. Your site is great! Thanks.
- Greg
I did figure it out, and it's working beautifully! I get to eat some things I love and I'm losing weight and inches and feeling very strong. Thanks for having that option [Ric's note: Standard mode option] available!
- Veronica
Thanks for getting back to me. I have lost a total of 16 pounds so far and I am close to my first goal. Everyone at the gym is impressed with the program. I am even telling my customers about it. I am in the Food distribution business. Thanks for considering my issues important. I look forward to the improvements and changes in the program.
- Diane
Hi Ric. Does this Program work on a 60 year old who was very physically active but could no longer drop the pounds? I was working out 5 days a week and between hikes and the elliptical cross trainer doing 40+ miles a week. I started conditioning in the mid Jan 06; fat burning last week of Feb, finished fat burning in Aug. My goal was to lose 30 pounds to 165, ya well the number was closer to 40 pounds and now I am back into another conditioning phase! Each week in conditioning I look forward to the next week because I know that more calories will be added to my daily goals and I can consume more fat and sugar grams. Fats are no big deal but now I can consume twice the amount of sugar as in fat burning. I have only gained one pound in Conditioning so far. The real benefit came from the clean eating. I had my annual physical today, my lab tests showed major changes in all categories especially in the cholesterol reading. Blood pressure reading was 110 by 70. I can say in my whole life that it was never that low. The Dr. canceled the prescription for my high blood pressure medicine. At first the PFA was a lot of work but with planning and doing it religiously it was well worth the dividends it has paid. Thanks again I am a true PFA devotee, now and will always be (it is too easy to get off tract if you do not monitor yourself)
PS Is there any way I can get A Physique Transformation T Shirt? The remarks that I get from my transformation are amazing.
- Dwight
I really want to thank you for Physique Transformation. It has brought out a part of me that I never knew existed. I'm in the maintenance phase now, and it's the only diet I've ever found that works in the long haul - and in the real world.
- Renee
Hi Ric...just read your latest letter. I've listened to all your pod casts so I hear your voice when I read something from you. Your 'teacher' voice changes when you sit at your computer! You are one passionate man and I can just see your fingers pounding out the letters on your keyboard. I am getting closer each day to my goal. I am happier with my body than I've been in years, and while I might have lost more weight on a conventional reduction plan by now, it could not hold a candle to the BF% reduction I've had and I wouldn't be nearly as strong. I'm not fearing the day I stop dieting...probably because dieting for me refers to being aware of what I eat each day. I've learned that every day cannot be a 'feast' day and that there are also days for feasting. I know how the worldly view of weight loss frustrates you but you do reach those who are willing to listen. I am learning as are many others...you are a good teacher.
- Gwen
I lost a total of 36 pounds with the help of the PFA and Sheri Lynn Foster! Thanks.
- Melissa
Hi Ric. I am currently done with the program and have lost all of my weight and I feel great! I would like to cancel my membership now. Thanks.
- Melissa
I'm so happy with PFA results! Here I am after 17 weeks of concentrated effort to lose fat and drop my weight and I'm totally blown away by how effective PFA really is. I've gone from 250 pounds to 210 during my effort and have learned so much more about what clean eating is that I feel very confident in my ability to continue to drop to my goal body fat and weight over the next few months. What Ric's book predicts is absolutely right on for me, my weight loss has averaged 2 pounds per week for the 10 weeks I've actually been in FB mode. Some weeks I've gone down only about a pound and then the very next week I'll drop 3 pounds. I also believe that once I’ve reached my goals that I’ll continue living and eating this way for the rest of my life. I feel so much better physically that there is really no comparison to how I used to feel. Old habits have been replaced with healthy new ones and for that I am totally grateful to Ric Rooney and his followers. If you are new to this program, take my word, it is all true what Ric tells you.
- Al
Wow, what a ride! I have just completed my 8th week of FB and have dropped by 15.6 lbs. That's an average of almost 2 lbs per week. Overall, I'm down 25.6 lbs since the beginning of this trek with the PT program. I am so excited. I'm wearing sizes I haven't been able to wear in many years. I have lots of energy and am almost never hungry and crave almost nothing. As an example, I went to a party last night with several other couples that my wife and I socialize with called "tapas". We get together once a month on a Friday night, rotating among our homes as hosts. These friends are a fun-loving group of people who all bring a special bottle of wine and some tapas (Spanish for Hors D’Oeurves) to these parties. For the past couple of months I have avoided the monthly dates because I was afraid I couldn't handle the temptation of the wine and snacks (very fattening ones). Anyway, last night my wife convinced me to go this time and I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to go without a feeling of deprivation that I thought I would feel. On top of that, those who haven't seen me recently were amazed at my new appearance. This, of course, is motivating me even more to stick with the program and get down to my goal body fat percentage.
- Allen
Well I dropped a pound again this Thursday I am now down to an all time low since my High School days. Still have a long way to go Re: my fitness level, body fat %, and looks but I am "Gettin' Er Done" so to speak. Just hope the consistent weight loss continues....
- James
When your teenager tells you 3 times, "Wow, mom, you really lost a lot of weight" - that has got to be one of the most GRATIFYING things a mom can hear. Especially from a teenager because (a) they rarely notice much except themselves and (b) you never know whether they'll be kissing you one minute and screaming at you the next... So I am taking this as a HUUUUUUUUUUUGE sign of progress. I am psyched!!!!!!!!!!! Soon I'll have to take some new pics.
- Sheryl
I lost 45lbs, I feel so much better, and I have learned how to manage my diet and eat healthy. This, combined with a daily workout schedule, has taken me to where I wanted to be. Thanks.
- Ian
Thank you for all that you put into this program and your products. Without PT.com I would probably still be an anorexic weakling in denial.
- Kim
I have reached my goal weight and don’t want to keep paying every month...I think this is a wonderful program by the way. When I first started this program I was unhappy and had an eating disorder. This program has helped me gain control again, and I no longer have any kind of eating disorders now. Yay! Thank you so much.
- Megan
My friends all think I am kooky with measuring everything, eating all day, etc. It was worse for me in Conditioning with them! They still don't get it. I am (I think) in week 8 of fat-burning and have only lost 8 pounds (am down 2 complete clothing sizes though). So, when people tell me how much my body has changed, they want to know how much weight I've lost. Get this, how funny are people; When I tell them 8 pounds they tell me the plan must not work. Hahahahaaaa, I haven't worn a size 2 in 5 years!
- Linda
I've used the manual version of PFA over the past 9 months to get lean and mean for bike racing and next month to Climb Mt Logan in the Yukon. I'm in as good shape as I've ever been in at any age (I'm 47) and now my brother and a friend are using the software. What a great program.
- George
The last 3 and half weeks have had its ups and downs but overall I have learned a lot about what "clean eating" is all about. I'm down a little over 10 lbs since the beginning of conditioning and am feeling really good both mentally and physically. The weight training has gotten to the point where I look forward to my session rather than dread it as I did in the beginning. I still miss cardio but feel good knowing I can get with it next week when FB starts. I'm hopeful that I can keep up at least a 2 pound fat loss during FB as predicted by Ric.
- Allen
Hi there, A ten pound fat loss is huge....I have not been very good at tracking numbers, because I decided not to make that my focus but to major on the health side of things. I can tell you that since beginning I have lost more than twenty pounds and have gone from a size fourteen pants to six or eight depending on the cut. I have to take my kids to school but wanted to encourage you that I for one have stuck with the program and have seen awesome results. My metabolism has changed I really enjoy eating so much more food and have learned a ton about nutrition in the process...wishing you every success!
- Hope
Well, I just finished conditioning and ramped up my calories to over 1200 more than when I started the program. Ended conditioning weighing one lb less than when I started, measurements down as well. First week of fat burning and I am already at goal for the week. The time will pass regardless of whether you do this program or not. Why not give it a shot? It's totally against everything we're taught about creating consistent caloric deficits for weight loss, but it absolutely works.
- Wendy
I noticed the same phenomenon. I had been averaging 1600 calories a day for over a decade and I was rarely hungry. In fact, I used to forget to eat. Not so since the 2nd week of conditioning. Now I know if I've missed a meal. It's like my body knows that it's possible to get what it needs and is beginning to demand it.
- Natashara
I listened to your interview with Randy a few minutes ago... I have been on the Conditioning phase for 6 weeks now and starting Monday on Fat Burning - running on faith - I have learned a lot, much of which is the mental transitioning from the typical diet of starving myself to feeding yourself and rebuilding your metabolism. I'm in the process for the year and on :) I have also taken up meditation to calm myself and to keep focused. The last 6 weeks has been a growth and learning period of finding myself. I wanted you to know that the system your have created is working and it may not be the time and moment for everyone. But for me - it is making a world of difference. I am no longer tied to the scale and what outfit to wear to make myself look smaller. I am eating healthier and looking for food which is not processed, looking at labels for lower sodium choices, going to the store to buy more vegetables - just vegetables lol, eating more grilled chicken than I thought possible, working out to the point where it has become a habit and focusing on stretching out the intensity with that now that it is has started to be a habit... Water has now become a beverage of choice and when I did consume a coke a week or so ago - I was hyper for an hour... amazing that the products we consume do show themselves. My complexion is clearer. I have hope :) and I wanted to thank you...
- Kim
DO NOT GIVE UP, this will be worth it! I stayed in Conditioning 6 weeks, I'll probably be in Fat Burning for the rest of my life! I still have 40 lbs. still to go BUT I've lost 35 lbs and 25" so I don't give up even when I REALLY want to. Hang in there.
- Lynn
Amen, Ric. You gotta really want it for this to work for you and you've got to want it at the right time in your life. You've got to be willing to change your mind and your life to make this work at first. It gets easier as time goes on and the learning curve is steep, but oh so worth it. This program makes so much sense - but if you come to it when you are not prepared mentally it's not going to fly regardless if it's PFA Lite or not. This is not for the folks who want to lose 20 pounds in 1 month. This is not for the folks who want to eat all the meat you want and little else. This is not for the faint of heart. But, and it's a big but, if you really want to learn how to take care of your body and really want to learn how to get to the next level of physique transformation, there is just no other place to go that can teach you this in a way that the lay person can understand. This is the place to be and I am grateful that you are not going to water it down. Eventually, if and when enough of us have gone through this process and have spread the word simply by our living the lifestyle, people will stop rolling their eyes and tuning out what we tell them and they will come to us come loaded with questions on how they, too, can transform their bodies and health. And we will send them to you. This is a place that is only for the strong of heart and determination - and it should be that way. Remember - if you want what most people don't have, you must do what most people will not do. That is us - doing what most people will not do to have what most people will not have. I like being in that - and this - group!
- Michelle
Ric, after communicating with you last fall about my physique and whether I should rotate again or just fine tune my physique with training, I have come to the conclusion that training is the right road. I am fit and easily maintain my weight at a healthy body fat percentage thanks to all of the knowledge I have learned from you and your program. I have realized that I have graduated to a level of knowledge and confidence where I don't need to "get stuck" in cycling through rotations every few months. I have been equipped by your program to maintain a healthy food plan and active lifestyle without being tethered to the computer and food scale! Thank you so much for the incredible education you have provided through your service. So, I would like to close my account with PT.com. If I need to revisit your program in the future, I will just sign up again! But, for now, I will not be needing this fantastic tool. I wish you and your business the best in 2006. You have great things happening there and I know you will be even more successful because of the improvements you have made. Blessings to you and your family.
- Shelley
We fear what we don't understand. That's normal. It's a big leap of faith and I truly understand what you're saying. I followed this program to the tee several years ago and went from around 260 to 220 in two rotations. I gained it back cause I tried to do maintenance without understanding enough about what to eat so went back to my old ways. I know you're scared but keep this in mind....if it DIDN'T work, do you think I'd be back now doing another rotation? I'm back because I know it will work. Keep the faith!
- Richie
It's trite but true ~ Rome was not built in a day. If you are measuring your success by what the scale tells you everyday then you are in for a rough time of it. Some women go weeks without losing a pound ~ I was one of those unfortunate ones. Had I given up or skipped a workout or indulged in food that I really wanted, I never would have achieved my goal. You may be right on the verge of success but you'll never know it if your head gets in the way of what your heart really wants. Tomorrow may be the day that the scale drops and if you blow it today...you won't see that. But know this too, it may also be the day that the scale goes up because you're retaining water, still have food in your stomach, cycling, or whatever. The scale just measures your gravitational pull on the earth. It doesn't know how hard you're working, how faithful you are to the program, or your desire for change. It certainly doesn't account for your focused discipline so why would you measure your success based on something that knows so little about you? I know it's a hard mindset to change because we've been brain washed to live and die by that number ~ triggering wild mood swings complete with feelings of frustration, anger and resentment. I'm sure it took you awhile to get where you are today and it will take time to lose the fat and get the body that you came here for. You don't know it now, but the fat that you're losing has a powerful affect on the way you look and on your health. I'm a career dieter and, like you, was upset with my lack of 'progress'. After 8 weeks of conditioning and then another 4-5 weeks of fat burning it was a real test of my mettle to continue on and not get defeated. Take a picture now and compare it to your conditioning photos. You can't see the changes that your body is making because you look at yourself everyday. If you stick with this and honor the commitment you made with yourself that one day you're going to wake up and not care what the scale says. The changes that you're going to see in your physique are going to astound you and then you won't look back. You're being tested right now. Don't give in. If there is anything worth doing for you and your children ~ this is it. We all get frustrated. I was just whining this morning about my plateau and the scale and I know this stuff cold. It's part of the education. We all want it now. It's part of our culture. But fast weight loss is not the answer. Fat loss is the answer and you're doing just fine. Congratulate yourself on the 2# loss and keep at it.
- Kristen
Your post hit a nerve, Sue...especially when you said that it's easy to stick to something when you've seen it work. It's not easy to stick to this ~ personally I struggle everyday and I consider myself a 'vet' as you defined. My first rotation was difficult. I didn't lose a pound for weeks. I wanted to scream, cry, curse, eat a ding dong (ok, lots of 'em) but, in the end, the only thing that kept me going was Me and my deep resolve not to throw out 8 weeks of conditioning and 5 weeks of fat burning work just because I hadn't lost 'weight'. I doubted this stuff everyday so I did research and read the success stories everyday to reaffirm my commitment to finishing. With every passing day, this work was having an impact on my psyche. What was interesting too is that, while the PFA is unique and wonderful software application, the process of transformation is not. Fitness and figure models do the same thing we're doing ~ follow a condition or muscle building phase followed by a stripping or fat burning phase. We just happen to have a very cool app that helps us architect exceptional nutrition everyday to get us to our goal. If you've ever read Tom Venuto's Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle, the principles are similar. I have the book, love it but couldn't imagine applying these principles without a tool to track what we're eating. So, you're not an island and we're not an island. The key to all of this, and every fit person knows this, is diet. Your body is undergoing substantial changes whether you can see it or not. As I told you several weeks ago, you've earned your chops and now that you’re fat burning reality is starting to reveal itself to you, it's time to own the process and make it deliver results for you. Ditch the auto pilot mentality. This is about you and becoming intimately aware of how your body responds to food, water, exercise, stress, hormones, etc. So, by all means, stay the course when things are humming along and adjust accordingly when they're not. You're not a newbie anymore, Sue. Shift your mental state to vet ~ I think you'll find that will help as well.
- Kristen
To all newbies, I know you’re anxious to lose weight but that's not the process here ~ we're about losing fat and dramatically changing the way your body looks. Embrace your 6, 8, 12 or 14 weeks of conditioning. This is the time to really focus on weight training. I'm envious of those taking longer in conditioning, not shorter. It means they have more time to build muscle which is the furnace you need to burn the fat. So, while that may be counterintuitive and our culture is all about immediate gratification, take the time now to write down your goals, focus on eating the cleanest food you possibly can, drink lots of water (work up to a gallon) and get at least 8 hours of sleep. If you are able to accept this phase for the secret sauce it is ~ you'll have a much better time of it over the course of your conditioning. You are in an envious position ~ brand newbies ~ and can really seize a golden opportunity to get fit and get your head really focused on what your heart wants. Get to training ~ don't be lazy and bypass the gym! Work hard now ~ you won't regret it!
- Kristen
Thank you for the nice remarks to Brits. As regards marketing, word of mouth is powerful and I have told everyone I met how I have lost 18lbs – struggling to eat 5 portions of vegetables, 10 cod steaks, 1.5lbs of chicken, 2+ lbs of potatoes and a saucepan of rice each day! A lot of people have been careful to note the site name.
- Michael
I wanted to write in and tell anyone who might be interested in what I've been thinking regarding this program lately. My all time low since starting to try and lose weight since my last was born 8 years ago was 136 pounds. I reached that before the PFA and then my weight hovered for a long time at 145. Conditioning took that weight to 150. Today after 14 weeks of fat burning I am at 138.5. Have I lost any weight? I definitely have lost fat and gained muscle. Bottom line for me is this. This program is an amazing tool. I love this quote; if the job is too hard you're using the wrong tool. This program is a tool for me to use to assist me in losing weight and maintaining muscle.
- Doris
I have two children also. I found that as I worked this program, my whole family became more aware of food and developed better habits. My son, 6, was very interested and my husband was the best. Every time one of the kids complained about a meal on the table, he would explain that mom was an athlete and that she knows how to feed athletes and that we were a very lucky family because of it. Now my 6 year old reads every food label that he can and tells me how much fat, sugar, protein, carbs, etc. etc. He has taken responsibility for himself and for his whole family in this regard, so much so that I have to stock the fridge with cheese and yogurt for him just to be sure that he is getting enough fat. Because my meals are so low in fat they won't meet his needs, he comes home every day and eats a yogurt or a couple of pieces of cheese on his own to supplement my dinner. I think it is great to get the kids involved and start getting them aware of what is in food and what is good about it and what is bad about it. Whatever you decide, you will be surprised what a difference it makes just by having the family become more aware of their food and more appreciative of healthy meals.
- Tanya
I happened to catch 'America's Obesity Epidemic' on The Learning Channel last night. Outside of being totally grossed out watching docs literally pull the intestines out of a woman, then stuff them back inside her as part of a gastric bypass, what struck me most was the absolute ignorance of the vast majority of people interviewed, about food and diet
- Ric
I was talking to my husband who is serving in Iraq right now and I mentioned to him that there was this man who was also doing the program who was featured on the PFA home page. He said "wouldn't that be weird if it was my boss who I introduced the program to?" Then I mentioned the name and sure enough it was Jackson McRae. So my husband put him on the phone and we talked about the program for a while and I told him he was quite an inspiration for quite a few members. He was quite humbled. He mentioned the computer program is still giving him problems but he's dealing with it. He has also inspired his wife to begin the program when he gets home (about 2 more weeks). It is just ironic that I began the program, inspired my husband, who inspired Jackson McRae, and now look who he's helping. Just had to share my story with my fellow pfa'ers.
- Sue Ellen
Thank you for the support! I've decided to stop worrying about it and just have faith. After all, I've been eating between 1200-1300 calories a day forever and have STILL put on weight like mad, so obviously whatever I was doing wasn't working. Between an under active thyroid and starvation diets, I'm a mess. Time to trust something/someone else who knows what they're doing!
- Urvashi
This program will not work in one month, or two months, or even three months. If you decide to commit to doing the whole program, and not giving up before you even finish, then just the act of fulfilling that promise to yourself will be a great victory, whatever the result to your body. That alone will fill you with such joy.
- Tanya
Boy, I really like that saying, "the only way you will fail is if you quit". I might have to creatively borrow that expression, with permission of course! But you are absolutely right. Anyone who comes to this program with a 30 or 60 day mindset will no doubt be sorely disappointed.
- Ric
I couldn't grasp the important concept of getting high scores in Conditioning until I had to get them. I was lax with cleaning up my diet. I did the minimum to pass the weeks. Then I hit fat burning and it's like wait a minute, this is really, really hard. It took me 3 months to get serious about doing this again. Now I'm serious about it. I want to succeed.
- Kim
I am on my first day of entering my food in PFA and my score is an F...boy do I need this program! I have read a lot, listened to a couple of podcasts and this program just makes perfect sense. A quick fix is not going to solve a lifetime of bad eating. I have been looking for something to teach me how to eat right and guide me through it, I think I've found it and I'm so excited. My husband is going to do the program with me!
- Shawna
Karen, I am a newbie too and I have stress eaten myself up about 40 pounds and hated myself for it. I am on week 3 of Conditioning and I feel my head is clearing now that I am off the addictive su